Editor's note: School news is a schedule of upcoming events, programs and other activities on area school and college campuses.

Information for School News should be submitted to The Meridian Star by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Information may be mailed to P.O. Box 1591, Meridian, MS 39301; faxed to (601) 485-1275; or e-mailed to ibrown@themeridianstar.com (make information part of the e-mail message, not an attachment).



FYI

• Feb. 12 – "Raising Compassionate Children Part 2: Developing Empathy," from 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m., Emma McCain Theatre, Ivy Hall, Meridian Community College, 910 Hwy. 19 North. Speaker: Dr. Susan Eaves, LPC, NCC, ACS, behavioral specialist and therapist, Division of Children and Youth Services, Weems Community Mental Health Center.

Open to parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, daycare workers, youth ministers, anyone who lives and works with children ages birth to 18. You do not have to have attended Part 1 in September 2007 to attend this session.

Pre-registration required by calling MCC's Continuing Education Program, (601) 482-7445. No charge for certificate of attendance for 2.5 contact hours; $15 (payable in advance) for .25 CEUs through MCC. This is part 2 in the series so with Part 1, this adds up to .5 CEUs for those with educator's license.

For more information, call (601) 482-7445 or visit www.weemsmh.com



Here's a look at an upcoming events at local and area public, private and parochial schools:



• Thursday – Open House, from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Lamar School, 544 Lindley Road. For more information, (601) 482-1345.

• Feb. 12 – Open House, 5:30 p.m., auditorium of Poplar Springs Elementary School.



Here is a listing of activities scheduled for St. Patrick Catholic School's observance of Catholic Schools Week 2008. "Catholic Schools Light the Way" is the theme. St. Patrick Catholic School is located at 2700 Davis St. For more information, call (601) 482-6044:



• Today: "Catholic Schools Light the Way – In Our Nation." Red, White and Blue Day: Staff and students dress in red, white and blue. Devotional by the cross. Red/white/blue chains made by students will be draped on cross. Priest to bless chains, and decade of the rosary will be said for world peace. Parent volunteers will relieve staff members for a one-hour lunch break.

• Thursday: "Catholic Schools Light the Way – In Our Vocation/Pastors." Students will invite their pastors to the 8:10 a.m. school mass for Pastor Appreciation Day. Reception for pastors and the whole school in the Family Life Center following mass. Students will write a thank you note to their parents for sending them to Catholic School. Parent volunteers will relieve staff members for a one-hour lunch break.

• Friday: "Catholic Schools Light the Way – In our Faculty, Staff and Parents." Students bring flowers and notes of appreciation to give their teachers and staff members. Blue Jeans Day: Blue jeans may be worn with past or current CSW t-shirts or uniform shirts. Parents will be treated to coffee and donuts at the curb when they drop off their children. Students will give their parents thank you cards for sending them to Catholic School. Staff members will be relieved for a one hour lunch provided by PSA in Parish Center.

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Here's a look at upcoming events at Meridian Community College:



• Today – Mississippi State University President Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong

and MCC President Dr. Scott Elliott will sign a memorandum of understanding between MSU and MCC for the creation of MCC Chapter of the MSU Appalachian Leadership Honors Program. Students will be applying for participation beginning this upcoming fall 2008 semester.

The signing will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Casteel Gallery. For more information, contact Soraya Welden, dean of student services, at (601)484-8628.

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Here's a look at upcoming events at East Central Community College, Decatur:



• Feb. 5 – Registration for Instruction in “Introduction to Computers,” from 5 p.m.-8 p.m., ECCC’s Integrated Technologies Training Center in Choctaw. Classes will be held on six consecutive Tuesdays, beginning Feb. 12, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.. Lucretia Williams, Personal Development specialist, is instructor. Cost of the class is $30. For more information, contact Joseph Knight, ECCC Workforce Development coordinator, (601) 389-0832; or Williams, (601) 389-0932. Their e-mail addresses are jknight@eccc.edu or lwilliams@eccc.edu.

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Here's a look at upcoming events at Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus:



A series of Wellness Therapy Institute workshops will be held through April. Sessions are scheduled from 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in Room 112 (unless otherwise noted). Participants will receive 3 contact hours each (CEUs and SWUs available). Registration fee $30 each (Preregistration is required)

Sessions topics and instructors are:

• Feb. 27 — Wellness Planning and Management, Mary Ann Hollingsworth, room to be announced



Co-sponsors: Association of Student Social Workers, Mississippi Graduate Student Counseling Association, Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society and Phi Upsilon Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota.

To register or for more information, contact: Dr. Julia Porter, (601) 484-0184 or e-mail her at jporter@meridian.msstate

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Here's a look at upcoming events at other junior, community and senior colleges and universities:



• March 26-27 – Jones County Junior College will give the GED Test in Waynesboro at the Adult Education Center (next to DHS). Cost of the test is $40; the Adult Education class is free. For registration information, contact Debby Dearman, Adult Education instructor, (601) 381-3048.





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