Education Notebook: School news and events for Jan. 14-20, 2016

Writing for Design: Local business writer Richard R. Becker, president of Copywrite, Ink. and an IABC-accredited business communicator, is set to teach Writing For Design at the College of Southern Nevada as part of the Graphics Communication Program. The class is planned from noon to 3:40 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Jan. 19 at the Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. Students can become familiar with message development, product differentiation, and brand voice while developing a clear understanding of how words and design can converge for better communication. Students can search for the class via its online portal My CSN at tinyurl.com/csnwritingdesign or by calling 702-650-2276. The class is listed at GRC 198B-2002, Special Topics, Class 35048.

School open house: Northwest Career & Technical Academy plans to host a Community Night/Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19 at the school, 8200 W. Tropical Parkway. Parents can check out the magnet high school. Call 702-799-4640 or visit nwctahawks.net.

PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program: Vegas PBS announced the fourth annual PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program for kindergarten through 12th-grade educators who use technology and digital media to support student learning. Through Feb. 8, educators can apply to the PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators program by completing a profile, answering two essay questions and submitting a 60- to 120-second video showcasing their use of digital technology and tools in their classroom. All educators who meet the requirements and submit their application will be accepted and rewarded with year-long professional development opportunities. A panel of judges will select 54 educators, one from each U.S. state and territory, as Lead Innovators, to be announced in March. The online application is available at pbslearningmedia.org/digitalinnovators.

Heart of Education Awards: The Smith Center for the Performing Arts and The Rogers Foundation are planning the inaugural Heart of Education Awards to highlight deserving teachers in the Clark County School District. The awards focus on educators with at least three years of experience in the district who go above and beyond the classroom. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 29. Nominations must have a name, contact information, a 500-word statement of commitment and a 200-word letter of recommendation. A celebratory evening with a red carpet, swag bags and entertainment is planned May 7 at The Smith Center. To nominate, visit theheartofeducation.org.

Hot food team auction: Le Cordon Bleu's Las Vegas Campus Hot Food Competition Team is set to host an auction in support of its American Culinary Federation Team at 1 p.m. Jan. 16 at the campus, 1451 Center Crossing Road. The ACF Team is representing Nevada in the regional championship Feb. 5-7 in Reno. People can donate to the team's GoFundMe account by searching for Las Vegas Le Cordon Bleu ACF Team. Call chef Cheryl Lewis at 702-365-7690.

Contest for free tuition: The Nevada State Treasurer's Office has announced a Nevada Prepaid Tuition Account Giveaway, set to run through Jan. 31. Anyone who purchases a Nevada Prepaid Tuition Plan before 5 p.m. Jan. 31 will be entered to win a one-year University Plan Account. Two winners will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible applicants. The drawing will be held in early February, and winners will be notified by Feb. 12. For the official rules of the Nevada Prepaid Tuition Program Giveaway and more information on the college savings programs offered through the Nevada State Treasurer's Office, visit NV529.org.

New veterans' scholarship: WGU Nevada has launched a new scholarship program to help veterans and their spouses go back to school and earn their bachelor's and master's degrees. The WGU Nevada Salute To Veterans Scholarship, valued at up to $2,500 per student, will be applied at the rate of $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, toward WGU Nevada's tuition of about $3,000 per term for most programs. WGU Nevada will award at least five scholarships to new students throughout the state. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 31 at nevada.wgu.edu/veterans. Additional military scholarships are available for active-duty personnel and their families at nevada.wgu.edu/militaryappreciation.

Foundation scholarship applications available: The Public Education Foundation has launched the 22nd year of its Scholarship Program and is urging high school seniors to start the application process. The Foundation expects to award nearly $1 million in scholarships this academic year to students who will pursue a post-secondary education. Most scholarship application deadlines are Feb. 16. The scholarships are provided by community leaders, businesses, organizations, individuals and families and range from $500 to $5,000 annually. Some are renewable. Visit thepef.org.

Coral Academy accepting applications: Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas is accepting applications for the 2016-17 school year. The academy selects its students by a random lottery system. Parents are notified via mail of the results within five business days. Applications are due by noon Feb. 28. Those received after that date will be subject to an additional lottery, if applicable. The lottery will be held Feb. 29. Students whose parents have completed an application form electronically via the school website will be eligible to be entered in the lottery. The academy does not base admission on intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude, athletic ability, or discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, religion or disability. Visit coralacademylv.org/admission/admissionprocess.aspx.

Latin Chamber scholarship: In collaboration with the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce, WGU Nevada is encouraging professionals to embark on continuing education by offering more than $30,000 in scholarships to members of the chamber through its Las Vegas Otto Merida Scholarship program. The scholarships, valued at up to $3,200 per student, will be applied at the rate of $800 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms. Scholarships are available to new students looking to earn a bachelor's or master's degree in any of WGU Nevada's more than 50 degree programs in information technology, business, teacher education, or health care. Potential awardees must be a member of the chamber, or belong to a member company, which comprises more than 800 members. The WGU Nevada Otto Merida Scholarship was created in honor of the founder and chief executive officer of the Latin Chamber of Commerce. Visit nevada.wgu.edu/LVLCC.

USA Sevens Adopt-A-Country program: For the sixth year, USA Sevens Rugby and the Clark County School District are partnering for the annual USA Sevens Adopt-A-Country program in an effort to build a curriculum of international education, tolerance and ambassadorship promoted through rugby. Sixteen Clark County School District elementary and middle schools adopt one of the teams participating in the 2016 USA Sevens International Rugby Tournament, set for March 4-6 at Sam Boyd Stadium, to incorporate hands-on lessons and values designed around the school's adopted country. Throughout the 2015-16 school year, each of the schools incorporates key aspects from the adopted country into the classroom curriculum. In addition to the classroom and physical activities, each student is encouraged to learn more about the adopted country through a series of creative contests, including a T-shirt design contest and critical thinking essay competition. USA Sevens will select the top three submissions and create T-shirts for each student in the three schools from the winning design. The essay contest challenges students to connect on a personal level by comparing and contrasting their typical day with the typical day of someone their age in the adopted country. One winner from each school will be selected to represent the adopted nation and class in the 2016 USA Sevens Parade of Nations Ceremony at the Fremont Street Experience, planned from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 3.

Rogers Foundation scholarship: The Rogers Foundation announced it is offering $100,000 in scholarships on an annual basis to graduating seniors of the Clark County School District. The Rogers Foundation Achiever Scholarship is for students wishing to pursue higher education both within the state of Nevada and nationwide. The scholarships will support students attending any institution of higher education, including vocational or technical schools, community colleges or state universities. Scholarships include at least one $25,000 scholarship, multiple $10,000 scholarships and multiple $5,000 scholarships. For application criteria, application materials and other instructions, visit therogers.foundation/applicants/students.html.

Host families sought for exchange students: International Experience USA, a nonprofit high school student exchange organization approved by the U.S. Department of State, is seeking host families in the Las Vegas Valley to provide room and board, help with transportation and provide emotional support to exchange students. The students provide their own insurance and personal spending money. Visit ie-usa.org or contact Carol Myint at 507-301-3615 or c.myint@international-experience.net.