Addison Trail hosts Multilingual Week to celebrate student diversity

At District 88, we’re proud to have a diverse school community – about 50 languages and more than 30 countries are represented, and more than half of the nearly 2,000 students at Addison Trail speak a language other than English.

To recognize and celebrate that diversity, Addison Trail hosted a Multilingual Week from April 3 to 6, during which staff and students participated in the following events. The goal was to show students that being multilingual is an asset and has many benefits.

• “Move for Multilingualism”: On April 3, staff and students were invited to walk in the school’s field house in support of multilingualism. The event featured music, conversation and a banner for everyone to sign. 
  
  
• “Cafe con Chisme” (“Coffee with Gossip”): On April 4, students from the school’s World Language Department and English Learner (EL) Department came together to get to know one another and chitchat in multiple languages.
  
  
• Movie day: On April 5, students and staff had the opportunity to view international films in the school’s Black Box/Studio Theatre.
  
  
• Multilingual Student Summit: On April 6, about 120 English Learner (EL) students from Addison Trail, Willowbrook, Fenton Community High School and York High School – who represent 12 native languages – attended the group’s first Multilingual Student Summit. During the event, participants were able to network and engage in meaningful sessions/presentations that discussed identity, career pathways, college planning and relationships. The keynote speaker was Marilyn Rodriguez, bilingual psychotherapist at Latinx Talk Therapy. The event was hosted by the Bensenville Park District, and music was provided by Almafuerte to end the day.