Public hearing set on education budget
The Howard County Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the superintendent's proposed fiscal 2007 operating budget at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the boardroom at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City.
Those who want to speak are asked to limit their presentations to three minutes and provide 15 written copies of the testimony at the time of the hearing.
The board encourages the public to participate. Information or to sign up to speak: 410-313-7194.
To request a sign-language interpreter: Colleen Rice, 410-313- 7046. Two weeks' notice is preferred.
Seminar to explore serving on board
An information workshop for potential Board of Education candidates, "What It's Like to be a Board Member," will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Boardroom A at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City.
Sandra H. French, former board member and chairman, and board members Patricia S. Gordon and Courtney Watson will discuss what is required and expected of board members.
Registration is requested.
Information: 410-313-7194.
Career Academies meeting scheduled
The final session in a series of information meetings about the Howard County school system's career academies will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Long Reach High School. Middle and high school students and their parents are welcome.
The academies are organized in seven clusters: Architecture and Engineering; Biotechnology and Health Services; Business and Entrepreneurship; Culinary Arts and Hotel Management; Education; Energy, Power and Transportation and Automotive Technology; and Multimedia Arts and Technology.
Information: 410-313-6629.
Free classes slated in healing arts
Tai Sophia Institute, a graduate school in the healing arts, is offering free classes in community programs ranging from qi gong to herbal medicine this week. Participants will have an opportunity to meet the teacher and learn more about the course before registering.
Tomorrow, a Pilates Mat class will be offered from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.; T'ai Chi Chih from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Tsang-Yang Tribal Belly Dance from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday classes include Feldenkrais: Awareness Through Movement, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Qi Gong: Dance of the Phoenix, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Chakra Energy Balancing, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Medical Qi Gong will be offered from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, and Yoga and Meditation from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
Information or registration: 410-888-9048, ext. 6611, or www. tai.edu.
Exchange program taking applications
The Columbia Association's Sister Cities High School Student Exchange program is accepting applications until Feb. 17.
Participating students spend about two weeks during the summer with a family in one of Columbia's sister cities - Cergy-Pontoise, France, or Tres Cantos, Spain. After returning to the United States, they will be hosts for their French or Spanish counterparts for two weeks.
The cost is about $1,500, including airfare, food, lodging and group activities. The competition is open to all Howard County students who have finished grades nine to 12 and have completed two years of French or Spanish study or possess the equivalent skills.
A focus group for community members interested in starting an exchange program with a German city will be held at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at Columbia Association headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia. Registration is encouraged.
Information: Meredith Jaffe, 410-715-3162.
College financial-aid deadline is March 1
Students planning to attend college next academic year can now submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to be considered for federal and state financial assistance.
The deadline to submit the form for the 2006-2007 school year is March 1 for most of Maryland's state need-based financial aid.
Students are encouraged to file the FAFSA online at www.fafsa. ed.gov; application deadlines are listed there. Forms are also available at libraries, high school guidance offices and area colleges and universities.
Information: 410-260-4565.
