Education Notebook

Students in Valley High School’s magnet program, the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, visited the Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin last month to learn about the operation of a casino property. The Academy is a collaborative effort among the National Academy Foundation, the Clark County School District and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Valley High School is at 2839 Burnham Ave.

Budget cuts to clark county schools not as severe as expected

The Clark County School District will receive $250 million more than originally expected for the 2011-12 school year after the Nevada Legislature approved more funding for education. The district was preparing for more than $400 million in budget cuts, which would have caused an increase in class sizes by two or three students and layoffs of more than 1,800 positions. A $150 million gap still exists, and the district plans to cut about 600 positions but hopes to reduce the proposed class-size hikes. Funding for textbooks, administrative budgets, teacher compensation and other expenses are still expected to be cut.

School District recognized

The Clark County School District was named one of the best communities for music education in America for the 11th consecutive year by the National Association of Music Merchants. The Institute for Educational Research and Public Service works with NAMM each year to recognize school districts nationwide. CCSD was one of 172 districts honored.

University of Phoenix offers Flex Net program for MBA degree

The University of Phoenix’s new Flex Net program for its Masters in Business Administration degree combines two classroom meetings and five online sessions in a six-week course.

The in-person meetings occur from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays at the beginning and end of the course. Students can contact the instructor during the online portion to receive assignments and ask questions.

For more information or to register, call 638-7279.

Nevada Virtual Academy
enrolling for fall

Nevada Virtual Academy, an online public charter school, is enrolling students for 2011-12 school year.

NVVA offers curriculum for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. English, math, science, history, music and art courses are at the elementary and middle school levels. The high school program offers more than 200 core, elective and Advanced Placement courses, including foreign language.

For more information, visit k12.com/nvva.

INSTITUTE TO GIVE GRANTS
TO PROSPECTIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANTS

The Medical Skills for Life Institute is offering 10 $2,000 scholarships and 10 $500 tuition grants to the first 20 students who are enrolled and accepted to the institute through Sept. 1. These scholarships are for people looking to become medical assistants or phlebotomists.

For more information, call 645-7900 and ask for the admissions department from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit medicalskillsforlife.com.

Teachers can seek funding online
for class projects

Local schoolteachers can apply for donations for classroom projects through donorschoose.org.

The nonprofit website, founded in 2000, allows public school teachers to describe specific educational projects for students, and donors choose the projects they want to support. More than 160,000 teachers have secured more than $71 million worth of books, art supplies and technology resources.

Locally, more than 150 teachers have used the website to secure more than $119,000 in funding. Teacher Leanna Kromer from O’Callaghan Middle School, 1450 Radwick Drive, has funded eight classroom projects totaling more than $2,000 since January.

World Heritage Student Exchange
seeks host families

The World Heritage Student Exchange program is seeking host families in the Las Vegas Valley for high school boys and girls.

Couples, single parents and families with or without children are welcome to apply. Students can be hosted for a semester or for a school year.

For more information, call 800-888-9040 or email info@world-heritage.org.

Post reunion information
on school district’s website

Clark County School District alumni who are planning a high school reunion may post information on the Clark County School District’s website, ccsd.net/schools/reunions.

Email any important reunion information to dsheehan@interact.ccsd.net, and it will be posted.