Author: Illiana Banuelos

Mike Patterson, an educator at CCSD’s Advanced Technologies Academy, has been named the 2025 Nevada State Teacher of the Year!  Mr. Patterson was selected from five candidates who underwent a rigorous application and interview process. He is an educator who has demonstrated constant dedication and compassion to his students. The Nevada State Teacher of the Year program celebrates excellence and strengthens the teaching force by honoring and recognizing exceptional teachers on a school, district, state, and national level. 

The Clark County School District (CCSD) recognizes Indigenous People’s Day on Oct. 14, 2024.  The District celebrates and honors the heritage and contributions of Indigenous Americans and its culture. CCSD provides opportunities for quality educational and cultural programs and services to eligible Indigenous American and Alaska Native students through the preservation of their unique cultures, traditions, customs, and heritages through the Indian Education Opportunities Program.  Additional information on the program can be found online here. 

Estes M. McDoniel was born on April 3, 1919, in Arkansas and went to school in Batesville. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Arkansas where he also received two letters in varsity football and three letters in varsity track. Mr. McDoniel also earned a Master of Education degree at Utah State University. He began his teaching career in Arkansas for a short while before moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1943 where he would soon become the first football coach at Basic High School. Mr. McDoniel left his coaching job in 1944 to serve…

There will be no school for elementary students only for parent-teacher conferences.  Elementary students will return to class on Tuesday, October 15.  Class WILL be in session for middle and high school students on Monday, October 14, 2024.

The Clark County School District (CCSD) will observe National School Lunch Week (NSLW) from October 14-18. The NSLW theme this year is “School Lunch Pirates: Find Your Treasure!”  Did you know that for the 2023-2024 school year CCSD served 155,175 lunches? Students have meal options that include fresh and healthy food items to ensure students’ nutritional needs are met. Families can access daily menus online at menu.ccsd.net.  Make sure to tag our Facebook, Instagram and X accounts to show us how you’re celebrating NSLW! 

Agenda Item 3.01 – Focus: 2024 Strategic Plan Update – Student Achievement The Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of School Trustees accepted a report on student achievement. As part of the presentation on student achievement, the board was provided with the latest results from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and ACT. Below are some of the highlights from the presentation: Nearly 50 percent of CCSD students attended a school rated three stars or higher on the Nevada School Performance Framework during the 2023–2024 school year. Grade 11 ACT proficiency rate in English Language Arts (ELA) has recovered to…

The latest results show continued momentum across grade levels and improvements in achievement gaps across student groups in various subjects. The Clark County School District (CCSD) will present its latest student academic updates to the Board of School Trustees on Thursday, October 10, 2024. As part of the Strategic Plan presentation on student achievement, the board will review the latest results from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and ACT.Below are some of the highlights from the presentation: Nearly 50 percent of CCSD students attended a school rated three stars or higher on the Nevada School Performance Framework during the…

Reynaldo Martinez was born in 1937 in Chama, New Mexico, but was raised in Henderson, Nevada where he attended Basic High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in education from Arizona State University in 1961.  Before starting his teaching career, he served as a member of the United States Naval Reserve.  His teaching career began at Western High School where he was recognized as an Outstanding Teacher in Clark County. He was also known for being an outstanding baseball coach even leading teams to state championships.  Mr. Martinez’s early work in politics began in 1968 when he was selected to…

The legacy of Edmundo “Eddie” Escobedo will live on forever within the Clark County School District (CCSD) community.  Born in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, Mr. Escobedo arrived in El Paso, Texas in 1953 where he worked in the food service industry before enlisting into the Air Force where he worked on jet mechanics as a parachute rigger.  After being honorably discharged from the military he landed in Clark County where he began his entrepreneurship promoting live Mexican dances with top musical groups. He then went on to run the region’s only Spanish movie theater, El Rancho and built the first Hispanic…

The Clark County School District (CCSD) recognizes October 6-12, 2024 as Fire Prevention Week. The week emphasizes the importance of educating children, adults, and teachers on how to prevent fires and stay safe in case of a fire.  CCSD students can get a headstart on preparing for a career in firefighting through the Fire Science program offered at Bonanza High School and Basic Academy of International Studies. The program builds on the principles of fire protection, chemistry, and prevention techniques. Students also have the opportunity to work with professional equipment such as hoses and ladders. The program is run in…