Vol. 7, Issue 7 March 2007 Important Dates Member Benefit Fairs March 2, 2007 CCEA to host fairs throughout district CCEA Night with the Wranglers The Clark County Education Association will be holding regional fairs March 2, 2007 throughout the Clark County School District this month. Read Across America These fairs are offered to provide you, our members, an March 13, 2007 additional opportunity to: CCEA Executive Board Meeting • Meet with Association leaders to learn about the many programs and issues the Association is pursuing. March 17, 2007 • Learn about CCEA’s Committees and their work. ESEA Picnic @ Sunset Park • Find out about the benefits of CCEA membership. • Visit with CCEA endorsed vendors and other partners to see how you can March 23-24, 2007 take advantage of the many benefits offered through CCEA. NSEA Board of Directors Meeting • An opportunity to win a $200 Southwest Airlines gift card or one of the March 27, 2007 many prizes to be raffled at every fair. CCEA Rep Council Meeting

April 2-6, 2007 * Fair Schedule * CCSD Spring Break Mark your calendar for the fair that best works for you! Sites will be open from 3:00-6:00 p.m., so stop by the cafeteria at your convenience. April 6, 2007 CCEA Offices Closed Mon., 3/5 Cimarron-Memorial HS • 2301 N. Tenaya Way, Las Vegas 89128 Wed., 3/7 Canyon Springs HS • 350 E. Alexander Rd., N. Las Vegas 89032 April 10, 2007 CCEA Executive Board Meeting Mon., 3/12 Green Valley HS • 460 Arroyo Grande Blvd., Henderson 89014 Wed., 3/14 Spring Valley HS • 3750 S. Buffalo Dr., Las Vegas 89147 April 16, 2007 Tue., 3/20 Chaparral HS • 3850 Annie Oakley Dr., Las Vegas 89121 THT’s Domestic Partner Door Prizes * Raffles * Light Refreshments Verification Information Mailed

April 24, 2007 CCEA Rep Council Meeting American Fidelity April 26-27, 2007 NSEA Diversity Conference Continues Its Support April 27, 2007 STEP UP Class Benefits from Commitment NSEA Board of Directors Meeting Last year American April 27-29, 2007 Fidelity “adopted” the PROUD STEP UP NSEA Delegate Assembly seniors enrolled in SPONSOR — Donna the STEP UP program Sciulara, American Fidelity Inside This Issue at Mojave High Educational Services School. This year Sales Manager - Arizona and , proudly Pg 2 • Frequently Asked Questions those students have displays the adopted STEP Pg 3 • Legal Corner graduated from UP class picture in their Pg 4 • Study Sessions Offered Mojave and are Las Vegas office. Pg 5 • Physics in the Park attending college full Photo by Andrew Page Pg 6 • Considering Retirement? time on their way to a teaching degree and employment with STEP UP—the Student to Teacher Pg 7 • Membership PAY$ the Clark County School District Enlistment Project Undergraduate Pg 9 • Pride, Power, and Participation (CCSD). American Fidelity continues Program was created to identify CCSD Pg 10 • Grant Opportunities their support by once again donating high school students, largely minority Pg 11 • 2007 Drop Everything And Read $12,000 to pay for this year’s tuition students, who would like to become Pg 12 • Discounted Attraction Tickets and books for these students. (continues on page 3) Frequently The 2007 Teaching & Learning Asked Conditions Survey Questions REMINDER Is Coming! By Kathy Foresythe CCEA Deputy Executive Director Legal Services In February 2006, more than 8,000 teachers and administrators responded to the Teaching and Learning Conditions survey. Topic: Those results led to the creation of the Teaching and Learning Conditions Team — now commonly known as Considering Retirement? the TLC Team — and to an organized effort to improve the teaching and learning climate in CCSD schools. In addition, data and documentation generated assisted in Is there currently a negotiated Early Retirement narrowing down the specific areas that were in need of Program? change. This information was given to CCEA and CCSD Yes, Article 18-8 of the Negotiated to help create collaborative plans to retain teachers, Agreement provides for an Early Retirement improve their working conditions, and improve school Incentive Program. climates. You now have an opportunity to continue and How do I qualify? improve these efforts. If every teacher and administrator  You must have twenty-nine (29) years but completes the upcoming survey, we will have more less than 30 years of accumulated accurate and powerful data to fuel our efforts for the next service time in the Public Employees’ school year. Retirement System of Nevada (PERS). Help us improve! Take part in the next on-line  You must have been employed as a Teaching and Learning Conditions Survey from March 26, 2007 to April 20, 2007. Anonymity is guaranteed. teacher for at least fifteen (15) years with For additional information, call the TLC Team at the Clark County School District. 387-0645.  You must terminate employment with the District at the conclusion of the current contract year.  You must have one hundred (100) days of ESEA is hosting the event accumulated unused sick leave. of the season… What is the incentive? If you meet all four criteria, the District will purchase up to one year of PERS service credit, total service including such purchase not to exceed thirty (30) years.

Where can I learn more? CCEA, CCSD and PERS will be holding two informational meetings regarding the Article 18 Early Retirement Incentive Program. Saturday, March 17, 2007 When: Monday, March 19, 2007 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Times: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Sunset Park - Section F (Picnic area on south Eastern, north of the railroad tracks) 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Where: Clark County School District Members, bring your family and enjoy a fun day Edward A. Greer Boardroom of music, food, face painting, games, prizes and much more! 2832 East Flamingo Road Joining us at this fun-filled day will be special guest Las Vegas, Nevada 89121 NEA President Reg Weaver. If you have any questions or concerns, Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet him. please call the CCEA office at 733-3063 and CCEA members RSVP by calling 733-3063 by March 13th. ask to speak with a UniServ Director.

Page 2 • CCEA Express www.ccea-nv.org American Fidelity Continues Its Support of STEP UP (continued from front page)

What to Know About teachers. The CCEA Community Foundation pays for their tuition and books in exchange for their commitment to return MySpace.com to CCSD upon receiving their degree—this The Internet has certainly changed many aspects of time as teachers. It’s a “Grow Your Own” our way of life. It has most certainly impacted program that will give our upcoming education as well. One of the most commonly used students more teachers who grew up in our sites on the World Wide Web is MySpace.com. This site allows community and share similar experiences. participants to post a profile about themselves. A profile allows users to American Fidelity Assurance include personal information such as age, gender, marital status, address, Company is a family-owned organization hobbies, etc. Users can also post pictures, videos and are able to blog that offers insurance products and with their friends. The site is public. A user can set their profile to private, financial services to education employees at CCSD, as well as, throughout the United but their photo, gender, city and state are still available for everyone to States. American Fidelity is perhaps best see. While MySpace.com is a convenient known to CCSD employees as the means of communication and expression, it administrator of Section 125 or Flexible does not come without consequences. Spending Accounts. Section 125 allows Nationwide there are examples of both ”…one must use CCSD employees to set aside money on a teachers and students being disciplined for good judgment as to pre-tax basis for out-of-pocket medical, what has been posted on MySpace.com. what information is dental, vision and dependent care Although a teacher has the right to have a expenses. If you would like more MySpace.com profile, one must use good posted in such a information about Section 125 or any of the judgment as to what information is posted public, easily products American Fidelity offers including in such a public, easily accessible setting. disability insurance, accident only Issues arise because students, parents, etc. accessible setting.” insurance, long term care insurance, have access to the teacher’s profile. Some cancer insurance or portable life insurance, tips to remember are: contact them at (702) 433-5333. • Do not identify which school you teach at. The Foundation thanks American • Do not post pictures of students. Fidelity and its staff for their continuing • Refrain from communicating with students and/or parents via commitment to the STEP UP program. MySpace.com. Only through the caring and commitment • Avoid posting anything that is inappropriate or might embarrass you of businesses such as American Fidelity, in the future. Horace Mann, Martin & Allison Ltd., Nevada There have also been cases in which students have created fake Power, Citibank, The Legend Group, Bloom profiles of teachers and other school staff. Because this is a common Financial and others is the STEP UP problem, MySpace.com has included the question, “How do we remove an program possible. imposter profile for a teacher/faculty member?” on the Frequently Asked Questions page. MySpace.com has also created a School Administrator’s Guide. While this guide is not available to the public, schools who do not STEP UP already have one can request the guide by visiting MySpace.com and requesting a guide through the Contact MySpace page. While this article Needs Your Help focuses on MySpace.com, many of the tips can be used for any site that is open to the public and in which there is no expectation of privacy. The CCEA Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and donations are tax 2007 Legislative Session deductible as a charitable contribution. As the session picks up a faster pace, we will Contributions to the STEP UP program will be update you on the issues that will impact used to pay for tuition and books for students educators and public education in Nevada. in exchange for their commitment to teach in Let us know what is important to you. Clark County’s public schools for four years Complete the Make The Difference—Get after receiving their degree. To make a Involved online survey by visiting the 2007 donation, please contact Christine Page at Legislature page on the CCEA website (702) 287-4695. at www.ccea-nv.org. www.ccea-nv.org CCEA Express • Page 3

The Las Vegas Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa & Members Only The Clark County Education Association invite you to “School Restructuring with an Free Empowerment Model” Study This program will introduce attendees to one method of school restructuring—an empowerment model. Principals from all four Session Clark County School District empowerment schools will Nevada School Law Exam introduce their unique programs. In addition, district personnel, a CCEA representative, and UNLV faculty will discuss the Nevada Constitution Exam research and partnerships surrounding these programs. U.S. Constitution Exam

Attendees will leave with: * Knowledge of the empowerment school model within the Clark County Date: Wednesday, April 18 School District * Examples of how principals and their staffs are creating schools using the empowerment model Place: Teachers Health Trust * Examples of methods for partnering with community agencies to Marvin Sedway Room support improved student achievement 2950 E. Rochelle Avenue * Lessons learned during the first empowerment school projects Las Vegas, NV 89121

Wednesday, March 7, 2007 ~ 4:30 PM Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Mack Middle School 4250 Karen Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89121 Seating is limited to 100 participants. To reserve your RSVP to Chris Merriweather at [email protected] seat, call CCEA at 733-3063 or you may register by e-mailing Refreshments will be available and the meeting [email protected]. will conclude with door prizes. Nevada Law booklets may be Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK) is a worldwide association of professional educators at all purchased for $10.00 at the study levels, nursery school through the university. The purpose of PDK is “To promote quality education, in particular publicly supported education, as essential to the development and session. maintenance of a democratic way of life. This purpose shall be accomplished through research, service, and leadership in education.” •• Exam Information •• Spring 2007 Schedule

No pre-registration. Exams are given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Date: Saturday, March 10 OR Saturday, May 5

Place: Keller M.S. — Cafeteria 301 N. Fogg Street (off East Charleston Blvd.)

Time: 11:00 a.m. (doors open at 10:00 a.m.) AND 1:30 p.m. (doors open at 1:15 p.m.)

Page 4 • CCEA Express www.ccea-nv.org

PHYSICS IN THE PARK What is Physics In The Park? Physics In The Park is the one time where elementary, middle and high school students are provided the opportunity to discover how their classroom experiences apply in the real world. Depending on their grade level, they may apply their scientific and or mathematical principles on rides and attractions at the Adventuredome Theme Park. The Adventuredome offers the only Physics In The Park in Nevada. For more than 10 years The Adventuredome has teamed up with Clark County School Districts Physical Science Departments to create hands on learning; bringing the concepts of the classroom to light in the 5-acre Theme Park. Students see first hand potential and kinetic energy and they eagerly record their data as they perform experiments and solve problems. Students and teachers alike from all over the Las Vegas valley have benefited from this unique program. To obtain your Free Educator-designed support materials, please contact the Adventuredome Theme Park’s Group Educational Department at (702) 794-3906 or (702) 691-5861. ATTENTION New Members: Does your educator kit have a lucky number this month?

The Clark County Education Association and the was randomly LUCKY WINNERS — James Horace Mann Insurance Company have been drawn as the co- Masden and Tarena Zake receive working together during the 2006-2007 school winner. their certificates from Horace Mann year to award gift certificates to newly hired Congratulations representative Josh Lamers (center) educators in Clark County. Each educator to the winners! at the JanuaryRep Council meeting. receives a kit from Horace Mann when they join The randomly CCEA. The kits have a randomly generated generated numbers for this issue are: number listed on them. Each month in the CCEA Express a series of 39 810 1303 1941 2748 randomly generated numbers are listed. If a 235 832 1316 2065 2750 number matches a number listed on a member’s 280 854 1333 2092 2775 kit, they are awarded a $25 gift certificate. The 308 887 1336 2178 2867 gift cards are given out at the CCEA Rep Council 551 889 1455 2382 2896 meeting. 656 961 1591 2623 2897 However, for each newly hired member who 699 1083 1604 2627 2959 has a winning number there is also another 782 1106 1872 2653 2969 winner. The CCEA member who signed the application of the educator with the winning Check to see if your number is listed. If you have number also wins a gift certificate. If the one of the lucky numbers, please contact CCEA application was signed by a CCEA staff member, Membership Specialist Michael D. Soden by then an alternate name is randomly chosen. calling 866-6170 or by e-mailing through The newly hired CCEA member who received a Interact. certificate at the January 23rd CCEA Rep Council meeting is Tarena Zake. James Masden’s name www.ccea-nv.org CCEA Express • Page 5 2008 Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Visits with CONSIDERING Clark County Educators RETIREMENT?? Your earned unused sick leave may make you CLINTON SHARES HER eligible for one or all three of these negotiated VIEWS ON EDUCATION— benefits. On February 21, Del Sol H.S. served as the gathering site 1) ONE YEAR OF PERS SERVICE CREDIT: for ‘08 Presidential Candidate Under Article 18 of the Negotiated Hillary Clinton’s address to Agreement, the Early Retirement Incentive more than 600 Clark County Program (ERIP) allows you to use 100 days educators. Members enjoyed of earned unused sick leave to buy up to the opportunity to ask one year of PERS service credit. If you meet specific questions of the candidate and hear about all the criteria (as described on page 2, her views and goals for which includes that “You have at least 29 public education. years but less than 30 years of service credit in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)”) by August 31, NSEA/CCEA HOST VIP 2007, you will qualify for the ERIP. RECEPTION—CCSD OR Superintendent Walt Rulffes and CCSD Regulation 4370 provides you with an CCEA Executive Director John Jasonek “meet and greet” Sen. option to buy one year of PERS service Clinton during the 70-person event. credit if you meet the stipulated criteria and procedures. The criteria includes: • Employee must have completed a Pre-Retirement Workshops minimum of fifteen (15) years of tenure with CCSD and a maximum of twenty-nine March 5 - March 8, 2007 (29) years of service. You may choose only one of the options, The Clark Retired Education Association (CREA) will be hosting pre- either the ERIP or the CCSD Regulation retirement workshop sessions to assist you in this process. 4370 provision—you cannot use them both. Representatives from the following organizations will be attending to answer your questions: 2) A FUND TO PAY FUTURE HEALTHCARE March 5 PERS PREMIUMS: Career Plan or Healthcare March 6 Public Employees Benefit Program Reimbursement Account (HRA). Under March 7 Social Security Article 28 of the Negotiated Agreement, the March 8 Association Day HRA allows you to use from 150 to 300 days of earned unused sick leave to access a To accommodate your schedule, two sessions will offered: fund that can be used to pay future Session 1 — 3:30-4:30 p.m. • Session 2 — 4:30-5:30 p.m. healthcare premiums. You must also have The workshops will be held at the NSEA Offices been employed with CCSD for a minimum of @ 3511 E. Harmon Avenue, Las Vegas 89121 (one block east of Pecos). 15 years. The same 100 days that you use to participate in the ERIP can also be used To RSVP and to obtain detailed session information, call CREA to participate in this program. The HRA President Judi Hamblin at 565-7671. uses a formula to determine how much money will be placed in your account.

3) CASH BUY OUT: Under Article 18, this IMPORTANT program allows you to cash out up to 100 days of earned unused sick leave. The cash 2006 Tax Information out fund has $150,000 that is divided evenly among each year’s retirees based upon the If you were a dues paying member of CCEA for the calendar number of days submitted. You can cash in year January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006, the itemized the same 100 days that you used to miscellaneous dues deduction that you may be able to deduct participate in the ERIP and HRA programs. on your 2006 tax return is $624.40. For more information, see page A-6 of the instructions for IRS form 1040, schedule A It is important to remember that you can itemized deductions, line 20, or consult with your tax adviser use the same sick leave days for each of for specific tax questions and advice. these programs. For more information, contact CCEA at 733-3063.

Page 6 • CCEA Express www.ccea-nv.org Membership doesn’t cost, IT PAY$ A Brief Guide to CCEA, NSEA and NEA Member Benefits

As a member of the Clark County Education Association, the Nevada State Education Association, and the National Education Association you are entitled to many benefits and services. Our tri-level organization takes pride in what we do for our members and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the additional economic benefits and special services we have secured. We encourage you to become familiar with each item and start saving today!

Insurance Products Discount tickets available year- Horace Mann offers auto, round for: homeowners & renters insurance, • Movies at any United Artist, plus other financial services. Regal Entertainment Group or Their auto insurance rates are Edwards Theatres very competitive because they • Disneyland & California know that “Educators make good Adventure Parks drivers.” • Legoland CCEA Member (702-220-8250) • Six Flags Magic Mountain & Services, Discounts Hurricane Harbor Water Park Banking Services • Universal Studios & Promotions Silver State Schools Credit Union • Sea World Visit the Member Resources offers savings and checking • San Diego Zoo section of our website accounts, credit card services and • San Diego Wild Animal Park (www.ccea-nv.org) for the most up- loans. • Knott’s Berry Farm to-date information on the many (800-357-9654) • Knott’s Berry Farm Soak City - services and promotions available Water Park (3 locations) to CCEA members. Education • Adventuredome Theme Park @ Touro University offers Graduate Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Retirement & Financial Planning degrees and endorsements. • Tournament of Kings @ Excalibur Hotel & Casino Advantage Financial offers (702-777-8687) financial planning and retirement strategies. They are also the Pre-Retirement Seminars Discount tickets to seasonal events administrators of the “Career Information sessions are offered such as: Plan” or Healthcare by the Clark Retired Education • Disney On Ice Reimbursement Account. Association (CREA) to assist • CCEA Night with the Wranglers (702-733-7890) members with the retirement Hockey Game process. For information, contact • Las Vegas College Football Bowl Section 125 CREA President Judi Hamblin at • Knott’s Berry Farm Halloween American Fidelity offers short and 702-565-7671. Haunt long-term disability protection and • Universal Studios Hollywood the Section 125. $1,000 Signing Bonus Advance Halloween Horror Nights (702-433-5333) provided to new hires • Las Vegas 51’s Baseball Game & Tailgate Zone Tax Preparation & Planning Local Business Discounts • Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Bloom Financial Services offers Local business discounts available expert tax preparation to educators to CCEA members on products and their families. They also offer and services include: cleaning Unique Discounts/Promotions from a 457(b) program—a pre-tax services, beauty products, businesses like: savings account that allows nurseries, heating & air • AAA Travel – Educator Cruises members to shelter a part of their conditioning service, cellular • Borders & Waldenbooks salary into a savings plan directly phone service, and many more. • through payroll deduction. Visit the Member Resources page • LeReve @ (702-791-0581) at www.ccea-nv.org for the most • Office Depot current listing as discounts and • Enterprise Rent-a-Car offers are frequently added. • Nevada Crystal Premium Water • COSTCO www.ccea-nv.org CCEA Express • Page 7 Member Mall DOVE (Discounts on Vehicles for Life Insurance Programs (cont.) Take advantage of the discounts Educators) • NEA Level Premium Term Life and promotions offered in this Fleet discount prices on new Insurance Plan Internet mall by more than 65 automobiles—it saves you time • NEA Home Protection® Plan stores. Many categories for your and paperwork. • NEA Group Life shopping pleasure—they include • $1 Million Educators Liability bookstores, clothing, food, gifts, Attorney Referral Program Protection Plan (automatic—no health & beauty, home, jewelry, * Two half-hour legal consults cost to members) luggage, maternity, music, per year outdoor, pets, specialty stores, Two free one-half hour legal Health & Disability Insurance superstores, technology, toys and consultations a year with Programs travel. selected attorneys for personal • NEA MemberCare® Critical matters. Illness Benefit Educators’ Business Guide * Legal services at discounted • NEA MemberCare® Long-Term This quarterly publication mailed rates Care Insurance to your home brings you For your personal needs, this • NEA MemberCare® Medicare discounts and special offers from program offers reduced legal Supplement businesses throughout Clark costs on five core areas—wills, • NEA MemberCare® In-Hospital County. trusts, guardianships and Plan estates, real estate, domestic • NEA Income Protection® Plan Car Buying relations, traffic violations, and Have the best car buying consumer protection. Casualty Insurance Programs experience and enjoy a low, no • NEA Members Auto & Home hassle fleet price directly from the United Pet Care Insurance fleet manager at Chapman Dodge Health care insurance plan for • NEA Homeowners® Insurance and Chapman Chrysler • Jeep your pets—get your vet to join the program so you can save. Savings, Deposit and Investment Professional Development Courses Programs Many PDE Classes offered AIG Valic • NEA-Sponsored FDIC-Insured throughout the year. TSA (Tax Deferred Annuities) Money Market Account • NEA-Sponsored GoldCertificate® Opportunity Grants American Fidelity Group Certificate of Deposit (CD) Grants of up to $500 can be Section 125—Deduction for certain • NEA Valuebuilder Variable obtained through the CCEA fees and services before taxes are Annuity TSA Community Foundation. taken out. • NEA Valuebuilder Mutual Fund TSA Study Sessions Horace Mann • NEA Valuebuilder Mutual Fund CCEA offers free study sessions to Auto insurance plans for members 457 prepare members for the Nevada • NEA Valuebuilder Mutual Fund School Law, the Nevada IRA Constitution and the U.S. • Credit Programs Constitution exams. • NEA Credit Card Program • NEA Line of Credit®

Loan & Mortgage Programs • NEA Personal Loan Member Benefits • NEA Home Financing Program® • NEA National Board Certification Visit the NEA Member Benefits Loan website at www.neamb.com or call Member Benefits 800-637-4636 for detailed Visit the NSEA website at Special Discount Programs information on the many programs ® www.nsea-nv.org/benefits.htm or • NEA Car Rental Program available to association members. ® call 1-800-248-6732 for more • NEA Magazine Service information on the following Life Insurance Programs programs: • NEA DUES-TAB® Insurance (no cost to members) NSEA ACCESS Discount Program • NEA Preferred Term Life Plan Discounts nationwide and locally • NEA Term Life Insurance Plan on a wide variety of products and • NEA AD&D Insurance Plan services. • NEA AD&D Plus Insurance Plan • NEA Guaranteed Issue Life Plan

Page 8 • CCEA Express www.ccea-nv.org The Clark County Education Association is an organization made up of hard working, committed professionals. They work everyday to improve the educational lives of tens of thousands of students. However, their efforts also reach PRIDE, POWER & beyond the school sites where they work as they deal with PARTICIPATION AWARD parents and the community in general to make the Clark County School WINNERS — (l to r) Sheryl District a great place to learn! Slakey, Mike Wiatt, Colette CCEA, in cooperation with Mitchell Klein, General Manager of CCEA’s Hayes and Jimmie Powell are endorsed vendor Advantage Financial, takes great satisfaction each month in accompanied by Advantage presenting the Pride, Power, and Participation award to deserving educators. Financial’s General Manager At the January 23rd CCEA Rep Council meeting four awards were presented to Mitchell S. Klein who educators for their exceptional work. Pride, Power, and Participation were presented the prizes at the clearly demonstrated by the recipients. Jan. 23rd Rep Council meeting. Sheryl Slakey, a counselor at Jim Thorpe ES, was nominated for her work with students, parents, and staff. Jimmie Powell, a Special Education teacher at Sierra Vista HS, was nominated for his exceptional work with students. Mike Wiatt, a Special Education teacher at Jim Thorpe ES, was nominated for the dedication, patience, and kindness that he demonstrates towards his students. Finally, Colette Hayes, a teacher at Jim Thorpe ES, was nominated for her work with students and staff on the “Shout Out Loud” project. The Pride, Power, and Participation award includes a certificate of appreciation and a cash prize. Every member is encouraged to nominate a deserving educator. You may nominate someone by going to the CCEA website at www.ccea-nv.org/awards.cfm or by contacting CCEA Membership Specialist Michael D. Soden through Interact or by calling 866-6170. Let the nominating continue!

www.ccea-nv.org CCEA Express • Page 9

Community Foundation Business Buddy ae1 CAEpeswww.ccea-nv.org CCEA Express Page 10 • on” experiencewithtwodifferentanimals. the stagesoflife,thisprojectgiveskindergartenstudentsa“hands points, vocabularybuilders,and reading activities. to diverseandvariedreadings. They willserveasdiscussion magazines willprovidetwoadditional resourcestoexposestudents science portionoftheCRT. increase theirknowledgeandaidtheminsuccessfullypassingthe conduct experimentsthatmeetCEFsciencestandardswhichwill Adaptations. Tricia Crowley include: Recent grantsawardedbytheCCEACommunityFoundation of abilitytopay)astheygrowintohealthyandproductiveadults. they mayaccessschoolandcommunityresources(regardless Emphasis isputonactivitiesthatsupportClarkCountyyouthso excitement intotheirschoolandneighborhood. approaches tolearning,andnewwaysbringenergy County opportunitiestoexperimentwithnewmaterials, grants allowteachersandcommunitygroupsthroughoutClark with resourcestodevelopcreativeideas.Thecompetitive stimulates innovationbyprovidingteachersandthecommunity The CCEACommunityFoundationOpportunityGrantsProgram Spanish LanguageAPReadingLibrar Jennifer Newman-Cornell W Judith Reid Solar Ener Nancy Crenshaw Counts BookstoClassr Shoop James A. of Butter Kimberley Ernst dynamic system. the LasVegas areawatershedandchangesimpactingeach wetlands tostudyecosystems,monocultures,ripariancultures,and library. lower levelreaderswillbepurchasedtoenhancethisclassroom year. Thisprojectencompassesallareasofthecurriculum. number ofanimalstandardsthatthe3 instructor willbetyingtheliteracyexpectancieswithlarge in languageandvocabularydevelopmentforstudents.The the animalssurviveintheirenvironmentwiththem.Thetripwillaid where theywillfocusontheadaptationsthatanimalshaveandhow etlands Opportunity Grantsareawardedthroughouttheyear. Opportunity flies andChickens Applying foraCCEACommunity Foundation Opportunity Grant onlineiseasy. Justvisit . gy FossKit www.ccea-nv.org/grant_application.cfm. Fifth graderswillspendthemorningatClarkCounty This projectwilltakestudentstotheSanDiegoZoo Grant Winners: – Grantamount$220.00. Grants – Grantamount$500.00. . – Grantamount$486.25. – Grantamount$500.00. – Grantamount$500.00. Students willhavetheopportunityto oom Librar . By observingandparticipatinginall – Grantamount$359.00. y . rd Novels tobridgethegapfor y grade studentshavethis . Subscriptions toSpanish The LasV Amazing Adding Reading Pur The LifeCycles chasing a egas A World of Thanks

The CCEA Community Foundation and the Teacher’s Aide Warehouse Store extend a special thanks to these businesses for the generous item donations to the free store for teachers.

~ Office Depot (Craig & Martin Luther King) ~ Pottery Barn (Rampart Commons @ Rampart & Charleston) April 12, 2007 ~ Talbots Petites (Rampart Commons @ Rampart & Charleston) National Drop Everything ~ West Elm (District at Green Valley Ranch) and Read Day ~ Williams-Sonoma (Rampart Commons @ Rampart & Charleston)

What is National D.E.A.R. Day? D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything and Read. National D.E.A.R. Day is a special reading celebration to remind and encourage families to make reading together on a daily basis a family priority.

Who is leading the National D.E.A.R. Day Celebration? The National Education Association (NEA); Parent Teacher Association (PTA); HarperCollins Children’s Books; the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association; Reading Rockets; First Book; the Newspaper Association of America Foundation (NAAF) and Ramona Quimby.

When is National D.E.A.R. Day? The National D.E.A.R. Day partners are marking the birthday of beloved author Beverly Cleary as the official event date, April 12th. Ramona Quimby is the program’s spokesperson.

Why is National D.E.A.R. Day celebrated on Beverly Cleary’s birthday? Beverly Cleary receives thousands of letters a year from young readers, many who have participated in D.E.A.R. at school. Their interest in and enthusiasm for this special reading activity inspired Mrs. Cleary to give the same experience to Ramona Quimby, who gets to enjoy D.E.A.R. time with the rest of her class in Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

How can I participate? Schools, libraries, bookstores and other organizations are being asked to host Drop Everything and Read events on April 12. You can attend an event in your community or participate right in your own home by reading for 30 minutes! CCEA Community Foundation STEP UP Class Sponsor www.ccea-nv.org CCEA Express • Page 11 Spring* Break… is just around the corner

And sunny California sounds quite appealing, doesn’t it? Whether your travels take you to Southern California or you decide to stay in town, let CCEA save you money on these popular attractions! Just stop by the CCEA office or call Sharon Whalum at 866-6145.

ATTRACTION ADULT CHILD GATE PRICE $AVING$ Disneyland & California Adventure Parks $110.00 $95.00 $122.00 Adult $12.00 Adult 2 Day Hopper - Expires January 2, 2008 (ages 10+) (ages 3 to 9) $102.00 Child $7.00 Child Legoland $39.00 $39.00 $57.00 Adult $18.00 Adult 2nd Day for $1.00 at Legoland • 2nd day ticket valid for 7 days (ages 3 to 12) $44.00 Child $5.00 Child Knott’s Berry Farm $24.00 $15.00 $42.00 Adult $18.00 Adult 1 Day - Expires March 31, 2008 (ages 3 to 11 OR 62+) $16.95 Child $1.95 Child Sea World $44.00 $35.00 $56.00 Adult $12.00 Adult 2 Day - Expires January 31, 2008 (ages 3 to 9) $46.00 Child $11.00 Child 1st and 2nd visit must occur before expiration date San Diego Zoo $28.00 $16.00 $33.00 Adult $5.00 Adult Expires January 31, 2008 (ages 3 to 11) $22.00 Child $6.00 Child San Diego Wild Animal Park $25.00 $14.00 $28.50 Adult $3.50 Adult Expires January 31, 2008 (ages 3 to 11) $17.50 Child $3.50 Child Six Flags Magic Mountain $27.00 $15.00 $55.00 Adult $28.00 Adult Expires December 31, 2008 (under 48 inches) $30.00 Child $15.00 Child Hurricane Harbor Water Park Free weekday admission • Valid only Monday - Friday, from May 28 through September 3, 2007 Universal Studios $46.00 $46.00 $61.00 $22.00 Buy 1 Day, Get 2nd and 3rd Day FREE (2nd and 3rd day must be (same as adult) used within 7 days of initial visit) Expires January 31, 2008 Adventuredome Theme Park $14.00 $9.00 $22.95 Adult $9.00 Adult Circus Circus Hotel & Casino On the (under 48 inches to 33 inches $15.00 Child $6.00 Child tall - the average height of a 2nd grader) Movie Tickets $7.00 No Restrictions • No Expiration Regal Entertainment Group - United Artist - Edwards Theatres Tickets are valid throughout the U.S. For show times and locations, visit www.REGmovies.com.

PRSRT STD TAX TIME COMETH U.S. Postage Clark County Education Association PAID Bloom Financial, CCEA’s endorsed vendor, 4230 McLeod Drive Las Vegas, NV is here to help you with the ever- Las Vegas, NV 89121 Permit No. 57 increasing complexities of filling out your www.ccea-nv.org tax return. • More than 25 years tax experience helping Las Vegas educators and their families. • Year-round tax planning plus audit help available. Avoid the hassles of preparing your own tax returns - call Bloom Financial to set up your tax appointment today! 791-0581