St. Benedict 8th graders introduced to world of opera

Eighth grade students at St. Benedict School are currently studying Pucciniıs classic opera ³Tosca,² which will culminate with a field trip to watch a dress rehearsal performance by the Seattle Opera on Feb. 21.

Afterwards, the students will be asked to express their feelings on their opera experience by drawing a picture, writing a story, choreographing a dance or whatever else the student is inspired to do.

This unusual class study project is part of St. Benedictıs goal to link each of its grades to a different arts group ³so that each child will gain intimate knowledge of a new art form each year,² said Fred McCarthy, the schoolıs principal.

Under St. Benedictıs arts program, each teacher works with an arts organization to integrate that particular art form into the class curriculum. Like the opera, the program will include tickets to a performance or exhibit followed by a response from the students.

Seattle Operaıs education director, Perry Lorenzo, said itıs been ³a joy to work with the teachers and students of St. Benedict. The school is really integrating a hands-on, experiential arts education program into their community. The teachers and parents have been meeting and brainstorming for several months on how to make the arts truly alive and vibrant at their school!²

St. Benedict School is a private Catholic school (kindergarten-8th grade) located at 4811 Wallingford Ave. N in the Wallingford neighborhood.

Maple Leaf Lutheran to begin offering classes

Maple Leaf Lutheran Church has ambitious plans to expand its program offerings to the community at large in the upcoming months.

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, the church will host an open house to gather community input on how best to implement several new education programs including English as a Second Language classes, tutoring and music courses which will be run by YATMA (Youth Advancement Through Music and Art).

Since 1996, Maple Leaf Lutheran has run a shelter which serves about 15-20 people per night. Terry Vogel, mission chairperson, says his church just enjoys helping people.

³If the church is just there for Sunday service weıre not really accomplishing the things that weıre about,² Vogel said.

The congregation seems to agree with him. Vogel says that there are already 10 people signed up to tutor area school children and four members are taking courses which will help them teach ESL. Vogel says the open house will help them gauge exactly how much community interest there will be in these programs as well as tell them how to address specific needs of their potential clientele.

Maple Leaf Lutheran in located at 10005 32nd Ave. NE.

Fairview school open house

Fairview Christian School will hold an open house for prospective students and their parents on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will get to tour the schoolıs classrooms, preview the curricula and learn about special programs, includig before and after school care. Fairview offers preschool through 8th grade classes. The school is located at 844 NE 78th St.

High schoolerıs letter prompts senate bill

Deciding a state statute was just too vague, a Blanchet High School senior wrote to his state senator to ask for help.

Matthew Ahl, 18, sent a letter to Sen. Ken Jacobsen (D-Seattle), who represents Northeast Seattle, requesting an amendment to the state code that deals with the modification of exhaust systems on motor vehicles.

³Iım impressed with Matthewıs research and constructive solution,² Jacobsen said. ³Sometimes a law that made sense 20 years ago has no practical application today.²

Current law does not permit any modification of a motor vehicleıs exhaust system that increases the noise emitted by the original muffler. Ahl said he found the law too vague, especially in light of the car racingıs increased popularity these days. Even his new exhaust system meets stringent noise regulations, ³the law doesnıt allow anyone to install an after-market exhaust system to increase the performance of their vehicle,² Ahl said. Jacobsen agreed with Ahl and proposed legislation allowing for some modification of engines, while still requiring that the noise emitted be consistent with current regulations on vehicle noise.

The bill (Senate Bill 5494) has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.