School briefs

MINNEAPOLIS

Minnesota Virtual High School, a Minneapolis online charter school, has invited the public to a series of information sessions throughout the state through May 31.

Offered through a partnership between Minnesota Transitions Charter School of Minneapolis and Advanced Academics Inc., Minnesota Virtual High School is a free online public high school that offers full and part-time education for state residents in grades 7-12.

The sessions are meant to help students and parents learn about the school's online program for the 2008-09 school year.

The school offers more than 90 interactive online courses taught by Minnesota-certified teachers, said Tony Scallon, Minnesota Transitions Charter School superintendent. Beginning the 2008-09 school year, the Virtual High School will provide a free laptop and Internet stipend to all full-time students.

The south-metro session:

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31, Burnhaven Library, 1101 County Road 42, Burnsville.

For more information, go to www.minnesotavirtualhighschool.com.

JAMES WALSH

DAKOTA COUNTY

Paul Miller of Apple Valley High School has won the grand prize in Dakota County's "Respect My Ride" public service announcement video contest. The campaign encourages teens to pledge to make their cars smoke-free. Miller's video depicted a G.I. Joe action figure trying to light up in his friend's car. In response, the friend says: "Dude, there's only room for two butts in this car." Mercedes Akinseye of the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley won second place for her video that included a clear message about respect. Nick Brown and Charlie Warner of St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights won third for their video that incorporated the popular video game Halo. Winners received gift certificates to Best Buy and winning videos will be aired on local cable stations in the county.

FARMINGTON

The Farmington school board has approved a plan to install synthetic turf on the football field at the new Farmington High School instead of natural grass. According to a district newsletter, board members cited increased usability as the main reason for the decision.

The additional cost of the field is expected to be about $550,000, which will be paid from a variety of sources, including a district land fund and borrowing from the budget to furnish a sixth elementary school, which won't open until at least 2013.

For more information, go to www.startribune.com/a4332.

EMILY JOHNS

ROSEMOUNT-APPLE VALLEY-EAGAN

The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district continued a strong tradition in speech this year, taking home 11 of 13 state titles and nearly a third of all the medals awarded in their class at the state speech tournament April 18-19 at South St. Paul High School.

District 196 state champions include: Evan Lowder, Jaci Berkopec, Kjellrun Owens, Marisa Gage, Jessica Soderbeck and John Ward of Eagan High School; Akshar Rambachan, Greg Berman, Semira Mohammed and Susan Close of Eastview High School; and John Hofmeister and Matt Porter of Apple Valley High School.

District 196 is looking for one parent of a gifted student to serve on its Gifted and Talented Advisory Council for three years starting in July.

The council meets at least four times a year in Rosemount, usually on Tuesday evenings.

For an application, due on June 15, see www.district196.org or call 651-423-7884.

SARAH LEMAGIE