Education Notebook: School news and events for Nov. 19-25, 2015

Academy announces new academic chief: Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas recently announced Candyce Farthing as the new chief academic officer. In this position, she is responsible for overseeing and improving the educational growth of the school as well as providing leadership, vision and strategic direction for academic life. Farthing has 14 years of experience in the field of education and received her Masters of Education in Curriculum Instruction from George Fox University in 2006. Visit caslv.org.

Open enrollment begins at CSN: Open enrollment for the spring 2016 semester begins Nov. 20 at the College of Southern Nevada, meaning anyone admitted can begin signing up for classes. Classes for the spring 2016 semester begin Jan. 19. Students are reminded that CSN no longer allows late registration except in unusual circumstances. All registration must be complete before midnight Jan. 18, 2016. In addition, all new incoming Clark County School District graduates must participate in an orientation session, complete placement testing and meet with an adviser before registering for classes. Visit csn.edu/futurestudents.

New veterans scholarship: In commemoration of Veterans Day and to honor all those who have served, nonprofit online WGU Nevada is launching 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, 2016, at nevada.wgu.edu/veterans. Additional military scholarships are available for active-duty personnel and their families at nevada.wgu.edu/militaryappreciation.

School receives technology grant: Solomon Schechter Day School of Las Vegas has become the first academic institution in Nevada to receive funding support from the Irvin Stern Foundation. The $10,000 grant will help integrate technology into Schechter classrooms. By winter break, the school will have a Chromebook cart filled with 30 notebooks, and a consultant will be brought in for training teachers on how Google Apps for Education can be effectively incorporated into curriculum and daily activities. Call 702-804-1333, extension 114 or email bonnie@ssds-lv.org.

Nevada College Application Month: Nevada College Application Month, supported by the GoToCollegeNevada.org Campaign, was held throughout October at high schools across the state. As part of the American College Application Campaign, Nevada College Application Month seeks to increase the number of students who apply to college early in their senior year with a focus on assisting students who would be the first in their family to attend college, students from low-income families, and students who may not have otherwise seriously considered applying to college. Gov. Brian Sandoval proclaimed October as College Application Month in Nevada. Nationally, President Barack Obama proclaimed November 2015 as College Application Month. A copy of each proclamation is included at nevadacollegeapplicationmonth.org.

Finance park open house events set: Parents, school officials and members of the community are invited to see eighth-graders learn how to pay bills, manage their mortgages, determine childcare for their "kids" and much more at Capital One/Junior Achievement Finance Park. Now officially open for 2015, the interactive park immerses students in real-life scenarios to learn the importance of financial literacy. Sponsored by Capital One Financial Corp., 16 Clark County schools are participating during the 44-day simulation run, which will host up to 100 students daily and involve more than 800 volunteers guiding students through the personal budgeting simulation. Junior Achievement is inviting the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. At each open house, breakfast or lunch will be hosted, followed by a brief presentation and concluding with observing and interacting with students in the Park. Visit jalasvegas.org.

Doodle for Google: Students in grades kindergarten through 12 are invited to take part in the 2015 Doodle 4 Google contest. Like all Google Doodles, each doodle must incorporate the letters G-o-o-g-l-e. One national winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship. The contest is open for entries through Dec. 7. Enter at google.com/doodle4google/enter.html.

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, 2016. Those received after that date will be subject to an additional lottery, if applicable. The lottery will be held Feb. 29, 2016. 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.

Summit on Nevada Education: The UNLV College of Education's Summit on Nevada Education is planned from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Student Union Ballroom at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. The event is a policy summit on the education initiatives derived from the 78th legislative session with particular focus on the important roles community constituents must play in ensuring the quality of education in Nevada. Through Nov. 6, ticket prices are $60 for general admission and $30 for UNLV students. Registration includes entry into the summit, continental breakfast, lunch and parking. Visit eventbrite.com/e/summit-on-nevada-education-registration-18562610267.

Drawing competition to honor Leif Erikson: Las Vegas-area children in first through fifth grades are eligible to win $875 in gift cards for submitting winning drawings that depict Viking explorer Leif Erikson's legacy. The winning drawings must be submitted on 11-by-8½-inch or 11-by-17-inch paper using any medium. The winning students in each grade will win Walmart gift cards valued at $100, $50 and $25 for first, second and third place, respectively. Entries must be postmarked by Dec. 14 and mailed to the attention of Christian Schoyen, Leif Erikson drawing competition, 1930 Village Center Circle, No. 3-211, Las Vegas, NV 89134. All entries must include the child's name, address, grade, home phone number and school. The fourth annual contest, sponsored by the Vegas Viking Lodge of the Sons of Norway and Schoyen, should depict the Viking Leif Erikson and his men traveling to America. The four key traits of Erikson and his men should be incorporated into the drawings: imagination, vision, collaboration, and fearlessness. Visit leiferiksonday.com or email organizers at drawingcompetition@leiferiksonday.com.

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.

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, 2016. 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, 2016, at The Smith Center. To nominate, visit theheartofeducation.org.

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.