On Oct. 25, eight 10th-grade students from the Albert Lea High School choirs attended the annual American Choral Directors Men and Women Choral Festival at St. John’s University in Collegeville. They were joined by more than 600 other musicians to prepare music for a mass choir concert in the afternoon in the St. John’s Abbey Church. The students also enjoyed hearing college ensembles perform throughout the day. The students who attended were Anthony Tate, Zach Wilke, Michael LaCore, Tim Stoneking, Mallory Dziura, Emily Stoneking, Holly Ryks and Mollie Hernandez. They were accompanied by their teacher, Diane Heaney and parent, Julie Stoneking.

Southwest holds Tiger Pride assembly

Southwest Middle School hosted a Tiger Pride assembly Oct. 31. The program included a presentation by Steve Patten of the Albert Lea Family Y, who shared all the varied programs middle schoolers can get involved with.

Middle school students were recognized for their accomplishments in the pacer, English classes, math classes and fall sports. Approximately 30 students were recognized by their teachers for being a student of the week — students who have shown exemplary behavior in classes and in academics.

Eighth-grader Chrissy Monson was also recognized for her accomplishments in cross country this fall. She competed in the Nov. 1 cross country state tournament at St. Olaf College in Northfield. She qualified for state by placing second out of approximately 120 runners at the section meet with a time of 14:46. At the state meet she ran on a course that is 2.5 miles in length and competed against 200 of the best cross country runners in the state.

Students learn about ecosystems through owl pellet dissection

Seventh-grade science students at Southwest Middle School have opened and taken apart owl pellets. The pellets were formed from the fur and bones of animals eaten by owls. Using dichotomous keys they identified the skulls inside. Inside the owl pellets they have found the remains of voles, mice, shrews, birds and pocket gophers. They have learned how to follow food webs and also learned how energy enters and moves in an ecosystem.

SW winter sports season begins

The winter sports season for Southwest Middle School began Monday with a player/parent/coaches meeting. At that time, students received some valuable information from coaches such as practice and game schedules and team expectations. The first practice will be on Wednesday.

Meeting details how to help third-graders

People are invited to attend “How Can I Help a Third-Grader?” from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 13 in room 131 of Hawthorne School. In October, the meeting included beginning-of-the-year information, gold standards, and things that are easy or difficult about raising a third-grader. Child care is provided at the meeting.

Sibley students attend science, nature conference

Sibley sixth-grade students attended the science and nature conference, hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, on Oct. 21. They participated in hands-on science activities throughout the day, including the following:

Crazy Sugar Highs, Admit It! You Do It!

The Rotten World of Fungi

History of Minnesota’s Massive Glaciers

Get a Taste of Robotic Machine Design!

The Power of the Wind

South Central College’s Mechatronics Program

Magic! Watch Dirty Water Turn Into Drinking Water

The trip was mainly subsidized through a special grant from Lou Rich and Mayo Health Systems.

Preschoolers get visit from fire department

Special education preschoolers got a visit from the fire department on Oct. 9 and were shown equipment, trucks, ladders and hoses. During Fire Prevention Week, the students learned about fire safety, how to stop drop and roll and many songs.