By David Krenz

Austin Public Schools superintendent

Less than five weeks remain in this school year, but staff and students are busy preparing for a full month of exciting events. We hope you can join us as we showcase a few of the many great things taking place in Austin Public Schools.

May 2 — Big Nine Music Fest at Owatonna High School featuring top band, choir and orchestra students throughout the Big Nine, public concert at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students.

May 3 — AHS Prom, Grand March at 7:30 p.m. in Knowlton Auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a $2 admission fee.

May 5 — Band Blast featuring Austin High School and Ellis bands will be at 7 p.m. in the AHS Knowlton Auditorium. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students. AHS students are free with an ID. Music will be featured from animated movies and video games, including the recent Disney hit, “Frozen.” There will also be classic marches, patriotic music, and an appearance by the student-directed AHS Polka Band. The AHS Music Hall of Fame will also induct three new members at this concert.

May 8 — AHS Orchestra Concert is at 7 p.m., and cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students. AHS students are free with a student ID.

May 9 — “Spring Jazz Show” featuring the AHS Vocal Jazz Ensemble and AHS Jazz Bands will be at 7 p.m. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students. AHS students are free with an ID.

May 15 — I.J. Holton and Ellis Choirs grades six, seventh and eight, and grades fifth, sixth and seventh Early Bird Choir, 7 p.m. in the AHS Knowlton Auditorium and admission is free.

May 19 — The fifth- and sixth-grade bands and orchestra concert will be held in the I.J. Holton Gym at 7 p.m. and admission is free.

May 20 — AHS Spring Choir Fest is at 7 p.m. in the AHS Knowlton Auditorium. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students. AHS students are free with an ID.

May 21 — AHS Art Assembly is at 1:30 p.m. in the AHS Knowlton Auditorium and is free admission.

May 22 — Ellis Orchestra Concert is at 7 p.m. in the Ellis Auditorium and is free admission.

May 23 — The fifth- and sixth-grade general music concert in the I.J. Holton Gymnasium at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and admission is free.

May 26 — Marching Band will attend Memorial Day festivities: Downtown Parade is at 8:45 a.m. and service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery at 9:30 a.m.

May 28 — Sumner spring music performances for third grade are at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., second grade are at 10 to 11 a.m., first grade are at 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and fourth grade are at 1 to 2 p.m., at the Sumner Elementary with free admission.

May 30 — Neveln spring music performances at Neveln Elementary are free admission.

May 5 to 9 marks Teacher Appreciation Week. We are proud of our teachers in Austin Public Schools and would like to recognize the difference they make each and every day in our classrooms. If you get the opportunity, thank a teacher today.