News & Notes: Jan. 24

Hales Corners Library to get new carpeting, lighting

Hales Corners - The Hales Corners Library will be getting new carpeting and lighting this year.

But the exact timetable for the improvements has not been set, said Library Director Patricia Laughlin.

Laughlin said the entire library - about 8,300 square feet - will be re-carpeted, but none has been selected yet and no quotes have been obtained. "We're still in the education process," she said.

However, 12 light fixtures that are from the previous library will be replaced at a cost of about $12,000, including installation, Laughlin said. She said that does not include a $980 We Energies Focus on Energy the Library Board is applying for.

She said that amount is in the library's capital budget but because the new lights will be energy efficient and the lighting plan will incorporate using natural light, the amount spent should be recovered.

The library upgrade is the first for the library, which opened in January 1985.

Greendale schools offering workshops for parents

Greendale - The Greendale School District, in conjunction with Partners for Community Action, will hold the first Parents as Partners Conference from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Greendale Middle School, 6800 Schoolway.

A free workshop for Greendale parents and guardians, this event will provide a plethora of learning and discussion opportunities on topics related to raising today's youth.

The conference will offer 45-minute sessions on topics such as technology, understanding social networking, understanding test scores and career readiness. Parents and guardians can attend up to three sessions.

The workshop is free and free child care will be provided. For additional information, please visit www.greendale.k12.wi.us/11-12/parents-partners.html.

Grace Lutheran School is holding open house

Oak Creek - Grace Lutheran School, 8537 S. Pennsylvania Ave., will hold an open house 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 and Jan. 31.

Guests will be able to tour the school, visit classrooms and talk with the teachers and staff. Light snacks will be provided.

Grace Lutheran School is open to students in four-year-old kindergarten through the eighth grade.

For additional information, please call (414) 762-3655 or email school@wi.rr.com.

MATC offers free tax help for lower-income families

Oak Creek - Families with income of less than $50,000 are eligible for free help preparing their income tax returns at Milwaukee Area Technical College's Oak Creek Campus, 6665 S. Howell Ave.

MATC accounting students provide the service in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs.

Tax help will be offered Feb. 1 through April 4, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

The first 25 clients will be assisted at each session.

For more information, including what documentation to bring, please call Jim Benedum, 414-571-4757.

FHS teachers leave classroom for afterschool 'jobs'

Franklin - Franklin High School teachers will leave their classrooms after school Feb. 2 and head to a second job for the night - a 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. shift behind the counter at McDonald's, 7501 W. Rawson Ave.

The educators are taking part in a McTeacher's Night fundraiser, a special evening that gives schools the opportunity to raise funds for programs, equipment and special projects for the school.

St. Mary's collecting soup for pantries, meal sites

Hales Corners - St. Mary's Parish, 9520 W. Forest Home Ave., is collecting 26-ounce cans of vegetable beef soup, hash or beef stew before and after all masses during Super Bowl weekend.

The effort, called SOUPer Bowl Weekend, will help supply the Veterans Initiative Food Pantry, Repairers of the Breach and St. Vincent de Paul. For information, call Pam Lownik, 425-2175, Ext. 356, or Joyce Roesler, 763-2675.