Winter 2017

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CARSON CITY

School District 

Community Quarterly Newsletter | CARSON CITY, NEVADA | Winter, 2017

PRINTABLE PDF VERSION HERE

A NOTE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

Richard Stokes

I hope everyone will take some time to be with family, friends, and loved ones this holiday season. I would be remiss if I did not offer condolences and grace to all the families and individuals impacted by the tragic car accident that occurred in Kings Canyon, Nov. 9. As a school district, and as a community, our hearts have ached, and I believe all of us have cycled through a wave of emotions for the last several weeks. May we all consider the preciousness of life and extend an added effort for kindness and light our community with love and compassion.

As we move into the second half of the school year, we have plenty to celebrate. Our students and staff are receiving well-deserved accolades for their achievements in academics, arts, and other extracurricular activities. Miss Ashley Figueroa, a junior at Carson High School, was the winner of the State Fire Prevention & Awareness Poster contest. Chase Boholst, 4th grader at Mark Twain Elementary, took third place honors for his Scrap Metal Arm submission in a statewide recycled art contest. CHS Career and Technical Education (CTE) students Alex Camp and Martin Martinez created winning logo designs for Parkinson’s Advocacy & Awareness and Senators NOW respectively. The CHS CTE program also celebrated the opening of a new manufacturing lab. Victoria Defilippi helped Carson Middle School to create its own health science student organization, the first middle school program of its kind for the school and the state. Mr. Don Bland of Pioneer High School was awarded Innovative Educator of the Year by the Nevada Association of School Boards. In addition, the Carson City School District Board of Trustees was honored as the Governance Team of the Year. Director of Operations Mark Korinek was recognized by GreenNevada and was awarded the 2017 Golden Pinecone Sustainability Award. In addition, the district began providing retroactive diplomas to all former students who qualify under the new requirements set by the Nevada Department of Education.

I believe all students can learn and excel at high levels. As Superintendent, I appreciate working with talented individuals who are committed to success in all facets. I wish you all a safe and happy Holiday Season.

NV ENERGY CHECK PRESENTATION!

NV Energy CheckNV Energy presented an extra-large “incentive check” to the school district for switching to LED lighting and reducing its energy consumption by an estimated 1,872,580 annual kilowatt hours.

The check was presented to Superintendent Richard Stokes and Board of Trustees President Laurel Crossman during the November 14, school board meeting.





INNOVATIVE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Don BlandSaturday, November 18, at its Annual Conference, the Nevada Association of School Boards recognized the achievements and contributions of school board members, teachers, administrators, educational advocates and others from across the State. Mr. Don Bland of Pioneer High School, Carson City School District, was awarded Innovative Educator of the Year.

This Award recognizes the invaluable service provided to Nevada’s children by those individuals who demonstrate their leadership by promoting and implementing innovative programs designed to improve student achievement.

Click here to read more from CarsonNow.org.

GOVERNANCE TEAM OF THE YEAR

Governance Team In addition to Mr. Bland’s award, the Carson City School District Board of Trustees and Superintendent Richard Stokes were honored as the Governance Team of the Year by the Nevada Association of School Boards.

In being honored as the Governance Team of the Year, the school board and Stokes were recognized for implementing a learner-centered instruction practice districtwide that's improving student achievement across all grade levels. The District embarked on an ambitious goal of restructuring and aligning all curriculum at the high school level. 

Governance AwardAs the grant-funded project wrapped up during the 2016-2017 school year, the District has redesigned and aligned 350 high school courses and built 3,000 common assessments. Additionally, 100,000 learning targets were developed and tracked by students in real time. Included as part of the learner-centered instruction project, all schools established a School Support Team. Carson City students are already seeing benefits from the learner-centered model. The 2016 graduation rates were the highest they have been in years. 

Another indication that students are learning more is the increase in pass rates across all high school grades. The learner-centered instruction practice is helping more students achieve competence and mastery; therefore, more students are meeting graduation requirements.

Click here to read the full report by the Nevada Appeal. 

NEW MANUFACTURING FACILITY AT CARSON HIGH

CTE LabCarson High School’s CTE program opened a new manufacturing lab Friday, Oct. 6. The CHS CTE manufacturing lab is outfitted with motors, basic electronics and mechanical features to give students hands-on experience with typical equipment found in manufacturing shops including gear drives, belt drives, couplings, chain drives, shafts and bearings, as well as more complex equipment featuring hydraulics and pneumatics, and manual and software driven programmable logic controllers, or PLCs.

The CTE program is part of Gov. Sandoval’s CTE initiative, providing education at industry levels in six career pathways including professions in agriculture and natural resources management, business and marketing, hospitality and tourism, information and media technologies and skilled and technical sciences. Many students will test for and hold national certifications in their chosen field upon graduating from high school. Click here to read a more comprehensive report by the Nevada Appeal.

FOUR TEACHERS ARE OVER THE MOON

NASAPictured here, left to right, Carson City elementary teachers Nancy Cole (Empire Elementary), Adrienne Wiggins (Empire Elementary), Coco Graham (Seeliger Elementary) and Miyoko Loflin (Bordewich Bray Elementary) completed the NASA lunar and meteorite sample disk training given by Dr. Karen C. Roark on October 4, 2017, which auspiciously was a full moon. The four teachers participated in experiments and educational activities to earn their NASA Lunar and Meteorite Certification.

This certification allows these teachers to bring highly protected lunar and meteorite resources to share with students in their classes. The four teachers spent 6 hours over 2 days working on experiments and activities to be certified. The lunar and meteorite disks are highly controlled, so the teachers had lectures on the proper handling of the important national treasures.

STUDENTS HONOR VETERANS WITH EVENTS AND DISPLAYS

Veteran's DayCarson City students recognized and honored military men and women last month with Veteran’s Day displays and events. Veterans from all branches of military service, as well as families of students, were encouraged to attend.

Veteran's DayThe Nevada Army National Guard also landed a CH47F Chinook helicopter on the main lawn at Eagle Valley Middle School.

Read more of the story from NevadaAppeal.com.

NOTABLE FUTURE DATES

December 4 (Monday)                      Professional Development (No School for students)

December 5 (Tuesday)                      Job Fair, Carson High School, 3:00-6:30 p.m., Senator Square

December 5 (Tuesday)                      Band Concert, Al Seeliger Elementary, 5:30 p.m., MP Room

December 5 (Tuesday)                      Musical Theatre Concert, Carson Middle School, 7 p.m., Cafeteria

December 5 (Tuesday)                      Orchestra Concert, Eagle Valley Middle School, 6 p.m., Brewery Arts Center

December 6 (Wednesday)               Band Concert, Carson High School, 7 p.m., Community Center

December 6 (Wednesday)               Orchestra Concert, CHS, 5:30 p.m., St. Theresa Catholic Church

December 6 (Wednesday)               Choir Concert, Carson Middle School, 7 p.m., Cafeteria

December 7 (Thursday)                    Strings Winter Concert, Carson High School, 7 p.m., Community Center

December 7 (Thursday)                    Orchestra Concert, Combined School Orchestras, 7 p.m., Community Center

December 7 (Thursday)                    Holiday 1st Grade Program, Fritsch Elementary, 5:30 p.m., MP Room

December 11 (Monday)                   Early Release Day (Fremont and Empire only)

December 12 (Tuesday)                   School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Community Center, Sierra Room

December 12 (Tuesday)                   Musical Theater, Carson High School, 7 p.m., Community Center

December 13 (Wednesday)             Choral Winter Concert, Carson High School, 7 p.m., Community Center

December 13 (Wednesday)             Winter Concert, Eagle Valley Middle School, 6-9 p.m., Gym

December 13 (Wednesday)             Holiday Choir and Band Concert, Fremont Elementary, 6 p.m., MP Room

December 13 (Wednesday)             Holiday Choir and Band Concert, Mark Twain, 5:30 p.m., MP Room

December 19 (Tuesday)                   Holiday Choir and Band Concert, Bordewich Bray, 6 p.m., MP Room

December 19 (Tuesday)                   Band Winter Concert, Carson Middle School, 6 p.m., Community Center

December 20 (Wednesday)             Early Release Day (Carson High and Pioneer High only)

December 21 (Thursday)                  Early Release Day (District-wide)

December 22 – January 5                Winter Break (School Holiday)

January 9 (Tuesday)                          School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Community Center, Sierra Room

January 15 (Monday)                        Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (School Holiday)

January 18 (Thursday)                       Joint Meeting Board of Supervisors and Trustees, 6 p.m., Community Center

January 22 (Monday)                        Early Release Day (District-wide)

January 23 (Tuesday)                        School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Community Center, Sierra Room

January 29 (Monday)                        Professional Development (No School for students)

February 5 (Monday)                        Early Release Day (Fremont and Empire only)

February 13 (Tuesday)                      School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Community Center, Sierra Room

February 16 – 19 (Fri./Mon.)           President’s Day Break (School Holiday)

February 21 (Wednesday)               Community PLC Meeting, 6 p.m., Carson High School Library

February 26 (Monday)                      Early Release Day (District-wide)

February 27 (Tuesday)                      School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Community Center, Sierra Room

March 5 (Monday)                             Professional Development (No School for students)

March 12 (Monday)                          Early Release Day (District-wide)

March 19 (Monday)                          Early Release Day (Fremont and Empire only)

Start TimesEarly Dismiss






ADDITIONAL PLANS TO CUT ENERGY EXPENDITURES

District OfficeCarson City School District became the latest participant in an energy-awareness and savings program called powerED. McKinstry, an energy and facility services expert, will administer the two-year educational-focused program.

The powerED program engages students, staff and faculty across the District in energy, water and waste conservation efforts. The program promotes energy efficiency and how to eliminate waste within facilities, ultimately helping the District save money. Much of this effort is focused on demonstrating to students and faculty how small changes—such as turning off lights, biking to school, recycling and composting, shutting off unused electronics, and buying locally produced items—can make a difference in their lives every day. 

Click here to read a more comprehensive report from the Nevada Appeal. 

SCHOOL BREAK SHUTDOWN LISTBefore Leaving

To further efforts to cut energy expenditures, we encourage all employees to please take the time to review the checklist at the right prior to leaving for winter break.

The comprehensive list is also helpful for families traveling out of town for the holidays. 





MARK KORINEK EARNS 2017 GOLDEN PINECONE

Mark KorinekWe are pleased to announce Director of Operations Mark Korinek as a winner of GreenNevada’s (Growing Resources for Environmental Education in Nevada) 2017 Golden Pinecone Sustainability Award. Korinek was nominated and recognized in the Individual / Volunteer category for his visionary leadership in guiding the District to implement sustainable practices.

Korinek contributes to green initiatives on many levels and is diligent in making sustainability a high priority in the operation of the school district, the award stated. He chairs the CCSD’s Sustainability Action Team and was the lead that helped incorporate the sustainability language, “Plan and develop sustainable solutions for operational goals,” into the District’s Strategic Plan.

Click here to read a more comprehensive report from the Nevada Appeal.

ASHLEY FIGUEROA WINS POSTER CONTEST

Ashley FigueroaCarson City School District was pleased to announce Miss Ashley Figueroa, a junior at Carson High School, as winner of the State Fire Prevention & Awareness Poster contest for the High School category. Figueroa was honored with her poster placed on billboards in the Elko, Reno/Sparks, Carson City and Las Vegas areas.

Poster ContestNevada State Fire Marshal Bart Chambers, Carson City Fire Marshal Dave Ruben, Carson City Deputy Fire Marshal Chris Vaughan, Regional Education Specialist of the National Fire Protection Association Jeff Donahue and Vice President of the Fire Prevention Association of Northern Nevada Sylvia Lee presented Figueroa with certificates of merit, Thursday, Oct. 19, at Carson High School.

Click here to watch a more comprehensive report from KTVN Ch. 2. 

MARTIN MARTINEZ CREATES WINNING 'SENATORS NOW' LOGO

Martin MartinezThe two-week project was worked on by 32 Graphic Design III and IV students in Patricia Ababio’s CHS class They designed 29 logos, giving the Senators NOW students the opportunity to choose from a variety of logos with many different perspectives. The guidelines were broad, but encouraged school spirit and the relationship between the high school and the community. The new logo will be used on videos, microphones, T-shirts and the like.
Logo
Logos were submitted to the digital media class on Sept. 29. Votes were tallied and the new logo was selected. Junior Martin Martinez, a graphic design III student, was the winner. More information here.



ALEX CAMP DESIGNS WINNING LOGO FOR PARKINSON'S ADVOCACY GROUP

Logo DesignWith the group growing by two or three participants per month, and in an effort to bring more recognition within the community, Brian Reedy, Carson City Parkinson’s Advocacy and Awareness co-director, knew he had to create a logo to help identify the organization. Again, Patricia Ababio’s graphic design III and IV students were sought out.
Logo
The students presented Reedy with 29 logos which he presented to his organization. The group voted to narrow the entries to five and then voted again, selecting Alex Camp’s design. 

CHASE BOHOLST PLACES THIRD IN STATEWIDE RECYCLED ART CONTEST

Chase BoholstMark Twain Elementary School fourth-grader, Chase Boholst, was recognized recently in Las Vegas for his contributions to a statewide art contest to raise recycling awareness. In the K-5 category, Boholst took third place honors for his submission, Scrap Metal Arm.

More than 100 artists statewide, ranging from students in kindergarten through 12th grade to adults, submitted photos of their artwork composed of recyclable materials.

The contest was to celebrate America Recycles Day and was sponsored by the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Nevada Recycles Program, The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas.

VICTORIA DEFILIPPI HELPS CREATE NEW HOSA CHAPTER AT CMS

HOSA ChapterThe Carson High School CTE program and Victoria Defilippi, a senior CTE student and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) state officer, helped Carson Middle School create its own health science student organization, HOSA, the first middle school program of its kind for the school and the state.

The recent switch to a block schedule at the middle school opened up the need for more classes, so when Sports Medicine and Introduction to Health Science were brought on to help fill those gaps, a student organization to support those classes became a necessity. Working with Frank Sakelarios and Kelly Gustafson, CTE health science instructors and HOSA advisors at CHS, Defilippi decided to focus her senior project on the creation of the HOSA chapter at CMS. Click here for more information.

RETROACTIVE DIPLOMAS AVAILABLE

DiplomasFollowing the guidance of the State of Nevada, Carson City School District (CCSD) will be providing retroactive diplomas to all former students who qualify under the new requirements set by the Nevada Department of Education.

Due to the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) no longer being required under the Nevada Revised Statutes and Assembly Bill 7’s removal of the requirement to pass the End of Course Exams (EOC), the Department of Education stated that students in Nevada are no longer required to pass the HSPE to receive a Standard High School or Adult Standard Diploma. Click here for more details.

Any student previously denied a Standard High School or Adult Standard Diploma solely because the student did not satisfy the requirement to pass the HSPE will be issued a retroactive diploma if:

  1. The student submits a written request to the school where they were last enrolled to determine if they satisfy the necessary requirements.
  2. After reviewing the transcript and any other relevant documentation, the school will determine the student’s eligibility to receive the diploma.

UPDATED STAFF DIRECTORY ON THE WEBSITE

Staff Directory

The staff directory located on the district website has been updated. Users may now search for teachers or employees by school site Location, First or Last Name, or by Title. Contact information in the new directory will also be updated daily to provide our staff, students, parents, and other stakeholders with current and accurate information. Here is a direct link if you would like to view the new staff directory. 

CONNECT WITH US!

FacebookBe sure to FOLLOW and LIKE CCSD’s Facebook: (facebook.com/carsoncityschooldistirct) and Twitter (twitter.com/carsonschools) pages. Each provide real-time district and school news to the community. The pages are used as a tool to relay information of school closures, emergencies, good news, events, etc. 

The pages aim to engage the community about local, state and national education news/topics, report from live board of education meetings and other district meetings and events and post student and staff pictures and achievements.
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SHARE YOUR PHOTOS WITH US!

Sunset

Have you captured some amazing photos at some of our school sites? Please share your photos with us. Feel free to email our Public Information Officer Dan Davis, [email protected], with any shots you’d like to share publicly through our social media. Or tag us @carsoncityschooldistrict on Facebook or @carsonschools on Twitter.



    BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED TO HOMELESS STUDENTS

    BackpacksIn a collaborative effort with the Carson City School District, the Nevada Department of Education divided and packed more than 600 backpacks and books for the education of homeless children and youth across Nevada.

    Feed the Children shipped the supplies to the McKinney-Vento Students in Transition Program where those items were divided up, assembled and distributed to more than 17 districts throughout the state.

    “Our district and employees are happy to host this activity,” said Mr. Richard Stokes, superintendent. “Our schools are extensions of our community, so providing for students in Nevada who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is really a part of who we all are.” View the full story from KTVN, Ch. 2 News here.

    FIREFIGHTERS HELP KEEP STUDENTS WARM

    CoatsCarson City firefighters donated nearly 200 brand new coats Monday, November 6, to students in need. Carson City School District’s McKinney-Vento Students in Transition helped identify those students who are most in need. Students in Transition are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.

    "We are so grateful for such timely gifts as the weather turns colder,” said Dan Davis, public information officer for the Carson City School District. “These firefighters and those who helped make this possible attests to the gracious and caring community here in Carson City."

    Read the full story from NevadaAppeal.com.

    ANOTHER WAY TO GIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

    Foundation

    The Carson City Schools Foundation (CCSF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting community involvement and investment in the public schools of Carson City. CCSF was created to increase student achievement through philanthropic investment and involvement. Serving at the pleasure of the superintendent and the Board of Trustees, we plan to be a vehicle for education investment that traditional funding sources might not be able to reach.

    How can you help? Make a contribution with your credit card. It’s easy! Go to ccschoolsfoundation.org/campaigns/donations/ for a simple self-explanatory contribution link. Click here to watch a YouTube video about the foundation.
     

    SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER MATT PUTZER TO RETIRE

    Matt PutzerIn July of 1989 Matt Putzer became a Deputy Sheriff with the Carson City Sheriff’ Office.  He spent fourteen of those years as a motor/traffic Deputy and then finished his career as a School Resource Officer.

    DoughnutsOfficer Putzer’s last day will be at the end of December 2017.  Please come celebrate his career with us.






    HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS PROVIDED OVER HOLIDAY BREAK!

    In partnership with Nevada Health Centers, the Carson City School District offers a School-Based Health Center open to Carson City families of school-aged children. The health center located at 618 W. Musser Street (behind the Professional Development Center at 604 W. Musser) in Carson City provides the following services:

    • Preventive health and wellnessHealth Services
    • Well child checks
    • Sick visits
    • Sports physicals
    • Immunizations
    • Health Management

    The health center also accepts the following payment sources:

    • Private Insurance
    • Medicaid and Medicare
    • Nevada Check Up
    • Women’s Health Connection
    • Sliding fee for low income uninsured patients

    Medical Appointments Call: 800-787-2568.

    Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm (closed for lunch 12-1 pm)