The Most Rev. David Zubik, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, celebrated Ascension Thursday liturgy last week then blessed and dedicated the school's Triumph Gardens and "Triumph" sculpture.

A brief groundbreaking ceremony also was held at the site for the school's Lourdes Grotto.

Triumph Gardens is the name for the renovated front oval that contains benches purchased in memory or tribute of individuals or a particular class. The focal point of the gardens is the "Triumph" sculpture -- a gift from the Class of 2007 that arrived from Italy.

The Lourdes Grotto will be built into the hillside in front of the school between the steps to Morange Road and the priest house. It is modeled after the famous Lourdes Grotto at Notre Dame and is planned to be about 75 percent of its scale.

Though computers were meant to make our lives easier, they also have provided a mechanism for transmitting sexually explicit material.

With statistics indicating that 1 in 5 children has received a message of improper content, the Carnegie Police Department will present a crime prevention seminar, "Protecting Our Children Online," at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Carnegie Elementary School auditorium, 301 Franklin Ave.

Carnegie police Sgt. Mark D. Lint will explain what parents can do to protect their children from online predators.

• The combined talents of Carnegie and Crafton elementary band and choral students will be showcased at a spring concert at 7 p.m. today in the auditorium at the high school, 435 King's Highway, Robinson.

The consultants who did the two studies that led the Center Area and Monaca school boards to vote for consolidation will answer questions from school board members at the board meeting at 7 p.m. today in the cafeteria at Center Area High School, 160 Baker Road Extension, Center.

Center Area Superintendent Dan Matsook said Dan Dancu, of Ingraham Dancu Associates, and Donald Boyer, of Education Management Group, will attend. Dr. Dancu authored a 2006 study of the educational implications of consolidating the two districts; Dr. Boyer did a 2007 study on the financial implications.

Both studies found many positives in the plan and were key in the October vote of the two boards to consolidate.

Since that vote, however, the consolidation has had a difficult path; a newly elected group of directors has taken control of the Center Area board and has brought the process to a virtual halt, with administrators facing ever-shortening deadlines to make the consolidation work as scheduled.

A number of the questions raised by the new board members have concerned discrepancies between the work of the two consultants and subsequent studies done by Dr. Matsook and Monaca Superintendent Mike Thomas. Recent inquiries revealed, however, that none of the new members had attempted to contact either man to get those questions answered.

The bid opening has been postponed again for the $42 million high school renovation and addition project. The opening will be May 22.

Carl DeJulio, the former acting superintendent who is serving as construction coordinator, said four of the five major companies interested had requested more time due to the scope and complexity of the project.

The high school symphonic band was scheduled to perform yesterday at the 13th Annual Arts in Education Day in the state Capitol building in Harrisburg.

The band was selected out of 150 groups from across the state of Pennsylvania. The ensemble met the audition requirements by submitting a resume of performances and a recording sample from past concerts.

The elementary PTA received awards for Most Outstanding Newsletter, Most Outstanding Membership Promotion and Members' Choice PTA/PTSA Scrapbook at the recent 99th Pennsylvania PTA convention.

Dismissals will be at 12:15 p.m. for secondary students and 1:20 p.m. for elementary pupils June 4, the last day school.

• The McKee Elementary School band and chorus concert scheduled today has been changed to 7 p.m. May 19 in McKee Elementary, 1501 Oakdale Road, North Fayette.