East metro school briefs

Nominate outstanding grads of Como Park Nominations are being sought for the St. Paul Como Park High School Hall of Fame. The award has been presented for 10 years to graduates who have made significant contributions to the community or who have distinguished themselves in life after high school. Nominees for the 2007-08 award must have graduated from Como Park at least 10 years ago. The winner's plaque will be placed in the main entry area of the school and will be presented during Senior Honors Night in May. Send your nominations by March 31 to William Niemczyk, Como Park High School, 740 W. Rose Av., St. Paul, 55117 or by e-mail to william.niemczyk@spps.org.

JAMES WALSH

Sesquicentennial celebration planned One of Minnesota's first school districts is preparing for its 150th anniversary celebration. District 197, which serves West St. Paul, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights and Sunfish Lake, began on March 12, 1859, as District 3.

Debi McConnell of Mendota Heights, a district volunteer, is the chairwoman of the planning committee. She has been researching the district's history and will lead the year-long project to develop a celebration that showcases all eight district schools over several weeks in late spring of 2009.

Anyone who can share information about district history or wants to volunteer can call Mary DeYoung, the district's communications coordinator, at 651-681-2307.

KEVIN GILES

Superintendent finalists to be named The White Bear Lake school district is expected to announce its slate of superintendent candidates this week, according to the district's website. The first round of interviews is slated for Friday and Saturday, with finalist interviews on March 31, April 1 and April 2. The school board anticipates making an announcement of its preferred candidate in early April. Updates on the superintendent search process will be available at www.whitebear.k12.mn.us.

Help available for getting into college Admission Possible, a nonprofit organization that gets low-income students ready for college at no cost, is recruiting Twin Cities 10th-graders now through mid-April. Applications are being accepted from eligible sophomores by Admission Possible staff members at each of 16 metro-area partner high schools.

But students who attend other high schools may also apply for the program by calling 651-917-3525 or e-mailing info@admissionpossible.org.

In its eight-year history, Admission Possible has helped 98 percent of participating students earn admission to college; 95 percent went on to enroll and 80 percent of those students still are working toward their degree or have graduated.

Admission Possible students commit to two after-school sessions a week during their junior and senior years of high school. Students join a small learning group and are assigned a coach who works with them in small groups or individually. During those two years, students get free ACT/SAT test preparation, help in preparing college applications, help obtaining financial aid and guidance in the transition to college.

To be eligible for Admission Possible, a student's family income must be at or below the median income for the city of residence; the student must be a sophomore on track to be a junior in 2008-09 and the student must commit to after-school sessions, practice ACT exams, campus visits and community service. Students must also have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and good attendance.