Hello and welcome to Indian education bulletin. My name is Rocio Hernández, Nevada Independents K-12 education journalist.
This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students, programs and other events and resources across the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it every Tuesday by email.
Give me your news! Send questions, comments, or suggestions on what I should cover to (email protected).
News briefs
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🎻 Las Vegas high school mariachi band marks end of Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, D.C. — Mariachi Joya students from Las Vegas High School were invited to perform in Washington last week by U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). Cortez Masto presented them with a statement from the Congressional Record – the official record of the debates and debates of the United States Congress that began publication in 1874 – in which the group’s contributions to Nevada’s Latino culture were highlighted.
The students performed in front of Cortez Masto and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) before touring the U.S. Capitol.
“Mariachi music is a long-standing tradition in our Latino community, and it helps our young students learn the key skills needed to achieve their dreams,” said Stephen Blanco, director of Las Vegas High School Mariachi Joya.
💰 The Clark County School District Police Department receives four traffic safety grants: The Clark County School District Police Department (CCSDPD) announced last week that it has received four grants from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety, totaling $374,000. The grants focus on teen driver education, child passenger safety and speed enforcement. The district said the grants will allow for a more robust response to traffic complaints and community events.
🚔 Washoe County School Police Chief Jason Trevino retires — Trevino will retire from his position in January after 18 years with the Washoe County School District (WCSD). Trevino began his law enforcement career in 1995 as a court security officer with the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office. In 2005, he joined WCSD as a police officer and eventually became the district’s police chief in 2015. During his tenure, he worked on issues such as human trafficking and violence gangs.
The WCSD has already applications open for the position and plans to conduct in-person interviews in November.
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Clark County teacher and parent share concerns about reinstating reading retention policy
Should Nevada retain students who are not proficient in reading and will retention actually help them improve?
That was a question asked during a recent panel discussion at IndyFest 2023.
During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill, AB400which reinstated a 2015 policy from former Gov. Brian Sandoval’s administration that requires third-grade public school students to be held back if they are not proficient in reading by the end of the school year.
Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia have similar policies. Some studies found that the policies led to improvements in student test scores and fewer remedial actions ultimately. Yet some critics argue that if not implemented correctly, these policies could have Negative consequences or no effect on students.
Rebecca Garcia, a parent of three CCSD students and administrator of a CCSD parent group on Facebook, said parents she spoke to were divided on policies. In her experience, she said the implementation of reading policies was inconsistent at the district level and even at the school level, making it difficult to know whether the policy was effective.
Vicki Kreidel, an elementary school reading teacher in East Las Vegas and president of the National Education Association of Southern Nevada, was concerned about holding back students in third grade, an age when they have already formed close bonds with their peers class, especially after many students’ mental health suffered during the pandemic. She also said she didn’t think it was wise to force students to repeat another year with the same material and teaching that didn’t work for them the first time.
“I feel like Reading Before Grade 3 is sometimes a way for politicians to feel like they’re doing something, but not talking to educators to find out what these kids need,” she said. she declared.
Kreidel thinks students could benefit from more tutoring clinics, small group teaching and books in their classrooms.
Garcia said something that helped one of her children was encouraging him to read a book he enjoyed, whether the content was educational or not, so he could develop his love for reading. In his son’s case, it was Percy Jackson’s series of fantasy novels based on Greek mythology.
“He found his love and everything clicked,” Garcia said.
Spotlight on school
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Sparks teacher helps students see themselves in history class
Jessica Eichstedt grew up in Reno surrounded by teachers who had a lasting impact on her life.
Her mother and stepfather taught in the Washoe County School District, where she attended school. As a student, Eichstedt loved learning, but struggled academically. She said supportive teachers helped her through difficult times.
“I wanted to do the same thing for other students, to be able to give them support, especially if they felt like they weren’t making it,” she said.
Today, Eichstedt teaches history at Reed High School in Sparks. Eichstedt said she chose this topic because her family instilled in her a love of history and they would take family trips to historic landmarks such as Montezuma Castle in Arizona and the National Monument in Gila Cliff Dwelling in New Mexico. She said she was also inspired by a high school teacher whose hands-on activities brought history to life.
Eichstedt said she wants to do the same for her students. In 2021, she launched a new ethnicity and diversity studies course at Reed, where nearly 60% of students identify as biracial or part of a minority group. Reed is the only school in the district to offer this subject, and she developed the course with the help of her students.
“They wanted to be able to relate to their classes in terms of content,” she said. “Helping them grow the program has been really powerful.” »
Last month, the Nevada Department of Education named Eichstedt Nevada Teacher of the Year. She was received his prize Friday, and will receive a $1,000 prize along with books and historical resources to use in her classroom. She is one of 53 finalists for the $10,000 national history teacher of the year award, which will be announced later this year.
“Being a social studies teacher is about so much more than remembering dates and facts,” said Eichstedt, who has taught in the district since 2014. “It provides students with opportunities to explore stories and experiences human beings that connect us all.”
Do you have a student or staff member we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your applications with me at (email protected).
Reading homework
Clark County students return to paper assignments after cybersecurity breach
The issue comes three years after a ransomware attack in which personal information of students and employees was leaked online.
Lombardo appoints new head of charter school authority
Gov. Joe Lombardo has named Melissa Mackedon, founder and CEO of Oasis Academy Public Charter School in Fallon, as executive director of the State Public Charter School Authority. She was one of three finalists for the position.
North Las Vegas appoints city councilor and teacher to school board
AB175 empowered Clark County and its three largest municipalities to appoint a non-voting member to the school board; North Las Vegas chose to appoint advisor Isaac Barron, who is also a teacher at Rancho High School.
Officials say the pandemic has caused disengagement among students whose schools are still reeling. They favor strategies that encourage, not discipline, students.
Additional credit
U.S. Book Bans Damage a Beloved Tradition: Scholastic Book Fairs
Scholastic has created a separate fair category for various books, the goal of which is to help schools navigate the complexities of book bans. Librarians accused the company of giving in to censorship, NPR reported.
WCSD superintendent reflects on time spent in district, loses sleep over student mental health
Washoe County School District Superintendent Susan Enfield recently spoke with KUNRof José Davila IV to talk about his first year in this role.
Events
🍎 Washoe County School Board Meetings – Tuesday, October 24, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
At the 11 a.m. special meeting, council will discuss an evaluation from Superintendent Susan Enfield. Agenda The regular meeting includes discussion and possible approval of a new contract with the Washoe Education Association.
🍏 Giant Fall Student Farmers Market – Wednesday, October 25, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
More than 500 students from approximately 40 schools will be at the Clark County Government Center to sell their student-grown produce. fruits and vegetables.
🎃 City of Reno Trunk or Treat Event – Thursday, October 26, 5-7 p.m.
The city of Reno is hosting the free event Thursday at Paradise Park in conjunction with Bernice Mathews Elementary School, UNR and other community groups. Organizations wishing to participate can always Register online.
Students at Battle Mountain High School are showing great preparation for earthquakes.
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