‘Beautiful and functional:’ Henderson students turning recycled glass into art - The Nevada Independent

It was another busy week at the Legislature. Here’s a quick recap of some of the education-related bills that were heard and voted out of education committees last week:

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News briefs

🍎 Education board start discussing state superintendent search — With State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert soon taking over as the Clark County schools’ superintendent, the State Board of Education started discussing the process to select her replacement at its Wednesday special meeting. The board is tasked under state law to recommend three finalists that the governor can choose from to name as the next state superintendent.

📵Lawmakers consider school cellphone limits — Sen. Angie Taylor (D-Reno) has introduced a bill, SB444, that requires school districts to adopt policies around electronic devices to reduce learning distractions. It would include exceptions for students with disabilities who need an electronic device as part of their accommodation plan, during emergencies or when teachers allow it.

“While we know these devices are necessary and often contribute to the learning, we know they can also become a distraction. It hinders not only a student's ability to learn … it also impacts the teacher's ability to teach,” Taylor said during the Senate Education Committee’s Wednesday meeting.

School Spotlight

Henderson teacher cultivating students’ passion for glass art

The pressure was on for Henderson high school senior Scarlet Nielsen as she worked on Wednesday to bring her sculpture of a kingfisher to life.

The Green Valley student used copper wires and blue glass beads — representing the tropical bird’s bright blue and orange feathers — to form its body and wings. She saw the bird while on a river rafting tour with her family in Costa Rica during the Thanksgiving break.

“They would just dive bomb on us,” she said. “They were so fun. They’re the prettiest birds and I wanted to do a little tribute to my trip.”

Nielsen was one of several Green Valley students’ whose pieces were featured in the annual Glass Craft and Bead Expo held at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas this past weekend.

Fine art teacher Erica Wright’s students began attending the expo 14 years ago, almost as long as she’s been teaching at Green Valley. Her studio art class is the only one in the Clark County School District that teaches glass art.

“My goal for all my art classes is that everything they make is beautiful and functional,” she said. “It should have a purpose.”

The expo offers free admission to all of her students to see the exhibit and a handful of her students also received scholarships to attend classes offered during the event. Wright said many of her students leave the expo inspired to create.

“I have students that continue working in glass for years and years after that,” Wright said. “As a teacher, that’s exciting, that’s the goal, to make lifelong makers.”

Students in Wright’s classes begin by making mosaics to get comfortable with cutting and grinding glass, before making more complex glass suncatchers and jewelry using soldering techniques.

Nielsen, who plays basketball and baseball, said the art class gives her a chance to express a different side of herself.

“It’s a whole different side of my brain, one I don't even use so it's not that exhausting,” Nielsen said.

Last year, the expo also donated two kilns, a glass grinder and enough glass to sustain the class throughout the school year. Glass is the most expensive material used in Wright’s class, and the donation is critical to keep the class going as it is only funded by student fees.

Wright said she hopes to create interest in the class districtwide, and inspire other art teachers to develop their own glass art classes.

“It’s such an amazing material and such an amazing opportunity for the district,” Wright said. “Not everybody loves drawing, not everybody loves paint, some people can’t stand the feeling of clay, but everybody is fascinated by glass.”

Have a student or staffer who we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at [email protected].

Reading Assignments

Trump admin freezes $29M in unspent COVID aid to Nevada schools

The state’s top education official said it's unclear whether the money is lost for good or if there’s a chance the administration will consider giving schools more time.

Nevada board moves to limit transgender athletes in school sports

A new policy will limit students to playing sports that align with the sex listed on their “unaltered original birth certificate.”

Indy Explains: What are open enrollment policies, and what do Nevada lawmakers want to change?

School districts such as Clark and Washoe counties already have their own open enrollment policies. A 2025 bill would create a statewide standard.

Extra Credit

Chalkbeat: Trump education department threatens federal school funding nationwide over DEI

The department is giving state education agencies 10 days to certify that their schools do not engage in any practices that the administration believes illegally promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

Nevada Current: Legislature resurrects proposal to reset property tax valuation when home is sold

The bill is supported by teachers who say this will help increase school funding.

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