Author: Justin Scanson

Roger D. Gehring Academy of Science and Technology was honored recently as a National Blue Ribbon School, the only school in Nevada to receive the distinction this year. The big picture: The U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools are “high-performing schools” or “schools making great strides in closing achievement gaps.” Gehring Academy is one of only 14 schools nationwide to be honored in both categories. Gehring Academy cited high levels of student engagement, interdisciplinary learning that addresses real-world problems, strong teacher retention, and an open-door policy with staff as key factors contributing to the school’s success. What they’re saying: “Our educators foster…

In a world often clouded by hardship, it’s uplifting to see initiatives that bring hope. In Boulder City, Nevada, a new Clark County School District (CCSD) school is set to open at St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. This groundbreaking school, opening in November, will serve as both an educational facility and a healing space for some of the most vulnerable children in Southern Nevada—survivors of human trafficking. A Place of Healing and Hope For nearly 60 years, St. Jude’s Ranch has supported children in need. Now, they’re taking their mission further with the opening of a school designed specifically for…

The big picture: This school year, following action taken by their city councils, North Las Vegas and Henderson are joining Clark County government in providing crossing guards at CCSD middle schools. In February, the Clark County Commission approved adding crossing guards at middle schools in unincorporated areas of Clark County – the first local government to do so. Notable: Previously, local governments only paid for crossing guards at elementary schools. North Las Vegas Police Captain Fernando Calderon, in a July presentation to the City Council, said adding crossing guards would enhance student safety. “Ensuring children’s safety to and from school…

Imagine having your artwork displayed on the largest LED screen on Earth, right on the Las Vegas Strip! That’s the reality for six talented students who triumphed in the Summer Sphere XO Student Design Challenge, selected from over 100,000 participants. Their designs illuminated the massive Exosphere, the world’s largest LED display, marking an incredible milestone for these young artists. One of the winners, Simone Enriquez, caught the spotlight with her design featuring the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. With her family’s support, Simone monitored votes daily, and her efforts paid off. “We had to keep erasing and drawing…

Students at Harvey N. Dondero Elementary School are again ready to grow their favorite fruits, vegetables, and flowers — along with their understanding of science and nature. Employees from The Home Depot visited Harvey N. Dondero Elementary School on August 30 to replenish and rebuild the vital infrastructure that supports its popular learning garden. The big picture: The store donated new tools, a garden shed to store equipment, and compost tumblers to manage organic waste — all destroyed during a fire in June. Why it matters: Brittany Williams, a resource teacher and team leader of the school’s garden club, said,…

This school year holds special significance for the Red Rock Elementary School community. After years of anticipation, they have moved into a brand-new, state-of-the-art building. This marks a new chapter for the school, a staple in Las Vegas since 1955. Excitement fills the air as students and staff explore their upgraded space. This journey involved more than construction—it’s a story of resilience and community pride. The Journey to a New School Red Rock’s old building often faced electrical issues and outdated facilities. “We often had electricity and HVAC issues,” explained Principal Chantae Readye. After the school’s final year in 2022,…

After a recent tour of the CCSD Food Service facility, state legislators witnessed how nutritious meals are efficiently prepared and delivered to students in Southern Nevada. This experience highlighted the importance of school nutrition programs in promoting healthy eating habits among children. The big picture: “It has been an amazing experience to see what goes on here,” Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager said, noting the scale of the operations and the employees’ commitment to quality and the care for the students they serve. Yeager was heartened to see the food “hit the end of the line, still be fresh, still be…

Summer isn’t just for fun—it’s also for learning! At UNLV’s Young Rebels Program, dozens of students spent their break exploring STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) in an exciting and hands-on summer camp. This program gave young minds a chance to dive into these subjects and engage with real scientists, all while exploring the UNLV campus. An Exciting, Educational Summer Students shared their enthusiasm for the camp, calling it “amazing and really, really fun.” They spent the summer building robots, tackling engineering challenges, and learning about environmental science from the Desert Research Institute. The camp encouraged creativity, teamwork, and…

As the school year approaches, excitement and nerves are in full swing—especially for incoming kindergartners. To make the transition smoother, Kermit R. Booker Elementary has introduced a brilliant new initiative: Kinder Camp! What is Kinder Camp? Kinder Camp is all about helping students feel comfortable before their first big day. Principal Cullen Skyles and his team welcomed about 35 incoming kindergartners, guiding them through morning routines like breakfast in the cafeteria and meeting their teachers. This special event was designed to ease anxiety for both kids and parents, offering a sneak peek into daily school life. The school even color-coded…

CCSD celebrated big gains last month: Initial data shows chronic absenteeism declined by about 9 percentage points last school year after launching its communitywide Every Day Matters initiative. Why it matters: Attendance plays a key role in learning, because chronically absent students are less likely to succeed academically and more likely to drop out of school. Interim Superintendent Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell expressed gratitude for the “dedicated efforts of our attendance officers, support professionals, licensed professionals, and administrators who have contributed efforts to keep students engaged in school.” The backstory: As part of the Every Day Matters initiative, CCSD Education Services…