CCSD Cool School News

CCHS
Members of the CCHS Hope Squad met with CCMS Hope Squad members to plan a Districtwide Hope Week, set for March 30-April 3. During their meeting, students collaborated on dress-up days that would appeal to both older and younger students, discussed outreach activities, and brainstormed ways to spread positivity throughout the schools and the community. The Hope Squad is a student-led organization dedicated to promoting mental wellness, fostering kindness, and creating a supportive school environment. Its mission is to provide hope, encouragement, and resources so that every student feels valued, connected, and empowered to make positive choices. "Our goal is to make every student feel seen, supported, and inspired," CCHS Hope Squad President Evan Innes said. "Working with the CCMS Hope Squad was so important because it allowed us to include them in our ideas, learn from them, and make Districtwide Hope Week something the entire school community can enjoy."

CCMS
Last week, students in Amy Word’s advisory class explored the Character Strong curriculum, focusing on developing friendships. Classmates brainstormed ways to start conversations with someone new and practiced their skills in a “speed friending” activity, rotating through partners and asking questions. The students enjoyed discovering new ways to connect and make meaningful friendships. Building on those themes of connection and understanding, students in Lilia Marquez-Doak’s English language arts class deepened their learning during Black History Month by researching influential Black historical figures. Through a creative one-pager project, they combined important facts, powerful quotes, and visual elements to showcase each individual’s impact, highlighting the value of empathy, respect, and learning from others' contributions.

Numa
Glenda Lee’s fourth-grade class conducted a science experiment on collisions to test how the speed of a moving object affects what happens during a collision, specifically the speeds of both objects after they collide. Students made predictions, conducted trials, and changed one variable between experiments to observe the results and learn from their observations. Through this inquiry-based activity, students strengthened their understanding of motion, cause and effect, and the scientific process.

E.C. Best 
Monica Mayfield’s third-grade class is wrapping up their Savaas Unit on Heroes. Students learned that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. For their final project, they created mini posters featuring nonfiction text features about a hero they read about in their small groups. These heroes included police officers, firefighters, dolphins, dogs, rats, and kind humans who, every day, show their courage to make the world a safe place for everyone.  

Photo: Monica Mayfield’s third-grade class displays their mini posters highlighting heroes from their Savaas curriculum unit, including police officers, firefighters, animals, and kind humans who make the world safer for everyone.

Lahontan

Students in Stacey Manning’s class explored February holidays and Black History Month. They studied the Underground Railroad, wrote sweet Valentine’s notes to their parents, and chose someone they believed would make a good president, explaining why. The class also celebrated the 100th Day of School by counting 100 items they brought in, imagining what they might look like and do at 100 years old, enjoying a special 100th Day snack, and crafting their own 100th Day crowns. “It was a busy, but fun time in my classroom,” Manning said.  Photo: Students in Stacey Manning’s class celebrate the 100th Day of School by showing off their handmade crowns.

Northside

Dr. Cary Jaques and the Fallon Family Dental Care staff visited Octavia Merritts’ class to teach students how to take care of their teeth. They shared tips on brushing and flossing, and explained how dentists help keep teeth healthy. The students enjoyed learning ways to keep their smiles bright during Children’s Dental Month in February.