The Olympic College Foundation will provide over $200,000 in scholarship support to students attending Olympic College during the 2014-15 academic year. Scholarship opportunities are available to anyone interested in attending Olympic College.

Eligibility requirements for scholarships vary and are not solely based on academic achievement. The foundation whs a wide range of scholarship criteria based on program of study, career goals, community service, leadership, and/or interests.

The Olympic College Foundation works with private donors to provide scholarship support for OC students. These scholarships are created by individuals, families, businesses and groups in the community who have a strong commitment to helping students reach their educational goals. read more »

The Kitsap Community Foundation is taking online applications for its 2014 scholarships. Anyone interested will find the online application form and more information on the foundation’s website at www.kitsapfoundation.org.

Applications are being accepted until March 15 for five scholarships:

•  Charles and Dorothy Martell Scholarship: This will be awarded to a Kitsap County high school student graduating in 2014, to help pay for tuition or costs of books, music or supplies, and help with the cost of instruments. Strong consideration will be given to participants of the Kitsap Youth Symphony, and students wishing to continue music or music education beyond high school. This scholarship is for approximately $980. read more »

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) has invited high school students from Washington’s 6th Congressional District to participate in the first Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academic Competition. This new “House STEM App Challenge” is a nationwide competition designed to engage students’ creativity and encourage their participation in STEM education fields.

Students will compete within their congressional district by creating and exhibiting a software application or “app” for mobile, tablet or computer devices on a platform of their choice. Students have until April 30 to submit their apps. For additional details on how to participate, see below or visit http://kilmer.house.gov/house-app-contest. read more »

Bette Hyde, director of the state Department of Early Learning and former superintendent of Bremerton schools, will be the guest speaker Feb. 19 at a League of Women Voters of Kitsap program on early childhood education.

The program will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Eagles Nest on the Kitsap County fairgrounds, 1195 NW Fairgrounds Road.

Free and open to the public, the event will be a chance to find out what the state is doing to offer “seamless high-quality programs for children and families so that every child enters school healthy, capable and confident,” Hyde said. read more »

West Sound Academy in Poulsbo is hosting an open house for prospective students and parents on Feb. 4, from 7-9 p.m.

West Sound Academy is an International Baccalaureate World School offering college preparatory education for grades 6-12. The open house will give visitors a chance to learn about the school’s academics and extracurricular activities, meet the head of school and some of the faculty and students, and take a tour of the campus. read more »

Western Washington University’s Poulsbo-based bachelor’s in Business Administration program will host an information session from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 29, in Haselwood Library Room 110 on Olympic College’s Bremerton campus.

The information session will be led by Sandra Mottner, associate dean for Western’s College of Business and Economics. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about:

• Benefits of the degree
• Course requirements for admission
• How to apply for the program, tips and deadlines
• Financial aid resources and career services

The program will begin offering classes in September at the newly created Western Washington University Center at Olympic College in Poulsbo. read more »

Kitsap County residents are invited to a free workshop to learn how to keep their septic systems working well and lasting longer. Well-maintained septic systems will save homeowners money and keep bacteria and nutrients out of local creeks, lakes, and Puget Sound.

The workshop will be held Jan. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Eagle’s Nest on the county fairgrounds, at 1195 NW Fairgrounds Road in Bremerton. The presentation will include information about:

• How septic systems work
• Best ways to care for them
• How to detect if a system is failing and what to do next
• Low-interest loan programs for septic repairs
• Local water quality improvement projects

Refreshments will be provided, and attendees also receive free “green” cleaning products, water conservation fixtures, a sink strainer, and a coupon for 10 free trees or shrubs from the Kitsap Conservation District. read more »

West Sound Academy is hosting an open house for prospective students and parents on Dec. 3 from 7-9 p.m. The school is an International Baccalaureate World School offering college preparatory education for grades 6-12 in Poulsbo.

At the open house visitors can learn about the school’s academics and extracurricular activities, meet the head of school and some of the faculty and students, and take a tour of the campus. RSVP to admissions director Lisa Gsellman at lgsellman [at] westsoundacademy [dot] org or call 360-598-5954. For more information, see this link.

Kitsap Regional Library, through the Washington State Library, will soon be offering patrons access to training and certification programs created by Microsoft to teach the use of their software and to certify IT professionals in maintaining the software and software networks.

Free access to Microsoft IT Academy classes and training programs is set to begin on Nov. 12.

The classes and programs available range from basic instruction in the use of Microsoft software such as Word and Excel all the way to certification programs needed for people to become qualified to maintain and troubleshoot Microsoft networks.

The official Microsoft E-Learning Curriculum has more than 1,500 online, multimedia courses to choose from including games, simulations and videos to provide students with a hands-on learning experience. read more »