Education

Foothill High band celebrates news it'll march in 2014 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: April 12, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; Each Thanksgiving Day for as long as he could remember, Nicolas Zelidon would tune into the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television to watch the great spectacle unfold. Gigantic balloons, big-name celebrities and flashy marching bands from across the country all marching the two-and-a-half miles in the heart of New York City in celebration of the most American of holidays: Thanksgiving. The 16-year-old Foothill High School sophomore would watch the parade but never thought in a million years he would ever march in it.

Money OK'd to bring in 150 more Teach for America educators to CCSD: April 11, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; The Clark County School Board unanimously approved a $300,000 contract on Thursday to hire 150 additional Teach for America educators for next school year, representing a 50 percent increase in TFA teachers in the School District.

Interim CCSD chief Skorkowsky scores $65,000 raise: April 11, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; Interim Clark County Schools Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky is getting a 45 percent raise to lead the nation's fifth-largest school district. Skorkowsky — who has 25 years of experience in the district — will be paid a base annual salary of $186,000.

The president's budget and you: Obama's proposals that should catch Nevadans' attention: April 11, 2013; By Karoun Demirjian; President Barack Obama’s budget, unveiled Wednesday, came along too late in the year to dramatically change the course of budget discussions about fiscal 2014. The president’s budget raises a few elements that Nevadans might want to think about.

Former UNLV leader on short list for presidency at New Mexico State: April 10, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; David Ashley, the embattled former president of UNLV, has been named a finalist for president of New Mexico State University. A presidential search committee on Tuesday delivered the names of five finalists – including Ashley – to the New Mexico board of regents.

53 CCSD schools to offer full-time kindergarten in 2013-14 — for a price: April 10, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; The Clark County School District is now accepting applications for tuition-based, full-day kindergarten at 53 schools next year. Since the mid-2000s, the School District has offered full-day kindergarten at some elementary schools with the resources and space to offer it. Parents can pay $375 a month to keep their 5- and 6-year-old children in school for an additional three hours a day. The tuition – which comes out to about $3,100 a year – funds teacher salaries and facilities, and also includes a $100 registration fee.

Legislators hear pros, cons of Sandoval's school choice bill: April 9, 2013; By Cy Ryan; Gov. Brian Sandoval’s bill to give tax breaks to companies that donate to private and religious schools was applauded by school choice advocates Tuesday but opposed by the state’s teachers union and school boards.

Hundreds of Las Vegas area schools conducting earthquake drills: April 9, 2013; By William D'Urso; Las Vegas area schools will conduct earthquake drills today to help students learn how to protect themselves if disaster strikes. Conducted by the Clark County Fire Department, the drills will cover about 450 schools.

CCSD high school graduation rates among lowest in Nevada: April 8, 2013; By Cy Ryan; The Clark County School District is near the bottom in Nevada in the percentage of students who graduate after four years of high school.

School Board hosting community meetings for input on superintendent search: April 8, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; The Clark County School Board is hosting 12 community meetings in April and May to get public input on the search for a new superintendent.

Nevada getting $3.8 million to aid struggling schools: April 8, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; Nevada is receiving $3.8 million in federal grant money to implement “turnaround” efforts at more low-performing schools. The Silver State is one of 13 states awarded School Improvement Grant funding for next school year.

5 most common communicable diseases reported in Clark County schools: April 8, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; Even though they are often seen as incubators of communicable diseases, schools can play a profound role in maintaining public health. Before a child can enroll in school, parents must vaccinate them for a number of infectious diseases. From a young age, schoolchildren are taught to be vigilant about washing their hands. In later grades, students are required to take gym and health classes to learn about healthy living.

Hands-on learning: After vocational school, students can hit the ground running: April 8, 2013; By Paul Delos Santos; Interactive learning is far from a foreign concept in Southern Nevada. An Internet search for local vocational schools yields a long list of results. Valley schools offer classes in bartending, gaming, jewelry repair, cooking, Web design and more.

Reading and writing and reefer: 'Budtender School' to open in Las Vegas: April 5, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; While Nevada lawmakers debate the merits of legalizing marijuana, one company is looking at opening the state's first medical marijuana school this month. The Budtender School is expected to have its grand opening on April 13. Created by the Cannabis Career Institute, the school will teach students how to establish and maintain a successful and legal medical marijuana dispensary business.

School District's funding influx clears way for new teacher hires, school buses: April 3, 2013; By Paul Takahashi; The Clark County School Board approved increased funding for new teacher hires and school buses on Wednesday.

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