Education briefs

Jackie Nourse of Carson City is the recipient of the National Italian American Foundation Scholarship. Nourse attends the University of Nevada, Reno and is majoring in Spanish. NIAF awarded $1.3 million in scholarships and grants nationwide in 2005. To establish a NIAF scholarship, e-mail Scholarship Director Serena Cantoni at serena@niaf.org.

Poster contest for National Arbor Day

The National Arbor Day Foundation and the Nevada Division of Forestry is offering a poster contest for fifth graders with a theme of "Trees are terrific ... in all shapes and sizes." The national winner will be announced on Arbor Day on April 28 and will be flown with their parents and teacher to Nebraska city, Neb., the birthplace of Arbor Day.

The student will also receive a $1,000 savings bond. The submission deadline is March 3. For more information, go to www.arborday.org/programs/postercontest.html.

Training sessions for literacy volunteers

The Carson City Literacy Volunteer Organization will conduct a training session for people interested in tutoring adults in reading and writing English. The classes will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Wed. Feb. 22 and Thurs. Feb. 23, and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 25 and March 4. You must attend all the classes to be certified. The registration is $25. For more information and to register for these classes please contact Marilyn Brandvold at 885-1010.

Storytime begins at Carson City library

The Carson City Library youth department begins its winter session of storytimes on Tuesday, Jan. 17. This session features an additional preschool storytime on Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. Come early, as latecomers will not be admitted. Free admission tickets are required for some programs and will be available at the youth desk prior to each program. This session will run through Feb. 24.

Preschool Storytime, held Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10:15 a.m., is a 30-minute storytime for children ages three to five who are independent enough to listen to stories and participate in the program while their parent or caregiver is out of the storytime room. Toddler Lapsit, for ages two to three, is held twice each Thursday at 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. This 20 minute storytime incorporates adult-child interaction; each child must be accompanied by one adult. Free admission tickets are required for the Toddler Lapsit.

Family Storytime, also 20 minutes long, is held twice each Friday at 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.

This program is appropriate for families with more than one child (no day-cares, please); preschoolers and young elementary students are welcome. Free admission tickets are required for Family Storytime.

For more information, please pick up a calendar of events at the Youth Desk, check the library Web site at www.carson-city.nv.us/library or call 887-2244 extension 1004.

Tutors available at Silver City Fire House

Beginning Thurs., Jan. 19, licensed teachers Diane Kotik and Meg Burns will offer tutoring and fun activities to children ages 5 to 13 at the Silver City Fire House from 4 p.m.-6 p.m..

This program is free to all Silver City children. Children will also be able to access the community library, including sets of encyclopedias and reference books, children's magazines, educational computer software, and the Internet for homework research.

Tutoring will be offered the first and third Thursday of each month through the end of May 2006. Please call Meg at 847-7563 or Diane at 847-7514 if you have questions about the program, or would like to help with clean up, preparing snacks, or arts and crafts.