It's time to ACT now

It's time to ACT now, pun intended.

The next ACT test for area high schoolers is scheduled for Sept. 24 at Carson High School.

The first deadline of Aug. 19 has already passed, but the late deadline of Sept. 2 has not.

The ACT folks don't include in their press release the little nifty piece of information that the cost of late registration is nearly two-thirds more of what you'd pay if you made the cutoff date.

So add an $18 late-registration charge to the $29 basic test fee, for a total of $47.

Or if you just want to pay the basic $29, then wait around for the next test. ACT tests are scheduled at Carson High School on Oct. 22, Dec. 10, Feb. 11 and April 8.

Also, if you want to take the ACT writing test, which some colleges require, add $14. For more information and how and where to send that check, see www.actstudent.org.

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Good news for the "Strings in the Schools" program, starting this fall and available up to the first 50 children who sign up from Carson City School District elementary schools.

A second violin has been donated to the program.

According to Elinor Bugli, president of the Carson City Symphony Association, Pete Bachstadt donated a full-size violin last week after reading about "Strings in the School" on C1 of the Aug. 15 Appeal.

Grant money from several agencies is fully funding instruction and music for the students, but parents will need to pay for violin rental themselves. Instruction will occur at Seeliger Elementary School.

Anyone interested in donating a violin or sponsoring rentals, which cost between $13 to $28 a month, should call violin teacher Sue Kitts at 267-6924.

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High schoolers, here's a chance to save $5 on the 2005-06 Carneta yearbook. The cost is $60, but if you order before Oct 1, the yearbook is just $55. Send a check to the Carneta at Carson High School, 1111 N. Saliman, Carson City 89701. Include your name, grade, your parents' names, your address and home phone number. Or see CHS yearbook teacher Patt Quinn-Davis.

Also, the Parent-Teacher-Student Association at Carson High School has two openings in September - one for secretary and one for vice president.

If you are interested in one of these spots, call Cathie Barbie at 882-8109. PTSA president is Tammy Perez, and treasurer is Cathie Timmons.

Fall meetings are scheduled for Mondays in the high school library on Sept. 12, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.

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Students with cell phones - here is your cell phone policy at Carson High: Any student caught using a cell phone during class will have it taken away until a parent comes to the office to pick it up.

So schedule those important chats between classes, not during.

It's good practice for that full-time job.

n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.