Published: March 26, 2008 12:00 am      

Education in Brief: 03/25/2008

'Listening to the River' workshop set

TRAVERSE CITY Listening to the River is holding a free Grand Traverse Bay Watershed workshop for students ages 13-16 March 31, April 1 and 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Land Information Access Association in Traverse City.

Using digital audio recording equipment and the latest editing software, students will gather multi-media data about the watershed and work with local radio producers and watershed experts to examine key issues and produce documentaries for broadcast on Interlochen Public Radio.

Equipment and materials are provided. The program is free through a National Science Foundation grant.

Space is limited to 12 participants. Sign up by March 26 calling 929-3696 or email info@listeningothteriver.org.

For details visit www.listeningtotheriver.org.

Manistee Bands present concert

MANISTEE The Manistee Fifth and Sixth Grade Bands will make premiere performances of the school year tonight at 7 p.m. in the Manistee High School Auditorium.

Following the concert, the Jazz Band will take center stage in the commons area at 8 p.m. to present their program, "Chips and Salsa."

The concerts are free and open to the public; donations accepted.

Alumni invited to perform at concert

TRAVERSE CITY Traverse City Central High School Choir alumni who attended the Central Grade School building when the school housed high school students are invited to perform with Central Grade School's sixth-grade students at their final elementary music concert.

The spring concert will be held at 1 and 7 p.m. on April 24 in Lars Hockstad Auditorium at Central Grade School, 301 W. Seventh Street. The theme is "An American Musical Celebration" and alumni are invited to join the students in singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical "Carousel."

Alumni interested should call Margaret Pierson, 933-8591.

Become a 'Love and Logic' parent

TRAVERSE CITY A six-week parenting course, developed by the Love and Logic Institute, Inc., is being offered at Central United Methodist Church in Traverse City.

The course is designed to help parents of children, from toddlers to teens, find specific answers and actions for some of the difficult moments in child rearing.

The class meets Sundays, April 13-May 18, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; or on Wednesdays, April 16-May 21, 6:30-8 p.m. in Room 305. The cost is $12 per person, or $20 per couple.

Free child care is available. For details or to register call Nan Horstman, 946-9314.

'Test Out' option for high school students

TRAVERSE CITY Under Michigan legislation, high school students may request the opportunity to "test out" of any high school class they select, with the exception of American Government. A student who successfully tests out of a course will receive credit toward graduation for the course.

Students need to declare intent to test out with an application from their counselor or by visiting www.tcaps.net/highschools/. The completed application must be returned to the counselor by April 25.

The option to test out will be offered at Traverse City West Senior High School May 15 from 7 to 9 p.m., and on May 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. or from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Student results will be available in the appropriate school office by June 2. For some classes, in addition to the final exam, students may be required to complete extended projects and/or research papers. This additional work must be completed by June 19. For details call Dr. Jayne H. Mohr, 933-1776.

AmeriCorps kicks off arts mentoring

FIFE LAKE AmeriCorps' Mentor Michigan and Forest Area Community Schools are kicking off the Warrior-AmeriCorps Arts Mentoring initiative April 18 and 19 at 7 p.m., both nights at Forest Area High School in Fife Lake.

The April 18 event will highlight getting teens involved in developing artistic talents through arts mentoring by matching students with arts mentors in fields such as music, dance, theater, photography and culinary arts. April 19, AmeriCorps member Mike Henry will host potential mentors and business partners. Both nights feature dinner theater by Forest Area students.

Registration is required by April 14. The fee is $10 per plate. To register or for more details, contact Mike Henry at 879-3464 or mikehenry@hughes.net.

Schools can register now for ACES event

LANSING Michigan students have led the country in attendance for the world's largest exercise class for past 10 years.

On May 7 at 10 a.m., millions of children nationwide and from more than 50 countries will participate in ACES All Children Exercise Simultaneously a worldwide effort to promote youth health and fitness.

Schools in Michigan can register for ACES by completing the registration at www.michiganfitness.org/ACES/, or by calling the Governor's Council at (800) 434-8642.

Michigan Better Kid Care classes set

MANISTEE Free classes for adults wanting to start a child care business are being offered by the Michigan State University Extension office in Benzie County.

Classes include education, resources, and supplies. Current child care providers are welcome to attend this 36 hour series to receive 3.6 CEUs. Classes will be held April 7-May 12, Mondays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Michigan Works in Manistee.

Registration is required by April 1. Contact Therese Povolo, MSU Extension Benzie at 882-0025, msue10@msu.edu.

NMC Barbecue funding recipients

TRAVERSE CITY The Northwestern Michigan College Barbecue Board has selected the college programs that will share funding from the May 18 annual barbecue.

This year's recipients are: Automotive Technology Department, $8,750 for a new anti-lock brake traction control training system; the Health Occupations Department, $6,000 for new IV pumps for the nursing lab; Communications Department, $5,040 for an English language wrap-around program for adult immigrants; the Music Department, $5,000 for hardware to link classrooms to digital recording studio, expanding the recording capacity; Student Services, $5,000 for a student engagement incubator fund; Science and Math Department, $4,000 for data collection sensors for biology labs; Milliken Auditorium, $3,450 for stage lighting improvements; Campus Services, $1,500 to plant trees to replace those lost to emerald ash borer disease; and the Art Department, $1,099 for a new film drying cabinet for photography classes.

The barbecue will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on NMC's main campus. Barbecue tickets are $5 in advance or $6 on barbecue day. Call 995-1020.

GED testing offered at TC Central

TRAVERSE CITY GED testing will be offered April 14-15, May 12-13 and June 9-10 at Traverse City Central High School.

Anyone age 18 and older seeking to complete high school equivalency requirements may participate; a participant must have been out of a regular school program for one year or their class must have graduated to qualify. Pre-register at the principal's office one week prior to the selected testing session; cost is $100 (cash or money order). Photo identification is required at the time of the test. Tests begin at 3:30 p.m. and last approximately four hours.

Call Anna Kane, 933-3500.