Apex High School media specialist Leila Moog and special programs teacher Stefanie Bilobran-Brown were part of the College Board's 2011 Chinese Bridge Delegation, a one-week educational program in China, Nov. 3-11. Moog says the eight-day trip allowed them to visit Beijing and Apex High School's sister school, Jiangsu Yancheng Middle School in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. The visit will continue Apex High School's connection following an earlier visit made by Principal Matt Wight and Julie Oster, director of the school's Academy of Information Technology.

The Apex High School marching band performed at several football games and competed in seven competitions this season. The marching band was awarded three grand championship awards for their show, "The One." Drum Major Rob Rankin received six first-place awards, percussion received three first-place awards, and color guard received two first-place awards. The marching band also received three first-place music awards, two first-place visual awards and two first-place general effect awards and two pit crew awards.

CARY HIGH SCHOOL

As part of Cary High School's Innovative Teaching Practices initiative for 2011-2012, the Performing Arts Department has designed the "Composer in the Classroom" Project, which will bring three composers to Cary High School.

The chorus and orchestra will perform "O', Inexpressible As Sweet," by Victor Rosenbaum during the winter choral concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, in the Cary High School auditorium. Rosenbaum will also teach a piano master class from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, in Carswell Recital Hall at Meredith College in Raleigh.

In March, "Two Movements For String Orchestra" by Robert Nosow, of Jacksonville, will be the featured composition. In May, the band and orchestra will perform "Concert Festive Overture" by Tom Lohr of Raleigh.

Each of the composers has been invited to work with the Cary High musicians as they rehearse these works for performance.

CHOICE STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PLAN

The Wake County Public School System is beginning a series of information sessions designed to walk parents through the new Choice Student Assignment Plan for 2012-2013. A session will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at West Regional Library, 4000 Louis Stephens Drive, Cary. For details, visit www.wcpss.net/news/2011_nov3_info-sessions .

HOLLY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

Holly Springs High School will hold its annual performances of the Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at 5329 Cass Holt Road. Admission is free.

HOPEWELL ACADEMY

An open house for prospective students in grades 4-12 will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 at 101 Preston Executive Drive, Cary. To RSVP, call 919-607-6339 or email info@hopewellacademy.org.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

The Substitute Teachers Association of Wake County will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. today, Nov. 30, in the Golden Corral, 11016 Capital Blvd., Wake Forest. Please register by emailing stawakecounty@gmail.com.

WEST CARY MIDDLE SCHOOL

West Cary Middle School received a grant through Talent for Education, sponsored by Cygtec, Inc. for use in updating classroom technology. West Cary Middle PTSA President Aimee Hujar submitted the grant for educational technology.