Good morning, and welcome to the Indy Education newsletter. I’m Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent’s K-12 education reporter. 

This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students, programs and other events and resources throughout the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it each week via email.

A programming note: We are shifting the newsletter schedule to run on Mondays, so you can start your week with the latest K-12 education news. 

I want to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions on what I should be covering to rocio@thenvindy.com.

News briefs

📝 School boards set their legislative wish lists — The state’s two largest school districts are preparing for the start of the 2025 legislative session by deciding on the bill draft requests (BDRs) they plan to submit. As a school district with more than 700,000 students, Clark County is allowed to submit two BDRs. All other districts can submit one each. 

The Clark County School Board approved its two BDRs Thursday. One seeks dedicated funding for teacher recruitment, retention and development efforts. The other seeks to update state statutes to allow the parents or guardians of a student with a history of being perpetrators in bullying incidents to request that their child be transferred to a different school. Currently, the statute allows parents or guardians of victims of bullying to request a transfer. 

The Washoe County School Board’s sole BDR, which it approved Aug. 13, is focused on reducing barriers to becoming a teacher or a school staff member, such as allowing for provisional licensure of critical hires for positions including school social workers and nurses. 

​​🖍 Henderson City Council approves early childhood education center — Last week, the Henderson City Council approved the construction of a $15.3 million early childhood education center that aims to expand access to high-quality preschool education for 3- to 5-year-olds in the community. The city said that 40 percent of 3- to 4-year olds currently in the community are enrolled in a preschool program. The new center will be constructed near Grand Cadence and Galleria drives, and feature seven to nine classrooms for approximately 180 preschool-aged children. It’s slated for completion in 2027. 

School spotlight

Students aim to improve the lives of underprivileged children through their nonprofit

Last summer, Clark High School junior Mai-Lan Vu came back from a trip to Vietnam inspired to make a difference. 

During that trip to visit her family, Vu said she saw children having to sell souvenirs to tourists to help support their families. 

Though she had gone to Vietnam before, this was her first time feeling as if she could do something to help those children. Vu, 16, decided to team up with other friends from school, some whose families are also from Vietnam, to help. 

“We kind of just saw how different the living conditions were there, and we wanted to help in any way we could,” she said. 

Last August, Vu and her friends founded their nonprofit, Giving to Kids. It consists of seven youth board members and 40 volunteers from Clark and other district schools. Its mission is to provide resources, necessities and support to underprivileged children worldwide.

In their first year as nonprofit leaders, the students raised $30,000. This summer, they returned to Vietnam with the cash in hand to purchase supplies such as food, clothing and bedding to donate to orphanages, temples and other organizations. 

“We also gave them treats that they normally wouldn't buy and it was really sweet, because they were all so happy,” said Robert Chondro, the nonprofit’s program coordinator and a senior at Clark High School. 

Vu said another added benefit was that by buying the items to donate in Vietnam, the students were able to support local small businesses. 

Chondro, 17, said it was empowering to see the orphanage directors’ faces and how grateful they were to receive supplies that they couldn’t normally afford. 

“I think that's what inspired us to … create an even bigger impact next year and in the future,” he said. 

Chondro said Giving To Kids’ future goals include expanding their work to other countries and partnering with the Build a School Foundation Inc. to help the organization build a school in rural Cambodia. The students eventually want to help build a school in Vietnam as well. 

“We believe that providing necessities and supplies is just the first half, but education is also just as important,” he said. “That way we can give youth there the chance to change their own futures.” 

Have a student or staffer who we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at rocio@thenvindy.com.

Reading Assignments

Lombardo decries ‘misinformation’ over free school meals in open letter

The statement comes two weeks after Democrats announced plans to revive legislation to fund universal free school meals, previously vetoed by the governor.

Extra Credit

From Politico: Schools stare down fiscal cliff as federal pandemic aid runs out

Events    

🍎 Healthy Kids Festival — Sept. 7, 11 a.m. 

The event by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension is designed for families with children ages 3 through 8, and includes activities focused on healthy eating and getting active. The festival will be held at the East Las Vegas Community Center at 250 N. Eastern Ave. Register for the event online. 

Featured social media post
Looks like Carson City students had a great first week back at school.