Four of the nation’s most respected literacy scholars to address attendees.

Teams of sixth-graders are preparing to participate in the Tenth Annual Anti-Tobacco Challenge Bowl May 12.

The Tulare County Office of Education’s Theatre Company will present its four final performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical The King & I beginning May 6 at the El Diamante High School Theater located at 5100 W. Whitendale in Visalia.

The Tulare County Arbor Day Celebration is a hands-on student event provided for over 400 third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students from Tulare County. This event provides students with the opportunity to learn about the importance of, and care for, trees in the environment. Students will experience a variety of environmental lessons within Tulare County’s Mooney Grove Park. Local environmental experts from organizations such as SCICON and the University of California’s Master Gardeners conduct these fun-filled, activity-based lessons.

A selection committee of 20 Tulare County business and educational leaders met last week to choose the Tulare County Administrator/Manager of the Year, Teacher of the Year and School Employee of the Year for 2010. The Excellence in Education Awards program, now celebrating its 16th year, honors “the best of the best” in three educational categories - administrator/manager, teacher and school employee. A total of 32 nominations were received this year from Tulare County school districts and the College of the Sequoias. Each nomination was reviewed and scored individually by every member of the selection committee.

Investing in early care and education for children ages 0 to 5 is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the San Joaquin Valley’s economy now and in the future. Early care and education programs produce important short- and long-term benefits for children, families, taxpayers, and the community.

This month, the Tulare County Office of Education will honor ten schools for their progress in student academic achievement. The recognition is part of the second annual Torch Awards for Academic Achievement. The awards were created last year to recognize Tulare County schools or districts for effective instructional practices that are making a difference in improving student achievement.

Select artworks from University Preparatory High School's Art Exploratory class will be featured at the Visalia Convention Center April 16 through June 1, 2010. The class, taught by arts instructor Michelle Bussey, will feature student works inspired by artists such as Paul Cezanne, Georgia O'Keefe, Alberto Giacometti, Judy Chicago, Vincent Van Gogh and Frida Kahlo.

The Tulare County Office of Education’s Theatre Company will present eight performances of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical The King & I beginning April 29 at the El Diamante High School Theater located at 5100 W. Whitendale in Visalia. The performances are the culmination of the Theatre Company's spring workshop which enrolled over 60 Tulare County students. The King & I is the beloved musical about a widowed English school teacher who comes to Siam (Thailand) to serve as a personal instructor to the King's children.

The 21st annual Friday Night Live Lip Synch Competition is scheduled for Friday, April 16, 2010. Hundreds of students and family members are expected to attend in support of teams from nine Tulare County middle schools and two high schools as they compete for recognition in the live performance competition.