Rejoice! Academy and Performing Arts Center is now at 1120 Sawmill Road.

That used to be the location of the former Raleigh Latin School, which closed over the summer.

Rejoice serves students in kindergarten through 10th grade and offers students daily performing arts activities. Afternoon and evening classes include dance, theater, set and design, vocal ensemble and martial arts.

There are openings in kindergarten and fourth and fifth grades, but a waiting list for the other grades. Enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year begins in January.

For more information, visit www.rejoiceacademyandperforming artscenter.com or call 848-8585.

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Get ready for International Walk to School Day on Oct. 8.

Started more than 10 years ago in Great Britain, International Walk To School Day has been a big hit among school and community leaders as educators and parents look for ways to combat childhood obesity.

The program started in 1997 in the United States in Chicago, according to the Web site www.iwalktoschool.org.

International Walk to School Day is held throughout the month of October. To coordinate a program, visit the Web site for ideas. Some schools, such as Wake's Forest Pines Elementary, have organized programs.

Students there will participate in an exercise program where they will do crunches and warm-up exercises and walk for 25 minutes.

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North Ridge Elementary School is gearing up for its annual fall carnival at 5:30 p.m Friday.

The fun-filled event includes carnival games, inflatable play sets and great food. This event will take place rain or shine, its organizers say.

Tickets can be purchased the night of the event.

North Ridge Elementary School is at 7120 Harps Mill Road. For more information, call 870-4100.

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Sanderson Athletic Club will hold its annual barbecue fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 17 by the "Spirit Rock" on the Raleigh high school's campus.

Plates will consist of barbecue pork, fried chicken, boiled potatoes, green beans, slaw, hush puppies and tea for dine-in ticketholders. Plates are $8 in advance. Sanderson students and teachers pay $6 in advance.

Contact Cherron Lampkins at 798-4875 or clvsccr@aol.com for ticket information or to volunteer.

The Athletic Club will make deliveries for 15 or more orders.

Proceeds of this event benefit all Sanderson athletic teams.

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Wake County sophomores now have the opportunity to take a free PSAT (Preliminary Student Aptitude Test) in October.

The 2008 PSAT test date is Oct. 15. Students must sign up at their high schools. Eligible students must complete algebra I before taking the PSAT.

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As I wrote last week, I'm leaving The News & Observer to pursue other interests. This is my last schools column.

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