Las Vegas Schools Prosper This Summer

"A Celebration of Progress" Marks the Opening ofraises the total number of students in the Las Vegas
New Las Vegas School BuildingsSchools to over 300,000. The new schools include six
This past August, leaders from the Las Vegaselementary schools, two middle schools and one high
Schools gathered at the Cashman Theatre for "Aschool. The replacement school building is also a high
Celebration of Progress." This was a celebration toschool.
mark the opening of nine new schools and oneAt the August 9th "A Celebration of Progress" event
replacement school in the Las Vegas School System.Paul Gerner, Associate Superintendent for Facilities,
In attendance were officials from Las Vegas Schools,thanked the architectural and construction partners
Nevada State officials, community leaders, schoolwho made the new schools possible. The Las Vegas
principals, and architects. Las Vegas Schools' "ASchools' system is expected to continue is substantial
Celebration of Progress" was hosted by entertainergrowth for many years to come.
Clint Holmes.Las Vegas School Students Take Part in Youth
The event was sponsored by The Council ofLeadership Summit
Educational Facility Planners International; this is theThis summer several Las Vegas Schools' students
eighth year that the Council of Educational Facilitywent to the Youth Leadership Summit in Washington,
Planners International has sponsored this event. TheD.C. The Youth Leadership Summit was created
Council of Educational Facility Planners International isthrough a partnership between The National Council
an organization of education and constructionfor Community and Education Partnerships and Booz
professionals that aims to improve the places inAllen Hamilton. The Youth Leadership Summit is
which students learn. Various models and renderingsdesigned to give students an opportunity to
of the new facilities were displayed and the studentsparticipate in educational reform. Students invited to
from these new schools created exhibits promotingthe Youth Leadership Summit were participants in the
school spirit. This years keynote speakers were LasLas Vegas Schools' GEAR UP program, which is a
Vegas Schools' Superintendent Dr. Walt Rulffes andnational program, intended to increase the number of
Mrs. Ruth Johnson, President of the Clark Countystudents who go to and succeed in university and
School District Board of School Trustees. The Halcollege. Along with participation in the GEAR UP
Smith Elementary School choir performed, as well asprogram, students were selected based on their
the CP Squires After School All-Stars folkloric danceacademic performance, leadership roles they take in
team.their schools and recommendations from their
The new school buildings were constructed to meetprincipals and teachers. All of the participants from
Las Vegas Schools' expanding enrollment that willLas Vegas Schools will be seniors in the 2006-2007
have around 12,000 new students enroll for theschool year.
2006-2007 school year. This influx of new students