The Ottoson Middle School Spring Choral Concert -- featuring Seventh- and Eighth-grade Chorus, Sixth-grade Chorus, Select Chorus (at left) and Boys' Chorus -- is scheduled for Town Hall on Thursday, May 17, at 7 p.m.

Involved in this program are 160 Ottoson students. Music includes songs from "Les Miserable," "Annie," "School House Rock," as well as songs by the Beatles, Aaron Copland, Persichetti and Arlington's Pasquale Tassone.

The concert should be over by 8:30 p.m.

Representative Jay Kaufman's award-winning public-policy forum, "Oopem House," opts for the youth angle with a forum on how young people are shaped for public participation and community involvement.

The forum, "Young Today, Lead Tomorrow: A Conversation with Young Citizens" is the ninth of the 17th season, and will be held Thursday, May 17, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Historic Depot, 13 Depot Square, Lexington Center.

The media and pundits often question why young people do not vote or get involved in political or civic life. This month, "Open House" puts this question directly to our young people.

Session No. 8 on Wednesday, May 16 concluded the 2012 Town Meeting with votes on a series of articles. For reporting and commentary, see Dan Dunn's blog | Wes Beal on concussion effort

Special-education costs, long uncertain and an issue the superintendent called "volatile," appear to be leveling off, and so the School Committee has approved a transfer of $500,000 for a "rainy-day fund."

In discussing the transfer Thursday, May 10, Superintendent Kathy Bodie cited "a little progress" in containing the costs for placing children in programs that are outside the district. That has included establishing programs within the district.

SchrammTassoneThe final concert of the Menotomy Concert Series features the acclaimed New England String Quartet with guest artist, trumpeter Andrew Sorg. The concert is set for Friday, May 18, at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

Featured in this concert will be the music of Arlington composers and residents Betsy Schramm and Pasquale Tassone, both of whom have written music for this concert.

The quartet was established in 2007 in Boston and performs throughout the New England.

Laura S. Chesson: Comfortable around computers.

After four years without a full-time assistant superintendent, the Arlington public schools will have one starting July 1.

Laura S. Chesson, now the principal of Maynard High School, brings with her more than a decade of experience at IBM.

"Laura is very personable with a great sense of humor," Superintendent Kathy Bodie wrote in an email announcing her decision to the School Committee May 8. "I am confident that she will be a great addition to the Arlington team."

In a statement she read to the School Committee on Thursday, May 10, Chesson said that during lean times at IBM, "we had to think creatively about how we could do more with less -- a situation that correlates strongly to how things often go for school districts."

She said that among skills learned at IBM and applied to education were developing successful teams, solving problems using data analysis and using effective communication to build a strong sense of community and collaborative culture across a large organization. She said her project spanned two continents.

Tuttle

HartThe final concert of the 2011-12 PACC Concert Series features Andrea Hart and Margaret Cheng Tuttle performing a program titled "From Formal to Fanciful ... Music for Flute and Piano," on Sunday, May 20, at 4 p.m.

A reception will follow the concert. Tickets in advance are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors/students; $20 and $12 at the door. Proceeds benefit the church's music program.

Park Avenue Congregational Church is at 50 Paul Revere Road at Park Avenue and Paul Revere Road, one block from Mass. Ave., Arlington Heights. The church is handicapped accessible and on public transportation via MBTA route No. 77.