CCSD news: Enchanted books, newspapers, and outdoor adventure

CHURCHILL COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Students in Anne Smith’s Outdoor Adventure class went on an exciting field trip to Sand Harbor State Park.

During their visit, the students gained valuable knowledge about the five methods of heat loss: radiation, conduction, respiration, evaporation, and convection, and how these principles apply to outdoor activities such as swimming and kayaking. They also learned the importance of layering clothing to prevent heat loss and discussed essential safety procedures. The class got to see various types of personal flotation devices and gain an understanding of the uses of each device. Additionally, students were introduced to different watercraft, including kayaks and canoes, and received guidance on proper paddling techniques. Once the lesson was complete, the students took to the water on kayaks. As the kayaking excursion progressed, the guide shared Lake Tahoe area’s history, including the water flume system that transported water to Virginia City, which left noticeable scars on the Tahoe hillsides. The students learned how glaciers and volcanic activity shaped the lake's formation, and they even heard tales of an early mansion on the Nevada shore, famously home to a pet elephant and tiger. “We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Clearly Tahoe Adventure Company for providing such an exceptional experience for our students,” Smith said.

CHURCHILL COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Lori Kaisers CCMS newspaper elective class published their first paper for the 24-25 school year.

Students covered topics such as the new principal, new rules, safety at CCMS, sports, and the homecoming dance. Below is a student-written piece from their first edition.

Safety comes first at CCMS

This year the vice principal of Churchill County Middle School, Mr. Brent Judy, is focused on safety.

In order to always be prepared, CCMS has different protocols to prepare for any situation. There are drills that we have to follow as students to keep us safe.

There is the fire drill where we evacuate the building. There is a soft lockdown where we can continue working but can't leave the classroom. There is a hard lockdown where we are in the classroom and have to get to the safest place in the classroom, stay quiet, and turn off the lights.

The goal of a hard lockdown is to make any intruders think the room is empty. Teachers lock the door and hide with the students.

 Finally, there is an earthquake drill where we have to get under desks or some classrooms have cabinets that you can go in.

Kristina Langguth, a teacher at CCMS said, “I feel Churchill County Middle School is a safe space.”

One thing she believes would make the school safer is, “having a school resource officer at the school full time.”

— Abbigale Parren

NUMA

In an exciting new initiative, students in Jerrilynn Nall’s class are thoroughly enjoying their time with Millie, the classroom food scrap processor. This innovative tool is not only educational but also promotes sustainability by teaching students about waste reduction.

As part of their lesson, students are learning which food scraps Millie can and cannot process, as well as the various uses for the grounds she makes. They can be transformed into chicken feed, enhance grass nutrition, or contribute to compost, ultimately reducing waste sent to landfills.

The students take pride in this eco-friendly approach, recognizing the positive impact they can make on their environment.

Another highlight is Millie's ability to schedule dry and grind sessions, allowing for efficient processing of food scraps. The convenient locking lid feature ensures safety during operation, making her a great addition to the classroom.

“Millie has proven to be a polite and quiet presence, seamlessly integrating into daily activities and enriching the student's learning experience. The excitement surrounding this initiative reinforces a growing commitment to sustainability among my students,” Nall said.

E.C. BEST

Last week, students in Torie Sandberg's class had a busy week of learning. They worked on the theme of community, examining how different locations influence experiences and perspectives.

As part of their exploration, the class read about Arizona and then participated in a fun and creative project where students painted cacti inspired by their readings.

This activity reinforced their learning and allowed them to express their artistic abilities. In math, students expanded their skills in data representation by reading and creating bar graphs.

Students also went on an exciting field trip to Lattin Farms where they got to pick out a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch and see all the farm animals.

LAHONTAN

Last week, Lahontan librarian Megan Smith organized an Enchanted Book Fair in the library, providing students with a delightful opportunity to explore a variety of books.

Prior to the Family Literacy Night, students had the chance to preview the fair and select two books they were excited to share with their families. Throughout the week, they could purchase books from their wish lists before, during, and after school, as well as during the family event.

The book fair was a resounding success, with a fantastic turnout and significant funds raised to acquire new books for the LES library. There were 467 total people in attendance and 135 families who signed in.

 “I would like to express a heartfelt thank you to all the families who participated in shopping and supporting the fair,” Smith said.