Pre-registration for fall 1998-99 kindergarten classes in the Los Altos School District will begin on Feb. 5. Doors will be open for pre-registration at 7 a.m. at Almond, Bullis, Loyola, Oak, Santa Rita and Springer schools.
To pre-register, parents must present a photocopy of both proof of the child's age (birth certificate, passport, or baptismal certificate) and proof of residence (a rent receipt, house deed, or utility bill in the name of the parent or guardian) to school officials. Parents may also wish to provide a photocopy of their child's immunization records. The school will then give each parent a numbered registration receipt and packet of information to be completed and returned between Feb. 11-17. Pre-registration is strongly advised.
To be eligible for next year's kindergarten, children must be five years old on or before Dec. 2, 1998, and parents must pre-register their children at the neighborhood school serving the attendance area of the legal residence of the parent or guardian. For additional information, call the Los Altos School District at 941-4010.
Chinese New Year dinner-dance
The International School of the Peninsula is hosting a Chinese New Year celebration at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at Ming's Restaurant in Palo Alto. Lovers of good food and good times are invited to attend.
The cost per person is $150 or a table for 10 is $1,250 and includes an 11-course meal, Chinese dance, music, and auction. For more information, call Sandra Francour at 328-2338.
Foothill College African-American History Month
Foothill College is sponsoring a variety of events and exhibits throughout February as part of its annual African-American Heritage Month celebration.
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre group will perform at 8 p.m. Feb. 6 in the Robert C. Smithwick Theater, Foothill College. Celebrating its 21st season, the award-winning dance troupe is the oldest, continuously operating professional dance company in Dallas. The company was selected as one of the only four U.S. dance groups to perform in the 1996 Cultural Olympiad in Atlanta. Advance tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for students with ID. For more information, call 949-7282.
A lifetime of works created by eminent artist Claude Clark that illustrate the cultural legacy of African-Americans will run from Feb. 2 - 28 in the Foothill College Gallery, located inside the Seamans Library. Gallery hours are Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Young adults will present a variety of performing art media including jazz, spoken word and a step competition, at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Smithwick Theater. Tickets are $10 general admission and $7 students. For more information, call 949-7282.
A gospel concert will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Smithwick Theater. Tickets are $10 general admission and $6 for students. Audiences will be able to experience African-American history through the evolution of Negro spirituals and gospel music.
For more information about other African-American events, call 949-7282.
Notre Dame open house
Notre Dame College is holding an open house for transfer students from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Feb. 7. The event will include campus tours and information on academic programs, financial aid and student life. Notre Dame is a fully accredited, independent, coeducational college offering both undergraduate and graduate degree.
Essay contest
The Humane Education Network of Menlo Park is sponsoring its eighth annual "A Voice For Animals" essay contest. The contest is open to all high school students, with prizes of $500, $250 and $100 awarded to those essays that best promote the humane treatment of animals in the United States.
Each entrant is required to write an essay that demonstrates his/her understanding and knowledge about either the treatment one animal species in the United States or about one animal issue. Based on research, entrants must explain why this issue concerns them and must discuss what they and others can do to show respect and compassion for these animals.
Entries must be the original work of the author and must not have been previously published. The essay must be typed, double-spaced, titled, sources cited, limited to 1000 words. Spelling and punctuation count. Entry forms must accompany all manuscripts. The entry deadline is March 18, 1998.
For more information, call 854-8921.
Benefit concert for music programs
The Town Big Band will perform with jazz musicians from Los Altos High at a benefit concert from 8-11 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Los Altos Youth Center, 1 San Antonio Road. Hors d' oeuvres , soft drinks and wine will be served. The dress theme is 1930s-1950s. Tickets are $20. All proceeds will be donated to the music department at Los Altos High School. For more information, call 948-6522.
Host families needed
The Pacific Intercultural Exchange program needs families to host foreign exchange students for a semester or a full academic year. All students in the program are between the ages of 15 and 18, speak English, have their own spending money and health insurance.
The program matches students with host families by finding common interests and lifestyles through an informal in-home meeting. Host families are eligible to claim a $50 per month charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month they house a student.
For more information, call 1-800-631-1818 or via the Internet at .