Newton Learning Center, a Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, Inc. school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other similar learning differences, is holding a World Autism Acceptance Day Jamboree Tuesday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to noon, at its Reno campus located at 4895 Village Green Parkway. The event is free and open to the public.
Nevada State Senator Heidi Gansert kicks off the jamboree by reading official proclamations from Gov. Steve Sisolak and Mayor Hillary Schieve declaring April as Autism Awareness month. The event includes Bouncin' Bins Bounce House, the Level-Up Video Gaming Truck, carnival midway games, first responder vehicles from Reno Fire and Reno Police and REMSA, and morning snacks.
Gansert, who introduced the Opportunity Scholarship bill, SB 351, has advocated for renewed funding for the Opportunity Scholarship, which provides funding to qualified families to help with the flexibility to find the school that best fits their educational needs. The scholarship fund was created in 2015, and funded through the 2017-19 biennium.
"While in comparison to the K-12 general fund budget it is only one-half of 1 percent, a very small portion, the scholarships make an enormous difference to the recipients and their families," she said in prepared remarks. "We need to continue to support the base funding and additional $20 million with strong accountability to make sure all of the students who currently receive an Opportunity Scholarship can continue to attend the school where they are enrolled."
To purchase Reno Aces Autism Awareness Night tickets or to get more information please email Bethany Valentine, bethanyv@secondstart.org, or call the school at (775) 358-0808. To register for the golf tournament, visit https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/newton-learning-center-annual-golf-tournament.
(Newton Learning Center contributed to this report.)
