West school briefs: Three west-metro districts honored by College Board

Schools honored by College BoardThree west-metro school districts are among 11 districts in Minnesota to be recognized by the College Board on its third annual AP District Honor Roll for increasing access to AP classes and the percentage of students earning scores of 3 or higher on exams.

Eden Prairie, Minnetonka and Westonka were among 539 school districts across the country to receive the honor this year.

In Minnesota, the other school districts recognized are Alexandria, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Lakeville, Mankato, Mounds View, Rochester and Sartell-St. Stephen.

Jefferson presents 'A Christmas Carol'Bloomington Jefferson High School will present "A Christmas Carol" next month.

The performances will take place at 3 p.m. Dec. 6 and 7 p.m. Dec. 13-15 at the school. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

A special performance for seniors will be offered at 4 p.m. Dec. 12 for $5.

To buy tickets, go to www. brownpapertickets.com or call 1-800-838-3006.

A free literary reading will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Literary arts students will share their stories by reading memoir or autobiographical fiction, mixed with a little poetry.

A theater performance, "Journey to the West," will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-8. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

A dance performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-15, showcasing dance students' work and choreography. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

A musical performance by ensembles will take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19-20 and 2 p.m. Dec. 21. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Blake School sets session for familiesThe Blake School will hold a session for prospective Lower School parents on Dec. 6.

A financial aid program also will be held at 9 a.m. Dec. 15 at Blake's Hopkins campus, 110 Blake Road S., to discuss need-based financial assistance, which is awarded to nearly 20 percent of the student body.

Admissions and financial aid applications are due Jan. 31. For more information, go to www.blakeschool.org or call 952-988-3420.

School board member retires after 13 yearsEastern Carver County School Board member Dick Tirk will retire after 13 years on the board this January.

Tirk joined the District 112 School Board in 1999. Since then, the school district has built four schools and been led by three different superintendents.

On the seven-member board, his position as well as board Chair Jim Leone's, who lost a bid for re-election, will be filled by new board members. Amy Logue and Jeff Ross start in January.