CCSD Cool School News

CCHS

Churchill County FFA members had a busy fall participating in community events, welcoming new members, and preparing for national competition. Throughout September and October, members volunteered at the Churchill County Farm Bureau Picnic and Meeting, Fallon Cantaloupe Festival and Country Fair, and local weddings. Students helped with event setup, activities, food service, and cleanup while selling raffle tickets to support agricultural education and fundraising efforts. The chapter also prepared 250 Halloween-themed “Spooky Grams” for delivery to local schools and businesses.

On Oct. 7, 13 new FFA members attended the Northern Greenhand Leadership Conference in Fallon, where they developed leadership skills and connected with other FFA members. Later in October, chapter members traveled to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention & Expo. Among them was Paige Frey, who spent months preparing her speech for the National FFA Prepared Public Speaking Competition and practiced presenting at local Farm Bureau and Lions Club events. The convention gave students opportunities to participate in activities, explore new places, and connect with FFA members from across the country.

CCMS

Eighth-grade science students began their genetics unit by extracting DNA from strawberries. Students crushed strawberries, added a special solution, and filtered the mixture to separate the DNA from other cell materials. They observed DNA that looked like white, stringy slime.  Photo below: Churchill County Middle School students worked together to extract DNA from strawberries.

“It was really cool actually to see the DNA,” one student shared. “I didn’t think it would look like slime.”

Strawberries contain millions of cells, each containing DNA, which carries genetic instructions that help determine characteristics of living things. By breaking open the cells, students separated and observed the DNA. Over the next few weeks, students will explore DNA, genes, chromosomes, inherited traits, and how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring.

Courtesy of Maureen Park and Megan Gibson.

Numa

Students in Shannon Matheson’s class joined Numa’s annual fourth-grade Halloween parade, showing off their costumes as they made their way from classroom to classroom. Students saw what their classmates had dressed up as and enjoyed the different costumes. The parade has become a Halloween tradition at Numa, giving fourth-grade students a chance to celebrate with their classmates and visit other classrooms. 

Photo below: Students in Shannon Matheson’s class showed off their Halloween costumes during Numa Elementary School’s annual fourth-grade Halloween parade. 

E.C. Best

Students in Grayling Thomas’ class participated in the schoolwide Halloween parade. E.C. Best staff also dressed up for the event, which filled the halls with costumes from across the grade levels. Following the parade, Thomas’ class gathered for a group photo.  Photo below: Students in Grayling Thomas’ class showed off their Halloween costumes. 

Lahontan

Students in Rhonda Maynes’ class spent the week combining learning with Halloween activities. While learning about the color black and spiders, students made their own spiders and practiced counting their legs and eyes. They also practiced counting by creating chains attached to witches’ shoes and reviewed shapes and reading while making pumpkin-shaped books. The week ended with a Halloween celebration, when students wore costumes and decorated cookies.  Photo below: Students in Rhonda Maynes’ class showed off their Halloween costumes. Photo courtesy of Churchill County School District.