West school briefs: Cologne Academy gets Reading Corps tutor

Cologne Academy announced today it has been awarded a Minnesota Reading Corps literacy tutor for the 2013-14 academic year.

Cologne Academy will join more than 700 other Minnesota Reading Corps sites across the state.

Minnesota Reading Corps is a statewide program to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader by the end of third-grade. The program places trained AmeriCorps tutors and community volunteers in schools, where they work with children from age 3 to grade 3 who are at risk for not reading at grade level.

For more information about tutoring or applying to serve for one year, visit www.Minne sotaReadingCorps.org.

Jefferson and Kennedy high schools will view a living-history presentation on Dred Scott on April 25 as part of the U.S. District Court's "Open Doors to Federal Courts" program.

Dred Scott was a slave who sued for his freedom in 1847, sparking an 11-year legal battle. The famed court case motivated the anti-slavery movement and contributed to the start of the American Civil War in 1861.

The living history presentation will be followed by a judicial panel featuring Justice Wilhelmina Wright of the Minnesota Supreme Court, Judge Kevin Ross of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, Judge Lyonel Norris of Hennepin County District Court and Judge Edward Wilson of Ramsey County District Court.

A community event, "Legacy of Courage and Freedom: Dred and Harriet Scott," is planned for May 22 at the Bloomington Civic Plaza. This free public event will feature keynote speaker Lynne Jackson, Dred and Harriet Scott's great-great-granddaughter. It will also include a repeat performance of the living history and a rededication of Bloomington's Dred Scott Playfield.

Bloomington Public Schools will host its 5th Annual Districtwide Food Drive, April 29-May 3 to help fill the VEAP (Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) food shelves. Contributions can be dropped off at each school's front office throughout the week.

All 15 schools and two early childhood centers, plus the district's Educational Services, Community Education and Transportation offices, will participate in the weeklong event.

Last year, students and staff collected 7,200 pounds of nonperishable food items and $5,300 in cash. For each dollar donated, VEAP can purchase up to five pounds of food, so the cash donations equaled 33,653 pounds of food. The goal this year is 40,000 pounds.

Schools this year also will enlist business partners to aid in the effort. Businesses are invited to collect food from their employees to contribute to the school's total.

The annual event is coordinated by the Parent Teacher Student Association Council. For more information, contact the district's Community Relations Office at 952-681-6403.

The Academy of Holy Angels Starlight Productions will stage its spring musical, "Hairspray," through April 28.

Performances are set for 7 p.m. Friday as well as April 26 and April 27. Performances are set for 4 p.m. Sunday and again on April 28.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. Tickets can be reserved by e-mail by contacting Jan Nordstrom at jnordstrom@academyofholyangels.org. Send the number of tickets you want, the performance you want to attend and the name under which you want your tickets to be held. Then pick them up at the Convocation Center lobby desk when you come to the performance.

Or, call 651-798-2651 for reservations and information.

Shows will be April 24-26 at 7 p.m. and April 27 at 2 p.m. in the South View Middle School Theater.