SPANISH SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL
October 28 - November 1
From the Desk of the Principal, Sean Hall
Hello Cougar families,
We have a huge celebration this week. Our JROTC has broken a long standing record for North Nevada at last week's Raider competition. We annihilated the previous rope bridge building record and will be traveling to Nationals this week.
This Friday is our last game of the football season and we will be celebrating many members of the team. At halftime, we will showcase our seniors.
The marching band will be hosting a competition on Friday here at SSHS. Please join us for this fun filled day.
The cross country team will be running at Regionals Friday at San Rafael Park. They have had a tremendous season and we are looking forward to seeing them have another great performance Friday.
The tennis team is sending 28 incredible athletes to compete in state semi finals!
Have a great Nevada Day Weekend, we will see you again bright and early on Monday the 28th of October.
Sincerely,
Sean Hall
Principal
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
NO EARLY RELEASE
Bell Schedules
Homework Help
After school tutoring for homework help will take place every Tuesday and Thursday in the Career Center from 2:45 to 4:00. At this time, students will need to provide their own transportation.
Attention Seniors!
Seniors, the Promise Scholarship Deadline for TMCC is October 31st at 12 midnight. Please make sure you complete the application before the deadline. 12:01 am is too late.
School Spirit
Come to the Raider Team District Championship October 19th
Congratulations to our JROTC Raider Team!!! They have earned a spot and will get an all expense paid trip to compete at Raider Nationals in Kentucky on the 23rd of October. Outstanding job, Cougar Battalion!
Leadership
Dia De Los Muertos Bake Sale
Latinos Unidos will be hosting a Dia De Los Muertos sale where we will be selling strawberries with cream, crazy cucumbers, and flan. This will be on October 31st during lunch in front of the career center. We only accept cash. We hope to see you there!
Clubs
African American Student Union
Please come and join us the African American Student Union. We meet every Wednesday at lunch in the College and Career Center.
Bowling Team & Club
Let's Bowl! Let's Bowl! Let's Rockin' Roll! Interested in Bowling?
Bowling is up and running attend the practices on Monday at High Sierra Lanes from 3-5PM - Last day to sign up is November 4th. See Mrs. Louton in room 115 for more details.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Fellowship of Christian Athletes come hang out and hear what FCA is all about.
Indigenous Peoples Club
Come join the Indigenous Peoples Club. We meet every Monday and are now in room E135. All are welcome- stop by and say hello.
Interact Club
The Interact Club is division of Rotary International and is a community service based club which meets the first and third Monday of the month in the library.
Key Club
Hey Cougars! Come join key club! We’re a club focused on serving our community and the world as a whole. Stop by room 111 at lunch time on Tuesdays to see what we’re about!
Latinos Unidos
Come join Latinos Unidos! We host fundraisers and sell all kinds of food. Everyone is welcome. We meet almost every Thursdays in the career center during lunch. The cutoff for new members is Fall break. We hope to see you there!
Murals Club
Murals Club is having their first meeting of the year the Tuesday we get back from break, on Oct 15th. If you are creative and you like to paint. Come join Murals Club. We work towards getting painted or decal murals up on our school walls to beautify our school. Murals Club meetings are every Tues 2:30 to 4:30 in room 121. See Mrs. Marsh for more details.
National Art Honors Society
Are you a creative person who can lend your expertise to the National Art Honors Society? Come join our club every Wednesday at lunch in room 147. All creative and art loving students are welcome! We would love to have you!
National Honors Society
Sophomores and up come join the National Honors Society! We are a national club consisting of connecting with the community, volunteering, and building up your college resume! We will have our first meeting on September 5th in 219/220!
Student Voice
Do you want a say about our new District Cell Phone Policy? Join Student Voice for our meetings on Monday in Room 257 to have a say in this policy and help develop other policies in the future! We're a club that has direct access to District Leadership and your voices help them make policies and changes that benefit ALL students.
Writing Club
Hey Cougars! If you love writing or just want to explore your creative side, come check out Writers Club, Tuesdays, IN ROOM 255 DURING LUNCH. We’re a group where you can share your stories, poems, or any kind of writing, and get feedback in a supportive space. Whether you're an experienced writer or just curious, everyone is welcome. Come join us, meet new friends, and let’s get creative together!
Yearbooks
Newspaper
Did you know that SSHS has a school newspaper? Stay informed with local, world and school news.
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 to make change. If you need to pay cash, please bring exact change. Thank you!
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???
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
College and Career Center
Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, the ASVAB test will be held on Friday, November 1st from 8am to Noon in the Career Center/Cafeteria depending on the number of students. If you are interested in taking the ASVAB test, please see Ms. McRae in the Career Center to sign up. You must sign up prior to and no later than October 30, 2024, to participate.
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.
Interested in UNR? Check out the Nevada Bound field trip! November 15th
The Nevada Bound program runs from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and all groups must be on campus during this timeframe so that students don’t miss out on valuable parts of the day.
FAFSA
Need help completing the FAFSA?
SSHS Counseling Department
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.
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.
Tardy Policy
Every 5 tardies = 15 minutes lunch detention
Please know that failure to report to lunch detention will result in the following consequences:
1. 30 minute lunch detention
2. 45 minutes school beautification
3. In-house suspension
* Each consequence will happen if failure to complete the consequence prior.
* School beautification example could be picking up trash, and assisting in helping the school look clean.
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.
Spanish Springs High School Mission Statement
