West school briefs: Workshop in Minnetonka discusses 'picky eater' children

Workshop discusses 'picky eater' childrenThe St. David's Center for Child & Family Development will host a workshop on "Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders" on Jan. 24. The workshop for parents and professionals will discuss more about how and when children develop necessary skills for feeding, key developmental times children "get stuck" in feeding patterns and when to get help with feeding issues.

The event will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public at the center, 3395 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka. To register, go to www.stdavidscenter.org/ces by Friday.

Child care is available but must be requested at registration.

Kindergarten info sessions to startBloomington schools will host 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

• 5 p.m. Jan. 29 at Indian Mounds Elementary, 9801 11th Av. S. 952-681-6000

• 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. Feb. 5 at Olson Elementary, 4501 W. 102nd St. 952-806-8800

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

Center is hosting preschool open houseThe Bloomington and Richfield Early Childhood Family Center is hosting a preschool registration open house. It will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at three locations -- the Pond Center at 9600 3rd Av. S. in Bloomington, the Southwood Center at 4901 W. 112th St. in Bloomington and the Central School at 7145 Harriet Ave. S. in Richfield.

The parents-only event includes meeting teachers, touring classrooms, learning about the curriculum and registering for fall preschool. Eligible children must be at least 3 years old by Sept. 1. Online information is available at www.earlyed.info.

Parenting session set by school district"Parenting for Prevention: An Honest Discussion for Parents of Preschoolers" will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday at the Education Center, 8040 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie.

Tickets cost $10 for one person or $15 for two people from the same household. Call 952-975-6980 to register. Limited child care will be available.

Middle schools host information nightsMinneapolis Public Schools will host middle school information nights for fifth- through seventh-grade students and their families starting this month. For all the sessions, doors open at 6 p.m. Anthony and Northeast sessions were Jan. 10 and Jan. 15.

Remaining sessions are:

• Jan. 23 at Ramsey, 1 W. 49th St.

• Jan. 29 at Anwatin, 256 Upton Av. S.

• Feb. 5 at Olson, 1607 51st Av. N.

Middle school enrollment is automatic for current Minneapolis Public School students enrolled in a K-5 school. However, students who do not wish to be enrolled at their designated pathway, community or current middle school must submit a school request card by Feb. 19. For more information, go to www.mpls.k12.mn.us.

Breck recognized in new bookA program at Breck Lower School has been recognized along with programs at five other schools nationwide in a new book released by the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education.

The book, "Making Our Pact: Lower School Programs for Character Development," recognized six schools that have goals supported by the community, visions shared by all constituents and ongoing programs constantly open to fine-tuning.

Breck, the only Midwest school included, was recognized for its Character Always, Respect Every Day, or CARE program. The section on Breck was written by Lower School Division Director Peg Bailey and Lower School counselor Lisa Lokke.

The event will include tours starting at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Visitors can stop in anytime between 4:30 and 7 p.m.

Blessed Trinity, at 7540 Penn Av. S. in Richfield, has morning and afternoon preschool options, full and half-day kindergarten options and extended care for all students year round. Financial aid is offered to most families.

To RSVP for the open house or to schedule a private tour, call 612-866-6906 or go to www.btcsmn.org.