Winter 2022

CARSON CITY

School District

Community Quarterly Newsletter | CARSON CITY, NEVADA | Winter, 2022

PRINTABLE PDF VERSION HERE

A NOTE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT

Andrew Feuling I hope everyone will take some time to be with family, friends and loved ones this holiday season. 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.

I believe all students can learn and excel. As Superintendent, I appreciate working with talented individuals who are committed to success for all of our students. I also appreciate all of your efforts to make sure your students are in school every day ready to learn and to make education a priority at home. It is a team effort between schools and families to assure the best of opportunities and greatest success for our children. I wish you all a very happy holiday season.

Sincerely,
Andrew Feuling
Superintendent, Carson City School District

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE MATTERS, INCREASES STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

What has the most impact on student achievement? Teacher effectiveness will arguably remain the strongest school-related determinant of student success, but chronic student absenteeism reduces even the best teacher's ability to provide learning opportunities. In short, if a student is not present, not even the best educators can teach them. Therefore, students who attend school regularly will be more successful and achieve at higher levels than students who do not have consistent attendance or are tardy frequently.

“School attendance has shown to be a key indicator significantly correlated with high school graduation,” said Dr. Ricky Medina, Ph.D., director of accountability and assessment for the Carson City School District. “The effects of lost school days build up one absence at a time with individual students. The best way to counteract that is to build up regular attendance, one day at a time and to help parents a families unify with schools and understand the importance and overall impact of missing school.” Read more.

Carson City School District carsoncityschools.com
1402 West King Street, Carson City, NV 89703 | Phone 775-283-2000 | Fax 775-283-2090

NASB RECOGNIZES EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES, COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The Nevada Association of School Boards (NASB) honored exceptional employees of Carson City School District and Carson City community partners with four prestigious awards at its annual conference and awards banquet Nov. 11-12, 2022. District officials took time to recognize each individual winner and introduce them to trustees at the School Board meeting, Dec. 13, 2022.

Carson Middle School Technology Teacher Rob Hostler was honored as the NASB 2022 Innovative Educator of the Year, Fremont Elementary School Principal Dr. Jennifer Ward was honored as the NASB 2022 Administrator of the Year, EagleMark Savings Bank – Harley Davidson was honored as the NASB 2022 Individual Friend of K-12 Education and Nevada Appeal Education Reporter Jessica Garcia was honored with the NASB 2022 Media Award for Outstanding Education Reporting.

Once a year, NASB recognizes the achievements and contributions of school boards, school trustees, teachers, administrators, educational advocates and others from across the state of Nevada. There are more than 20,000 educators who teach approximately 486,682 students from more than 763 schools in the state of Nevada. To be singled out and recognized among these ranks, truly is an honor. Read more on each individual winner.

OUTGOING TRUSTEES HONORED FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO EDUCATION

Superintendent Andrew Feuling and School Board President Richard Varner took time to honor Carson City School Board Trustees Stacie Wilke-McCulloch and Don Carine at the Dec. 13 school board meeting. Carine and Wilke-McCulloch were acknowledged for their dedication to education and the children of the Carson City School District.

Carine served a total of six years on the board after being appointed to the position in 2016. He elected to not run again when his term ended this year. Wilke-McCulloch, served multiple terms spanning multiple years, this being her final year before being termed out of the position.

We also welcome Matt Clapham, who will take the District 3 seat being vacated by Stacie Wilke-McCulloch and Molly Walt, who was elected to take the District 6 seat vacated by Don Carine. Richard Varner and Lupe Ramirez were also re-elected to their positions of District 4 and District 1, respectively.

EVMS ROBOTICS TEAMS EARN PERFORMANCE AND BREAKTHROUGH AWARDS

EVMS Robotics The after-school robotics program at Eagle Valley Middle School (EVMS) was recently recognized for earning the Robot Performance Award and the Breakthrough Award at the FIRST LEGO League Qualifier at Trainer Middle School in Reno earlier this month. Three robotics teams had an opportunity to showcase their skill and talent in a friendly competition against 22 other teams from middle schools across northern Nevada Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.

They were judged in four categories: The Robot Game, Core Values, Innovation Project and Gracious Professionalism.

EVMS’s Robotics Team 1 earned an outstanding 250 points in the Robot Game and took home the Robot Performance Award. Team 1 surpassed the second-place team by 55 points. Team 2 (an all-girls team) received 7th place while Team 3 received 9th place overall. Team 2 took home the Breakthrough Award and will be advancing to the championship competition that will be hosted at Eagle Valley Middle School on February 4, 2023. Read more.

WIGGINS HONORED AS FINALIST FOR 2023 NEVADA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Empire Elementary School’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Teacher Adrienne Wiggins was honored Oct. 11, 2022, as one of the five statewide finalists for the Nevada Teacher of the Year, recognized by the Nevada Department of Education.

Ms. Wiggins was surprised during the school’s morning faculty meeting where the announcement was made via Zoom. Ultimately, Connie Hall of the Lloyd Diedrichsen Elementary School in the Washoe County School District was named the 2023 Nevada Teacher of the Year.

Out of the 17 school districts in the state of Nevada, the Carson City School District has had teachers represented as a top five finalist for the last five years running, including the following: 2023 – Adrienne Wiggins, 2022 – Rachel Croft, 2021 – Christina Bourne, 2020 – Nick Jacques and 2019 – Joanna Kaiser. Additionally, the Carson City School District has had four teachers win the prestigious Nevada Teacher of the Year award. Those include the following: 2013 – Adam Whatley, 2012 – Deanna LeBlanc, 2011 – Cheryl Macy and 2008 – LeAnn Morris. Read more.

THREE EDUCATORS FEATURED AT ‘TEACHERS OF THE YEAR’ CONFERENCE

Three Carson City educators were highlighted as presenters at the Nevada State Teachers of the Year’s (NVSTOY) Early Career Educator Leadership Conference October 14 and 15, 2022.

Lacey Carey, instructional coach for the Carson City School District, Joanna Kaiser, GATE implementation specialist for the Carson City School District and Nicole Witkowski, music educator at Fritsch Elementary School, presented uplifting and actionable professional learning designed specifically for Nevada educators early in their careers (third through sixth year of teaching).

The free virtual conference offered professional and personal practices that help make teaching a joyful and fulfilling career. The presentations focused primarily on three concepts: communication (building relationships with and expanding advocacy for students, families and educators), self-care (actively preserving or improving physical, mental and emotional well-being) and reflective practice (learning from experience and actions to improve outcomes). Read more about each presenter.

THREE TEACHERS WITH LEAD ROLES IN LOCAL MUSICAL PRODUCTION

To say the talent is strong among teachers and employees in the Carson City School District would be an understatement. Earlier this Fall, within one local Broadway production of “Into The Woods,” three Carson City teachers retained lead roles including Ms. Darby Beckwith, Drama teacher at Carson High, as Cinderella; Ms. Tara Rispin, Science teacher at Eagle Valley Middle School, as Little Red Riding Hood and Ms. Lynette Gardner, American Literature, Honors English and AVID IV teacher at Carson High School, as Jack's Mother from Jack and the Beanstalk.

According to the ThisIsReno.com review, the 1987 Steven Sondheim musical blended traditional fairy tales to create a wildly funny—and, at times, ridiculous—story enacted through song, dance, a few skirmishes and tomfoolery among the characters. Attendees could immediately pick up on characters from Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Jack and The Beanstalk, among some of the fairy tales that inspire the modern rendition. The cast featured more than 25 people of all ages – and featured incredibly talented local performers. Read more.

EMPIRE ELEMENTARY EDUCATORS AWARDED $5,000 ROTARY GRANT

Empire Elementary, a Governor designated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) school, got a big boost from the Noon Rotary Club of Carson City. The club awarded its annual Rotary Education Grant to Instructional Coach Laura Ricks and Third Grade Teacher Nancy Cole. The $5,000 in grant money will fund an Integrated Math Knowledge Project.

The money will allow Ricks and Cole to purchase math-based reading materials for its Lending Library. The library provides resources teachers use to help individual or groups of students gain a better grasp of multiple subjects. “Our lending library has a lot to offer in the areas of literature, social studies and science. But we have a huge gap in books about math,” she said. “As a STEM school, it’s important that teachers have access to more math resources to help their students. I truly believe our students will benefit from these books, and we will see the results in higher test scores later in the school year.” Read more.

GNCU RECOGNIZES SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Earlier this month, Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) launched a new campaign titled Carson CARES, which recognizes Carson City School District employees who exemplify positivity in school and make a difference in their school community.

GNCU awarded five grand prizes where winners received a $500 donation for their classroom or program as well as a $100 gift certificate or gift card to their favorite local restaurant. Additionally, out of all the nominees, one individual was selected in a random drawing to win a hosted pizza party for their classroom or team, valued up to $400.

More than 85 nominations were submitted. Click here to see the full list of Carson City School District winners.

FOUNDATION AWARDS $11,300 TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, EDUCATORS

Each semester, the Carson City Schools Foundation gives back to educators and students alike. This last semester, the foundation awarded $11,300 in various $200 mini-grants and $2,000 grants for a department, school or grade-level project(s).

In total, CCSF has contributed nearly $40,000 in 2022 and more than $100,000 to students and educators since 2017.

The Fall 2022 $200 mini-grant winners include the following alphabetically by school:

Allie Davis, Bordewich Bray Elementary School for fifth grade leadership shirts
Haley Brown, Carson High School for military family engagement ($300 mini grant)
Abner Perez, on behalf of Carson High School Social Workers for painting group focused on communication and emotional intelligence
Janelle Kaufer, Carson Middle School for high interest Spanish readers
Christy Calverley, Empire Elementary School for student planners and success necklaces
Brian Peterson, Seeliger Elementary School for social emotional books

The Fall 2022 $2,000 department-grant winners include the following alphabetically by department, school or grade-level projects:

LeAnn Morris for districtwide computer science algorithms and programming mats
Elizabeth Martinez, Carson High School for a salad and sandwich bar
Mirjam Caster, Carson Middle School for graphic novels and manga expansion
Liz Bryan, Empire Elementary School for science forces and motion wall
Marc Rodina, Mark Twain Elementary School for Positive Hawks MTSS/PBIS system incentives

FOUNDATION & GNCU AWARD IPADS FOR EMPLOYEE PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS

GNCU Donation The Carson City Schools Foundation (CCSF), was pleased to accept a generous $1,000 donation from Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) to support student learning in the Carson City School District. Additionally, the foundation announced Jeremy Batten, counselor at Carson Middle School, and Kareen Mouradian, fifth-grade teacher at Fremont Elementary School as the winners of the foundation’s drawing from those making voluntary payroll deduction donations. GNCU sponsored the drawing and graciously provided the prizes, an iPad for each.

GNCU Donation Batten and Mouradian’s name were drawn from more than 120 school district employees. The foundation hosted the drawing as a way to reward school district contributors who regularly donate (every paycheck) through payroll deductions. Funding from payroll donations support educators and students in the classroom where traditional funding sources may not reach otherwise.

GNCU Donation Individuals and organizations are also able to make a one-time donation using a credit card. To make a one-time donation, or for more information, please visit ccschoolsfoundation.org/how-to-contribute/. Read more.

STUDENTS PARTAKE IN “LOVE IT OR LOSE IT” LUNCH MENU EVENTS

Earlier this month, Nutrition Services was pleased to have students throughout the district partake in Student Choice “Love It or Lose It” events during lunch where they tasted new menu concepts and voted on keeping it on the menu or losing it.

On Dec. 1, students at Eagle Valley Middle School sampled a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, and then Dec. 2, they tasted a BBQ Pulled Pork Mac N’ Cheese. After sampling each, the students were able to provide immediate feedback using a touchscreen device, voting in favor (Love It) or against (Lose It).

Both items were overwhelmingly popular and will be featured during ‘Station Takeovers’ on select Fridays throughout the remainder of the school year. Please check the student menus for details. Read more.

NOTABLE FUTURE DATES (Dates & Times are Subject to Change)

Please refer to the School District’s Academic School Calendar for additional information regarding district professional learning and early release days, school holidays and other important information. Below are some notable and important future dates.

Dec. 21 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
Dec. 22-Jan. 6 Christmas Break (School Holiday: Dec. 22 – Jan. 6)
Jan. 9 (Monday) School classes resume
Jan. 10 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Board Room
Jan. 11 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
Jan. 16 (Monday) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (School Holiday)
Jan. 24 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Board Room
Jan. 25 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
Feb. 8 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
Feb. 14 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Board Room
Feb. 15 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
Feb. 20 (Monday) President’s Day (School Holiday)
Feb. 22 (Wednesday) Community PLC Meeting, 6 p.m., Carson High School Library
Feb. 28 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Board Room
March 7 (Tuesday) All 11th grade students take ACT test (only juniors attending High School)
March 8 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
March 12 (Sunday) Daylight Savings Time begins, set clocks forward 1 hour
March 14 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Room
March 28 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Room
March 29 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
March 30 (Thurs.) Elementary Parent Conf. Min. Day, elementary schools dismiss at 12:40 p.m.
March 31 (Friday) Elementary Parent Conf. Min. Day, elementary schools dismiss at 12:40 p.m.
April 3-10 Spring Break (School Holiday)
April 11 (Tuesday) School classes resume
April 11 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Room
April 19 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
April 25 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Room
April 26 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
May 3 (Wednesday) Community PLC Meeting, 6 p.m., Carson High School Library
May 9 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Room
May 17 (Wednesday) District Professional Learning, Minimum/Early Release Day
May 23 (Tuesday) School Board Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Community Center, Bob Crowell Room
May 29 (Monday) Memorial Day (School Holiday)
May 31 (Wednesday) Minimum Day, Carson High School, dismiss at 11:40 a.m.
May 31 (Wednesday) Minimum Day, Pioneer Academy, dismiss at 11:50 a.m.
May 31 (Wednesday) Minimum Day, Carson Middle School, dismiss at 12:00 noon
May 31 (Wednesday) Minimum Day, Eagle Valley Middle School, dismiss at 12:00 noon
May 31 (Wednesday) Eagle Valley Middle School 8th Grade Promotion, 1 p.m., EVMS parking lot
May 31 (Wednesday) Pioneer Academy Graduation, 6 p.m., Community Center, Theater
June 1 (Thursday) Minimum Day, Last Day of School
June 1 (Thursday) Carson Middle School 8th Grade Promotion, 1 p.m., CMS parking lot
June 3 (Saturday) Carson High School Graduation, 9 a.m., Carson High School, Football Field

HOLIDAY EVENTS

In education, we love to get into the spirit of holidays. Whether it is Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Veteran’s Day, Dia de los Muertos or Nevada Day, we love looking for a reason to celebrate.

Please click on each of these photos to read stories or visit our social media channels and posts.

SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS FEATURED ON THE DISTRICT WEBSITE

Each week (usually…as they align with Rotary Club luncheons), Carson High School or Pioneer Academy school counselors will feature a “Senior in the Spotlight.” These spotlights highlight the interesting and amazing things each student is doing or has done, details specific challenges they may have dealt with as well as how they were able to overcame those trials.

The brief write-ups are not only featured on the district website, but they are also featured in local news media including CarsonNow.org and the Nevada Appeal. They are also featured on the district’s social media channels.

Each Senior Spotlight student is later invited as a personal guest of Superintendent Andrew Feuling and introduced at that week’s Rotary Club Meeting.

NEW #WHYITEACHCARSON VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS HEATHER CANFIELD

The Carson City School District recently added a new video to a playlist at CarsonCitySchools.com that highlights how incredible the teaching profession is, as well as the many challenges faced and rewards that come from being an educator.

#WhyITeachCarson is a visual concept that features the reasons and motivations behind teaching and provides insight into the craft of education. Heather Canfield, a Kindergarten Teacher at Fritsch Elementary School, is the sixth teacher to be featured from the school district.

This specific video highlights why Ms. Canfield selected the Carson City School District to establish her career as an educator. Additionally, Ms. Canfield discusses her experience being a product of the Carson City School District, what her first day of teaching was like and which teacher helped influence her desires to become an educator. Please click here to view the video.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

The success of many of our fall sports teams and other extra-curricular activities and organizations certainly provides us all with a reason to celebrate.

Primarily of note, the Carson High School girls cross-country team claimed the first Class 5A state title in program history. The Senators did so by edging out two other teams from northern Nevada including Bishop Manogue and Galena.

The most recent girls cross-country state title for Carson came in 2011 in Class 4A. Celebrate with them by watching their 2022 season video.

Additionally, Carson Middle School (CMS) dominated several Tah-Neva League Championships with eighth-grade boys cross-country ending their perfect season (undefeated in each race this season) with a perfect score and win in the big-school division at the championship race. Also, three CMS basketball teams, including seventh and eighth-grade girls and seventh-grade boys, took home Tah-Neva League Championship trophies. Of note, both the seventh-grade boys and the eighth-grade girls teams finished the season undefeated.

Carson High School’s Blue Thunder Band ended a successful season with a 3rd place finish at the Napa Valley Band Reserve in California, Nov. 12. Band The band competed against a total of 9 bands in their division, including 8 from the bay area and 1 from southern Oregon.

The Carson High varsity football team defeated Douglas, bringing home the rivalry trophy and numerous smiles, and CHS Speech and Debate has also shown huge success in competitions.

Speech and Debate

MATH WEEK DESIGNED TO CHANGE THE WAY MATH IS EXPERIENCED

In an effort to deepen relationships with math by changing the way math is experienced, students and teachers (in partnership with Mind Research Institute) hosted special events and activities designed to create a passion for fostering mathematical thinking.

Fremont Elementary School observed Math Madness Week, Oct. 24-27, 2022. Bordewich Bray, Fritsch and Mark Twain Elementary Schools observed Math Madness Week, Nov. 7-12, 2022. Seeliger Elementary School will observe Math Madness Week, Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 2023.

A team of teachers from the elementary schools in the Carson City School District collaborated to create the exciting activities for students, staff and parents that encouraged celebrating mathematics. Studies show that by 2023, there will be more than 9 million jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, and that these positions are expanding faster than non-STEM jobs. Additionally, studies have shown that critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed using rigorous mathematics curricula can play a big role in building students' confidence and leadership abilities. Read more.

PIONEER ACADEMY ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY STUDENTS VISIT ROC

Anatomy and Physiology students from Pioneer Academy were introduced to an assortment of career options with a hands-on job shadowing opportunity at the Reno Orthopedic Clinic (ROC) in Reno last month.

Carson City School District Science Coordinator Cara Tirado and Pioneer Academy Science Teacher Amy Westre collaborated with orthopedic and healthcare professionals to provide the students with shadow positions in the clinic.

Students shadowed the front desk, surgery scheduling, physical therapists, occupational therapists and nurses. Two students also had the opportunity to shadow a surgeon and observe surgeries in real-time. They all learned about types of bone fractures, how some fractures occur and even reassembled a femur that had varying types of breaks. More here.

DIAL 988 FOR 24/7 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CARE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

With the winter break and more than 2 weeks away from school, friends, supports, social workers and counselors, the Carson City School District is reminding students and families that there is help at the touch of their fingertips. Back in July of this year, the U.S. transitioned the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988, an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 mental health crisis care.

The move to the three-digit 988 phone number makes it easier to dial when emotions are running high. It also alleviates suicide-related calls to 911, redirecting the caller to a mental health professional who’s able to better assist them and their immediate needs. Read more.

CONNECT WITH US!

Be sure to FOLLOW and LIKE CCSD’s social media channels. 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. Be sure to change your notification and priority settings for our page. Choose to "See First" so you never miss an important news update. From there, you also can choose to get notified every time our page posts or goes live.

Find us on Facebook: (facebook.com/carsoncityschooldistirct), Twitter (twitter.com/carsonschools), Instagram (instagram.com/carsoncityschooldistrict/) and YouTube (youtube.com/user/CarsonCitySchools).

The channels 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.

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEO WITH US!

Have you captured some amazing photos at some of our school sites or around town?

Please share your photos with us. Feel free to email our Public Information Officer Dan Davis, APR, [email protected], with any shots you’d like to share publicly through our social media. Or tag us @carsoncityschooldistrict on Facebook, @carsoncityschooldistrict on Instagram, @carsonschools on Twitter or @CarsonCitySchools on YouTube.

Winter Band Concert Caroling Archery
KTVN Food Drive Week of Respect Holiday with a Hero

Contact Information:

For more information regarding the Carson City School District, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

Carson City School District carsoncityschools.com
1402 West King Street, Carson City, NV 89703 | Phone 775-283-2000 | Fax 775-283-2090

Carson City School District