Senator Square: Thanksgiving wishes from Carson City superintendent, teachers square off in volleyball game for fire victims and more

Thanksgiving 2021 is here. Dear Friends, this school year has already been one for the books. Early on, it became evident the new school year would again be dramatically different. Little in our collective educational experiences prepared us for the changes caused by the worldwide pandemic.

Overnight, we have been required to adapt to abbreviated school calendars, provide remote instruction, and modify traditional school activities. When the new school year began without returning to “normal,” we were required again to adapt to a new set of operational circumstances.

With a smaller work force, the fear and concern for personal and family health, and an awareness social norms were seemingly out of balance, we have been taxed this year as never before. Yet, every day, you perform amazing feats of strength, resilience, and optimism by tackling the uncertain conditions of school each day. Anyone could rightfully expect the volume and regularity of changes at school to be enough to dampen your spirits and resolve. However, I am seeing just the opposite.

I am so impressed with the level of professionalism, dedication and commitment you exhibit every day and I thank you for your effort. It is true the pandemic has impacted our lives. I also know keeping up the grueling pace in an ever changing world can take its toll. For any who occasionally feel tired and worn down by the constant modifications and challenges in work and life, I offer a brief thought on hope and gratitude.

When you feel tired, lonely, or sad, stop for a moment and reflect on all of the good things in your life. Lloyd Newell said, “A thankful heart is a soft heart; better able to receive the peace and reassurance we need…both emotionally and physically.”

Numerous scientific studies confirm gratitude can make us feel better and improve our overall well-being. This state of mind, however, is not easily achieved, especially when the challenges of life appear at every turn. Even so, we should all recognize we are truly blessed every day, even when we may not realize it. If we are able to quiet our minds and reflect on all of the good, it can help us more fully appreciate and enjoy our daily relationships and activities.

It is my honest belief if we can consistently focus on the good things in our lives and recognize the positives, we can find greater joy and improve our outlook on life. We all have much for which to be grateful. I hope you are able to find an added measure of peace and joy this season as you spend the Thanksgiving Holiday with loved ones and friends. Please accept my sincere gratitude for the many ways you bless the lives of our students, colleagues, and families. Happy Thanksgiving! Richard

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES BASKETBALL KNOCKOUT
Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosted basketball knockout for any and all students wanting to participate from 11:00 to 11:30 Nov. 16 in the CHS Big Gym.

CHS AND DHS COMPETE TO RAISE SUPPORT FOR TAMARACK FIRE VICTIMS
CHS and DHS teachers competed against one another in a beyond fun volleyball game Nov. 17 at Douglas High School from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. with $5 admission. All proceeds are going toward the victims of the Tamarack Fire, and raffle prizes were donated by AutoZone, Trader Joes, Squeeze Inn, Human Bean, Rounds of golf, and many more. The game intensity was what anyone who knows about the CHS and DHS historic rivalry would expect, and, as much as it pains this writer to say, DHS whomped ‘em something fierce.

ASTRONOMY CLASSES PREPARED FOR ECLIPSE
CHS Physics and Astronomy teacher James Bean’s students were asked to record the moment of maximum eclipse which was set to begin Nov. 18 at 10:03 a.m. and then be at its maximum Nov. 19 at 1:02 a.m., a six hour and two minute, eclipse ending at 4:03 a.m. when looking southwest.

This was a global event, and Bean’s students then were asked to explain why most of the Moon appeared to be red. The Moon was about 99 percent eclipsed, technically a partial eclipse, and the next lunar eclipse will take place May 15, 2022 at 9:11 p.m.

TURKEY SHOOT RESULTS ARE IN
Happy almost week off. Hosted by the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp, CHS administrators, teachers, and staff took a shot at a turkey in order to win a turkey at Carson High’s shooting range. Yup, how many high schools have their own shooting range, eh. Well, free turkeys were given to those whose ‘luck’ got them closest to the target on the turkey with three shots each. Also, there was a hidden mark on the back of each turkey target, and the shooter closest to the hidden mark got a free turkey, too.

According to CHS Counselor Bridget Gordon, “The Turkey Shoot was extra rad this year, and I finally hit the paper, but this is not all about me; please join me in congratulating: first place winner Ananda Campbell with 38 points. She is the Library Queen and Gobbler in Chief. First place male was Jerry Skirvin with 39 points, but he is sharing the love with CHS Top Turkey King, Alan Matthews with 38 points. Closest to the X was Dr. Sue Moulden, and all of the rad decorating she does is paying off in the Karma department.”

SENATOR SNACK SHACK IS BACK
Good Afternoon Carson City. The Senator Snack Shack is again up and running. First off, we want to thank all of the teachers who are ordering coffee, tea or hot coco on Tuesdays throughout the month of November. It was our first time in a long time, and we feel it went very smooth. We are offering free coffee, tea, or hot coco until the end of November to get our students ready to re-open our coffee shop. We are also getting our students ready for the craft fair. Please stop by our booth and support our Critical Life Skills students. ~ Contributed by paraprofessional four, Kristen Kellogg.

LIVE THEATRE COMING TO CARSON CITY COMMUNITY CENTER
Coming to the Carson City Community Center Nov. 18 through 20, Carson High’s She Kills Monsters sets the stage. An action-adventure dramedy which highlights 90’s culture, the famous game, Dungeons & Dragons, and talks about the struggles of sexuality and loss.

The CHS Advanced Theatre class is extremely excited to finally be back on the stage after canceling their musical in 2020 and doing the fall play and spring musical, virtually, last school year. Make sure to come see the amazing actors leading the show; Abby Cook, Elana Brugger, Jayden Yochum, Delanee Betrue, Harlie MacDougall, Erich Parker, and much more.

She Kills Monsters is a strong PG-13 and includes language and inappropriate themes. Do not miss out. Show dates are Nov. 18 and 19 at 7:00 p.m., and Nov. 20 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission. ~ Contributed by CHS Senior Theatre Arts student Hannah Walker.

THE BAND PERFORMS ONE LAST PEP RALLY
The CHS Band threw their last pep rally, and displayed their Colors Show, in Senator Square before school and during lunchtime Nov. 19. Band Director Nick Jacques said, “I have been excited about this all week, so here is to one last performance of our Colors Show.”

Jacques also sent a letter to the staff about “The Band’s two special performances for you today as we count down to Thanksgiving Break: Jazz Band will perform in Senator Square at 7:10 a.m. with a kickoff to start the holiday season with a little “Charlie Brown Christmas”, “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas”, “Hot Chocolate” from Polar Express, and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and again at lunch, come cheer on the Blue Thunder Marching Band at their pep rally as last Saturday, they won the Northern Nevada 1-A Marching Band division at Sierra Band Crusade, which marks the first time since 2005 our very own marching band has done this.”

ANNUAL HOLIDAY WITH A HERO ALMOST HERE
The Annual Holiday with a Hero event is coming soon, and local Carson City heroes take Carson City School district McKinney-Vento students shopping and provide gift cards. If interested in learning more about this program, or how to participate in supporting Holiday with a Hero, check out their website at: https://www.holidaywithahero.com/ or contact Meliah Gonzales at Mgonzales@carson.org.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to Sam Nichols on being nominated CHS Student of the Week. According to his nominating Photography teacher Kara Ferrin, “I would like to nominate Sam Nichols for student of the week; Sam is an Advanced Studies photography student who has been in the program for all four years of his high school career, and he is a friendly and helpful student to his peers and teachers; in addition, he has also been highly committed to his Capstone Conceptual photography portfolio.”

Ferrin added details about Sam’s many accomplishments, too, when she said, “The workload for the Advanced Studies program is approximately one high-end, finished conceptual piece per week; however, Sam is not only almost finished with his entire portfolio, but he is also beginning to sell his pieces as screen-printed merchandise like T-shirts, hoodies, and stickers.”

Ferrin added, “Moreover, he has taken initiative in his work and even reached out to community members in an attempt to create an exhibition, art show, of his work, and this type of drive toward being a self-starter and entrepreneur is something which cannot be taught, and, in turn, I feel deserves praise and recognition.”

Employees within Carson City School District nominate the CHS Student of the Week, and it is often the teachers who do the nominating, though anyone in the district may do so by sending an email to pbrady@carson.k12.nv.us. Congratulations to Sam Nichols on his many accomplishments and his being nominated CHS Student of the Week.

— Senator Square Phil columnist Brady is an English teacher at Carson High School in Carson City, Nev.