School news and events for Oct. 22-28, 2015
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.
Nevada green school summit held: The 2015 Nevada Green Schools STEM Summit was held Oct. 10 at West Career & Technical Academy. Hosted by the US Green Building Council — Nevada Chapter, Desert Research Institute GreenPower Program and Green Our Planet with more than 200 K-12 Education stakeholders, policy makers, community organizations and green building industry professionals attending. The event focused on the future of education, sustainability and building a healthy, local food system and developing strategies to incorporate sustainability into STEM-based curriculum that is experiential and utilizes green classroom environments, school gardens and indoor agriculture to promote innovative, place-based learning. Keynote speakers included Dale Erquiaga, chief strategy officer for Gov. Brian Sandoval, Jenny Wiedower, National K’12 manager, US Green Building Council Center for Green Schools, and Stephen Ritz, founder of Green Bronx Machine.
Check presentation: Allegiant presented a $25,000 check to the Nevada affiliate of Communities In Schools of Nevada, a dropout prevention and intervention program, with assistance from Rancho High School's aviation program on Oct. 9. The check, which will benefit CIS of Nevada students at Rancho High School, was passed from the Allegiant team to representatives of CIS of Nevada via drone delivery, in acknowledgement of the achievements of the school's aviation program.
Hispanic leadership summit: Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly hosted his 12th annual Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit Oct. 9 at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 Lake Mead Blvd. More than 225 students from 11 area high schools attended the summit, which featured workshops focused on social responsibility, goal setting and health. The workshops were led by local business, law enforcement and civic leaders. High schools included Advanced Technologies Academy, Cheyenne, Canyon Springs, Desert Pines, Eldorado, Las Vegas, Rancho, Sunrise, Western, West Preparatory Academy and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.
Community partnership celebration: Station Casinos' executives joined Clark County School District Deputy Superintendent Kim Wooden and principals representing the 10 Smart Start elementary schools at a breakfast reception at Red Rock Resort Oct. 12 to celebrate the 15-year community partnership. Each of the 10 school principals were presented with a $10,000 donation to support the valley's most challenged schools and children.
Dream Big Teacher Challenge: Across America, Farmers Insurance has set the stage for a national competition for 15 Dream Big Teacher Challenge finalists competing for one of six $100,000 educational grants to help bring their proposals to life. Through Oct. 31, America can determine which of these teachers will be among the six winners of the $100,000 Dream Big Teacher Challenge, by voting online daily. Additionally, Farmers will announce up to six $100,000 educational grants in December to the two proposals with the highest vote count in its three operating zones in the Western, Central and Eastern United States. Western finalists include Laura Denue of Desert Pines High School with A Pathway from Garden to Table, a proposal 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. To vote, visit thankamericasteachers.com.
City National Bank accepting grant applications: City National Bank today announced that it is accepting applications for grants to support literacy and financially-based literacy projects at public and private elementary, middle and high schools in five states. Administered through City National's Reading is The way up literacy program, this year's program will award up to $75,000 in both literacy and financial literacy grants. Any full-time teacher, librarian or administrator at schools in the five states where the bank has offices is eligible to apply. Visit readingisthewayup.org.
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.
Scholarship applications sought: The Meadows School offers a private grant scholarship for five students entering kindergarten who are from underprivileged households, with all-expenses-paid tuition from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, amounting to nearly $260,000 per child by the time each one graduates. The scholarship deadline is Nov. 2. Call 702-254-1610.
Community awards: The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards has begun its search for Nevada's top youth volunteers of 2016. The annual national awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, honors students in grades 5-12 who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service. The top middle and high school volunteer in every state each receive $1,000, a silver medallion and an all-expenses-paid trip with a parent to Washington, D.C., for several days of national recognition events. State-level runners-up receive bronze medallions or Certificates of Excellence. Through Nov. 3, middle and high school students are invited to apply for 2016 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards at spirit.prudential.com.
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.
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.
4-H membership drive: 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/.
