Education notebook

Students at 27 partner schools read more than 1.5 million pages during Nevada Reading Week, Feb. 27 to March 2, as part of Spread the Word Nevada’s Pennies for Pages fundraiser. Clark County School District students from at-risk elementary schools read books to raise money through sponsorships. Students raised $5,500, which will be used to purchase more books for students’ home libraries.

For more information or to donate, visit spreadthewordnevada.org.

NEVADA PTA TO HOST ANNUAL CONVENTION

The Nevada PTA’s 72nd annual convention is scheduled from April 26-28 at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane in North Las Vegas. Local PTA members are welcome to attend workshops, presentations and a banquet, and vote on bylaws and amendments. For more information, visit nevadapta.org.

SPRING BREAK ACTING CAMP OPEN TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre plans to host a Spring Break Drama Workshop for students in second through sixth grades. The workshops are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 2-6 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. A final performance for families is scheduled for April 7.

Students will participate in theater games, acting exercises, improvisation and rehearsals taught by Rainbow Company staff members and guest instructors. The camp costs $135, and registration is open until full or March 31.

For more information, call 229-6553 or visit artslasvegas.org.

CROSSING GUARD ESSAY CONTEST OPEN TO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

The Clark County School District is accepting submissions through April 11 for the My Favorite Crossing Guard Essay Contest. Students in first through fifth grades are eligible to participate.

Winning students and their teachers will receive prizes to be determined. Crossing guards in the winning essays will be recognized at a September event.

Two available topics are: "Who is your favorite crossing guard and why?" and "Why are crossing guards important and how can they help students?"

Essays must be one page or less, typed or handwritten. A small drawing can be included on the page but is not required. The back of the page should include the student’s name, teacher’s name, school, grade and crossing guard’s name.

Entries must be submitted through school mail to Cheryl Wagner, School-Community Partnership Program, location 145. For more information, contact Wagner at 799-6560.

CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT HOSTS PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

The Clark County School District is accepting submissions through April 12 for its 45th annual photography contest.

Categories include architecture and cityscapes; animals or living things in nature; people, candid or fashion; special techniques or computer manipulation; and unclassified for anything not fitting into other categories.

Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners in each category. A Canon Rebel T3 camera will be awarded to the overall best photo.

Student entries can be unlimited. Entries must be original photos taken by the student. Previous years’ submissions are ineligible. Photos must be a minimum of 5 inches by 7 inches and a maximum of 11 inches by 14 inches. All submissions must be mounted on an 11-inch by 14-inch board.

Entries may be sent through school mail, location code 012, or dropped off at the district’s communications office, 5100 W. Sahara Ave.

Each photo must be clearly labeled on the back with the student’s name, school, grade, teacher or adviser name, photo category and title.

For more information, contact Michele Nelson at 799-5304.

DARNELL ELEMENTARY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN

Darnell Elementary School, 9480 W. Tropical Parkway, is accepting applications for its full-day, tuition-based kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year. The full-day program is set to run from 9 a.m. to 3:21 p.m. Monday through Friday and costs $375 per month. Children must be 5 years old by Sept. 30.

Registration runs through April 27. For more information, call 799-6630.

MARTINEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO HOST FREE MEDICAL CLINICS

Clinics in Schools will offer free immunizations and medical services for uninsured children through March at Martinez Elementary School, 350 Judson Ave., and Cunningham Elementary School, 4145 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Clinics at Martinez are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday, March 27 and 30; and from 1 to 5 p.m. March 28.

Clinics at Cunningham are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Monday and March 29; and from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday.

No appointments are necessary, but a limited number of children can be seen each day. Parents are asked to bring any immunization records. For more information, call 770-7611.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS OF NORWEGIAN DESCENT

The Sons of Norway’s Vegas Viking Lodge is accepting applications for scholarships for high school seniors of Norwegian descent. The number of scholarships awarded will be based on funds available from upcoming fundraisers and private donations. Four scholarships of $450 were awarded last year.

Winners will be chosen based on grades, financial need, involvement in extracurricular activities and an essay. Applications are available at vegasviking.com/scholarship.

Contributions to the scholarship fund also are being accepted. For more information, contact Suzan Sibert at 645-6666.

MEDICAL SKILLS FOR LIFE INSTITUTE GIVING DISCOUNTS ON TUITION

The Medical Skills for Life Institute is offering 10 $5,000 and $500 tuition grants to the first 20 students who enroll and are accepted through June 30 for the medical assistant or phlebotomist program.

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 www.medicalskillsforlife. com.