SPANISH SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
Week of December 6 - December 12
From the desk of Sean Hall, Principal
Greetings Spanish Springs community,
I hope you all had an amazing time with family and friends over the Thanksgiving weekend and were able to have some well-deserved family time. As we are heading into finals in a little over a week, I would like to encourage all students to make sure they are communicating with their teachers to make sure they are prepared for finals.
Students, please make sure to get those missing assignments turned in and spend the needed time studying for your finals.
Seniors, you will be going into your last semester of your High School career, let’s finish strong.
Parents, please encourage your students to take advantage of the tutoring opportunity here at school. Transportation home is provided for students, so please take advantage of this service. Finally, we are headed into our winter sports and it looks to be a very promising season for our basketball and wrestling programs. Please come out to support your Cougars.
May you all have an amazing weekend.
Sincerely,
Mr. Hall
Monday
B Day
4, 5, 7, 6
Tuesday
A Day
1, 2, 7, 3
Wednesday
B Day
4, 5, 6
Bell Schedule
Please click this link for a copy of this year's Bell Schedule.
Winter Finals Schedule
FINALS will not to be given early. Students who miss the final exam will be given an INC and will have the first 6 weeks into the Spring semester to make up their finals.
Spanish Springs High School Mask Mandate
At the current time and/or until further guidance is given from the Washoe County School District, masks will be required indoors for both students and adults/staff. Masks may be removed when outdoors or performing strenuous exercises.
SSHS Food Pantry
Christmas Toy Drive and Raffle
All donations must be new and unwrapped for ages 5-10 years old.
Please deliver all toys no later than December 10.
You will receive one raffle ticket per $10 spent.
All gifts will be delivered to Sun Valley Elementary School.
After School Tutoring
A late bus is now available to provide transportation to students. The late bus will leave SSHS at 4:15 and will drop off at specific elementary schools/drop off locations. Students who need transportation should sign up in the Career Center to be added to the bus roster. The drop off locations are listed below:
Taylor
Spanish Springs ES
Van Gorder ES
2 stops in the lower Raley's area (one on each side of Vista Blvd)
Sepulveda ES
Bennet ES
Palmer ES
Sun Valley ES
COVID-19 Testing For Families Monday and Wednesdays
COVID-19 testing will be offered at Spanish Springs High School for both school screening purposes (1-3 pm) and after school hours for those who have been excluded for symptoms or been in close contact with a positive COVID-19 case (3:30-5 pm).
The after-hours 3:30-5 pm testing, while offered inside in our Commons Area (Cafeteria), is open to all students, staff, and their families regardless of where they go to school or work.
You must register first.
More information is available online at WashoeSchools.net/covid19testing.
Student Climate Survey
This letter is to inform you that your child will be asked to complete a short, optional and confidential survey next week on 12/7 with make-ups on 12/9. The Climate and Safety Survey will be given to all students in the school. Responses to these surveys will provide information about students’ experience in their schools and classrooms. These responses are summarized into school reports for principals and teachers to inform their work with children. The goal is to better understand the student perspective as we strive to address the learning and safety needs of all students. Your child will take this online survey in 2nd Period on Tuesday, December 7th. The survey takes no longer than 15-30 minutes to complete. You can get full information regarding this survey by clicking the link on top of the SSHS website. Your student will receive a passive consent form for the survey in their 2nd Period class by this Friday. If you do not want your child to take this survey, return the bottom of the form to SRO before December 7th. You do not need to return this form if you are okay with your child taking the survey. Thank you for your cooperation and interest in these efforts.
Boosters
Senior Trip
Our trip is to Six Flags Vallejo, CA.
June 3rd 2022. Tickets are still on sale for $220 and must be purchased in advance of the event.
Space is limited! Deposit is $40 to hold your spot and monthly payments are $36 (if deposit is made by Dec 31, 2021, after 12/31/21 payment plans will be adjusted based on time left until the trip).
Don’t forget you can work in concessions to help pay for your trip, go to www.Lotsa helping hands.com/c/700254/ and sign up for any shift that works with your schedule.
Please let me know if you have any questions safensobersshsgradnight@gmail.com or call/text (775)842-9090. Faith Smith
Clubs
Mural Club
We meet every Tuesday in Room 121, Mrs. Marsh, from 2:30-4:00.
Athletics
Softball
Interested in playing softball this spring?
There will be a player/parent meeting on December 7th at 6:00pm on Zoom. Reach out to sshscougarsoftball@gmail.com for more information.
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NIAA and WCSD Athletic Guidance
Week (#4) Winter Activities COVID TEST on Monday 12/06 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM:
Varsity and JV Boys Basketball
Varsity Girls Basketball
Wrestling
Week (#4) Winter Activities COVID TEST on Wednesday 12/08 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM:
Frosh Boys Basketball
Frosh and JV Girls Basketball
Important Updates
Please make sure that ALL of the Student-Athletes for winter athletics are pre-registered with Northshore.
Winter Sport Athletes:
Please have the attached COVID Testing Consent Form for Athletic/Activity Participation on file for all student-athletes in your program.
Please make sure that all Boys and Girls Basketball, Wrestling, and Cheer student-athletes are registered at COVID 19 Testing Consent Form
Masks are required to be worn by all spectators, regardless of vaccination status, at all indoor school events per governor directive. Everyone planning on attending indoor events at the school should self-monitor for COVID symptoms before attending, socially distance where possible, and wearing masks at all times while in any area inside the school. We need to adhere to these requirements to keep our students playing and to keep athletics and activities running at our school.
WCSD COVID 19 Testing Flowchart
SSHS will resume COVID testing for Winter Sport Student-Athletes on Monday 11/22.
Monday/ Wednesday Group 5A (1PM- 3PM)
Winter Athletic Registration
2021-2022 WINTER SPORT REGISTRATION IS OPEN
The Athletic Department welcomes you and your family to the 2021-22 sports school year.
Parents can complete the sports registration by going to RegisterMyAthlete.com.
Upload:
- Sports Physical (if applicable) & NIAA Health Questionnaire (1st/3rd year)
- or NIAA Pre-Participation History (2nd/4th year)
All forms can be found online or in SSHS Office - Contact the Coach for times and dates for conditioning, practices, and try-outs.
IF NO REGISTRATION AND SPORTS CLEARANCE, THERE IS NO PRACTICING OR TRYOUTS.
Winter Coaches
Cheer
Lisa Shults (775-223-3604)
Basketball (Boys)
Kyle Penney (775-240-4991)
Basketball (Girls)
Arturo Cardenas (775-741-7031)
Ski
JD Wile (413-348-6112)
Wrestling
Joe Imelli (775-473-8311)
Senior Portraits
Senior Portraits are being taken at the Prestige Portraits/Lifetouch studio at 80 East Patriot Blvd., Reno.
Click the large purple button below to schedule an appointment or use the QR code to schedule an appointment.
Photo must be in a tux or drape with Moonlight Blue background for yearbook.
Portrait Deadline: You need to sit for your portrait by January 15, 2022.
Student Store
Connecting with your Teen Workshops
Cougar Cash
Students, COUGAR CASH is back! You will be able to earn Cougar Cash when staff members notice you demonstrating a PAW-sitive CAT-itude in the following ways:
*Being respectful to staff and peers
*Following directions
*Using self-control and managing emotions
*Participating enthusiastically by putting in effort, staying focused, being on-task, and using active listening
*Asking for help when you need it
Cougar Cash can be used at the Cougar Den Store, which will be reopening on November 9--no money, just Cougar Cash accepted. Get out there and be PAW-esome!
Accreditation
SSHS Accreditation Review Visit Scheduled January 12 and 13, 2022
Spanish Springs High School is going through a Re-Accreditation Review this 2021-2022 school year, which is a required process every 5 years to review our teaching practices. The Accreditation Review process helps the school staff focus on continuous school improvement and the quality of learning and teaching.
Cognia, a non-profit organization, will conduct our accreditation review. A Review Team of 3-4 educators will oversee our virtual review via Zoom, January 12 and 13, 2022. Teachers and staff are busy collecting and analyzing school data to provide evidence that we are meeting the Cognia Accreditation Standards. Parents and students will also play an important role in the process; a small number of parents and students will be invited to serve on the interview teams to share their feedback and experience they have had as a member of the SSHS community with the Review Team.
For questions, please email Ms. Silvia Marin simarin@washoeschools.net
Spanish Springs High School Mission Statement
Testing
Attention Seniors: Civics Exam
The Civics Exam is coming soon. Participation in the Civics Exam is a graduation requirement in the state of Nevada. All seniors enrolled in Government this semester will be taking the exam in that class starting as early as November 15th. If you are a senior who is not in a government class this year, please contact your counselor to make testing arrangements.
ACT
SSHS Juniors and Sophomores:
ACT TEST PREP BOOT CAMPS
Taking the ACT during your Junior year is a Nevada graduation requirement. The ACT will be administered at SSHS for Juniors starting on March 1, 2022.
For students who would like help preparing for this important exam, Spanish Springs HS will once again be partnering with Tutors Across America to provide two discounted ACT
Weekend Boot Camps.
Schedules for the 3-Day (20-hour) ACT Weekend Boot Camps
2 different camps to pick from
To be held on campus at: Spanish Springs High School
Friday, January 21, 2022 4:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday, January 22, 2022 9:00am-6:00pm (lunch break from 1:00-2:00)
Sunday, January 23, 2022 9:00am-6:00pm (lunch break from 1:00-2:00)
Friday, February 25, 2022 4:00pm-8:30pm
Saturday, February 26, 2022 9:00am-6:00pm (lunch break from 1:00-2:00)
Sunday, February 27, 2022 9:00am-6:00pm (lunch break from 1:00-2:00)
The ACT weekend camps are averaging 3-7 point improvements per student, which represents a 20-40 percentile point jump in just one weekend. That is a game-changer for your college admissions, and especially scholarships!
Regular Cost: $299
Discounted Cost: $149 for Spanish Springs High School students.
Use coupon code GOCOUGARS at checkout
How To Enroll in the ACT Boot Camp 1. Go to: http://TutorsAcrossAmerica.com/ACTcourse
2. Click on ACT COURSES at the top, and scroll down to find your camp.
3. Enroll as directed. You may choose any camp that works for you.
4. Use coupon code GOCOUGARS at checkout to get the 50% discount.
Attendance
Attendance Policy
Spanish Springs HS follows all WCSD Attendance Policies and Procedures.
In Summary:
If your student(s) is sick, please keep your student(s) home from school.
Parent/guardian must call or email the school each day their student(s) is
absent to verify the student’s absence on that day to ensure the child's
safety. Please call the SSHS Office at 425-7733 to verify student absences.
Students who miss 10% or more of the total number of class periods for any reason during a semester (high school) for each course will be chronically absent. Chronic absenteeism rules are set by State and Federal guidelines.
Students will not be retained or fail a course (high school) based on attendance. However, students who miss 10% or more of class periods for any course that meets in a semester will be chronically absent in that course(s).
If the student must miss an entire class period for any reason, it is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to see that a written/verbal verification is provided to the school prior to, during, or within three days of an absence. Failure to do so within three days of the student's return to school will result in the absence being coded as Unverified (AUK).
The Health Department Excluded Distance Learning OR Contact Tracing (HDED or HDCT) code is used when a school has been notified by Washoe County Health Department or Washoe County School District that a student is excluded from school but is able to work on Temporary Distance Learning for the length of the exclusion.
Students are to attend Temporary Distance Learning daily and complete work assigned. Students will check-in daily on MS Teams through the Daily Agenda. If a student is unable to work due to health reasons or the student chooses not to work or communicate with the teacher daily, the student will be marked HDE. The HDED and HDCT codes do not count toward chronic absenteeism. HDE does count toward chronic absenteeism.
Guide to Attendance for Families
This guide, available in English and Spanish, helps parents, guardians, and families understand the various components of the attendance policy. Click on button below.
Make-Up Work
Make-up work must be provided for any absence, but it is the student’s responsibility to request the make-up work in advance or on the first day s/he returns to class. Because it is impossible to make-up some in-class assignments, coursework of a similar nature may be given. It is the student’s responsibility to turn in all make-up class work at the designated deadline. Failure to complete the make-up work within the designated deadline will result in no credit received for the make-up work.
Students will have the number of days absent plus one to complete missed make up work or concepts missed beginning on the day the teacher provides the missed assignments to the student. Teachers must provide missed make-up work or concepts missed within two days of the student’s return to class.
DMV Certification of Attendance
· DMV Certifications of Attendance are processed at the district level by the Student Records Department.
· Visit the WCSD web page: www.washoeschools.net and select:
STUDENT AND PARENTS
>STUDENT RECORDS
> CLICK ON BACKPACK CURRENT STUDENT.
FILL OUT INFORMATION, AND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE CHECK THE DMV BOX.
· Please allow one week of processing time.
· Please note: Students who miss 10% or more of the total number of class periods for any reason during a semester (high school) for each course will be chronically absent and do not meet the DMV Certification of Attendance requirements. Chronic absenteeism rules are set by State and Federal guidelines.
Information for how to get the attendance for DMV is permanently found at:
The complete WCSD policy can be found here: WCSD DMV Attendance Policy
ACTs
ACT TEST PREP-FALL SEMESTER
ACT Bootcamps provided by Tutors Across America
Discounted cost for ALL Northern Nevada Students $149.
Available to all grades 9th – 12th.
Average 3-7 point improvement on the ACT.
Tutors Across America’s Upcoming Fall Semester ACT Bootcamps available to Northern Nevada Students:
Available Online Bootcamps
Available in Person Bootcamps
Class Schedule: 3-Days (20 Hours)
Friday: 4:00pm to 8:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Lunch break 1pm – 2pm)
Sunday: 9:00am to 6:00pm (Lunch break 1pm – 2pm)
To Enroll in the Bootcamp Weekend:
Choose the camp you wish to attend.
Enroll as directed.
When completing payment, input coupon code: testsuccess
Spanish Springs HS Juniors: ACT Testing for Nevada Juniors is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Spanish Springs High School. Participating in the ACT is a graduation requirement. Additional Bootcamps will be offered by Tutors Across America for juniors closer to March 1, 2022, at SSHS.
AP Testing
Please see below for important information for Advanced Placement (AP) students:
Students must have an AP account with College Board in order to register for the test as well as to access AP classroom for classroom curriculum. Teachers have given students the JOIN codes and instructions on how to complete this task. If your student has any questions, please direct them to their teacher.
AP tests are $94. $40 deposit to order test is due by November 15th. They can pay this to Megan Svare (bookkeeper) at lunch/afterschool or via the webstore.
AP testing is REQUIRED for all students in an AP class, there is NO OPT OUT this year.
November 15th is the final day for students to sign up for the AP classroom without a late fee. After November 15th there is a $40 late fee in addition to the testing fee.
All tests will be paper-and-pencil at school in May 2022.
Click here to view the: AP Testing Schedule
Tech Support
The hours are:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7am-2:30pm and Tuesday, Thursday 11:30am-7:00pm.