At Southwest Middle School, students and staff try many things to conserve and to take advantage of outside sources for additional income for the students’ use. The public is invited to help collect items the school can turn in for cash or supplies.

Wanted are:

Cash register receipts from Nelson’s Market Place

 Kemps milk caps (5 cents)

 Nature’s Touch Milk Moola labels

 Old cell phones

 Empty ink cartridges from your home printer

 Box Tops for Education labels

 Campbell’s Soup labels

 Coke points (inside cartons and caps)

All revenue received in this manner is used for the students. In the spring, the school holds its only fundraiser (the Tiger Trot Fun Run) which raises money for students activities also. In November, seventh-graders attended a play at the Guthrie Theater. In January, eighth-graders participated in the Youth Frontier Character Building program. Collected funds make it possible for students to attend the special activity by paying only a portion of the required fee. All items above can be dropped off in the collection bins outside of the main entrance office.

Math Masters teams compete

Albert Lea Area Schools sixth-graders participated in the regional Math Masters of Minnesota Challenge at Austin High School on March 13.  Eight teams of students competed individually and as teams on eight sets of mathematical problems in this competition. One team took second place.

 Math Masters of Minnesota began as a fifth- grade math competition program in 1989 with teams from 44 schools taking part. In 1995, the competition was expanded to include sixth-graders and this year there are approximately 4,000 fifth- and sixth-graders registered to compete.  The fifth-grade competition is April 24.

Students take part in tennis

Coach Neil Chalmers announced that 18 students are participating in boys’ tennis this spring at Southwest Middle School. Practice began on March 16. The boys have shown a great amount of dedication practicing in below freezing temperatures and practicing on their own. The first match will be held on April 16.

Media center rearranging book collection

Southwest Middle School is rearranging its book collection to make the media center more user-friendly. Many students have aided in the process. Media specialist Neil Chalmers thanks members of the Southwest Middle School Student Council for all of their work, as well as Tara Westland, Gretta Johnson, Travis Rauenhorst and Robin Victora for all the extra help.

Area Learning Center students make goal

Albert Lea Area Learning Center students set a goal to raise $500 for Doctors without Borders. Through a bake and book sale and other fundraising activities, the school raised $606.02. The money will help Doctors without Borders provide food, medicine and health care for people in crisis around the world.

Prom has Las Vegas theme

The Albert Lea High School junior class will present Prom 2009 on April 25: Viva…Las Vegas!

The grand promenade will be held at Northbridge Mall beginning at 3:30 p.m., where each couple will be announced. Following the promenade, the public can stop in the ALHS gym and catch a glimpse of the prom experience. Doors will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. so people can view the amazing work of John Fure, prom set designer, and get pictures in Las Vegas! Foto Factory will be available to take photos at the mall before the promenade begins, and also with the prom set from 4 to 6 p.m.

The dance will be held from 8 p.m. to midnight. Students must have a ticket to attend. Parent Communication Network will host the post-prom party at Crossroads Church from midnight to 2:30 a.m.