SPANISH SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
August 26 - August 30
From the Desk of the Principal, Sean Hall
We have kicked off the first two weeks on a positive track. Our students are getting in the swing of things and it is great to see so many smiling faces in the hallways.
I hope you can come out and support our Cougar athletes and band members. I have attached the link of the schedule below for you to check out all the various home and away games and contests our students participate in. I look forward to seeing you out there!
I have a couple important reminders I would like to address. Parents, please work with your students to help ensure they are wearing school appropriate attire. We are seeing too many shirts with references to drugs, sex, or alcohol. Please know that we will ask students to change these shirts, so it is better if they simply don't wear them to school.
Also, we are reaching out to our community members to be on alert for our students as they walk, ride bikes, or drive to school. Please be diligent in school zones and cross walks. Our attention while driving can help all of our students arrive to school and home safely if we all work together.
Finally the PSAT is fast approaching. The PSAT is free to all sophomores, but if you would like your student to participate as a freshmen or junior, please bring the fee to the office by August 28th so your student can practice the exam.
Have a nice weekend.
Sincerely,
Sean Hall
Principal
1, 2, 7, 3
TUESDAY
4, 5, 7, 6
WEDNESDAY
Bell Schedules
Morning 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 and arrows on the parking lot 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
Student Parking is available in the back of the school. The front parking lots are reserved parking for faculty, staff, and guests. Students please do not park in front of the school or on the sides by Auto Shop. Students must have a parking pass to park on campus. Please stop by the Student Relations Office to get your parking permit.
Attention Dual Credit Students and Families,
There has been a lot of uncertainty about the Fees for Dual Credit Courses.
All “Concurrent” courses are paid for by the Washoe County School District for this school year (Note: Concurrent is defined as having a high school instructor teach a college class at the high school through their regular workload.)
The following concurrent courses are offered at Spanish Springs High School. These classes may show up on your fees due at the college. THIS WILL EVENTUALLY DROP OFF ONCE THE DISTRICT PAYS.
For all other dual credit class(es), students will be charged $85 per credit at TMCC and $150 per credit at UNR plus technology per credit fee and any special class fee if applicable.
If you have already paid your fees for a concurrent course, please know that you should be receiving a refund from TMCC/UNR once the district has paid the fees.
AP Course Fees
If you are enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) course, Washoe County School District will be paying the $98 test fee this year.
PSAT Exam
Students interested in taking the PSAT have until August 28, 2024, to sign up. The PSAT is not mandatory. Students interested in going to college and looking for ways to prepare themselves should consider taking the PSAT! Testing scores are used by scholarship programs, including the National Merit® Scholarship Program, to look for eligible students.
If you are interested in taking the PSAT please complete the form below. The test will be held between October 21 and October 31. Interested 9th and 11th graders will need to pay our bookkeeper Megan Svare by August 28, 2024. Interested 10th graders are able to take the PSAT for free.
School Spirit
Leadership
Senior Parking
Seniors, you may purchase a parking space and paint it on the following days.
08/24- 08/25 8am-2pm Senior Parking Spot Painting in back parking lot
Yearbooks
Picture Days!
Make up day for senior portraits and undergrad photos will be on October 17th. Seniors will have one more chance to sit for their senior portraits on December 5th.
A Message from our Kitchen
Just a reminder, Breakfast and Lunch are free through September 6th. Breakfast is served at 7:15 a.m. each day. If your student forgets their breakfast or lunch, encourage them to check out the menu and see what we have to offer!
A Message From District Nutrition Services
Dear Families, Parents, and Guardians,
The Washoe County School District (WCSD) is committed to providing a world-class education to its 60,000 students, and an important part of that mission is ensuring that every student is well-nourished. Good nutrition is essential to the learning process, and the District’s Nutrition Services school meal program is dedicated to providing healthy, balanced meals to children during the school day. Children who are eligible under federal guidelines may receive breakfast and lunch at no cost.
Sometimes, however, children who do not qualify based on these federal guidelines would like a meal, but they do not have money in their account or in hand to cover the cost. District policy dictates that every student will receive the same meal as their peers receive, regardless of their ability to pay. Any student who does not have money to pay for a meal is treated fairly and with compassion, and each student’s situation is handled discreetly and confidentially.
Below are specific guidelines for all WCSD students:
WCSD students without money on account or in hand can charge USDA reimbursable meals to their student meal account. At no time will a student’s tray of food be taken away due to lack of funds. Students may not charge a la carte or extra items if they have a negative balance, regardless of the student’s eligibility status.
If a family has a financial hardship creating an inability to pay for student meals due to rising rents and other living expenses, it is not the intent of Washoe County School District to deny meals. In such cases, please contact Nutrition Services at 775-325-8410.
Meal Prices for the 2024-25 School Year
Breakfast Lunch
Elementary School Students $2.00 $3.25
Middle- and High School Students $2.00 $3.25
Adults $3.00 $4.75
How to Pay
Students may pay for meals by cash or check at their school, or pre-payment can be made online. MySchoolBucks is an online payment service that provides parents the ability to securely pay for meals, monitor student cafeteria purchases, and receive email notifications for low account balances. This service allows you to pay for school meals online using a credit or debit card. Visit the site at: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/getmain?requestAction=home
Athletics
Purple Pride!
Athletic Contacts
Student Game Attendance
Student Backpacks are NOT allowed at Athletic Events. Any student with a backpack will NOT be allowed entry to a game.
Skateboards and Scooters are NOT allowed at Athletic Events. Any Student with a skateboard or scooter will NOT be allowed entry to the game.
SSHS Hometown Ticketing
SSHS Parents and Students:
SSHS is only accepting online Hometown Tickets for all Athletic Events this school year and all Fall Sports ticket are currently available for purchase.
We will NOT have a cashbox available at the events.
Adult Tickets = $10.00 (Seniors 62 years and over receive free entry)
Student Tickets = $5.00 (Students 8 years and under receive free entry)
Military Personal Tickets = $5.00 (with valid ID)
SSHS Students who have purchased their Activity Fee and have Activities Fee (AF) paid on their Student ID will get free entry to all regular season home events. Activity Fee for the school year is $25.00, and all student-athletes are required to pay this fee.
Middle school students need to have a parent with them to enter the event.
All WCSD Employees and a Guest get into all regular season games (home and away) with a current school ID.
NIAA App
Register My Athlete
Boosters
Did you know???
Our Boosters have funded close to $160,000 in scholarships. Join the Boosters today and be a part of something really special at SSHS!
For information, email: spanishspringsboosterclub@gmail.com
Fundraising Opportunity
Register here: https://spanishspringshsboosterclub.boosterhub.com/register/4029
Library
Please come in and check out your beautiful space. We are open before school, at lunch, and after school. Students may check out three books at a time. In addition to research, we are available for help getting into school devices and applications such as Office 365, Canvas, Edgenuity, and Schoolcity. We look forward to seeing you! Mrs. Hefner and Mrs. Fascio
College and Career Center
College & Career Center
Francine McRae 38032
francine.mcrae@washoeschools.net
Please come in and see us with any questions you have for have for colleges, careers, scholarships, test prep or let us help your with Infinite Campus access.
SSHS Counseling Department
Class schedules
Counselors will be seeing students who have a gap in their schedule and assisting with newly enrolled students during the first week of school. For all other issues, students should email their counselors with their requests for any changes in their schedules so that the counselor is aware that the student has a change/request need. Class changes will not be granted for the first two weeks of school and may not be available due to a lack of space in over-requested courses. Students are to report to their class that is on their schedule until the counselor communicates that their schedule has been updated/changed.
Counseling Secretary
Ginger Ramilo 38023
Counselor Assignments: all counselors work with 9th-12th graders by last name
A-CHH
Jill Anderson 38028
CHI-GIN
Angie Goss 38025
GIO-KNH
Jewel Cuellar 38026
KNI-NIJ
Niki Harris 38027
NIK-SIC
Shelby Gonzales 38024
SID-Z
Tarin Myers 38029
Counseling Secretary
Ginger Ramilo
School Social Worker
Megan Rix 38067
Family Graduation Advocate
Cristina Avalos 38009
Cougar Well Being
Immunizations
Hello, this is an important message from the Washoe County School District:
The State of Nevada requires the meningitis vaccine (MCV4) and the Tdap vaccine for all Nevada 7th graders and new students in grades 7-12 enrolling in the Washoe County School District.
As of the 2024-2025 school year, a student 16 years of age or who is enrolling in the 12th grade in Nevada schools must receive the meningitis – or MCV4—vaccine.
SSHS Food Pantry
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.
Transportation
You will find information concerning bus routes and schedules by going onto the Washoe County School District website, https://www.washoeschools.net/Domain/73. Families are advised to register their students for bus service.
- You can then click on the “E-Link” for bus schedules and/or the “Find Your Zoned School” link to find out what school zone you are in.
Parents are encouraged to contact the district transportation dispatch at (775) 337- 7769 for questions pertaining to their child/children’s bus transportation needs.
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
DMV QR Code
Class Fees
Please make sure you have paid your student's class fees. Class fees are used for labs, classroom supplies, and uniforms. Please email Megan Svare our bookkeeper if you are unsure if you have paid yet: msvare@washoeschools.net
Our webstore is currently being updated, check back periodically or send cash or check with your student to pay in person.
Bullying Resources
Bullying is unacceptable and comments or conduct that disparages or demonstrates hostility or aversion should not be tolerated. By being accepting, kind and inclusive, you can help make the world a better place. Together we can create a world without bullying!
TIPS FOR PARENTS
THE WORLD IS RAPIDLY CHANGING – EMBRACE THE CHANGE!
Digital technology and the internet now play a huge part in all of our lives – especially our children’s. For the most part, school, work and social lives are now all successfully integrated with the internet, offering opportunities that we could have only dreamed of a few years ago – with our children at the forefront of this exciting age of change. Try and embrace the change by seeing it as an adventure rather than a challenge!
LEARN WITH YOUR CHILD
If we are to help our children reach their full personal and academic potential in this new technological era, then we must learn with them on how to use the internet responsibly and safely. Your children might even be able to teach you a thing or two!
STAY A STEP AHEAD OF YOUR CHILDREN
This can be a challenge for many parents who are unfamiliar with the technical devices, websites and social media platforms that their children visit. This parents guide will help you to understand the dangers posed to children online and how to deal with them together as a family.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
It is vital that your child or children can come to you with their online problems, and communicate freely without the fear of losing internet privileges, such as the closing of their social media accounts or confiscating devices such as mobile phones or laptops. If you can build a relationship with your child/children, where they feel comfortable sharing their online problems with you, it is much more likely that you will be able to help them with any online problems that do occur in the future – before they escalate to the point where your child/children cannot see a way out of the situation.
Top Tips for Kids
GOLDEN RULES FOR CYBERBULLYING
DON’T RETALIATE
Do not respond to abusive messages or threats. It could make things worse and you might be accused of cyberbullying. Internet trolls want a reaction from you – why give them what they want?
TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST
Don’t try and deal with this alone – talk to somebody you trust such as your parents, a friend, a family member or a teacher about it. New perspectives can help you to find new solutions.
SAVE EVIDENCE
Record and store any abusive posts, emails or messages. Some types of cyberbullying, harassment and online abuse constitute a criminal offense, and you might need to demonstrate ‘ongoing harassment’ for legal action to be successful at a later date. For help with how to store evidence, visit our technical advice section.
BLOCK AND REPORT
You can stop someone from sending you abusive messages and posting nasty comments on most major platforms by blocking and reporting them to the site administrator. Visit our social media guide to learn more about the reporting procedure for each individual social media platform.
ASK YOUR SCHOOL
Schools and colleges should have an anti-bullying policy which covers cyberbullying and online abuse. Ask what support your school can offer.
NEVER SHARE PASSWORDS
Never share your passwords with anybody, even your friends! If you do, you could lose control of your own accounts, and have trouble regaining control of them. People can then share your personal information publicly. Treat your passwords like your toothbrush – change them frequently and don’t share them with anybody!
NEVER ARRANGE TO MEET IN REAL LIFE
If anyone you don’t know tries to arrange to meet you, tell your parents or somebody you trust immediately. Never meet anybody you don’t know and don’t share personal information with them such as real names, addresses, emails or phone numbers.
THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK
Most online problems start with a misunderstanding, so think about what you really want to say before you start to write. Everybody that uses the internet should have a basic understanding of “netiquette”.
DON’T GET CAUGHT UP AND DON’T BE A BYSTANDER!
Avoid becoming involved in cyberbullying campaigns. Don’t pass on or promote an abusive or rude comment, message or picture just because “everyone else is doing it.” Stop and think about how that person feels.
REPORT CYBERBULLYING
If you see someone is being cyberbullied don’t just stand by and let them suffer. Report it to the platform you are using, your parents or a teacher at your school.
If you need help or support:
THE CYBERSMILE FOUNDATION – cybersmile.org
https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/facts
https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/what-you-can-do
https://www.dosomething.org/us/causes/bullying
https://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/what-parents-can-do-about-childhood-bullying/
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, click here.
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 sshsattendance@washoeschools.net or use this link: SSHS Attendance 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: Intervention / The Absence Request Form and App (washoeschools.net)
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 (HDED) code is used for COVID exclusions when there is a positive COVID case. Current exclusion period is 5 days and can be extended up to 10 days in the event that a student still has symptoms. COVID excluded students will be placed on Temporary Distance Learning and will complete missing classwork per the make-up work policy. The HDED codes do not count towards chronic absenteeism.
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.
DMV Certification of Attendance
Spanish Springs High School assists with the student DMV Certification of Attendance required by the DMV using the following options:
OPTION 1 – Electronic
DMV Certifications of Attendance can be requested from the WCSD Student Records Department.
Effective July 1, 2019, in an effort to provide better and more secure service to our students ALL student records requests can be made online using the automated student record / information request system. Please go to this link on the Washoe County School District website to fill out the form: Application for DMV Certification Form or go to https://washoeschoolsnv.scriborder.com/
OPTION 2 – Hard Copy
If requesting a hard copy from the SSHS Attendance Office, the Student Information section must be completely filled out. SSHS does require 24 hours to complete and review the students’ attendance, it will then be available for pick up in the front office.
Hard Copy link: DMV Certification of Attendance Form
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; the previous completed semester’s percentage is used to determine eligibility. Chronic absenteeism rules are set by State and Federal guidelines.
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.