Work on safety in schools honored

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2001 | 8:24 a.m.

Two programs recently honored good work in Clark County schools.

At a special event Friday, Z-Squared (Zero-Weapons/Zero Violence), a program aimed at reducing violence and weapons in schools, honored local organizations and public departments that work to make school safer.

Fifteen entities -- including Clark County School District Police, Metro Police, the FBI and BEST Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Nevada -- received awards.

Participants also announced the creation of a new hotline that people can call to report incidents involving firearms. They can use the line, for instance, to report a stolen or lost gun.

The event took place at Desert Pines High School.

Wal-Mart honored 11 teachers of the Las Vegas Valley at a ceremony Oct. 9.

The retail company presented a total of $8,000 in checks to the schools of the local teachers selected for its Teacher of the Year program.

Wal-Mart also made a donation and gave a plaque in memory of Barbara Edwards, a Palo Verde High School teacher killed in the Sept. 11 hijacking of the airliner that was crashed into the Pentagon.

One of the 11 teachers honored, Christine Mackenzie, who works at Parson Elementary, received a special recognition. She is this year's state teacher of the year.