DELAYED START DAY THURSDAY FOR RACINE UNIFIED SCHOOLS

RACINE - Racine Unified School District will have a delayed start day Thursday. All schools in the district will start two hours later than normal. Families with students in the half-day programs are asked to contact the individual sites to confirm starting and ending times.

The last delayed start day of the academic year is May 7. Parents can contact their school for more information or visit the Web at: http://www.racine.k12.wi.us

HORLICK HIGH HOSTS ACT EXAM SEMINAR WEDNESDAY

RACINE - The ZAPS ACT prep class will be held from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday in the library at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. This five-hour seminar will help students become more familiar with the ACT college entrance exam.

The fee for the course is $75 and includes a study guide and 27 practice tests. Students can enroll online at http://www.zaps.com or by calling tollfree at (877) 927-8378 and bringing a check made out to ZAPS to the seminar.

All Racine high school students can attend. Enrollment is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information, call (262) 619-4315.

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES FORUM SET FOR THURSDAY

RACINE - The public is invited to a forum for candidates for Racine Unified School Board from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Thursday at Siena Center, 5635 Erie St.

Candidates will introduce themselves and share their views on ways to address the student achievement gap in light of the growing number of families who experience poverty and the growing immigrant population in Racine.

Questions will then be taken from the audience. For more information, call Sister Brenda Walsh at(262) 639-4100.

'JUST IMAGINE' PROGRAM AT RACINE UNIFIED PLANETARIUM

FRANKSVILLE - The "Just Imagine" public planetarium program will be at the Racine Unified Planetarium at 7 p.m. March 26 and 31 at The Planetarium at Gifford Elementary School, 8332 Northwestern Ave.

The key to discovery lies in the ability to see the universe in many different ways. "Just Imagine" will explore the universe in just that manner. The audience will visualize what the world would be like if the Earth did not have a moon, or if the sun were a different kind of star. They will also imagine what the last days of the universe may be like. The program will conclude with a look at the March evening sky, with free star maps available.

Reservations are necessary and may be made by calling (262) 631-7093. Due to limited seating, reservations cannot be accepted for organizations or groups. At the school, attendees are asked to park in the east parking lot and enter through the southeast doors.

ST. EDWARDS OPENS 3K, 4K AND JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

RACINE - St. Edward's Child Development Center is currently accepting 3K, 4K and junior kindergarten registrations for the 2009-10 school year. Children must turn 3 by Sept. 1 in order to register for 3K preschool, which meets from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The 4K preschool children have the option of Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes or Monday through Friday from 7:45 to 10:45 a.m.

The junior kindergarten program is designed for those students who narrowly miss the cutoff date for kindergarten, and they must attend Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m. Children must turn 5 between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31 in order to enroll in this program. For more information about preschool registration, call (262) 636-8051. Extended day preschool is also available for families who need care outside the traditional preschool hours.

'A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM' AT UNION GROVE HIGH

UNION GROVE - Rehearsals are under way for the spring musical production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday in the Performance Center at Union Grove High School, 3433 S. Colony Ave.

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," with book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is Broadway's greatest farce and one of the funniest musicals ever written. "Forum" combines situations from the timeless comedies of Roman playwright Plautus with the fast-paced, slapstick energy of classic vaudeville to create a non-stop entertainment extravaganza.

Eric Welch heads the cast in the role of freedom-seeking Pseudolus, a character made famous by the likes of Zero Mostel and Nathan Lane. Connor Benson portrays his anxiety-ridden companion, Hysterium. Betsy Henderson brings authority to the role of Domina, and Sloane Hagen is her put-upon husband, Senex. Max Melendrez plays their love-stricken son, Hero.

Virginal Philia is played by Alicia Karczewski, and Jarrett Ayers plays pompous Miles Gloriosus. Kyle Lopez plays Marcus Lycus, whose house of ill-repute is bursting at the seams with gorgeous brides-to-be Molly Kaprelian, Ashley Overson, Carly Wolter, Becca Johnson, Lauren DeVries and Lauren Kocjan. Steffan Hagen, Amber Krick, Peter Krick, Cassie Mauer and Brian Jacobs play multiple roles. The chorus is composed of Amanda Kristopeit, Taylor Vyvyan, Lynsie Michel, Ashley Brouwers and Amanda Lojeski.

The musical is directed and produced by Ania Momot and Michael Snider, with vocal direction by Kristin Novaez and orchestral direction by Scott Cincotta,

Tickets will be available at the door. For more information, call (262) 878-2434.

ST. CATHERINE'S HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS PRESENTS 'LES MISERABLES, STUDENT EDITION'

RACINE - The St. Catherine's High School Players presents, the musical drama "Les Miserables, Student Edition," Thursday through Sunday in the John Foster Auditorium of St. Catherine's High School, 1200 Park Ave. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, the production is directed by Richard Hagopian with book by Alain Boublil, lyrics by Alain Boublil and Herbert Kretzmer, music by Claude-Michel Schönberg and additional material by James Fenton.

"Les Miserables, Student Edition," is an epic story recounting that struggle against adversity in 19th century France. Imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread, petty thief Jean Valjean is released from his 19-year term and not only becomes an honest man, but the mayor of a prosperous town and a loving adoptive father - violating his parole in the process. The relentless Inspector Javert, who makes a decent life for Valjean impossible, consequently pursues him. Only years later, after Valjean proves his mettle during a bloody student uprising and saves the life of a young man hopelessly in love with Valjean's adopted daughter, does the ex-convict finally feel fully redeemed.

Tickets are available at the door. Prices are $6 for adults; $5 for students and senior citizens; and $3 for children under 10.

MOTHER'S DAY OUT PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE FRIDAY

RACINE - Mother's Day Out, an extended day preschool/childcare center located at Evangelical United Methodist Church, 212 11th St., will hold a 4-K informational meeting from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday.

Mother's Day Out is a child care center and preschool serving children ages 1 to pre-kindergarten. The program operates from 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For more information and for a registration application for the 2009-10 school year, visit Mother's Day Out during open house, visit the Web at http://www.eumchurch.com or call (262) 632-7311.

RACINE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY

RACINE - Racine Montessori School, 2317 Howe St., is holding its annual Spring Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Visitors are invited to tour the school with members of the Board of Directors and school staff, who will answer questions and offer information about the school. Refreshments will be served.

Also featured will be a Children's Book Sale, including award-winning titles and selected children's books, all at a 20 percent discount.

Racine Montessori School is a private, nonprofit school, celebrating its 45th year. The school's enrollment includes students from ages 2½ through the eighth grade. In addition to the Montessori classrooms, the curriculum includes specialists in the areas of Spanish, music, art, physical education, library and computer. A before- and after-school child care program is also available.

Call Rita C. Lewis at (262) 637-7892 for more information.

FAIR SHARE TUITION AND INVESTMENT PROGRAM MEETING MONDAY

RACINE - The Fair Share Tuition and Investment Program Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Monday at St. Catherine's High School, 1200 Park Ave. Attendees are asked to use the lower library door number 8.

St. Catherine's High School president Christopher Olley will introduce an exciting new initiative called Fair Share. Through Fair Share, St. Catherine's High School and prospective families work together to make a St. Catherine's High School education a reality. The investment on both sides is an opportunity to build the community through volunteerism.

For more information, contact the admissions office at (262) 632-2785, ext. 429.

RACINE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT DEADLINE MARCH 31

RACINE - The new student early enrollment deadline is March 31

at Racine Lutheran High School, 251 Luedtke Ave. The school invites families to call or visit the school until 5 p.m. March 31 to complete enrollment.

Early enrollment saves $200 on tuition and also allows students first choice of classes. Families that opt to prepay tuition in full will receive further savings. Grants, scholarships, financial aid and payment plans are also available.

Racine Lutheran offers Christian education and excellence in academics, plus many extra-curricular activities all for a most competitive tuition rate. Students enjoy a clean, orderly school with smaller class sizes, better ACT scores and scholarships, plus a convenient location close to home.

For more information, call Randy Boganz or Bonnie Christensen at (262) 637-6538, or visit the school. The school's Web site is http://www.RacineLutheran.org

News items and photographs about education always are welcomed for publication in A+. Typed contributions should be directed to Sharon Knox, newsroom assistant, The Journal Times, 212 Fourth St., Racine, WI 53403; e-mailed to sknox@journaltimes.com; or faxed submissions can be sent to (262) 631-1780.

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Further information about the A+ section is available by calling Knox at (262) 631-1767. Because of space constraints, we reserve the right to edit for length or clarity.