Author: Communications Unit

Amidst the celebratory atmosphere of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Allegiant Stadium witnessed a historic moment as Clark County School District’s Mariachi Joya took center stage during halftime at a recent UNLV football game. The performance was not just a showcase of musical prowess but also a testament to the incredible journey of dedication and growth undertaken by these talented young musicians. What made this performance stand out was the leadership of Axel Rodriguez Olivas, the student director of Mariachi Joya. Just two years into his violin journey, Axel took charge, directing the group with a confidence that belied his relatively…

It has been six years since the U.S. Department of Education last awarded CCSD with a Magnet Schools Assistance Program grant. Why it matters: The $15 million federal grant in 2017 aided the transformation of an elementary school (Roger D. Gehring Academy of Science and Technology) and two middle schools (Mike O’Callaghan i3 Learn Academy and the Lied STEM Academy) into magnet schools. These three schools have made considerable academic progress since the grant. Notably, all three schools received 5-star ratings – the state’s top designation – from the Nevada Department of Education in its annual report issued in September.…

A U.S. Department of Education grant, announced this week, will enable CCSD to convert Lyal Burkholder Middle School and Carroll M. Johnston Middle School into magnet schools. Why it matters: The grant will enable these schools to offer a rigorous, interdisciplinary, STEM-infused curriculum while also bringing together students from different social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. The addition of Burkholder and Johnston means CCSD will have 44 magnet schools in its national award-winning magnet program. “Every year we have our families asking us for more and more of these options, so this is our way of being responsive to that…

Nevada’s 17 school districts say it’s about local control. They – not the Nevada State Board of Education – are best suited to determine when a school day should start. Why it matters: No one is arguing that students don’t need sleep, but school districts say last week’s advancement of a proposed regulation — requiring all high schools to start at 8 a.m. or later to enable students to sleep longer — will negatively impact students, their families, and the communities. School districts also questioned whether the Nevada State Board of Education can regulate school start times. CCSD vowed to legally challenge…

A U.S. Department of Education grant, announced this week, will enable CCSD to convert Lyal Burkholder Middle School and Carroll M. Johnston Middle School into magnet schools. Why it matters: The grant will enable these schools to offer a rigorous, interdisciplinary, STEM-infused curriculum while also bringing together students from different social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. “Every year we have our families asking us for more and more of these options, so this is our way of being responsive to that and adding more opportunities for our students to engage in magnet learning,” says Gia Moore, director of CCSD Career and…

Hope Benavidez is one of 1,100 new CCSD teachers who started in August to kick off the school year. But Hope’s story has a twist. It was the third-grade teacher’s first time teaching at Mervin R. Iverson Elementary School, but it wasn’t her first day at the school, as Vegas PBS reported Monday on its Student Spotlight program. Hope attended Iverson Elementary School – as a student – from kindergarten through fifth grade. That’s not all. Hope’s mother, Amanda Benavidez, began teaching at Iverson Elementary School when Hope was in the first grade – and Amanda still teaches at Iverson…

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District has kicked off its Homework Help Centers for this school year. Why it matters: At Homework Help Centers, students have access to instruction with an in-person tutor, laptops, free printing, extended time to complete homework, and more. All services are free, and library district staff are also on hand to provide assistance. The Homework Help Center locations are at Centennial Hills Library, East Las Vegas Library, Enterprise Library, Rainbow Library, Spring Valley Library, Sunrise Library, West Las Vegas Library, Whitney Library, and Windmill Library. To help spread the word about this service, feel free…

Let’s Talk — the online customer service platform — has had 1,000 inquiries since Clark County School District launched it just five months ago. Why it matters: The Let’s Talk service is available 24/7, from any computer, tablet, or smartphone, and includes technology to provide transparent, timely, and accurate responses. ? The big picture: Parents/guardians, students, and community members may not always know where to begin to get answers to their questions from the Clark County School District — and Let’s Talk puts customers at ease. What they’re saying: “Let’s Talk was implemented to simplify communication and make it easier…

The Clark County School District (CCSD) is assembling an array of District and community resources to spur its Every Day Matters initiative to improve student attendance. ? Why it matters: Chronic absenteeism, which was 36 percent in CCSD last school year, negatively affects student success, including grades and test scores. The Every Day Matters initiative will use a strategic approach, enlisting a coalition of CCSD and community partners to ensure that students are engaged and attending school regularly. District employees, including school-based staff, will reach out to families, encouraging the importance of attending school, and there will be a public…

Thanks to a collaboration between the Clark County School District Engagement Unit and the Public Education Foundation, a regular bus has been transformed into an extraordinary place to encourage reading. ?✨ Why it matters: With this groundbreaking initiative, we’re fostering a dynamic learning environment that opens endless doors for countless children and families. From captivating stories to valuable knowledge, we’re spreading the joy of reading far and wide. Step inside this innovative learning space on wheels and you’ll find yourself surrounded by comfy seats and shelves overflowing with captivating books and valuable resources.