Senator Square: New Nevada truancy law tied to driver's licenses take effect

The following statement taken from the Carson High School website: On Jan. 1, 2015 a new state law takes effect for student drivers under the age of 18. Students looking forward to the privilege of driving in the State of Nevada are expected to attend school at least 90 percent of the time and not be considered a “Habitual Truant.”

In 2013, state legislators linked school attendance with student academic success and Senate Bill 269 was passed. This new law requires every student younger than 18 years of age to submit an Attendance Verification form to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles from their school principal when applying for a learner’s permit or a driver’s license. The Attendance Verification form is available at each of the District’s high schools. A copy is also included here for your review.

The District will work closely with the DMV, parents, and students to help implement this new law correctly, fairly, and within the law. This includes filling out the necessary paperwork for the DMV and asking the Sheriff’s Resource Officer to confiscate licenses from students on campus who do not meet the necessary attendance criteria. It is hoped that none of our students will lose their ability to drive due to poor school attendance. Driving is a privilege and responsible students will be rewarded for their actions. Just remember that if students are tempted to “ditch school” for whatever reason, they just might be “ditching” their license too. More information connecting student driving requirements to school attendance can be found in the Nevada Driver’s Handbook from the DMV by clicking here.

CHS Theater Performance
Carson High Performing Arts presents the powerful drama All My Sons by Arthur Miller (author of The Crucible and Death of a Salesman). In true Arthur Miller form, this show explores themes of relationships between parent and child, blame, idealism, denial, legacy, and the American dream. This is the story of a family that must confront the past in the course of one day. Performances are on the following dates and times: January 22 – 24 at 7:00pm
and January 24 at 2:00 PM. All performances take place in the Bob Boldrick Theatre in the Carson City Community Center. Tickets are available at the door.

NHS News
National Honor Society is hosting its winter blood drive. It will take place on Feb. 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the library. Anybody who is 16 years of age and in good health can donate. Online signups are available at bloodhero.com, code word is Senators. Every person who donates gets a free cholesterol test. Free refreshments will be available. Find the hero in you and save three lives. Community members are encouraged to support such a worthy cause.

National Honor Society members decided to accept a Cool School Challenge and participate in a Polar Plunge event at Lake Tahoe. It is the biggest fundraiser to support the athletes of Special Olympics. The plunge will take place at Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe on March 21. This year's theme is “tropical.” Plungers are encouraged to dress up in fun "island theme" costumes but it is not required. Any student can participate.

To register go to ipolarplunge.com - register - South Lake Tahoe - Join the Team - Carson High Hula Party. Every plunger needs to raise $25 in order to participate. It is an exciting event and helps to make a difference in lives of athletes with special needs. You can support Carson High School Team by sponsoring a CHS plunger! For more information contact Elena Glenn at eglenn@carson.k12.nv.us.

Safe Grad 5K
Please join us on February 7th at 10:00 AM for the fifth annual Carson High School Safe Grad - Safe & Sober 5K Run/Walk. This event is organized by volunteers of the Safe Grad Committee and will be held, once again, at the CHS Track/Field.  Carson High Safe Grad program has been an annual tradition in Carson City since 1988. It provides our graduating seniors with a safe and sober, all night celebration on the evening of their graduation, followed by an optional trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom amusement park in Northern California. This event has been a tremendous success in that not one graduation night fatality for a CHS graduate has occurred since its inception. You can register for the race at www.race360.com or at Q’s BBQ on February 5th from 5 to 8pm. Late registration will also be available the day of the race.  We will also have a raffle the day of the race with a grand prize of 4 1-day Disneyland Park Hoppers and several other, fantastic local prizes. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Student of the Week
This week's student of the week is Diana Gurrola. Diana is a Senior at Carson High. She participates in the ROTC program as well as in theatre arts, preforming in this year's production of The House of Bernarda Alba. Diana always comes to class prepared and ready to learn. She finishes every task that she is given and is always willing to help others who need it. You rock Diana! 

Senior Spotlight
This week’s senior spotlight is on Kyle Kunz. Kyle has challenged himself academically by taking numerous honors and AP classes, while at the same time attaining a weighted grade point average of 4.14.
Kyle has been active in Leadership since sophomore year and is currently student body vice president. You may spot Kyle at many of our school events, taking pictures and documenting activities in his role as VP.

Kyle also served as the student body public relations officer in his junior year and was sophomore class vice president.

Kyle has been on the varsity tennis team since sophomore year and has made it to regionals the last two years in doubles. His good grades helped them win Team Academic State Champs for having the highest team GPA. Kyle also keeps busy with volunteer and committee duties, putting in hours at his part time job as a food and beverage intern, contributing to Carson Now, spending time with friends and playing computer games. One of his goals is to learn how to rope cattle.

Kyle will be attending the University of Iowa next year and plans to major in environmental science. Eventually he’d like to attend a fire academy and become a firefighter. Carson High is proud of the contributions Kyle has made to our school. We wish him the best of luck.

— Angila Golik is a government teacher at CHS and a member of Senator Pride.