Education Notebook, May 28-June 3, 2015

LIBRARY OFFERS MONEY SMART CAMP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS

The camp program Money Smart Middle Schoolers is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. June 8, 15, 22 and 29 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

Co-sponsored by Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, the camp will teach students in sixth through eighth grades about money and budgeting.

Registration is required, but the camp is free. For more information, call 702-507-3631.

TEEN TOWN HALL TAKES ON ISSUES SUCH AS TEXTING AND DRIVING, ACADEMIC PRESSURE

Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly was set to host the 14th annual Teen Town Hall May 15 in Commission Chambers at the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. More than 200 high school seniors from nine area high schools were set to attend, along with representatives from the Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County Coroner’s Office. Topics were expected to include the dangers of texting while driving, drinking and driving, and academic pressures.

Participating schools were scheduled to include Advanced Technologies Academy, Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, West Preparatory Academy and Canyon Springs, Desert Pines, Eldorado, Mojave, Rancho and Western high schools.

“Teenagers today deal with a wide range of pressures at home and school,” Weekly said. “The Teen Town Hall gives these exceptional students the opportunity to discuss their concerns and the issues that are important to them in a safe and understanding environment.”

MORE THAN 2,700 TO GRADUATE FROM UNLV

UNLV students from 38 states and 54 countries were set to participate in spring commencement ceremonies May 16 at the Thomas & Mack Center, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

The number of expected graduates was up 15 percent from 2014. For more information, visit unlv.edu/commencement.

UNITED BLOOD SERVICES AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS

United Blood Services of Las Vegas planned to award 16 scholarships to local schools at the 15th annual Celebration of Life High School Awards and Scholarship Banquet May 21 at the Gold Coast, 4000 W. Flamingo Road. Approximately 6,100 units of blood were donated during the 2014-15 school year by Clark County and neighboring district students as part of United Blood Services High School Blood Drive Program. That number accounts for 15 percent of all blood collected.

Sixty high schools participated in more than 125 blood drives throughout the year. To thank these students, United Blood Services awarded scholarships to local schools totaling $15,250, based upon the number of units collected at each high school during the drives.

For more information, visit unitedbloodservices.org.

VEGAS PBS TO HONOR WRITERS CONTEST WINNERS

Vegas PBS, 3050 E. Flamingo Road, planned to honor the winners of the 2015 PBS KIDS Writers Contest May 20. About 1,144 entries were received, and the station was set to honor 18 children with a dinner and awards ceremony. Individual names of winners were to be announced at the event.

The contest is a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning and encourage students in kindergarten through third grade to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations.

Winners were to receive trophies, autographed books and other prizes and receive free tuition for contest partner Southern Nevada Writing Project’s writing camp. First-place stories will be forwarded to the national contest, with those winners to be announced this summer 2015.

For more information, visit vegaspbs.org.

SAHARA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM HELPS RAISE FUNDS FOR ACADEMY

Sahara Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram helped raise $2,270 April 24 for Calvary Christian Learning Academy at a Drive for the Kids fundraising event held during Cultural Night at the school, 2900 N. Torrey Pines Drive. Participants earned a $10 contribution to the school from the Chrysler brand by taking a vehicle test drive during the event.

For more information, visit drive4kids.com.

WET’N’WILD OFFERS FREE ADMISSION FOR STRAIGHT-A STUDENTS, SENIORS

Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas, 7055 S. Fort Apache Road, is offering free admission for straight-A students and seniors 65 or older. Students can take advantage of the offer throughout the 2015 season, while the offer is good for seniors through June. Seniors must bring their Nevada driver’s license or government-issued ID, while students are asked to present their report card at the ticket window.

For more information, visit wetnwildlasvegas.com.

POKER TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada plans to host its fifth annual poker tournament and VIP party from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 30 at Aria and The Deuce Lounge at The Shops at Crystals, both at CityCenter, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. South. A Texas Hold ’em tournament with a grand prize seat at the 2015 World Series of Poker’s main event is planned, along with entertainment, food and drinks. In addition to the grand prize, qualifying players will receive cash and recreational prizes. A raffle giveaway and silent auction also are planned.

Proceeds are set to benefit the local chapter of Junior Achievement. Last year’s event raised nearly $130,000, providing educational enhancement for 20,000 Clark County School District students.

Participant buy-in is $250. Spectator and party passes are $100 in advance and $150 at the door. To register, visit jalasvegas.org.

THE VENETIAN, PALAZZO OFFER SPECIAL RATES FOR EDUCATORS

The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and the Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, are offering special rates in June to educators from Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona, starting at $99 per night, plus tax and fees.

Mention the code EVEDUOF for The Venetian and EPEDUOF for the Palazzo when booking. Guests are required to present valid teacher identification at check-in from one of the qualifying states.

For reservations, call 866-659-9643.

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 makeup assignments. Remaining dates are: June 20, July 19 (in Reno) and Aug. 15. Participants will receive a stipend to help with child care and transportation costs.

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