The Southwest Middle School Math department has begun its new math curriculum, the Holt series. Math teachers thank both Nelsons and Hy-Vee for donating hundreds of paper bags which will be used to preserve the new student math books.

ALHS cheer team attends camp

ALHS cheer team members recently attended a summer camp. The girls brought home the most improved team award, two excellent team ribbons and two superior ribbons, which are the highest ribbon a team can receive. Albert Lea was also the only team at camp to receive the technical excellence award for displaying superior skills in stunting. The girls also worked to become a national championship bid winner. Paige Hanna and Brittany Mauntler also received an All-American nomination and Coach Brandy Erb received the Positively Prepared Coach award.

Southwest takes part in Red Shirt Fridays

Southwest Middle School is participating in the Red Shirt Friday Movement. Red Shirt Friday is simply a red shirt that states, “I support our troops” and is worn every Friday. Students and community members are able to purchase these shirts to show their support of the troops. This is sponsored by the Southwest Student Council.

ALHS chorale members named

Albert Lea High School Choral Director Diane Heaney has announced the members of the ALHS chorale for this year. They were chosen by audition from approximately 55 students. The group sang for the annual homecoming coronation Monday and also go on a special retreat to Good Earth Village in October. The chorale will again be available for entertainment and other special performances by appointment. It is not too early to reserve them for the holiday season. Interested parties should call Diane Heaney at 379-5386 to reserve the ensemble. The members are:

Sopranos Katie Walker, Kelly Duncomb, Lana Howe, Tara Helgeson, Samantha Petersen, Kelly Nelson and Annmarie Caporale.

Altos Christine Balsley, Jessica Malepsy, Katie Schou, Maddy Ruble, Mikaela Pierson, Kelli Hanson and Amy Lysne.

Tenors Adam Blanshan, Anthony Tate, Reid Anderson, Logan Tufte, Ben Knutson, Zach Wilke and Tim Stoneking.

Basses Alex Amundson, David Grano, Daniel Edwards, Matt Dorman, Noah Christopherson, Aaron Thomas and Kevin Zogg.

Eighth-graders voice opinions on classes

Eighth-graders at Southwest Middle School voiced their opinions about the enrichment classes they take. They like industrial tech because it’s hands-on and students get to make things. In computer tech, students have their own businesses and make brochures and business cards. Family and consumer science is great preparation because students have the babies to learn about — and get to pretend to be parents. Clay is the favorite project in art because students have the opportunity to be creative and express themselves.

— Written by Emily, Kelly, Anna, Sarah and Jenna, from table 3 at 4a lunch.

Annual hearing screening conducted

Albert Lea Area Schools does an annual hearing screening of all students in kindergarten through sixth grade and 10th grade each fall conducted by a team of speech and language pathologists from the district. The 10th-grade hearing screening is in conjunction with 10th- grade registration and took place on Aug. 20. The elementary schools received their hearing screenings Sept. 8 through Sept. 16. Southwest students receive hearing screening through parent or teacher requests.

During the screening, each child is tested to determine any hearing difficulties. If a child fails the hearing screening, a rescreen is completed in a couple of weeks. If the student continues to fail, parents are notified and permission is requested for further evaluation. At this time a referral to the district’s audiologist can be made or there may be referral to the child’s physician for further evaluation. Requests can be made at any time during the school year to have a student’s hearing tested. All testing is free for students in District 241. For more information about the program, contact the special sServices office at Brookside, 379-4820.

AmeriCorps staffer attends fall training

Stephanie Pirsig attended the AmeriCorps Promise Fellow 2008 fall training retreat Sept. 9 and 10. There, she attended workshops on volunteer management, service learning, building community partnerships and fostering youth-adult partnerships.

The retreat is the official kickoff for the 2008-09 Promise Fellow program year. The District 241 AmeriCorps program focuses on providing caring adults, safe places after school, healthy starts, effective education and opportunities to serve to students at Southwest and the Area Learning Center. Pirsig is interviewing students in need of mentors to aid in their academic and social success in middle school. If you are interested in learning more, contact Pirsig at 379-5314.