News & Notes: Jan. 16

Falls Foundation accepting applications for grants

Menomonee Falls - The Greater Menomonee Falls Foundation is proud to announce that it is now accepting applications for its 2012 grant application cycle.

The Foundation awarded four $1,000 grants in 2011. The recipients included: The Falls Area Community Services Food Pantry, Camp Pow Wow, The Children's Community Center, and Accompany of Kids.

"Our goal for 2012 was to double the amount of grants that we could award to $8,000," Chairwoman Darci Middaugh said. "Due to the overwhelming generosity of our donors, we are able to realize that goal."

For the 2012 grant cycle the foundation will be awarding two $2,000 grants and four $1,000 grants. The GMFF supports nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in the Menomonee Falls Area. Interested nonprofit organizations can visit the "Grants" page at fallsfoundation.org. Organizations interested in being considered for both a $2,000 and the $1,000 grants should submit a separate application for each grant.

Please share this information with your local nonprofit organizations. The foundation is proud to have the ability to award these grants, and wants to ensure that every qualifying organization that it interested in applying has the opportunity to do so.

For more information on the GMFF and its activities in the community, visit fallsfoundation.org.

Falls parish raises more than $1 million

Menomonee Falls - St. Mary Parish announced that more than $1.15 million has been committed to date to its specially run Legacy of Faith, Completing Our Vision capital campaign. The campaign had as its aim to retire the debt from the For All Generations project.

In all, more than 29 volunteers worked on the effort and 381 members made contributions toward its success. The church was assisted in the effort by Walsh & Associates, church fundraising specialists, a Burnsville, Minn.-based fundraising consulting firm.

Early admission to school deadline approaches

Sussex - Parents who want their children considered for early admission into a Hamilton School District 5-year-old kindergarten or first-grade class next fall should apply in writing by March 1 to their elementary school principal. Application forms are available at elementary school offices.

Children who turn 5 on or before Sept. 1, meet normal entrance age requirements for the 2012-13, 5-year-old kindergarten class; those who turn 6 on or before Sept. 1, are eligible to enter first grade.

Parents that apply will meet with the principal. During that time, a brief interview will take place and the application will be completed. The child should demonstrate superior intellectual development, superior language skills and advanced physical, social and emotional maturity. Parents will be contacted no later than mid-March about the next step in the process.

For more information about early admission, contact an elementary school principal or Special Services Supervisor Mardi Freeman at (262) 246-1973 ext. 1184.

Falls Fire looking for on-call and volunteer help

Menomonee Falls - The Menomonee Falls Fire Department is currently accepting applications for on-call and volunteer firefighters and/or emergency medical technicians. No experience is necessary. Applicants must be 18 years of age and must pass both a written and physical agility test.

Application packets may be picked up at the Menomonee Falls Fire Department, Station 3, located at N7501 Lilly Road, by emailing fire@menomonee-falls.org., or on the Menomonee Falls website at: menomonee-falls.org/departments/fire/recruitment.

For information on the benefits and rewards of membership with the Menomonee Falls Fire Department contact us at (262) 532-8823.

Applications for the current recruitment class are accepted until 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Applications received after that time will be put in future classes.

Parents can complete applications for kindergarten

Menomonee Falls - Families new to the Menomonee Falls School District should register for 4-year-old and 5-year-old kindergarten from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 2, in the Ben Franklin Elementary School gym. A child's birth certificate and proof of residency, a current We Energies bill is required.

Registration forms may be downloaded at the district's website sdmf.k12.wi.us.

Ben Franklin Elementary is at W14701 Franklin Drive, Menomonee Falls, and the phone number is (262) 255-8470. A presentation describing the 5-year-old kindergarten program begins at 6 p.m. and a presentation explaining 4-year-old kindergarten is at 6:30 p.m. Children are welcome to attend but it is not required.

Children already enrolled in the 4-year-old program do not need to register for the K5 program. They are automatically registered for kindergarten at their home schools through the District Office.

If you are unable to attend the registration session at Ben Franklin Elementary, beginning Feb. 3, you may register your child for the 2012-13 school year at the School District of Menomonee Falls Office, W156 N8480 Pilgrim Road. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For questions on 4-year-old kindergarten, call Ben Franklin Elementary Principal Kathy Marks at (262) 255-8470.