Nevada students encouraged to learn about George Washington

Smithsonian Institution officials visited Carson City on Monday to offer a free program to the 25,000 teachers in the state and encourage students to serve their communities using George Washington as a role model.

Representatives of the institution presented Gov. Kenny Guinn's office with a museum-quality reproduction of the "Lansdowne" portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart. The original is on tour in Las Vegas.

"Our goal is to promote and encourage the study of George Washington as an example of citizenship, leadership and selfless service to one's country," said Carol Wyrick, education program director for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Nevada is the second state, after South Carolina, to receive the traveling exhibit. Since June, the Las Vegas exhibit has attracted more than 15,000 students. The original portrait will remain at the Las Vegas Art Museum until Oct. 27.

The exhibit also accompanies an educational outreach campaign by the institution that encourages teachers to provide classroom lessons on the nation's first president.

By calling a toll-free number or by visiting www.georgewashington.si.edu, teachers can sign up for a postage-paid teaching kit. The kit includes a poster of the portrait and lesson plans. Teachers also can receive newsletters.

The program integrates lessons that are in alignment with current standards and uses lessons that relate to today's world, Wyrick said. It encourages students to write their own stories of community service through a newsletter called "Patriot Papers."

INFORMATION

For free kits call: (866) NPG-KITS

or visit www.georgewahington.si.edu to register online