5 Things You Need To Know Today: Feb. 13

Our weekday morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Students at the (AMSA) Charter School recently embraced Governor Deval Patrick’s initiative to make Jan. 25 the “No Name Calling Day.” To make anti-bullying even more visible and apparent, the entire student body also participated in a door decorating and hallway contest. For two weeks leading up to the “No Name Calling Day”, each homeroom designed visual presentations, as well as demonstrations using technology, that took a strong stand against bullying.  

2. The next scheduled date for an entrance test to the Assabet Valley Practical Nursing program for the 2012-2013 class will be Thursday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m. The test will be given at . Registration must take place at least 48 hours prior to the date, and can be done online. Payment must also be submitted online. To register, click on LPN Program and then go to Quick links-Entrance Exam to register and sign up for an exam. There is a study guide available at the same site. The examination tests your basic mathematical ability, verbal ability, reading rate, and comprehension will also be included. There is a TEAS V Prep course offered thru Assabet’s Continuing Education department and there is a link to it on the LPN site. Candidates should arrive 30 minutes prior to the start for check in. No one will be admitted once the exam has started. There is a $50 non-refundable fee for taking the exam. The program runs for 40 weeks, full-time, during the day (Monday through Friday 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), beginning in late August and running thru mid-June.

3. Call to area artists: The deadline for area artists to register for the Arts Alliance Natural Wonder’s Exhibit is Thursday, March 1. The exhibit may be viewed at the Citizens Bank, 17 Pope St. in Hudson from March 6 through April 13 during regular banking hours. The registration form can be downloaded and printed from the "Visual Arts" section of the website and then mailed or delivered to: Arts Alliance, 155 Apsley St., Hudson, MA  01749.

4. All children living in Marlborough who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31, 2012, are eligible to enter kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year. There are no exceptions regarding entrance age requirements.vFamilies should register at the school the children will attend. Day 1 on the schedule is for students with last names that begin with A-L, and Day 2 is for students whose last names begin with M-Z. If families are unable to attend on the specified date, they can attend the alternate registration date for the appropriate school.

Day 1 (A-L):  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6
Day 2 (M-Z):  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 7

Day 1 (A-L):  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 21
Day 2 (M-Z):  9 a.m. to 2 p. m. Thursday, March 22

Day 1 (A-L):  9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 28
Day 2 (M-Z): 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 29

A make-Up date will be held at the district Office Monday, April 2 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

A page has been created on the district website to help parents get the information and forms they need for kindergarten registration—see the “Kindergarten Registration 2012-2013” tab under “Students and Families.”

5. The MetroWest Health Foundation awarded the MetroWest Free Medical Program a grant of $40,020 for its chronic disease education and management efforts for 2012, said a release. The program has two locations, one in Sudbury and the other in Framingham. Its services benefit Marlborough residents as well as those in other surrounding communities. If you'd like to help support the efforts of the MetroWest Free Medical Program with a donation or to volunteer at the program on Tuesday evenings at Congregation Beth EL in Sudbury, visit www.metrowestfreemedicalprogram.org or contact Kim Prendergast, Executive Director at 617-470-1632 or Kim.Prendergast@gmail.com.  

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