Education notebook

The Meadows School, 8601 Scholar Lane, plans to host an Upper School Admissions Open House for prospective students and parents from 6:30 to 8:10 p.m. Wednesday.

A brief informational session about the Upper School and its curriculum, procedures and policies is planned. Students and parents will rotate separately through a series of sessions with faculty members focusing on major academic, artistic, athletic and other extracurricular aspects of the program.

COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA RECEIVES $10,000 FOR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM

The College of Southern Nevada received a $10,000 grant this month from the Commission on Construction Education. The commission distributed a total of $27,900 to academic entities in the state.

CSN is partnering with national and regional professional associations, sponsors and local businesses to develop a Sustainable Construction Technology program. The grant will be applied toward educational supplies and materials.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO ITALIAN STUDENTS

The Sons of Italy Las Vegas Lodge 2158 is accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors of Italian descent. The Lodge will award $500 scholarships to students pursuing a college education. Awards will be based on grades, school activities, community service and an essay. Applications are available at sonsofitalylasvegas.com and are due April 1, 2012. For more information, call 896-1987.

Other scholarships for students of Italian descent are being offered by the Grand Lodge of California at sonsofitalyca.org. Applications are due March 1, 2012.

The Sons of Italy Foundation offers 10 to 12 merit-based scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 as part of a nationwide competition. For more information, visit osia.org/students/scholarships. Applications are due Feb. 28, 2012.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFERS OPEN ENROLLMENT

The Clark County School District is accepting applications through Jan. 6, 2012, for its Open Enrollment program, which allows students to attend a school outside their zone. Families can apply at ccsd.net and find a list of schools with space available.

Students selected for Open Enrollment will attend their new schools beginning in the 2012-13 school year. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the school. This is the district’s second year offering the program.

FOSTER CHILDREN NEED TUTORS

Child Focus Academic Success Program is conducting tutor training for volunteers wishing to tutor a foster child in reading.

To register, call 436-1624.

SOUTHWEST CAREER AND TECHNICAL ACADEMY FIGHTS BULLYING, WINS CONCERT

Students at Southwest Career and Technical Academy, 7050 W. Shelbourne Ave., won a live concert because the school had the most pledges to combat bullying.

Pop band Hot Chelle Rae performed at the school this month as part of the Flip the Script School Takeover Contest, which challenged students from every school to sign an online anti-bullying pledge.

Advertising agency R&R Partners started flipthescriptnow.org as a resource for students, parents and teachers to combat bullying.

SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL TO HOST YOUTH WRESTLING

Spring Valley High School has a youth wrestling program scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, beginning this week and continuing through February. The program is open to students 8 to 13.

Parents can register their child for $75 at any of the evening practices.

The school is at 3750 S. Buffalo Drive. For more information, call coach Fred Meyer at 580-3807.

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL TEACHERS

National Security Technologies is offering $50,000 in grants to schoolteachers for innovations in science, technology, engineering and math. These STEM Innovative Instruction grants are available to teachers in all grade levels.

There are no specific restrictions on the grant except that the money must be used in support of STEM programs and must be requested by a teacher. Requests will be accepted through Wednesday and can be submitted to nstecsupportseducation@nv.doe.gov. Awards will be announced Dec. 15.

For more information, contact Jennifer Mankins at 295-5247 or Shari Morrison at 295-2843.

READING PROGRAM NEEDS MENTORS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS

Spread the Word Nevada’s reading mentor program, Books and Buddies, is seeking volunteers to help students in kindergarten through fifth grade improve reading proficiency. Spread the Word Nevada matches adult mentors with elementary students at 26 at-risk schools.

Volunteers are asked to make a minimum commitment of one hour per week for 12 weeks. Training will be provided, and background checks are required.

For more information, call volunteer coordinator Libbi Erickson at 564-7809 or email libbi@spreadthewordnevada.org.

ESSAY CONTEST, $1,000 UP FOR GRABS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

The Bill of Rights Institute in Washington, D.C., is hosting a nationwide essay contest for all high school students, with cash prizes of up to $1,000.

The Being an American Essay Contest explores the founding principles outlined in the Constitution, specifically, "How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?"

Three students from each of five geographic regions will win first-, second- and third-place prizes. Essays should be 1,000 or fewer words.

For more information, visit billof rightsinstitute.org/contest. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 15.

ROBOT DESIGN CONTEST OPEN TO CLARK COUNTY STUDENTS

National Security Technologies is offering education grants for students interested in science, technology, engineering and math programs. Grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners.

Teams must submit a written solution that addresses the following Robots In Real Life scenario:

"A four-room house has been flooded and has a very serious mold and mildew infestation. What kind of robot would your team design that could autonomously map the floors and walls for water, mold and mildew? Provide a design concept for the controls and sensors, and a sketch of the robot. Reports must be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins, and four pages or less."

Applications, including a letter of recommendation, will be accepted through Dec. 29. For more information, visit nstec.com or call Mona Higgins at 295-5428 or Shari Morrison at 295-2843.