A few education-oriented items from around the area and elsewhere:

Flyer for Sunday's 50th anniversary celebration at Wakarusa Valley School, which is southwest of Lawrence at 1104 E. 1000 Road.

This weekend is the 50th anniversary celebration for the opening of Wakarusa Valley School, which is closing at the end of the school year.

The anniversary celebration is set for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the school, 1104 E. 1000 Road, which is at the southwestern edge of Lawrence. The public is invited to attend.

The event will include a mix of past and present, according to the event’s flyer:

• Yearbooks and memorabilia, plus artwork from current students.

• Video presentations.

• Refreshments.

• Special presentations honoring staffers.

• “Musical stylings of current Waky students.”

For more information, email wakarusas50th@gmail.com.

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The band program at Perry-Lecompton High School is about to receive a 2011 Grammy Signature Schools Enterprise Award, given in select schools nationwide that are keeping music programs alive and well despite budgets and school politics.

Perry-Lecompton will receive $5,500 for winning in the enterprise category, which recognizes efforts in schools that are considered economically underserved. In all, 27 schools nationwide are receiving such awards.

“We are excited here, as this award is allowing us to start a new class that will focus on music recording as well as other careers in the music industry,” said Mike Maloun, the school’s band director.

Representatives from the Grammy Foundation, of Santa Monica, Calif., will present the award during the school’s spring concert, set for 7 p.m. May 4 in Perry.

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Here's the shed available through a raffle, with proceeds to benefit the woodworking program at Eudora High School.

Woodworking students at Eudora High School are looking to build up their project savings account by selling off a big project: an outdoor shed valued at nearly $2,000.

Students in Mitch Tegtmeier’s class will be selling raffle tickets for a voluntary donation of $5 each. Tickets will be sold until May 13, and the winner will be notified after the drawing is conducted May 19.

The money will be used by the woodworking program for future student projects.

Here are details regarding the shed, according to the Eudora school district:

• 8′ wide x 12′ long

• Door opening: 44″ wide x 74″ tall

• 92″ interior ceiling

• Shed is assembled on 4×4 pressure treated skids

• Solid 2×4 stud and floor joist assembly with double top plate

• 2×4 rafters with solid 3/4-inch gussets

• Charcoal colored asphalt shingles (with drip edge)

• Western Red Cedar trim

• Masonite siding

• Work bench mounted inside

• Top and bottom dead bolts capable of being padlocked

• Dual vents for exhaust

• Ready for prime and paint

For more information, or to find out to buy tickets if you don’t have a student contact, email Tegtmeier’s at mitchelltegtmeier@eudoraschools.org.

— The First Bell mailbox is always open. Please feel free to send any feedback or ideas to me at mfagan@ljworld.com.