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Education Notebook, March 5-11, 2015

RTC ANNOUNCES EARTH DAY ART CONTEST FOR STUDENTS

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada invites Clark County sixth- through 12th-graders to participate in the RTC 2015 Earth Day Art Contest, creating artwork with a message related to Earth Day and sustainable transportation. In partnership with Vector Media, the top two winners will have their artwork featured on an RTC transit vehicle for up to a year. The RTC will be responsible for judging the artwork.

Entries are due on or before 5 p.m. March 10 and can be delivered to the RTC, Attention: Monika Bertaki, 600 S. Grand Central Parkway, Suite 350, Las Vegas, NV 89106.

For submission guidelines, visit tinyurl.com/k9ajztd. For more information, contact Monika Bertaki, RTC public affairs administrator at 702-676-1749 or bertakim@rtcsnv.com.

NV ENERGY OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP

High school seniors are invited to apply for NV Energy’s Powerful Partnerships Scholarship Program supported by the Public Education Foundation. NV Energy offers $1,000 scholarships to students based on the program’s selection criteria and the number of applications received. The one-time scholarships of $1,000 can be used at any accredited university, college or trade school. Scholarship recipients will be invited to an award ceremony in May.

Applications are due by March 15 and be submitted at nvnergy.com/scholarship.

THE MEADOWS SCHOOL TO HOST SUMMER CAMP EXPO

The Meadows School plans to host its free 12th annual Summer Camp Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 7 in the Richardson-Beckley Gymnasium at the school, 8601 Scholar Lane. Attendees will learn about local and national summer camps featuring concentrations including fine arts, science and athletics. Families can visit informational booths and speak with representatives from more than 30 summer camp programs, including Mad Science Camp, the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre and Catalina Sea Camp/Astrocamp.

For more information, visit themeadowsschool.org.

PUBLIC INVITED TO UNLV CAMPUS TOWN HALL MARCH 12

UNLV President Len Jessup is set to host a town hall with the campus and community members from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 12 in the second-floor Student Union Ballroom at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. He plans to offer a legislative update and provide a briefing on key initiatives.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/l5ooy74.

UNLV LAW STUDENTS TO TEACH FREE INCOME TAX CLASSES

UNLV law students are set to teach free income tax education classes during a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. March 13 at Hermandad Mexicana, 2915 W. Charleston Blvd., No. 4. Under the supervision of a Boyd School of Law professor and a Nevada Legal Services attorney, UNLV law students will discuss filing status, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, premium tax credit and penalties for not having health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Each presentation will be followed by an open question-and-answer session.

Another Low Income Taxpayer Clinic is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. April 16 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.

For more information, visit tinyurl.com/nqkejqm.

KOHL’S OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS

Kohl’s plans to award nearly $400,000 in Kohl’s Cares scholarships this year to students 6 to 18. To nominate a student, visit kohlskids.com through March 13. The program recognizes young volunteers who have made a positive impact in their communities.

Ten national winners will each be awarded a $10,000 scholarship for higher education, and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit on each national winner’s behalf. Nearly 200 students will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward higher education, and more than 2,000 local students will receive a $50 Kohl’s gift card.

The scholarship program is part of Kohl’s Cares, a philanthropic program focused on improving the lives of children.

HEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO HOST COLOR RUN FUNDRAISER MARCH 14

Students at Heard Elementary School, 42 Baer Drive, are set to host a My School Color Run fundraiser at 8:30 a.m. March 14. The course will be a 2-mile loop starting at the school’s campus at Nellis Air Force Base, traveling around Freedom Park and back to the starting point. A post-race event is planned in the school’s multipurpose room.

To register, visit lomieheardmscr.eventbrite.com.

Volunteers also are needed. For more information, contact teacher Dennis Sizemore at 702-799-4920, ext. 3039.

BONNER ELEMENTARY PLANS RUNNING FUNDRAISER FOR MARCH 14

Bonner Elementary School, 765 Crestdale Lane, plans to host its fourth annual Bonner Run for Education from 8 to 11 a.m. March 14. All proceeds from the 5K run/1.5-mile walk will go toward maintaining low class sizes.

Along with monetary donations, organizers are seeking donated items to be used for a raffle/silent auction, such as gift certificates, gift cards and actual items and services that can be raffled individually or in gift baskets. Business sponsor opportunities also are available. For more information, call Paul Catania at 702-799-6050.

Registration to participate in the event is $15 in advance and $20 the day of for participants 11 or younger and $25 in advance or $30 the day of for those 12 or older

For more information, call Kristi O’Donnell at 702-561-4872.

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LAS VEGAS PLANS FASHION FORWARD EVENT MARCH 14

The Junior League of Las Vegas plans to present the event Fashion Forward: Passport to Fashion at 2 p.m. March 14 at the Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Sixty would-be fashion designers from Clark County high schools will present and model their final designs, inspired by the theme Passport to Fashion, in competition for the grand prize.

Tickets are $40 for general admission; $60 for VIP, which includes premium seating and a swag bag; and $100 for Couture Level Seating, which includes a VIP pre-event soiree with a silent auction, front-row seating and a swag bag. Proceeds will support the Junior League of Las Vegas and its mission to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and improve the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

For tickets, visit jllv.org.

NEVADA POETRY OUT LOUD FINALS SET FOR MARCH 14

More than 3,100 high school-aged students are set to represent their counties at the 10th annual Nevada Poetry Out Loud State Finals, scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. March 14 at the Siena Hotel in Reno.

Poetry Out Loud begins at the local level as students learn about, memorize and present poetry out loud to an audience. Participants advance from school to district competitions and then to the state finals, where they compete for $1,000, plus another $1,000 for the winner’s school to support literary programs and a trip to Washington, D.C., to compete for the national title and a chance to share $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends.

Students placing second and third at the state finals receive $500 each and $500 for their schools.

Semifinals were held in Clark County Feb. 5 at the West Charleston Library. Organizations across Nevada are hosting events and workshops to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary, such as the Spoken Views Youth Poetry Slam in Reno and Humanity Thru Art and Pop Up Poetry in Las Vegas.

The program is sponsored by the Nevada Arts Council and co-sponsored by the Nevada Department of Education and Sierra Arts and is made possible through funding and leadership from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. The 2015 program also received support from the NV Energy Foundation.

For more information, visit facebook.com/nevadapoetryoutloud or nac.nevadaculture.org or call 702-486-3738 or 775-687-6680.

LEADERSHIP TRAINING SET FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Partners in Policymaking plans to offer leadership training for people with developmental disabilities, parents and family members. The training is designed to teach the power of advocacy and change the way people with disabilities are supported, viewed, taught, live and work. The program will provide information about issues and policies related to disability and develop participant competencies to become more effective in influencing policy development at all levels.

Parents of children with developmental disabilities and adults with developmental disabilities are encouraged to apply. Classes are planned from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. once a month through August at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road. Participants are expected to commit to all classes or complete make-up assignments. Remaining dates are: March 21, April 18, May 16, June 20, July 19 (in Reno) and Aug. 15. Participants will receive a stipend to help with childcare and transportation costs.

For more information or to apply, visit nced.info/pip.

PBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST UNDERWAY THROUGH MARCH 27

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are encouraged to submit original stories for Vegas PBS’ annual PBS KIDS Writers Contest. First-place winners in kindergarten through third grade will be forwarded for judging in the national competition.

Submissions will be judged for creativity and originality of plot and/or themes, story structure and use of literary devices, and relevance, quality and originality of illustration.

Entries can be mailed or delivered to Vegas PBS Ready To Learn, 3050 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89121 and must be received by 5 p.m. March 27. Local winners are set to be selected in the spring, and prizes for first-place winners include free tuition for contest partner Southern Nevada Writing Project’s annual summer writing camp.

For more information, visit vegaspbs.org/writers-contest.

STUDENTS INVITED TO ENTER EARTH DAY ART CONTEST

The city of Las Vegas’ Keep Las Vegas Beautiful program, in partnership with the Clark County School District School-Community Partnership Program and Republic Services of Southern Nevada, plans to host its fifth annual Earth Day Every Day Art Contest for Clark County students in elementary, middle and high schools.

The contest will culminate at an award ceremony for the finalists and their teachers during the Earth Day event planned for April 18 at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Cash prizes, sponsored by Republic Services of Southern Nevada, will be awarded to the top three winning students of each age group and their teachers. Artwork submitted by both winners and runners-up will also be part of a Youth Earth Day art display at the Town Square event and later displayed at Las Vegas City Hall, 495 S. Main St.

For submission guidelines, visit tinyurl.com/ndb26p6.

Contest entries must be received by 4 p.m. March 27 and can be sent to The School-Community Partnership Program No. 145, Western High School, Attention: Cheryl Wagner, 4601 W. Bonanza Road, Las Vegas, NV 89107.

LAKE MEAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY STUDENTS TAKE PART IN MISSIONS WEEK

Secondary students and staff members from Lake Mead Christian Academy, 540 E. Lake Mead Parkway, were set to participate in a Missions Week Send Off Chapel Feb. 27.

The Missions Week trip sends 254 middle and high school students on 11 teams to various cities and countries around the world. During Missions Week, students expand their world view by having a physical and spiritual impact on people’s lives all over the world.

SONS OF NORWAY OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP

Norwegian-American students who are at least high school seniors living in Clark County can apply for a scholarship from the Vegas Viking Lodge of the Sons of Norway.

Applications must be postmarked by April 10 and are available at vegasviking.com. The scholarships are worth at least $500 each and must be used for full-time, post-high school studies. Winners are chosen based on grades, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities, and the content and quality of their essays, including how they express appreciation for their Norwegian heritage.

Tax-deductible contributions to the scholarship fund, including naming gifts, are welcome. If preferred, a donor’s name may be kept confidential. To donate, a check payable to the Vegas Viking Sons of Norway Scholarship Fund should be mailed to treasurer Warren Halvorsen, 830 Kingston Springs Way, Las Vegas, NV 89123-3643.

For more information, call Suzan Sibert, co-chairwoman of the scholarship committee, at 702-645-6666.

UNLV TO HOST FESTIVAL OF COMMUNITIES APRIL 11

The Festival of Communities, a celebration of cultural traditions, is set from noon to 5 p.m. April 11 at the Alumni Walk at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Live music, dancing, readings and performances are planned, along with international food tastings, booths with displays of art and culture, balloon art, face painting and more.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ly7uezr.

REBEL PREVIEW TO OFFER LOOK AT COLLEGE LIFE

Prospective students are invited to learn about life as a UNLV student at Rebel Preview from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11. Students and families can get questions answered and tour the campus at 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, along with residence halls and specialty areas. Activities and informational sessions are planned, including discussions of degree programs and qualifying for scholarships and prizes and meeting current UNLV Rebels.

For more information, visit unlv.edu/event/rebel-preview.

COASTER OFFERS DEAL FOR STRAIGHT-A STUDENTS

The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South, plans to offer two-for-one ride passes to Clark County School District students who bring in their most recent report cards showing straight A’s. The offer is valid for one-time use through August. Guests must be at least 54 inches tall to ride.

For more information, visit nynyhotelcasino.com.

SPLASHDOWN FOR KIDS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR NONPROFIT GROUPS

Communities In Schools of Nevada and After-School All-Stars Las Vegas announce that tickets for the second annual Splashdown For Kids are on sale. The event is planned for April 25 and 26 at Wet‘n’Wild water park and offers a preview to summer with proceeds benefiting both local nonprofits.

Tickets are $25 and include entry to Wet‘n’Wild. For tickets, visit shop.omniticket.com/WWL/index.cfm and use the promo code “CISASASDAY.” Select general admission tickets, enter the code, and ticket options will become available.

For more information about Communities In Schools, visit cisnevada.org.

For more information about After-School All-Stars, visit asaslv.org.

UNLV STUDENTS TO GET DISCOUNT ON THE HIGH ROLLER

The High Roller at The Linq, 3535 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is offering UNLV faculty, staff members and students with a valid UNLV ID $10 off a High Roller ticket.

For more information, visit the linq.com.

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