Education Notebook, June 26-July 2, 2014

NEVADA CONNECTIONS ACADEMY PLANS PARENT INFORMATION SESSIONS

Nevada Connections Academy, a virtual public charter school for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, plans to host information sessions regarding enrollment for the 2014-15 school year. Information sessions are scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. June 26 at Hampton Inn Las Vegas/North Speedway, 2852 E. Craig Road; 3 to 4:30 p.m. June 28 at Seven Hills Conference Center, 3215 St. Rose Parkway; and 6:30 to 8 p.m. July 10 at Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive.

ADELSON CAMPUS TO HOST SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CHINESE STUDENTS

The Adelson Educational Campus, 9700 W. Hillpointe Road, plans to welcome 23 middle school students from Shenzen, China, and their chaperones July 13-26 for USA Ready Study, a summer enrichment program. The program was developed by Kay Lau & Associates of California with the goal of introducing Chinese students to the American educational system and culture.

During their time in the U.S., the students will live with American host families in the Summerlin area. The program started at the Adelson campus in 2012 with 18 students from Hangzhou, China.

The program has openings for host families with children of similar ages. For more information, contact Kay Lau at 310-278-2200 or visit usareadystudy.com.

STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM SEEKS HOST FAMILIES

The World Heritage Student Exchange Program is seeking local host families for high school exchange students from more than 30 countries, including Germany, Spain, Thailand, Denmark and France.

Couples, single parents and families with and without children are encouraged to apply to host a student for a semester or the entire school year. Each exchange student is fully insured, has personal spending money and expects to contribute to household responsibilities.

For more information, call 800-888-9040, email info@world-heritage.org or visit whhosts.com.

FOUR LAS VEGAS STUDENTS ARE FINALISTS IN ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION

The Chicago Architecture Foundation has announced 10 finalists in its DiscoverDesign.org National High School Architecture Competition. Four students from the Advanced Technologies Academy, 2501 Vegas Drive, are among the finalists who submitted design projects to redesign their high school athletic pavilions to promote healthy lifestyles.

Jason Saccoliti, Christian Orme, Lukas Sullivan and Mario Rodriguez were sponsored by teacher Richard Knoeppel. A jury team of 35 architects, engineers and designers from across the country evaluated the entries. The winner was set to be announced June 12 and will win a chance to experience Chicago’s architectural legacy.

HYDE PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN ECYBERMISSION COMPETITION

Seven students from Hyde Park Middle School, 900 Hinson St., were scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., June 16-20 to compete in the national finals of the U.S. Army-sponsored science competition eCYBERMISSION.

The competition is managed by the National Science Teachers Association and challenges sixth- through ninth-grade students to identify real-world problems and create solutions using science, technology, engineering and math.

The students from Hyde Park comprise two teams, with three sixth-graders designing a sensor to text parents if a child has accidentally been left in a hot car, and four seventh-graders developing a simple pocket patch that can be affixed to anyone’s clothing to destroy pollen and alleviate allergies.

Only 20 out of 7,500 teams from across the country were chosen to compete in the finals. The Hyde Park students won $3,000 each for their work and could win another $5,000 each in the finals.

THREE SQUARE OFFERS SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR KIDS

Three Square food bank and its program partners have launched this year’s installment of the Summer Food Service Program, which runs through Aug. 22. It ensures that children across the Las Vegas Valley have access to nutritious meals during their summer break when free and reduced meals are not available.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by Nevada’s Department of Agriculture. It is free for children 18 or younger and is offered Monday through Friday at more than 70 sites across the valley.

For a list of sites, visit whyhunger.org/findfood or threesquare.org or call 1-866-348-6479.

LIBRARY PROGRAM TO ENHANCE CHILDREN’S VOCABULARIES

Martha Speaks Mondays are slated at various libraries. Parents and children share books and activities that enhance a child’s vocabulary.

For more information, call 702-507-3630.

PARALYMPIC SPORTS CLUB LAS VEGAS PLANS ACTIVITIES

The Paralympic Sports Club Las Vegas plans to host sports activities for children through grade 12 with physical disabilities.

Wheelchair basketball is planned from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays at the Minker Sports Complex, 275 N. Mojave Road. Swimming is planned from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays at Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road.

Project Dirt is planned for ages 18 or older July 19-20. Individuals with a developmental disability will participate in overnight tent camps that include arts and crafts, fishing and hiking. The cost is $25. Participants are asked to bring a sleeping bag and a toothbrush.

For more information, contact Jonathon Foster at 702-229-4796 or email jfoster@lasvegasnevada.gov.

ALL 4 KIDS TO BE OFFERED AT CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER

The program All 4 Kids: Healthy, Happy, Active, Fit is being offered by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension for children 3 to 5 through Aug. 18 at the Cambridge Community Center, 3930 Cambridge St.

The program encourages children and their parents to be healthy, active and fit by providing interactive experiences that promote healthful habits.

The program is free and is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Space is limited, and classes are taught in English and Spanish.

To sign up, call 702-948-5942 or email all_for_kids@unce.unr.edu.