CCSD had some positive announcements about good things happening at our local schools. The School District has been cracking down on bullying (including cyber-bullying) and is now targeting tolerance, acceptance and literacy. Please take note of the following announcements, and applaud our students' (and teacher's!) initiative:

Foothill HS takes part in "Create! Don't Hate!"

"Create! Don't Hate" is a mentoring program for high school students in the Las Vegas area in partnership with Design Ignites Change and the Art Institute of Las Vegas. Graphic designers -- professionals and college students -- were matched with high school students from Foothill High School. The students worked one-on-one with mentors from the community to create posters on tolerance and acceptance that later on could become billboards throughout the city. On Thursday, some 400 Foothill students will vote for their favorite posters.

"Jump Rope for Heart" at Manch ES

The Cannery Casino and Hotel is sponsoring more than 700 students and staff that will be jumping rope at Jacob E. Manch Elementary School by donating $1,000 to the American Heart Association’s “Jump Rope for Heart” campaign. The “Jump Rope for Heart” campaign is aimed at promoting exercise and heart health education. The event will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Jacob E. 

Manch Elementary School, 4351 N. Lamont St., Las Vegas.

New books for Gibson Middle School

At 9 a.m., on Feb. 22nd, the Public Education Foundation’s literacy program, Clark County READS, provided more than 1,100 new nonfiction books to the Robert O. Gibson Middle School library thanks to a generous donation made by Wyndham Vacation Ownership and the company’s Wishes by Wyndham philanthropic program. 

Gibson Middle School is located at 3900 W. Washington in Las Vegas

CCSD Student selected as deligate for the 2011 Children's Congress through Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Jacqi Hammel, a student at AMSAT, was selected from 1200 applicants as one of the 150 delegates for the 2011 Children's Congress through Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She will travel to Washington, D.C. in June to speak with Congress about continuing to fund research for Type 1 diabetes. As part of the awareness campaign for Type 1 diabetes, Jacqi will also appear in many advertisements across the nation promoting the Diabetes Reseach Foundation. (see end of article for additional news on JDRF)

14 CCSD Magnet Schools reach the top

Fourteen Clark County School District schools have been recognized by Magnet Schools of America as top magnet schools in the United States for 2010-11. 

Each year the Magnet Schools of Merit Award is presented to the magnet schools that show commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, successful desegregation/diversity efforts, and the consistent delivery of quality services to all stakeholders. 

The top category, awarded to a group of select magnet schools, is the Magnet School of Excellence Award. The second category of awards is the Magnet School of Distinction Award. The third category is Honorable Mention. 

To be eligible for recognition, schools must be members of Magnet School of America and must have submitted an application that is scored by a panel of educators. 

Congratulations to the following CCSD Magnet Schools of Merit Award recipients: 

Excellence 

The Academy of Math, Science and Technology at Jim Bridger Middle School

Distinction 

Advanced Technologies Academy 

East Career and Technical Academy 

Jo Mackey Academy of Leadership and Global Communication 

K.O. Knudson Middle School 

Mabel Hoggard Math/Science Elementary Magnet School 

Northwest Career and Technical Academy 

Rancho High School (Aviation) 

Rancho High School (Pre-Med/Biotech) 

Sandy Searles Miller IB World School 

Walter Bracken Magnet Empowerment School for Math and Science through Technology 

Honorable Mention

Canyon Springs High School and the Leadership and Law Preparatory Academy 

Ed. W. Clark High School (A.M.S.A.T.) 

Hyde Park Middle School and the Academy of Science and Mathematics

One more note on the subject of Juvenile Diabetes

Friday, May 7

JDRF’S HOPE GALA: IMAGINE at Mandalay Bay. 

Benefits: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

Terry Fador (and - perhaps - board member Clint Holmes) will provide entertainment.

Phone 732.4795 for tickets. www.jdrflv.org