Harriet Gifford Elementary School

Harriet Gifford Elementary School, located at 240 S. Clifton Avenue, serves approximately 400 K–6 students within District U-46. Named after Elgin’s first schoolteacher, Miss Harriet Gifford, the school blends tradition and innovation with both general education and dual-language classrooms and a hands-on Outdoor Classroom. It’s a Title I, PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) and trauma-informed campus where students follow “Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful.” With a student-teacher ratio around 17:1–18:1, and a richly diverse student body, the school nurtures academic and social-emotional growth through strong parent involvement via its PIC (Parent Involvement Committee) and vibrant school culture.

Lamie Cedillo will become the new principal, bringing nearly 20 years of educational experience—including leadership roles in U-46 and DeKalb schools. Planned Building Enhancements: Under the U-46 state facilities plan, Harriet Gifford is slated for expansions—adding classroom space and a multipurpose room—to welcome students from retired area schools. Community Care Tradition: Each winter, the school hosts a long-standing canned food drive (over two decades), raising thousands of food items to support local families via the Salvation Army and Crisis Center.

1. What grades and programs does Harriet Gifford offer? Harriet Gifford serves K–6 and features both general education and dual-language classrooms, plus a unique Outdoor Classroom for engaging, hands-on learning. 2. How does the school support positive behavior and emotional growth? As a PBIS and trauma-informed school, students follow the “Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful” ethos. Staff are trained to support social-emotional development and a healthy learning environment. 3. How diverse is the student body and what’s the classroom ratio? The school serves about 400 students, with a student-teacher ratio of roughly 17:1 to 18:1. The student population is highly diverse, reflecting the inclusive nature of the school. 4. How are parents involved in school life? Parents participate actively through the Parent Involvement Committee (PIC), which organizes school events and supports classroom needs—making family engagement a cornerstone of the school culture. 5. What are some meaningful traditions at Harriet Gifford? Two traditions stand out: The annual holiday canned food drive, a 20-year effort supporting local families; and the future building enhancements to welcome students from retired schools—both reflecting deep community roots.