Parents living in the Dearborn Public School district interested in enrolling their child in the Montessori program at Howe School can now pick up application forms.

The forms can be obtained from the Student Services Office in the Administrative Service Center or can be downloaded from the Student Services section of the district website HERE.

Howe School is located at 18000 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn 48124, and the Administrative Service Center is located at 18700 Audette, Dearborn 48124. Registration will continue through the end of the day on April 2, 2012.

An admissions meeting will be held on April 16, 2012, in the Board Room at the Administrative Service Center to identify which applicants will be enrolled for the 2012-13 school year. Interested parents can contact the Student Services office at 827-3005 for additional information or questions.

Parents have been selecting the free Montessori program in Dearborn since the mid 1990s. The program serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade and is one of many programs that are part of the elementary experience in Dearborn Public Schools. District-wide all day kindergarten, foreign language, music, art, a curriculum aligned with state benchmarks and standards, and full implementation of the Daily 5 and CAFÉ reading framework are all part of the elementary education offered to students attending Dearborn schools.

The Dearborn Chamber of Commerce asks the business community to “brace” itself for a brand new approach to its current business awards and expo and announces B.R.A.C.E—short for Business Recognition Awards Ceremony & Expo. This annual event–to be held Thursday, April 26, 2012, 11 am – 2 pm, at the Henry, an Autograph Collection Hotel in Dearborn–combines effective networking, business appreciation and an expo showcasing over 35 business. Presenting sponsor is Ford Land.

“We are always looking for ways to update and invigorate our current events to add value to our members,” says Dearborn Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board Mike Kirk. “The name was just the first step in creating a clearer message and branding to recognize innovative and forward-thinking business models.”

This year the Chamber will honor Henry Ford Medical Center—recent recipient of the 2011 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, one of the most prestigious national awards for performance excellence—with the Business of the Year Award. Named after the 26th Secretary of Commerce, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award was established in 1987 by Congress to promote quality awareness, to recognize quality and business achievements of U.S. organizations, and to publicize these organizations’ successful performance strategies.

The Leadership Award will be given to Genevieve Vang, proprietor of Bangkok 96 Restaurant. The Small Business Award will be bestowed on The Glass Academy.

Vang has owned the Thai food restaurant since 1996 and has just embarked on the creation and promotion of a frozen food line of her best culinary offerings. She supports several local charities including the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

The Glass Academy, opened and operated by award-winning artists Michelle Plucinsky and Chris Nordin, exemplify how strong work ethic and great leadership impact growth, profit and community dedication. Housed in a renovated auto manufacturing plant, the art space has become a destination for art enthusiasts throughout the region. In addition to commissioned works of art created for large organizations, the Academy also hosts successful shows featuring beautiful glass pumpkins and holiday ornaments.

The luncheon will also honor a forward-thinking unique business model that breaks traditional molds with its Innovator of the Year. Another new aspect will encourage nominations from the community and chamber membership via an online voting component. Past awardees have included The Henry Ford Makers Faire, Hype Athletics and Severstal North America.

The newly branded B.R.A.C.E. will connect and showcase organizations in the Dearborn community. The luncheon, including a new video component spotlighting each awardee, will also highlight businesses celebrating milestone anniversaries, from 5 years to 100 years. The expo will enable companies to promote their products and services to more than 300 business owners, community leaders and corporate professionals.

The cost to attend the event is $50 for Chamber members and $65 for non-members; $500 for table of 10 with signage. Space is limited. Register online at www.dearbornchamber.org.

The Dearborn Chamber of Commerce promotes the best interests of over 500 member organizations by enhancing leadership opportunities, connection with prospective customers, endorsement of products and services, increasing sales and saving money.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host “Hiring Our Heroes – Dearborn/Detroit, ” a hiring fair for the region’s veterans and their spouses on Tuesday, April 11 at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

The City of Dearborn is a sponsor of the free event, which includes the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce and many partners.

The event is part of the U.S. Chamber’s 100-city “Hiring Our Heroes” initiative. To date, more than 85 fairs have connected 84,000 veterans with more than 4,300 different employers. More than 7,300 veterans have landed jobs.

This event is designed to be one of the Chamber’s largest fairs to date, with the goal of bringing 100-area employers together with hundreds of local veterans. These companies will range from America’s biggest employers to dozens of small companies from across the state. These companies are looking for veterans of all levels of rank and experience.

Employers and job seekers must pre-register for this FREE event by visiting www.hoh.greatjob.net

Registration closes on April 3, 2012. Job seekers please bring along proof of military service.