Education news

The Parent-Child Home Program of the Salem Public Schools invites parents to a workshop on communication. The way people communicate is a major factor in how effective they are in their interactions with children and adults alike. This workshop will look at “I messages” as a way to express feelings to others that doesn’t blame, shame, put down or threaten. This topic will be offered at the following times and places:

Friday, Feb. 2, 9-11 a.m., at Salem Community Childcare, 45 Congress St.

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Nathaniel Bowditch School, 79 Willson St.

Childcare and transportation are available for both meetings. For information, call Joyce Parent at 978-745-5931.

The Phoenix School will host activities and a visit from Harry Potter and friends Saturday, Feb. 10, 9 a.m. to noon, at the school, 89 Margin St.

The Phoenix School will host a vacation-week program to help children explore science, engineering and robotics Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 20-23, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 89 Margin St.

Open to children age 5 to 10, participants will use Legos Robotics and other art and construction materials to design an imaginary settlement in outer space. Cost: $200. There is an option for an extended day.

The Phoenix School will host a Winter Exhibition of student work Monday, Jan. 29, 6- 7:30 p.m., at the school at 89 Margin St.

Families are welcome to come see the school, view student work and ask questions of parents, students and teachers to learn more about Phoenix’s accelerated academic program.

 The Phoenix School prepares students pre-K through 8th grade for 21st-century achievement. For more information visit www.phoenixschool.org or call 978-741-0870.

Mayor Kimberley Driscoll and the Park, Recreation & Community Services will present Knitting with the Seniors, an intergenerational activity, during February school vacation week. The group meets Tuesday through Friday, Feb. 20, 21, 22 and 23, 10-11 a.m., at the Council on Aging Building, 5 Broad St. Cost: $5. Yarn and needles will be provided.

The knitting program has become very popular for the last three years for both children and seniors. Appropriate for ages 7 and up. Sign up at the Park, Recreation & Community Services, 5 Broad St.

Salem High School’s O*N*S*T*A*G*E will perform the legendary Broadway musical “Les Misérables,” specially adapted for young performers, Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m., at the high school on Willson Street.

“Les Misérables” features the acting, singing and dancing talents of nearly four dozen Salem students under the direction of drama teacher Stephen Black. Set in early 19th century France, the featured students will appear in full costume, backed by a choral and dance ensemble. The production’s live orchestral accompaniment showcases the high school’s award-winning student musicians. A student-staffed technical crew, under the guidance of artists in residence, sustains the theatrics.

An epic saga, “Les Misérables” chronicles the life of Jean Valjean and the genesis of the student revolution. Valjean, jailed for almost 20 years for stealing a loaf of bread, is the central figure, and his story reflects on social injustices, the despair and fury of the disenfranchised poor, and the redemptive qualities of love, honesty and forgiveness.

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For ticket information and reservations for groups of 10 or more, call 978-740-1136.

The Ralph Salvucci Online Bridge Contest is open to all Massachusetts students in grades K-12. Registration for the contest began Wednesday, Jan. 3, and will end Friday, April 6, for locals. Best Estimator estimates must be e-mailed to fungkare@gmail.com before midnight on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The statewide contest ends Sunday, April 15 and the national contest ends Friday, June 1. Designs should be uploaded to the Web site.

To download the free West Point Bridge Design program and receive full instructions, visit www.engineeryourfuture.org.

North Shore Community College’s Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the annual Distinguished Alumnus Award designed to recognize outstanding alumni of the college. Any interested party on behalf of an alumnus may submit nominations.

Candidates for the award will be chosen on the basis of integrity, professional accomplishment, and community or College service. The award recipient must be able to attend NSCC’s commencement on May 24.

Please forward letter of nomination no later than March 15 to the NSCC Alumni/College Relations Office, One Ferncroft Road, P.O. Box 3340, Danvers, MA 01923. For more information, call Cathy Anderson, director of Alumni & College Relations at 978-762-4000 ext. 5483/5482 or e-mail canderso@northshore.edu.

North Shore Community College is seeking applicants for alumni scholarships. The scholarships, valued up to $1,000, are awarded annually to graduates of NSCC who are continuing their education in a post-Associate’s program at an accredited institution, regardless of the year they received their NSCC degree.

Awards are made on the basis of merit, academic scholarship, and campus/community service. Further information about eligibility requirements and applications are available online at www.northshore.edu/alumni/index.html or at the Alumni Office at the Danvers Campus, Berry Building, room DB330. Deadline is March.

If interested, contact the Alumni Office 978-762-4000 ext. 5481 or e-mail to Sandra Rochon, srochon@northshore.edu.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, this year the theme of the eighth annual contest is “Making Democracy Work: Citizens’ Rights and Responsibilities.” The contest is open to all Massachusetts students in grades 4-12. Contest deadline is March 16.

Winners will receive US Savings Bonds and read their essays from Faneuil Hall in Boston at the awards event.

For information, call the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts at 617-523-299 or 800-882-1649 or visit www.lwvma.org.

A free college education is available through the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship Program. Qualified individuals can compete for four-year college scholarships valued at $180,000 at top universities around the country and go on to lead in diverse careers such as aviation, submarine, surface ships, medical, intelligence and Navy SEALS.

Applications can be submitted online at www.nrotc.navy.com or by contacting a NROTC recruiter at 617-753-3041. While there are competitive academic and physical fitness requirements, there is not commitment incurred just for applying. The NROTC scholarship pays all tuition, books and provides a monthly stipend for other expenses.

Typically over 50 percent of qualified applicants have been selected from the New England area. Last year 80 applicants were selected to receive a four-year NROTC Scholarships.

North Shore Community College is offering two supportive programs for women seeking to improve their current life situation by returning to college. Women In Transition (WIT) is housed at NSCC’s Danvers Campus and Challenges, Choices, Change at NSCC’s Lynn Campus.

For more information on WIT, contact Shannon Butler at 978-739-5515 or sbutler@northshore.edu.

For information on CCC, contact Christina Hansen at 781-593-6241 or chansen@northshore.edu.

Sparhawk School, an independent school in Salisbury, has 27 merit scholarships for high school freshmen and sophomores in the 2006-2007 academic year.

This year the scholarships are offered in three curricular areas: music, creative writing and world languages. Applicants with evidence of strong ability or interest in those areas, from within or outside of the Sparhawk School community, are welcome to apply. Applicants must have a history of strong academic performance. Scholarships range from 25 to 100 percent; students who receive a partial merit scholarship may also apply for financial aid.

For information, call 978-388-5354 or visit www.sparhawkschool.com.

The North Shore Children’s Museum, a hands-on educational and creative play space for local families, is offering a reduced fee Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adults are now admitted free and children pay $4.50 per person, with an art and craft activity included. The museum is located at 249 Essex St. in Salem. For information, call 978-741-1811.

St. Joseph School, Federal Street, offers pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten and education for grades one through eight. There is also an after-school program until 6 p.m. Financial aid is available. For information, call 978-744-4885.