Education Notebook: School news and events for May 26-June 1, 2016
STEM winners: In late April, more than 200 students from 38 Clark County schools gathered at Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas to participate in the city’s first all-girls math tournament in Southern Nevada. The event was free and open to all third- through eighth-grade students and was designed to create a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) event specifically designed for and geared toward female students. Students tested their mathematics skills by participating in an individual written exam and a team activity involving math games and puzzles. Students competed against members of their own grades and skill levels. Winners included:
Mia Lorenzo, eighth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Annabelle Chu, eighth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Grace Gu, eighth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Madeline Young, seventh grade, Challenger School
Melanie Ha, seventh grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Riana Mission, seventh grade, Hyde Park Middle School
Elizabeth Ha, sixth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Freya Zhang, sixth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Amy Lum, sixth grade, Hyde Park Middle School
Merina Saeger, fifth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Merve Aydogu, fifth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Kaylee Tsai, fifth grade, Las Vegas Day School
Ashritha Kalakuntla, fourth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Vaniata Indrakumar, fourth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Vidya Indrakumar, fourth grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Pradnya Kappally, third grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Emma Mele, third grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Aileen Kim, third grade, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas
Cooperative extension partnership: University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has partnered with Sunrise Children’s Foundation Early Head Start Program to provide child care training for students from Opportunity Village participating in the Job Discovery Program. The Job Discovery Programs, a partnership between the Clark County School District and Opportunity Village, offers intensive vocational training in a natural working environment to CCSD students with disabilities ages 18-21. JPD students rotate through a variety of job training sites every nine weeks. Students are given the opportunity to develop and improve their vocational skills in several areas including: commercial and industrial kitchen work, indoor and outdoor maintenance, retail, grounds keeping, custodial and child care. Visit www.unce.unr.edu.
MSA awards: The Clark County School District (was honored with top awards during the 34th annual Magnet Schools of America Conference in Miami on May 3-7. Awards included:
Dr. Anne Grisham, principal of Sandy Searles Miller Academy of International Studies, was awarded Region VIII Principal of the Year.
CCSD Director of Magnet Schools and Career and Technical Academies’ Gia Moore was elected the Region VIII Director.
The Clark High School Teacher Education Academy received the MSA President’s Award.
Visit magnet.edu.
Tule Springs support: On May 16, the Clark County School District and the Protectors of Tule Springs concluded the 2016 Mammoth Penny Push campaign with a celebration and check presentation in support of the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument at Foothill High School, 800 College Drive. Students throughout CCSD raised more than $30,000 in support of the national monument by donating their spare change in every classroom.
Power Hour program: Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada and Ross Stores are partnering to support the Club’s Power Hour program, an interactive after-school homework assistance program for members, ages 6 to 18. The program offers the opportunity for club staff members to support youths in developing a positive attitude about learning while emphasizing the importance of high school graduation. The partnership with Ross Stores will assist in making the program a more effective tool to keep members on top of their academic studies as well as provide the club with staff training and resources.
Investigating History: The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., has launched Investigating History, a comprehensive educational outreach program to be offered to Clark County schools. Funded by the Las Vegas Centennial Commission, the program introduces students to the topics of Las Vegas history, constitutional law and criminal justice through interactive standards-based classroom and auditorium presentations. Designed for fourth- through 12th-grade students, the hands-on program will be presented by museum educators and will support the fulfillment of national and state curriculum standards. Call 702-229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.
Instrument collection: The Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild, in partnership with Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, has launched an instrument collection program to benefit local school music programs. The initiative is intended to address the need for musical instruments for school music programs, particularly in charter schools in the Las Vegas Valley. The organization is seeking playable instruments in good condition, and because these instruments may need some refurbishing, it is also seeking interested parties for monetary contributions or donations of instrument repair services. For more information, to donate or to get involved, contact Monica Fuller at guildeducation@lvphil.com or 702-580-8528.
Degrees, internships, scholarships, enrollments and contests:
WGU offering nurse scholarships: WGU Nevada is offering up to $20,000 in scholarships for nurses across the state and is set to award up to 10 scholarships to nurses who wish to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in WGU Nevada’s College of Health Professions. Each WGU Loves Nurses Scholarship is valued at up to $2,000, or $500 per six-month term for up to four terms. New and enrolling students can apply for these scholarships through July 31 at nevada.wgu.edu/wgulovesnurses. To be eligible, scholarship applicants must be officially admitted to WGU Nevada, complete the scholarship application, which includes an essay, and be interviewed by a scholarship counselor. Visit nevada.wgu.edu/wgulovesnurses.
Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree: WGU Nevada is now accepting applications for its newest online master’s degree program, Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. The new program offers coursework that aligns with the latest standards from national security organizations, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency. The program is designed for experienced information systems professionals or individuals with real-world IT experience who are seeking a master’s degree and planning to become certified in ethical hacking or computer forensic investigation. WGU Nevada’s terms are six months long, and students may enroll on the first of any month, completing as many courses as they are able for a flat-rate tuition of about $3,000 per term. Visit nevada.wgu.edu/cybersecurity.
Leadership Academy enrollment: Leadership Academy of Nevada is enrolling students for the 2016-17 school year. LANV focuses on developing leaders through delivery of a liberal-arts education via cutting-edge technology in grades six through 12 throughout Nevada. Regularly scheduled Enrollment Information Meetings are held online and in Las Vegas so that parents and students can learn more. A list of Enrollment Information Meeting dates, times, and places can be found at lanv.org.
Teaching scholarships: WGU Nevada is partnering with the Nevada Department of Education to offer up to 20 full-ride scholarships to residents who wish to pursue a career in teaching. In 2015, the Nevada Department of Education provided $240,000 to WGU Nevada as part of the Nevada Legislature’s Teach Nevada Scholarship Initiative. Individuals interested in applying are required to complete WGU Nevada’s Alternate Route to Licensure program for elementary and secondary teaching. The ARL program is an accelerated pathway for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree but do not have a teaching license. After successful completion of the accelerated program, students will have completed a series of rigorous courses, in-person observations, and clinical experiences in a public school classroom that prepares them to be highly effective teachers. Winning scholarship recipients will be awarded $3,000 per term, not to exceed a total of $12,000 per student. Scholarships are available to new students who possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a non-education related field from an accredited university. To learn more about the scholarship, email scholarships@wgu.edu. Visit nevada.wgu.edu.
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.
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.
