enrollment

Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School kindergarten signups start in January

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS) has started taking names for the Fall '21 roster of kindergarteners. If you have a child that will be turning five on or before Sept 1, 2021 and want to fill an open seat at LTESMS, please email the "Kindergarten Enrollment Request Form" found on the school's website to mtruszewski@ltusd.org between Jan 4 and March 26, 2021.

Need health insurance? Virtual services have your enrollment covered

State health insurance exchanges, like Covered California and Nevada Health Link, are now in open enrollment - the time when we can sign up for coverage for the year ahead. It’s always a good idea to make sure you and your family have health insurance, and with the current surge of COVID-19, you don’t want to be uncovered. Luckily, there are many options for families and individuals to enroll virtually, including free, bi-lingual enrollment services offered here in our community.

LTUSD - Tuesday meeting to discuss leadership restructure, back to school progress, enrollment

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be a meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Board of Trustees on Tuesday, October 27 starting with a closed session at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be help remotely and to watch, visit link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88330453346?pwd=RUJhdXgwaGtuMXZXNGVLdm4xRDV4UT09.

Zephyr Cove Elementary and Whittell High schools seek donations for reopening

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - The Zephyr Cove Elementary Parents Club and Whittell Boosters are reaching out to the community for support in the safe reopening of the two Douglas County Lake Schools on August 31.

Both of the schools will begin the 2020/2021 school year on Aug 31 with in person, daily instruction utilizing social distancing and other safety protocols.

Local youth ages 5-19 can participate in 4-H virtual projects

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Head, Heart, Hands, Health. The 4-H Youth Development Program offers many fun and educational activities for its members and it is now available for youth in the South Lake Tahoe area.

Douglas County School District reopening plans approved by board

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - School districts across the country are working on how to safely open for the fall term. Some are going completely digital, some are electing to have in-person classes, and other are considering a hybrid of both types of learning. Besides guidelines from states, districts have to consider further guidelines from local health officials as they create a plan.

Douglas County Recreation opens up their Lake Tahoe Youth Day Camp

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In response to Governor Sisolak’s announcement of the State entering Phase 2 of COVID-19 recovery, Douglas County Community Services has announced the reopening of child care programming, Lake Day Camp, at Kahle Community Center starting on Tuesday June 23, 2020.

Procedures will be implemented at the Kahle Community Center as outlined below based on Directive 21 – Roadmap to Recovery for Nevada for Phase 2.

Safety Guidelines for entering the Kahle Community Center building include:

Registration open for South Lake Tahoe kindergarten and pre-kindergarten

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Even though schools are not currently open, registration is underway for kindergarten and Transitional kindergarten in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD).

To be eligible for kindergarten enrollment a child must be five years of age on or before September 1, 2020. If the child will be five years of age between September 1, 2020, and December 2, 2020, they qualify for Transitional Kindergarten (TK); a two-year Kindergarten program located at Tahoe Valley Elementary School.

LTUSD is also offering an Early Entry TK program for students born between

Douglas County Sheriff's Office promotes Autism Recognition Alert Program

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is displaying magnets on their patrol cars for the month of April as well as sporting a newly wrapped vehicle with vinyl decals to increasing awareness throughout the community surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder.

For the first time, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has wrapped a car with blue puzzle pieces as an inviting way for children and adults with autism to meet police officers in a casual setting.

Opinion: The future is electric!

The ultimate mission of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) is to help youth thrive. Sadly, it is our students - not we, adult, decision-makers - who will most suffer climate change. LTUSD must also support the future health and well-being of our students.

So, in 2017, the School Board formally resolved to:

Increase reliance on clean, renewable energy sources to power the District’s facilities, in line with and in collaboration with, the City of South Lake Tahoe’s recent pledge to power 100 percent of our electricity use with renewable energy by 2030.

Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School kindergarten applications now being accepted

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The calendar may say January but its not too early to start planning for the 2020-21 school year if your kindergarten-age child would like to attend the Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School (LTESMS).

The school has started taking names for the Fall ‘20 “line-up” of kindergartners.

South Lake Tahoe Community Health Fair Thursday

Event Date: 
October 17, 2019 - 3:30pm

The public is invited to a Community Health Fair in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday, October 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Bijou Community School;s multi-purpose room. Get free or reduced services including flu shots and free dinner from Tacos Por Favor.

El Dorado County will be offering their low-cost flu shots - $10 for everyone six months and older, but they won’t turn anyone away that can’t pay.

Free services include:

- Primary care will be there conducting blood pressure, temperatures, and pulse oximetry
- Covered CA enrollment counselors
- CPR training

Douglas County superintendent updates Lake Tahoe families about their schools

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - With a change of leadership at George Whittel High School and Zephyr Cove Elementary many rumors have been circulating around the district. Douglas County School District Superintendent Teri White has supplied a list of facts to give kids and parents an update on their schools.

Is the District closing ZCES or GWHS?
No. The District has no plans to close either school at this time.

Who is the principal of our school?

Whittell HIgh School and Zephyr Cove Elementary get new principal

ZEPHYR COVE, Nev. - Both Douglas County schools at Lake Tahoe are going to start off the new school year with a new principal, Shawn Lear.

During Tuesday's school board meeting, Lear's hiring appeared on their consent agenda. It was approved, making him the principal of both Zephyr Cove Elementary School and George Whittell High School in Zephyr Cove.

LTUSD Superintendent Dr. Jim Tarwater announces retirement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has announced he'll retire in one year.

Dr. Tarwater has been with LTUSD since 2005.

During their last meeting on June 11, the Board concluded its annual evaluation of Dr. Tarwater's performance. Though details of that evaluation are not available, they extended his contract one extra year until 2022 until they were notified of his notice of retirement.

At their June 25 meeting, the Board is scheduled to accept his retirement.

Viking Corner: This Week at South Tahoe High

It’s graduation day at South Tahoe High School, the weather finally turned, and the school’s principal is looking forward to next year.

Graduation
Seniors end their high school journey today at 4 p.m. on the Viking Football Field at STHS. But new adventures await the graduates.

Shyrra Javier is most excited about exploring the world and starting a new chapter in her life. She learned to stay focused in high school.

LTUSD told to take a "pause" on spending and plan on major budget cuts

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District received a message last night: Take a pause and don't spend any more money until the two-year budget can be completed. The budget must include major cuts in expenses.

South Lake Tahoe teachers and school district reach a tentative agreement

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) has reached a tentative agreement with the South Tahoe Educator's Association (STEA).

The two groups have been in mediation to resolve an impasse with this year's contract negotiations. Teachers filled the LTUSD Board meeting earlier this year to plead their case. The agreement still needs to go to them for ratification and adoption.

The terms of the tentative agreement are as follows:

LTCC receives grant to expand College Promise program

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The free college program at Lake Tahoe Community College, the College Promise, was just awarded a $150,000 grant to enhance and expand the program. They were just one of three community colleges in the state to receive the grant.

Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Promise program provides a free year of tuition for first-time, full-time students. With this grant award, LTCC can further enhance the program, adding free services and extra support to improve Promise student success.

LTUSD and LTCC to hold joint board meeting Tuesday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The annual joint board meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Lake Tahoe Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) will be held on Tuesday, March 26, starting at 5:00 p.m. in the LTCC Board Room L104.

The agenda will include updates on items that affect both groups:

Teachers fill LTUSD board room to ask for pay increases

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Dozens of school teachers in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) filled the board room in South Lake Tahoe last Tuesday to show trustees they want a cost of living increase to their pay.

Jodi Dayberry, President of the South Tahoe Educators Association, led the teachers in their presentation to the LTUSD Board of Trustees, telling the five elected members teachers are struggling due to the high cost of living and many have second jobs and summer jobs to fill their financial void.

Bijou Community School taking steps to become 100% two-way immersion

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It's been twelve years since Bijou Community School in South Lake Tahoe started offering two-way immersion classes where students become bilingual and learn Spanish and English in their daily work.

Kindergarten registration dates set for South Lake Tahoe children

This story has been updated:

Registration for kindergarten students in Lake Tahoe Unified School District for the 2019/20 school year will be held April 29-May 10, 2019 for Tahoe Valley and Sierra House elementary schools. For those enrolling in the Two-Way Immersion program at Bijou and wanting to enter the lottery for enrollment at Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet School, the deadline is March 22.

Concerns over growing nationwide Social Security scam

A scam to get social security numbers from unsuspecting residents is growing exponentially and losses of $10 million were reported in the last year.

Separating the myths from the facts about health insurance

Signing up for a health insurance plan can be daunting and time consuming. As a Certified Enrollment Counselor, my job is to make it easier for South Lake Tahoe families and individuals to navigate Covered California and enroll in a health care plan.

With all the talk the about health care, I have heard rumblings and rumors about what is happening with the Affordable Care Act and what is changing with insurance. Get informed! Make a free one-on-one appointment with me or one my fellow enrollment counselors, have your questions answered, and get enrolled for 2019.

State schools chief visits California's smallest district - Alpine County

California's State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson is wrapping up his final term by touring some of the state's schools.

In just a few days he went from visiting a school in Los Angeles with an enrollment of 4,000 to touring Alpine County Schools and the Diamond Valley Elementary School campus, in particular, which has 80 students from kindergarten through eighth grade.

“It is a small school in numbers but mighty in its focus and learning,” said Torlakson in Alpine County on Sept. 20.

"Angel of Tahoe" donates $3M to Boys and GIrls Club for new building

The "Angel of Tahoe" has struck again, this time with a $3,000,000 check for the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT).

On Friday, August 24, 2018, Lisa "The Angel of Tahoe" Maloff stopped by the club in South Lake Tahoe to not only present the check, but to have fun at the annual end-of-summer party she hosts.

Over 200 current, past and future club members enjoyed a marionette puppet show, the largest bounce houses in local memory, face painting, lunch, ice pops and special angel-shaped cookies by Squishiebaby Sweets in honor of Lisa and all she does for the community.

It's back to school for South Shore students

It's back to school from youth at the south end of Lake Tahoe on Monday, August 27. Both Lake Tahoe Unified School Distrist and Douglas County School District open their doors and welcome back students for the 2018/19 school year.

All school offices are open and available to help with registration and scheduling needs and to pick up schedules.

El Dorado County foster youth receive gift of laptops

Ten El Dorado County area foster youth were all smiles last Saturday, August 18, 2018, when they received the generous gift of technology -- their very own new laptops. The laptops were given to the youth during a small gathering at the El Dorado County Office of Education in Placerville.

LTCC hire new Vice President of Student Services

The Board of Trustees of the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) District is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Jonathan King as the college’s new Vice President of Student Services beginning August 6. Dr. King is currently the Dean of Counseling and Student Support Programs at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, CA, where he has served since January 2015.

New president for Western Nevada College

Dr. Vincent R. Solis is the newest leader at Western Nevada College (WNC), taking the helm as president on July 2, 2018.

Solis is new to Nevada, having come from his latest position as enior vice president of Academic and Student Services at Laredo Community College in Laredo, Texas. Prior to the beginning of the fall term, Solis will be getting to know the college, faculty, staff and community.

Kudos: Bread & Broth thanks LTCC and ADVANCE

“Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is committed to serving our community and it was an honor to be able to be a part of Bread & Broth,” commented Michelle Sower, Dean of Instruction at the college in South Lake Tahoe. Michelle was a sponsor crew member from LTCC at the ADVANCE Adult Education Adopt A Day dinner on May 21. LTCC’s new ADVANCE program is geared to provide free training for adults, who are interested in improving their job skills and looking to advance in their careers, and is just an extension of the many ways the college is providing support to our local community members.

Nevadans can lock in lower prepaid tuition rates until 4/30

Open enrollment for the Nevada Prepaid Tuition program will end on Monday, April 30, 2018 and the Nevada State Treasurer's Office wants to remind parents to enroll in the program before the state's college rates are increased.

This is a chance for parents to lock in current tuition rates.

Dual enrollment, calendar changes and free tuition focus of LTCC-LTUSD meeitng

The annual joint board meeting with the Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) and Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) to discuss common goal strategies was held Tuesday, will innovative programs and successes highlighted.

Guest Columnist: How to Avoid Medicare “Gaps”

Medicare helps to pay for a wide variety of health services, from flu shots to hospital stays, and from preventive health screenings to hospice care.

But it doesn’t cover everything. And it doesn’t cover all your out-of-pocket costs.

Many services covered by Medicare require co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You can purchase supplemental insurance to cover these “gaps” in Medicare.

Such coverage is called Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap. Some Medigap policies also cover certain benefits that Medicare doesn’t, like emergency care in a foreign country.

Special wildland firefighter course at LTCC

A comprehensive one-week long course, Wildland Fire Safety and Hand Crew Operations, Basic Wildland Firefighter, will be held March 19-24, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. daily at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC).

Instructor Keegan Schafer will instruct students on the safety aspects of fighting wildland fires and the methods, procedures and responsibilities of firefighters. The course includes instruction in specialized equipment, physical fitness, fire behavior and suppression, human factors and general fireline construction.

Kingsbury Middle School in escrow, sold for $3.75 million

Kingsbury Middle School has a buyer, again. An offer of full asking price, $3.75 million, was made on the school during Tuesday's Douglas County School District board meeting and approved by the trustees.

Opinion: Future costs of college and how to plan for it

As a parent, you may be concerned about how to pay for your child’s future higher education expenses. You want what’s best for your child and to help them fulfill their dream of becoming whatever they want to be. However, as we all know, the cost of college is getting more expensive each year. By the time your children are ready for college, it may be even more expensive than you thought.

Boys & Girls Club proposes idea of new home to LTUSD

What is currently six portable buildings at the Al Tahoe school site could be a new home for the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT). That is the idea Jude Wood presented to the school board Tuesday night.

Wood, the BGCLT Executive Director, spoke in front of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District's Trustees, giving them a look into a proposed partnership and future facility use agreement with the District with a new Clubhouse built on District owned property. The Club would fully fund the new building.

Myths and facts about your health insurance

Signing up for a health insurance plan can be daunting and time consuming. As a Certified Enrollment Counselor, my job is to make it easier for South Lake Tahoe families and individuals to navigate Covered California and enroll in a health care plan.

With all the talk the about health care, I have heard rumblings and rumors about what is happening with the Affordable Care Act and what is changing with insurance. Get informed! Make a free one-on-one appointment with me or one my fellow enrollment counselors, have your questions answered, and get enrolled for 2018.

Public workshops for Medicare open enrollment and 2018 updates

Event Date: 
October 31, 2017 - 1:00pm

Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7, 2017. This enrollment period is one of the few times Medicare beneficiaries can change, enroll into or dis-enroll from, a Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO). Changes to plans are effective January 1, 2018.

Revived interest in sale of Kingsbury Middle School

Since escrow on Kingsbury Middle School fell through over a year ago, the school has remained vacant and unlisted at an annual cost of $45,000. Now the Douglas County School District is considering putting the property up for sale once again.

LTCC vision: To be California's premier destination community college

As the world changes around South Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) is evolving to meet the new demands of education and the student body. As there is a decline in community college enrollment across the country, LTCC is being creative in recruitment of students to the campus and investing in not only the environment, but in removing barriers many have in getting a secondary education.

That was the message during Lake Tahoe Community College President Jeff DeFranco's first State of the College Address on Thursday.

National Night Out - Staying safe at home, work and play

Every year, on the first Tuesday in August, nearly 40 million people in 16,000 communities across the United States turn out to celebrate National Night Out. The event was first hosted in 1984 as a way to bring communities together and promote stronger ties between citizens and the law enforcement personnel who serve them. Communities are at their best when neighbors feel a common bond and a sense of community not only among themselves but also with their local public servants, and National Night Out is a fun and enjoyable way to foster those important ties.

Sale of Kingsbury Middle School is focus of special school board meeting

A special meeting of the Douglas County School Board will be held on Monday, July 24 at 4:30 p.m. to discuss, review and vote on one of two options surrounding the sale of Kingsbury Middle School.

The district closed the school during the 2008-2009 school year due to declining enrollment. Zephyr Cove Elementary School and Whittell High School adjusted the grades the serve to absorb the middle school students. The district put the school building and property on the market in 2012 and it has now been vacant for over eight years.

Guest Columnist: Hoping for a bipartisan solution to health care

The Republican Party’s decision on March 24 to pull the vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was met with disappointment and relief. While backers of the newly proposed legislation were disappointed that they could not find sufficient support, residents who depend on the Affordable Care Act’s medical protections and insurance options felt relief. Hope continues for a broad bipartisan approach to change this complex legislation resulting in improved coverage balanced with affordability for our citizens.

South Tahoe High well on way to keeping accreditation

South Tahoe High School is still an accredited school. That was the message given during Tuesday's meeting of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees as staff updated them on their ongoing efforts to hit the targets set for the next visit by Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) in March of 2018.

Several parents have voiced their concerns that students aren't getting in the colleges of their choice due to the school's status.

LTUSD and LTCC dual enrollment gives high school students college credits

A collaboration between the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and Lake Tahoe Community College District (LTCC) will soon make it possible for South Tahoe High School (STHS) students to graduate with an AA degree at the same time they get their diploma.

It all starts with an expansion to the three current dual enrollment classes this fall.

By taking these classes, STHS students receive both high school and college credit for successfully passing designated courses, at no cost, possibly saving families tens of thousands of dollars for two years of college.

LTCC and LTUSD hold joint board meeting to discuss local education

Event Date: 
March 28, 2017 - 6:00pm

The annual joint board meeting with the Lake Tahoe Community College and Lake Tahoe Unified School District to discuss common goal strategies will be held on Tuesday, March 28 in the LTCC board room, L104, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

LTUSD will start off the evening with a closed session at the Education Center Board Room at 5:00 p.m. before moving over to the college. They will then reconvene their open session back at the Education Center Board Room at 7:30 p.m.

LTUSD provides assurance of education for all students, no matter immigration status

Even though the United States Supreme Court declared in 1982 that local school districts have a constitutional mandate to educate all students residing within their jurisdictional boundaries, regardless of their immigration status, actions of President Trump have caused concern among the Latino population of South Lake Tahoe and many other communities.

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