School news and events for Sept. 24-30, 2015

Scholarship applications: The Meadows School offers a private grant scholarship that offers five students entering kindergarten who are from underprivileged households an all-expense-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.

State of the College Address: Nevada State College President Bart Patterson is to present his State of the College Address at 4 p.m. Sept. 24 in the auditorium of the new Nursing, Science and Education Building at the college, 1041 E. Paradise Hills Drive, and kick off a grand opening celebration for its newly expanded campus. In addition to the campus expansion, Patterson will discuss other recent accomplishments, along with his vision for the college and upcoming campus events. RSVP to events@nsc.edu by Sept. 21.

Fall Back Into School dance: Pinecrest Academy of Nevada, 1360 S. Boulder Highway, is hosting the dance, set for Sept. 25 from 4 to 5:15 p.m. for fourth- and fifth-graders and from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. Tickets are $7 at the door. Food, music, DJ Tony and more are planned. Students must follow Pinecrest dress code and code of conduct.

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.

Business strategy classes: 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. The topic for Sept. 30 is Marketing Strategies; for Oct. 7, Business & Marketing Development; and for Oct. 14, Project Pitches & Certification. Class size is limited. To sign up, contact Darren Harris at 702-229-6862 or dmharris@lasvegasnevada.gov.

Catholic Daughters scholarship: 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.

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.

College night workshop: 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.

Think Green & Clean Contest: Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing is partnering with the Clark County School District to encourage students to participate in its third annual Think Green & Clean Contest. Eligible participants, who must be legal U.S. citizens and enrolled in grades kindergarten through 12 in the school district, are invited to submit ideas on how to conserve water, energy or both in their community. Entries are due by 5 p.m. Oct. 16. Minor entrants are required to submit with a parental consent form. Winning entries will be awarded cash prizes. Written essays, drawings or models will be accepted. Projects must be submitted to the participant's teacher, by email to yesthinkclean@boltpr.com, or via mail to 501 Elm St., Suite 450, Dallas, Texas, 75202. For details, visit yesairconditioningandheating.com or call 949-701-3443.

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.

Nevada Title Co. makes donation: The Nevada Title Co. and its affiliate Nevada Construction Services delivered school supplies to Earl Elementary School, 1463 Marion Drive, Sept. 18 as part of a 16-year partnership with the Clark County School District Focus School Project. The companies collected items through employee and community donations, including backpacks, paper, erasers, pencils, binders and crayons. Travel-size toiletries for the students, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant and lotion, also were collected.

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/.