Senator Square: It’s a wonderful life at Carson High School

Santa’s sleigh might be a little light this Christmas, so he needs help from the Carson City community to make sure every little kid and big kid receive a present, whether or not it is under a Christmas tree.

It is highly likely everyone has received a lecture about the need to appreciate the things they have; nevertheless, young and old alike still need to be reminded anyway, frequently, every day, regardless of what they believe religiously, of the importance of each and every moment of life.

Americans, probably everyone who lives in a developed country, need to stop and take a moment to appreciate all they have. Americans have the greatest opportunities in the world, and, like Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey in the 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life, their decisions and influence upon others are of eternal importance. Remember the film? An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.

I watch it every year, have already watched it this year in fact, as a reminder of how precious life is and what I need to be reminded I am thankful for. The semester at CHS is almost over, and Christmas vacation, also known as winter break, begins Dec. 18. When all is said and done, most will probably keep trying to beat the clock; however, if that is the case, then spend all that energy helping others this holiday season, but do not forget to stop once-in-a-while and enjoy what it means to be thankful.

CARSON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHERS TAKE THEIR OWN CLASSES
CHS teachers, as well as all Carson City School District teachers, would like to thank the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corp, Student Council, and Blue Crew for providing students to help direct teachers to their classes during the Dec. 6 Professional Development day at the high school due to the high school’s size and number of rooms.

Classes were comprised of multiple facets of education: developing and integrating proficiency scales into course curriculum; meeting the needs of teachers in grades 2+, who may be seeing gaps in reading skills with diagnostic assessments, and strategies.

Google Classroom setup and features; strategies for classroom differentiation; GoGuardian and the writing teacher; social and emotional learning strategies to incorporate self-regulation, goal setting, and executive functioning skills throughout the school day; an educator's guide to helping a unique child thrive: how to support student regulation, attention deficits, and executive functioning; metacognition and its importance in the classroom; how to use math writing to deepen mathematical understanding.

EduProtocols customizable lesson frames to help students master content, think critically, and communicate effectively while creating and working collaboratively; next generation science standards; health impairments: a focus on ADHD, anxiety, and challenging behavior in the classroom; diffusing the myth of "I'm not good at math" by incorporating social and emotional learning strategies through vertical alignment with word problems; the Marzano Project, and too many others to list. Each teacher completed at least five different classes within and beyond their educational expertise.

LIVE HOLIDAY MUSIC ENJOYED BY MANY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER
The Carson City School District Orchestra Program had its Winter Concert Dec. 7 at the Carson City Community Center. Students dressed in festive attire and performed a variety of holiday songs, mixed with some classics.

Favorites included "Let It Go" from Frozen and G.F. Handel's "Hallelujah" Chorus. CHS Concert Choir joined the Orchestras, singing "We Can Dream" by Pink Zebra and, of course, "Hallelujah." William Wright, CHS Percussionist, collaborated seamlessly with the Orchestras on four selections.

"The students are enthusiastic about performing live concerts again; nothing beats live music!" said Dr. Fox, Orchestra Director. Dr. Brian Fox's orchestra concert also featured some of Mr. Jacques’ Band students and some of Mr. Sonnemaker's Choir students. On Dec. 8, the Carson High School band program, led by Nick Jacques, performed their annual winter concert at the Community Center.

The Jazz Ensemble, Cadet Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble performed four pieces each to ring in the holiday season. Mr. Jacques also made a special announcement the band program has been invited by the US Army Field Band to perform in Washington D.C. for their President's Cup in April 2022.

It is amazing how these three CHS teachers are able to make events like this happen as they provide students with opportunities they might not otherwise have and the parents of these students to enjoy the opportunity to hear their kids perform, also an opportunity they might not otherwise have.

When the comment was made to CHS Band Director and Capital City Community Band Director Nick Jacques, he said, “Haha, it's a lot for sure, so you're not wrong.” There will likely be many more concerts at the high school and the community center; however, it will be difficult to enjoy them unless effort is made to attend these beautiful and affordable events right here in Carson City’s own backyard.

CHRISTMAS TREE SALES BENEFIT FCA SO THEY MAY GIVE TO OTHERS
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Missionary Area Director, Pastor Tim Plummer, has again brought Christmas Trees to Carson City to support FCA, and it is not too late to purchase one. What better way to enjoy Christmas than with a fresh cut tree from Oregon?

Lift Christmas Tree lot is located across from the Ormsby House in downtown Carson City, the corner of Carson Street and 6th Street, and trees are available Sunday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and this will last through Dec. 23. Tree varieties available are the Noble, Nordmann, Douglas, Fraser, Organic, and Silver Tip.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEEK CONTINUES
The holidays are the best time of the year, and CHS students are taking advantage of the week long opportunities of dressing up in hats, socks, pajamas, and ugly sweaters. Though Christmas is not here yet, it might as well be. The excitement Dec. 7 was Christmas Hat Day, and students were actually being asked to wear their favorite holiday hats to show Holiday Spirit.

Dec. 8 was Christmas Socks Day for students to put some festive socks on to keep their toes warm this holiday season. Dec. 9 was Holiday PJ’s and Hot Cocoa Day, and students got cozy and warm in their holiday pj’s to enjoy hot cocoa at lunch, served in the foyer. Last but not least, Dec. 10 was Ugly Sweater Day, and students were asked to pull one of those ugly old sweaters out of their closets to show the school the ugliest sweater of the year.

SPECIAL KIDS HOLD SPECIAL EVENT
Comprehensive Life Skills classes will be hosting a Secret Santa Dec. 17 and a gift exchange with the students. The gift should cost no more than $15, and if individuals cannot afford a gift, they are to please let Mr. Hendee, Mr. Depolo, or Mr. Fields know no later than Dec. 13, 2021, so the school, or Carson City Community members may purchase one. Students will be picking a name Dec. 13.

If anyone, Carson City Community member or otherwise, would like to purchase a gift for a special education student, please contact one of the above Special Education CLS teachers either by email or calling their classrooms: lhendee@carson.k12.nv.us or 287-1703, mdepolo@carson.k12.nv.us or 283-1671, or cfields@carson.k12.nv.us or 283-1699. We have also attached a Secret Santa sheet for your favorites. Kind Regards from Mr. Hendee, Mr. Depolo, and Mr. Fields.

UPCOMING SPORTING EVENTS
At McQueen High School, Dec. 11, there is a CHS Boys JV duals wrestling tournament, time yet to be announced, as well as the Cody Louk Invitational at Winnemucca. Moreover, there will be an American College Test (ACT) in the CHS upstairs cafeteria from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO CONSIDER
High school seniors are invited to apply for the Burger King Scholars program if they live in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico, have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent, are active in their community through volunteering, sports, clubs and/or religious organizations, and plan to enroll full-time in 2021-22 at an accredited two or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school. Students need to go to https://bk-scholars.com/ to apply and have until Dec. 15 to do so.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to CHS Freshman, Febbie Asun Breitweiser on being nominated Student of the Week. According to her CHS Algebra I teacher Jessica Calderon, “Febbie completes all assignments on time and with great care, she is very sweet, and she is very respectful during class.”

Calderon also said about her student, “She has the highest grade out of all 150 of my students and deserves to be noticed for her hard work and knowledge; it is easy to let all of the other students get all of the attention, so Febbie deserves 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 Febbie Asun Breitweiser on being nominated CHS Student of the Week.

SENIOR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
This week’s Senior in the Spotlight is Ethne Myler, one of CHS’ many outstanding seniors. As a Jump Start student at Western Nevada College, on track to receive her Associate’s degree in May and maintaining a 4.85 GPA, Ethne has proven she is ready to succeed in college and career. Ethne credits her family and religion with her success up to this point.

She reports her family provides tremendous support and guidance. Her older sister participated in the Jump Start program and convinced her to follow in her path. As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ethne thrives within the community and helps with weekly activities and lessons for 16 to 18-year-old girls. In addition to these responsibilities, Ethne currently works as a Student Custodian at Carson Middle School. Singing has always been a passion for Ethne, and she has enjoyed participating in musical theater and choir at CHS. She is currently the Assistant Music Director with her church and has received many accolades.

She is especially proud to be participating in the Western Regional Honor Choir in Long Beach this March. Ethne has also made Nevada’s All-State choir a couple of times during her high school career, has been a member of the National Honor Society beginning with the junior program in 7th grade, and she holds this program in the highest regard. She especially enjoys serving food through the Friends in Service Helping (FISH) program and participating in annual food drives. When asked about her future plans, Ethne shared she will be attending Brigham Young University-Idaho and pursuing a degree in Music Education; she plans on teaching at the junior high or high school level and hopes to go on a religious mission and start a family.

With her tremendous work ethic, generous and caring nature, and willingness to focus on personal goals, Ethne will be an amazing asset to her future students and all of those around her. — Contributed by CHS Counselor Dori Draper.

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