Education notebook

LIBRARY DISTRICT WEBSITE OFFERS TUTORING FOR STUDENTS

Students can get homework help on the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District’s website, lvccld.org. Select "Homework Help" under Quick Links on the Kids or Teens pages. A library card is required to access some services. Information on a variety of subjects is organized by subject and grade level. The Homework Help page also offers HelpNow, an online tutoring site that can connect students with a live tutor to help with English, math, science, social studies and writing. Students also can take practice standardized tests.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION TO OFFER GRANT WRITING CLASS

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension plans to present the Nuts and Bolts of Grant Writing, a one-day class, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 and Sept. 27 at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Road.

Nonprofit and government organization participants will learn how to develop a community needs assessment, set goals, write outcome objectives, create a working budget, develop a budget and a budget narrative. The class instructor is Pamela Kahn-Van Pelt, emeritus resource specialist for the Cooperative Extension. For those who have already attended the Nuts and Bolts class, an Advanced Grant Writing class is planned for Oct. 26. Space is limited. There is a $25 fee due the day of the class to cover materials.

To register, call 257-5502 or email ryanb@unce.unr.edu.

HELP PROMOTE LITERACY IN SCHOOLS THROUGH BUCKS FOR BOOKS CAMPAIGN

All Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf locations in the valley will accept donations through Sept. 18 as part of the Bucks For Books fundraising campaign to benefit the Public Education Foundation’s literacy initiative, Clark County READS.

The Public Education Foundation is a Las Vegas-based nonprofit group started in 1991 to improve schools. For more information, visit thepef.org.

WIN YOUR SCHOOL A SHARE OF $20,000 ON FACEBOOK

Nevada State Bank plans to donate $20,000 to three public schools in the state that receive the most votes on the bank’s Facebook page. The Nevada State Bank $20K Giveaway: You Vote, Schools Win campaign is open through Oct. 14. To vote, "like" the Nevada State Bank page and you will be directed to a voting page. Voting is open to anyone with a Facebook profile, and there is a limit of one vote per day. First prize is $10,000, second is $6,000, and third is $4,000. The winning schools will be announced during the week of Oct. 24.

FREE COLLEGE APPLICATION, SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP SET FOR STUDENTS

The Henderson Blue Ribbon Commission has a college application and scholarship workshop scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21 at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway.

The program is free, and attendees (including parents) must RSVP by Monday by calling 267-4016.

The workshop will include information about applying to and preparing for college. The program is sponsored by the city of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department.

FUNDRAISER AT COMBAT ZONE PAINTBALL PLANNED TO ENCOURAGE KINDNESS

The Josh Stevens Foundation’s inaugural Joshi’s Jamboree is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at Combat Zone Paintball, 13011 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

Entry to the event is free, and paintball is $5 per person per game for those 10 or older. Tickets for food and other games will be on sale at the event.

The foundation was started by Drew and Barbara Stevens after their 12-year-old son Josh died in a golf cart accident in 2008. The foundation promotes random acts of kindness each month to honor "Joshi," as his parents called him.

For more information, visit joshstevensfoundation.org.

TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA TO HONOR STUDENTS AT RIO CEREMONY

Touro University Nevada’s White Coat Ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, to honor more than 220 students in osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies and physical therapy.

For more information about Touro University Nevada, 874 American Pacific Drive, visit tun.touro.edu or call 777-8687.

WHITNEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE NEW BACKPACKS, SUPPLIES

Students at Whitney Elementary School, 5005 Keenan Ave., received backpacks loaded with pencils, glue sticks and other school supplies during a presentation Aug. 31 at the school. The students, more than 85 percent of whom are homeless, also received soap, paper towels, tissues and other necessities for their families.

The donation was part of Station Casinos’ Smart Start school partnership program that assists 11 at-risk elementary schools across the valley.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS TO OFFER SAFEKEY REGISTRATION, PAYMENT ONLINE

The city of Las Vegas has begun offering registration and payment for the after-school Safekey program.

A pilot program will include 18 elementary school sites, but based on the success of the program, it could be expanded to 68 sites. Registration and payment are offered at individual sites and community centers, but the online program could save an estimated $185,000 in operating costs. This past year, more than 9,300 children were enrolled in the Safekey program.

During the pilot period, parents will still be able to make credit and debit card, check and money order payments at the pilot school sites.

For more information on the pilot program or to register your child, call the Safekey office at 229-2526 or visit lasvegasnevada.gov.

SPREAD THE WORD NEVADA HOSTING ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA

Spread the Word Nevada is scheduled to host its 10th Anniversary Storybook Gala at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

The Storybook Gala, "One Enchanted Evening," is the foundation’s largest annual fundraising event. The event will feature silent and live auctions, prize drawings, entertainment and dinner.

Spread the Word Nevada is a nonprofit group that donates books to disadvantaged children to help them create home libraries. Since 2001, nearly 200,000 local students have received more than 1.7 million books. Individual seats are $250, and various sponsorship levels are available.

For reservations and sponsorships, call Sherry Walker at 715-5699. For more information about Spread the Word Nevada, visit spreadthewordnevada.org.