West metro school briefs

Commission holds annual essay contestThe Plymouth Human Rights Commission is holding its annual essay contest for students in grades 6-8 on the topic, "How do human rights apply to you and your peers in your school and community?"

Essays should be no longer than three pages. They may be single- or double-spaced and must be printed in at least 12-point type in an easily readable font. Entrants should include their name, grade and school at the top of the first page, along with a title.

Essays must be submitted by Feb. 15, along with an entry form signed by a parent, to Plymouth Human Rights Essay Contest, Plymouth City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Plymouth, Minn., 55447.

A small cash prize will be awarded to the local winners. The winning essay will be entered in a state competition that's sponsored by the League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions.

Show choirs host performancesKennedy High School's seven choirs and show choir bands are hosting a holiday show this week.

Students will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the school's auditorium. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the choirs' Toys for Tots gift drive.

Tickets cost $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors citizens, and go on sale one hour before the start of each performance. For more information, call 952-681-5000.

At 10 and 11:30 a.m. Thursday, the students and orchestra will perform Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" for the season finale of the orchestra's Young People's Concerts. The performances take place at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.

To get tickets, which start at $4, call the Orchestra Hall box office at 800-292-4141.

Main Street School hosts info sessionsThe Main Street School of Performing Arts will hold an information session Thursday for prospective students.

Staff and students will give tours and answer questions about the Hopkins charter high school at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Other information sessions are scheduled for 9 a.m. on Feb. 5, March 19, April 16 and May 21. The tuition-free arts school serves students from across the metro area. For more information, go to www.msspahs.org.

Staff, faculty and students will perform as well as answer questions and give tours. Other information sessions are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Jan. 8 and Jan. 22.

The school is a tuition-free high school for Minnesota juniors and seniors.

Breck sessions for prospective studentsBreck School in Golden Valley will host an admissions information session for all preschool through 12th-grade prospective students and their parents on Monday.

The session will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. The head of school, division directors and admissions staff will talk about Breck and answer questions.

For further information, call 763-381-8200 or visit www.breckschool.org.

The bake sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and again on Dec. 11 at the shopping center. Senior T-shirts also will be available.