South school briefs: Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan seeks comments on curriculum

The teaching and learning department has scheduled a hearing to take public comments on several curriculum areas that are currently under review: business education, family and consumer science, technology education, visual arts and work experience. District residents and staff are invited to attend the meeting from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the district office, 14445 Diamond Path West, Rosemount.

Those who can't attend the hearing may comment online at www.district196.org or at the district office by Jan. 30. Comments can be sent to: Teaching and Learning Department, Independent School District 196, 3455 153rd St. W., Rosemount, MN 55068. For more information, call 651-423-7617.

The district is accepting nominations for the Andrew Christopher Randall Travel Award, an annual honor that recognizes district employees for their ability to foster respect between students and staff. Nominations are accepted through Feb. 20. An employee, student, parent or resident may nominate any employee who has worked in the district for five years or more.

The award is named for the grandson of former District 196 superintendent and Minnesota Education Commissioner Ruth Randall Benson. He died of cancer at age 14 in 1990. The award is also supported financially by Andrew's parents, Robert and Laurie Randall. The prize is a $2,000 award designated for travel because Andrew loved to go on trips.

Nominations can be completed online at www.district196.org or by submitting a paper application. Applications may be requested by calling 651-423-7736 and returned to: Superintendent's Office, Independent School District 196, 3455 153rd St. W., Rosemount, MN 55068.

District 191 offers specialized school options, including magnet programs, at the elementary and junior high level for district students and those from other districts. Applications for all of these programs are available now and due by Jan. 30, with many schools holding information nights during January. For applications or for more information, go to www.isd191.org/magnetschools.

Foundation 191 will host the second annual "Grapes and Grains for Grants" fundraiser from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Av., Burnsville. The event will feature wine and craft beer tasting, a silent auction and hors d'oeuvres by the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.foundation191.org or www.communityed191.org. They can also be bought at Red Lion Liquors, 12400 Nicollet Av., Burnsville, or from a foundation board member.

For more information, to be a sponsor, or to donate auction items, contact Steve Fiebiger at 952-746-5171 or fieblaw@earthlink.net.

The Shakopee Educational Endowment Foundation (SEEF) recently gave out 34 grants totaling more than $25,000 to Shakopee teachers through the foundation's annual Teacher Grant Program.

Grants will be implemented this school year and include funding for technology equipment and curriculum updates in nearly every subject.

Since it began in 1992, the program has provided more than $275,000 in grants to schools across the district. Funding comes from donations from the community, alumni, organizations and businesses.

The foundation is a nonprofit devoted to improving education in the district by paying for opportunities not included in the district's budget. For a list of this year's grants, go to www.shakopeeedfoundation.org.

Events will include rallies, movie screenings and discussions, with the goal of highlighting the many types of educational options for kids, from magnet schools to home schooling, private schools to online academies, charter schools to public schools. The event began in 2011 and has grown exponentially since then.

In the Twin Cities metro area, there will be 149 events scheduled. For more information, go to www.schoolchoiceweek.com and search by ZIP code.