Author: CCSD News

Remarks from Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara regarding Arbor View High School at Thursday’s Board of School Trustees Meeting: We continue to hear from and communicate with the students and impacted families from Arbor View High School who were victimized by racially-motivated hate statements. We have heard outrage from the community, and I can tell you that the Trustees and I are outraged, as well. We can work together to ensure this does not happen again and our students all feel safe at school. I want to provide an update tonight on what is happening at the school, as well…

Alexiz Jenkins is Veterans Tribute Career and Technical Academy’s 2019 Star Graduate! Alexiz is by far one of the most influential students on campus at VTCTA. Her desire to succeed is evident in every aspect of her life. She excels academically, personally, socially and in the community. Alexiz is the founder and president of the Black Student Union. She organized a whole-school discussion about race and its importance in student identity as a means for improving the culture and climate on campus – a difficult discussion that Alexiz handled with grace and maturity. Alexiz’s impact on campus cannot be overstated…

Kayla Marshall is a senior at Desert Pines High School. She overcame the painful loss of her stepfather and the challenges of starting over with new friends to reach her goal of becoming the Class of 2019 valedictorian. Kayla has a GPA of 4.689, and has been awarded a full-ride scholarship to the Global Entrepreneurship Experience at the Lee Business School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kayla has been a very successful Academy of Communications Magnet student, with a double major in Sports and Entertainment Marketing and Radio Production. She participates in three Career and Technical Education student…

Green our Planet, the Clark County School District and Bank of Nevada will present the Biannual Student Farmers Market April 12, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Downtown Summerlin in Las Vegas. Billed as the largest student market in the U.S., the free event will feature approximately 500 students in Southern Nevada. Students run the market themselves, selling fruits and vegetables that are grown in school gardens and handmade crafts. The market is held every fall and spring. “Green Our Planet provides schools the opportunity to have gardens and STEM learning in an exciting way for Clark County…

One year ago, Centennial High School student Alexis Vargas Andrade was on spring break in Huntington Beach, when the car he was driving in was struck from behind by a drunk driver. The car then burst into flames. His friends, three other students from Centennial, were killed in the crash. Alexis was ejected and survived the crash. He received third degree burns to his hand, as well as burns to his face and hair. Although he left the hospital with no memory of the accident, the memories resurfaced over the following three months. He still struggles with the memories of…

Jayla Scott has seen it all. She has fought through housing and food insecurity, time in foster care, an unstable family life and so much more. But look at her now: She is a powerhouse of positivity and strength. She is generous and energetic, and she never stops. Because she has not always had it easy, she has a heart for those who struggle. And wow, is she accomplished. She is in the top of her graduating class, has served over 500 hours as a skilled volunteer at Sunrise Hospital, has revitalized East Career and Technical Academy’s Black Student Union…

In mid-March, Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara awarded the first Superintendent Challenge Coins to a dozen deserving Clark County School District employees. He surprised dedicated, hard-working CCSD employees who have demonstrated going above and beyond in making CCSD number one for kids. His first stop on March 14 was at the Education Services Division, where he distributed the Superintendent Challenge Coins to 11 CCSD employees who volunteered to stay late on Feb. 21, when Safekey programs closed early due to inclement weather. Those receiving the Superintendent Challenge Coins were: Jackie Castellanos, dispatcher Maritza Espinoza, attendance officer Pam Foltz, senior attendance…

Yosmerith Hoyos did not speak English before she started kindergarten, as her mother had immigrated to Las Vegas just a few years prior from Columbia. Despite early challenges, she persevered and went on to achieve academic success. She has excelled at Advanced Technologies Academy earning a 4.57 GPA, while taking eight AP courses in diverse disciplines including AP Psychology and AP Calculus AB. Yosmerith is in the legal studies program, and helps mentor new A-TECH Mavericks as a student ambassador. She is a top-rated competitive gymnast and works as an instructor at GYMCATS. Yosmerith remains an active member of the…

For the 20th consecutive year, the Clark County School District Music Education Program has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). Now in its 20th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. “CCSD’s Humanities Department is tremendously honored to once again be awarded with this recognition for the 20th year in a row,” said CCSD Director of Humanities Shannon La Neve. “We know this award would not be possible…

Sean Stewart is the nomination for Shadow Ridge High School’s Star Graduate. While at Shadow Ridge High School, Sean has maintained 4.5 GPA including AP and Honors level courses. In addition to academic achievement, Sean works as editor in chief of The Lariat, our school newspaper, plays on the men’s varsity soccer team and does community service during his free time. Each summer, he volunteers with Families for Effective Autism Treatment’s summer youth camps. Additionally, he’s a member of the National Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. Besides the academic achievement and his involvement in school…