J.B. Nelson community gives $1,200 to shelter

This week, Lazarus House in St. Charles will receive more than $1,200 in donations from the J.B. Nelson Elementary School community.

It all started a few weeks before Christmas, when music teacher Ramona Terpstra suggested that teachers ask for donations for the community home -- which helps the homeless and at-risk individuals -- in lieu of Christmas presents from their students.

The response from families was much more than was expected, said Principal Melissa Kaczkowski.

"With such little notice, it went over really well," she said.

Staff members thought it was especially important to ask for the donations in the context of teaching students the Character Counts curriculum.

The school has monthly assemblies to watch skits and talk about the different pillars of character. Students get awards for exemplifying good character traits.

"It's more than good behavior," Kaczkowski said. "We award kids that go above and beyond to make the school a great place."

At an assembly on Friday, students will see the second-graders perform a skit about trustworthiness and school officials will present their donation to Lazarus House.

Kaczkowski said she thinks the Christmas donation will likely continue as a tradition at J.B. Nelson next year.

Fermi family day: Fermilab will have a Family Open House from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The day focuses on hands-on activities, science shows and tours.

There will be an hourly cryogenics show by "Mr. Freeze," Jerry Zimmerman and make-and-take projects for children.

Adults and children ages 10 and older can tour the Fermilab linear accelerator.

For more information, visit http://ed.fnal.gov/ffse/openhouse.html.

Albright auditions:ŒThe Albright Theatre Company will have auditions for the play "The Outsiders" next month.

Show dates will be in April and May.

The roles available include those for men ages 14 to 20, women ages 16 to 20, two adult men and two adult women. Auditions will be cold readings but those trying out are encouraged to be familiar with the book by S.E. Hinton.

Auditions will be at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 and 18 at the theater at 100 N. Island Ave. For more information, visit the group's Web site at www.albrighttheatre.com.

Working on the railroad:ŒThe Valley Model Railroaders of South Elgin will present a model train display this weekend at the Batavia Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

No registration is necessary. The four operating trains will be available to see from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

lhague@dailyherald.com