The school supply lists fo this coming school year have been posted on the Bellingrath Hills Elementary website. There are different lists for pre-k, kindergarten, and first grade. For those ordering school supply packs, those orders are due by June 15. Order forms for these packs can also be found on the school site.

Along with their summer reading programs, libraries are offering many programs to keep children entertained this summer. A couple of special events are coming up soon at the Greenwell Springs Road Library. First, the Louisiana Sinfonietta will be performing at the library this Wednesday, May 27 at 10 AM. The Sinfonietta will be putting on their “Music Magic” program, which includes a classical music performance followed by a performance of a folktale with musical accompinament. This event is geared toward kids ages 6 and up.

On Monday, June 8, the Harvey Rabbit and Friends puppet show will be visiting the Greenwell Springs Road branch. This event is for children 3 and older, and registration is required. Contact the library at 274-4440 for more information.

Several Central area churches have added a new feature to their websites. They have begun posting their weekly sermons online so that those who are unable to attend church on a given Sunday can still keep up with their church at home. This is a growing trend that takes advantage of our increasingly internet-oriented society and uses it as an outreach for church members and non-members alike. Central churches currently providing this service include The Church in Central, Greenwell Springs Baptist Church, and Life Tabernacle Church.

Groundbreaking for the Central Thruway Phase 1 bridges was held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. It was the official start of the construction on the Sullivan Drainage Lateral and the Canadian National and Illinois Central Bridges, This $9.5 million project is expected to be completed in late 2011. The total project cost is nearing $70 million. The planned improvements for this phase of the project include a four-lane rouadway with a raised median and shoulders on new alignment from Florida Blvd. to Frenchtown Rd. The project will also complete the bridges required within the Central Thruway Phase 1 project limits. The complete plan between Phases 1 and 2 of the project is to provide an improved north-south connection for the area as well as an improved north-south connection extending from Nicholson Dr. to Hooper Rd.

The Central Thruway Project will be one of the largest single public works projects to be constructed in East Baton Rouge Parish. To stay updated on the project’s progress and to view maps of the planned improvements, visit the websites for Project 1 and Project 2.

Spots are already filling up for Camp Istrouma’s summer camps. Camps are available for kids from kindergarten through the 11th grade. A few camp sessions are already full, so anyone interested in registering their child for one of these camps should do so soon. A registration fee is required, and there is a waiting list available if a camp session is full. Visit the Camp Istrouma website to register online.

This summer, Central High students will again have the opportunity to read books for extra credit in their English classes. Students may choose the books that they would like to read through the Accelerated Reader program, which features many topics and reading levels. Students will be tested on the books that they read this summer during the first week of school this fall, and all passing grades on these quizzes will earn bonus points in English classes. Students may take these quizzes on any number of books, but only enough bonus may be earned to raise their English grade to the next letter grade. Students may visit the Accelerated Reader website to find AR books for which quizzes will be available. They should be sure to choose books with reading levels within their reading range if they want to earn bonus points.

While they will also be eligible to earn bonus points through the Accelerated Reader program, students in Honors and AP English classes are required to read certain titles over the summer to prepare for class in the fall. The classes involved include English 1 Honors, English 2 Honors, AP English 3, and AP English 4. AP U.S. History with Mr. Mitchell also has some required books. Visit the Central High website to find the required titles for these classes.

East Baton Rouge Parish deputies arrested a 27-year-old man Monday in the Sunday May 17 armed robbery of two employees at Fox’s Pizza Den on Magnolia Bridge Road.

Armed with a pistol, Mark Dwayne Ruffin entered the pizza shop, 18564 Magnolia Bridge Road, through the back door at 9:50 p.m., an affidavit of probable cause said.

Ruffin ordered the employees to show him where they kept cash, the affidavit said.

The employees led him to the manager’s safe, where Ruffin took $2,468. He fled after demanding the employees lie on the ground.

Ruffin, 5324 Landis Drive, was booked into Parish Prison on a count of armed robbery.

The 20-year reunion for the Central Private Class of 2009 will take place this year. A website has been created to feature plans for the reunion as well as photos, stories, and personal updates from 1989 graduates. You can visit the website HERE to keep up with other 1989 classmates and to stay updated on plans for the reunion. Anyone interested in helping with the reunion or sharing photos, memories, and other information can email Barbara Warren Rogers at cpsclassof1989@cox.net.

CPR classes are offered here in Central through our Central Fire Department. These classes are available for both individual residents of Central and for Central area businesses. For more information about CPR classes, send an email to Shaynes@centralfd.org or call the Fire Department office at 261-2000. You can also learn simple and effective tips concerning fire safety and prevention on the Fire Department Website.

Bellingrath Hills Elementary has posted the recommended summer reading lists for 2009. These lists are for students entering pre-k, kindergarten, and 1st grade this coming school year. Reading lists can be found at the Bellingrath Hills Elementary Website for each grade.