Home-school fellowship

Home-school fellowship
AUSTINTOWN -- There will be a home-school fellowship from 11 am. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Salvation Army facilities, 6431 Mahoning Ave. This month's meeting will include games and experiments pertaining to science. The program is open to all home-schoolers and is free. Call (330) 270-1751 for details and to reserve a spot.
Geographic Bee winner
YOUNGSTOWN -- Sixth-grader Shane Conway has won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee at St. Christine's School. The event was the first round in the 18th annual National Geographic Bee. Shane will now have to take a written geography test to advance to the state competition March 31. The national event is set for May 23-24.
Family Literacy Night
AUSTINTOWN -- Frank Ohl Middle School recently hosted its first Family Literacy Night for pupils and their families, thanks to a $40,000 Ohio Reads grant awarded to the school. The evening offered a variety of activities, from a dinner theater presentation by the Magic Carpet Theatre to a Literacy Jeopardy contest and book talks presented by the Austintown Public Library. The state grant also funds reading intervention programs, literacy clubs, teacher in-service programs and literacy coaching.
New KSU trustee
KENT -- James Biggar, chairman and chief executive of Glencairn Corp., has been appointed to the Kent State University Board of Trustees by Gov. Bob Taft. Biggar, of Pepper Pike, replaces former Trustee James R. Schubert, who died in December. His term ends May 16, 2007. Glencairn Corp. is a Richfield-based real estate development company.
Timlin appointed to board
MERCER, Pa. -- Ray Timlin, continuing education supervisor at the Mercer County Career Center and a former Youngstown State University faculty member, has been appointed to the National Tech Prep Network Advisory Board. NTPN is a membership organization for educators and employers involved in the advancement of Tech Prep and related education reform initiatives. He was the director of the Kent Tech Prep Consortium at Kent State University for eight years and coordinated professional development and curriculum design for the Mahoning Area Consortium Tech Prep housed at YSU. He came to the Mercer County Career Center from the Arizona Department of Education, where he worked as its post-secondary liaison. He also worked as the Tech Prep Grant Coordinator of the Southcentral Tech Prep Consortium at Harrisburg (Pa.) Area Community College.
Open School Week
YOUNGSTOWN -- Akiva Academy, a private day school for kindergarten through sixth grade at 505 Gypsy Lane, will hold an Open School Week for families to visit next week. Parents and students can spend time in the classrooms, observing the teachers and students. Each day is designated for certain grades to have their open house during school hours (8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.). Monday: kindergarten; Tuesday: first and second grades; Wednesday: third grade; Thursday: fourth grade; and Friday: fifth and sixth grades. For parents who are not able to visit during the day, evening visits are available by appointment only. Call (330) 747-0452. The school also will be hosting an evening open house from 6 to 7 p.m. March 23 in conjunction with the annual Science Fair.
Luncheon, open house
NILES -- Victory Christian School, 2053 Pleasant Valley Road, will host a luncheon and open house for prospective kindergarten pupils and their parents from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday. Child care will be provided so parents can visit the classroom after lunch. Those wishing to attend should call (330) 539-9827 by Wednesday for a reservation.
Ursuline placement test
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ursuline High School will administer its placement test for all incoming freshmen from 9 a.m. to noon March 11 in the school cafeteria at 750 Wick Ave. There is no charge. Students should bring two No. 2 pencils. To register for the test, call (330) 744-4563.
Lowellville open enrollment
LOWELLVILLE -- Lowellville School District will continue its inter-district open enrollment policy for the 2006-07 school year, but only for kindergarten and grades one, two, seven and nine. All other grades are closed. Applications will be available at the main office, 52 Rocket Place, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
Job skills training
COLUMBIANA -- The Way Station is offering Job Skills Training for Teens for Columbiana County residents between the ages of 15 and 18 during March and April at its facilities at 769 Springfield Road. Topics include getting a work permit, communication, job responsibilities, personal appearance and more. Those completing the course are guaranteed interviews with local employers. For more information, call (330) 482-5072.