Education notebook

KATZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARIAN WINS AWARD AND FUNDING FOR SCHOOL

Sharon Thomas, a librarian at Katz Elementary School, 1800 Rock Springs Drive, was named a Librarian of the Week by SuperPawn. She received $1,000 to be used to enhance the school's library and a piece of jewelry from National Jewelry Liquidation Center.

Librarians from Scott and Craig elementary schools in North Las Vegas and Sewell Elementary School in Henderson also were awarded. Librarians were nominated by their peers.

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS RECEIVES LARGE DONATION TO FEED STUDENTS

Communities in Schools of Nevada received $25,000 this month from Nevada State Bank. CISN donates food to the most needy students in at-risk communities during school and on weekends. NSB donated at least $25,000 to the program for the past three years.

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.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFERS OPEN ENROLLMENT

The Clark County School District is accepting applications through Jan. 6 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.

NORTH LAS VEGAS LIBRARIANS RECEIVE AWARD AND FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS

Tiffany Swallai, a librarian at Scott Elementary School, 5700 N. Bruce St., and librarian Michelle Zamora of Craig Elementary School, 2637 E. Gowan Road, were named a Librarian of the Week by SuperPawn. Each received $1,000 to be used to enhance the school's library and a piece of jewelry from National Jewelry Liquidation Center.

Librarians from Sewell Elementary School in Henderson and Katz Elementary School in Summerlin also were awarded. Librarians were nominated by their peers.

TATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS GET GIFTS ON WISH LISTS

More than 600 students at Tate Elementary School, 2450 Lincoln Road, received gifts from Wyndham Vacation Ownership. The gifts were specifically requested by students and purchased by Wyndham employees. Wyndham previously donated school supplies and clothing to students and nearly $6,000 to the school.

WHITNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS PLAY VIDEO GAMES AT SCHOOL

Students at Whitney Elementary School, 5005 Keenan Ave., got a chance to play video games at school as part of a holiday celebration sponsored by GameTruck Las Vegas, a mobile video game entertainment company. Few students at Whitney have the opportunity to play video games, as about 85 percent are homeless.

Students got to play in the truck's mobile video game theaters with four 55-inch TVs and more than 50 games to choose from on all major gaming consoles. Pre-kindergarten and first-graders played an educational video game as astronauts touring the solar system.

ARBOR VIEW HIGH SCHOOL HELPS OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY

The student council at Arbor View High School, 7500 Whispering Sands Drive, collected food donations and made Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. The school's Key Club donated more than 7,200 cans of food to The Salvation Army this month, and the school's International and French clubs collected, wrapped and donated toys to Booker Elementary School, 2277 Martin L. King Blvd.

HEWETSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLOSES GAP, WINS NATIONAL AWARD

Hewetson Elementary School, 701 N. 20th St., was one of four schools nationwide to win the ninth annual Dispelling the Myth Award presented by the Education Trust, an organization based in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes public schools that close the achievement gap among minorities.

Schools in Alabama, Michigan and New York also received the award.

SEWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARIAN WINS AWARD AND FUNDING FOR SCHOOL

Rebecca Hunt, a librarian at Sewell Elementary School, 700 E. Lake Mead Parkway, was named a Librarian of the Week by SuperPawn. She received $1,000 to be used to enhance the school's library and a piece of jewelry from National Jewelry Liquidation Center.

Librarians from Scott and Craig elementary schools in North Las Vegas and Katz Elementary School in Summerlin also were awarded. Librarians were nominated by their peers.

ROBOT DESIGN CONTEST OPEN TO CLARK COUNTY STUDENTS

National Security Technologies is offering education grants for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math programs. Grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners.

Teams must submit a written solution that addresses the following Robots In Real Life scenario:

"A four-room house has been flooded and has a very serious mold and mildew infestation. What kind of robot would your team design that could autonomously map the floors and walls for water, mold and mildew? Provide a design concept for the controls and sensors, and a sketch of the robot. Reports must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins, and four pages or less."

Applications, including a letter of recommendation, will be accepted through Dec. 29. For more information, visit nstec.com or call Mona Higgins at 295-5428 or Shari Morrison at 295-2843.

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.

FOSTER CHILDREN NEED TUTORS

Child Focus Academic Success Program is conducting tutor training for volunteers wishing to tutor a foster child in reading.

To register for the training class, call 436-1624.

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.