PTA News:

PTSA scholarship applications are available in the counseling office for Hoover High School seniors, and the deadline is April 2.

Spring break is April 5 to 12.

Hoover High, Toll Middle and Keppel Elementary schools will celebrate the arts with a giant block party on Glenwood Road, in front of their schools, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 17. Bring the family for food, games, art displays, a silent auction and fun for all.

For the latest Hoover news, visit www. hooverhs.org.

Toll Middle School

Glendale Police Officer Renae Kerner will speak about drug awareness during the Toll PTSA meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium.

All Toll parents are invited to the Toll TRUST meeting at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in Room 1202 to hear how Toll students are making a difference by choosing peace over violence.

Toll students are encouraged to bring in nonperishable food today through Friday for the Toll Food Drive. Food can be brought to the attendance office, or to the students homerooms. Hoover counselors invite parents of Toll eighth-graders to a presentation on high school requirements at 7 p.m. March 31 in the Hoover Library.

If you’re interested in volunteering at the Toll Malt Shop or with Parents on Patrol, e-mail Margaret Hall at MhallPTA@aol.com.

Balboa Elementary

Father/Son Sports Night in March was a success, thanks to Chairwoman Dawn Velasquez and to the mothers who helped, including Margo Harriman. Mother/Daughter Cookies and Craft Night was also successful, thanks to Liza Hemingway, Sara Khosravi, Scott Sackett and Tom Hendrickson.

Congratulations to Balboa students Monet Aghayani, Anthony Galstyan, Kira Toel, Sheridan Sackett and Caitlin Melgar, who read their poetry about trees at a March Arbor Day event in Glendale. Congratulations to their teacher Sharon Capaldi for inspiring her students to appreciate nature and write poetry.

If you’d like to volunteer at Balboa, call the school at (818) 241-1801.

Franklin Elementary

Thank you to Sheri and Jamie Robinson, and volunteers for running a very successful Book Fair. Proceeds will go toward new books for classrooms and the school library. All families are invited to Franklin’s Open House from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 31. The PTA will sell pizza and drinks from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Thanks to a grant from the Benjamin Franklin Foundation, Session 2 of after school art has begun, and an extra kindergarten class was added Tuesdays. Spring Break is April 5 to 9

If you have any questions related to the PTA, call Franklin Elementary at (818) 243-1809.

Jefferson Elementary

PTA Family Reading Night in March was very successful with community members reading to the children and about 500 students and parents in attendance.

Jefferson’s Book Fair will run Tuesday through March 30 in the school auditorium. A flag ceremony will be at 8:30 a.m. for kindergarten and first grade, at 9:15 for fourth through sixth and at 10 a.m. for second and third grades.

Jefferson will have an open house from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Sixth-graders will sell pizza to help pay for May Science camp, so come hungry.

If you’d like to volunteer at Jefferson, call the school office at (818) 243-4279.

Mark Keppel Elementary

Keppel fathers and daughters enjoyed a very successful dinner dance called, “Putting on the Ritz.” Thanks to Erica Rowlands for serving as chairwoman. Parents, remember spring break begins April 5 and students return to class April 13.

If you would like to volunteer at Keppel, call the school office at (818) 244-2113.

Get in touch FRAN TUNNO can be reached by e-mail at heyfranla@gmail.com.