The Terra Community College Board of Trustees voted March 24 to raise tuition 3.5 percent effective fall 2010.

“This is certainly not a move we make lightly but we don’t feel we have much choice,” said board chair Susan Starr. “Even with this increase, we are confident that we will still be among the lowest priced collegiate options in Northwest Ohio.”

In making its recommendation to the full board, the Finance Committee noted several budgetary concerns the college is facing in the near future.

The hiring of new faculty members and additional services required to meet the needs related to double digit enrollment increases highlight the personnel issues while continued investments in the state-mandated energy plan and the unknowns that accompany state subsidies are other major considerations. The issue of losing federal stimulus dollars for higher education as a whole is huge in fiscal year 2012.

Cost per credit hour will move from $123.84 to $128.17. The total increase in tuition for a full-time (30 credit hours) Terra student would be about $130 for the year.

“Pell Grants, which about 44 percent of our students receive, are increasing by $200 next year,” Starr said. “This would offset the proposed tuition increase for our neediest students.”

Students begin registering for fall semester classes March 29.

Penta enrolling for STEM camp
Students in grades seven through nine who reside within one of the 16 school districts served by Penta Career Center are invited to register for the 2010 STEM Summer Camp, which will be held June 14-18 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Penta campus, 9301 Buck Rd., Perrysburg.

The camp will provide an exploration of careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Students will participate in a variety of hands-on activities in the areas of computer-aided design, HVAC/R piping systems, public safety/EMT-fire science, green energy management and geospatial information systems (GIS).

The registration fee is $25. Applications are available from school counselors or call Penta Career Center at 419-661-6366. The deadline for registering is April 16.

Penta’s STEM Summer Camp is made possible through an Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF) grant and a Northwest Ohio College Tech Prep grant. The camp is offered to students in Penta’s member school districts, which include Eastwood, Genoa, Lake, Northwood, Oak Harbor and Woodmore.

Motorsports Welding Night
The 14th Lincoln Motorsports Welding Night will be held April 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Transportation Technologies Building at Owens Community College.

The event is being presented by Owens’ School of Technology and the Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Welding Society.

Guest speaker Karl Hoes, of the Lincoln Electric Company will speak at 7 p.m. Hoes, a welding instructor, performs welding on NASCAR and Nationwide cars, ARCA cars and IRL cars in trackside situations. He also works with the Experimental Aircraft Builders Association.

More than 30 competition vehicles are scheduled to be on display. There will also be welding and cutting demonstrations, along with a virtual reality welding simulator. Whoever makes the best weld of the night will receive a new welder from Lincoln Electric.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call Dick West at 419-862-2933 or Larry Blake at 419-349-1521.

Outstanding service awards
Owens Community College’s Alumni Association will recognize the tremendous contribution that area police, fire and emergency medical professionals make to Northwest Ohio communities by hosting the seventh annual Outstanding Service Awards.

The alumni association is accepting nominations for the Outstanding Service Awards. Area residents are invited to nominate an individual or individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service above and beyond the call of duty. Nominations need to be returned to the college’s Office of Alumni Relations and Special Events by April 1. The award is not limited to a single recipient, and the College’s Alumni Association encourages the nomination of more than one person when teamwork was the key element in their success.

The five awards, which will be presented at the community celebration April 23, will be presented in the categories of Outstanding Police Officer, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, Service to Community and Community Spirit. Selection criteria will be based upon a nomination process with candidates demonstrating exceptional service related to dedication, ingenuity, bravery, special skills and/or to the community over a sustained period of time. The awards are not limited to a single recipient.

For more information, call 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7410 or visit www.owens.edu. 

ZOOTeens wanted
Applications are being accepted for the Toledo ZOOTeen Program through April 9.

The program is open to young people age 13 to 17 with an interest in animals, nature, education, conservation, and/or community service. ZOOTeens commit to volunteering for the summer, but they also have the option of participating year-round if they wish.

The young volunteers staff educational information stations around the zoo, assist in the Nature’s Neighborhood exhibit and support Summer Camps, among other tasks.

In addition, ZOOTeens are active in the community, supporting a wide variety of organizations such as the Metroparks, the Toledo Area Humane Society, Keep Toledo/Lucas County Beautiful, Josina Lott Residential Home, Olander Park System, Partners for Clean Streams, and many more.

“We extended the deadline because we continue to receive phone calls, not only from individual parents and teens seeking application information, but from schools as well, requesting classroom presentations highlighting the ZOOTeen Program and the importance of community service,” said Bill Davis, the zoo’s volunteer coordinator. “Our goal is to accommodate as many of these requests as possible and make sure that as many teens as possible have the opportunity to volunteer this summer and positively impact their community.”

For more information, visit www.toledozoo.org or call 419-385-4040.

Owens “Registration Rocks”
Area high school seniors are invited to learn about Owens Community College’s many educational opportunities during the fun, music-themed Registration Rocks in March, April, May and June.

High school seniors can sign up for any day of Registration Rocks, which will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and noon to 6 p.m. March 31; April 1, 7 and 14; May 5, 12, 19 and 26; and June 2, 9, 16 and 23. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.  Attendees are required to RSVP before the event.

Throughout each day, students will be able to meet with staff members, take a placement test and pick up information about financial aid, clubs and student activities, local housing and academic program offerings. In addition, a separate program on learning to support their children in college will be offered to parents who attend the event.

Students will have the chance to win various raffle prizes including Owens baseball caps, T-shirts, sweatshirts and more. Additionally, attendees will be provided with a free lunch during their visit.

For more information or to register, call 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7253 or, visit www.owens.edu and click on the “Registration Rocks” icon.

Homeschooling meeting
H.O.P.E. (Helping Ohio Parents Educate) will offer an informational meeting for current homeschoolers or families interested in homeschooling April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Ignatius Church in Oregon. For more information, visit This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Stephanie Stasa at 419-697-3909.

“Mame”
Rossford High School will present Jerry Herman’s 1966 Tony Award-winning musical comedy, "Mame" April 15-18.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $10 and may be reserved by calling the box office at 419-666-5262, ext. 1401.

Rossford High School is located at 701 Superior St., Rossford. Visit “The Rossford High School Drama Troupe” on Facebook or www.bulldogdrama.blogspot.com.

Small Business Basics
The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra Community College is offering free two-hour “Small Business Basics” seminars designed to answer questions about starting, buying or expanding a small business.

Participants will learn the basics of name registration, licensing, taxes, zoning, business entities, insurance, financing and business planning.

The April schedule includes:
 • April 7 – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (conference room), 8043 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
 • April 28 – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Terra Community College (Building B, Room 101), 2830 Napoleon Road, Fremont.

The seminars are free and open to the public. To register or for more information, call Bill Auxter toll-free at 800-826-2431 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Rock `n Bowl
Rock `n Bowl with Eastwood Softball April 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Varsity Lanes, 1033 S. Main St., Bowling Green.

The cost is $20 per person, which includes three hours of bowling, shoes, music and pop. See a softball player for tickets or call 419-352-5247.  Proceeds benefit a new scoreboard in memory of Harvey Flores.

Woodmore kindergarten screening
Woodmore Local Schools will hold registration and screening for kindergarten students for the 2010-11 school year May 11, 12 and 13 at Woodmore Elementary School, 708 W. Main St., Woodville.

A child who is 5 years old on or before Aug. 1 is eligible to enter kindergarten for the coming school year.

Parents/guardians are asked to call the school office at 419-849-2382, ext. 203 April 26 through May 7 during the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to make an appointment. Appointment times are 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The registration/screening process will take between 60 and 90 minutes.

Peace officer academy enrolling
The Basic Peace Officer Academy Training Program at Owens Community College is currently accepting applications for fall.

“Owens Community College’s collaboration with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission provides educational training for thousands of future law enforcement officials throughout Ohio,” said Bob Albright, coordinator of Public Service Training Programs. “Students who successfully complete the Basic Peace Officer Academy Training Program will become eligible for certification as an Ohio peace officer.”

During the seven-month program, students will take courses in patrol operations, firearms, defensive tactics, criminal investigation, constitutional law and physical conditioning. Upon completion of the program, each student will receive a certificate from Owens. All requirements of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission must be met for certification. Applications must be returned by June 17. Classes begin in August.

For more information or to obtain an application packet, call 1-800-GO-OWENS, ext. 7621.

After-prom donations sought
The Lake High School After-prom Committee is seeking donations for the post-prom event, which will be held May 8.

The committee welcomes monetary donations or contributions of bottled water or 12 packs of Pepsi products. For more information, call Kathleen Fincher at 419-661-6675.

Scholarships available
The Freedom Alliance is offering scholarships to sons and daughters of service members who have sacrificed life or limb.

More than $3 million has been awarded since 2002. “Families of killed or permanently disabled service members face hardships that most Americans can not imagine,” Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon said. “To honor the men and women of our Armed Forces by providing scholarships to their children is a privilege. Paying for a college education is one hardship that these students should not have to endure.”

An eligible applicant must be the dependent son or daughter of a U.S. soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or guardsman who has been killed or permanently disabled (100 percent VA disability rating) in an operational mission or training accident, or who is currently classified as a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). Applicants must also be high school seniors or registered as full-time undergraduate students and under the age of 26.

To apply or obtain more information, visit www.fascholarship.com or call 800-475-6620. The application deadline is July 31.

Immunization requirements
The Ohio Department of Health has updated immunization requirements for children beginning with the upcoming 2010-11 school year.

Parents/guardians should be aware of the following additional immunizations that will be required for children entering kindergarten and those entering seventh grade this fall:
 • A second dose of Varicella (chicken pox) is now required for kindergartners.
 • A Tdap (tetanus, pertussis and diphtheria vaccine) booster shot is now required for seventh graders.

“The changes are based on scientific evidence,” said Dr. David Grossman, health commissioner for the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department. “They are needed to fully protect our children.”

Complete details of all school immunization requirements are available at www.odh.ohio.gov (type “school entry” into the search box).

Parents of kindergartners or seventh-graders are encouraged to make appointments with their children’s doctor or to visit a Shots 4 Tots immunization clinic. To locate a clinic, visit lucascountyhealth.com or call 419-213-4121.

Donation presented
Oak Harbor Middle School Principal Marie Whitman presented a check for $1,000 to the B-C-S Education Foundation at the Feb. 23 board meeting on behalf of the Legacy II band.

Wittman, along with fellow band members Jerry Wittman, Steve Bast and Jimmy Zipfel held a Valentine’s Day dance, the proceeds from which were donated to the foundation.

Accredited
Toledo Christian School Superintendent Dr. Michael Chivalette has announced that the school has earned accreditation from the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement.

To earn accreditation, schools must meet NCACASI’s standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school and implement a continuous process of school improvement.

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