West school briefs: Early childhood program in Bloomington expands

Early childhood program expandsAn addition is being built onto Bloomington's Valley View Elementary School for an expanding early childhood program at the school.

The 3,780-square-foot addition will serve an extra 124 families starting this spring, providing new prekindergarten programs for English language learners and low-income students, early childhood family education services and early childhood screening.

The expansion is funded in part by a $695,589 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services and an equal match from the school district. Wold Architects and Engineers designed the addition.

Teacher honored by Hispanic ChamberA Hopkins teacher was the only educator to be recognized last month by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota as one of the Hispanic community's "20 on the Rise," an award given to those who are leading and succeeding in Minnesota's Hispanic community.

Maritza Roberto, a physics teacher at Hopkins High School and a physical science teacher at North Junior High, received the award last month among other leaders in business and government.

She is also actively involved in science outreach programs throughout the Twin Cities and is a member of the University of Minnesota's Physics Force and PACES (Parents and Children Experiencing Science).

Blake hosts financial aid info sessionThe Blake School will host a financial aid program at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Hopkins campus, 110 Blake Road S.

Admissions and financial aid applications for next school year are due Jan. 31. For more information, go to www.blakeschool.org or call 952-988-3420.

Assistant principal gets statewide awardT. "Joe" Vieau Jr., assistant principal at Delano High School, was recently named the Minnesota Assistant Principal of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals.

Vieau has been in education for 24 years, the past six of which he's served as assistant principal. He previously worked as a math teacher for Dawson-Boyd Public Schools, Watertown-Mayer Public Schools and Delano Public Schools.

School district hosts legislative forumThe Edina School District is hosting a legislative forum Monday with state representatives Melisa Franzen, Ron Erhardt and Paul Rosenthal.

The forum, which is open to the public, will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. in Room 350 of the Edina Community Center. The legislators will discuss educational opportunities and challenges facing the school district.

The council advises the college on teaching, learning and human development.