The spring term for Arlington Community Education started March 8. New day and evening courses are weekly for as low as $15. If you're looking to explore a new hobby, learn a foreign language, or hone those professional skills, why not stay local and support our community while you're at it?

Master Excel or PowerPoint, speak Mandarin, grow your own food, consider estate planning for parents or home-buying for beginners – these are just some of the new courses at Arlington Community Ed. ACE offers more than 100 affordable courses for every interest. The spring lineup also includes three special culinary evenings at local favorites Tryst (March 9) and at Flora (April 12, May 10).

Unsure what course is right for you? Try a single-session ticket. Tickets may be purchased for the first class of most courses, space permitting. If you decide to register for the remainder of the course, just pay the balance less the cost of the single-session ticket. Single-session tickets are $20 each and can be used for courses that run four sessions or more; they cannot be used for courses that contain materials or food fees.

Our hands-on, interactive classes meet primarily at Arlington High School, 869 Mass. Ave., and other convenient locations. ACE also offers affordable, high-quality online courses providing the freedom and flexibility to learn where and when you wish. Arlington Community Education is a program of the Arlington Public Schools.

Course catalog and registration information at www.arlingtoncommunityed.org or call 781-316-3568.

The survey, online from Feb. 28 until noon March 7, attracted 1,560 visitors who began to answer the series of questions. In the end, 1,199, or 76.8 percent, completed the survey, Committee member Joseph Curro Jr. told a Town Hall audience on Tuesday, March 9.

Complete survey results are here >> (.PDF)

Kathleen Bodie has not said publicly whether she is seeking the permanent superintendent position in Arlington, but she is among three finalists for a similar job in Swampscott, a Web site reported March 4. Wicked Local in Swampscott says the School Committee in that North Shore town will interview three, including Bodie, at public meetings. The dates and times have yet to be announced.

The Ottoson Middle School Orchestra, directed by Jing-huey Wei, has been selected to perform at the Massachusetts Music Educators' All-State Convention in March.  The orchestra was chosen from among many applicants statewide and will perform March 19 at 1:15 p.m. in the ballroom of the Seaport Hotel, Boston. This is the state's highest honor bestowed on school ensembles, and the competition is intense.

The students attending the conference were Robert Harrelson (grade 9) and Natalie Duranceau (grade 10) of Arlington High School, Alex Chen (grade 9) of Lexington High School (formerly of Arlington and Ottoson Middle School), Jeremy Norberg-Bohm (grade 9) and Aidan Wilcox (grade

The Arlington School Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 9, approved the school calendar for 2010-2011. See it here >> 

In addition, the School Committee publishes a list of cultural and religious occasions to inform the community about days in which students and staff may be participating in observances with their families. Parents should inform teachers when observances may conflict with school activities.