Latino communities’ longstanding ties to Nevada date back centuries to the Old Spanish Trail, and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) wants to trace that history by hearing from community members about which places are most important to them and what can be done to help preserve them. The Cultural Resources Latino Project, launched on Feb. 1, is… [Read More]
10 Latinas who have had great impact worldwide
On March 8, the struggle of women around the world and their participation in society, equality, and defense of their human rights is commemorated internationally. This day, which was previously known as “International Working Women’s Day,” has been renamed “International Women’s Day.” Women are more than just pretty faces: they are smart, kind, resourceful, brave,… [Read More]
Pandemic ‘survival mode’ complicates students’ pathways to graduation
Flowers and balloons decorated a makeshift stage on Virginia City High School’s football field, where cap and gown-clad students collected their diplomas last May. The sunny day came on the heels of a late snowstorm that threatened the outdoor ceremony, a pandemic-era plan to keep everyone safe. The moment brought hugs and tears for students,… [Read More]
New PAC aims to bring back voucher-style education program through ballot initiatives
A recently created political action committee has set its sights on reviving education savings accounts — a politically divisive concept that would allow parents to use state money to pay for private school tuition or other qualifying educational expenses. A PAC called Education Freedom for Nevada filed both a statutory and constitutional initiative with the secretary… [Read More]
WCSD authorizes individual schools to go remote if needed due to COVID-19
The Washoe County School District is grappling with a surge of COVID-19 cases among teachers and students. KUNR’s Andrew Mendez reports that while the district as a whole is not planning to go remote at this time, individual schools are now authorized to go virtual on a case-by-case basis. According to the latest update, on… [Read More]
First round of pandemic-related food assistance dollars from 2020-2021 school year will reach families’ pockets this month
Low-income families with children will get a boost in their grocery budgets later this month, when the state distributes its first round of pandemic-related food assistance dollars for last school year. The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program — extended as part of the federal American Rescue Plan — will provide the families of eligible… [Read More]
Schools ramp up suicide prevention efforts as another academic year affected by the coronavirus begins
Like many teachers, Adam Gent is looking forward to seeing his students in person this school year. Gent teaches physical education at Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas. He also runs the school’s Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer program that trains students to keep an eye on at-risk classmates, catch suicide warning signs and seek… [Read More]
Board of Health votes to mandate COVID vaccine for Nevada college students
The state Board of Health voted unanimously in an emergency meeting Friday to require the COVID-19 vaccine for students enrolling in Nevada’s public colleges and universities this spring, adding the state’s seven degree-granting schools to the more than 740 nationwide that have implemented similar requirements. Amending an existing regulation that requires certain vaccines for enrollment, the new mandate will… [Read More]
Meet Juliana Urtubey, Nevada’s First Latina to be named National Teacher of the Year
Juliana Urtubey, a bilingual special education teacher in Las Vegas, received widespread attention last month after she was named the National Teacher of the Year — becoming the first teacher from Nevada and the first Latina in at least the last 16 years to receive the award. Having immigrated to the U.S. from Colombia at age five and being an English and Spanish speaker, Urtubey says her personal… [Read More]
Lawmakers advance mining tax deal in Nevada
State lawmakers voted Monday to advance a major mining tax package that will allocate a combined $500 million to public education through new and extended mining taxes and federal COVID relief dollars — pushing the compromise package through the legislative process quickly on the final day of session. The Assembly vote on AB495 was 28-14, with all… [Read More]