CCSD Cool School News

CCHS
Churchill County High School’s Hope Squad students shared their training, protocols, and vision for the future with Superintendent Derild Parsons, Assistant Superintendent Mike Walker, Director of Student Services Kathryn Bervin-Mueller, Principal Tim Spencer, and District Public Information Officer Kaitlin Ritchie on Sept. 10.

These students, recognized by their peers as caring and trustworthy, are trained to identify warning signs, support classmates in need, and connect them with trusted adults. Hope Squad is an evidence-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that spreads hope, reduces risk, and fosters a culture of connection and care within the school. With strong leadership, these Hope Squad members are ready to make a lasting impact on their school and community.

CCMS
Churchill County Middle School students have started Campus Pride Fridays, an ongoing effort in which advisory groups take part in beautifying the campus and showing their Greenwave pride. Each week, students bring creativity and energy to brighten their school and strengthen community.

Earlier in the week, Michele Tapia’s sixth grade social studies students visited the library, exploring the new space, meeting librarian Deborah Fiedler, and checking out books for the first time this year. From taking pride in their school grounds to diving into new middle school experiences, CCMS students are off to a strong start this fall.

Numa
Students in Lisa Solinski’s class began the year by focusing on teamwork and getting to know each other. Together with Victoria Purrell’s students, they designed puzzle pieces to show they are unique yet all fit together.

Last week, Solinski’s class received the Golden Book Award for outstanding behavior in the library and the Golden Clock Award for excellent attendance. From team-building to recognition, Numa students are already Soaring with Pride and Paddling with Purpose.

E.C. Best
The E.C. Best “Library Llamas” welcomed students back for a busy start to the school year. During the first week, every class visited the library to learn about and receive the Chromebooks they will use in class. The following week, students jumped into library time, enjoying stories and checking out books.

“Our Bulldogs are reading two to four books each week, and some even return for more in between visits,” librarian Jennifer Sanches said. “Be sure to ask students which book is their favorite, and remember to return any books that come home, even if they are damaged, because I can often fix them.”

Families should also mark their calendars for the Fall Book Fair, set for Sept. 29–Oct. 2. The fair coincides with the Churchill Chili Cook-off Family Night on Sept. 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Families can enjoy free chili, cornbread, and milk along with educational stations featuring the Nevada Farm Bureau, Fort Churchill, UNR Ag Ed, and the Churchill County Museum.

Lahontan
This month, students at Lahontan Elementary School are exploring emotions with Zones of Regulation. School counselor Baylee Barton has been visiting classrooms, using clips from the movie “Inside Out” to help students recognize and label their feelings.

They learn to sort emotions into four zones: blue (sad, tired), green (calm, happy), yellow (excited, scared, frustrated), and red (mad). Students are also practicing coping skills to calm themselves when experiencing big feelings, giving them tools to manage emotions and build awareness.