South school briefs

Spanish immersion preschool info session A Spanish immersion preschool that's coming to Burnsville soon will hold a meeting for parents on Thursday.

Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center, which has locations in Minneapolis and Plymouth, plans to open the new site this summer.

The preschool will hold an informational meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the community room at Burnhaven Library, 1101 County Road 42.

Children at the preschool learn Spanish and about Latin American culture from native speakers. It's designed for kids ages 6 weeks through 6 years from English-speaking families. For more information, go to www.rayitodesol.com.

High school field will get new turf Burnsville High School's Hanson Field will get new synthetic turf this summer.

The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school board voted to go ahead with the upgrade last week, awarding a contract for the work to Fendler Patterson Construction of Savage. The company will get $800,000 to install an athletic field similar to those at Lakeville North High School and Breck School Stadium, among others.

Nominations sought for schools awards The Farmington Area Education Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2009 Partners in Education awards. The awards will be given in four categories: Volunteer of the Year, Community Partner of the Year, Distinguished Alumna or Alumnus and the Bill Patterson Distinguished Staff Member Award.

Residents and groups in Farmington can submit names by March 1. The winners will be named on April 17. Forms are available at any Farmington public school or at www.farmington edfoundation.org.

Consultant hired in superintendent search The Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District has hired a consultant to help find a new superintendent.

The district will pay Kenneth La Croix $12,500 to guide the school board through the hiring process. La Croix has done executive searches for more than 30 districts in Minnesota.

Superintendent John Currie said in December that he will retire at the end of the school year. The district plans to have his replacement on board before his last day, which is June 30.

Eastview foundation to hold silent auction Snack on appetizers and buy local art at a silent auction next month to benefit the Eastview Community Foundation.

The auction will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on March 7. It will feature more than 200 original pieces, from photographs to jewelry and pottery.

Tickets, which are $30, are available at www.evcf.org. The event will be held at The Barn at Spirit of Brandtjen Farms, 16965 Brandtjen Farm Drive, Lakeville.

The foundation raises money to support academics, sports and arts at Eastview High School and nine other local elementary and middle schools.

SARAH LEMAGIE