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Back To School!
This page is intended to serve as a helpful guide for families in Washoe County to prepare for the 2023-24 school year. New information will be added daily as we count down the days to Aug. 14, the first day of schools for most students in WCSD.Have a question about the upcoming school year or a topic you want us to cover here? Email us at WCSD_Communications@WashoeSchools.net and we'll do our best to get you an answer!
Coming this year: Canvas, a new learning managment system
(Aug. 9)
What is Canvas?Canvas is an online learning management system (LMS) that teachers use to share online course learning materials, assignments and grades. Under this program students can submit assignments and access classroom materials. This is the same system that higher learning institutions, such as TMCC and UNR use for students to manage their classes. Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, high school teacher and students will be using Canvas instead of Microsoft Teams.
Why is the district changing Teams with Canvas?Canvas is a learning management system and is easier for students to use for classwork. Canvas is also the same program that many colleges and universities use for their students; therefore, students will be better prepared for class management in higher education.
How do students access Canvas?Option 1: Go to https://washoe.instructure.com/ and use their district login (same one they use for logging in to computers at school or Office.com).
Option 2: Login to Clever and find Canvas app.
Option 3: Add the Canvas Student app to their personal phone/tablet.Note: Once you have installed the app, you will be asked to add your institution. If you search "Washoe" -- nothing pops up. However, if you press enter anyways, it will take you to the appropriate login.
Is there a student orientation for Canvas?Yes, all students can participate in the “Passport to Canvas” self-paced course and/or search their question in the Student Guides found on the Help tab in Canvas.
How do families access Canvas?Separate access for families is not yet enabled. The district is looking into the most secure option for opening this up. In the meantime, families will need to have their student login to Canvas to view their work. Grades for assignments can also be viewed in Infinite Campus as usual.
Who do I contact if I have trouble accessing Canvas?Users should use the Canvas Help menu found on the app. For students there is a Canvas Troubleshooting Guide with the most common issues which provides technical assistance.
WCSD offers free mental health supports to students, families and staff, 24/7
(Aug. 7)
The Washoe County School District believes in the value and important of positive mental and emotional health. Emotional and mental health play a vital part in each person's life and has an impact on their thoughts, behaviors and emotions.
WCSD has partnered with Care Solace to provide mental health support and services to all staff and students -- and their families -- in the district. Getting help can be a daunting process but Care Solace can help you get the support you need for depression, anxiety, stress, substance issues and more.
Students, staff and families can get started at any time by visiting the Care Solace website at https://www.caresolace.com/site/washoe.
What are the benefits of Care Solace?
- Care Solace finds available providers matched to specific needs – because every person deserves access to care.
- Completely confidential and free to use, provided to you by Washoe County School District.
- Provides easy access to providers that accept public or private insurance or offer sliding scale options.
- Offers 24/7/365 support, including holidays and weekends, in over 200+ languages so you can reach out at your convenience.
- Saves you valuable time and effort to find providers matched to your needs.
- Connects you to community-based providers, none of which pay to be in our verified database.
Free meals are back for the 2023-24 school year!
(Aug. 4)
All Washoe County School District students will receive free meals again for the 2023-2024 school year!
However, all families are encouraged to fill out meal applications. Those appplications not only help to ensure that WCSD receives proper funding to support our
students but families can also receive additional benefits like assistance with WiFi and SAT/ACT test fees. The meal applications are available here.Our Nutrition Services team is proud to support nutrition and wellness by serving high-quality, nourishing and balanced meals that meet or exceed federal and state nutrition guidelines. This includes:
- Low and non-fat dairy options such as low-fat & nonfat milk
- Lean protein choices
- Several daily options for fruit & vegetables
- Increased fiber from whole grain products & legumes
- 100% juice and bottled water
- Reduced-sodium foods
- Grains with more than 50% whole grain ingredients
We will continue to promote and expand the availability of complete and nutritious meals to ensure students are fully prepared to have a productive school day.
Menus are available -- check out the the Nutrition Services webpage for more info. For additional information about menu nutrition, please contact Nutrition Services at (775) 325-8410.
Leadership Summit!
(Aug. 3)
Transportation: Bus schedules are here! And don't forget these important tips to keep everyone safe in and around school buses.
(Aug. 2)
Did you know that the Washoe County School District operates a fleet of nearly 360 school buses? In less than two weeks, those buses will be in full service as the first day of school is coming soon on Aug. 14!
Bus schedules for the 2023-24 are already published. If your child is eligible to ride a school bus, you can check out our bus schedule page to get more information on your child's bus and route now.
Your child should arrive at their bus stop five minutes before the scheduled stop. If a bus is delayed, please call our dispatch office at (775) 337-7769.If you have any questions about our transportation system, please check out our FAQs.Nearly every school the district sees at least one school bus daily during the school year. Here are some helpful tips to help keep students, our drivers and you safe:
- Be cautious and mindful of speed in school zones and around school bus stops.
- Stop when approaching a bus with its red loading lights on and stop signs deployed.
- Make sure your students are aware of the safe walking paths to and from school or the bus stop. Make sure your students know which bus to ride and where they should be getting on and off of the bus.
Also, we are hiring! We are looking for bus drivers and Pupil Transportation Assistants. Bus drivers start at $23.16 per hour with paid CDL training, paid medical benefits, State of Nevada PERS retirement and more.
Clinics offered to help families meet immunization requirements for the upcoming school year
(Aug. 1)
The Washoe County School District's Back to School Expo on Aug. 12 will offer vaccines for children ahead of the upcoming school year!
WCSD along with partners at the Washoe County Health District, Community Health Alliance and Immunize Nevada will provide free or low-cost vaccinations at the event on Aug 12, and again at another clinic on Aug. 19.
Insurance is not required and those who are uninsured will not be turned away. If you have insurance, including Medicaid and Nevada Checkup, please bring your insurance card along with any immunization records.
Appointments can be made online and, though not required, are highly encouraged!
You can learn more about State of Nevada immunization requirements on our Student Health Services website.
The countdown to the start of the 2023-24 school year in the WCSD is on!
(July 31, 2023)
We're just two weeks again from the start of the school year for most students in the Washoe County School District (All Kindergarten students, as well as student in Gerlach and Incline Village, will start school on Aug. 21).
It's not too late to enroll your child in school for the upcoming year. In fact, the sooner you do so (even now, just two weeks from the first day), is quite helpful for our schools in planning for the year.
Want to register your child and not sure where to start? Go to this link: WashoeSchools.net/EnrollToday, and get started!
Not sure for which school your child is zoned? Check out our school zone map and enter your address!
Want to learn about our schools and what they have to offer? Browse our school directory!
You can find even more information in the list of links below.
