The class, &8220;How Can I Help a Third-Grader,&8221; will be changed this month to Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. It will be one hour long and we will discuss the reading portion of the MCA test. Anyone who is involved in a third- grader&8217;s life is encouraged to attend. Parents and teachers have benefited from attending this class.

Staff attend expo

In preparation for algebra for all in eighth grade in the 2009-2010 school year, seven Albert Lea staff members attended the Math Curriculum Expo held in Owatonna last week. Penny Hagen, Alan Helgerson, Marci Maier, Jill Nelson, Melodie Miller, Marsha Langseth and Judy Knudtson attended the expo, which featured math and reading publishing companies displaying their products. Staff are researching the best product that will meet state standards and the needs of middle school students.

Preschool professionals receive training

On Feb. 1, four teachers from United Preschool, five staff members from the Albert Lea Area Schools&8217; Early Childhood Special Education program and one in-home day care provider received the Phase 2 training in the Minnesota Individualizing Preschool Project. Albert Lea Area Schools and United Preschool were accepted into the grant project last spring. Professors from the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas led the Phase 2 training, which was focused on providing special education services to young children with disabilities in a community preschool setting. The final phase of the training will be on May 28. At the conclusion of the training, United Preschool will become a demonstration site for the project.

Preschool screening set for Feb. 22

The state of Minnesota requires a developmental screening of all 3- to 4-year-old children. Albert Lea Area Schools will conduct a free screening at Brookside Education Center on Friday, Feb. 22, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The one-hour screening includes simple checks of vision, hearing, growth, immunization status, language, muscle and social development. Children currently listed on the school census have been notified by mail.

If your child turns 4 before Sept. 1 and you have not yet scheduled a screening, or are new to the community, call Deb at 379-4843 or e-mail dwenum@albertlea.k12.mn.us to schedule an appointment.

Registration opens for Tiger Trot

Southwest Middle School will kick off registration for its second annual Tiger Trot on Wednesday during an all-school assembly.

This is the only fundraiser at Southwest and the community is invited to participate on April 12 in this 5K walk/run. This will be held in conjunction with the Albert Lea Family Y&8217;s Fountain Lake Five. All ages are welcome to attend. The proceeds will go toward the student activity fund at Southwest Middle School. Registration forms will be available on the Albert Lea District Web site soon.

Cheer team performs show

Several members of the Albert Lea Cheer Team performed a Super Bowl show for the residents of Albert Lea&8217;s Oak Park Place on Feb. 3.