West school briefs: Food drive collects 13,439 pounds

Bloomington Public Schools and a number of its business partners collected 13,439 pounds of food and $7,946 in cash during the district's seventh-annual districtwide food drive.

This year's total collection was 53,168 pounds after the cash donations-to-pounds conversion was applied. For each dollar donated, up to 5 pounds of food can be purchased.

All of the food and cash is donated to Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People (VEAP), a nonprofit that serves low-income families and individuals in Bloomington, Edina and Richfield.

Olson Elementary School had the highest combined total of food and cash collected, with 2,114 pounds and $2,636 in cash, for a grand total of 15,295 pounds.

Ridgeview Elementary School collected 2,419 pounds to earn — for the second consecutive year — top-school honors for pounds of food collected.

The food drive has amassed more than 267,400 pounds since its inception in 2012.

The Parent Teacher Student Advisory (PTSA) Council, Bloomington school board and its Youth Advisory Council coordinate the annual food drive.

The committee, which is made up of parents, staff, and community members, helps the district with financial planning and evaluation.

The Finance Advisory Committee works closely with the executive director of business services to review and understand the district's finances.

Members are tasked with understanding school district finances, including the five-year financial model, financial audits, levy data, budgets and legislative updates. The committee also ensures the district is financially efficient and stable.

Committee members serve for three-year terms, with quarterly meeting dates.

To be considered for the Citizen Finance Advisory Committee, e-mail jmutzenberger@edenpr.org or call 952-975-7072.

This free event will feature refreshments, school tours and animals.

Information will be provided on special tuition discounts for preschool through eighth grade, including limited-offer free tuition for kindergarten students.

For more information, contact Fred Limmel at 952-474-5181, extension 219, or e-mail fred.limmel@oslcs.org.

Breck's Middle School will present "Shrek the Musical Jr." Friday though Sunday, May 15-17. There will be two evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

General admission tickets are $5 each and are available at the door half an hour before showtime.

The public is invited to Blessed Trinity's presentation of "Aladdin Jr." at the Academy of Holy Angels Theater, 6600 Nicollet Av. S., at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 15. There is no admission charge.

For more information, go to www.btcsmn.org or call 612-869-5200.