Education briefs

Children and families are invited to the Carson City Library for Family Night at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Guests Jean Norman Peters and Mary Jane Archer will present their book "I am Her Ears," the story of a "hearing dog" named Gizmo. Gizmo's job is to assist Peters, who is hearing impaired, and help her cope with everyday life.

The Family Night program is presented monthly on Tuesday evenings. For information, pick up a calendar of events at the Youth Desk or check the library Web site at www.carson-city.nv.us/library or call 887-2244 ext. 1004.

The Carson City Library is at 900 N. Roop St. in Carson City. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Learn about helping children removed from their homes

Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA, of Carson City will hold an information hour at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Juvenile Court Building, 1545 E. Fifth St.

CASA volunteers are appointed by Carson City's Juvenile Court to advocate on behalf of children removed from the home by child welfare due to abuse and neglect. Training is provided in the child welfare case legal process, child development issues, resources and child welfare law. CASA volunteers are asked to make a two-year commitment and there is a background check.

For information attend the information hour or call Director Chris Bayer at 882-6776 or by e-mail at casaofcc@earthlink.net

September is Newborn screening awareness month

Nevada's Newborn Screening Program, established in 1977 as a result of legislation, screens 98.9 percent of all children born in the state. Testing provides for the identification of 31 metabolic disorders in newborn children through a simple blood screening.

The number of tests offered in Nevada exceeds the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation. These tests, taken 24Ð48 hours after birth, help prevent the possibility of mental retardation, physical disability or death in babies who often look perfectly healthy.

When a disorder has been identified, the baby and baby's parents are referred to specialists that work with the family's primary-care physician to provide proper care for the child.

Nevada has contracted with a metabolic geneticist to provide clinical services to the Nevada State Health Division's Early Intervention Clinics in Reno and Las Vegas.

Additionally, children referred to the Early Intervention Clinics have access to nutritionists who will help the baby's parents form a nutritional diet plan to ensure the baby is receiving the proper nutrition to grow up healthy and strong.

To find out more about the Newborn Screening Program and how it can help babies across the state call the Nevada State Health Division at (866) 254-3964.

Carson library story times in session

The Carson City Library Youth Department begins the Fall Session of story times on Wednesday. Come early, late-comers 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 Nov. 18.

Preschool Story time, held Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m., is a 30-minute story time for children ages 3 to 5 who are independent enough to listen to stories and participate in the program while their parent or caregiver is out of the room.

Toddler Lapsit, for ages 2 to 3, 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 Story time, 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 information, 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 ext. 1004.

Money raised for Silver City programs

Due to efforts by land owner Al Feigan and mine caretaker Carey Kling, the Silver City Task Force was able to raise donations for its educational youth programs - cooking classes, Internet Café after school tutoring, summer programs, field trips to museums and Shakespeare at Sand Harbor.

Feigan and Kling encouraged the Task Force to set up a booth on land near the annual Ferrari Races in Silver City to accept donations for youth programs. Task Force members Gayle Sherman, Meg Burns, Tamara Burnet, Quest Lakes and Sheree Rose manned the booth during the weekend.

• Silver City's Tobacco Use Prevention team provided a booth at Dayton Valley Days recently, offering prevention education to passersby. Ian and Alex MacDonald, Kelly Kotik and Sylvia Thomas said they enjoyed working with the crowd Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone who would like to participate in the Silver City youth prevention group can call Thomas at 884-4671. Contact Healthy Communities in Dayton at 246-7550 for information on the youth prevention groups for Dayton, Silver Springs or Virginia City.

• Lyon County is still accepting applications for two teachers for a part-time, after- school program in Silver City.

Teachers need a high school diploma and experience working with groups of children. This program will include tutoring and Internet and library research opportunities for youth ages 5-17.

Call 463-6510 for an application, or print one from the Lyon Web site at www.lyon-county.org.

• There will also be two part-time teaching positions available in summer 2006 for the Silver City summer youth programs. Call Quest Lakes at 847-0742 for information.

• Larry Steinberg made donations of books on Nevada and paints to the Silver City youth programs. The town library and youth programs will benefit from Kling's donation of a collection of painting and drawing instruction books.