CCSD Cool School News

DISTRICT

While students had the day off last Friday, Churchill County School District staff spent the day learning, collaborating, and strengthening practices through professional development. Professional development looked different at each school based on the needs of students and staff. Teams worked on topics including the Science of Reading, i-Ready, math routines and reasoning, professional learning communities, data-driven instruction, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, universal screeners, executive functioning, parent engagement, student learning goals, and department planning.

Staff also had dedicated time to analyze student data, explore instructional strategies and resources, and collaborate and plan together.

“Just as we ask our students to continue learning and growing, it is important that we create those same opportunities for our staff,” Superintendent Blake Cooper said. “When our staff has time to learn from one another, share ideas, and grow together, that work carries back into our classrooms and helps us continue finding ways to best serve our students. That is an important part of what it means to be One Team.”

CCHS

For information on Churchill County High School seniors exploring college and career pathways, see “Class of 2027: Exploring Career Pathways”.

CCMS

Students at Churchill County Middle School are building skills that extend beyond the classroom. Career and technical education students put their professional communication skills to the test through mock job interviews, practicing how to answer interview questions and building confidence for future career opportunities.

In Art 3, students are taking greater ownership of their learning by developing original projects, writing professional-style proposals, managing their time, and bringing their ideas from concept to completion. CCMS also celebrated students who achieved perfect attendance this month with a surprise doughnut reward, recognizing their commitment to showing up and being ready to learn each day.

Across CCMS, students continue to learn, grow, and take greater ownership of their success both in and beyond the classroom.

NUMA

Students are working on their throwing accuracy during physical education with Kevin Wickware through a variety of games and activities, including dodgeball. As they practice aiming and making accurate throws, students are also learning and reinforcing physical education standard operating procedures, helping them understand expectations, routines, and how to work successfully together during their time in the gym.

E.C. BEST

Pictured right: Second-grade students in Christina Fruzza’s class practice recognizing and reading digraphs during a classroom activity.

Christina Fruzza’s second-grade students are continuing to build their foundational reading skills. Last week, students practiced reading digraphs, when two letters come together to make one sound, such as “ch” in “chair.”

Recognizing and reading digraphs helps students become more fluent readers. As their reading fluency grows, students are better able to focus on understanding what they read.

LAHONTAN

Pictured left: Heather Sorensen and her first-grade students show off the slime they made while exploring how different ingredients react when mixed together.

Heather Sorensen’s first-grade students have been busy learning through hands-on experiences. Students explored science by making slime and observing how different ingredients reacted when mixed together. They also wrapped up their apple unit by making homemade applesauce.

From experimenting with mixtures to turning apples into a tasty treat, students had the opportunity to connect what they are learning in the classroom to actual experiences.