The school districts in Washoe County and Carson City are dealing with bus driver shortages ahead of the first day of school. Report for America’s Jose Davila IV sat down with KUNR’s Michelle Billman to break everything down. Michelle Billman: So what is the transportation problem facing these two districts this school year? Jose Davila… [Read More]
WCSD using federal COVID-19 funds for summer school program
For some Washoe County students, summer this year includes additional schooling as the district attempts to address learning loss and the feared summer slide. This year’s summer school program, hosted by the Washoe County School District, is benefitting from American Rescue Plan money known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. Nevada… [Read More]
WCSD authorizes individual schools to go remote if needed due to COVID-19
The Washoe County School District is grappling with a surge of COVID-19 cases among teachers and students. KUNR’s Andrew Mendez reports that while the district as a whole is not planning to go remote at this time, individual schools are now authorized to go virtual on a case-by-case basis. According to the latest update, on… [Read More]
4 In 10 WCSD high school students failing at least one course
The Washoe County School District recently released data showing nearly 40% of high school students are failing at least one subject, and almost a quarter are failing in two. Superintendent Kristen McNeill said on Friday that a significant number of students are failing even more than two classes. “14% of our students were failing three… [Read More]
Washoe and Clark Counties to provide free meals for all children through the end of 2020
The two largest school districts in Nevada are providing free meals to all children as of Tuesday, regardless of enrollment or eligibility for the free and reduced price meals program, and parents who have already paid will be getting that money back. The Washoe County School District (WCSD) began providing free meals on Sept. 29,… [Read More]
Education during COVID-19 discussed in first KUNR forum for Spanish speaking Nevadans
With the fall semester underway for public schools across the state, KUNR recently hosted a Facebook Live event in Spanish, with health and education experts, to answer community questions. Bilingual reporter Natalie Van Hoozer moderated the Q&A and spoke with KUNR’s Jayden Perez to recap the main takeaways from the discussion. Jayden Perez: Natalie, KUNR… [Read More]
Washoe County School District avoids setting a COVID-19 threshold for school closures
For weeks, community members have been asking the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees to set a threshold that would use specific metrics to determine if and when the district would stop in-person instruction during the pandemic. Some trustees said in a meeting Tuesday, September 8 they do not want to draw a hard… [Read More]
Special education faces additional challenges with in-person learning during COVID-19
Washoe County teachers and students are returning to school and trying to adapt to a new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic. The district’s approach to reopening schools includes individualizing materials and maintaining social distance in the classroom, which might be uniquely challenging in special education classrooms. For confidentiality, the identity of the teacher interviewed for… [Read More]
WCSD will reopen with in-person, hybrid learning this fall
A looming decision on whether or not the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees would honor their plans to return to in-person learning in the fall was determined late Tuesday night. Students, teachers and supporting staff will be going back to school in person this fall. For weeks now, the Washoe County School District… [Read More]
Food insecurity grows in Northern Nevada months into the pandemic
Several months into the pandemic, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada is seeing record numbers of people using their food assistance services. With many food pantries housed in schools, food availability over the summer is different than during the rest of the year. Before the pandemic, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada served about 91,000 people a… [Read More]