Open Wed-Mon, 10 AM - 5 PM (Last Entry at 4 PM)

Student Leadership Day for 5th & 6th Graders

Below is information about our 2025 5th-6th Grade Student Leadership Day.


Join us for an inspiring day as students work together to build leadership skills and encourage community-building, critical thinking, and social justice. We invite you to nominate up to ten of your 5th – 6th grade students to participate in this powerful day. There is no cost for students to participate.

Our intensive Stand Up! Student Leadership Day programming engages students in 5th – 6th grades with captivating, world-class Upstander speakers, interactive programs, and the opportunity to create an action plan to take back to their school. Student Leadership Day inspires the change-makers to build leadership skills, explore their role as citizens, and develop a deeper understanding of civil and human rights issues. Students return to their communities with the tools and drive to promote acceptance and understanding.

Date & Time

Choose between two dates/times:

Tuesday, March 11, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL

Wednesday, March 12, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL

Keynote Speaker

Steve Sheinkin

Award-winning Author

A former history textbook writer, Steve Sheinkin is now making amends by writing true stories that kids and teens actually want to read. His nonfiction books include Fallout, Bomb, Undefeated, The Port Chicago 50, and his newest title, Impossible Escape. Steve’s accolades include a Newbery Honor, three Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, a Sibert Medal and Honor, and three National Book Award finalist honors. Steve lives with his family in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Participating schools will receive a copy of The Port Chicago 50.

Nomination Guidelines

NEW FOR 2024: Nominations are reviewed on a rolling basis until space is filled. If capacity has not been reached, the nomination deadline will be Tuesday, February 18 at 5:00 pm CT. You will be notified of your nomination status via email as soon as possible.

  • A maximum of 10 students per school are permitted. Please consult with your colleagues before submitting your nomination letter.
  • A teacher or administrator must participate in the program along with their students. Limit 2 teachers/chaperones per school.
  • Students should be willing to actively participate in discussion and activities, meet new people and become student ambassadors for the Illinois Holocaust Museum in their schools and broader communities.
  • Students in grades 5-6 in accredited schools or homeschools are eligible to participate.
  • Students should have a sincere interest in enhancing their knowledge of the Holocaust, genocide, and/or human rights issues.
  • Students should have shown an interest in leadership at school or in their communities or have shown an interest in creating social awareness. Schools are particularly encouraged to nominate students who are not yet leaders in their schools, but who have the potential to be. Suggested nomination criteria available by request.
  • Students must participate in the entire program until 2:30 pm.

You will be notified of your nomination status via email within 48 hours of the close of the nomination period. Additional details and links will be provided at that time. Participating schools will be invited to apply for a “seed money” grant to help fund materials needed to carry out their action plan. Application guidelines will be provided to participating schools in early December.

Presenting Sponsor of Student Leadership Days:

Education Services: Bank of America; The Bill Bass Foundation; Charles and M.R. Shapiro Foundation; David P. Brody Charitable Trust; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Full Circle Foundation; Leah Gutman Education Fund; McGraw Foundation; PNC

Endowment: Barney and Anita Sidler Education Endowment; Congregation B’nai Sholom; The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation Program Endowment Fund; The Mayor Richard M. and Maggie C. Daley Education Fund; Moselle Mintz Schwartz Education Fund; Teachers Educational Endowment Fund

Photo credits: Robert F. Kusel

Keep In Touch

Newsletter

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. If you continue using our website, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website and you agree to our Privacy Policy.

Dismiss