Tackling distance education with positivity and resolve

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year – one like no other! We missed the sight and sounds of students in schools when classes began, but we were able to gather virtually and kick off the new school year – albeit with a few technological hitches on that first day that affected school districts nationwide opening with full-time distance education.

But our teachers and principals met the challenges that came their way – and so did our students and their families. Thank you all for your patience and for standing strong during this most unprecedented time for our schools.

We have gathered just a sampling of the tweets that captured the energy, positivity, creativity and resilience of the entire Clark County School District family leading up to and during the first day of school:

In the week before classes started, Jack Lund Schofield Middle School was one of countless schools that were hard at work distributing essential devices to students in the hot Las Vegas summer before classes began.

Chromebook deployment was a success, even with the intense heat! Thank you to all of the families that picked up Chromebooks this week! #SMSTiger3 #SMSTogether #1ForKids pic.twitter.com/pc33NTabZj

— Schofield Middle School (@JLSchofieldMS) August 19, 2020

The weekend before the first day of school – in a renewed push to get students a device and connectivity for distance education – representatives from CCSD, local and state governments, and nonprofits went door-to-door in neighborhoods to inform families of students about their options and make sure students were ready.

Glad to be able to do my part along side @selenatorresnv. With two days till the start of the school year @ClarkCountySch we need to ensure EVERY student is connected! https://t.co/mKBK7N9WmK https://t.co/c0E4F3IHtX

— Leonardo Benavides (@LeoBenavidesEsq) August 22, 2020

Freshman orientation at high schools had a virtual twist this year – including at Clark High School.

Virtual Freshman Orientation at Clark! Welcome Chargers Class of 2024! You are now part of the Clark Charger legacy and family! Once a Charger, always a Charger! @ClarkChargers pic.twitter.com/D4Xkpf40qP

— Kerry Larnerd (@1ClarkKerry) August 20, 2020

Can you think of a better tweet than this high-energy one to kick off a new school year?

Happy first day of school everyone! Have fun, be patient, smile and work hard! We got this 🦅👩‍💻💪#BackToSchool #distancelearning #ccsd #frias @ClarkCountySch pic.twitter.com/MV3UXAC4ut

— Frias Elementary School (@FriasElementary) August 24, 2020

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak welcomed Mojave High School’s educators, affirming he has no doubt it will be a great year for Rattler Nation.

https://twitter.com/GovSisolak/status/1297927405495959552

U.S. Congresswoman Susie Lee had a wonderful time touring the newly constructed Tyrone Thompson Elementary School with School Board Vice President Linda P. Cavazos and Superintendent Jesus F. Jara.

https://twitter.com/lindacavazos13/status/1298015485116559360

School Board President Lola Brooks and Dr. Jara had a great visit at Walter Johnson Junior High School Academy of International Studies.

.@Trustee_Brooks @SuptJaraCCSD Visiting Johnson Middle School! Great synchronous learning taking place. Amazing first day of school. pic.twitter.com/Tabzg7Gr4C

— CCSD (@ClarkCountySch) August 24, 2020

Todd Quinones, an anchor at Channel 13, sent his best regards to CCSD’s teachers, nominating them for “sainthood.”  

First day of kindergarten and I already have to nominate all @ClarkCountySch teachers for Sainthood. Hang on everyone. pic.twitter.com/rYWnHc3738

— Todd Quinones (@ToddQuinones) August 24, 2020

When Canvas temporarily was down at schools, including at Charles and Phyllis Frias Elementary School, there was no alarm.

Canvas is down at Frias this morning…. we aren’t panicking. DJ @lindemuthccsd is spinning some @bobmarley “Everthing is Gonna Be Alright” over the intercom. @ClarkCountySch #BobMarley #DistanceLearning #waitingpatiently pic.twitter.com/LaHmdi3cku

— Frias Elementary School (@FriasElementary) August 21, 2020

One of CCSD’s many valued partners, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, welcomed everyone on the first day of school.

Happy #FirstDayOfSchool! The Library District offers hundreds of FREE learning tools & online resources to assist kids & teens in grades K-12 as they start the new school year! Use your library card to explore our interactive Tools For School Success: https://t.co/K8umOWL1LG pic.twitter.com/jGJpoEjyaX

— Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (@LVCCLD) August 24, 2020

Sam Argier, meteorologist at Channel 5, shared that his kids were excited to be back at school.

First day of school! My kids are excited to be back. A big thank you to all the school teachers and staff… they have been putting in so much hard word. We appreciate it! @ClarkCountySch pic.twitter.com/7ZidxZ9iaL

— Sam Argier (@SamArgier) August 24, 2020

Marion B. Earl Elementary School had a tremendous first day.

We had a GREAT first day at Marion Earl ES. Each day will only get better! Thank you, parents, for helping your children to connect! @ClarkCountySch @JamescervantesL @LVWildcatone pic.twitter.com/8cPBh3CXRC

— new acct (@NewAcctLV) August 25, 2020

School Board Trustee Deanna L. Wright and Dr. Jara had a fantastic time touring Basic Academy.

Educators are happy to connect with their students this new school year. @basic_academy teacher is committed in providing a successful distance learning instruction. @SuptJaraCCSD @Trustee_Wright #1ForKids pic.twitter.com/LzOdp202m5

— CCSD (@ClarkCountySch) August 24, 2020

The hallways may have been empty at Virgin Valley High School on the first day, but that didn’t stop good wishes from going out to all of its students. 

BACK TO SCHOOL 2020-Good luck Dawgs as we begin this adventure known as the 2020-21 school year. We miss you in the halls and hope you are all well. Take care. “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”-Zig Ziglar #vvhsdawgs https://t.co/Q14diDdJvD pic.twitter.com/la9iYTvgPa

— Virgin Valley HS (@vvhsdawgs) August 24, 2020