SPANISH SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
Week of January 23 - January 27
From the desk of Sean Hall, Principal
Dear Cougar Families,
Welcome back! We have been excited to see our students celebrate our Winter Homecoming week with great school spirit. Our Winter Homecoming Dance is tonight from 8:00-11:00, dress is casual, and tickets are $10.00. Prior to that, our Cougars will be taking on the Carson High School Senators in the main gym. Our boys program is currently 9 and 0 and our are girls are 5 - 4.
Our wrestling team is currently ranked #1 in the district and we are anticipating a killer ski season for our ski team with all the snow we have been getting!
I would like to take a moment and give a shout out to our Fine Arts students! We are very excited to announce our students’ achievements in the Scholastic Art Awards Northern Nevada Regional Competition 2023. We received 46 awards in total. The American Visions Nominee and Gold Key winning works will automatically advance to national judging.
Please check our their work at the following exhibitions!
- Nevada Museum of Art: 2/06/23 ~ 3/04/23
- American Visions Nominated works (Top Five works) will be on display.
- All other award-winning works will be on view as a digital slideshow.
- Sheppard Contemporary Gallery located in the Church Fine Arts building at UNR: 2/06/23 ~ 3/04/23
- Gold Key winning works will be on display.
- All other award-winning works will be on view as a digital slideshow.
We are beginning course selection with our juniors next week. With that being said, parents please make sure to register your students through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal (we have instructions and links below). For our Pinecrest families with incoming freshmen, please begin the registration process when our incoming freshmen course selections come, they are ready to go.
Have a great week Cougars!
Sincerely,
Sean Hall
Principal
Monday
B Day
4, 5, 7, 6
Tuesday
A Day
1, 2, 7, 3
Wednesday
B Day
4, 5, Cougar Pride, 6
Bell Schedules
Counselor's Corner
School Spirit
Hometown Ticketing
Rifle Team Tournament
School Newspaper
Seniors
Senior Ads-This year families and friends can design their own senior ads—tributes to their graduates. Go to yearbookforever.com to purchase and design your senior ad. The deadline is February 28, 2023.
Senior Portraits
If your student still needs a senior portrait taken, the last day is January 30th. Go to prestigeportraits.com to schedule your session. If you would like to create a senior ad tribute, you can design it yourself and pay for it at yearbookforever.com. The deadline is February 28th. There are a few yearbooks left for purchase; make sure you reserve yours as soon as possible. Purchase your yearbook on our webstore at washoeschools.net/sshs. Direct any webstore questions to our bookkeeper Megan Svare.
You can use the QR code link to the webstore:
Contact yearbook adviser, Teresa Gil with any questions at tgil@washoeschools.net
Parent Announcements
Attendance
Each month we send out attendance letters to families that have students who have missed more than 10% of the school days throughout the year. Oftentimes, these absences are due to illness (fever, vomiting, etc.) and the absences are marked as "UNVerified, MEDical or DOMestic" on these reports. Unfortunately, none of these are considered "excused" absences without proper documentation. Once our office is presented with the proper documentation from a healthcare provider within three days of the absence, we can then change the coding for the absence to "EMED", which is an excused medical absence. We know that every illness does not require a visit to a healthcare provider, and we appreciate when families call to let us know when and why their children are out.
We have a copy of the full attendance policies for your review at the bottom of the newsletter as well.
If you have any questions, please call our office, 775-425-7733.
Thank you and we appreciate your support with these procedures.
SSHS Admin
Online Registration
Your Online Registration Link for the 2023-24 school year
is in your Parent Portal (Primary Household), Inbox
https://washoenv.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/washoe.jsp
It is very important to do this now, as early as possible, for WCSD data analysis.
Please keep your child’s information current: student’s demographic information
(addresses and phone numbers), as well as Emergency contacts and Health information.
If you would like assistance, please contact the Office: (775) 425-7733
For assistance in Spanish, please ask to speak with: Cristina Avalos
Thank you for helping make Spanish Springs High School 100% in OLR (Online Registration)
Student Drop Off Procedure
Our Student drop off is at the north side of the building, not the main roundabout in front of the school. We ask that you follow the signs toward the Parent Drop-off Zone on the north side of the building, near the cafeteria. All drop offs should occur in drop zone which offers an easy, safe exit to Eagle Canyon Drive. Please do not stop/park at the front entrance of the school in Staff Parking to drop off your students between 7:30 AM and 8:00 AM. This creates traffic issues and significant safety concerns. Thank you for your help in keeping everyone safe while on campus.
Student Parking
The front parking lots are for staff only and are not unloading zones. For safety reasons, we have designed the drop off on the side of the building so traffic does not back out to Eagle Canyon.
College and Career Center
$25,000 COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS
Since 1984, Horatio Alger Association has awarded over $235 million in scholarships to more than 35,000 deserving students. Year after year we hear that it is the counselors who are instrumental in helping students learn about the opportunities that the Horatio Alger Association provides. We are again looking for talented and deserving students in your school who are strong candidates to attend college, but who need financial AND advising support to reach that goal.
As you may know, we transitioned last year to
awarding high school juniors instead of seniors. With this exciting change comes the ability to provide more resources to our Scholars such as college fit & match advising, as well as, financial aid counseling. It also comes with the challenge of informing juniors encouraging them to apply. We look to you, the expert on identifying incredible Horatio Alger Scholars. Please help us find these deserving students. If they need any assistance with completing their applications, please refer them to our help line: 844-422-4200.
In 2023, the Association will award
105 National Scholarships at $25,000 each,
and more than 500 State Scholarships at $10,000 each.
The deadline to submit a
completed application is March 15th, 2023.
Boosters
SSHS Boosters are the best!
How would you like to be part of our amazing Booster team? Check out the flyer to learn more!
Senior Trip
Senior Grad Nite
June 2nd 2023
6 Flags Vallejo
$285 ($40 deposit to hold spot, final payment due May 5th 2023)
Please let me know if you have any questions safensobersshsgradnight@gmail.com or call/text (775)842-9090. Faith Smith
NIAAA Student-Athlete Scholarship
Purpose of Scholarship
In accordance with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association’s (NIAAA) purpose to promote, facilitate and increase the knowledge and understanding of the vital role of interscholastic athletics in the educational system, this scholarship program will foster and recognize the partnership between the NIAAA and secondary education. The scholarships will recognize the distinguished scholastic, leadership, and sportsmanship attributes of high school student-athletes, and the importance of high school athletics in each student’s life.
Scholarship Link ---->
https://members.niaaa.org/resource/resmgr/docs/studentscholarship/scholarship-application-2023.pdf
Essay Topic
“How High School Athletics has Impacted my Life”
Minimum Requirements
1. Applicant must be a Senior
2. Applicant must have achieved at least one (1) of the following:
(A) minimum of B+ average;
(B) Ranked in the top 25% of class;
(C) ACT score of 24 or an SAT score of 1100 (Math and Reading)
3. Applicant must have participated in two sports for at least two years in each sport
4. Applicant must have earned at least one varsity letter in each of two sports
5. Applicant must complete attached scholar/essay application
6. Applicant must have a letter of recommendation from the high school athletic administrator/director
7. School athletic director must be an NIAAA member and a member of their respective state athletic administrators association
8. The principal or athletic director must sign the application to ensure that the academic information submitted is accurate
Clubs
Amnesty
FBLA
Friendship Club
Everyone is welcome to join the friendship club. This is a safe and fun space to socialize while learning new social skills. We meet Tuesdays @ lunch in the College and Career Center.
GSA
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) will be meeting on Fridays during lunch in
Room 110.
Latinos Unidos Club
The Latinos Unidos club will meet every other Thursday in the College Career Center during lunch time. Anybody can join and participate.
Meditation Group
Testing
ACT
Taking the ACT during your Junior year is a Nevada graduation requirement. The ACT will be administered at SSHS for Juniors starting on March 7, 2023.
For students who would like help preparing for this important exam, there is one ACT Weekend Boot Camp coming up at Spanish Springs HS. SSHS has partnered with Tutors Across America to provide a discounted ACT Weekend Boot Camp.
Civics Exam
Athletics
NIAA App
Athletic Contacts
Cougar Well Being
SSHS Food Pantry
Nutritional Services
COVID 19 Updates
Masks
WCSD Air Quality Webpage
Yearbooks
After School Tutoring
Bus stops are limited to the following locations:
- Alice Taylor
- Spanish Springs Elementary
- Sky Ranch MS/Bohatch ES
- VanGorder
- Wingfield Hills Rd and Lawry Dr.
- Wingfield Hills Rd and Darby Rose Lane
- Sparks Blvd. and Henry Orr Parkway.
Paper tutoring
As you may know, the Board of Trustees recently approved the implementation of the tutoring service Paper for all students in grades 6-12. While staff training for Paper are ongoing, this service is now active. Students can access this free 24/7 online tutoring service at any time.
Paper provides:
- Unlimited 24/7/365 tutoring support — sessions can run for as long as students need.
- Revisions for any typed writing assignments.
- Tutoring and writing support in 4 different languages — English, Spanish, French and Mandarin.
More information and resources for parents and students is available on our website at www.WashoeSchools.net/Paper.
Students can access Paper through by logging in to Clever with their student login and password. A login link for Clever is also available on that webpage.
If a student has any issues logging in to Clever to access Paper, they can reach out to our Family Tech line for assistance at www.washoeschools.net/familytechsupport
Thank you!
Project 150 Teen Shopping Boutique
Each Wednesday from 1:30p – 4:00p and the first
Saturday of each Month from 10:30a – 2:00p
Clothes, shoes, school supplies, toiletries and much more
Free with high school ID
· Project 150 Reno Boutique - 1340 Foster Dr. - Reno, NV 89509
· Follow us at Project150 Reno on Facebook
· Call (775)203-4755 or email info@project150reno.org
· Project 150 Reno non-profit provides basic needs for homeless, disadvantaged, and displaced high school students.
The Washoe County School District or the Board of Trustees neither endorses nor sponsors the organization or activity represented in this document. The distribution of this material is provided as a community service.
Driver's Education 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
Tech Support
The hours are:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 7am-2:30pm and Tuesday, Thursday 11:30am-7:00pm.
Attendance
Attendance Policy
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Spanish Springs HS follows all WCSD Attendance Policies and Procedures.
For information on the WCSD Attendance Policy as required by NRS, https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/16915.
Reporting a Reason for an Absence
Parent/guardian must email, call or request an absence via the portal/app to report your student(s) absence, To verify the absence it must be done so no later than three (3) days after your student is absent. The Attendance Office is unable to record reasons for absences older than three days without a doctor’s note.
Emailing in a reason for an Absence (preferred method)
Absences may be reported by email. Please email mailto:sshsattendance@washoeschools.net and include:
· Your student's name
· Date of birth
· The date
· Length of the absence
· The reason for the absence
Changes will be made in Infinite Campus when the email is processed.
Calling in an Absence
To verify an absence, contact the Attendance Office call 775-425-7733 x 1. Voicemail is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please leave a message with the following:
· Your student's name
· Date of birth
· The date
· Length of the absence
· The reason for the absence
· Your contact information
Changes will be made in Infinite Campus when the absence is processed.
Requesting an Absence via the Parent Portal/App.
A new functionality was added to the Infinite Campus parent portal and app. It enables parents/guardians to request an absence via the portal/app. The portal/app accepts requests for absences for the current date or future dates only.
For step-by-step instructions, visit https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/17303
Changes will be made in Infinite Campus when the request is processed.
Picking Up a Student or Street Passes
When you need to pick up your student early from school, please be aware of the following procedures:
-You may call in advance to have your student waiting for you when you arrive. Please call the Attendance Office at 775-425-7733 x 1 with the exact time and reason your student needs to be dismissed.
-You may come into the Attendance Office to pick up your student. You will be required to show your ID on arrival. Please allow enough time for us to send for your student as it is difficult to send for a student during passing time or during lunch.
-ONLY LEGAL GUARDIANS may pick up a student. Anyone other than a guardian will need to have the guardian contact the attendance office in advance to give permission for the student to be released. If the person picking up the student will do so on a regular basis and is not the legal guardian, there is a form that can be completed giving permission for the student to be released with another adult. This form is valid only for the current school year and will need to be signed and turned in by the legal guardian.
Chronic Absenteeism
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 (UNV).
Intervention Guide for Families
COVID Exclusions
The Health Department Excluded 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. The HDED and HDCT codes do not count towards chronic absenteeism.
WCSD does not currently have permission from NDOE to conduct temporary distance learning during COVID Exclusions this year. The Make-up Work Policy for missed assignments is followed for these absences.
Transportation Blackouts Absences
WCSD does not currently have permission from NDOE to conduct temporary distance learning during transportation blackout dates this year. Absences due to not having bus transportation are not exempt and do count towards chronic absenteeism. The Make-up Work Policy for missed assignments is followed for these absences.
Make-Up Work Policy for an Absence
Make-up work must be provided for any absence by the teacher, 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 being 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.
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.