Education briefs

With back-to-school sales in full swing, the Internal Revenue Service reminds teachers and other educators to save their receipts for purchases of book and classroom supplies. These out-of-pocket expenses may lower their 2005 taxes.

The deduction is available to eligible educators in public or private elementary or secondary schools. To be eligible, a person must work at least 900 hours during a school year as a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide.

Educators may subtract up to $250 of qualified expenses when figuring their adjusted gross income (AGI) for 2005. This deduction is available whether or not the taxpayer itemizes deductions on Schedule A.

The IRS suggests that educators keep records of qualifying expenses in a folder or envelope with a label such as "Educator Expense deduction," noting the date, amount and purpose of each purchase. This will help prevent a missed deduction at tax time.

Under current law, this deduction is scheduled to expire at the end of the year. In tax year 2003, the most recent year for which figures are available, educator expense deductions totaling almost $814 million were claimed on nearly 3.3 million individual income tax returns.

From more information, see tax topic 458 at www.irs.gov or call the IRS tele-tax system at 800-829-4477 and listen to topic 458.

Save $5 on the Carneta

Purchase a Carson High School yearbook before Oct. 1, and the savings will pocket you $5. The cost of the yearbook is normally $60, but it's $55 with pre-ordering. For more information, see journalism teacher Patt Quinn-Davis at Carson High School or send in a check with the student's name, grade, parents, address and home phone to the Carneta, 1111 N. Saliman Road, Carson City 89701.

University of Nevada, Reno open house

Students interested in attending UNR are invited to attend one of two open houses. The first is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, with the visit with faculty starting at 6:30 p.m. The second open house is scheduled to start with a visit with the faculty at 10 a.m., followed by the program at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

The events will occur in the Jot Travis Student Union. From Interstate 80, take exit 13, the Virginia Street exit, and go north. Parking is available in the Brian Whalen Parking Garage. For more information, see www.ss.unr.edu/admissions, call 866-2NEVADA or e-mail to asknevada@unr.edu

The program will have information about UNR's campus and programs. There will be an opportunity to visit with admission representatives and current students and faculty. Information on financial aid and scholarships, housing and admissions will be available. Seniors can bring their transcripts to see if they qualify for admission. There will be refreshments, and drawings for prizes, university clothing, and application fee waivers.

Bring music alive for kids

Kindermusik is offering three classes designed for parents and their children to take together. "God, My Family and Me" enables children to grow in the knowledge of God with songs, dance and stories. The class is at 9:30 a.m. for children 15 months to 3 years. "Family Music," for the same age group, is an opportunity for children and parents/grandparents to experience changing, moving, dancing, listening and playing simple instruments. The class is at 10:15 a.m.

A 45-minute class for ages 3-5 called "Cycle of Seasons" begins at 11 a.m. Children and their caregivers celebrate the child's love of nature and growing independence.

All classes are Mondays at Maytan Music on Topsy Lane and Wednesdays at the Brewery Arts Center. For more information, call Shirley Bierman at 882-2507 or Liz Tetz at 882-2870.

Web site has message board for every school

Ourschoolforum.com has solved the problem busy parents have had keeping up with their children's education. The Web site has provided every school in the nation with a forum page completely free and the database comprises all 105,236 public and private schools in the country.

Now every parent with Internet access and a child in school can stay in touch with their child's school by reading announcements, contacting administrators, teachers, coaches and other staff.

Ourschoolforum.com was stimulated to action in part by public service announcements like those aired on NBC (The More You Know) and PTA.org's radio ads among others, encouraging parents to get involved in their children's education and interests.

- Submitted by

bryan@schoolforumsonline.com

Diabetes and obesity conference in Colorado

Since the spread of diabetes and obesity are strongly related to nutrition and physical activity, the Center for Disease Control is coordinating a conference, involving many organizations from around the country.

At the 2006 CDC Diabetes and Obesity Conference in Denver, the partners will include local, state, federal and territorial governmental agencies and private-sector diabetes and obesity partners, such as state-based, public health professionals, managers, directors, executives, physicians, nurses, nutritionists and more.

Great Basin Primary Care Association of Carson City may be chosen to present the Nevada WISEWOMAN Partner Program. This program focuses on the nutrition and physical activities of underinsured women, especially for those at high risk of developing diabetes.

For more information on the conference, call Norma Loner at (770) 488-5376.