school district

Most Lake Tahoe area schools are closed, LTCC open

It is a snow day for most Lake Tahoe area schools.

A list of closures:

Lake Tahoe Unified Schools are closed
All Washoe County Schools are closed
Zephyr Cove Elementary is closed
Schools in the Tahoe Truckee School District are closed
Pollock Pines Elementary School District schools are closed
All Truckee Meadows Community College campuses are closed

Lake Tahoe Community College is open. For any additional updates students are staff are asked to check their social media pages.

Juvenile arrested after allegedly making threats at South Tahoe Middle School

A South Tahoe Middle School student was arrested after allegedly making threats to bring a gun to the school's dance Friday night and harm students.

Officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) made contact with the young man at his home. The residence was searched and at this time it is believed that he did not have access to any firearms.

Due to the nature of the threats, and the number of other students who were placed in fear by them, the male juvenile was arrested and booked into the El Dorado County Juvenile Treatment Center on Criminal Threats, a felony.

Meyers traffic plan has some success after first weekend

If you drive through Meyers on a Sunday you've most likely come across gridlock traffic through the neighborhoods as vehicles trying to head west after their South Lake Tahoe weekend look for the quickest route, courtesy of smart phone apps.

El Dorado County Supervisor Sue Novasel held a Town Hall meeting on February 28, providing a forum for residents, law enforcement and staff to discuss solutions. One suggestion that came out of that meeting was put into place on Sunday, March 4 and was fairly successful.

Lake Tahoe area schools closed Friday

Students around the Lake Tahoe basin are going to enjoy another Snow Day on Friday. The following closures are in place:

Lake Tahoe Unified: For the safety of our students and staff
All Schools Will be CLOSED today due to Road and Continuing Blizzard conditions.
All school activities are cancelled unless notified otherwise.

All Douglas County School District schools are CLOSED for today.

Incline Village schools are closed.

Lake Tahoe storm closes college and schools

The blizzard warnings in the Lake Tahoe basin have prompted school officials to close schools, or in the case of Douglas County, put them on late start.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District is on a Snow Day. All Schools Will be CLOSED today due to the Blizzard Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

LTUSD to adjust safety procedures in wake of recent school shootings

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - Since January 1, 2018 there have been 18 school shootings in the United States, 25 fatal school shootings since 1999's Columbine High School tragedy. With the deadly shooting February 14, 2018 at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, many communities are looking at their own schools and their safety procedures to help prevent a repeat of a tragic event.

What is commonplace at schools across the country are drills for "shelter in place" and for students to understand what to do, and not do, in case of an emergency.

Human trafficking: Awareness and education are key to ending it

Human Trafficking is the trade of humans for the purpose of forced labor, sexual slavery, or commercial sexual exploitation for the trafficker or others; a modern day form of slavery. It is a multi-billion dollar criminal industry that denies freedom to 20.9 million people around the world

And its happening outside our door.

Possible South Lake Tahoe ban on Styrofoam

The list of New York City; Takoma Park, Maryland; Seattle, Washington; Washington DC; Miami Beach, Florida; Freeport and Portland, Maine; Nantucket, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California could soon have South Lake Tahoe added as the 113th California city or county to ban polystyrene. Berkeley has had a ban in place since 1988, the first California city to do so.

Energy reignited for 'A Fighting Chance' child safety program in Lake Tahoe schools

Jaycee Lee Dugard was just 11 years old as she walked to the bus stop on the morning of June 10 in 1991 when she was abducted by two people. The Meyers and South Lake Tahoe community joined law enforcement in searching for the missing girls. As days turned into weeks, and then eventually years, parents searched for ways to teach their own children about safety and abduction.

VHR meeting postponed after over capacity crowd attends

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors meeting held in South Lake Tahoe had to come to an early end Thursday after a City fire official deemed the over 150 people crammed into the airport council chambers too many over the maximum occupancy of 112 to be safe.

Approximately 300 people filled the airport, all wanting a chance to participate in the County's discussion of amending their vacation home rental (VHR) ordinance. Those not in the council chambers filled the airport lobby.

Parent involvement and new focus key to WASC accreditation at South Tahoe High

When the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) didn't give South Tahoe High the results on their accreditation they wanted in 2016, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) and high school staff set on a path to change those results in 2018.

The high school was given a two-year probationary accreditation instead of the desired six year accreditation and they will be reevaluated this March when a new WASC team returns to South Tahoe High School (STHS).

LTUSD warns South Lake Tahoe residents of tutoring scam

Officials from the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) are warning residents that an individual or company is making phone calls and/or going to homes in our area and offering tutoring services.

The fake tutors are telling families that their child's school sent them. In return for the services they are asking for credit card numbers or cash.

According to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, a woman by the name of Marycarmen Estrada has contacted at least one local family to provide tutoring services.

Head lice make annual resurgence in South Lake Tahoe

As what is normal every winter, head lice have made an appearance in South Lake Tahoe schools, but there is no epidemic or increased numbers of cases seen locally.

Head lice are small insects that live in people’s hair and feed on their blood.
Lice glue their eggs, also called nits, to hair.

Children can give head lice to other children from head-to-head contact and sometimes when they share hats scarves, combs, clothing, hair accessories, headphones or other personal items.

92 local charities benefit from Vail Resort's Epic Promise grants

Ninety-two different nonprofits recently received cash or product donations from Vail Resorts through their EpicPromise grant program. The beneficiaries all serve communities around Northstar, Kirkwood Mountain and Heavenly Mountain resorts.

South Lake Tahoe Warm Room report card - A+; Volunteer training next week

The Tahoe Coalition for Homeless (TCH) made a presentation to the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) board members Tuesday, updating them on the Warm Room, and how things have gone since opening in their new home January 1, 2018.

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.

Donations from Vail Resorts CEO and his wife to focus on mental health issues

Mental Health issues in communities where they have operations will be the focus of a new charitable fund created by Vail's Chief Executive Officer Rob Katz and his wife, Elana Amsterdam.

Katz and Amsterdam created the new charitable fund in October 2017 with funding of approximately $58 million.

Record number of homeless Carson City kids shop during Holiday With a Hero

The 14th annual Holiday With a Hero campaign culminated Wednesday in Carson City at Walmart after months of fundraising. At least 240 homeless children from across the Carson City School District met with Santa Claus before being paired with first responder heroes for a Christmas shopping spree.

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless one step closer to opening Warm Room

After meeting with the City, Lake Tahoe Unified School District, police, neighbors and other interested parties, the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) is one step closer to opening a warm room for the winter in South Lake Tahoe and could be open by January 1, 2018.

Vail Resorts celebrates local community with Epic Promise awards

EpicPromise grants and donations were given away on Wednesday to dozens of non-profits who serve the communities around both Heavenly Mountain Resort and Kirkwood.

Grants and donations are given by Vail Resorts in all of the communities where they have operations and go to programs who serve youth or environmental initiatives.

This year's recipients:

Alpine County Unified School District
Alpine Watershed Group
American Youth Soccer Association #282
Austin's House
Barton Memorial Hospital Foundation (3)
Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe
Bread & Broth
CASA El Dorado

STHS math teacher on leave, investigation underway

South Tahoe High math and choir teacher Paul Kushner has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) pending an investigation into undisclosed allegations.

"The nature of the allegations, and the investigation process, are confidential," Shannon Chandler, Executive Assistant to the LTUSD Superintendent, told South Tahoe Now as she verified Kushner was placed on leave.

When asked about the circumstances, LTUSD Board President Barbara Bannar said she could not comment on personnel matters.

South Lake Tahoe featured in national report on 100% renewable energy commitments

Today, the Sierra Club released a new report showcasing 10 U.S. cities that have made ambitious commitments to be powered with 100 percent clean, renewable energy like wind and solar. View the report: https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/blog/RF100-CaseStudies_2017.pdf

This is the second annual case studies report from Ready For 100, a Sierra Club campaign launched in 2016 working in cities across the United States, including South Lake Tahoe, to accelerate a just and equitable transition to 100 percent clean energy.

Barton celebrates South Lake Tahoe non-profits and philanthropy

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Philanthropy and South Lake Tahoe non-profits were recently celebrated by the Barton Foundation as they honored their 2017 grant recipients in a luncheon at Riva Grill.

South Shore non-profits receive $51,000 from American Century Championship

American Century Championship continues to impact the South Shore of Lake Tahoe, even months after the annual tournament is over. Since its inception in 1990, the tournament has donated more than $4.5 million to local and national non-profits.

On Thursday, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and American Century Investments gave 30 local organizations checks in the amount of $500 to $5,000 to help them serve the community.

Five cases of viral meningitis in El Dorado County

Several viral meningitis cases have been reported from Susanville and Reno to El Dorado County.

As of November 2, 2017 a total number of four confirmed cases have been identified at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs and one confirmed case has been identified at El Dorado High School in El Dorado.

The school district has notified parents of the situation and extra cleaning has been done at the schools. Public Health is working closely with school staff and has notified county health care providers.

Last chance to buy tickets for TWCF dinner honoring local principal

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Monday is the last day to buy tickets for the Tahoe Women's Community Fund (TWCF) annual Membership Celebration Dinner on Thursday, November 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Harvey's Lake Tahoe.

Ticket sales will close at noon. They can be purchased for $35 HERE.

A Veteran's Musical Tribute

Event Date: 
November 8, 2017 - 6:30pm

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District Performing Arts Department presents their annual Veteran's Day musical performance on Wednesday, November 8 in 6:30 p.m. at South Tahoe Middle School's Multi-Purpose room.

Location

South Tahoe Middle School MPR
United States

Threats at El Dorado County high school being investigated

10/16/17 11:20PM - The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) has identified the person who sent the threatening Instagram post. The individual is a resident of Texas and was contacted by local law enforcement in that state. The individual, identified as nineteen year old Justin Boaz of Tyler, Texas, admitted to making the post because he was “bored”.

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.

LTUSD adopts Healthy and Environmentally Sound Schools resolution

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously adopted a “Healthy and Environmentally Sound Schools” resolution at its October 10 meeting. This supports expanded energy efficiency programs, and alignment with the City of South Lake Tahoe’s recent commitment to get 100 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources.

LTUSD looking for volunteers in nutrition, physical education and sustainability/renewable energy

Lake Tahoe Unified School District is looking for volunteers to help them in their quest to help students with a healthy lifestyle as well as their efforts to be sustainable and use of renewable energy.

Community members with an interest or expertise in any of these areas are encouraged to join one of the following committees:

Wellness Committee – Nutrition, Wellness Committee – Physical Education and Activity, and Renewable Energy and Sustainability Committee

Tahoe Women's Community Fund Membership Celebration Dinner

Event Date: 
November 2, 2017 - 6:00pm

Sierra House Elementary Principal Karin Holmes will be awarded the Woman of Distinction Award at the Tahoe Women’s Community Fund (TWCF) annual Membership Celebration Dinner on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Hotel & Casino.

Food Fest to raise funds for South Lake Tahoe schools

Event Date: 
October 7, 2017 - 6:00pm

Its time for the Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation's Food Fest on Saturday, October 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Hard Rock Tahoe Hotel and casino. This fundraiser raises funds for grants to support enrichment programs for the Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

Also a fun time, this year's Food Fest has a new twist, Silent Disco! Event goers can check out a headset tuned to the one of three varieties of music allowing everyone to dance to their own preferred tunes while letting conversations flow among the rest of the crowd.

TRPA announces top 15 Best in the Basin awards

he Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) on Wednesday recognized 15 exceptional projects completed in 2016 with Best in Basin awards.

Now in its 27th year, TRPA’s Best in Basin awards program each year showcases projects around the lake that demonstrate exceptional planning, implementation, and compatibility with Tahoe’s natural environment and communities.

Troy Matthews named new Barton Foundation Executive Director

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Barton Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Troy Matthews as its new Executive Director.

Matthews’ commitment to serving his community is exhibited through his involvement and leadership in multiple organizations including Tahoe Regional Young Professionals, the South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition, Progress for Tahoe, El Dorado County Housing Task Force, LTCC Theater Arts Task Force, Leadership Lake Tahoe, and serving on the Lake Tahoe Unified School District School Board.

Dr. Tarwater's contract extended three years; given 2% raise

Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent Dr. James Tarwater was given a pay raise and three-year extension to his contact during Tuesday's school board meeting.

Dr. Tarwater, who joined the District on May 13, 2005, was given a satisfactory evaluation on his performance during closed session at the August 22, 2017 Board of Education meeting.

The Board unanimously approved a two-percent pay increase.

Live Violence Free to celebrate 40 years of serving community with Gala

Event Date: 
September 15, 2017 - 5:00pm

Who would have known a horseshoe game at TJ’s Peanut Farm (now known as Steamer’s Bar and Grill) in 1977 would so greatly impact a community? It was this game that raised the first dollar to fund an organization that would go on to help thousands of South Lake Tahoe community members affected by domestic violence, including more than 1,000 last year.

As Live Violence Free (LVF,) formerly the SLT Women’s Center, celebrates 40 years of serving the community with its annual Sunset Gala on Sept. 15, board members, staff and volunteers are honoring their predecessors.

No extension or new purchase agreement accepted for Kingsbury Middle School

It's back to the drawing board for the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Trustees after they officially decided to not give Patrick Taylor and Lake Parkway LLC another extension in their effort to buy Kingsbury Middle School.

Citing no confidence in the buyer's ability to put a deal that can close together, the trustees voted unanimously to take the steps needed to put the old middle school back on the market.

"I think the School District made a poor decision today," Patrick Taylor of Lake Parkway LLC told South Tahoe Now. "They are very unrealistic."

Kingsbury Middle School falls out of escrow

Kingsbury Middle School has fallen out of escrow after the buyer, Lake Parkway LLC, failed to secure financing on the $3.15M purchase by the required date of July 31.

South Lake Tahoe native chosen as interim principal at Sierra House Elementary

Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) officials didn't have to look far in getting a replacement for Ryan Galles, outgoing Sierra House Elementary principal.

South Lake Tahoe native Karin Holmes will take the school's top spot on an interim basis beginning August 7.

"It is very exciting," Karin told South Tahoe Now. "What they are doing at Sierra House is amazing! With the garden and health and fitness focus there is no moss growing at the school."

Buyer has one week to close escrow on Kingsbury Middle School sale

The sale of Kingsbury Middle School to Lake Parkway LLC is still on, for now.

At a special meeting of the Douglas County School District Monday, the board voted unanimously to give the buyer until Monday, July 31 to come up with the rest of the $3.15 million purchase price for the middle school which has sat vacant since the 2008-09 school year.

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.

Safe Routes to School mobility project starts on Al Tahoe Blvd

The Al Tahoe Safety and Mobility Enhancement Project, also known as the “Safe Routes to School” project will begin with striping bike lanes on Al Tahoe Blvd. beginning the week of July 17th. The pilot project will be the first step towards the full project planned for 2019. As part of the project Class 2 on street bike lanes and a Class 1 off street multi-use path will be added in conjunction with vehicle lane restriping. To test of the concept plan, the pilot project introduces the bike lanes now by reconfiguring two of the four vehicle travel lanes and keeping the 2 way center turn lane. .

Guide to enjoying South Lake Tahoe fireworks, and helping clean up on the 5th

Event Date: 
July 4, 2017 (All day)

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - To get a front row seat to one of the best fireworks shows in the country, it takes some planning. It will be crowded no matter where one goes along the Lake Tahoe shore, so pack your supplies for the day, relax, and enjoy.

Sierra House principal leaving Lake Tahoe for Vacaville

Ryan Galles, the principal of Sierra House Elementary in South Lake Tahoe, has announced that he is leaving Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

Galles has accepted the position of Director of Elementary Education for the Vacaville Union School District (VUSD), a district with 12,000 students and 10 elementary schools.

A letter sent by Galles to the Sierra House parents on Friday, June 16:

5th annual Farmers' Market held for Sierra House students

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The 5th annual Sierra House Farmers' Market was held during school on Wednesday, giving the students a hands-on demonstration on how whole and healthy food can be produced, prepared and enjoyed together.

"Tastes from Around the World" was the them of the event where volunteers staffed booths which the students rotated through during the day.

South Lake Tahoe students honored for perfect attendance

Two sisters were honored during Tuesday night's Lake Tahoe Unified School District meeting for years of perfect attendance. Ryann Canfield, a freshman at South Tahoe High School, has had perfect attendance since the 1st grade at Tahoe Valley Elementary. She missed only one day of school in Kindergarten. That is nine consecutive school years with perfect attendance. Her sister, Morgan Canfield, 6th grader at South Tahoe Middle School, has had perfect attendance since Transitional Kindergarten. Morgan has not missed one day of school in seven consecutive years.

LTUSD celebrates 20 retirees with 551 combined years of service

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Unified School District is losing a lot of experience as 20 of their employees are retiring after a combined 551 years of collective service in education. The four retiring food service employees alone had 107 years of working with LTUSD.

During a ceremony on Tuesday, the following retirees were honored:

Certificated Staff:

Roy Benavidez – Biology Teacher, STHS, 29 years of service
Therese Colwell – P.E. Teacher, STMS, 27 years of service
Mitch Delacour – ILA, Independent studies Teacher, 39 years of service

Opinion: LTUSD Board celebrates student successes; Looks to address challenges

It is that time of year again. It is time for the youth in our beautiful community to take the big plunge. We, the members of the Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Education wish to congratulate each and every member of South Tahoe High School and Mount Tallac High School class of 2017 for all their hard work, not just for the last 4 years, but for the last 12. We are deeply proud of our seniors, and we hope that moving forward you never forget the closeness and care of a community like South Lake Tahoe.

Vail Resorts CEO gives $125,000 to fund South Lake Tahoe summer kids food program

Children from the South Shore of Lake Tahoe no longer need to go hungry during the summer months. Thanks to a generous donation of $125,000 by Rob Katz, Vail Resorts CEO, and his wife Elana Amsterdam, “Summer B&B 4 Kids” will launch on Wednesday, June 21, with a focus on helping the over 50 percent of local children who are receiving free or subsidized school meals during the school year.

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