BEACON SCHOOL NOTES

Welcome Conrad Birdie
   South Hunterdon Regional High School is making “Bye Bye Birdie” come alive this week with a little bit of hair gel, some high ponytails, lots of sequins and poodle skirts and a whole new theatre! The addition of South’s theatre, along with the lively cast, is guaranteed to make this musical one to remember.
   ”Bye Bye Birdie” tells the story of rock ‘n singer Conrad Birdie (played by Ryan Hurley), who has been drafted into the Army. Gabe Stephens plays Birdie’s trusty agent Albert Peterson, whose Spanish secretary and girlfriend Rose Alvarez (Hannah Brady) concocts a final publicity stunt for Birdie before he goes off to war. Birdie will bestow “One Last Kiss” on a lucky teenager, Kim MacAfee (Kristen Tomasello) of Sweet Apple, Ohio.
   Conrad Birdie’s arrival in the small town of Sweet Apple causes the whole population to go crazy. In addition to his club of devoted fans, people like the mayor’s wife, Edna (Rachel Slovak) literally faint in his presence. Some characters like Mr. Harry MacAfee (Timothy Wolock) and wife Doris MacAfee (Alden Stewart), and Kim’s new steady boyfriend Hugo (Adam Warwinsky) are not so thrilled with Birdie’s plans to kiss their daughter.
   Later Birdie tries to break loose from Albert’s strict regime and have some fun with the teenage girls of Sweet Apple. No sooner does he learn how much he misses his old “boring” lifestyle, compared with that of one filled with screaming, 15-year-olds, all lead by Ursula Merkle (Olivia Immordino).
   Meanwhile, Rosie and Albert are avoiding Albert’s mother Mae Peterson (Alysha Bellamy), who will do anything to break her son up with his beloved “Spanish Rose.” She even tries hiring a new tap dancing secretary (Katya Kurtbek) to take Rose’s place.
   Numbers include: “Put on a Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” “Honestly Sincere,” “Telephone Hour,” and “Baby, Talk to Me.” Other ensemble members include Alex Romeo, Emily Schroeter, Kacie Craven, Sarah Baker, Amanda Nielsen, Frances Kenny, Stefanie Hutchinson, Lila Hertz, Emily Murphy, Danny Carpenter, Joel Michalchuk, Erik Romeo, Adam Hoagland, Myles McGough, Peter Mercer Pontier, Sarah Mohn, Jeff Piratsky, Brielle Cameron, Gina Scamuffa, Kasey MacChesney, Brandon Bacorn, and David Varela.
   The production opens tonight (Thursday) and goes until Saturday. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children. For more information call SHRHS at 397-2060.
    — By Stefanie Hutchinson
SHR budget sessions
   The South Hunterdon Regional Board of Education has scheduled budget work sessions on the following dates: March 5, March 19 and April 2. The meetings will be held in the high school commons at 6 p.m.
Kindergarten
registration set
   Kindergarten registration packets for the 2009-2010 school year are available for parents of children anticipating entering kindergarten in the Lambertville Public School next fall. Children who will be 5 on or before Oct. 1, 2009, are eligible to register for kindergarten.
   Packets may be picked up in person from the main office of the Lambertville Public School, 200 N. Main St., Lambertville, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Information will be mailed upon request to parents calling 397-0183 during the same hours.
   The packets contain information regarding on-site registration at LPS (March 4 and 5, by appointment only). A pre-entry health examination and certificate of immunization by the family physician, and the original birth certificate from the state with the state seal are required at the time of registration.
West Amwell
kindergarten registration
   The West Amwell Elementary School will hold registration for children who will be 5 on or before Oct. 1, 2009, at the school on March 24 and 26. Kindergarten students for September must be registered by March 1. The only registration permitted after March 1 is for students just moving into the district/ Proof of new residency must be provided.
   Each child is to have the following, and proof thereof, before he/she may enter school in September: Hepatitis B vaccine — three-dose series; Diptheria-Tetanus-Pertusis (DPT) (four-doses plus booster after 4th birthday); Polio-series plus booster after 4th birthday; two Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) combination shots (required by law); Varicella vaccine (one dose); Mantoux skin test for TB (recommended); physical examination and birth certificate.
   No immunizations or physicals will be given at kindergarten registration.
   Registration will be by appointment only. Call the school office at 397-0819 for registration forms and appointment time. If you have a relative or friend whose child will be eligible to enter kindergarten in September, have them call the school office.
Jesus School sets
registration
   St. John’s Jesus School Kindergarten (Lambertville) will conduct registration for the 2009-2010 school year for children who will be 5 on or before Oct. 1, on Feb. 26 or March 4 (by appointment only.) Registration packets may be obtained and appointments made by calling 397-0593 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.