CCSD Cool School News

CCHS
Sophomore Melody Garcia-Bishop is making a meaningful impact through service and leadership as the school’s first official high-school puppy raiser for the nonprofit organization Liberty Dogs. She is currently raising Aspen, a future service dog who will be trained to assist U.S. veterans in need. As a puppy raiser, Garcia-Bishop is responsible for helping Aspen learn foundational skills, socialization, and discipline that will prepare the dog for advanced service training. Her dedication reflects both strong leadership and a deep commitment to helping others. Programs such as Liberty Dogs rely on volunteers like Garcia-Bishop to help prepare service dogs that can one day provide life-changing assistance and companionship to veterans. CCHS has embraced the effort, welcoming Aspen on campus and supporting Garcia-Bishop in her work. This partnership highlights how students can take an active role in community service while developing responsibility, compassion, and leadership.

CCMS
Seventh and eighth-grade science students in Maureen Park and Stephanie Switzer-Holden’s science classes had the opportunity to dissect an earthworm, thanks to supplies funded through a DonorsChoose project. “Because of this generous support, students were able to participate in a hands-on science activity that helps them better understand biology,” Park said. During the dissection, students explored both the internal and external structures of the earthworm, identifying key parts such as the digestive and circulatory systems and body segments. “This activity allowed students to connect what they learned in class about living organisms to a real-life example,” Park said. Experiences like this help students become more engaged, curious, and excited about science. “Our class is grateful for the DonorsChoose supplies that made this learning experience possible.” 

Numa
Students are thrilled as their new turf playground nears completion. Last year’s fifth-grade student council helped make it happen by presenting to the ChurchillCSD school board about the importance of improving the play space. The upgraded playground offers a safe, durable area for recess and outdoor learning while promoting physical activity. Students have been involved from start to finish. They advocated for the project and are now imagining how they will enjoy the new field once it is ready. “I am so proud of our student council’s initiative," said school counselor Noreen Swenson. "Their efforts demonstrate true leadership and civic engagement, and show the positive impact young people can have on improving their school. With the final touches underway, everyone is looking forward to enjoying the upgraded playground."

E.C. Best 
Students in Jennifer Buckmaster’s class are exploring many exciting concepts in reading and math. In language arts, students are building words, learning new sight words, reading leveled books, and writing in their journals about what they read. In math, they recently learned about base-ten blocks, including expanded form, and are now identifying both two and three-dimensional shapes while studying their attributes. “Students are working on many exciting things in the classroom, and it is wonderful to see them apply what they learn in meaningful ways,” Buckmaster said.

Lahontan
Samantha Frost’s class enjoyed a week full of colorful science experiments, gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day. Students explored surface tension through a rainbow experiment and mixed baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring to create a fizzling rainbow. They ended the week by coloring a rainbow and watching it grow as it absorbed water. “It was exciting to see the students explore science in such a hands-on, colorful way,” Frost said.