Education Notes: Students honored for saving water

Garfield Elementary School, Spokane Public Schools’ APPLE program and the city of Spokane’s Water Stewardship program are helping the city save water.

On Tuesday, Mayor Mary Verner recognized the students for their water conservation efforts, after the kids and staff upgraded the faucets at the school with automatic faucets that turn off when not in use.

The APPLE program students sold compact fluorescent light bulbs to raise money to help purchase 30 low-flow automatic faucets for the school’s bathrooms. The Water Stewardship program contributed the rest of the money needed to pay for the faucets. The faucets will be installed over summer break.

For more information about Spokane’s water stewardship education campaign, visit www.watersteward ship.org.

Summer meals offered

School may be out for the summer, but students won’t have to worry about going hungry during vacation.

Spokane Public Schools will ensure that children who rely on school meals will continue to receive breakfast and lunch through the Summer Meals Program.

The program is federally funded and provides meals to children 18 years and younger, according to a press release from Spokane Public Schools. Kids are welcome at any or all meals and do not need to register. There is not a fee for the program.

Parents are encouraged to come eat with their children, but they are asked to bring their own meal.

Visit Spokane Schools Nutrition Services at www.spokaneschools.org for a list of summer meals locations and days of service.

Study skills camp coming up

Gonzaga Prep will help prepare middle school students for the 2011-’12 school year with a study skills camp. The camp begins Aug. 1, giving sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders a couple of months to relax before the camp starts.

The program is designed for students entering middle school and will focus on time management, skills for organization, note and test taking, reading comprehension, communication and setting goals.

Camps will be held Aug. 1 through Aug. 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. or from 1 to 3 p.m.

Cost is $75 per student and includes supplies and snacks.

To register visit www.gprep.com. Registration forms are due by July 15.

For more information, call (509) 483-8511, ext. 423 or email pmcewen@gprep.com.

Scholarships

Grant Nielsen, a recent graduate of Ferris High School, was awarded a National Merit Washington State University Scholarship, according to a press release from Spokane Public Schools. Nielsen is one of more than 2,900 students who have received awards. He is looking at a career in veterinary medicine.

Nicola Brooks, a student at Ferris High School, was awarded a National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarship for 2011-’12. Brooks is among 650 students who received the scholarship.

The award, funded by the U.S. Department of State, provides merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to learn less commonly taught languages in the summer, during a semester or academic year in overseas immersion programs.

Brooks will study Arabic in Jordan for the summer and will have all of her program costs covered, including travel, tuition and related academic preparation, support and testing for language study, educational and cultural activities focused on language learning, orientations, applicable visa fees, meals, and accommodations, most likely with a host family.