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Jessica Garcia

Stories by Jessica

State funding for free school meals ending; applications due May 24

For the past four years, school meals in Nevada have been free to all students regardless of eligibility of free and reduced status.

Carson City’s First Presbyterian hires new pastor

First Presbyterian Church welcomed Ian Hodge, 41, as its permanent senior pastor with an installation service.

Carson school district reduces deficit in forecast

The projected deficit that had expected to be $1.1 million two weeks ago is down to about $950,000 because of savings from the early retirement program.

Mom of teen killed crossing street wants lower speed limit

Katherine Rodriguez, mother of 14-year-old Lexi Rodriguez who died Jan. 28 at North Carson Street and Nye Lane, has requested a speed limit reduction along North Carson Street.

Women of Distinction encourage next generation to rise

Ten local women were deemed the best among the best of Carson City.

CTE pathway changes from 3 to 2 years

The entire pathway has changed from a three-year experience for students to two years.

Mound House residents join traffic safety discussion

The Citizen Advisory Board drew a record turnout of about 100 residents seeking updates on traffic and pedestrian safety along the U.S. 50 and East Carson Street corridor.

Demographics spur new approaches at CHS, trustees told

In 2015, student demographics were 70% white students and 25% Hispanic. Today, the student body is about 53% Hispanic, some of whom are first-generation AP students.

Grief counselors available to Carson High students

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and Carson City School District on Monday confirmed a Carson High School student died this weekend.

Lyon schools begin installing new safety cameras

Lyon County schools have begun moving forward with surveillance system upgrades and adding cameras to help cover blind spots.

Early school budget shows $2.8M revenue increase, enrollment drop

Spencer Winward, CCSD chief financial officer, said projections for FY25 bring a revenue increase of $2.8 million even as student enrollment declines loom.

CHS restrooms, chem labs among priority projects

Carson High School students returning in August will find remodeled restrooms and chemistry labs.

Cortez Masto discusses improving mental health care

The Democrat met with local mental health advocates working on the frontlines to learn how to widen the gateway between funding and crisis care services.

WNC partnership seeks to boost training services

A new partnership between SkillUp Coalition, Mark IV Capital and Western Nevada College to connect employers and employees in Northern Nevada’s workforce will work with Fernley’s Victory Logistics District.

Carson schools, Boys and Girls Club work on day care pact

The agreement gives priority enrollment to district staff members.

Carson City School District forecasts declining enrollment

Even with new construction, the city is not seeing the number of students the Carson City School District expects.

‘Full of life:’ Carson High’s Rodriguez celebrated Saturday

Family members and community members remembered Carson High School freshman Lexi Paige Rodriguez for her sweet spirit and her generosity at her celebration of life Saturday at Fitzhenry’s Funeral Home. Most who attended wore shades of pink and grieved for Rodriguez, 14. Rodriguez was struck and killed by a vehicle while crossing North Carson Street at Nye Lane at 5:40 p.m. Jan. 28

EDAWN meeting: Everyone’s ‘all in’ for Northern Nevada

EDAWN President and CEO Taylor Adams and Brian Gordon, principal of Las-Vegas based economic research firm Applied Analysis, discussed the region’s gains in the past year.

WNC partnership seeks to boost training services

A new partnership between SkillUp Coalition, Mark IV Capital and Western Nevada College to connect employers and employees in Northern Nevada’s workforce will work with Fernley’s Victory Logistics District.

Bagwell pushing students to attend school

Mayor Lori Bagwell wanted to let students and the community know it’s important for kids to go to school every day.

Eagle Valley MS first at LEGO Robotics competition

The school’s robotics team was chosen to compete at the FIRST LEGO League World Festival in Houston from April 17 to 20.

CHS' Miracle Minute fundraiser supports Rodriguez family

Lexi Rodriguez died Jan. 28 after she was struck by a car at the intersection of North Carson Street and Nye Lane.

Fritsch's ASL club supports student friendship, learning in new language

Arlo Gelsone, 7, has sparked an interest among his Fritsch friends to learn American sign language to adapt to his needs as a deaf student.

CCSD shares with Ebert need for improved accountability, resources

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert visited the Carson City School District on Feb. 2.

Carson High staff duct taped in fundraiser

Principal Dan Carstens, Vice Principal Sue Moulden and Math Department Chair and teacher Shanell Cavener were taped to walls by students who donated $1 each to provide a strip of tape.

CHS sophomore, next youth legislator, wants safe space for students

The Nevada Youth Legislature program gives high school students a voice in legislative and educational issues.

Nevada challenged to change narrative on trafficking

Multiple agencies gathered to recognize National Human Trafficking Prevention Day on Jan. 25.

Family, community remember Carson High freshman

Petition available on change.org to improve pedestrian safety

Lexi Rodriguez, 14, died Sunday after she was struck by a car at the intersection of North Carson Street and Nye Lane.

WNC working to address solutions with EMS program

Concerns from students about Western Nevada College’s Emergency Medical Services program have prompted conversations about completing their licensing.

Carson City School Board approves retirement incentive

The item was tabled Jan. 9 after the board sought more information about whether employees could provide notification whether they were retiring or resigning to qualify for the incentive.

Ribbon-cutting for FISH housing project a ‘God thing’

Carson City officials celebrated the realization of Friends in Service Helping’s student housing project with a ribbon-cutting.

State discussion focuses on teen mental wellness

Representatives met for Hope Means Nevada’s third statewide youth mental health discussion on the challenges in eliminating teen suicide.

Schools' parent survey covers event, engagement needs

Families would like to see the district improve transportation or scheduling for events, communication and student safety.

State board explores options for school start times

Conversation resumed about the high school start time draft regulation during the Nevada State Board of Education’s first meeting of the year Jan. 10.

School board tables discussion on retirement incentive

Superintendent Andrew Feuling and Associate Superintendent of Human Resources Dan Sadler presented the incentive plan with a fiscal impact not to exceed $40,000 this fiscal year.

Carson City School District looks to be ready ‘before a bad day’

More than 100 Carson City School District employees took part in their first reunification drill Monday in Fuji Hall. They set up stations, established communications systems and filled out paperwork to connect parents with students after a hypothetical active-shooter scenario impacting a school campus.

Smart Start preschool to provide access to day care

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada celebrated the grand opening of its first Smart Start preschool center Monday before beginning operations on Tuesday.

MTSS Tier Three: ‘Organized disorganization’ earns Fritsch distinction for implementation

The Carson City School District is seeing more of its schools adapt to the Multi-Tiered System of Support.

Furlong asks AG to add vaping to compliance checks

Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said his office is making a request with the Nevada Attorney General’s Office to include vaping and tobacco products businesses shouldn’t be selling to minors in future stings.

LCSD to add, upgrade outdated cameras after safety discussions

“There is still additional need for cameras as campuses grow and kids realize where the blind spots are."

MTSS: Fair, predictable step up at Eagle Valley

Eagle Valley promotes a system of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

Carson City to see windy, snowy weather Saturday

Region to expect up to an inch of snow Saturday.

MTSS: System helps build Empire of consistency

Success at Empire Elementary School is all about reinforcing a positive behavior instead of emphasizing to a student what they did wrong, Vice Principal Nathan Brigham said.

MTSS: Schools learn at own pace to produce best student outcomes

The Carson City School District has encouraged practices of the Multi-Tiered System of Support.

Lyon County approves Dayton traffic signal application

The Traditions development in Dayton has planned for more than 500 homes along with commercial development.

LEGO qualifier an arena of moving parts for students, volunteers

More than 400 students representing 31 teams from Northern Nevada gathered at Eagle Valley Middle School on Dec. 6.

Board: Feuling ‘very satisfactory’ as Carson superintendent

The board noted his community presence, willingness to advocate for student achievement, and continued efforts for more school funding during his performance review.

Lyon County school board OKs superintendent pact

The first year salary of the five-year contract was set at $225,000.

Mound House center funds taken for Fernley courthouse

The Lyon County Commission on Dec. 7 voted to reduce $300,000 in designated American Rescue Plan Act funding to $50,000 for the Mound House Community Center remodeling project.

School district sees $1.97M drop in general fund revenue

At year’s end, the school district has an opportunity to amend the budget it approves in June and make final changes.