Author: Communications Unit

CCSD is taking an innovative approach to promote a healthy learning environment in the next school year: Students in Grades 6 to 12 must put away their cell phones while in the classroom. What they’re saying: “This is a critical step as we work to ensure that students and educators are in a safe, non-disruptive space that fosters learning and provides students with the quality education they deserve,” says Interim Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell. Students in middle and high school will place their phones in non-locking, signal-blocking pouches that will prevent cell phones and other devices from sending or receiving…

Adam Johnson is a name that may be familiar to some, but many might not know the full scope of his role as a CCSD Trustee. His journey from Washington, D.C. to Las Vegas is both inspiring and enlightening, driven by a passion for education and community involvement. In this interview, Johnson opens up about his motivations, the complexities of his job, and his hopes for the future of our school district. The Trustee’s Role: Simplified Complexity The role of a trustee, as explained by Johnson, is both simple and complex. Trustees oversee the school district through the management of…

CCSD recently updated the Legislature’s Joint Interim Standing Committee on Education on steps it is taking to improve student attendance. By the numbers: Chronic absenteeism halfway through this school year is 29.6 percent, a significant decline from last year’s 36.6 percent. The District told the legislative committee it has identified five root causes contributing to chronic absenteeism: basic needs not being met, sense of belonging, physical and mental health, childcare, and academic gaps. What they’re saying: “As a system, sometimes you can feel like you’re alone with a problem,” said Dr. Mike Barton, CCSD Chief College, Career, Equity, and School…

Discovering the Future Builders: A Peek Inside Bonanza High School’s Construction Program Ever wondered where the next generation of builders, architects, and construction experts is coming from? Look no further than Bonanza High School, where the Building Trades and Construction Technology program is laying down the foundation—literally and figuratively—for students’ futures. With enrollment doubling over the past two years, this hands-on program is giving students the skills and confidence to dream big and build even bigger. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this program a cornerstone of career readiness and inspiration. From Hammering Basics to High-Level Skills: The…

In this edition of Community Connection, CCSD Board of School Trustees Clerk Lisa Guzmán explores the value of research-based instruction for educators and students. Teachers utilize professional development so they can provide the most up-to-date instruction for their students. So you may have heard about teachers going to reading institutes or math forums over last summer. UNLV, for example, offered educators an opportunity to get a master’s degree in English Language Learning. Recently, thanks to federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding, CCSD was able to purchase instructional materials that are needed for Tier 1 instruction, the most up-to-date,…

Top Biden administration officials visited Laura Dearing Elementary School last week, spotlighting UNLV’s Paraprofessional Pathways Project, a partnership with CCSD that gives substitute teachers and support professionals an opportunity to work while earning their degree in education. Accompanying U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su were U.S. Reps. Dina Titus and Steven Horsford, along with Nevada Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert and CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell. Why it matters: UNLV’s Paraprofessional Pathways Project has allowed nearly 400 eligible CCSD employees to obtain teaching credentials in one year with all tuition costs…

The 26 CCSD schools earning a 5-star ranking on the Nevada School Performance Framework were celebrated recently as they were included on the Superintendent’s 2024 Honor Roll. A ceremony honoring their achievements took place at the headquarters of the Las Vegas Raiders, which hosted the event. Among the noteworthy accomplishments, Mike O’Callaghan i3 Learn Academy, a middle school, appeared on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll for the first time. O’Callaghan i3 Learn Academy has made progressive, remarkable strides: Just six years ago, it was a 1-star school. Another school making its inaugural appearance on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll was Lied STEM…

Karly Schindler was passionate about music at an early age. She also knew, as far back as elementary school, that she wanted to be a teacher. Schindler – a flutist, vocalist, and pianist who is now in her 23rd year as an educator – is a music teacher at Sandra B. Abston Elementary School. “Teaching music brings me joy,” Schindler says. “It allows me to witness the transformative power of music in shaping students’ creativity, confidence, and connection to the world around them, fostering a lifelong love for the arts.” What they’re saying: Abston Elementary School Principal Michelle Freter says…

This isn’t just any bus—it’s a magical, colorful bus brimming with books waiting to be explored. Welcome to the CCSD Book Bus, a new and innovative initiative by the Clark County School District aimed at promoting the joy of reading across the Silver State. The Magic of Nevada Reading Week Nevada Reading Week just concluded, with this year’s theme, “Embrace the Magic of Reading.” This annual event aims to inspire a love for reading among students all over Nevada. What better way to close the celebration than with the introduction of a vibrant, book-filled bus that brings the library experience…

✏️ The CCSD Education Services Division is boosting schools’ home visit programs to combat chronic absenteeism. Why it matters: In addition to our Every Day Matters campaign, federal funding that was originally secured by the CCSD Engagement Unit, is being used to offer additional assistance to schools to assist them as they reach out to families of students who struggle to attend school regularly, says Kevin McPartlin, assistant superintendent of the Education Services Division. Principals who get this extra support will identify a team of 10 to 12 members of licensed and support professionals. Those volunteering for these teams can…