CCSD Cool School News

As of Monday, August 31, students across every grade level have returned to ChurchillCSD, marking the official start of the 2026-2027 school year districtwide. 

Students in grades 1-12 kicked off the new year on August 24. From the first day, they were reconnecting with friends and staff, reviewing school and classroom expectations, jumping into lessons and hands-on projects, participating in activities, and finding their rhythm for the year ahead. 

While students in grades 1-12 were settling into their first week, ChurchillCSD’s youngest learners were preparing for their first day. At Lahontan Elementary School, Kindergarten teachers spent the week meeting individually with students and families through welcome visits and screenings. Pre-K assessments were also taking place at Northside Early Learning Center, followed by an Open House that gave students and families a chance to visit before the first day. 

Photo below:  School Resource Officers Sam Ugalde and Jose Alcaraz are ready to welcome students back for the first day of school.

On Monday, August 31, Kindergarten and Pre-K students were welcomed for their first day, bringing all of ChurchillCSD together for the 2026-2027 school year.

Superintendent Blake Cooper has already made being present in schools a priority as he begins his first school year as superintendent. Cooper, Assistant Superintendent Mike Walker, and members of the district leadership team visited campuses across ChurchillCSD to welcome students and staff back and spend time connecting with them as the new year got underway.  Picture below:  Superintendent Blake Cooper stops by Lacey Kerr’s fifth-grade class at Numa Elementary School to welcome students back on the first day of school.

A successful start to a new school year takes a lot of people working together. Throughout the summer, District Office staff worked through the many moving pieces needed to prepare for a new year, while custodial, maintenance, and grounds crews worked tirelessly to get buildings and campuses ready and looking their best. Transportation staff worked to prepare and fine-tune routes, Nutrition Services prepared kitchens and meal service, while secretaries helped families with registration, answered questions, and kept schools moving through the busy weeks leading up to the start of the year. Teachers and administrators prepared classrooms and schools, participated in professional development, and made sure they were ready to welcome students back.

It took an incredible amount of work across ChurchillCSD to get to the first day, and that same teamwork continues now that our schools are full of students and the 2026-2027 school year is in full swing. That support extends beyond our schools as well, with families, community partners, local organizations, and businesses continuing to play an important role in supporting our students and schools.

With the first week behind us and all students now in school, ChurchillCSD is looking ahead to what the year will bring. There will be plenty to celebrate and share in the months ahead, and we look forward to highlighting the learning, accomplishments, opportunities, and stories of our students and staff along the way.

Welcome back, ChurchillCSD! One Team. One Community.