Please join the Hauser PTA and Principal Leslie Berman for Hauser’s PTA meeting on January 17. A light dinner will be served and there will be an opportunity for parents to ask Ms. Berman questions from 5-6 pm, followed by the PTA business meeting from 6-7 pm, and the parent education program, Raising Children with Character in a Competitive World, from 7-8 pm.

Hauser PTA is sponsoring a parent education program on Thursday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hauser Jr. High Auditorium. Clinical psychologist, professor, and author Dr. Michael Maniacci will discuss raising kids to excel without sacrificing character in a presentation entitled “Raising Children with Character in a Competitive World.” We invite all members of District 96 and neighboring communities to join us for this presentation.

The next Board of Education Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 7:30 p.m., at Hauser Jr. High School’s Learning Resource Center. The Education Committee will meet prior to the general session. Although the agenda will soon be posted on the district’s website, www.district96.org, one of the agenda items will be to “Consider elimination of Kindergarten Enrichment in 2008-09.” The Board hopes to hear comments about enrichment from future kindergarten parents prior to its decision. Please encourage parents of incoming kindergarteners to come and share their thoughts.

On Thursday, January 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, we will be holding our annual Pasta Night Dinner in the school cafeteria. Tickets are $7.00 for advance purchase or $9.00 at the door. The dinner will be catered by The Village Pub in North Riverside and will include salad, bread, a pasta and meatball plate, dessert and drinks. The Hauser Book Fair will be going on in the auditorium for those who wish to browse the wonderful selection of titles.

We also hold a prize raffle during the dinner. We are in need of donations of games, toys, gift certificates or services and any other items that you may have to put together for this raffle. You may drop them off in the Hauser office or send them in with your child. We will be able to accept donations until January 22. If you have any questions, please contact Fran Guerrieri.

As a courtesy to our families, we wish to notify you that Fenwick High School will hold its entrance exam on January 12, at 8:00 a.m. For further information, please contact Fenwick directly. The Hauser PTA does not endorse specific schools.

Reminder: RBHS will hold placement testing for 8th graders on Saturday, January 12. Please contact the high school directly for further information.

Hauser’s Music Contest will be held on Wednesday, January 30 starting at 4:00 pm. Participation is required for band and orchestra members in grades 6,7,8. The choir solo contest is the same day from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, but this is not required for choir students.

All students who take private piano lessons are encouraged to enter the piano solo contest, which will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Students will play one piece by memory for a judge and will receive constructive comments. Medals are awarded on the basis of the performance, and all students will receive a medal.

Two winners from each category (band, orchestra, choir, and piano) will be selected to perform at the Performing Arts Show on Wednesday, February 20.

Band and orchestra students will be entered in the contest automatically, but if your student would like to participate in the piano contest, please contact Mrs. Gill for an entry form. If you have questions, please feel free to e-mail Mrs. Gill.

Parent help is needed for SURVIVOR KARAOKE! We need workers for the concession stand, and we are looking for at least one parent group to perform.

Survivor Karaoke is a fund-raising event created four years ago to raise funds for the Tsunami disaster. Since then, money raised has been sent to help students in Pass Christian who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. This year all the money raised will be donated to “Nothing but Nets,” an United Nations sponsored organization that provides mosquito netting to families in Africa in hopes of stopping the spread of malaria.

Student groups will compete against each other while presenting choreographed singing acts at this after-school event on January 25. Students may monetarily support their favorite group during lunch. There is $2 admission charge at the door and snacks will be sold, with the profits donated to the “Nothing but Nets” organization. Any donations made during the event will be greatly appreciated.

Questions? Please contact Joy Brabec or Rick Cardis.