Local LEGO robots try to qualify
Twenty-three teams of fourth- through eighth-grade students are scheduled to compete in the sixth annual Los Altos Robotics FIRST LEGO League qualifying tournaments 1:15-5:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Covington and Oak Avenue schools multipurpose rooms. The public is invited to cheer the teams on, watch the fun and consider being part of a Los Altos Robotics FIRST LEGO League team next season.
Using the LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System, the teams designed, built and programmed robots to run on a 4-by-8-foot challenge board with structures made of LEGOs. This year’s worldwide theme is “Ocean Odyssey” and addresses how robots can be used to tackle challenges of our oceans’ health, biodiversity and productivity.
For more information, visit www.LosAltosRobotics.org or contact Michael Schuh at Michael@LosAltosRobotics.org or 965-8037.
Finance committee to meet tonight
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee for Finance has scheduled a meeting for 7 p.m. today in the Los Altos School District board room, 201 Covington Road. Three subcommittees are expected to present their preliminary reports: Parcel Tax/Communications, Property Taxes and Enrollment/Staffing.
Graham choir sings at MV senior center
The Graham Middle School Choir has scheduled a performance at the Mountain View Senior Center 3:45-4:30 p.m. today. Admission is free. Alza Corp. will provide refreshments.
The senior center is located at 266 Escuela Ave., Mountain View.
Players perform ‘Our Town’
The Mountain View High Players have scheduled performances of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” for 8 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18 and 2 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Spartan Theater, 3535 Truman Ave. Tickets are $8 general admission, $5 for students and seniors.
For more information, call 940-4625.
Oak schedules Scholastic Book Fair
Oak Avenue School has scheduled a Scholastic Book Fair with the theme “Enter the Kingdom of Reading” for Nov. 29 through Dec. 2. The sale of specially priced books and educational products will benefit the school library. Shoppers can choose from newly released works, award-winning titles, children’s classics, interactive software and current best sellers from more than 150 publishers.
Parents, children, teachers and the community are invited. On “Family Shopping Night,” 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 29, a guest storyteller will entertain, refreshments will be served and door prizes will be awarded.
Book Fair hours are 2:30-4 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 29, 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 30, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2. The fair will be held in the multipurpose room. The school is located at 1501 Oak Ave.
Castilleja School ‘Stoops to Conquer’
Castilleja School’s fall play is Oliver Goldsmith’s hilarious romp, “She Stoops to Conquer.” Men in wigs and heels, women in disguise to win true love and a household full of hilarious misunderstanding all come together in the late Restoration comedy. Performances are scheduled for at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 and 19 and 2 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Castilleja Theater, 1310 Bryant St. (at Embarcadero Road), Palo Alto.
Tickets cost $5 and $10 at the door. For more information, call the 328-3373, ext. 401.
High schools to hold information nights
The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District has scheduled high school information nights for eighth-grade students and their parents. Administrators, counselors, teachers, parents and students will answer questions in an informal setting.
The Information Night for Los Altos High is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in the school gym, 201 Almond Ave. Mountain View High’s Information Night is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the school gym, 3535 Truman Ave.
Child care and Spanish translation will be provided.
National gifted program looking for students
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth’s annual academic talent search for second- to eighth-graders is under way through the end of November. Students who enroll in the national talent search take an above-grade-level test to learn more about their academic talents and perhaps qualify for the program’s summer and online programs, for which financial aid is available.
The Center for Talented Youth is a non-profit program at Johns Hopkins University that operates in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Last year, 77,000 students participated in the talent search. Gifted students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch programs can join the talent search at a minimal cost.
For more information, call (410) 735-6278, e-mail ctyinfo@jhu.edu or visit www.cty.jhu.edu. Students can apply online.
