From left: Superintendent Dr. Sandra Sheldon; Transportation Director Steve Russell; Jill Downs, Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe (FPST); Trustee Carmen Schank; Trustee Kathryn Whitaker; Juvenile Justice Center Chief Tami Richardson; Educational Services Director Kimi Melendy; NAS Fallon Student Liaison Officer Michele Taylor; Amber Ayres, Chamber of Commerce; Jeslyn MacDiarmid; Churchill County Library; Joanne Sturm, Dr. Sheldon's visiting mother; County Manager Eleanor Lockwood; Robert Getto, Ferguson & Getto Realtors; Parent/Community Engagement Coordinator Kristin Sheldon; FPST Tribal Chairman Len George, NAS Fallon Commanding Officer David Halloran.
Churchill County School District hosted a Community Tour of Schools earlier this month to provide guests with a firsthand look at the various learning programs and highlights.
Nicknamed the “Yellow Bus Tour” like London or New York City’s red bus tours said Superintendent Dr. Sandra Sheldon, participants boarded a school bus to visit the Northside Early Learning Center, Numa Elementary School and Churchill County High School.
Guests could ask questions throughout the journey and were escorted by members of the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp) on the high-school campus as well as treated to a luncheon provided by students from the Culinary Arts program.
Tour guests included community members and leaders such as representatives from the school district, Naval Air Station Fallon, Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, Chamber of Commerce and the county.
At the first stop, NELC Principal John Johnson discussed how the 180 three- and four-year-olds are learning socialization, instruction and basics such as counting, colors, table manners and even starting to read. He added there are “really shining stars,” and special education or non-English-speaking students are getting back on track toward normal development. It was also shared that an income-based program exists and an additional classroom will be added next year.
During the visit to Numa, Sheldon talked about how the fourth- and fifth-graders receive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) guidance, and the school also uses FOSS (Full Option Science System), The Daily Cafe and Newsela programs. For example, Cafe teaches independent learning, spelling and vocabulary, reading to one’s self, free writing and keeping an idea book.
CCHS, with just under 1,000 students enrolled, offers numerous Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses including award-winning programs such as automotive and video production. The tour of the grounds included the new auxiliary gym and Performing Arts Center.
One classroom stop featured a stock market ticker and where tour-goers learned about the portfolio contest, during which students each invest $1 million classroom dollars however they strategize as well as learn a variety of key business software applications.
“The thing that we’re most proud of are our kids,” said Principal Kevin Lords, adding they say “hi” to you, hold the door for you and if you hold it for them, they thank you.
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