West metro school briefs: PACER Center benefit bringing in Jay Leno

PACER Center benefit bringing in Jay LenoThe PACER Center in Bloomington, a national parent center, is bringing comedian Jay Leno to its 31st annual benefit, which supports the center's programs for children with disabilities and their families.

Tickets are now on sale to see Leno, the Emmy Award-winning host of NBC's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," at the Minneapolis Convention Center on May 11. For more details or to get tickets, go to pacer.org.

Kindergarten info sessions to startBloomington schools will hold kindergarten registration events for families starting this month.

Families with a child attending kindergarten in the 2013-14 school year can meet their child's prospective kindergarten teacher, visit classrooms and tour their school.

The sessions will take place throughout the next four months:

•6 p.m. Jan. 24 at Ridgeview Elementary, 9400 Nesbitt Av. 952-806-7100

•4 p.m. Jan. 29 at Hillcrest Community School, 9301 Thomas Road. 952-681-5300

•6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Normandale Hills Elementary, 9501 Toledo Av. 952-806-7000

•6 p.m. Jan. 29 at Oak Grove Elementary, 1301 W. 104th St. 952-681-6800

• 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Poplar Bridge Elementary, 8401 Palmer Av. 952-681-5400

•5:30 p.m. Jan. 29 at Washburn Elementary, 8401 Xerxes Av. S. 952-681-5500

•6 p.m. Jan. 31 at Westwood Elementary, 3701 W. 108th St. 952-806-7200

•6 p.m. April 11 at Valley View Elementary, 351 E. 88th St. 952-681-5700

High school mentors to host speech campsBloomington fourth- through eighth-graders are invited to attend two mini speech camps held by the Jefferson/Kennedy High School speech team on Saturday and Jan. 19.

The sessions take place from 9- to 1:30 a.m. on both days at Jefferson High School, 4001 W. 102nd St. Check in at the school's media center starting at 8:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $30; siblings receive a $10 discount.

The sessions include speech activities and exercises, an introduction to the 13 speech categories and a short competition in the storytelling category. To register, go to www.star tribune.com/a1934 to fill out a form.

High school offering financial aid sessionEden Prairie High School will host a financial aid planning event for parents and students Jan. 10.

The event will include breakout sessions, and families can attend a maximum of three sessions.

Enter the high school's east entrance to attend.