Class notes

The Girls’ Middle School in Mountain View celebrated Dia de las Muertas on Oct. 23. The celebration included eighth grade student Dalia Cruz as the master of ceremonies. Cruz served as the MC for the past three years presenting information in both Spanish and English.

The program began with a local ballet folklorico group, Fuego Nuevo, which means New Fire. The group is from San Jose. There were several different types of dances presented, followed by mariachi singers with two well-known Mexican folk songs, including "Ay Paloma.”

***

New tutors are wanted for a new program called Built to Last Collaborative in the Sequoia Union High School District. Community-minded people are encouraged to become part of a team of highly trained tutors committed to helping educationally disadvantaged East Palo Alto ninth grade students graduate in 2011.

The program will launch in January 2008 to support the students through their years in the district. Tutors work 20 hours per week and earn $12 per hour and a $2,362 educational award after working 900 hours. Tutors will be trained before they begin work.

For more information contact Mc. Ortega at Gail.Ortega@gmail.com.

***

Skyline College will host "Rock the School Bells,” a multicultural hip hop conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 at the student and community center, 3300 College Drive, San Bruno.

Steve "Zulu Gremlin” Roybal, Adisa Banjoko, DJ Sake One and Fayzo will be in attendance. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Workshops are from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Registration is $25 at the door and includes a ticket, T-shirt and lunch. "Rock the School Bells” includes a main event concert. Doors for the main event open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Artists scheduled to perform include: Zulu Gremlin, DJ Cellski, Fayzo, Sistaz of the Underground, Souls of Rap Folks, Brown Buffalo Project, Enoch of GLT Music, and many more Tickets are $15 and are available at the door.

For more information visit www.SkylineCollege.edu or contact Nate Nevado at nevadon@smccd.edu or 738-4388.

***

On Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. the San Mateo-Foster City School District will hold the 10th annual magnet school information fair in the performing arts center at Bayside Middle School, 2025 Kehoe Avenue, San Mateo.

Designed to provide parents with an in-depth look at the ten Magnet schools and programs offered by the district for students in kindergarten through eighth grade, the evening features a general overview session in the main theatre and individual school presentations in break-out sessions around the school. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be available for this event.

Families will learn about Magnet school programs, including new programs for the 2008-09 school year, the application process and enrollment procedures. Magnet school applications will be available and may be submitted beginning that evening. The deadline to apply to a magnet school program is Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008.

For more information visit the district Web site at http://www.smfc.k12.ca.us or call the magnet school office at 312-7700 x7758.

***

Skyline College will hold a holiday job fair on Wednesday, Nov. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Bldg. 6, cafeteria, 3300 College Drive, San Bruno. The fair is free and open to the public.

Class notes is a weekly column dedicated to school news. It is compiled by education reporter Heather Murtagh. You can contact her at (650) 344-5200, ext. 105 or at heather@smdailyjournal.com.