On Saturday, about 200 student musicians from Albert Lea High School will take solos and ensembles to the State/Regional Solo and Ensemble contest at Lakeville South High School.

Students from the bands, choirs, and orchestra at ALHS will play and sing all day for expert judges for a rating and constructive critique. They have been working hard to perfect their performances. The events are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. that day and parents are encouraged to attend and listen to their students. High school directors have the schedule for the day available online on the music Web site.

Area Learning Center holds food drive

The Area Learning Center had a food drive this winter season, from Dec. 1-15. There were many food boxes in many areas of the school, including the district office, special education office, Learning Center office, Head Start and the Community Education office.

Last year, the Learning Center had reached its goal of 200 pounds and even went over to a total of 272 pounds. This year, students had hoped to reach the goal of 300 pounds of nonperishable food items. They were not able to reach that goal, but did manage to collect about 170 pounds of food.

This helped out the families that look to the Salvation Army to supplement their budgets as winter approaches and the economy remains uncertain.

Halverson hosts Title I Night

The Title I Program serves students in grades kindergarten through third grade who need extra help in reading and math. Parent involvement is an important piece of this program.

Halverson hosted the annual “Ice Cream for Books Night” on Jan. 14. Students made bookmarkers, played alphabet and sight word bingo, traded used books, won new books and ate ice cream.

All family members were able to participate. One hundred and fifty students and parents attended.