CCSD Cool School News

CCHS

Hope Squad students Evan Innes, Dominick Milne, and William Brady presented at the Social Services Community Partnership Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, sharing their efforts to promote mental health awareness, kindness, and connection throughout the district. Hope Squad is a peer-nominated, student-led suicide prevention and mental health awareness program focused on helping students feel supported, valued, and connected. During their presentation, students highlighted their outreach to elementary schools, collaboration with Churchill County Middle School Hope Squad members, initiatives at CCHS, and positive messaging through social media. They also discussed their involvement in school community activities, including a Spring Fling dance organized in partnership with the Churchill County Coalition, and plans for a Winter Fest and schoolwide assembly focused on unity and connection. The meeting gave students an opportunity to share who they are and their accomplishments with local community partners while exploring new opportunities for collaboration, volunteering, and outreach. Their presentation highlighted the meaningful role students play in building a more supportive and connected school community.

CCMS

Courtesy of Randi Orong’s Film and Photo Students Churchill County Middle School is giving its Gerka Great recognition program a bright new look. The school's Gerka Great sign recently received a neon glow-up, creating a special space to celebrate students who demonstrate what it means to be a great Gerka. Each month, selected students will have their photos displayed beneath the glowing sign and receive a special goodie bag in recognition of their positive contributions to the school community. The new display will help shine a spotlight on outstanding Gerka Greats throughout the 2026-27 school year.

Numa

Students in Glenda Lee’s science class took their learning beyond the classroom with an investigation of the soil beneath their playground. They collected soil samples from the school grounds and brought them back to the classroom to examine. Throughout the week, students observed their samples, identified and mapped different soil layers, and compared their composition and appearance. The activity allowed students to practice scientific observation, collect information, and connect what they are learning in class to the environment around them. Using their own playground for the investigation gave students a hands-on opportunity to better understand the different layers of soil and how they form.

E.C. Best

Students are being recognized for making positive choices throughout the school day through the school's Bulldog Bucks program. As part of the school's Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), the program encourages students to demonstrate the four Bs: Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Safe, and Be Responsible. Staff members award Bulldog Bucks when they see students putting these expectations into practice in classrooms, hallways, and other areas of the school. Students can then choose to save their Bucks for a chance to win prizes in monthly raffle drawings or spend them at the student store. "This system provides consistent, schoolwide positive reinforcement while encouraging students to practice the four Bs across all school settings," said Brianna Wickware, E.C. Best reset room teacher. The program gives students an opportunity to be recognized for their efforts while reinforcing the importance of kindness, respect, safety, and responsibility in their everyday interactions.

Lahontan

Kindergarten students in Jennifer Vasquez's class spent the week learning about the life cycle of apples through a variety of activities that combined science, math, and a little taste testing. Students explored the different stages of an apple's life cycle before putting their curiosity to the test with an experiment to see whether apples would float or sink in water. The learning continued with a graphing activity where students compared their favorite apple varieties, choosing between red, yellow, and green apples. Students also enjoyed sampling applesauce and discussing their favorite flavors, including strawberry, cinnamon, and regular. These activities gave students opportunities to make predictions, collect and compare information, and share their observations while building their understanding of how apples grow and connecting classroom lessons to everyday experiences.