News & Notes: March 20

Board renews Sprint wireless permits

Menomonee Falls - The Menomonee Falls Village Board approved the renewal of a five-year conditional use permit for Sprint Spectrum wireless communication towers.

At the meeting Monday night, the board approved three conditional use permits allowing the continued placement of a wireless communication facility on the lattice radio tower on Shady Lane, a facility on the We Energies transmission tower and on the village water tower.

Village saves through bond refunds

Menomonee Falls - The village of Menomonee Falls is anticipating a net savings of about $2.5 million due to bond refinancings.

The Village Board approved an issuance Monday to refinance 2002B series bonds, not to exceed $6.75 million, as well as a refinance of the 2003B series bonds, not to exceed $8.5 million, which would save the village more than $2 million.

Free immunizations available throughout April

West Bend - The Washington County has announced a children's immunization program for April.

All immunizations will be provided at the health department. Recommended immunizations are available to children, 18 years and younger, at no cost. Parents are required to bring previous immunization records to appointments and must accompany children younger than 18.

To schedule an appointment, call (262) 335-4462 and press "0" for the receptionist or call toll free at (800) 616-0466.

Mandarin now offered at high school

Sussex - The Hamilton School District announced it will offer Mandarin as a foreign language option next year.

The district is partnering with the Elmbrook School District to offer Mandarin I to students in a blended online and face-to-face instructional course. According to the district, students will do much of the coursework using Web and computer instruction, while some instruction will take place in traditional classroom environments.

High school offers ways to stay active

Sussex - The Hamilton High School 2012 Summer Opportunities Program will run from June 18 to July 13, with no school on July 4. Brochures will be sent home March 30, and will be available on the district website.

Registration begins at 6 p.m. April 4 and continues through May 4. Families can register online, by mail or in person.

Registration forms received by mail or in person will be processed at 7 p.m. April 4, in the order in which they were received. Online registration is strongly encouraged. For information, call the Summer Opportunities office at (262) 255-3653.

Templeton student qualifies for state bee

Sussex - Templeton Middle School eighth-grader Taylor Beimborn qualified for the Wisconsin State Geographic Bee based on the results of his written test.

The top 100 scoring students in Wisconsin qualified for the state level competition. The Wisconsin State Geographic Bee is set for March 30 in Madison. State champions who advance to the National Geographic Bee competition receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The national finals take place May 24.

Falls Foundation offers nonprofit grants

Menomonee Falls - The Greater Menomonee Falls Foundation is once again looking to support nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in the Greater Menomonee Falls Area.

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

A total of six grants will be awarded in 2012, two $2,000 grants and four $1,000 grants. An organization that wishes to apply for both a $2,000 and a $1,000 grant will need to complete two applications.

Grant applications are due by April 2. For information regarding grant instructions and application, email the Greater Menomonee Falls Foundation at info@fallsfoundation.org.

School board increases registration fees

Germantown - The Germantown School Board adopted a slew of changes to student fees at the board meeting last week.

Fees for full-day kindergarten and elementary school registration are $55 for the 2012-2013 school year. This is a $5 increase from the 2011-2012 school year. There will no longer be a $2 fee for elementary school-assigned notebooks.

The registration fee for high school students was increased from $60 to $75. High school students' yearbooks will also cost an additional $10, being raised from $50 to $60. Student parking per semester will cost $100 for the 2012-2013 school year. For the 2011-2012 year, the cost was $75.

Recreation Department shares middle school

Germantown - The Recreation Department was granted use of Kennedy Middle School for summer recreation activities.

The Germantown School Board on last week approved the use of the school's gym and cafeteria for recreational purposes.

Car seats available for low-income families

West Bend - The Washington County Health Department has received a grant from the Department of Transportation to purchase car seats for low income families.

Families are eligible for reduced-cost car seats if they are 185 percent or below the federal poverty level. The Health Department is partnering with agencies who serve low income clients in Washington County. Clients are screened for car seats and provided a voucher by the department's partners. Clients can redeem their vouchers for car seats at the Health Department, 432 East Washington St., West Bend. Clients receive education, assistance with installation and evaluate the service.

According to the Safe Kids USA and the National Traffic Safety Administration, children are less likely to be in the correct child safety seat as they get older, and 73 percent of child safety seats are installed incorrectly. The Permanent Fitting Station continues to check car seats and provide education free of charge to the public and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Thursday. All services at the fitting station are by appointment.

Call Michelle Large at (262) 335-4742 at the fitting station for an appointment and for information on car seat safety and installation.