Apr 2008 - The Clark County Education Association

Transcription

Apr 2008 - The Clark County Education Association
Vol. 8, Issue 7
April 2008
Important Dates
On May 3, 2008 We’ll Celebrate!
APRIL 2008
Math Awareness Month
CCEA to host Teacher & Educator Appreciation Day
April 8, 2008
CCEA Executive Board Meeting
April 10, 2008
NSEA HCR Awards Banquet
THT Domestic Partner Annual
Verification Information Mailed
April 11, 2008
NSEA MLT/ Diversity Conference
NSEA Board of Directors Meeting
April 11-13, 2008
2008 NSEA Delegate Assembly
April 14, 2008
CCSD Staff Development Day
April 20, 2008
Passover (begins at sunset 4/19)
April 21-25, 2008
Administrative Professionals
Week
April 22, 2008
CCEA Association Representative
Council Meeting
Earth Day
Communities across the
nation will take time out in
early May to honor
educators during Teacher
Appreciation Week. At
CCEA, we will kick off the
festivities in grand style
with the “Teacher &
Educator Appreciation
MEMBERS HAVE A GREAT TIME AT LAST YEAR’S CELEBRATION.
Day” event. This fun-filled
Help us create fun memories... Join us on May 3rd.
celebration will be held
Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Henderson Convention Center & Events Plaza
(200 S. Water Street in downtown Henderson) from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
To help make this an enjoyable experience, CCEA has invited vendor
partners, community businesses & leaders.
There will be food, entertainment, activities for the whole family, and an
Educators’ Swap Meet.*
Come and be delighted with energy-filled, heart-pounding performances and
network with teachers and educators from other worksites — you will have a
great time! Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 3 and bring your
friends and family to join in the fun!
As preparations for this great event continue to develop, we’ll post additional
details. So visit the website — www.ccea-nv.org — in the coming weeks and be
ready to participate in a great kick-off celebration!
*Note: If you would like to participate in the Educators’ Swap Meet, please contact the CCEA Community
Foundation at 702-369-5764 for details and to reserve your booth. Don’t wait, as booth space is limited!
April 23, 2008
Administrative Professionals Day
CCEA Members Elect Leadership
May 1, 2008
CCEA Express - May issue
Run-off election needed to determine two races
May 3, 2008
CCEA Teacher & Educator
Appreciation Day
CCEA/CCEA Community
Foundation/CTE Awards Banquet
The CCEA Elections Committee met on Monday, February 25
to tabulate the ballots for the 2008 CCEA Election. After a
long day of counting, the results are in.
All races, with the exception of Vice President and
Executive Board Seat 5B, were determined. Following are the
results:
CCEA Executive Board Officers: President – Ruben
Murillo, Jr., and Vice President – Run-off election: Rob
RUBEN MURILLO, JR.
Benson & Vikki Courtney.
is elected to top post.
CCEA Executive Board: Seat 1B – Bonnie Peck; Seat
He will assume the
President’s office in
2B – Wanda Keith; Seat 3B – Brad Truax; Seat 4B – Ivy
July ‘08.
Rasmussen; and Seat 5B – Run-off election: Loretta Harper
& Bernava “Bonnie” Johnson.
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Inside This Issue
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My View
Legal Corner
Attorney Referral Program
Pre-Surplus Meeting Scheduled
Math Awareness Month
Discounts & Promotions
NEA Member Benefits Program
Reading Activities
Grants, More Grants & Awards
COMING 2008 Teaching & Learning Conditions Online Survey
Be on the lookout for an Interact message.
SOON
My View
By John Jasonek, Executive Director
If I were Superintendent
for a day... or longer
Last month we received so many great reviews (at
least three) regarding the My View column about
educational arrogance that we decided to give it
another shot this month. Well, having raised the
expectation bar to its highest level, here it goes.
There was a time about twenty-seven years ago
when I reached a fork in the road regarding which
career path to take. I had received my master’s
degree in administration and had been asked, in
the small county in which I taught geography, if I
would like to be the new middle school assistant
principal. Given the fact that my mother was the
assistant superintendent for personnel and my
father was an assistant principal for the elementary
school, it seemed like the right career move to
take. However, within weeks I was offered a job
with the American Federation of Teachers in
Florida and the rest is history. Had I taken the
administrator fork in the road, perhaps there would
have been an opportunity to one day be
superintendent of schools.
As a teacher advocate I have now been
associated with seven different superintendents.
The current one has been the best so far, and I
believe it to be because he is not attempting to
climb the ladder to move to another job in another
city, which I think is an important factor. Even
considering this, I have found superintendents
make fairly common, if not “planned,” mistakes
that I think I would try to avoid. For example, one
superintendent I was associated with took me to a
superintendent’s conference once upon a time.
One of the seminars at the conference was a
workshop on how to prepare an agenda so large
that school board members could not possibly read
it. Thus, the strategy was “they would be more apt
to take all your recommendations instead of simply
taking the hours to read the entire agenda.” If
anybody has ever seen the CCSD school board
agenda, I will happily rest my case.
One of my first superintendent projects,
wherever it might be, would be to engage and
educate the local school board. As individuals, I
don’t doubt that these board members care about
the children; however, collectively as a decisionmaking body, they simply add to the overwhelming
bureaucracy. I have observed for 28 years that we
need fewer meetings of legislatures and school
boards, because doing so would create less waste
and spending. Just like committees can never
(continues on page 4)
Page 2 • CCEA Express
✓
Checklist
for Assessing
Evaluations
Licensed Employee Appraisal, CCF-8
___ 1. Observation Notes (signed by member and
administrator with date and time of observation).
___ 2. Supervisory conferences were
conducted to discuss classroom
observations.
___ 3. Any documentation other than
observation notes (i.e. Summary of
Conferences, Written Warnings, Admonition,
etc.).
___a. For Admonition, Explain NRS 391.3125
___ 4. Was member given reasonable
assistance?
List assistance provided:
___a. Observe other teachers
___b. Mentor teacher provided at school(s)
___c. Mentor teacher provided by Curriculum
and Development
___d. Alternative Route to Licensure Mentor
provided
___e. Training in area of need (i.e. planning,
classroom management, instruction,
etc.)
___ 5. Member was given an opportunity to
meet with supervising administrator to
discuss the evaluation prior to signing
the document.
___ 6. Was evaluation timely? ______________
___ 7. Member was given a copy of the
evaluation at the time it was signed by
both parties.
It is important to read Article 14 and
Article 36 of the Negotiated Agreement if you
believe your administrator has violated your
rights. Any ratings lower than “3” require
previous documentation.
In the past some administrators have
waited until the last five minutes of the
workday prior to the deadline to have
members sign their evaluation. This should
not happen because it does not allow
adequate time to discuss the evaluation. If
this happens to you, call CCEA at 702-7333063 and we will intervene on your behalf.
Another important thing to remember is that
you should never backdate an evaluation.
Be sure to sign, date and get a copy on
the actual date you sign the evaluation.
www.ccea-nv.org
Early Retirement
Incentive Program
Student Safety
and Supervision
A popular topic is a teacher’s duty for student safety,
and supervision during playground and/or passing
periods. Nevada Revised Statute 391.270 provides as follows, “[e]very
teacher in the public schools shall hold pupils to a strict account of their
conduct on and in close proximity to the school grounds, on the play
ground, and during intermission.” This statute makes it clear that teachers
have a duty to supervise students at all times, not just while in the
classroom.
In the elementary school setting, playground duty is usually on a rotation
basis and normally the responsibility is divided amongst several teachers so
that there is never an issue that the playground is not supervised. Certainly,
the school district faces liability issues when the playground is not
“adequately” supervised and a student is harmed. There is nothing to
prevent the teacher from being named in such an action. In the secondary
setting, the issue arises during passing periods. For the most part, teachers
are required to stand outside their doorway to supervise students. This is
an appropriate directive, and like elementary
teachers, teachers can face liability for their
actions or inactions.
Teachers most often ask what actions they
need to take. Teachers need to do what a
reasonable person would do at that time. For
example, two first graders are fighting on the
playground, teacher should separate the two.
Two junior boys, tall and husky are fighting,
wrestling heatedly; the teacher is short and
petite. Teacher should protect other students
by having them disperse, yell at students to
stop, call for help. A teacher is not required to take a beating or be harmed.
Remember that some action should be taken, i.e. calling someone else for
assistance, advising students to separate, controlling the crowd, etc. The
action or inactions will depend on the situation.
NRS 391.271 does provide that the school district must provide for the
legal defense of employees when charged with certain crimes committed
within the employee’s course and scope of employment as a result of
attempting to maintain a safe or peaceful school environment. Under
Chapter 41 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the school district would also
have to defend against any civil action which arose out of the course and
scope of the teacher’s employment. However, if the school district can
show that the actions are either wanton, malicious, or outside the course
and scope of employment, the school district would not be required to
defend any action. An example of actions that would not be in the course
and scope of employment would be any sexual actions.
Furthermore, federal law limits the liability of teachers. 20 USCS § 6736
provides that no teacher in a school may be held liable for harm caused by
an act or omission of the teacher. In order to be protected by this statute,
the teacher had to be acting within the course and scope, and their actions
had to be in furtherance of controlling, disciplining, expelling, or suspending
(continued on page 10)
Teachers need to
do what a
reasonable
person would do
at that time.
www.ccea-nv.org
A meeting regarding Article 18 of the Negotiated
Agreement between CCEA and CCSD to explain the
Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP) has
been scheduled. To accommodate your schedule,
two sessions have been organized.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Edward A. Greer Education Center – Board Room
(2832 East Flamingo Road, LV 89121)
We encourage you to attend. This meeting will
help you make a decision that is best for you and
you may also submit your ERIP paperwork at this
meeting.
Changes in
Registration
for the NV School Law &
Two Constitution Exams
You must now pre-register!
The Nevada School Law Project is well on
its way—moving towards a more
streamlined pre-registration process for
general exams and very soon the Special
Administration exams.
In an effort to reduce everyone’s
frustration with too many test-takers and
too few seats, an online registration and
credit card payment system has been
instituted. As the process is perfected,
more dates for pre-registration and prepayment will be added.
Please visit http://www.unr.edu/educ/
el/nvlaw/ for the Exam date you are
interested in. This process will cut the
registration time down to a minimum
when you show up to take your exams.
The format of the exams, the testing
locations & times will all remain the
same.
For additional information, please
contact Julia Miller-Ketcham at 775-6829076 or jmillerketcham@unr.edu.
NOTE: A large number of walk-ins will NOT be accepted!
Anyone who needs to test should register online since the
opportunity to walk-in is not guaranteed.
CCEA Express • Page 3
Members Elect Leadership
MARTIN & ALLISON, LTD.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Special DISCOUNTS to CCEA members and
their families
FREE initial consultation
AGGRESSIVE and EXPERIENCED trial lawyers
Proactive representation in the areas of:
Insurance Disputes
Fraud
Personal Injury
702-933-4444
WE FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS!
My View
(continued from page 2)
meet without finding something wrong, boards
cannot meet without spending dollars. It’s their
nature; it’s what they do.
Given the fact that we must have boards, I
would do everything possible, within the scope
of the law, to enlighten them and ask them to go
into five classrooms per month—and not
classrooms of teachers they know—but
classrooms that we would assign in some of the
most difficult settings in the school district. I
believe too many times school board members
are “protected” from the reality of why working
in today’s educational environment has become
so difficult.
After lunch (on my day as superintendent)
with a couple of big shot casino moguls that I
would get to donate millions of dollars each to
our school district, I would definitely start
working on personnel issues. The one glaring
issue that consistently haunts our school
district is that many principals and assistant
principals are simply not ready to lead. First of
all, many of these people are misidentified by
some “educrat” criteria that presumes that
since “Ms. Smith” was a fine third grade teacher,
she should make a fine administrator.
Unfortunately, being a leader of third grade boys
and girls does not necessarily qualify one to be
Page 4 • CCEA Express
(continues from front page)
CCEA Representative on the NSEA Board of
Directors: Seat B – Bernava “Bonnie” Johnson;
Seat D – Jennifer Webb-Cook; and Seat F – Bob
Geary.
CCEA Delegates to NSEA Delegate Assembly
and Delegates to NEA Representative Assembly
were also elected. A list of the members elected to
represent these offices is available on the CCEA
website at www.ccea-nv.org.
The election results were presented to the
CCEA Association Representative (AR) Council for
ratification at its February 26 meeting, along with
the run-off election calendar to be observed.
The Election Committee logged and mailed the
run-off election ballots to all CCEA members on
Friday, March 7. Ballots were due at the offices of
Daniel McArthur by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21.
At press time, the results for the run-off election
were not known as the ballots would be counted on
Monday, March 24 at the CCEA office. Results will
be presented to the AR Council at its March 25
meeting and posted at the CCEA office and on the
website at www.ccea-nv.org.
a leader of adult men and women.
At the first hint of a crisis, many of these
misidentified folks fold up like lounge chairs
and begin spiraling downward at a rapid rate
without any real safety net to catch them. While
this is primarily a function of growth, not nearly
enough is done here to remove administrative
misfits from their offices. At last look, most
administrators in this district have less than 5
years experience. When most of us went to
school, we went to a high school where the
principal had been in place for 15 or 20 years,
and when he or she left/retired, the person
taking over had been an administrator for at
least 10 years. Not the case here. This not only
has an impact on teachers and students, but it
casts a shadow over the large majority of
administrators who have worked hard, paid their
dues, and are excellent leaders.
Wow, by now it is dinnertime. Oh yea, but
there is that school board meeting I have to go
to, a few legislators to lobby, and I better call
the governor to explain to him why he can’t cut
the budget… oh, never mind, he won’t
understand anyway. So, with more to do, I
guess I will have to be superintendent for more
than a day or two and continue this next month.
Please e-mail me at editor@ccea-nv.org if there
are items you would like to see me address
before I give up my lofty administrative throne.
www.ccea-nv.org
Attorney Referral Program
One more benefit of membership
pringtime is here and for most of us it marks a time to take care of those personal legal matters we
have put off for a while. To assist you in this process, you have the CCEA/NSEA/NEA Attorney Referral
Program at your service!
The CCEA/NSEA/NEA Attorney Referral Program provides active members, their spouse, and dependent
children with legal advice on personal matters in five association-identified “core” areas: Wills, Trusts,
Guardianships and Estates; Real Estate; Domestic Relations (such as divorce, child support, name change);
Traffic Violations; and Consumer Protection.
During any membership year — from September 1 to August 31— eligible members (including
member’s spouse and dependent children) are entitled to two free 30-minute consultation sessions with
any of the association-approved attorneys. During the two free sessions, you may discuss any legal matter
except income tax preparation. In addition to these free consultations, members may have specific legal
work performed in five “core” areas at a 30 percent reduction of that attorney’s normal fee.
To take advantage of this membership benefit, call the attorney’s office and identify yourself as a
member of CCEA using the Attorney Referral Program. If more than a consultation is needed, always
discuss the fees you will be charged with the attorney before the session begins. (Attorneys are not required
to accept cases.)
S
* PARTICIPATING ATTORNEYS *
LAW FIRM
PRE-DISCOUNT
HOURLY FEES
LAW FIRM
PRE-DISCOUNT
HOURLY FEES
Layne F. Barney, Esq.
$150
Layne F. Barney
3440 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 500
Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone (702) 433-7730
Personal Injury, Probate, Immigration, Estate
Planning, Corporations, Real Estate, Family Law
Kelleher & Kelleher
John Kelleher
Tracey Itts
807 South Seventh Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone (702) 384-7494
Family Law
Law Office of Mary F. Chapman, Ltd.
Mary F. Chapman, Esq.
7473 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89128
Phone (702) 562-1246
Wills, Trusts, Real Estate and Consumer
Protection
Cliff W. Marcek, Esq.
Attorney & Counselor at Law
700 South Third Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone (702) 366-7076
Personal Injury and Family Law
$275
Haire Gazda & Tadayon, Ltd.
$250
Paul Haire, Esq.
Lewis Gazda, Esq.
Afshin Tadayon, Esq.
2600 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 200
Las Vegas, NV 89146
Phone (702) 220-7128
All Core Areas and Corporate, Libel & Slander
Actions, and Personal Injury
The Herr Law Group
Allison Herr, Esq.
12 Sunset Way, Suite 212-B
Henderson, NV 89014
Phone (702) 735-4377
Domestic Relations
$300
$150-$350
$300
Miley Law Firm, PC
$175-$225
Edward R. Miley, Esq.
711 South Ninth Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone (702) 942-0600
Guardianships, Domestic Relations, Traffic
Violations, Criminal, Personal Injury, Auto
Accidents, and Lemon Law
Law Office of Lisa A. Taylor, Esq.
$150-$200
Lisa A. Taylor, Esq.
7251 West Lake Mead, Third Floor
Las Vegas, NV 89128
Phone (702) 562-4312
Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Consumer
Protection, Traffic Violations, Personal Injury,
Employment Law, and Business Litigation
Visit http://www.ccea-nv.org/website_data.cfm ?ID=65 for a complete description of the program.
www.ccea-nv.org
CCEA Express • Page 5
Spring Transfer
CCEA schedules Pre-Surplus
Meeting to help members
prepare for process
The First Voluntary Transfer Period is
scheduled for April 1 - April 30. The
Involuntary Transfer Period will run from May
1 - May 9 and the Second Voluntary Transfer
Period will be from May 12 - June 29.
Article 35 of the Negotiated Agreement
between CCEA and CCSD outlines the
procedures to be used for both voluntary and
involuntary transfers (visit www.ccea-nv.org
to view the contract language).
CCEA is conducting a pre-surplus
meeting for members on Wednesday, May 7
at 4:30 p.m. in the NSEA Boardroom (3511
E. Harmon Ave., Las Vegas, 89121 - one block
east of Pecos Road).
This informational meeting will help
you prepare to select a new position. You
will receive answers to some of the most
common questions like, “Where can I
transfer?” “Can I return to my previous
school?” “Can I move to a middle school?”
“Who is the principal?” And other
questions you may have.
On May 8 all teachers identified for
involuntary transfer will meet in the Del Sol
High School Theater at 4:00 p.m. to select, in
order of seniority ranking, an assignment
from the list of vacancies.
If you have any questions, please call
CCEA at 702-733-3063.
April 22: Earth Day
Participate and protect our planet
On April 22, 1970, more than 20 million people
across America celebrated the first Earth
Day. Now Earth Day is celebrated annually
around the globe. Through the combined
efforts of the U.S. government, grassroots
organizations, and citizens, what started as a
day of national environmental recognition
has evolved into a worldwide campaign to
protect our global environment.
This year we will celebrate Earth Day
Tuesday, April 22. It’s a terrific time to teach
students about our planet and how to take care of it. Visit the
Environmental Protection Agency’s website at
www.epa.gov/epapages/epahome/educational.htm where you will find
a wealth of materials for teachers and students. These resources are
intended to increase environmental awareness and inspire
participation in environmental activities.
Students of all ages will find fun activities and project ideas to
learn more about waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. The site also
provides information sources, tools, and data to enable student
researchers to collect environmental information for use in projects
and reports.
Teachers will find curriculum, activities, games, and other
educational materials to teach students about waste generation and
management. We encourage you to use this information to make Earth
Day a part of your students’ learning experience.
Additional resources, lesson plans, and activities can be found at:
www.earthday.net
www.education-world.com
http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/
www.edhelper.com
www.earthday.gov
www.theteachersguide.com
New Teacher Conference
Mark your calendars!
COMING SOON:
2008-2009 Advanced Studies Certification
Programs. Registration will run May 15
through July 31, 2008
2009 Online Master’s Degree Programs.
Registration will run September 1 through
December 5, 2008.
Visit www.clarkcountycte.info
for programs and registration information.
Page 6 • CCEA Express
The Clark County Education Association once again enjoyed
the opportunity to participate in the CCSD-sponsored New
Teacher Conference. The winter conference was held at
Silverado High School on Saturday, February 9.
The attendees, predominantly first year educators, were
able to interact with vendors who provided educational
products and services. In addition, they enjoyed listening to
keynote speaker Gayle Gregory, author of Differentiated
Instructional Strategies. CCEA was well represented at this
event by members Conrad Kimball and George Radich, along
with CCEA Membership Specialist Michael Soden, who
manned the CCEA table and provided bottled water for all
attendees.
A raffle was also sponsored by CCEA. Individuals
registered for a chance to win one of five $25 gift certificates.
The lucky winners were Wendy Shearer, Barbra J. Clark, Adam
Turney, Thomas Pompeo, and David Schmitt. The prizes were
delivered to the winners at their work sites.
Congratulations to all the winners and to CCSD for a great
conference!
www.ccea-nv.org
April is MATH Awareness Month
Here are some time-tested activities that colleagues around the country use in their classrooms.
Counting Combinatorics
From Todd Braun, a math teacher at Wisconsin Dells
High School in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin:
“In a mathematics course that I teach, there is an
advanced unit in counting combinatorics. As a
cooperative assessment, I give the kids the odds
against being dealt all possible five-card hands in a
game of poker. Their job is to prove those odds
complete with a detailed explanation. I do this in
groups of three and the discussions that lead them to
their solutions are very interesting. This activity
usually takes the students three 50-minute class
periods but the students really enjoy the challenge. It
has been a rewarding experience.”
Positive and Negative Numbers
From Susan Parramore, a University School
Associate Professor at Florida A&M University
Developmental Research School in Tallahassee,
Florida:
“Teaching operations with positive and negative
numbers is a difficult activity in math. I use a card
game to help my students grasp the concept. I draw
two cards at random and hold one up on each side of
my face. Red cards are negative and black cards are
positive. Tens and face cards are worth ten, aces are
one, jokers are zero and all others are at face value. I
call out addition, subtraction, multiplication or
division and remind the students to go from left to
right as they read. They must write the equation and
answer while I count quietly to five. The students
have very lively discussions over their responses
because they must justify their answers. Often the
problems lend themselves to good explanation.”
Playing the Stock Market
From Steve Jantz, a seventh and eighth grade
teacher in Wilbur School District, Wilbur, Washington:
“In our classes we are having a friendly
competition using the stock market. Using the
website ‘E-trade’ students invest approximately
$30,000 in several types of stocks. Each day we
check their market action and buy or sell at least
three times a week. In our math class we discuss the
importance of percents, fractions, decimals and other
areas of math and how they relate to the market. I
have found students to be highly motivated with this
lesson, mainly because it is dealing with money and
class competition.”
Story Problems
From John Pitrelli, a fourth grade teacher at Perry
Elementary School in Perry, Ohio:
“Here’s a math enrichment tip. Each month my
students write an original multiple step problemsolving question using a theme. For example, in
www.ccea-nv.org
October they can make up a problem about
Halloween. The students submit their story problems
without the answers written on them. They type them
and can add a graphic if they like. Toward the end of
the month I collect the problems and make a booklet
for each child. On the last day of the month, I give
them the booklets and ask them to solve their
classmates’ problems. After solving, they go to the
author to see if the answer is correct. Both my kids
and their parents love this enrichment project.”
Simulations & Stimulations: Beat That Time
From Stella Bock, a third grade teacher from Orange
Avenue School in Cranford, New Jersey:
“When teaching multiplication tables, I print out
flashcards from http://www.multiplication.com and
give each child a copy to put in a Ziploc bag. The
students take daily timed tests, starting with 30 facts
and work their way up to tests of 100 facts. The
students must pass each test twice before going on to
the next level. This way each child is working at his
own level and speed. They have 5 1/2 minutes to
complete each test. As tables are memorized, the
children drop that flashcard into a bucket and
concentrate on the ones left in their bag. We make up
jingles and memory aids for some of the more difficult
ones. When 75% of the class can complete 100 facts
in 5 1/2 minutes, we have an ice cream party. They
are always encouraged to compete with themselves,
beating their previous time or finishing a test.”
Rounding Up with Meter Sticks
From Karen Morrill, a third grade teacher at Mt.
Ranier Elementary School in Mt. Ranier, Maryland:
“This week I was trying to help my students
understand rounding to the nearest ten. I noticed
they kept looking up to the number line I have on the
wall. Then I got the idea to give each pair of students
a meter stick at their desk. It really worked well. One
would find the number and the other would see which
ten was closest. On the meter stick the numbers 10,
20, 30, etc. are larger and darker. We even used it for
rounding to the nearest hundred by adding a zero to
each number. The only trick is the need for lots of
meter sticks.”
Counting Coins
From Sandy Bockhorst, a second grade teacher in
Vista, California:
“I teach my students to count coins by counting
coins to equal the number of days left in school. I
then adapt to ask them the largest number of coins to
equal that number as well as the smallest number.
We are a year-round school starting our second block.
The kids really seem to be grasping and counting
change. Next we will have to go shopping!”
CCEA Express • Page 7
3rd Smash Year !!!
“Dollar For Dollar, It’s The Best Show In Town”
Len Butcher, Las Vegas Review-Journal
Four women at a lingerie sale with nothing in
common but a black lace bra AND memory loss,
hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too
much sex and more! This joyful musical parody
set to 25 classic baby boomer songs from “Puff,
My God I’m Draggin” to the disco favorite
“Stayin’ Awake, Stayin’ Awake,” will have you
cheering and dancing in the aisles!
CCEA members receive 10% discount
or free upgrade for local Las Vegas orders.
English Garden Florist
4171 S. Maryland Pkwy
Tiffany Square Shopping Center
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Hours: Mon - Sat 7:30 am - 6:00 pm / Sun 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
702-740-4770
It’s Definitely Not The Silent Passage anymore!®
We invite the CCEA to join us for a
Special Discount of $49.95 per ticket
includes all taxes and fees
(Regularly $60.89)
Cannot be combined with any other offers, promotions,
special rates or previously purchased tickets
Call the box office @ The Las Vegas Hilton
$5 off any order of $25 or more
10% off on corporate accounts
Discount valid on local orders only at the following locations:
East: 3754 E. Flamingo Rd., LV 89121 • 702-433-2491
West: 8520 W. Desert Inn Rd., LV 89117 • 702-256-3331
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm / Saturday 8 am to 3 pm
(702) 732-5755
Mention Code: CCEA LG
Performance Schedule
Monday: 7 pm Tuesday: 7 pm
Wednesday: 2 pm, 7 pm Thursday: 7 pm
Friday: 7 pm Saturday: 4 pm, 7 pm
Sunday: 4 pm, 7 pm
In The Shimmer Cabaret at The Las Vegas Hilton
Page 8 • CCEA Express
I M P O R T A N T
2007 Tax Information
If you were a dues paying member of CCEA for the calendar year
January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007, the itemized
miscellaneous dues deduction that you may be able to deduct on
your 2007 tax return is $644.80.
For more information, see page A-6 of the instructions for IRS
form 1040, schedule A itemized deductions, line 21, or consult
with your tax adviser for specific tax questions and advice.
www.ccea-nv.org
NHO is just around
the corner...
The 2007-2008 school year is moving along
rapidly. For many educators it will be their
final year of employment with CCSD. Many
will retire, some will resign to pursue other
careers, others will move to different school
districts and some will become administrators.
So once again CCSD will hire thousands of
licensed employees. The majority of those
employees will attend the New Hire
Orientation (NHO) August 13, 14, and 15 at the
Cox Pavilion. CCEA will work with the district
to welcome the new employees and assist
them with employment and insurance
paperwork. But we need your help.
If you are interested in helping on any or all
of the days of the NHO as an Association Rep,
please e-mail Michael Soden on Interact or at
msoden@ccea-nv.org. Your help will be
greatly appreciated by CCEA and the new
employees to the district.
www.ccea-nv.org
Committee Launches Clothing
(Underwear) Drive
Campaign aims to benefit Child Haven
The children at Child Haven (more
than 6,000 a year) have access to
thousands of donated clothes,
however when it comes to underwear
they would prefer new ones. For the
third year in a row, the CCEA
Community Outreach Committee is sponsoring an
Underwear Drive to benefit the children at Child
Haven.
If your class, student council, or school would like
to participate in this “new underwear drive,” please
bring unopened packages of underwear in any size
from infant to age 18, to the April 22 CCEA
Association Representative Council meeting or to the
May 3 Teacher & Educator Appreciation Day event.
Donations may also be brought to CCEA, or you
may call CCEA to pick up donations if members at
your school donate numerous packages. The deadline
for donations is May 12, 2008. For more information,
please contact April Kahle or Ruben Murillo through
Interact.
CCEA Express • Page 9
Legal Corner
(continues from page 3)
a student or to maintain control of the
classroom or school. There are
exceptions to this rule. If the teacher’s
actions are willful, criminal, grossly
negligent, etc., the limitation on the
liability does not apply.
Student supervision is an essential
part of a teacher’s duty. It is imperative
that students are supervised at all times.
If you are assigned a specific time and/or
area to supervise, ensure that you notify
someone or obtain coverage if you have
to use the restroom or attend to a matter
you judge more urgent. If a student gets
hurt, the questioning will begin, “where
were you and why weren’t you where you
were supposed to be.” And even though,
no criminal or civil actions may be filed
against you, the school district will
definitely take disciplinary action.
Are you a lucky
$50 gift card winner?
It’s simple. Just call your number in.
Each educator hired during the 2007-2008 school year who
joins CCEA receives a Horace Mann Educator’s kit. The kit
includes a variety of useful information. Additionally, a
randomly assigned number is posted on the front of the kit.
The process is simple. The first four (4) individuals who
contact CCEA Membership Specialist Michael D. Soden each
month will win a $50 gift card. Michael may be contacted by
calling 702-866-6170 or by e-mail at msoden@ccea-nv.org
or through Interact.
Don’t delay. Call your number in and hopefully you, too,
will be a winner for the April 22 meeting!
Gift cards are awarded during the monthly CCEA
Association Representative (AR) Council meetings, which are
held the fourth Tuesday of each month.
Good luck and remember, the number on the kit is valid
all year but each member may only win once.
The Pride, Power and Participation Award was created by CCEA to
recognize and reward educators for their outstanding work in the
classroom and in the community.
The award has been presented to individuals for their work with
students, parents, peers, and the community at large. The
recipients demonstrated pride in their work, participation in their
schools and communities, and the power to make a difference!
CCEA has once again partnered with Advantage Financial to
honor the work of educators. Each winner receives a $50 gift card,
a certificate of recognition and the appreciation of association
members. The award is presented during the monthly Association
PRIDE, POWER & PARTICIPATION AWARD —
Rep Council meeting.
Dawn Nielsen and Carlos M. Ramirez are
During the February 26, 2008 Rep Council meeting, an award
presented with an award by Advantage
was presented to Dawn Nielsen and Carlos M. Ramirez. Dawn and
Financial’s representative Vic Papushak
Carlos were nominated for their exceptional work at Manuel J.
(center).
Cortez Elementary School. They coordinated the school’s use of the
Foss kits and developed a science pod including a depiction of underwater sea life, man’s first walk
on the moon, and a replica of a rain forest. Additionally they have worked to assist students, peers
and the community. Congratulations!
You are encouraged to nominate a fellow CCEA member for the award.
The guidelines and nomination form for the award are available online at www.ccea-nv.org. You
may also request the form by contacting CCEA Membership Specialist Michael D. Soden through
Interact, at msoden@ccea-nv.org or by calling 702-866-6170.
Let’s recognize the work of all dedicated educators, so let the nominating continue!
Page 10 • CCEA Express
www.ccea-nv.org
Member Benefits =
Special Programs & Incredible $avings
Your unified membership has unbelievable value. At the local level you are represented by
CCEA, at the state level by NSEA, and at the national level by NEA. In addition to representing
your interests in contract bargaining and lobbying at the state and national level, each association brings you
money-saving opportunities through products and services. This segment highlights life insurance, financial
service, investment & consumer discount programs brought to you by NEA’s Member Benefits division to help
make your life better.
** No dues dollars are ever used to support NEA Member Benefits programs. **
Life Insurance
Programs
decrease for the entire term. For
more information, visit
www.neamb.com/insurance/linlpr.jsp.
• NEA DUES-TAB® Insurance*
provides up to $1,000 of FREE life
insurance coverage and up to
$5,000 of accidental death and
dismemberment coverage to
eligible members. You can also
receive up to $50,000 of accidental
death and dismemberment
insurance while serving on the job
or as an Association leader, and
up to $150,000 if death is caused
by homicide while on the job. All
at no cost to the NEA member.
For more information or to register
your beneficiary, visit
www.neamb.com/insurance/linall.jsp.
• With the NEA AD&D Insurance
Plan* you and your entire family
can be covered 24/7 no matter
where you travel. Plans start at
$19 a year. For more information,
visit www.neamb.com/insurance/
product1.jsp.
• NEA Group Term Life
Insurance Plan:* Receive up to
$300,000 of decreasing term life
insurance at affordable group rates
with the NEA Term Life Insurance
Plan. For more information or to
apply, visit www.neamb.com/insurance/
product7.jsp.
• With an NEA Preferred Term
Life Insurance Plan* you get
BOTH a level premium and a level
benefit. Ten-, fifteen- and twentyyear terms available up to age 80
for $100,000, $250,000 and
$500,000 coverage amounts.
Higher coverage amounts are
available. For more information,
visit www.neamb.com/insurance/
ptlpge.jsp.
• With the NEA Level Premium
Group Term Life Insurance Plan*
you can choose $50,000 to
$300,000 for a 10- or 20-year term
of term life insurance. Premiums
won’t increase and benefits won’t
www.ccea-nv.org
• NEA Premier Accidental Death
Insurance Plan:* A low cost way
to provide meaningful protection
against accidental death with webonly rates starting as low as
$13.95 a month. Coverage choices
of $250,000, $500,000, $750,000
and $1,000,000 — highest AD
insurance ever offered to
members. NO medical exam or
medical questions to answer.
Acceptance guaranteed for all
eligible members up to age 70.
Rates won’t ever increase due to
your age or health. Visit
www.neamb.com/insurance/premieradpge.
jsp.
• The NEA Guaranteed Issue Life
Plan* provides up to $10,000 or
$20,000 guaranteed coverage for
NEA members ages 50 and older.
For more information, visit
www.neamb.com/insurance/lingil.jsp.
• The NEA MemberCare® LongTerm Care Insurance Program
helps pay for nursing home,
assisted living and home health
care expenses. For more
information, visit www.nealtc.com.
• The NEA MemberCare®
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Program,* underwritten by the
NEA Members Insurance Trust®,
helps fill the hospital and medical
gaps left by Medicare and provides
additional discounts not offered by
other plans. Why settle for less
coverage from another provider
when you can have better coverage
at about the same cost? For more
information, visit
www.neamb.com/insurance/mcspge.jsp.
• The NEA MemberCare® InHospital Plan was designed to
help pay the extra expenses
associated with hospital stay not
covered by your regular health
insurance. Most members under
age 70 are guaranteed acceptance.
The plan, underwritten by The
Hartford, lets you choose a benefit
amount from $20 to $120 a day for
up to a year at a time at low group
rates. For more information, visit
www.neamb.com/insurance/mcipge.jsp.
• NEA MemberCare® Critical
Illness Benefit protects against
the expense of serious illness
without the unfair restriction of
profit-inflating premiums of many
plans on the market. This
supplemental insurance plan for
members age 65 and under helps
you protect your savings from the
catastrophic effects of serious
illness. For more information,
visit www.neamb.com/insurance/
mccpge.jsp.
• The NEA Income Protection®
Plan provides income when you
are unable to work due to illness
or injury. For more information,
visit www.neamb.com/insurance/
ipppge.jsp.
• NEA Homeowners Insurance
provides inflation-proof protection
for your valuables — at school or
CCEA Express • Page 11
at home. For more information,
visit www.neamb.com/insurance/
hinpge.jsp.
• The NEA Members Auto &
Home Insurance Program®
provides specially negotiated rates
and benefits to meet the needs of
educators. Some of the custom
features include exclusively
designed educator-based rates,
summer skip payment options,
and a 24-hour emergency claims
service. For more information or
to discuss your auto or home
insurance needs, visit us at
www.neamb.com/insurance/aplus.jsp or
call toll-free at 1-800-877-7345.
* Provided by the NEA Members
Insurance Trust®
Financial Services
Programs
• The NEA-Sponsored CD from
MBNA America Bank offers some
of the highest yields in the nation
along with FDIC insurance up to
$100,000 per depositor. For more
information, visit
www.neamb.com/savings/gold_cd.jsp.
• Earn some of the highest yields
in the nation with the NEASponsored Money Market
Account from MBNA America
Bank. First time account holders
are eligible to receive a 60-day
introductory bonus rate. You’ll
also enjoy the safety of FDIC
insurance up to $100,000 per
depositor. For more information,
visit www.neamb.com/savings/mm_
account.jsp.
• With the new NEA WorldPoints
Platinum Plus® Credit Card, you
have a world of rewards from
which to choose. For every
purchase dollar you charge you
earn reward points, which can be
redeemed for: cash, travel, or
merchandise. For more
information about the costs
associated with the use of the
card, or to apply, call NEA
Financial Services at 1-800-637-4636,
Mon. - Fri., 8AM to 8PM (or Sat.
9AM to 1PM) ET. Visit
www.neamb.com/credit/index.jsp.
Page 12 • CCEA Express
• Receive preferred rates and no
annual fee with the NEA Platinum
Plus® VISA, NEA School Days®
VISA, and NEA-Retired® VISA
Credit Cards. For more
information about the costs
associated with the use of the
cards, or to apply, call NEA
Financial Services at 1-800-637-4636,
Mon. - Fri., 8AM to 8PM (or Sat.,
9AM to 1PM) ET. Visit
www.neamb.com/credit/index.jsp.
• Get a new mortgage or refinance
your existing mortgage through
the NEA Home Financing
Program®. Call today to find out
why NEA members rate the
program so highly! Also, be sure
to ask about the complimentary
NEA Getaway hotel package, a
member bonus you’ll get after
closing on your new mortgage or
refinance! Reverse mortgages for
seniors are also available. For
more information, visit
www.neamb.com/loans/hmfpge.jsp.
• Home Equity Loans for NEA
Members — If you’re a
homeowner, you can use a taxdeductible home equity loan or
line of credit to pay for home
improvement projects, pay off
high-interest debt, buy a car, or
pay college tuition. For more
information on home equity loans
for NEA members visit
www.neamb.com/loans/.
• The NEA Personal Loan® offers
preferred annual percentage rates
with low, affordable monthly
payments on loans from $3,000 to
$25,000, based on your
creditworthiness. Receive a loan
decision in as little as 10 minutes.
No collateral is needed. For more
information, visit www.neamb.com/
loans/p_loan.jsp.
• Apply for the NEA Line of
Credit® Account with a credit line
from $500 to $25,000 (based on
your creditworthiness), which you
can access using personalized
checks. Enjoy preferred rates and
no annual fee. For more
information, visit
www.neamb.com/loans/line_of_ credit.jsp.
• NEA National Board
Certification Loan® — Members
who are seeking National Board
Certification can apply for an
affordable loan designed to help
cover the $2,500 assessment fee.
The NEA National Board
Certification Loan is a special line
of credit that has no application
fee, no annual fee, no prepayment
penalty, and no collateral is
required. For more information
visit www.neamb.com/ loans/loanbc.jsp.
Investment Programs
• Tax-Deferred Retirement
Savings Plan — For retirement
planning assistance from a person
you can trust, call for an
appointment with a representative
today: 1-877-NEA-8668, ext. 3655, Mon. Fri., 7AM to 6PM, CT. For more
information, visit www.neamb.com/
savings/vanpge.jsp.
Consumer Discount
Programs
• NEA Car Rental Program:
Preferred member rates are yours
when you reserve an economy
through full size vehicle in
advance with Hertz or Alamo.
When making reservations, use
CDP# 50655 for Hertz, and ID#
613575 for Alamo. For more
information, visit www.neamb.com/
discount/carpge.jsp.
• The NEA Magazine Service®
offers guaranteed savings of up to
85% off the cover price on over 800
titles! NEA members can receive a
free subscription to your choice of
one teaching title with any
purchase from the NEA Magazine
Service! Visit www.neamb.com/
discount/magpge. jsp today or call 1800-YOURMAG for details.
For more ways
NEA Member Benefits can help
you and your family, call:
1-800-637-4636
Mon. - Fri., 8AM to 8PM (or Sat. 9AM to 1PM) ET
www.ccea-nv.org
The Joy of Reading!
More storybooks
unveiled
The CCEA Community Foundation is proud to bring
you the second phase of “Read to Me”
storybooks. We invite you to make this program
part of your class activities. Your students will be
amazed by the wonderful reading performances.
The new lineup includes:
#9100 A Favorite Story
Pinkalicious – Read by Rita Rudner, Comedian at
Harrah’s Las Vegas.
#9101 Just for Little Kids
Poof – Read by Mac King, Magician & Comedian
at Harrah’s Las Vegas.
#9102 A Silly Story
Ten Gallon Bart – Performed by Terry Fator,
Impersonator & Ventriloquist at Las Vegas Hilton
and winner of 2007 America’s Got Talent.
#9103 A Fun Story
Bart and the Gang: Cookie Party – Read by
Keegan Gerhard, Award Winning Pastry Chef and
host of “Food Network Challenge.”
#9104 Animal Adventures:
Riley the Rhinoceros – Read by Mercedes, cohost of Mix 94.1FM -Mark & Mercedes Morning
Radio Show.
#9105 Cuentos en Español
A Spoon For Every Bite/Una Cuchara Para Cada
Bocado (through 4/30)
Cactus Soup/Sopa de Cactus (debut 5/1)
#9106 Crazy Creatures:
A Boy Who Was Afraid of Plants (through 4/15)
Montgomery the Moose – Read by Tony Pace,
Singer and Impressionist (debut 4/15).
#9107 A Bedtime Story
Deputy Dorkface, How Stinkville Got Cleaned Up
— Written and Read by Kevin Janison, News 3
Meteorologist.
#9108 A Great Tale:
Rooster’s Night Out — Retold by Martha
Hamilton and Mitch Weiss, Professional
Storytellers.
#9109 Message from CCEA Community Foundation
Call 1-866-941-2665 and
enter 4-digit code OR
visit www.ReadToMeLV.com
for an interactive experience.
www.ccea-nv.org
Nevada Reading Week and Read Across America Day were
celebrated in Clark County’s schools. As has become
tradition, CCEA President Mary Ella Holloway participated
in reading events at Helen Herr ES while CCEA Vice
President Ruben Murillo participated in the reading
festivities at Ronzone ES.
Reading celebrations
were held throughout the
valley, helping instill in
children a love for
reading. We thank the
following community
leaders for their
participation: Senator
John Lee, David Kallas of
the Police Protective League,
Assemblyman Harvey Munford, Judge
Cynthia Steel, County Commissioner
Susan Brager, Assemblyman Joe Hogan,
Review-Journal reporter Erin
Neff and political pundit Jon
Ralston. To the teachers at
Mountain View ES, C.P. Squires
ES, J.T. McWilliams ES, Elbert
Edwards ES, Matt Kelly ES, Rex
Bell ES, Mabel Hoggard ES and
Bertha Ronzone ES, our
heartfelt thanks for inviting
these community leaders
into your classrooms.
Helping to kick-off the
reading activities, the CCEA
Community Foundation’s
Read to Me program
sponsored the “Ride the
Reading Train” event at the Paseo Verde Library in
Henderson on Saturday, February 23. Local authors
Patricia Derrick, Kevin Janison, and Eric Blank delighted
children and parents alike with their books, which were
also available for purchase. Drawings were held for
children to win autographed copies of “Sly the Dragonfly,”
“Bart and the Gang Cookie Party,” “Deputy Dorkface, How
Stinkville Got Cleaned Up,” and “The Success of Robert
Fitzgibbons,” as well as gift cards to Borders.
“Read to Me” also partnered with All People
Promoting Literacy Efforts (APPLE) Partnership for a
“read the most minutes” competition. The school with
the most reading minutes would win a special
performance by Terry Fator, world-class impersonator,
comedian, singer & ventriloquist, and winner of the 2007
America’s Got Talent competition. The children at
Twitchell Elementary School, the winning school, were
ecstatic with Fator’s animated reading. CCEA President
Mary Ella Holloway states that Fator’s performance at
Twitchell on February 25 was so wonderful, she decided
to stay for a double serving!
A special thanks to all members and staff who worked
so hard to coordinate these wonderful activities. The
children in Clark County thank you!
CCEA Express • Page 13
Opportunity Grants
The CCEA Community Foundation Opportunity Grants Program stimulates innovation by providing teachers and the community
with resources to develop creative ideas. The competitive grants allow teachers and community groups throughout Clark
County opportunities to experiment with new materials, new approaches to learning, and new ways to bring energy and
excitement into their school and neighborhood.
Opportunity Grants are awarded throughout the year (up to $500 per grant). Emphasis is put on activities that support Clark
County youth so they may access school and community resources (regardless of ability to pay) as they grow into healthy and
productive adults.
Recent Grants Awarded:
Julie Brown – Grant amount $330.00. Springs Preserve
Field Trip. Third grade students at this Title 1 school will
benefit from a trip to The Gardens at the Springs Preserve.
They will identify ways to conserve natural resources and
materials through recycling, as well as recognize plants
and animals habitats, both on land and water.
Rebecca Fetting – Grant amount $440.00. Field Trip to
the Outback Steakhouse. First through fourth grade
students will tour Outback Steakhouse, receive background
information as related to the history of the business, what it
takes to run a restaurant, and the importance of being a
team player to meet goals. Students will explore the
relationship of education and the “World-of-Work,” discuss
nutrition practices in various cultures around the world,
and practice social skills.
Rachel Sims – Grant amount $500.00. Robotics Club.
Third through fifth grade students will gain knowledge of
basic robotics through the use of Lego Mindstorms
robotics sets and participate in the US First Lego Robotics
challenge. Mathematics skills in the areas of geometry and
measurement, as well as reasoning and problem-solving
skills, will be acquired through the use of programming
software.
games to help motivate students with time for fun and
games as a reward for completing assignments and
following class rules.
Dolores Williamson – Grant amount $490.00. Project
SHRED – Self Help and Real-life Employment Duties.
Middle school students with moderate to severe cognitive
disabilities will be able to perform job skills used in real-life
employment situations as they collect materials to be
shredded from classrooms and offices, shred and bag the
shredded paper, and place it for recycling.
Rebecca Keith – Grant amount $500.00. Kingdoms
Buffet. This culminating cross-cultural event involves the
entire school community and parents by creating active
involvement with the science curriculum. All six kingdoms
(Eubateria, Archaebacteria, Protist, Fungi, Plant, and
Animal) will be represented at a buffet which will include
exotic items that students would not be able to experience
in their everyday life. Seaweed and other algae products
would be used to represent both the protist kingdom and
the beginning of food webs. This project will connect
everyday items to the curriculum.
Dana Hazzard – Grant amount $495.00. Reading
Circles. Seventh grade students will participate in
literature circles. As these students see reading as an
activity that they have a voice in, this project will
encourage a love of reading and sharing of ideas.
Dana Boam – Grant amount $480.00. Old Man and the
Sea. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway will
be studied by a remedial reading class. Because
Hemingway uses simple vocabulary and syntax, and
because this work is just over 100 pages, it makes it
possible for students to engage with this important piece of
literature.
Donna Carlisle – Grant amount $500.00. College Day.
Fifth grade students will spend the day at the College of
Southern Nevada as part of their Career Awareness
program, linking education to the “World-of-Work.”
Students will tour the campus and participate in numerous
scheduled classroom activities. Students at this Title 1
school will have the opportunity to explore education
beyond the high school level.
Nicole Oudin – Grant amount $470.00. It Happened in
Nevada. Students know very little about the state of
Nevada and its importance in settling the West. These
history students will be able to read different historical
anecdotes from the book to promote Nevada history during
the celebration of Nevada being admitted into the Union as
well as the topics of Manifest Destiny and the westward
expansion.
Christine Thomas – Grant amount $500.00. Students
Choose Learning in Choice Time. This project utilizes
Apply for a CCEA Community Foundation Opportunity Grant. It is easy.
Call 702-369-5764 to request an application packet or visit www.ccea-nv.org/grant_application.cfm.
Page 14 • CCEA Express
www.ccea-nv.org
The opportunity grants offered by the CCEA Community Foundation provide a local source to fund your
innovative ideas. To help you expand on those resources, we bring you information on these additional grants:
❁ INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FOR
TEACHERS
Destination: Galapagos Islands
The Institute of International Education is pleased to
announce that the application for the 2008 Toyota
International Teacher Program to the Galapagos
Islands, a unique professional development program
for secondary school teachers and librarians, is now
available.
This year teachers in grades 6–12 and Library
Media Specialists are eligible to apply! All full time
teachers of all subjects in the 50 states and the
District of Columbia are encouraged to apply.
This is a special chance for educators to visit
these remote islands; the inspiration for Darwin and
home to unique ecosystems found nowhere else on
Earth! Hopefully, through this program, the
Galapagos can continue to inspire new generations
of explorers to expand their understanding of the
world and people around them.
Application deadline is May 9, 2008. Visit
www.iie.org/toyota for application and additional
information.
❁ SAVE OUR HISTORY GRANTS
Inspiring the youth in the community to
become the preservationists of tomorrow.
Each year, the History Channel awards grants of up
to $10,000 to organizations across the country that
partner with schools or youth groups on educational
community preservation projects that engage
students in learning about, documenting and
preserving the history of their communities.
The 2008/2009 grant cycle has begun and the
grant application is available online. Visit
www.saveourhistory.com for guidelines, criteria,
descriptions of past grant-winning projects, and to
apply. Applications are due June 6, 2008.
❁ CAPTAIN PLANET FOCUSES ON
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation (CPF)
is to support hands-on environmental projects for
youth in grades K-12. Our objective is to encourage
innovative activities that empower children around
the world to work individually and collectively as
environmental stewards. Through ongoing
education, we believe that children can play a vital
www.ccea-nv.org
role in preserving our precious natural resources for
future generations.
The range of grants awarded by the Foundation
is $250 - $2,500.
Deadlines for submitting grant applications are
March 31, June 30, September 30, and December
31. Grant Proposals are reviewed over a period of
three months from the date of the submission
deadline. All applicants will be informed of their
proposal’s status within four months of the
application deadline.
Visit http://captainplanetfoundation.org for
detailed information and to complete the online
grant application.
❁ CHANGING LIVES THROUGH
MUSIC
Las Vegas Marching Arts (LVMA), Inc., is the newest
and one of the most creative nonprofit youth music
education organizations. LVMA’s mission is to
provide a program for youth in music and
performance training, primarily in the southern
Nevada region. To provide a venue for music
performance, percussion, precision, marching,
performance arts and pageantry with a positive
environment, one that emphasizes character and
social development, leadership, self-discipline, and
the pursuit of excellence. LVMA will provide
opportunities for competition in local, regional,
national and international presentation venues.
If your goal is to inculcate values of music skill
acquisition, teamwork, cooperation, precision, selfrespect, respect for others, discipline, and personal
and group excellence and a drug-free environment in
which to build character and performance skills in
life, LVMA is for you. To learn more about the
program and how you and your students may
participate, visit www.lasvegasmarchingarts.com.
❁ ALSO Available are....
— www.neafoundation.org/grants.htm
— http://e-grants.ed.gov/egHome.asp
— www.fundsnetservices.com/searchresult.php?sb
cat_id=6
— www.learningis4everyone.org/content/category
/1/47/2/
— www.k12grants.org/newsletter.htm
— http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/
business/grants.html
CCEA Express • Page 15
May 6, 2008
National
Teacher Day
Great Teachers Make
Great Public Schools
Communities across the nation will
take time out on Tuesday, May 8 to
honor educators and acknowledge
the contributions they make to our
lives. “Great Teachers Make Great
Public Schools” draws attention to
the crucial role teachers play in
making sure every child receives a
quality public education and
conveys the hard work teachers do
each day to make public schools
great for every child.
The children of Clark County are
very fortunate to have
knowledgeable, dedicated and
caring teachers like you — our
members — preparing them for the
future and to become the leaders of
tomorrow.
CCEA is proud to work with and
represent teachers in Clark County. For all you do every day for every student, we salute you!
Clark County Education Association
4230 McLeod Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Tel. 702-733-3063 • www.ccea-nv.org
To enjoy additional special promotions,
visit us at www.ccea-nv.org — click on
Member Resources and select
Promotions and Discounts.
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Las Vegas, NV
Permit No. 57