Education Notebook: School news and events for Sept. 17-23, 2015

McDonald's accepting applications for teacher grants

The Greater Las Vegas McDonald's Operator Association is accepting applications for its McDonald's Make Activities Count grants, which provide direct funding to teachers for unique educational activities that schools couldn't otherwise afford to provide for local students. For the 2015-16 school year, McDonald's owner-operators across Southern Nevada have pledged to donate $60,000 to 120 local teachers through this grant program.

Teachers are encouraged to submit applications for grant funding through Oct. 2. Teachers can apply to receive up to $500 in grant funds for their classrooms.

Visit massmediacc.wufoo.com/forms/mac-grants-application-2015.

Bank of America employees deliver school supplies to local schools

On Sept. 2, Bank of America volunteers hand-delivered nearly 10,000 supplies to Lynch Elementary, 4850 Kell Lane; Miller Elementary, 5100 W. Sahara Ave.; and Monaco Middle School, 1870 N. Lamont St., for students in need. Items collected included paper, backpacks, pens and pencils, physical education equipment and school uniform garments.

The supplies were collected throughout July and August during the bank's fifth annual school supply drive. In total, 9,445 supplies were collected at Bank of America's 50-plus locations across Southern Nevada.

Statewide recycled art contest planned

The Nevada Recycles program has partnered with The Venetian and the Palazzo to support a statewide recycled art contest to increase Nevadans' awareness and interest in recycling. Entrants must be Nevada residents, and projects must be composed of used recyclable materials. Submission of an entry form and photos of artwork are due by Oct. 25.

In addition to a $200 prize to the first-place class project, The Venetian and the Palazzo will provide first, second and third ($250, $100, and $50, respectively) prizes in four categories: kindergarten through grade 5, grades 6 through 8, grades 9 through 12, and adult.

Materials that can be used include, but are not limited to: tires, electronics, appliances, plastic bags, bottles, batteries and aluminum cans. Fastening materials may include tape, glue and/or string.

Winners are to be announced prior to America Recycles Day, Nov. 15. Visit nevadarecycles.nv.gov.

Local teacher named finalist in Dream Big Teacher Challenge Grant

As part of the Farmers Insurance Thank America's Teachers program, on Sept. 8, local Farmers agent Joe Haas informed Laura Denue of Desert Pines High School of the news that she is one of 15 teachers in the country to be in the running for one of six $100,000 educational grants.

Denue's proposal about creating a state-of-the-art kitchen and restaurant at Desert Pines High School, 800 E. Harris Ave., was selected to move on to the voting phase of the Dream Big Teacher Challenge.

As part of Clark County School District's Turnaround Zone for chronically under-performing schools, Desert Pines High School is in need of a program that can help its at-risk students find a passion and educational direction. If Denue were to win the $100,000 Dream Big Teacher Challenge grant, she would use the money to convert a classroom into a state-of-the-art kitchen and restaurant for students to learn food preparation skills and how to successfully operate a restaurant that will be open to all members of the surrounding community.

Beginning Oct. 1, the 15 finalists will vie for votes on thankamericasteachers.com for their chance to win one of six $100,000 grants to help their proposals become reality. The public can cast votes on the website.

College night workshop offers free resources to parents and students

The city of Henderson Blue Ribbon Commission on Educational Excellence and Youth Opportunity is set to host its annual College Night workshop for parents and students from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway. Participation is free.

College Night is geared toward college-bound students and their parents. It features resources and recommendations to help students prepare and plan for college, including application techniques, resume writing tips and how to find available grants and scholarships.

RSVP by calling 702-267-4016. Walk-ins are also welcome. For more information, call 702-267-4016 or visit cityofhenderson.com.

United Way and Strong Start Nevada launch Children's Day

United Way of Southern Nevada and Strong Start Nevada are set to launch Children's Day in Nevada on Sept. 28. The Champion for Children launch will bring community leaders, including state of Nevada First Lady Kathleen Sandoval and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, together to promote early education for vulnerable populations.

The beginning years are critical for learning, yet Nevada ranks last in the nation in preschool enrollment. Visit uwsn.org/championforchildren.

Tutor Kings LLC expands foreign language services, college prep

Tutor Kings, a locally owned tutoring company for all school subjects, has expanded its services to include the following foreign languages: Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Latin and Hebrew.

Tutor Kings is a full-service tutoring company that specializes in all school subjects from kindergarten through college. More than 40 tutors, all licensed and/or degreed teachers in respective areas, are able to service all academic skill levels from remedial to those students that are more advanced.

Visit facebook.com/tutorkingslasvegas.

Business strategy classes planned

The city of Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency is partnering with SUMNU Marketing to sponsor a series of business strategy classes this fall at the Urban Chamber of Commerce Business Development Center, 1951 Stella Lake St. Classes are planned from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.

Topics planned are: Sept. 23, Your Company's DNA; Sept. 30, Marketing Strategies; Oct. 7, Business & Marketing Development; and Oct. 14, Project Pitches & Certification.

Class size is limited. To sign up, contact Darren Harris at 702-229-6862 or dmharris@lasvegasnevada.gov.

UNLV State of the University address planned

UNLV President Len Jessup is set to give his State of the University address at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Judy Bayley Theatre on the campus, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. The event is free and open to the public. Visit tinyurl.com/unlvjessupaddress, call 702-895-3102 or email mediarelations@unlv.edu.

Smith Center announces Heart of Education Awards

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., recently announced the inaugural The Heart of Education Awards. Beginning with the 2015-16 school year, the awards aim to assist the Clark County School District with honoring, recruiting and retaining great educators.

Inspired by a program created by George Stevens at the Kennedy Center, which has been credited with helping teacher recruitment and retention in the Washington, D.C., area, The Heart of Education Awards aspires to do the same for education champions in Clark County. The awards will recognize hundreds of finalists in a celebratory evening that will include a red carpet, swag bags and fine entertainment on May 8, 2016, at The Smith Center. The festive invitation-only show, which is the culminating event of Teacher Appreciation Week, will be marked by a grand presentation where approximately 20 teachers will be awarded $5,000 in appreciation for their outstanding efforts.

To pledge support, contact Tanja Brennan at 702-749-2342 or tbrennan@thesmithcenter.com. For more information, visit thesmithcenter.com/theheartofeducation.

ACLUNV announces sex education essay contest

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada is hosting a sex education essay competition for Clark County students attending public schools. Specific limits within the district's current sex education program, student exclusion and delays in updating the curriculum, prompted the ACLUNV to create an opportunity for students to express themselves freely about their perspectives on sex education.

ACLUNV encourages students in grades nine through 12 to write a 600- to 750-word essay explaining their needs and perspectives about what sex education should be. Students should provide perspective in their essays on who should receive sex education, what sex education should include, what would make it more inclusive and effective, why sex education is important, what they did and did not learn in their previous sex education class, what they wish they had learned, and how sex education can be taught more effectively in schools.

Essays will be accepted until Sept. 18. Winners will be announced publicly Oct. 5. Scholarships totaling $10,000 will be awarded, with $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $2,000 for third place.

Visit aclunv.org/sexedsay.

Tutoring services available

Local business owner and English as a second language teacher Munazza Abbas is offering tutoring services through Zain Learning Center, for $5 to $10 per hour. Services offered include instruction in English as a second language, general learning needs, job searching and resume writing, as well as test preparation including high school proficiency and GED, Core Academic Skills for Educators and PLT, Graduate Record Exam preparation and Test of Essential Academic Skills.

Visit zainlc.com or call 702-882-1068.

Track Break Club planned for year-round students at Midbar Kodesh Temple

A Track Break Club for students who will be attending year-round schools is set to begin in August at Midbar Kodesh Temple, 1940 Paseo Verde Parkway. Students ages 5 to 12 are welcome to join in the camp-like fun, which will also include math, science, reading and computer technology. The club will coincide with the Clark County School District's year-round school calendar. Before- and after-care options are available.

Catholic Daughters offering scholarship for Bishop Gorman student

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Nevada State Court is offering a one-time scholarship of $720 to Bishop Gorman High School for a Catholic girl entering as a freshman in 2015. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 1.

Email State Regent Jina Couvrette at cdascholarshipnv@cox.net.

International Experience USA seeks host families 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.

4-H membership drive planned for October

The 4-H youth development program plans its annual membership drive during October. The program, offered throughout the Las Vegas Valley, focuses primarily on positive youth development and is open to all youths 5 to 19.

Visit http://www.unce.unr.edu/4H/.