By Karen Andrew and Sue Kiesewetter
The Enquirer

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - A New Driver Car Control Clinic sponsored by the Cincinnati Teen Drivers Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation takes place Friday through Sunday at Little Miami High School, 3001 E. U.S. 22/Ohio 3, Morrow.

The clinic focuses on defensive driving and accident avoidance. Students must have a learner's permit, and a parent is required to attend with the teen. The program includes two hours of classroom instruction and four hours behind the wheel on wet and dry pavement.

Classroom instruction will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday. Behind-the-wheel sessions will be Saturday and Sunday in the mornings and afternoons. Cost is $149.

More clinics will be held in the Cincinnati area. For information and registration for this and future clinics, visit: www.carcontrol.com, or call (800) 862-3277.

Annunciation School earns fitness award

CLIFTON - The Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Annunciation School has been recognized by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the President's Challenge as an Active Lifestyle Model School and as a Physical Activity and Demonstration Center.

The school received the award because 51 percent of the school's 160 students completed at least two Active Lifestyle Award logs during the past school year.

Students must exercise 60 minutes per day, five days a week for six weeks to complete a log. For the past five years the program has been under the direction of Cindy Hardesty, the school's physical education and athletic director.

18-year bus driver wins state honor

MILFORD - An 18-year Milford Schools bus driver has been named the Southwest Region Driver of the Year by the Ohio Association of Pupil Transportation.

Nancy Davis was chosen for the award based on an accident-free record, attendance and community involvement. She is vice president of the Milford Classified Employees Association and was the first nonteacher elected to serve on the Ohio Education Association Executive Committee.

New charter school invites parents

WESTWOOD - Two parent information meetings for a new charter school, Orion Academy, are scheduled for 4 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Immanuel United Church of Christ, 1520 Queen City Ave.

Orion Academy will open in August for students in grades K-5 and will add one grade per year up through the eighth grade. The school will be in the former St. Bonaventure School building, 1798 Queen City Ave.

School board members and representatives from National Heritage Academies, the charter school company that will manage the school, will lead the presentation that will include an informal question-and-answer period.

Information: (800) 699-9235 or www.heritageacademies.com.

Head Start Plus program gearing up

COLUMBUS - Beginning this month, a new Head Start Plus program will serve more than 9,000 children ages 3 and 4, and will be available to help working families by providing full-day, year-round services for eligible children.

The new program will not affect an additional 4,000 children who will continue to be served in traditional state-funded half-day Head Start programs, as well as the 35,000 children served by federally funded Head Start programs.

Parents who are interested in Head Start Plus should contact their county Department of Job and Family Services to determine eligibility.

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E-mail Clermont County and Hamilton County school news to ckranz@enquirer.com; Cincinnati Public and charter school news to jmrozowski@enquirer.com.