Support group for parents available

The Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted parent support group sponsored by the Durango School District 9-R Gifted and Talented Program is seeking members.

This discussion group will be based on the book A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children and will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays March 7, 14, 21 and 28 and April 18 and 25. Child care will be provided.

For more information and to sign up, call Deb Nielsen at 247-9490, ext. 2828, or email dnielsen@durango.k12.co.us.

DHS to hold meeting for spring athletes

Durango High School will host a mandatory meeting for all spring athletes, parents and coaches March 5 in the main gym.

The general session will begin at 7 p.m. and the specific sports sessions will begin at 7:30 p.m. at these locations: baseball, Gym 1; track, Gym 2; girls golf, Room 2010; boys lacrosse, Room 2014; girls lacrosse, Room 2016; girls soccer, library; boys swimming, Room 2020; and girls tennis, Room 2022.

Participants who attended the fall or winter sports meeting do not have to attend the general session, but must attend the specific sport session beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Fundraiser to benefit horse program

The Big Picture School staff members and students have partnered with The Phoenix Program to raise money for and awareness of equine-assisted learning.

Local artist Robin Caspari has donated a limited-edition print that will go to one winner to be announced March 17 at the Irish Embassy.

To enter to win, call Hallie Whitney at 382-0564 or Dreher Robertson at 259-0203. The tickets are $5.

Durango library to offer art contest

The Durango Public Library invites children from 5 to 14 to enter an art contest highlighting the 2012 Summer Reading Program, “Dream Big – READ!”

Artists may submit their work at the library between March 15 and April 16. Winners will be selected in three grade categories, and winning artwork will be used to promote the summer reading program.

For more information, rules and entry forms, call 375-3380 or visit www.durangopubliclibrary.org.

Application period to open for scholarship

The application period is about to open for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program.

This program is open to high-achieving seventh-grade students with financial need. Scholars receive services and support in several areas such as high school and college advising and counseling, summer academic or enrichment programs and learning technology such as computers and software.

For more information, visit www.jkcf.org/scholarships/young-scholars-program/how-to-apply, call (303) 428-2634 or email cbk@centerforbrightkids.orgs.

Crow Canyon camp scholarships available

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, located near Mesa Verde National Park, offers several regional and American Indian scholarships for its Middle School Archaeology Camp, High School Archaeology Camp and High School Field School.

These summer camps for teens are designed to engage young people in the study of the past through hands-on activities, discussions and field trips.

Students applying for a regional scholarship must be residents of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona or Utah. All American Indian students are eligible to apply for an American Indian scholarship, regardless of state of residence.

The scholarship application form is available at www.crowcanyon.org/scholarships or request an information packet by calling 564-4346 or (800) 422-8975, ext. 146.

Cattlemen, Cowbelles offer scholarships

The La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen and the La Plata County Cowbelles are offering $1,000 scholarships to college-bound students whose families are members of the Cattlemen or Cowbelle organizations.

Applications are available through the counselors at Durango High School, Bayfield High School, Ignacio High School and Pagosa Springs High School. Applications also are available through Fort Lewis College counselors.

For more information, call Peggy Beebe at 563-4497 or Barbara Jeffries at 247-2816. The deadline for applications to be given to the scholarship committee is March 30.

Early childhood council to meet March 5

The Montelores Early Childhood Council will meet at 11:45 a.m. March 5 at the Church of Christ annex, located on the corner of Adams Street and Montezuma Avenue in Cortez.

All are invited, especially parents. Lunch will be provided.

To RSVP, email Vangi McCoy, mecc.coordinator@gmail.com or call 749-7017.

Discovery Museum announces events

Durango Discovery Museum, 1333 Camino del Rio, will celebrate its first birthday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday with these events:

Free admission all day.

Music and dance with the Stillwater Band, Ballet Folklorico and Frisky Business Bluegrass Band.

Performances by Brickhouse Poets, Erin Stephens Jugglers with students and Asa Tribe Fire Dancers.

Pinball Science with Peter Larson and the Tesla Coil with John Kent.

Unveiling of T.O.M., the 3-D printer, and the museum’s new telegraph.

Cake pops and a happy birthday sing-a-long will be held at 6 p.m.

For more information, visit www.durangodiscovery.org.

Sign language classes to be offered

American Sign Language classes will be offered by St. Paul’s Lutheran Preschool, 2611 Junction St., from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on four consecutive Mondays beginning Feb. 27.

These classes will be taught by a certified ASL language instructor who is fluent in all aspects of ASL. The four classes are being offered by the preschool for $25 per person.

For more information and to register, call 247-1368.

Animas High announces events

Animas High School announces these events:

Enrollment for the 2012-13 school year continues at the school. Students and families who want to enroll at AHS should visit www.animashighschool.com and complete an online intent-to-enroll form. The school will hold an enrollment lottery March 1. Enrollment will remain open until next fall. AHS also is accepting enrollment for a limited number of openings in its 10th- and 11th-grade classes.

An Information Night Session will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. March 15 on the campus.

Student Shadow Experiences are available for prospective students on Fridays through Feburary. Shadow space is limited. To sign up, call 247-2474.

The third annual AHS Model United Nations Conference, where ninth-graders tackle the world’s problems from the perspective of a country they are representing, will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday in Rooms 115, 130 and 140 of Noble Hall at Fort Lewis College. Students will represent countries from around the world as the United Nations Security Council. They will debate how the council should respond to Iran’s nuclear program.

Student led conferences will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 29 at AHS.

AHS will host its second annual Sports Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 21 at the Boys & Girls Club. Donations of sporting equipment are currently being accepted at the school during school hours.

There will be an All School Cleaning Day from 3:30 to 6 p.m. March 16. Volunteers are needed. To RSVP, email pac@animashighschool.com.

Regional science fair to be held March 1

The 54th annual San Juan Basin Regional Science Fair, which is sponsored by San Juan BOCES, will be held March 1 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave.

The general public is invited to come to see the efforts of Southwest Colorado’s young scientists from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and to stay for the awards ceremony, which will begin at 3:30 p.m.

For more information, email Lynn Schneider at lschneider@sjboces.org.

Childhood Council to offer training

The Early Childhood Council of La Plata County announces a training session to be held March 13 in collaboration with the Colorado Coaching Consortium.

The training topic is “Developing Relationships with Families and Staff: Responding to Generational Differences.”

The target audience includes directors, supervisors and professionals in a supervisory or coaching role with staff or families.

For more information, including location, times and options to register, visit www.ecclaplata.org and click on the “Community Based Training and Events” link.

For more information, call Lindsay Sherman at 247-5960, ext. 20, or email lindsays@ecclaplata.org.

For more information about the Colorado Coaching Consortium, visit www.cocoaches.net.

FLC offers continuing education classes

Fort Lewis College Continuing Education Program will offer these classes:

“Volunteers: Your Hidden Resource” with Cheryl and Chuck Carson will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 3 and 10. This class will cover keys to attracting, training and retaining a vital group of volunteers who can leverage the efforts of paid staff. The cost is $74.

“Intro to Photo Editing & Photoshop Elements” with Paul Boyer will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 3. Boyer will present tools for organizing photographs and will demonstrate the basics of photo editing, such as adjusting tonality and color, removing blemishes, making selections and cropping. The cost is $54.

Advance registration is required. To register, call 247-7385 or visit www.fortlewis.edu/ContinuingEd.

Herald Staff