Student exchange seeking families
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is looking for local families to host boys and girls ages 15 to 18 from a variety of countries.
The exchange students have money for personal expenses and full health, accident and liability insurance. Students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families can choose their student from a variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.
For more information, call (800) 733-2773 or visit www.host.asse.com.
Science camp takes classes outdoors
Four Corners School of Outdoor Education’s Canyon Country Discovery Center will host its eighth “Earth, Water, Sky Summer Science Camp” from June 29 to July 2.
The school will provide opportunities for students, ages 12-18, to learn about astronomy, the night sky, geology, desert rivers and more. This camp requires the ability to hike as much as 2 miles round-trip over moderate terrain, camp and enjoy group-learning experiences. The cost is $125.
For more information, call (435) 587-2156 or visit www.fourcornersschool.org.
Stillwater Foundation builds music skills
Starting June 8, the Stillwater Foundation will have weeklong camps throughout the summer, as well as classes offered in three monthly sessions.
There will be diverse musical opportunities for all ages and levels, including classes for adults.
All camps and classes have public performances scheduled throughout the summer.
Offerings include: Introductory Percussion Camp, American Music Camp, Youth Blues Camp, Sound Engineering Camp, Studio Recording Camp, Singer’s Camp, Ukulele Camp, Theory and Improvisation Camp.
Classes during the summer are offered one or two days a week during three sessions: June 8 to July 3, July 6 to July 31 and Aug. 3 to Aug. 22.
For more information or to sign up, visit www.stillwaterfoundation.org or call Jeroen Van Tyne at 946-3049.
Camp teaches skills of mindfulness to kids
The Art of Mindfulness Kids Camp has openings for children ages 6 to 12.
The camp offers mindfulness, yoga, theater, creative writing and visual arts. There are two camp options one from June 22 to June 25 and the second from Aug. 17 to Aug. 20. Both take place from 8:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is a 10 percent sibling discount, and scholarships are available.
Classes will be taught by Joanne Hibbard, Rachel Turiel, Joy Kilpatrick and Bonnie Ward.
To register, visit www.on-pointmindfulness.com or call 903-0672.
Bake sale to benefit people of Nepal
Second- to fifth-grade Shared School students will host a bake sale for the people of Nepal.
The bake sale will be held from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3 to 3:50 p.m. Thursday at Miller Middle School. The students also are accepting spare change as donations for earthquake survivors.
For more information or to make a donation, call Bonnie Ward at 749-2196.
Mountain Middle announces events
Mountain Middle School announces these events:
Todd Macon’s sixth-grade humanities students will host “Poetry Cafe: Voice and Power,” a night of serving poetry and performances from 6 to 8 p.m. May 28 at the Henry Strater Theatre, 699 Main Ave. Sixth-graders will perform original and popular poetry on stage.
Seventh-grade students will host a “Human Body Exhibition” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 27 at the school. Students have prepared two different projects to showcase their knowledge of human anatomy and physiology. Students will welcome questions from the audience.
The school’s board of directors will review the proposed budget for next school year at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the school.
Eighth-graders will hold an exhibition from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 1 at the Fort Lewis College Ballroom. Their projects will exemplify their knowledge of space and astronomy. Students also will share their knowledge gained during a one-week internship within the community.
GED graduation ceremony is May 28
Durango Education Center’s GED Graduation Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. May 28 at Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave.
The commencement speaker will be John Prothero, 2014 DEC graduate. Graduates, their family, friends and the public are invited.
For more information, call 385-4354.
Durango High seniors to graduate May 29
Durango High School graduation will be held 6 p.m. May 29 at the Durango High School Stadium.
Big Picture seniors to graduate June 3
Big Picture High School graduation will be held 5:30 p.m. June 3 at Rotary Park.
9-R schools to close for Memorial Day
All Durango School District 9-R schools will be closed Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
9-R school district’s last day is June 3
The last day of school for Durango School District 9-R will be June 3.
9-R district office sets summer hours
The Durango School District 9-R District Office will hold summer hours beginning June 8.
The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday. The office will be closed on Fridays.
Florida Mesa to honor volunteers
Florida Mesa Elementary School will honor its volunteers from 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday with a breakfast.
Fifth-graders to star in ballroom dance-off
The All Elementary School Fifth-Grade Ballroom Dance-Off will be held from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Tuesday at Park Elementary School.
Florida Mesa students to present exhibitions
The fifth-grade students at Florida Mesa Elementary School will present its end of year exhibitions from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. May 28.
Fifth-grade parents invited to Coffee Talk
Florida Mesa Elementary School will host Coffee Talk at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Escalante Middle School Principal Tim Arnold and counselor Kim Osby will be available to answer questions for fifth-grade parents.
Students can catch up at summer school
Durango High School will offer Summer School from June 8 to July 3.
Students may take summer school courses only if they have previously failed the course and they need to recover credit.
All courses will be computer-based using an online educational system called APEX. English, math, science and social studies core academic classes will be available. Fees must be paid before a student can enroll in the course, and all courses taken during summer school must be completed by July 3. If courses are not completed, course fees will not be refunded, and students will need to retake the failed course during the next school year.
For more information, call 259-1630, ext. 2309.
Home-school program accepting applications
Durango School District 9-R’s Shared School Program is taking applications for the 2015-16 school year.
The program is designed for home-schooling families and offers classes such as art, music, drama computer, physical education and Spanish.
Elementary classes will meet from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Middle school classes will meet from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays. The district is considering expanding the middle school program to two days a week for the upcoming school year. All classes will meet at Miller Middle School.
For more information or to register, call Becky Wigton at 903-8091.
VFW contest offers two scholarships
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4031 and the Ladies Auxiliary will offer Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen scholarships.
The Voice of Democracy is an audio-essay competition open to students in grades 9 to 12. This year’s theme is “My Vision for America.”
The national first-place winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school.
Other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $16,000, and the first-place winner from each VFW department wins an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 1. Students should record their reading to a CD. The recording can be no shorter than three minutes and no longer than five minutes.
The Patriot’s Pen essay contest is open to students in grades six to eight. The theme is “What Freedom Means to Me.”
The national first-place winner wins $5,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., in March.
Entries are limited to 300 to 400 words. Participants may be enrolled in a public, private or parochial school or home study program in the United States and its territories. The deadline is Nov. 1.
Entries may be dropped at the VFW, 1550 Main Ave. For an application or more information, visit www.vfw.org/Youth.
Durango school board to meet Tuesday
The Durango School District 9-R Board of Education will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the district office building, 201 E. 12th St.
Coaches sought for girls running season
Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School is seeking coaches for the fall Girls on the Run Season.
To volunteer, call Autumn Frickel at 588-3331 or email africkel@durango.k12.co.us or laplata@gotrwesterncolorado.org.
School health clinics to offer summer hours
The School Based Health Clinics at Florida Mesa Elementary School and Durango High School will offer summer hours.
People may access either clinic, whichever is more convenient.
For up-to-date hours and information, call Florida Mesa at 385-1168 or DHS at 375-3832.
Rising juniors invited to college meeting
A college-planning meeting for rising seniors will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Durango High School library.
Juniors will learn what they can do during the summer to make the college-application process smoother and more successful. All current junior students and their families are encouraged to attend.
Sunnyside needs field-day volunteers
Sunnyside Elementary School is seeking volunteers for its Field Day, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 2.
For more information or to volunteer, email sparr@durango.k12.co.us.
Juniper School seeks board member
The Juniper School Board is seeking an additional board member who can serve as treasurer or as a board member with vast financial knowledge.
To apply, fill out the application at www.thejuniperschool.com/application-to-serve-on-our-board.html.
Animas High to hold end-of-year events
Animas High School announces these events:
Senior Supper, a pre-graduation celebration for seniors and faculty, will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the AHS Commons.
AHS Advisory Olympics will be held from 8:25 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at Santa Rita Park. Students should go directly to Santa Rita in the morning and plan to be released from there. The AHS campus will be closed Friday.
AHS Graduation will take place at 4 p.m. Friday at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. General-admission seating will be available in the balcony section on a first-come, first-serve basis, with the doors opening at 3:15 p.m.
Ninth- to 11th-grade students will complete their mandatory Transitional Presentations of Learning on Tuesday, May 27 or May 28. The presentations are individually scheduled, and students are not required to be on campus unless they are presenting or paneling for other students.
There are a handful of available spots for incoming ninth- and 10th-grade students for the 2015-16 school year.
For more information, visit www.animashighschool.com.
Teacher-program deadline is May 30
Public Education and Business Coalition’s Boettcher Teacher Residency, which prepares people to have teaching careers through a hands-on master’s degree program, is seeking candidates immediately for its 2015-16 cohort to fill teaching positions in southern Colorado in more than 12 school districts throughout the Alamosa, Durango and Cortez areas.
In this region, the need for elementary teachers and high school math and science teachers is especially high. Interested, qualified candidates must apply online by May 30, and the 2015-16 cohort will begin July 20.
The coalition will host an information session about the program at 5 p.m. Thursday at Adams State University’s McDaniel Hall, Room 281.
Through the residency, candidates have the opportunity to receive a master’s degree in education through Adams State University, a Colorado teaching license and a full-year apprenticeship in a classroom alongside an experienced teacher. Candidates may teach in a variety of high-needs, rural Colorado school districts in southern Colorado and receive professional development support throughout their careers.
For more information, visit www.boettcherteachers.org.
Herald Staff
