School notes

Free child care service taking applications: Lutheran Services Florida Early Head Start is accepting applications for free child care services for low-income families with children 6 weeks to 3 years of age in Hillsborough County.

The program requires that parents have a child between the ages of 6 weeks and 23 months and are employed at least 25 hours per week, enrolled full time in school or job training, receive public assistance (SSI, TANF or Subsidized Child Care), have a child with a diagnosed disability, or have verification of all income received last year or the previous 12 months.

To apply, visit the LSF Early Head Start office at 3635 W Waters Ave. and bring a copy of the child's birth certificate, an income tax form or W-2 for the previous calendar year, the most recent paycheck stub if you are employed, and a letter on school letterhead or document with a school seal from your school if you are a full-time student.

For more information, call (813)676-9473 or (813)877-9303.

It's beginning to look a lot like kindergarten: Hillsborough County public schools will hold a Kindergarten Round Up for the 2012-13 school year Feb. 13-24.

Families interested in enrolling children in their assigned school should attend the event scheduled for that school.

Kindergarten Round Up helps parents learn about the school and become acquainted with the campus and offers prospective students a firsthand look at kindergarten life. Parents are encouraged to bring birth date, and health and home address documentation to register children for kindergarten. Parents unable to attend are encouraged to enroll children by the end of June. Parents who would like to research their kindergarten options may visit various Round Ups and apply for school choice or a magnet school.

The Hillsborough choice application period for elementary schools closes Feb. 29. Download applications at choice.mysdhc.org.

For a list of Kindergarten Round Ups and accepted documentation for enrollment, parents should visit the district website at www.sdhc.k12.fl.us and go to the Kindergarten Round Up section.

STEM Fair rewards science: More than 1,900 students will participate in the 2012 Hills-borough Regional Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Fair Tuesday and Wednesday at the Tampa Convention Center. Closed judging takes place Tuesday, with the projects open to public viewing on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Elementary school students will have an awards presentation on Wednesday at 6 p.m., while middle school students will have their presentation on Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Winners will represent Hillsborough County at the 57th annual State Science & Engineering Fair of Florida April 3-5 at the Lakeland Center.

Formerly the Hillsborough Regional Science and Engineering Fair, the event is in its 32nd year.