News for students

ACT deadlines

College-bound high school students who need to take an entrance exam have two opportunities to register for the ACT prior to the Oct. 27 test date. The postmark registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 21 and the late registration deadline is Oct. 5, and will require an additional fee. Students can obtain additional information from school counselors or they can register online at www.act.org

ACT scores are accepted by virtually all colleges in the nation, including the Ivy League schools. The test fee is $24 ($27 in Florida). A student's ACT scores are considered by colleges, along with several other important factors, for admissions and course placement. Other factors may include high school GPA, college prep courses taken during high school, extra-curricular activities and personal background.

ACT's website has helpful information such as test locations, sample tests and the opportunity to order test prep materials. The ACT is given nationwide and is taken by more than one million high school graduates each year. CCC area class offerings

These classes are being offered by Central Community College at area schools.

Fall plantings, inside and outside -- Thursday, Oct. 4, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at Southern Valley Elementary School in Beaver City. The class size is limited to 15 students and the cost is $6. Participants will learn how to pick fall and winter colors in trees and shrubs and how to prepare plants for winter.

For more information or to register, contact Betty Garey, local community education coordinator.

Positive Discipline -- Three-session class will meet Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 3 at Southern Valley High School in Oxford, 7-9 p.m. The class is for parents, child care providers and foster parents and will cover such issues as communication and listening skills, effective ways to ensure good behavior and to build self-esteem in children. The class is approved for in-service hour for foster parents and child care providers. The cost is $14.

For more information or to register, contact Betty Garey, local community education coordinator, (308) 268-4085..

Introduction to Computers -- Five-session class will meet Thursdays, beginning Oct. 4, 4:30-6:30 p.m., at Elwood High School. Participants will learn the basics of operating a computer with emphasis on Microsoft Works. The cost is $40 plus books . Class size is limited and preregistration is required. Contact Erma Seitz, Elwood community education coordinator, (308) 785-2362.

Power of the Internet -- Two session class will meet Mondays beginning Oct. 1, 7-9 p.m. Course will cover email, the World Wide Web, and other Internet options. The cost is $20 plus books.

Class size is limited and preregistration is required. Contact Erma Seitz, Elwood community education coordinator, (308) 785-2362. Retired teachers to attend convention

McCook Area Retired Teachers members are planning to attend the 41st convention of the Nebraska Retired Teachers in Grand Island on Sept. 21. Frank Mills, state president, is in charge.

Locally, the first fall meeting will be Sept. 12, with lunch served at Heritage Senior Center. Participants will arrive at 11:45 a.m., and Ellen Barlow, president, will preside at the meeting following the meal.

State Sen. Tom Baker will speak on the Legislature and how it affects education. Elaine Witt is the program chairman. Future programs will include a meeting at the Grandview Center in Stratton in October, featuring tunes from the '30s, '40s and '50s. During Education Week in November problems and solutions related to children lost in the system will be explored by the group, with Helen Ruth Arnold of McCook as the presenter.

An Ethnic Festival of Life in Samoa will be performed by Epuna Bonar in February. Betty Jo Tompkins will be the program chairman.

In May Norma Stevens of the McCook Art Guild will conclude the year with "Dabbling in the Arts."