Incline Middle School

By Mary Danahey Incline Middle School’s (IMS)

new principal, Daniel Lediard, is excited to bring his 25 years of experience as an educator here to Tahoe and be able to work with the phenomenal staff at IMS. When asked about his new role, Lediard said “I am excited to bring my skills to this great school and be able to support our IMS students, staff, parents and the Incline community”.

Lediard understands middle school students, especially since he has two of his own, and how complex navigating the early teenage years can be. He knows that middle school aged students are dealing with not only the physical aspects of puberty, but the academic and emotional aspects as well.

Middle school is designed to offer more a academically challenging curriculum to students just as their ability to process complex thinking is developing. This is happening at the same time that peer pressure and now the influence of social media is taking root. Lediard believes that IMS’s small classes and nurturing environment provide an excellent launchpad to encourage and motivate students as they stretch their academic efforts.

As such, Lediard credits IMS with maintaining focus on what is best for its students. Toward that end, he and his staff have three goals:

• continue a robust curriculum that solidifies students’ reading and writing strategies

• move IMS toward a STEM School Designation

• solidifiy the new IMS Exploratory program

“With both the Incline elementary and high schools already achieving the Nevada Designated STEM School status, IMS is working to join their ranks and create the only K12 STEM school alignment in the state,” Lediard said. To help make that happen, IMS is working with the Incline Education Fund to create the framework that Nevada STEM Schools require. Utilizing grant funds received from both the Nevada Governors’ Office of Science, Innovation & Technology and the Tahoe Fund, IMS is expanding their robotics curriculum and launching a community-wide “Trash to Treasure” program (see insert).

Lediard explained that becoming a hub of STEM innovation involves providing teaching opportunities that are centered on inquiry, technology, and project-based learning activities that can be tied to the real world.

STEM schools challenge students to partner with the local community and businesses to solve local problems. STEM projects are relatable to a wide range of students because they are engaging, hands-on learning projects that allow them to interact with new tools, materials and concepts. For middle school students who want to become the next generation of innovators and inventors, STEM programs give them the chance to learn through real-world application of their skills.

This focus on STEM will become the bridge between the makerspace program at the elementary school and the engineering program at the high school, creating a unique opportunity for students to take STEM classes from kindergarten to 12th grade.

Lediard’s third goal for IMS is to build up the Exploratory program that was created by IMS’s previous principal, Kari Michael. With support from Incline Education Fund and local community partners, this weekly program allows students to explore other areas of interest and exposes them to numerous career and college pathways. It also provides a runway for the high school’s Learning through Interest program. Students choose between a variety of on and off campus opportunities each semester and include topics like: robotics, culinary arts, podcasting, swimming, bowling, entrepreneurship, XC-skiing, crochet and more.

“These programs set Incline Village apart from every school I’ve worked in”, said Lediard. “Since I accepted this position, I am enjoying being able to connect with students on a more personal basis and working within a supportive community. I can’t think of a better location to serve as a school leader,” Lediard said.

Teams of students, local service groups and individual community members will be coordinated to collect trash and debris found in the Tahoe basin. The collected trash will be analyzed, measured and turned into communal art pieces with the specific purpose of informing the general public about the importance of keeping the Tahoe basin trash free. Watch for upcoming information on collection dates in the IVCBA SnapShot.

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TWO LOCATIONS

Incline Village at the Village Center 760 Mays Blvd. Tahoe City at the Boatworks Mall 760 N. Lake Blvd.

Northern Lights is our community’s winter holiday celebration filled with a calendar full of festive and heartwarming events, perfect for people of all ages, whether you believe in Santa or not!

Festivities kick off with the annual Diamond Peak Ski Team Pray for Snow party, the IVGID Craft Faire, and the popular Christmas Comes to Incline Village Thrift Store Open House – where the deals include freshly stocked holiday decor and merchandise! As tradition dictates, our festivities bring back perennial favorites such as the Candy Cane Lane & Village, Sip and Shops, Tahoe Film Fest, the delightful TFS Brunch with Santa, and TOCCATA’s enchanting performance of Messiah.

Northern Lights is a community celebration supported by

At the end of Candy Cane Lane, you'll arrive at Candy Cane Village, a community event taking place at the UNR at Lake Tahoe campus. Prepare to be entertained and create unforgettable memories as Santa Claus and Mrs. Lollie Claus make a grand entrance in a fire engine, courtesy of the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District. Local organizations and businesses will add to the festivities.

December 2nd, 2:00 -5:30 pm | Residents will meet at the Recreation Center and walk the Candy Cane

Each year, our community unites in a friendly competition to showcase the most creative, colorful, and captivating holiday light displays. From elegant and traditional to whimsical and innovative, our neighbors spare no effort in spreading joy and holiday cheer through their breathtaking light arrangements. Visit ivcba.org to see all the lighting contest entries!

The Tahoe Symphony and Chorus will perform Handel's Messiah and seasonal carols for all to sing at the Village Church on December 15 Visit toccatatahoe.org

December 9 at 8am & 11am

Lunch, raffles, photos with Santa, and Jacques the Magician. Tickets are available at TFS Thrift Store and The Potlatch.

Celebrating environmental films, as well as American Independent Films, new films from Latin America, and award-winning music documentaries on screen at the Incline Village Cinema. Visit tahoefilmfest.com

DONATE TODAY TO HELP LIGHT UP THE NIGHT IN INCLINE VILLAGE