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Rosemont Elementary School holds its annual Science Fair from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at the school, 16400 Alden Ave., said Principal Jimmy Sweeney, who expects 100 participants.

"Basically it's students from Kindergarten to fifth grade, we even have some pre-K stuff," said Sweeney, who said the event is voluntary and students prepare experiments or scientific activities. In the past, students have done experiments that range from testing three types of laundry detergent for effectiveness and quality to demonstrating scientific concepts such as how a circuit works or volcano erupts.

"It's pretty neat, I gotta say," said Sweeney, who said that judges from the federal National Institute of Standards and Technology vet the entries and award prizes. "Anything that can bring the kids and the parents together collaboratively in a school project or learning project I think is good."

Goshen Elementary

celebrates family

Goshen Elementary School holds Family Heritage Night from 6:45 to 9 p.m. Thursday, said Judy Benjamin, school secretary. The event had been planned for Feb. 25 but was postponed due to weather.

"Everybody comes together and there's performers from different countries," said Benjamin, who said that caterers will supply ethnic foods from various countries. "People just exhibit their ethnic heritages."

Students will supply the entertainment, said Joy Copeland, vice president of the school's PTSA. Hurley's School of Irish Dance in Laytonsville will show off Irish step-dancing and Kalanjali School of Folk and Bollywood Dances of Boyds will put on a 30-minute performance that will include a performance of "Jai Ho," a dance from the movie "Slumdog Millionaire," Copeland said. The Indian students sew their traditional costumes, she said.

Students will also display exhibits of games, costumes and crafts from various countries, said Copeland.

"A lot of children can go through their whole life and never see a live stage performance of dance or music," said Copeland. "My whole goal is just to broaden the children's experiences with other countries and with the arts in general."

For more information, call Copeland, vice president of the school's PTSA at 301-252-3608.

Food and fun

at Washington Grove

Washington Grove Elementary School has a new program called "Food and Fun," which is run by the school and the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, said Principal Susan Barranger.

One night each month, a university nutritionist comes to the school, gives a talk, leads a cooking demonstration with students, provides parents with recipes and leads a small exercise activity, such as square dancing or walking around the school, Barranger said. The evening usually runs from 7 to 8 p.m.

Last week's event brought more than 70 participants. The next scheduled "Food and Fun" evening is March 24 at the school, 8712 Oakmont St. Admission to the evening is free.

For more information, call the school at 301-840-7120.

Celebrating half a century

Gaithersburg Middle School is celebrating its "50th year of Academic Excellence," said Phyllis Levy, school secretary.

The school has been holding events throughout the year and plans to have a weeklong celebration from May 10-14 that will include a cultural arts exhibition, a Powder Puff football game, tailgate event, alumni-parents staff softball game, burial of a time capsule and a banquet at the Wyndham Garden hotel in Gaithersburg, where school officials will recognize alumni and relive a little bit of the school's history.

The fun will include a "Spirit Decades Day" where students dress in clothing reminiscent of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000 decade and relive the past decades in spirit wear, Levy said.

To help, contact the school's PTA President Twila Taylor through the school 301-840-4554.

Northwest collecting

formal dresses

The Northwest High School Ambassadors will be collecting gently used, freshly dry-cleaned formal dresses in February and March. The dresses will be sold at the school's inaugural Cinderella's Closet on April 23 through April 24, said Stacey Reilly, faculty sponsor of the Ambassadors. Reilly said the dresses will be sold to lower the price of attending the prom.

Dresses should be brought to the school's main office, 13501 Richter Farm Road in Germantown, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 2:10 p.m., she said. The dresses should be left attention of Reilly, she said. All colors, styles and sizes will be appreciated. All proceeds from the sale will go to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund, she said. For more information, e-mail Stacey Reilly at Stacey_H_Reilly@mcpsmd.org.

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