Steve Johnson and his Chem 122 students from Churchill County High School take a University of Nevada, Reno Nuclear Science tour led by CCHS grad Jade Beland, far left.
Students from Steve Johnson’s Chem 122 course attended a nuclear science tour at the University of Nevada, Reno. They observed how a scanning electron microscope is used to assess the effectiveness of nuclear waste encapsulation and toured four laboratories dedicated to making nuclear power safer.
“Our tour guide was our very own Jade Beland, a 2020 graduate of CCHS who is now working on her Ph.D. in nuclear waste management,” Johnson said. “It was incredibly special to see a former student leading my current students through this experience. It was a full-circle moment and truly amazing to witness.”
Churchill County Middle School
Churchill County Middle School proudly celebrated the Month of the Military Child with meaningful events that honored the strength, resilience and connections of military students.
During a special movie day at the Fallon Theatre, military students were invited to bring a guest, creating a fun and inclusive opportunity to celebrate together as military kids while sharing the experience with a friend. In addition to this celebration, students participated in Purple Up Day, showing visible support across campus.
The celebration continued with a schoolwide dance on April 23,where students showed up dressed to the nines and filled the cafeteria with energy, laughter and impressive dance moves. “A heartfelt thank you goes to our Purple Star Committee, Student Council, and dedicated staff for creating such memorable opportunities to recognize and celebrate our military-connected students,” said Dr. Deana Porretta, CCMS principal.
Numa
Students in Vickie Purrell’s class were introduced to the unit Chemical Change by completing an investigation on milk and soda. Students created a hypothesis on what would occur when 20mL of whole milk was added to a bottle of Coca-Cola.
Every 10 minutes, students made observations and recorded them on their data sheets.
On day two, students made a final observation. Students then researched the properties of milk and Coca-Cola and predicted what could have created the substance found after 24 hours.
Next week, students will share their findings and conclude whether two edible substances can combine to create an inedible substance.
E.C. Best
Kirsten Perez’s class brought learning to life this April with a focus on all things plants.
Students observed the germination process firsthand by soaking bean seeds, placing them in a sunny window, and watching closely as new growth emerged.
Students also started a garden just outside their classroom, planting a variety of vegetable seeds in grow containers.
As the week progressed, students continued the process by assembling a garden bed and preparing to transplant their sprouts, turning the lesson into a thriving outdoor learning space.
Lahontan
April was a month full of meaningful experiences for students in Monica Frank’s Kindergarten class.
During Ag Day, students explored the important role agriculture plays in our local community, gaining a deeper appreciation for an industry that surrounds them every day.
The excitement continued with a field trip to the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, where students spent the day exploring, experimenting, and fully immersing themselves in discovery through interactive exhibits. It was a month that sparked curiosity, connection and a genuine love of learning.
Pre-K student-created artwork is on display for their parents to purchase with fake currency at a classroom art show at Northside Early Learning Center.
Northside Early Learning Center
Families were recently welcomed into a pre-K art gallery hosted by Octavia Merritt and Montana Koplin, where young artists proudly showcased their original creations.
During the event, parents had the opportunity to “purchase” their child’s unique paintings using playful, pretend currency.
The gallery highlighted the importance of child-created art in early learning, giving students a meaningful way to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas beyond words. Through the creative process, students built confidence, independence and essential developmental skills, all while embracing imagination and individuality.
By focusing on creativity over perfection, the event allowed each child to take pride in their work and share a glimpse of their personality with those who matter most.
Kaitlin Ritchie is the public information officer for Churchill County School District.