PLEASANT RIDGE - Cincinnati Archdiocese officials Monday enlisted Pat Armstrong, an assistant superintendent of its Cincinnati schools, to be acting principal at Nativity School.

The school's longtime principal, Bob Herring, was fired Nov. 24. The Rev. Marc Sherlock, pastor of the Nativity of Our Lord parish, has been silent on the specific reasons for Herring's dismissal, saying only that the two had "philosophical differences."

Herring is fighting the dismissal.

While acting as Nativity's principal, Armstrong will continue her job as an assistant superintendent, overseeing 30 Cincinnati Catholic schools, she said.

Tickets on sale now for St. Rita fund-raiser

EVENDALE - Tickets are on sale for St. Rita School for the Deaf's annual "Catch the Spirit of the Holidays" fund-raiser Dec. 13.

The event will run 7-11 p.m. at Maple Knoll Center, 11199 Springfield Pike in Springdale.

Tickets, $125 per couple, include dinner, drinks, a performance by the signing choir, silent auction and raffle. Call 771-7600, extension 336.

Badin offers tests for incoming freshmen

HAMILTON - Badin High School will offer its placement test for incoming freshmen for the 2004-05 school year Friday and Saturday.

The test will begin at 9 a.m. both days at the school, 571 New London Road. Students from feeder parishes and schools will take the test Friday.

Reservations are required for nonfeeder students. Call 863-3993.

La Salle High to test for 8th-grade class

GREEN TWP. - The La Salle High School Placement Test for eighth-grade boys interested in enrolling for the 2004-05 school year will begin 8:30 a.m. Friday at the school, 3091 North Bend Road.

The test is open to all eighth-grade male students in parochial, private and public schools. Some scholarships are awarded based on test results. Additional scholarships and financial aid are available to qualifying students.

Information: 741-2393.

St. Ursula Academy alumnae tea Sunday

EAST WALNUT HILLS - The St. Ursula Academy Alumnae Association will hold its annual "Christmas Tea in the Parlors" 3-5 p.m. Sunday at the school, 1339 E. McMillan St.

Alumnae, their families and friends will celebrate the holiday season in the mid-1800s Victorian parlors of the mansion house, which has been the home of St. Ursula since 1910. Tea, sandwiches and pastries will be served.

The school's vocal ensemble will sing Christmas carols. Tickets are $10, $5 for children under 12. Reservations: 961-3410, extension 138.

St. James students collect for other kids

WYOMING - Students at St. James of the Valley are participating in Operation Christmas Child, a mission project of Samaritan's Purse. The goal is for each class to fill two shoeboxes, one for a boy and one for a girl with toys, candy and other small gifts. The boxes will be combined with others from across the country and given to 6.2 million children in 95 countries.

Bishop Fenwick testing for new year Saturday

MIDDLETOWN - Bishop Fenwick High School's placement test for the 2004-05 school year will begin at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, at the school, 3800 Manchester Road.

Scores may qualify incoming students for one of the school's scholarships. Call 423-0723 to register for the test.

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