Education notebook

FREE COLLEGE PREP COURSE COMING
TO SAHARA WEST LIBRARY

The Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave., has a college preparation lecture scheduled from 5:30 to
6:30 p.m. today to highlight strategies for applying to top-tier colleges.

The program is sponsored by the Princeton Review and Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and is free and open to the public.

For more information, call 734-2255.

CLARK COUNTY READS PROGRAM SEEKS VOLUNTEERS to help children

The Public Education Foundation is seeking volunteers to provide one-on-one help for children struggling with reading skills as part of the Clark County READS Reading Partner Program.

Each volunteer will have two children assigned to him. The reading partner and child will read to each other for 30 minutes once a week.

A two-hour orientation is required. Volunteers will be trained in techniques that help build a child's comprehension skills and reading fluency while instilling a love of reading.

The program runs for 12 weeks, from January through April during regular school hours.

Volunteers must be able to commit for the duration of the program, which will take place at 20 schools in the Clark County School District.

For more information, call 799-1042 or email info@ccpef.org.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFERS OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2012-13 SCHOOL YEAR

The Clark County School District is accepting applications through Friday for its Open Enrollment program, which allows students to attend a school outside their zone.

Families can apply at ccsd.net and find a list of schools with space available.

Students selected for Open Enrollment will attend their new schools beginning in the 2012-13 school year.

Students are responsible for transportation to and from the school. This is the district's second year offering the program.

For more information, visit ccsd.net.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL RECEIVES
IPADS AND GIFT CARDS

Global Experience Specialists, a local event management business, last month donated 10 iPads and 10 $50 iTunes gift cards to Miller School for Special Education, 1905 Atlantic St.

The school is a special-needs-only campus for students ages 3 to 22. The iPads are expected to be used for educational applications among the students.

MOMMY & ME WEST PLANS PRESCHOOL EXPO

Mommy & Me West plans to host its 14th annual Preschool Expo from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave. The free expo includes vendors and representatives from more than 25 area preschools. Parents will have an opportunity to learn more about each school through interviews. A raffle, light refreshments and a supervised craft for children will be available. For more information, call 307-6667 or visit mommyandmewest.org.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS
TO CONSERVE WILDLIFE

The National Environmental Education Foundation is offering $1,000 grants to high school students to implement wildlife conservation projects in their schools or communities. The grants are offered by the foundation's Planet Connect program, a youth engagement initiative.

For more information, visit planetconnect.org/2012wcgrants. Applications are due Feb. 1.

FREE BOWLING OFFERED FOR GOOD GRADES

Students with A's and B's on their report cards can receive free games of bowling at the bowling centers at the Gold Coast, Sam's Town and the Suncoast. Boyd Gaming's Making the Grade program will award two free games for every A and one free game for every B.

The program is open to all elementary, middle and high school students. A report card and registration in Kidz Klub, a free bowling rewards program, is required.

Free games can be used from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, based on availability. There is a limit of one free game daily. Additional games are $1 each, and shoe rental is $1. A parent or guardian is required for children 12 or younger.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO ITALIAN STUDENTS

The Sons of Italy Las Vegas Lodge 2158 is accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors of Italian descent. The lodge will award $500 scholarships to students pursuing a college education. Awards will be based on grades, school activities, community service and an essay. Applications are available at sonsofitalylasvegas.com and are due April 1. For more information, call 896-1987.

Other scholarships for students of Italian descent are being offered by the Grand Lodge of California at sonsofitalyca.org. Applications are due March 1.

The Sons of Italy Foundation offers 10 to 12 merit-based scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 as part of a nationwide competition. For more information, visit osia.org/students/scholarships. Applications are due Feb. 28.

READING PROGRAM NEEDS MENTORS
FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Spread the Word Nevada's reading mentor program, Books and Buddies, is seeking volunteers to help students in kindergarten through fifth grade improve reading proficiency. Spread the Word Nevada matches adult mentors with elementary students at 26 at-risk schools.

Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of one hour per week for 12 weeks. Training will be provided, and background checks are required.

For more information, call volunteer coordinator Libbi Erickson at 564-7809 or email libbi@spreadthewordnevada.org.