Submitted by Allie Sacci – Lake Tahoe School

This week, a new chapter opened in our community with the first meet-up of the Inclined 2 Read Community Book Club for Families. Inclined 2 Read was created by Lake Tahoe School’s librarian, Aly Nugent, along with librarians from Incline Elementary School and the Incline Village Public Library, in an effort to bring our Incline Village community together with a singular goal – to get families excited about reading!

“The One and Only Ivan,” a poignant tale by Katherine Applegate about a silverback gorilla yearning for freedom, served as our inaugural read. Families enjoyed reading the book together, sparking conversations around animal welfare, friendship, and the importance of home. The culmination of this shared journey came at the first meet-up at Incline Village Library, where a vibrant energy filled the air with over 40 families coming together to join in fun activities, read together, and share pizza and refreshments provided through the Incline Education Fund. Some fun and interactive stations at the event included still-life painting, a STEM activity, and a Spanish vocabulary lesson from LTS middle-school students who read the Spanish translation of the book.

Originally Published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune on 2/26/24, Written by Brenna O’Boyle

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Incline High School’s “We the People” team will head to in Leesburg, Virginia, in April to take part in the national competition. The team just learned it received a coveted “wild card” spot, one of only a handful in the country.

“Many thanks, and congratulations to our team from Incline High School,” said Victoria Campbell, public information officer for the Washoe County School District. “We are proud of their hard work, and look forward to hearing the results of the competition.”

Reno High School’s “We the People” team took first place in the state competition earlier this year. Because of that, Reno’s team will also go to the national championship.

READ MORE >

Photo Provided to Tahoe Daily Tribune

Submitted by Incline Education Fund, Written by Mary Danahey

It’s going to probably be a little quiet around town next week as all Incline schools are on break for SKI WEEK!

In the meantime, make sure your calendars are marked for these exciting upcoming events:

Incline High School Highlander Home BBQ (aka: Crab Feed) March 16th at the Hyatt

Tickets can be bought here: Highlander Home BBQ Tickets     

21st Incline Star Follies

May 3rd & 4th at Incline High School’s Duffield Theater

Tickets on sale soon!

And here’s some current news from the schools:

Incline Elementary School

The new Art Program is up and running at IES!

IEF is funding a dedicated art teacher for all K5 students and their first project was a smashing success!

Students studied “natural disasters” in their English and Library classes. The fourth graders read about the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai of Great Wave Fame. Then they made their own block prints out of legos in the makerspace class and used them in the art class to create their own artistic representation of a wave. It was an amazing display of the cross-curricular learning happening at IES.  

Incline Middle School

IMS held their annual Spelling Bee last week.. Here are the winners: (first, second, third, respectively)

6th grade: Isabella, Mack, Ninel

7th grade: DJ, Maddie, Nick

8th grade: Aspen, Alva, Sky

The Incline Middle School Jazz Band attended the “Jazz in the Schools” event at UNR last weekend.

The students even got to have a private “clinic” with the entire UNR jazz faculty.  Stayed tuned for photos!

And speaking of the IMS jazz band….

The IMS students are evidently quite multi-dimensional.  They have banded together (sorry for the pun) to write a rap song! This is part of the Trash to Treasure project and the song will be used to accompany the public service announcement being put together by students in the IMS video production class.

Incline High School

We are looking for volunteers to help with Mock Interview Day at Incline High School this coming May.

If you are skilled at interviewing and/or coaching young adults on how to interview, please email Mary at Incline Education Fund. Dates TBD, but it will be in mid-May.  email: maryd@inclineeducationfund.org

Submitted by Incline Education Fun, Written by Mary Danahey
Exciting News from Incline High School

IHS has announced a brand-new addition to their programming: the Personalized Learning Academy.

Stay tuned for more detailed information, but the short description is that students will soon be able to tailor their education to their individual passions. 

Spaces are limited for the inaugural cohort of the Personalized Learning Academy, so there will be an application and interview process.  Mr. Adam Shoda and Ms. DJ Jackson will be the cohort advisors.

If you are a student or a parent and have questions, reach out to Principal Cahill at: tcahill@washoeschools.net 

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Looking for some parenting resources on addressing screen time issues?  Check out the Screenagers website and podcast: Parenting Screentime

There are a bunch of resources there – so take what you need and leave the rest. Not every parenting tip works for every kid, but it’s nice to have some fresh ideas every now and then. 

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Reminder:

The FREE, community-wide Book Club is hosting a Meet Up next Tuesday, 2/13 at 5:30.  Head over to the public library on for crafts, games, food and fun. Register for this free event at the QR code below  (not required, but helpful).

Originally Published in IVCBA Live.Work.Play. Written by Mary Danahey

Incline Middle School’s (IMS) new principal, Daniel Lediard, is excited to bring his 25 years of experience as an educator here to Tahoe and be able to work with the phenomenal staff at IMS. When asked about his new role, Lediard said “I am excited to bring my skills to this great school and be able to support our IMS students, staff, parents and the Incline community”.

Lediard understands middle school students, especially since he has two of his own, and how complex navigating the early teenage years can be. He knows that middle school aged students are dealing with not only the physical aspects of puberty, but the academic and emotional aspects as well.

Middle school is designed to offer more a academically challenging curriculum to students just as their ability to process complex thinking is developing. This is happening at the same time that peer pressure and now the influence of social media is taking root. Lediard believes that IMS’s small classes and nurturing environment provide an excellent launchpad to encourage and motivate students as they stretch their academic efforts.

As such, Lediard credits IMS with maintaining focus on what is best for its students. Toward that end, he and his staff have three goals:

-continue a robust curriculum that solidifies students’ reading and writing strategies

-move IMS toward a STEM School Designation

-solidifiy the new IMS Exploratory program

“With both the Incline elementary and high schools already achieving the Nevada Designated STEM School status, IMS is working to join their ranks and create the only K12 STEM school alignment in the state,” Lediard said. To help make that happen, IMS is working with the Incline Education Fund to create the framework that Nevada STEM Schools require. Utilizing grant funds received from both the Nevada Governors’ Office of Science, Innovation & Technology and the Tahoe Fund, IMS is expanding their robotics curriculum and launching a community-wide “Trash to Treasure” program (see insert).  

Lediard explained that becoming a hub of STEM innovation involves providing teaching opportunities that are centered on inquiry, technology, and project-based learning activities that can be tiedto the real world. 

STEM schools challenge students to partner with the local community and businesses to solve local problems. STEM projects are relatable to a wide range of students because they are engaging, hands-on learning projects that allow them to interact with new tools, materials and concepts. For middle school students who want to become the next generation of innovators and inventors, STEM programs give them the chance to learn through real-world application of their skills.

This focus on STEM will become the bridge between the makerspace program at the elementary school and the engineering program at the high school, creating a unique opportunity for students to take STEM classes from kindergarten to 12^th grade.

Lediard’s third goal for IMS is to build up the Exploratory program that was created by IMS’s previous principal, Kari Michael. With support from Incline Education Fund and local community partners, this weekly program allows students to explore other areas of interest and exposes them to numerous career and college pathways. It also provides a runway for the high school’s Learning through Interest program. Students choose between a variety of on and off campus opportunities each semester and include topics like: robotics, culinary arts, podcasting, swimming, bowling, entrepreneurship, XC-skiing, crochet and more.

“These programs set Incline Village apart from every school I’ve worked in”, said Lediard. “Since I accepted this position, I am enjoying being able to connect with students on a more personal basis and working within a supportive community. I can’t think of a better location to serve as a school leader,” Lediard said.

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TRASH TO TREASURE description
Teams of students, local service groups and individual community members will be coordinated to collect trash and debris found in the Tahoe basin. The collected trash will be analyzed, measured and turned into communal art pieces with the specific purpose of informing the general public about the importance of keeping the Tahoe basin trash free. Watch for upcoming information on collection dates in the IVCBA SnapShot.

This was originally published in the EDITION of LWP magazine. You can read all LWP issues here: LIVE.WORK.PLAY

Former collegiate Nordic skier Ian Culnane will be visiting Nevada Nordic on Monday, February 12 and wants to share his love of the sport with YOU! Join one of his four Free One-Hour Clinics! Open to beginners looking to learn the basics and intermediates looking for tips! Gear is not provided. Please contact Tahoe Multisport if you need rental gear. Click on your desired clinic to register!

9:30 am Skate Ski Clinic

11 am Classic Ski Clinic

1:30 pm Skate Ski Clinic

3:00 pm Classic Ski Clinic

MORE INFO >

Submitted by Mary Danahey from Incline Education Fund, 01/23/24

Community Read Along:

Lake Tahoe School, Incline Elementary School and the Incline Village Library are launching a Community Book Club for Families.

Library class at both schools are reading Katherine Applegate’s Newbery Medal bestseller, the One and Only Ivan. There will be a FREE, community-wide event held at  the public library on Tuesday, Feb. 13th.  Crafts, games, food and fun for all to inspire a love of reading. Register for this free event at the QR code below.

INCLINE ELEMENTARY UPDATE:

IES is excited to announce the launch of a dedicated Art Program!  

Through grants funded by Incline Education Fund, this interdisciplinary program will teach students about art concepts, allow them to study famous artists and their techniques, and delve into real-world careers that employ or intersect with art. 

The IES Art Program is also designed to integrate with the IES STEM curriculum.  By collaborating with classroom and enrichment teachers, the art program helps IES students gain an understanding of how the arts and sciences work together while helping to develop critical and creative thinking skills. 

INCLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL Q3 EXPLORATORIES:

IMS continues to offer an impressive array of classes during the Wednesday Exploratory period.  This quarter’s offerings include:

On campus:  Video Production, Musical Theater, Leadership, Culinary, Computer Literacy, Snow Science with Mountain Gateway

Off campus:   Nordic skiing, Pet Network, Swimming, Bowling

INCLINE HIGH SCHOOL

Both We The People and the Engineering students are busy preparing for the next stages of competition – so stayed tuned for updates in February and April.

IHS will hold Mock Interviews again this spring. If you would like to participate by being an “interviewer” (and potentially hire for summer positions) please contact Mary at maryd@inclineeducationfund.org

Submitted by Tia Rancourt with North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District 

With the recent snowfall and more on the way, it is a good reminder to be aware of avalanche potential and educate yourself on pre-emptive steps to take before going outside to recreate.

In our community, we have two historical avalanche zones, one in Third Creek drainage (terrain above upper Jennifer St., Sutro, Bidwell, Lunar, and Mercury Courts) and one in Crystal Bay (terrain above Lakeview Ave., Tuscarora Rd., and Teresa Court). But avalanches can occur anywhere when the right conditions exist.

When avalanche conditions warrant an alert notification, residents can expect a notification from Washoe County Emergency Management via a reverse telephone notification called Code Red. To receive these notifications (and other alert notifications), register at Washoe County Alerts & Warnings.

Do not travel in the backcountry unless:

• You know where and why avalanches occur.
• You have checked the avalanche forecast in our region Visit the Sierra Avalanche Center.
• You carry rescue gear and know how to use it.
• You have learned to recognize the five red flags of avalanche.
• At the very least, take an avalanche awareness course. Seriously consider taking an avalanche rescue course. Local education providers can be found here.
• For avalanche information for our region, visit Washoe County Advisories – Avalanche.

Remember, the best tip is to “Know Before You Go,” the avalanche danger rating is only a starting point. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.

Contact: Tia Rancourt
Public Education/Information Officer North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District 

trancourt@nltfpd.net

Submitted by Incline Education Fund: Mary Danahey

Head over to Incline High School from 6pm to 8pm today! (12/13) for Winterfest, a community event featuring food, cookie decorating, trivia games, dreidel games, and more. Friends and family are welcome to attend! Entrance is $5, and you can enjoy pizza and a drink for an additional $5. 

Make your way over to Gus’ BBQ to check out the Incline Middle School’s Holiday Light Show. The robotics class has created a light show timed to holiday music as an entry for the Incline Northern Lights competition.

Mark your caldendars for the second annual Incline Elementary School Holiday parade, Dec 22 at 10:00.  Come watch the K-5th grade students maneuver their robots down the parade route all decked out in “holiday attire”. 

And here’s a bunch of great news from our schools!

Our amazing educators:

Congratulations to 2 more of our amazing IHS teachers, Amy Henderson Seitz and Courtney Taves for completing their Maintenance Certification for their National Boards.  This achievement is a voluntary, advanced teaching credential that demonstrates their accomplishments and commitment to their craft.  It is the highest certification that a teacher can obtain, with less than 5% of Nevada high school teachers having done so. 

IVCBA and IEF would also like to congratulate a few of our high school students – for both athletic and academic achievements:

IHS hosted the exciting Highlander Basketball Tournament last week and Tommy Williams amazed us all by scoring his 1,000th career point! Quite an accomplishment.

And not to be outdone, our first female wrestlers at IHS deserve recognition as well. As Principal Cahill remarked, “Pearl Carle and Isabel De Paz Shine have both shone fearless determination and willingness to step out of their comfort zone serve as an inspiration to us all.”

Principal Cahill also recognized the Highlander JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl Team (JLAB)) for their outstanding achievements. JLAB is a prestigious, nationwide competition that culminates in the Level III JLAB Championship at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., scheduled for June 2024. 

Once again, the IHS ‘We the People’ team has made it to the state competition at UNR in February. 

INCLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The IES Scholastic Book Fair is this week.  Stop by and grab a few great gifts for the holidays!

Save the Date:  The second annual IES Holiday Parade is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 22nd at 10:00.

INCLINE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Join IMS on Dec 14th @ 5pm for the Annual Winter Concert.

IMS Jr Boosters has partnered with Got Sneakers? A recycling program that extends the life of used sneakers through a reuse and recycling program.  Every shoe donated also helps raise money for IMS students and athletes.  Please donate your gently used sneakers at IMS today!

IMS Jr Booster Holiday Fundraiser

Love See’s Candy?  Now you can enjoy your favorite chocolates delivered to you or as a gift and help IMS Jr Boosters. Use this link to access the Sees’s Candy Yum Raising page. 

INCLINE HIGH SCHOOL

Next Monday is Highlander Day!  Incoming middle school students get to visit IHS on Dec 11th from 9-11.

IEF would like to send a warm welcome to the new Athletic Director, Sam Banghart,  Sam is a Reno native and UNR graduate and will officially start his new role on Dec. 22nd.

New Course offering:

IHS is now offering a dual-credit Emergency Medical Services course.

This TMCC course will be offered on the IHS campus from Jan 9-May 24th. During 8th period.

Students should see one of the counselors for more info.

Huge shout-out to our 6 All-State Footballers! Congrats to: Tommy Williams, Colin Combs, Cameron Bodel, Johnny Santiago, Alex Briggs & Colton Barraza

LTS

The LTS Holiday Show is on Thursday, Dec 21st.

Mary Danahey
Incline Education Fund
maryd@inclineeducationfund.org
650-743-2309