Education Notebook, March 11-17

FOUNDATION, WHOLE FOODS PARTNER FOR COMMUNITY GIVING DAY

The Public Education Foundation is partnering with Whole Foods Market in Town Square Las Vegas, 6689 Las Vegas Blvd. South, for a 5 Percent Day March 13, when 5 percent of the store’s net sales are to be donated to the Foundation. During the event, Clark County School District culinary students will participate in a “recipe war,” to be judged by chef Lloyd Bansil of Hakkasan Restaurant and Rachel Safran, Las Whole Foods metro chef. The Culinary Collision is set to begin at 4 p.m.

CAFE DO PARAISO TEAMS UP GREEN OUR PLANET FOR SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

Cafe do Paraiso, a specialty coffee roasting startup company, is partnering with nonprofit Green Our Planet to benefit Hoggard Elementary School, 950 N. Tonopah Drive.

Hoggard will receive 50 cents for every pound of coffee sold in Nevada as the first step in support of the local nonprofit group Green Our Planet, which works to build and support school gardens in Nevada. Green Our Planet has launched a fundraiser at greenourplanet.org/mh/ to raise $3,500 for the first round of garden improvements at Hoggard. The garden there is one of the oldest school gardens in Las Vegas, and its 20-year-old soil and wood frames are in need of replacement.

To contribute, donate directly at Green Our Planet’s website or purchase coffee at cafedoparaiso.com.

DESIGN STUDENTS TO CREATE PROM DRESSES FOR AT-RISK HIGH SCHOOLERS

Fashion design students from the International Academy of Design & Technology in Henderson plan to design and create prom dresses for 10 at-risk high school students as part of the school’s Pretty for Prom program.

Students were chosen by school administrators and faculty through the Clark County School District’s School-Community Partnership Office. The program was created to reward students who have faced adversity for making good decisions, academic accomplishments and exemplary citizenship.

The Pretty for Prom portion of the Junior League of Las Vegas’ Fashion Forward event is set for 2 p.m. March 22 at the runway at Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South. In Fashion Forward, more than 50 local high school fashion students will participate in a fashion design competition.

TOYOTA FINANCIAL SERVICES PARTNERS WITH AUTO REMARKETING FIRMS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS DONATION

Toyota Financial Services has partnered with four auto remarketing firms, ADESA, Manheim, DAA Northwest and Norwalk Auto Auctions, to provide a donation of $12,857 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. It is part of a contribution of $500,000 from Toyota Financial Services to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to be divided equally among 35 clubs across the country running the Diplomas to Degrees college readiness program.

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF NEVADA AND THREE SQUARE SPONSOR GROCERY GIVEAWAY

Communities In Schools of Nevada and Three Square food bank combined efforts to kick off the Grocery Giveaway event on Feb. 26 at Lake Elementary School, 2904 Meteoro St. The program provides families greater access to vital health and wellness services and information through an innovative series of events targeting Clark County School District schools with the greatest needs.

The Grocery Giveaway event provides families of students with 30 to 40 pounds of food, including fresh produce. Parents also can sign up for Medicaid and SNAP programs and receive information on vision and dental care for their children.

NEVADA NATURALIST CLASSES TO START APRIL 7

Nevada Naturalist, a University of Nevada Cooperative Extension program, is set to begin its spring semester April 7. Classes are planned Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m., and field trips are scheduled for Saturdays at various times and locations.

The program educates and trains adults interested in learning about Southern Nevada’s natural resources, including environmental education and interpretation, laws and regulations and environmental issues.

The second semester is planned for fall. The cost is $195 per semester, which includes all program materials, refreshment and some field trips.

For more information or to register, call Denise Parsons at 702-948-5906 or email parsonsd@unce.unr.edu.

MILLER MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS LOUNGE RECEIVES NEW FURNITURE

The teachers lounge at Miller Middle School, 2400 Cozy Hill Circle in Henderson, received new furniture March 5 courtesy of Walker Furniture’s 14th annual Teacher Appreciation Day program.

The program gives Clark County School District students the opportunity to win furniture for their school’s teachers lounge by writing a letter describing their favorite teacher. At Miller, the winning letter was written by sixth-grader Madison Johnson on behalf of her reading teacher, Debra Simonetti.

Furniture includes a leather sofa and love seat, an end table and accessories.

COFFEE BEAN & TEA LEAF TO SUPPORT SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD CAMPAIGN

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf plans to donate 10 percent of its Tea Granita sales in March to support the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign.

The campaign is aimed at ending use of the “R-word” (retard(ed)), directed at those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Through March, 10 percent of net sales from the beverage will go to Best Buddies of Nevada, part of a national volunteer movement that creates one-on-one friendships and employment for people with IDD.

For locations, visit coffeebean.com.

MIRACLE MILE SHOPS TO COLLECT DONATIONS FOR ANDSON NONPROFIT

The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, plans to collect donations through March for Andson, a local nonprofit that educates, informs and inspires children, youths and young adults with programs in academics, financial literacy and mentoring.

All change tossed into the shops’ fountain and the indoor rainstorm in March will benefit the group’s Adopt-A-Student program.

For more information about Andson, visit andson.org.

UNLV STUDENTS TO PREVIEW UNLVINO DISHES

Students in the UNLVino management class in UNLV’s hotel college are scheduled to prepare and present more than 25 dishes to peers and colleague in hopes their creation will be served as part of the upcoming 40th annual UNLVino.

After sampling the food, students and faculty will provide feedback on which offerings make the cut. The dishes selected March 13 will be featured at UNLVino’s main event, the Founders’ Grand Tasting.

PARENT-CHILD CLASSES PLANNED AT CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering a series of parent-child classes for children 3 to 5. The three-program series is set to start at 11 a.m. March 17 at the Cambridge Community Center, 3900 Cambridge St., and feature All 4 Kids, Family Storyteller and Little Books and Little Cooks.

All 4 Kids is a 12-week interactive program that focuses on activities to promote physical activity, healthy eating and living healthy at any shape or size. The program is set for Mondays and Wednesdays.

Family Storyteller is a six-week program that trains parents to play a role in early literacy development. Beginning April 7, each class will have parents and their children participate in reading and language activities together.

Little Books and Little Cooks is a seven-week program designed to promote healthy eating, family literacy, positive parent-child interaction and the child’s school readiness skills. Beginning June 25, each class will have parents and children learning about nutrition, reading children’s books and cooking and eating together.

For more information or to register, call 702-948-5942 or email all_for_kids@unce.unr.edu.

FREE PROGRAM TO OFFER HEALTHY LIVING TIPS FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND FAMILIES

All 4 Kids, a program of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, is offering a 13-week program for preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) and their parents. Families will be provided interactive experiences that promote healthful habits regarding physical activity and eating. Free materials will be given to families to continue activities at home.

Classes are taught in English and Spanish. The program is free and is scheduled to be offered at the Pearson Community Center, 1625 Carey Ave. in North Las Vegas, from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Space for the program is limited. To register, call 702-948-5942 or email all_for_kids@unce.unr.edu.

KOHL’S ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Kohl’s is accepting nominations for the 2014 Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program, which recognizes those ages 6 to 18 who have made a positive impact on their community through volunteerism.

The program expects to award nearly $400,000 in scholarships and prizes this year to more than 2,300 young volunteers. Two nominees from each of the more than 1,100 Kohl’s stores nationwide will win a $50 Kohl’s gift card, and nearly 200 will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward higher education. Also, 10 national winners will be awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships for higher education, and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on each national winner’s behalf.

Nominations will be accepted through March 14 at kohlskids.com.

LAS VEGAS PROM CLOSET COLLECTING DRESSES

The Las Vegas Prom Closet is collecting new and gently used prom dresses and accessories for its Operation Glass Slipper program. The dresses will be distributed to local high school students who wish to attend prom but cannot afford the expense.

Dresses are set to be given out from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 at Stitch Factory, 300 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Suite 120. Students will be required to show a valid student ID to pick out a dress.

For more information, call 702-900-7766.

CSN PLANS SPRING CAREER FAIR APRIL 8

The College of Southern Nevada Career Services plans to host a Spring 2014 Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 8 in the Charleston Campus Building D lobby, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 702-651-4700.

SONS OF NORWAY TO HAND OUT SCHOLARSHIPS

The Sons of Norway’s Vegas Viking Lodge is seeking applicants for its eighth annual scholarship for post-high school studies.

To be eligible, applicants must be of Norwegian descent, legal residents of Clark County or Alamo or a member of the Vegas Viking Lodge or a child or grandchild of a lodge member and at least a high school senior or ongoing full-time student.

The scholarship is at least $500. Last year the lodge gave away six $500 scholarships. Winners will be chosen based on grades, financial need, extracurricular activities and an essay expressing appreciation for their Norwegian heritage.

Applications must be postmarked by April 19. Applications are available at vegasviking.com/scholarship.html.

Tax-deductible contributions to the scholarship fund, including naming gifts, are welcome. To donate, mail a check payable to Vegas Viking Sons of Norway Scholarship Fund to treasurer Warren Halvorsen, 830 Kingston Springs Way, Las Vegas, NV 89123-3643.

For more information, call Suzan Sibert at 702-645-6666.

UNLV OFFERS CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES

The UNLV Office of Continuing Education is offering courses this spring and summer for those interested in personal or professional development.

Professional certificate programs include paralegal, legal secretary, medical assistant, design, public relations, nonprofit management, human resources, fashion design, grant writing, personal training and more.

Continuing Education also offers courses in language, cooking, music and recreation.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNLV offers student-led classes to more than 1,300 retired and semiretired adults.

For full course listings or to register, visit continuingeducation.unlv.edu. For a copy of the course catalog, call 702-895-3394.

SCHOOL DISTRICT RELEASES 2014 GRADUATION SCHEDULE

The Clark County School District has released its 2014 high school graduation schedule, which can be found at tinyurl.com/ccsdgrad2014. Graduations are scheduled June 2-14, most of them at The Orleans or the Thomas & Mack Center.

LIBRARY OFFERS READING BUDDIES PROGRAM FOR GRADES K-5

The Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., plans to host a Reading Buddies program Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade can practice reading with teen volunteers.

For more information, call 702-507-3820.

LIBRARY PLANS CLASS FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

The Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd., plans an English conversation class at 4 p.m. Fridays to help English language learners practice speaking. Classes are free, and reservations are not required.

For more information, call 702-507-3820.

HOMEWORK HELP AVAILABLE AT SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY

Homework helpers are scheduled to be available from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd.

For more information, call 702-507-3823.