Senator Square: Carson High School students, staff and community deliver Christmas

Editor’s Note: Bridget Gordon-Johnson is a counselor at Carson High School. Here is her report.

It is no secret that the past two years have been difficult, not only emotionally but also financially to many local families. Christmas can bring joy and excitement to families facing hardships; it can also be a cause of great stress and concern.

This year, Carson High School students, staff and community sponsors came together to help alleviate some of the stress by providing holiday cheer to 30 CHS families in need by way of Christmas gifts and stockings. Many CHS Clubs and classes, Future Business Leaders of America, Student Leadership, Health Occupations Students of America, Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as individual teachers and sponsors from the community, adopted families this year.

Together, they purchased gifts for all members of these individuals, and the outpouring of generosity was overwhelming. Gifts are important, but the Ron Wood Family Resource Center partnered with CHS to take gift giving further by providing holiday meals for these families as well.

On Dec. 17, when school was canceled due to threats found on social media, the CHS School Counselors, Social Workers, Leadership teacher and Librarian quickly moved all of the gifts from the high school to an off-site location to finish wrapping and then delivering. One grandmother, upon receiving the gifts, said, “I had no idea we would even be able to have a Christmas…this is a blessing beyond words.” This year’s Angel Tree is a testament to the power of community and to the spirit of the holiday season; even amongst the adversity of the last two years, there is joy and love present at CHS.

CHS CLS TEACHERS AND PARAPROFESSIONALS DELIVER GIFTS TO KIDS
The Carson High School Comprehensive Life Skills teachers and paraprofessionals raised more than $600 at the CHS Craft Fair last month for the local Angel Tree gift program and then set out to make sure not only their students received Secret Santa gifts, but also students and families in need.

CHS CLS teachers and paraprofessionals have raised money for charity for the past several years. The teachers originally chose to adopt 8 children. According to CHS paraprofessional Charlotte Barnum, “I texted my fellow teachers and paraprofessionals this morning to tell them how I feel about my department saying after reflecting on Dec. 17, I feel extremely blessed to work with such amazing and dedicated people, and our entire department, all eight of us, were willing to construct a plan at the last minute to bless our kids with a surprise visit and Secret Santa gifts.”

Barnum added, “Was it impeccable or flawless, no, was it ideal, no, but the devotion, care, and selflessness speaks volumes about the people I work with, and I am proud to say I get to work with CJ Fields, Lance Hendee, Michael DePolo, Kristin Kellogg, Erika Sanabria Solis, Pam Molleson, and Roderick Estrada, and may the blessings of Christmas touch your life in a very special way this year…I love you all.”

Even though the Carson City School District cancelled all classes Dec. 17, Comprehensive Life Skills teachers at CHS shot into action and organized delivering gifts to all of their students, personally. Dec. 13, CLS classes held a Secret Santa gift exchange with their students. The only problem, students were to find out who their Secret Santa was on Dec. 17, but school was cancelled, so their CHS teachers decided to meet outside of school Dec. 17, to assemble, organize, and drive their vehicles to each CLS student’s home, and deliver their Secret Santa gifts to each of them, personally.

Hey, this was personal, and they took the seriousness of celebrating Christmas, well, personally. For more information about this event and the amazing teachers who made it happen, please contact one of the following 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.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEEK WINNERS OF THE CHRISTMAS DOOR CONTEST
More than 35 teachers competed in the Annual CHS Christmas Door Decorating Contest, but, as is the competition of life, there could be only three: First place went to CHS Honors Forensics and Biology teacher Brian Manoukian, second place went to CHS Honors American Government teacher Angila Golik, and third place went to CHS Honors Algebra and Honors Geometry teacher Elena Glenn.

PARENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS MAY ADVERTISE IN CHS YEARBOOK
Carson High School parents, students, and others may purchase a section of the yearbook and use personal photos to capture and immortalize an unforgettable memory of time spent in the Carson City School District and beyond. Have a look at the possibilities by going to senatorsnow.org/.

Note to CHS Seniors who want to submit a baby photo, it needs to be completed by Jan. 7, 2022, so go to grade level Google Classroom, and submit photo under baby picture assignment. Parents and seniors wanting a Buddy Ad must purchase and complete submissions of photos and information by Feb. 28, 2022.

Also, Carson City business owners may purchase an advertisement section in the yearbook, multiple sizes available, to help immortalize the name of their business, the name of a student or students, and to also support the CHS program. It is so easy too; business owners simply need to go to yearbookforever.com, search for Carson High School, select shop, and select business ad. They may then upload a predesigned ad, or they may design their own ad online.

They may purchase a full page, 1/2-page, or 1/4-page section. Please, businesses of Carson City, factor this type of advertising into a budget to support the physical publication of the CHS Senators’ yearbook and show the community how important it is to support students as they are the employees of the future. For more information about the CHS yearbook, email CHS teacher and yearbook adviser Cynthia Mills at cmills@carson.k12.nv.us.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES SURVEY
Hello Carson City, Carson City School District, and esteemed faculty and staff. Carson High’s Future Health Professionals (HOSA) has been partnered with Carson City Health and Human Services and the Quad-County Public Health Preparedness for some time now.

According to CHS Health Science Teacher and HOSA Adviser Kelly Gustafson, “Due to the pandemic, we have been on a bit of a hiatus but are slowly getting back to it, and our first project is trying to get the attached Community Resources Survey and Vaccines Perception Survey out to the public and completed by as much of our community as possible, so please see the attached survey link, and please complete it by Jan. 1, 2022; we appreciate the help.” The surveys are brief, anonymous, and will be used to better serve the community. For more information, please call CCHHS at 887-2910. Go here and here for the survey and information.

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART AND DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE CONFERENCE
The Nevada Museum of Art in partnership with DRI’s Science Alive program, is inviting all educators to attend their 2022 Nevada STEAM Conference https://www.nvsteam.org/2022 “Constructing Creativity”. The NV STEAM Conference is Nevada’s largest event dedicated to the exploration of ideas and strategies to implement Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math into classroom practices.

The conference will be presented virtually, beginning with a keynote Feb. 2, followed by additional keynote and breakout workshops Feb. 5, 2022. This conference is free to attend and will count for in-service credits (0.5) for all Nevada educators. More information and a link to register for the 2022 NV STEAM Conference can be found at nvsteam.org.

SCHOLARSHIP FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO CONSIDER
The Nevada Sons of the American Revolution Scholarship deadline is approaching. This essay-based scholarship is awarded to a Nevada student who completes an 800 to 1,200-word essay about any subject relating to the American Revolution. Look back through those AP and Honors US History essays, ya'll. The scholarship deadline is Dec. 31. Go to https://www.sar.org/george-s-stella-m-knight-essay-contest/ for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO CHS TEACHERS
The Carson City Schools Foundation gave away eight $200 scholarships and one $2,000 scholarship to Carson City School District teachers last week. CHS Ceramics teacher Alisa Kuniya received a $200 scholarship for Backdrop and lighting for AP portfolios, and CHS’ Comprehensive Life Skills teachers received a $2000 scholarship to purchase appliances for the life skills program.

According to Valerie N. Dockery, Director of Grants and Special Projects for Carson City School District, “As of 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Dec. 12, all federal relief funds set aside for Nevada Teachers, via Donors Choose, have been spent on eligible projects, and, for Carson City Schools, 183 projects were fully funded totaling $160,000, so congratulations to Carson City’s teachers.” Donors Choose is still available as a tool to raise funds for teachers’ projects, so “Keep an eye out for the launch of a CCSD page on Donors Choose, coming after the break” Dockery added.

UPCOMING CHS EVENTS
At Pleasanton, CA, Dec. 27 and 28, is a CHS Girls Varsity WestCoast Jamboree Basketball tournament as well as the Girls and Boys Freshman and JV Classic multiple high schools tournament at Damonte Ranch High School in Reno at 11:00, 12:30, 2:00 and 4:00. There is also a Varsity and JV wrestling Sierra Nevada Classic tournament at the Reno Convention Center, times yet to be announced.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Congratulations to CHS Freshman, Maritza Alvarez on being nominated Student of the Week. According to her CHS American Sign Language teacher Tauni Judd, “I have Maritza for American Sign Language Level 1, and she has really taken it upon herself to learn the language.” Judd added, “When she was absent, she even opted to Zoom in to class and participate through camera when she could not be there in person, and I love seeing that sort of dedication and responsibility.”

Not only is this student engaged in class, Judd said, “Maritza is engaged with her school too and recently participated in the school-wide scavenger hunt, which encouraged her to feel more connected with her school, staff, and peers; thank you for taking part in your education Maritza.”

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 Maritza Alvarez in standing out so much so her teacher nominated her CHS Student of the Week.

— Senator Square is a weekly column written by Phil Brady, an English teacher at Carson High School in Carson City, Nev.