From: ‘LIVE.WORK.PLAY. Summer 2023’

Middle school is a tricky developmental time for humans. It’s when we start to become self-confident enough to both be a part of and separate from a variety of groups. It’s when we are most keenly aware of how our peers are behaving and when labels like math nerd or class clown can stick. Importantly, it’s also when academic interests begin to solidify. Research has shown that if a student does not show interest in a particular subject, like STEM for example, by 4th or 5th grade, they will not do so. This is particularly true for higher-level classes (like STEM) as students will not have the basic skills needed to take courses later on.

Luckily, Principal Kari Michael and the staff at Incline Middle School understand this complicated developmental time. They know that relationships are built on shared experiences, interests, and goals and they work to provide those shared opportunities for students.

When students feel a part of a group, they also tend to work harder, care more, and invest in the cohesion and success of the group. IMS has done a great job creating a number of avenues for students to build those relationships while experiencing new activities. Here are a few examples of the unique programming offered at IMS.

Wednesday Exploratory Session

Principal Michael developed this weekly program to help students re-engage in school post-pandemic and/or to have an opportunity to get caught up in subjects that they may need more support in.

Students who are on track academically can choose from a variety of experiential opportunities, while those who need academic support can work with a subject teacher in their area of need.

Several options are offered each quarter and are meant to broaden student interest and allow them to challenge themselves. Students choose from a variety of themes and with the generous support of our local community, have been able to go off-campus and learn more about different subjects. Incline Education Fund sourced and funded student activities in partnership with local businesses. From skiing with Nevada

Nordic and Tahoe-Multisport, to leadership classes with Bowl Incline, to a glimpse into the animal world with Pet Network, and to Incline Education Fund-sponsored water safety lessons and a spring special with Truckee’s Gateway Mountain Center, IMS students can widen their horizons, develop new interests and even start thinking about potential future careers.

The IMS Robotics Program

Incline Education Fund was recently awarded a $50k grant from the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation & Technology to scale up the robotics program at Incline Middle School. The curriculum is aligned to Nevada Academic Content Standards for Computer Science and integrates a final, capstone project each semester. Those projects give students the opportunity to address a real-world issue and require them to present their solution to a public audience. Robotics is offered both as an elective class and an after-school LEGO Robotics Club. Additionally, IMS has created a Girls Who Code Club that is supported by the local AAUW chapter.

The program is proving to be highly successful. Levels of student engagement, teamwork, and collaboration have exceeded expectations and the capstone projects are a great way to showcase student work.

This robotics program is a bridge for those students interested in STEM, as they can solidify skills they’ve developed in the Incline Elementary School Makerspace program and build the foundation they need to succeed in the Incline High School Engineering & Entrepreneurship program. Incline public school students can now take dedicated STEM courses from K-12th.

Wellness Zone

IMS has also created a place where students can learn to address their personal emotional regulation skills. The Wellness Zone is a quiet space where students can get 1:1 academic support or work independently on a project. It is also a space where counselors can run small groups and provide lessons to our special needs students. Detailed Wellness Zone data reports are proving the effectiveness of students having access to a space where they can go to get help when neede

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune 07/15/2023, Written by Miranda Jacobson

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev.— The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees approved a contract for construction for $27 million thanks to a grant from the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation. 

“I just cannot thank Dave and Cheryl Duffield enough and their foundation for their work on this,” said Trustee Jeffery Church. “Their donation, it’s just incredible.” 

The board approved the construction agreement unanimously at their meeting on Tuesday, June 27. 

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Hyatt Lake Tahoe COO, Andrew DeLapp, presenting the STEP UP for STEM donation check to Incline High School Principal Tierney Cahill, Incline Elementary School Principal John Stern and outgoing Incline Middle School Principal Kari Michael.

Incline Education Fund is kicking off its “STEP UP for STEM fundraising campaign with a major commitment from the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino. A long time supporter in the local community, the Hyatt has stepped up as lead corporate sponsor to help make the Incline Schools become the first and only K-12 STEM designated school system in the State of Nevada. According to Andrew DeLapp, COO of Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, “The Hyatt is excited to be partnering with Incline Education Fund on the STEP Up for STEM campaign. Their vision for a STEM learning curriculum across K-12 at Incline schools will help prepare our kids with real-world, 21st century skills. We are proud to be supporting our local community as sponsors of this great program.” The Incline Education Fund will be raising $300,000 in total funding to build a K-12 coordinated curriculum across all three schools. The donations will be directed to new and updated technology equipment, experiential curriculum and STEM enrichment programs such as podcasting and the Sound Lab, coding, programming, robotics, drones and laser printing.   A critical part of a STEM education includes collaborative work, problem-solving, communication and critical thinking– skills that Incline High Schools’ nationally recognized ‘We the People’ class excel at throughout their competition season. The STEP UP for STEM program also helps students plan for their future with mentorship and internship programs. Additional academic support programs, funded by the Incline Education Fund, will assist struggling students so they can take full advantage of more rigorous academic options. “The Hyatt has once again demonstrated their long-term commitment to support our community and our kids,” said Mary Danahey, Executive Director, Incline Education Fund. “This $50,000 match will help us jumpstart our program and take it to the next level.”    Incline Education Fund Cofounder, Sharon Schrage added, “The STEP UP for STEM program will broaden students’ critical thinking skills and open additional opportunities for careers or higher education degrees. We believe that the Incline Schools are on their way to creating one of the best K-12 school communities in the state of Nevada. The Hyatt has been a great partner in helping us achieve this goal.”

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Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune 06/28/2023, Written by Miranda Jacobson

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev.— Incline High School celebrated the graduating class of 2023 in style with a fantastic graduation ceremony on Thursday, June 22, followed by an afterparty filled with families and festivities. 

“Today we gather here to celebrate the achievements of each the exceptional scholars who have proven to themselves to be versatile, resilient, and unstoppable,” said IHS Principal Tierney Cahill. 

Among the students were five valedictorians, each with unique and special qualities that earned them the prestigious title. The valedictorians included Shannon Hugar, Annie Stembridge, Molly Ellis, Kaden Winter, and Alexander Beaulac. 

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Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribunes 06/16/2023, Written by Miranda Jacobson

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The Washoe County Board of Commissioners voted to accept a grant from the Dave and Cheryl Duffield Foundation to be used for two new full-time deputy sheriffs and two new vehicles to be used by said deputies at Incline High School. 

The vote happened on Tuesday, April 25, but the grant period will begin Saturday, July 1, and will run through June 30, 2028, with the possibility for a two or four year extension.  

The funding is not to exceed $2.7 million, with the purpose of the grant to help support the presence of deputy sheriff’s at the high school to enhance the safety and security of the school. 

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In two separate meetings, the first on April 5, 2023 and a follow up meeting held on Wednesday, May 3 2023, the Washoe County School District (WCSD) shared their Facilities Modernization Plan (FMP) with the Incline Village community.  Specifically, this plan included an option of closing the Incline Middle School.  Incline Village families and Incline Schools staff were unaware of any such potential decisions prior to the WCSD announcement on March 21 2023.  The surprise and suddenness of such a large decision affecting all of Incline Village coincided with WCSD’s original timing of closing public comment on a proposed change to WCSD Administrative Regulation 7086/7087 on April 4 2023 (taking out local input on school closures) the day before the original Incline Village meeting.

At both meetings, Incline Village community members including current students, families, business owners, former WCSD staff as well as retired individuals with no direct tie to the schools, voiced not only strong opposition to the plan to close the middle school, but also frustration at the lack of answers from the WCSD to questions raised at these meetings.  In response, the WCSD agreed to create a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQ) for Incline Village to be delivered prior to the end of the school year.  Currently, the district maintains that no school closure decisions have been made. Incline Middle School families were told that any potential changes would take place no sooner than Fall 2024 while two Reno middle schools, Vaughn and Pine Middle Schools, also with potential closure on the table were given a timeline of the 2026-2027 school year.

Here are the WCSD FAQ’s for Incline Village:

English

https://www.washoeschools.net/cms/lib/NV01912265/Centricity/ModuleInstance/50752/Final%20FAQ%20sheet.pdf

Spanish

https://www.washoeschools.net/cms/lib/NV01912265/Centricity/ModuleInstance/50752/Final%20FAQ%20sheet%20SPAN.pdf–

Written & Submitted by Sharon Schrage (Incline Education Fund)

Three faculty and staff members were awarded for their commitment and dedication to the recently acquired Wayne L. Prim Campus.

Three members of the faculty and staff at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe have been honored with University-wide awards this spring. Senior Vice Provost Jill Heaton received the Distinguished Service Award, Montana Hodges in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering received the Foundation Outstanding Letter of Appointment Teaching Award and Cheyenne Magpantay received the Foundation Classified Employee of the Year award. All three have contributed to the ongoing transition at the Lake Tahoe Wayne L. Prim Campus, expanding the University’s impact.

Jill Heaton, Distinguished Service Award

Heaton has a distinguished career of leading within the Department of Geography as a faculty member and department chair, as the vice provost for faculty affairs, and currently as senior vice provost of the University.

Heaton served as Sierra Nevada University’s executive vice president and provost during the acquisition year (2021-2022), helping guide the transition and development of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

“Dr. Heaton leads through her actions, and her consistent and remarkable achievements have elevated this University since she joined us in 2004,” University President Brian Sandoval said. “In her role at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, Dr. Heaton has provided invaluable leadership and was a tremendous resource to the newest members of the Wolf Pack family.”

Serving as a bridge between Reno and Lake Tahoe, Heaton led discussions with faculty, staff and students, and hosted several sessions for faculty and staff to learn about the new University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe Wayne L. Prim campus. During the transition, Heaton lived at the Wayne L. Prim campus to better connect with the faculty, staff and Incline Village communities.

“Our focus has been on the success of the students, the success of the employee transition and the success of the institution,” Heaton said in an interview earlier this year about the transition. “We are so humbled that we were entrusted to lead through this transitional time and we are proud to continue in roles that will see all through into new opportunities. No matter the challenge or the ask, our view has always been something more than a job.”

Heaton joined the University in 2004 and continues to serve as senior vice provost of the University supporting the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

Montana Hodges, Outstanding Letter of Appointment Teaching Award

Montana Hodges instructs one to two non-major courses each semester in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering. Hodges utilizes hands-on and interactive methodologies along with real-world examples that engage students in the curricula and bring the course concepts and applications into students’ lives. Lesson plans are adjusted to increase engagement, reach more students and foster a positive learning environment. Hodges will continue to instruct at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe for the Fall 2023 Semester at Lake Tahoe, exemplifying a commitment to her students. 

“Lake Tahoe is a unique and beautiful place from any perspective, but absolutely from that of a geoscientist,” Paula Noble, chair of the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering said. “In bringing her teaching expertise to the Lake, Dr. Hodges is sure to make learning in this spectacular environment an exceptional experience for her students. Dr. Hodges has been a welcome addition to the teaching faculty in the Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering. I’m thrilled she was honored with this award.”

In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Hodges is working with two faculty on a National Science Foundation GEOPATHS proposal, providing funding to teach dual high school/college department courses for the Dean’s Future Scholars Program.

Cheyenne Magpantay, Foundation Classified Employee of the Year Award

Cheyenne Magpantay serves as the executive assistant to Senior Vice Provost Jill Heaton. Magpantay served in this role during the acquisition of Sierra Nevada University and the transition to the University of Nevada, Reno. She received an enthusiastic nomination from Anza Jarschke, the MFA Low-Residency program coordinator at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. As a faculty member originally with Sierra Nevada University, Jarschke praised Magpantay for her support, quick action on challenging issues, and dedication to the success of the transition.

“If you take a glance at Cheyenne’s responsibilities, you know she goes above and beyond the scope of executive assistant,” Jarschke said. “She approaches all obstacles with a dedication to figuring out how to overcome them. Cheyenne takes on responsibilities like the rest of us snack, starting with a tiny piece and returning for more.”

Magpantay was also nominated by the Office of Diversity and Inclusions for her time serving in a previous role as executive assistant to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion officer.

“When I think about her tenure at the University and all the people she’s worked with, both closely and in passing, I can’t help but imagine how great the scope of her impact has been and how it will only continue to grow,” Angela Moore, program development specialist in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Magpantay’s second nominator, said. 

Committed to a growing community

The Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe is hosting a wide range of events over the summer and the University is also preparing for the Semester at Tahoe in Fall 2023. With plenty of growth ahead, the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe is grateful for the work of all faculty and staff. Congratulations to those who have been honored this year.