Author: Mary Danahey

< Back to Community News

School Updates from Incline Education Fund

March 8, 2023 | Mary Danahey

Hi I’m Mary with the Incline Education Fund, a local nonprofit that support students, educators and parents here in Incline. Through our programming, advocacy and fundraising, IEF helps to ensure academic achievement and skill development across generations of Incline students. We have some exciting updates to share from each of the schools:

Incline Elementary School

Family Reading Night (due to last week’s Snow Day) has been rescheduled to this Thursday, March 9th. From 6-7:30 at Incline Elementary School. Food will be provided.

Also –

Glasses Wine Bar is hosting Sipping For Schools every Wednesday in March and will donate 20% of wine purchases from 3-9 pm on Wednesdays.

Incline Middle School

2 of our IMS Spelling Bee winners have qualified for the state competition in Las Vegas later this month!

IMS would like to thank Peter Hanson for coaching our Nordic Team this season and Alejandro Dominguez for coaching Volleyball.  All teams had successful seasons.  We are currently running an after-school intramural indoor soccer program until Spring Break with teacher Randy Berenson.  Our next sport is Track and Field, open to all students. Hopefully, the snow will melt quickly!

A huge thank you to our new partners for the IMS Exploratory this term:

Pet Network, Nevada Nordic and Tahoe Multi-Sport all provided exciting opportunities for IMS students. 

Incline High School

The annual IHS Boosters Crab Feed is sold out!

Thanks to the Duffield Personalization Grant, 10 IHS staff members are headed to the Deeper Learning Conference at High Tech High in San Diego later this month and a separate team is headed to Seattle to visit Highline High School.

Employment Opportunities

Love being at the school and volunteering? Join the Incline High School Highlander Staff! Email: tcahill@washoeschools.net

• Teacher Aide II SpEd: (32.5 hrs. benefited position)

• Clerical Aide: (23.5 hrs.)

• Night Custodian (FT)

• Family Graduation Advocate -Full-time. (Spanish Speaking/Writing) 

This is a very important position. We are looking for someone to advocate for and support all students/families to graduation. 

< Back to Community News

Incline Education Fund Secures Two $50,000 STEM Grants for Incline Schools

January 18, 2023 | Mary Danahey

The Incline Education Fund (IEF) was awarded a $50,000 grant in early October from the Washoe County Community Reinvestment Program for the Incline High School Engineering and Entrepreneurship program. They received a second $50,000 grant this January from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) to support the Incline Middle School Robotics Program.

Founded in late 2019, the nonprofit Incline Education Fund is the leading champion for Incline’s public schools. With an impressive list of successful projects, it now adds these grant awards to its list of accomplishments. 

“Our focus this school year is on continuing to lay the groundwork to create a K12 STEM pathway for the Incline public schools,”

Mary Danahey

IEF Cofounder

With the push for STEM expertise, Danahey said that IEF realizes students will always need strong core academic skills in order to succeed in these exciting new programs. 

To ensure that all students are prepared, IEF has partnered with Tahoe Tutoring “to provide extra academic reinforcement to those who most need a little extra help at both Incline Elementary and Middle School,” explained cofounder Sharon Schrage. “Plans are also underway to give that same additional attention to students above grade level to foster extra academic enrichment.”

In just the past two years, the Incline Education Fund has become the driving force in bringing innovative educational programs to Incline schools.

“Despite headwinds from shrinking school budgets and the pandemic, IEF is proving that local energy can creatively address the challenge of preparing students for the jobs of the future”

Sharon Schrage

IEF Cofounder

Recent Incline Education Fund’s successful programs include:

  • Successful pilot & launch of UNR’s Dean’s Future Scholars pilot program
    • Ongoing mentorship program at Incline Middle School
  • The Courage Project pilot program at Incline Elementary School
    • Ongoing program to build resiliency at IES
  • IEF Sponsored educational events
    • including: Mock Interview Day, EdPlanIt College Boot Camp, TERC Science Expo, Incline Elementary School Parent Nights
  • Technology Drive for Incline Middle School
    • Raised $100,000+ to provide laptops for each student
  • Incline Elementary School Makerspace
    • Raised $100,000+ for a robotics and coding lab

In addition to academic support, Incline Education Fund is also underwriting some of the Incline Middle Schools’ Exploratory classes, including swimming and the new culinary class this semester.  Outside of the classroom, IEF has partnered with AAUW Tahoe-Nevada to bring both a Girls Who Code chapter and a Culinary Club to students. IEF is also working with both Incline Village Rotary Groups to update the Incline Middle School library.

IEF is always looking for individuals willing to share their skills and experience as mentors, coaches or as a speaker. “Volunteers are always needed to help with tutoring or as reading buddies, classroom aides, subject specialists and most importantly, substitute teachers.”

To learn more or to donate, email Mary Danahey, maryd@inclineeducationfund.org, Sharon Schrage, sharons@inclineeducationfund.org, or visit the Incline Education Fund website.

< Back to Community News

Local School Updates

January 9, 2023 | Mary Danahey

Hi I’m Mary with the Incline Education Fund, a local nonprofit that support students, educators and parents here in Incline. Through our programming, advocacy and fundraising, IEF helps to ensure academic achievement and skill development across generations of Incline students. We have some exciting updates to share about the Elementary and Middle School:

Incline Elementary School
IES and Nevada Jane’s are partnering this month for a Dining for Dollars event.
On Wed. Jan. 18th from 4pm – 9pm, 50% of the proceeds from each meal will go directly to IES.

Incline Middle School
In case you missed it, IMS recently received a $2500 grant from the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow project and has moved on to Phase 2 of the contest. They are now a Nevada State finalist! 

Other news:

  • The math department is hosting a “Build It Festival” on Thursday 1/26, 5:30pm.  Families are welcome to come to school to engage in hands on activities. 
  • Volleyball season has started, thank you Coach Dominguez.  Upcoming Home games are on Thursday 1/19, Tues 1/24, Wed 1/25, Tues 1/31, Tues 2/7.  7th grade team plays 3pm, 8th grade teams plays 4pm. 
  • Term 3 of IMS Exploratory brings new community partnerships with Pet Network and Tahoe Multisport (offering XC skiing!).  Programs this semester also include: Bowl Incline, Swimming at the Rec Center and on campus courses including Crochet, Discovering Travel, World Percussion, Volleyball, Culinary and the Dean’s Future Scholars Robotics program. 
  • Congrats to our newest BOARD CERTIFIED TEACHER – Sabrina Gentner.  She joins our other 3 Board Certified teachers, Ginny Holmes, Jan Hrindo, and Christine Huerta. 
< Back to Community News

Local School Updates

December 12, 2022 | Mary Danahey

Hi I’m Mary with the Incline Education Fund, a local nonprofit that support students, educators and parents here in Incline. Through our programming, advocacy and fundraising, IEF helps to ensure academic achievement and skill development across generations of Incline students. We have some exciting updates to share about each of the schools:

Incline Elementary School
IES students have been busy putting their STEAM skills to work this holiday season!
For the past couple of weeks, students have been working on a school-wide project. Students have been reading books about parades and floats and then using their creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills to design their own floats and a parade route. Then they programmed their robots to “carry their floats” through the halls of IES. The holiday parade is scheduled for December 22 at 10:00.

Event Details >

Incline Middle School
And not to be outdone, Incline Middle School will be showing off their STEM skills this holiday season as well.
Even though Nevada Jane’s will be closed until 12/21, head over their porch to check out IMS’s holiday light display. The 7th & 8th graders created all of the displays, chose the songs, coded the light sequences and programmed the 13-minute show. There are 5 sequences and the show will run daily from 5pm-9pm. Additionally, they are entering the Deck the Halls Lighting Contest!
A huge thank you to Terry Barberry and Incline Education Fund for supporting this project.

Incline High School
Huge congrats are in order to the Incline High School “We the People” team!!
For the 20th time in 23 years, our small-town school has made it to State. The next competition will be Feb. 4th.
Basketball, both nordic and alpine skiing, and wrestling have begun. Check the IHS website for details.
And don’t forget to mark your calendars for the annual CrabFeed – it’s on March 18th at the Hyatt. Get the details here.

< Back to Community News

Step Up for STEM

December 7, 2022 | Mary Danahey

Submitted by the Incline Education Fund

Did you know that the Incline Education Fund is a volunteer driven 501c3?

That means over 99% of your unrestricted donor dollars go directly to those who need it most (your restricted donations, of course, go only to the purpose you designate). Every $100 sends over $99 to programs at one of our Incline Public Schools and those dollars are put to work immediately.

How does your generosity look inside the schools?

Right now, your gift is underwriting the Incline Education Fund’s STEP up to STEM project. Part of this innovative plan includes the proven, high-impact, small group math support currently underway at Incline Elementary and Incline Middle Schools to cement important math skills. 

The schools are already seeing impressive results as students gain confidence in their developing math abilities… Step One in helping to prepare our students for the rigors of an exceptional STEM education, K through 12. Our ultimate goal is to get and keep ALL of our students above grade level. TODAY, we need your help to continue this successful program next semester

With your support, Incline Education Fund is making a difference.

You can too. Help our students Step up for STEM and Donate Here >

< Back to Community News

Local Lens – Local School Updates

November 16, 2022 | Mary Danahey

It’s time to buckle up…

With Thanksgiving now only a week away, the holidays are officially upon us. All of the celebratory events (some obligatory, some not) between now and the start of the new year can get a little overwhelming. Family and friends coming to visit, college kids returning (getting us used to the idea of them leaving the nest for good) and the resultant cycle of shopping, eating and cleaning more than fills all of our days.

I’m still learning how to just embrace the chaos.

On the off chance that you are looking for something to do (or just need a reminder of where your kids are) here’s what’s happening at each of our schools:

Incline Elementary School

IES is hosting their first holiday parade. The 3rd ,4th, & 5th grade makerspace classes are making floats and programming robots to carry balloons in a “parade” through the halls of the school. Who needs the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?  Interesting projects like this might be why the IES makerspace is getting the attention of Washoe County School District. 

If you need a holiday gift, IES is selling SEE’s Candy. Shop online before Dec 2nd and you’ll get guaranteed delivery before Christmas. Shop the IES See’s Candy Fundraiser

Lake Tahoe School

Come out to watch the talented LTS middle school drama class production of Shrek, the Musical Jr. It’s this Thursday and Friday (11/17, 11/18) at 6pm in Duffield Hall. Admission is free!

Incline Middle School

Speaking of music… the IMS robotics class will be programming a holiday light and music show and will compete in this year’s IVCBA Northern Lights contest. 

The display will run for 15 minutes on the hour at 6, 7, & 8 pm daily, between Dec 2-25th.

BTW, if you want to be a part of the fun, they are welcoming donations of light displays to integrate alongside the displays they are creating. 

Contact the teacher for more info: Kedwards@washoeschools.net

Incline High School

Winter sports are here!

The first home basketball games are on Tues, Dec 6th. JV at 4, followed by the Girls and Varsity. These are non-league games against Reno High. Check the IHS website for game schedules

IHS officially welcomes back 4 alumni to coaching roles.

This winter, Brianna Barraza returns to coach Girls JV Basketball, and Cody Feliciano is bringing back Wrestling. Peter Salazar took Boy’s Soccer to State this fall and Lisa Nelson will lead the Girls Softball team in the spring.

By the way, IHS is not just a bunch of great athletes. They are civic-minded as well. IHS held a mock election last week and over 70% of the students voted, crushing the 45% of eligible voters in the state of Nevada.  Way to go Gen Z-ers!

UNR at Lake Tahoe

The new UNR-LT campus is hosting Candy Cane Lane, the signature Northern Lights event on Dec 3rd from 4-6pm. Come out to see the tree lighting, sing a few carols, make some s’mores and of course, have a quick chat with Santa & Mrs. Claus.

And finally, 

if you’re ever interested in volunteering at the schools, feel free to reach out to me directly. I’d be happy to connect you.  We are always looking for: substitutes (it’s not as scary as you think), mentors, classroom aides, homework helpers, reading buddies, coaches (for sports, robotics or after school activities).  Reach out to me at: maryd@inclineeducationfund.org

Mary Danahey is an IVCBA Board Member, learn more here: http://ivcba.org/ivbca/governance/

< Back to Community News

Incline Education Fund Updates

November 9, 2022 | Mary Danahey

Hi I’m Mary with the Incline Education Fund, a local nonprofit that support students, educators and parents here in Incline. Through our programming, advocacy and fundraising, IEF helps to ensure academic achievement and skill development across generations of Incline students. We have some exciting updates to share about each of the schools:

Incline Elementary School

Watch for info on a Thanksgiving Parade involving the amazing IES Makerspace.  It will be a not-to-be-missed event!

Love See’s Candy?  IES is hosting a fundraiser for the holidays! Order online here before 12/2.

Incline Middle School

The new Exploratory period at IMS had a very successful first term.  Students took classes in: swimming, world percussion, cooking, robotics, financial literacy, roots & shoots, or an internship at the bowling alley. The second session starts this week!

Incline High School

Save the date for the IHS Crab Feed – March 18, 2023 at the Hyatt.

In athletic news – the IHS soccer boys’ team are State Champs! And the girls team took 2nd. Noah McMahon took 1st at the XC state championships. Great performances for our small school!

Basketball tryouts are around the corner. Check IHS website for dates and times.

Do you have a career or job skill to share?  Become a part of Incline High School’s new Learning Through Interest/Internship program! Contact Deirdre Carney for more information. 

< Back to Community News

Community Profile: Meet The New IHS VP, Mark Scozzafava

August 18, 2021 | Mary Danahey

MARK SCOZZAFAVA’S ALMOST THREE DECADE CAREER in education has come full circle. As with many of us who have chosen to live here in Tahoe, Mark’s first teaching job happened “by chance,” Scozzafava said. A San Diego native, Scozzafava was staying with a friend in Incline in the early 1990s, enjoying all the recreation the area had to offer but needing a job his first winter in town.  The high school, then, like now, needed substitute teachers, so he became one. Liking the work led him to getting a certificate in special education, which led him to a full-time job at O’Brien Middle School in Reno, before heading back up the mountain to teach special education at Incline high and middle schools. His time as an educator also had Scozzafava teaching social studies, his true passion, at both Incline Middle School (1999–2008) and then at Shaw Middle School (in 2010). “It’s critical we all learn history – not necessarily the little details, but the big picture it provides. Civics prepares us for the real world,” he said. His tenure also includes stints as a middle school dean (Shaw in 2010, Archie Clayton Pre-AP Academy in 2011-2012), as well as posts as Assistant Principal at Billinghurst Middle School (2012–2013) and at Archie Clayton (2013-2020).  When the Assistant Principal position opened up at Incline High School, Scozzafava jumped at the chance to move back up the hill. “I couldn’t wait to come back to Incline. IHS is a top ranked school, with strong academics, great athletics and vibrant Booster support” he said. Over the decades, Scozzafava has seen a good many changes to the education profession. Learning in a digital age has changed the dynamics for both teachers and students. “There’s more standardization in teaching now, toward the goal of Mark Scozzafava, Assistant Principal at Incline High School accountability. At the same time, teachers lose autonomy over their classrooms,” Scozzafava said. And especially now during the pandemic, “students have become even more responsible for their own learning,” he said. “Navigating seven periods, by yourself and remotely, requires discipline and a regimen.” While Scozzafava is confident that our teachers have risen to the challenges of teaching during the pandemic, both he and the IHS staff realize that most students are not getting from online learning what they would out of a more traditional day in the classroom.  Moving toward possible normalcy With the COVID-19 pandemic apparently waning, Scozzafava sees positive signs for the remainder of the school year. “With the start of the second semester, we are moving toward possible normalcy,” Scozzafava said as most of their staff members have been vaccinated. “And even better news is the return to sports – volleyball, tennis, golf and football,” Scozzafava said. While the district tries to determine when schools will be able to go back to full, in-person learning, Incline High has a process to keep students connected to their studies, Scozzafava said. Currently, while classrooms are set up to safely hold only 12–13 pupils, students who feel vulnerable to not staying on course virtually are welcome to come to school every day.  “If there is space in a classroom, they may join. If there is no room, they can take part in a virtual study hall, ON campus, where they can join in on the class, online and under supervision,” he said. Scozzafava knows things have been tough for everyone involved in the process, especially families with both parents working and that have more than one child. On campus, Scozzafava stresses flexibility and tolerance as the skills teachers use to help students during these challenging times. After almost 30 years in education, Scozzafava still loves the profession. He tells grizzled veterans that “you never know the potential impact you might make on somebody’s life. He is optimistic that we are seeing the light at end of tunnel and that we will be able to return to a normal in-person school schedule by next year. “I am excited to help Incline High School become one of the premier schools in the state” he said.

Sign up for our weekly SnapShot newsletter

Translate