Author: Illiana Banuelos

In an effort to highlight the power of a healthy school breakfast, the Clark County School District (CCSD) joins students and schools nationwide in celebrating National School Breakfast Week, March 3-7. This year’s theme, “Clue In To School Breakfast,” highlights the benefits of starting the day with a healthy and energizing school breakfast. Did you know that CCSD Food Service provides over 80,000 breakfasts a day to students at more than 350 schools?  School breakfast is available to all CCSD students at no cost. Studies show students who eat school breakfast are more likely to: Reach higher levels of achievement…

Schools and students across the Clark County School District (CCSD) celebrate Nevada Reading Week, March 3-7. This year’s theme is “Color Our World With Books.” Schools engage students in fun reading activities, spirit days, and guest readers to promote learning through literacy.  Nevada Reading Week is a statewide initiative that was started in 1987 by the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) for teachers and librarians to celebrate reading through shared thematic activities.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) Family Engagement Department invites families to attend our Super Saturday Family Fun Festival for free hands-on activities and valuable community resources.  This event will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cashman Park located at 3100 S Warnock Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89102.  Families interested in attending are asked to register for the event by Friday, March 14th by visiting bit.ly/SSMar15 or emailing familyengagement@nv.ccsd.net. You can learn more about this event as well as all the resources offered by the CCSD Family Engagement Department by visiting engage.ccsd.net/family.

Wendell P. Williams served students and families in the Clark County School District (CCSD) for 11 years as a teacher before becoming a community facilitator and coordinator. Mr. Williams served on the Nevada Assembly from 1987 to 2004. His objective in Carson City was to make the Nevada educational system accessible to all. He was the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Education. Mr. Williams also received the Crystal Apple Award from CCSD for his outstanding civic leadership. He founded the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee as well as the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. parade in Las Vegas. Madison…

Dr. James B. McMillan moved to Las Vegas in 1955. He was the first African-American dentist in Nevada and the first to introduce and perform dental implants. Dr. McMillan is well-known for his time as president of the local branch of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which gave him statewide recognition for the successful quest to desegregate the town. Most notably, he’s remembered for successfully fighting for the integration of public accommodations in the city and on the Las Vegas Strip. It was his passion for equal rights and his mental toughness that allowed the…

The Rev. Jesse D. Scott moved to Las Vegas in 1970, where he was a prominent civil rights advocate in the Southern Nevadan community. Mr. Scott helped improve minority underachievement in public schools and minority hiring at Strip hotels. His work in calming racial tension was seen in many areas in the community including his time on the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Nevada Equal Rights Commission. He was also the associate minister at Second Baptist Church in the historic West Las Vegas. Jesse D. Scott Elementary School opened in…

The Coronado High School Junior Varsity (JV) Cougarettes dance team won big at this year’s National Dance Alliance (NDA). The team took part in the national competition and came home with a national title for their first-place routine in the JV pom division. Last year the team competed at the same event and placed in the top 3 in one division, and this year they finished top three in two divisions. “The team worked countless hours and has given true dedication to not only making this a crazy fun routine but an amazing season that’s become one for the books,”…

H.P. Fitzgerald moved to Nevada from Virginia in the 1940s. He was the first African-American principal in Nevada in 1956 at Kit Carson Elementary School, currently known as Helen Toland International Academy. He also served as principal of Jo Mackey Elementary School from 1961 to 1972. He worked for the District for 25 years. Mr. Fitzgerald was the first African-American to earn a master’s degree at the University of Nevada, Reno. He was also the first African-American in Nevada to earn a vocational education certificate and be issued a general building contractor’s license. He worked with several community organizations including United…

Hannah Marie Brown has lived in Las Vegas since 1945. She’s dedicated much of her life to giving back to her community and providing assistance and encouragement in education. Since 1999, Ms. Brown has raised nearly $400,000 in scholarship funds for local high school and college students to continue their education. Hundreds of Clark County School District (CCSD) students have also received scholarship assistance through the Hannah Brown Community Development Corporation. She has served on various advisory committees for CCSD and was inducted as a member of the CCSD Excellence in Education Hall of Fame. She continues to advocate for…

Odis “Tyrone” Thompson committed his life to the education and empowerment of Nevada’s children. He was born in Las Vegas and was a graduate of Valley High School. He was deeply involved in his community and worked on behalf of abused and neglected children in the foster care system as a court-appointed special advocate for more than 17 years. Mr. Thompson served on the Nevada Assembly from 2013 to 2019, where he worked to improve educational opportunities for all students. He was chairman of the Assembly Education Committee. He was dedicated to homeless youth, preventing employment discrimination against those with…