Education Notebook, Feb. 11-17

LAS VEGAS PROM CLOSET COLLECTING DRESSES

The Las Vegas Prom Closet is collecting new and gently used prom dresses and accessories for its Operation Glass Slipper program. The dresses will be distributed to local high school students who wish to attend prom but cannot afford the expense.

Dresses are set to be given out from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 22 at Stitch Factory, 300 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Suite 120. Students will be required to show a valid student ID to pick out a dress.

For more information, call 702-900-7766.

CLARK COUNTY STUDENTS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN ENERGY CONSERVATION CONTEST

Yes! Air Conditioning & Plumbing Services is partnering with the Clark County School District’s Community Partnership Program for the first Yes! Think Green Contest.

Elementary, middle and high school students are encouraged to think about raise awareness of energy conservation by submitting energy-saving ideas in the form of a written essay, drawing or model. Entries will be accepted through March 1, and cash prizes will be awarded in three categories based on school level. Yes! also plans to donate $500 to the school with the most student participation.

Email entries to yesthinkgreen@boltpr.com.

LIFE TIME FITNESS EVENT TO RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

The Life Time Foundation Jam is planned to begin at 9 a.m. Feb. 15 at Life Time Fitness, 10721 W. Charleston Blvd.

The Jam, presented in partnership with Toyota, will help raise money for the Life Time Foundation’s Back2Basics school lunch program. Toyota will donate $1 per participant at the Jam, which will have Life Time instructors leading a spin class for the cause. Nonmembers pay $30.

For more information, call 702-228-2611.

ROSEMAN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES TO BECOME TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUS

Roseman University of Health Sciences is expected to transition to a tobacco-free campus July 1, according to President Renee Coffman.

The university’s board of trustees approved at a December meeting the policy prohibiting smoking and the use of all tobacco products on all campuses and buildings.

Roseman has campuses in Henderson and Summerlin, along with a campus in Utah.

For more information, visit roseman.edu.

MIRACLE MILE SHOPS COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT

The Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood Resort, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is collecting donations in its fountain throughout February for Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, the local chapter of the world’s largest provider of financial education for students in grades kindergarten through 12.

All change tossed in the fountain and the center’s indoor rainstorm will be donated to the nonprofit organization.

FASHION SHOW SALUTES YOUTH VOLUNTEERS WITH RUNWAY SHOW

More than 30 students from National Charity League and the Young Men’s Service League are set to be honored for their community service by participating in a special runway show at Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The show is scheduled at 1 and 3 p.m. Feb. 22 and will display fashions from Dillard’s. The show is free for the public to attend.

SPRINGS PRESERVE TO HOST WRITING COMPETITION AND EXHIBIT

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and the Springs Preserve have partnered with The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers to host the Southern Nevada Regional Competition and exhibit. Springs Preserve visitors can view award-winning artwork from local students in grades 7-12 in formats including painting, photography, sculpture and digital design.

The exhibit is in the Big Springs Gallery of the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., and is free for Springs Preserve members and included with paid general admission.

The exhibit is set to be displayed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through March 2. For more information about the Springs Preserve, visit springspreserve.org.

THE SMITH CENTER RECEIVES $100,000 GRANT FROM DISNEY FOR MUSICALS IN SCHOOLS PROGRAM

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., has received a $100,000 grant from Disney to fund the Disney Musicals in Schools program, an outreach initiative to create sustainable theater programs in elementary schools.

The grant allowed The Smith Center to launch the program in six high-need schools. Each participating school presented a performance for family and friends, and on Feb. 4, The Smith Center hosted a culminating Student Share Celebration where each school performed a selection from its show.

The Smith Center will select five new schools to participate during the 2014-15 school year. Disney KIDS musicals are about 30 minutes in length and have been adapted from classic Disney films such as “Sleeping Beauty” and “101 Dalmatians.”

BISHOP GORMAN ATHLETES SIGN LETTERS OF INTENT

Seventeen student-athletes at Bishop Gorman High School, 5959 S. Hualapai Way, signed letters of intent Feb. 5 to play sports at 15 colleges and universities across the country.

Signing letters of intent for football were Tryson Mook (Colorado Mesa University), Armand Perry (Arizona State University), Zach Singer (Kent State University), Dylan Weldon (Columbia University), Nick Gates (University of Nebraska), Ismail Segura (Graceland University), Kenyan Coker (Graceland University) and Riley Hoff (Colorado School of Mines). Randall Cunningham signed with USC for track and field. Signing for women’s soccer were Charlotte Brascia (University of Arizona), Kalia Brinkman (UNLV) and Claire Standaert (Vassar College). Sean Keith signed with UNLV for men’s soccer. Signing for men’s lacrosse were Steven Coyle (Trine University) and Zach Taylor (Depauw University). Signing for women’s swimming were Kasey Marks (St. Francis University) and Catie Miller (Duke University).

COUNTY TO OFFER SUMMER BUSINESS INSTITUTE JOBS FOR TEENS

Current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors can apply for the Clark County Summer Business Institute. The partnership between Clark County, the Clark County School District and more than 80 area businesses provides selected teenagers internship opportunities in a variety of fields including law, medicine, architecture, education and communications. Applications can be accessed at clarkcountynv.gov in the Human Resources Department section.

County staff members are to select 120 students who will be paid $8.25 an hour to work eight-hour days Monday through Thursday. Friday the students will learn skills in financial management and civic engagement. Participants may be eligible for college scholarships.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 28. For more information, call 702-455-4565.

LEGAL AID CENTER TO HOST ORIENTATION FOR EDUCATIONAL SURROGATE PARENT PROGRAM

The nonprofit Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada plans to host an orientation and training meeting for the Educational Surrogate Parent Program from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27 at the center’s office, 725 E. Charleston Blvd. The program trains volunteers to serve as parents for children with disabilities in the foster care system.

Interested volunteers are invited to attend. No experience is necessary, only a desire to be an advocate for foster children. Training and support will be provided throughout the life of a volunteer’s assigned case. Employees of the Clark County School District and social workers are prohibited by law from volunteering.

For more information or to sign up for training, email surrogates@lacsn.org or call 702-386-1070, ext. 1446.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN STEM CONFERENCE

Students from Harney Middle School, 4450 S. Ridgeville St., participated in a half-day conference on Jan. 31 at the Cheyenne campus of the College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., designed to promote careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). There were approximately 120 seventh- and eighth-graders who had the opportunity to interact with professionals who have STEM-related careers, according to Richard Lake, CSN public information officer.

The STEM Conference was a collaborative effort between CSN, the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, Clark County School District’s GEAR UP Program and the Nevada System of Higher Education.

SCHOOL DISTRICT SEX EDUCATION PANEL SEEKS APPLICANTS

The Clark County School District Board of Trustees’ Sex Education Advisory Committee is accepting applications through Feb. 14. The committee has positions for parents, religious figures, medical professionals, counselors and a female school district student.

The committee reviews, discusses and makes recommendations on all instructional classroom materials related to reproduction and sexual diseases.

Applications are available at tinyurl.com/ccsdsexed. Applications can be mailed to the school board trustees at 5100 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89146, or faxed to 702-799-0257.

UNLV OFFERS CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES

The UNLV Office of Continuing Education is offering courses this spring and summer for those interested in personal or professional development.

Professional certificate programs include paralegal, legal secretary, medical assistant, design, public relations, nonprofit management, human resources, fashion design, grant writing, personal training and more.

Continuing Education also offers courses in language, cooking, music and recreation.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNLV offers student-led classes to more than 1,300 retired and semiretired adults.

For full course listings or to register, visit continuingeducation.unlv.edu. For a copy of the course catalog, call 702-895-3394.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OFFERS GARDENING CLASSES FOR KIDS 7 TO 12

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Junior Master Gardener program is accepting registration for its eight-session, bi-weekly gardening class scheduled to start in February.

The eight-session program is open to students 7 to 12. Classes are scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon two Saturdays each month. The class fee is $50.

Students will experience hands-on gardening activities while learning about plants, soil, vegetables and more. Classes are scheduled at the Clark County Center for Urban Food Production near Horse Road and Decatur Boulevard and at the Lifelong Learning Center’s Outdoor Education Center near the 215 Beltway and Windmill Lane.

For more information or to register, email Karyn Johnson at johnsonk@unce.unr.edu or call 702-257-5523.

SCHOOL DISTRICT RELEASES 2014 GRADUATION SCHEDULE

The Clark County School District has released its 2014 high school graduation schedule, which can be found at tinyurl.com/ccsdgrad2014. Graduations are scheduled June 2-14, most of them at The Orleans or the Thomas & Mack Center.