Weekly Update
Home of the Highlanders
Integrity, Humanity, & Scholarship
Welcome Back Highlanders
Week 9
October 19th - 26th
B,A,B,A,B
Integrity, Humanity, & Scholarship
Welcome Back Highlanders
Week 9
October 19th - 26th
B,A,B,A,B
2025-26 A/B Rotation
Highlander Families,
We’ve had a wonderful week at Incline High School—thank you to everyone who joined and supported our events!
It’s been a championship kind of week, Highlanders! Our Girls Golf Team (Chloe Greer, Katie McKean, Ashley Simonov, Georgia Stembridge, Gianna Pelleschi and Lizzy Hansen) brought home the 2A State Title for the second year in a row — an incredible back-to-back victory that makes our entire community proud! ⛳💚
We also celebrated our senior boys football players and senior cheerleaders during Friday night’s home game against West Wendover — thank you for leading with energy, heart, and Highlander pride! 💛🏈🎀
Our senior girls soccer players were also honored at their final home match — a well-deserved celebration of their hard work and dedication. ⚽
And it doesn’t stop there — our Volleyball program swept Wooster on Saturday, with all three teams winning every single match! 🏐 Finally, a shout-out to Tennis standouts Solin Visci and Ross Hochberg for an amazing regional run — with both advancing to the State Championships this week! GO SOLIN & ROSS!!! 🎾
Mon, Oct 20 – Willamette University College Visit (1:00–2:00 PM, The Hub)
Tue, Oct 21 – PSAT Testing Day (7:30 AM–2:30 PM, Small Gym)
Fri, Oct 24 – Junior Seminar (1:00–1:46 PM, Main Gym – Junior Advisors) -Career Speaker: Deputy Jasmine Crandall (1:00 PM, The Hub)
Mon, Oct 20 – Cross Country Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Shadow Mountain Park (3:00 PM)
Tue, Oct 21 – Girls Varsity Soccer @ North Tahoe (6:00 PM)
Tue, Oct 21 – Bake Sale (Porras Seminar Cookies! 🍪 Outside Cafeteria, 9:15–9:30 AM)**
Wed, Oct 22 –
• Picture Day Make-Ups (8:00 AM–12:30 PM, Duffield Theater)
• Welcome WCSD Counselors (8:00–11:00 AM, The Hub)
• Hygiene Kit Packing with TK & Elle Evans (12:30–3:00 PM, Small Gym)
• Girls Varsity Soccer vs Debbie Smith CTE @ Incline High (3:00 PM)
• Boys Varsity Soccer @ Debbie Smith CTE (5:00 PM)
• Senior Movie Night 🎬 hosted by Boosters @ Stadium Field/Track (6:30–9:00 PM) - This is a SENIOR only event
Thu, Oct 23 –
• Boys Varsity Soccer @ Truckee (2:00 PM)
• Girls Varsity Soccer @ Truckee (4:00 PM)
Fri, Oct 24 –
• Boys Varsity Soccer - SENIOR NIGHT (before the game) vs South Tahoe @ Incline High (4:00 PM)
• Volleyball - SENIOR NIGHT (before the game) (F/JV/Varsity) vs South Tahoe @ Incline High (4:00, 5:00, 6:00 PM)
Sat, Oct 25 –
• Cross Country Invitational @ Gibson Ranch (9:00 AM, Schools TBA)
Football @Yerington 1:00 p.m.
Wed, Oct 22 – Picture Make-Up Day (Duffield Theater)
Wed–Fri – Show your Highlander spirit and come cheer on our teams as fall sports head into postseason play!
All Week – Good luck to Ross Hochberg competing at Tennis State! 🎾
Oct 27 - 31st
Monday = Pumpkin Spice Monday - wear orange or fall attire
Tuesday = Twisted Tuesday - wear crazy clothes insided out, or wacky socks
Wednesday = Dia de los Muertos - wear bright colors or skeletons
Thursday = wear your Halloween Costume (NO WEAPONS or MASKS)
Mon–Thu, Oct 27–30 – Spooky Week Prizes! 🎁
Daily giveaways and Halloween surprises around campus — join the fun!
Mon, Oct 27 –
• GPA Luncheon (12:30–1:00 PM, Small Gym)
Wed, Oct 29 –
• Haunted House 🕷️ (5:00–7:00 PM, Incline High School)
Thu, Oct 30 –
• Costume Contest 🎭 (1:30–2:30 PM, Duffield Theater)
Fri, Oct 31 –
• Cross Country Regionals @ Rancho San Rafael Park (7:00 AM – TBA)
Let’s close out October strong! From State titles to Spooky Week festivities, our Highlanders continue to shine — on the course, the court, the field, and throughout our halls. 💚💛
💚💛
Principal Tierney Cahill
SENIORS WITH PERFECT ATTENDANCE THROUGHOUT YOUR SENIOR YEAR - YOU COULD WIN!!!!!
Highlander Pride: Incline High Earns 5 Stars Again!
Incline High School is proud to share some exciting news! For the second year in a row, we’ve been named a 5-Star School by the Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF). On top of that, U.S. News & World Report ranked us in the top 9.5% of high schools nationwide.
These honors reflect the hard work of our students, staff, and families, as well as the strength of our community partnerships. Together, we are building a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Our Growth Story
Over the past four years, Incline High has seen steady and impressive growth across academics, career readiness, and student engagement:
NSPF Score climbed from 77 points in 2022 (4-Star) to 93.5 points in 2025 (5-Star).
College Readiness (ACT results) soared —
English: 20% → 60%
Math: 23% → 50%
Science: 20% → 37%
AP/IB Success is up, with more students than ever completing rigorous courses — especially among Hispanic, FRL, and IEP students.
Career & Technical Education (CTE) completions more than tripled — from 14% in 2022 to 48% in 2025.
Chronic Absenteeism dropped from 26% (2023) to just 14% (2025), meaning more students are showing up ready to learn.
Why This Matters
These results show that Highlanders are leaving Incline High ready for college, career, and life. Whether through AP/IB classes, internships, or career pathways, our students are thriving. And with chronic absenteeism way down, they’re building habits of responsibility and engagement that last beyond high school.
Thank You, IHS Community!
This success is a team effort. Our Personalized Learning Academy, expanded career pathways, dedicated staff, supportive families, and strong community partnerships make these results possible.
Incline High School remains committed to preparing every Highlander for success — and we are so grateful to walk this journey together.
Dogs of Incline High School
You may have heard of Humans of New York—well, here at IHS we celebrate the Dogs of Incline High School! 🐶💚
We’re especially lucky to be neighbors with the Pet Network, where many of our students volunteer and intern. The Pet Network and its amazing staff have been wonderful friends to both our humans and our furry companions.
Do you have a special four-legged friend? 🐕🐾 We’d love to feature them! Send a photo and a short note about what makes your pet unique (though we know they’re all special!) to tcahill@washoeschools.net.
☝️ 🐾 Meet Archer! Archer is a lovable Bernedoodle who was so excited to stop by and spend time with his human, Alexis. With his big personality and fluffy charm, Archer brings smiles wherever he goes! 💚✨
🐾 Meet Purdey! Purdey is a one-year-old Spinone Italiano with a big heart and a very important job ahead—she’s training to become a therapy dog. Her human is our very own Ms. Cahill!
💚 Last April, Purdey faced a tough challenge when her hock tendon detached and one of her bones broke. Thanks to the incredible care of Dr. Roybl and the amazing team at Pet Network’s Community Hospital, Purdey made a full recovery.
🎉 Today, she’s back to running, playing, and enjoying life with her sister, Fiocchi—just like any happy, energetic one-year-old pup should. 👇
☝️ 📘 Meet Vitiligo! Vitiligo is a true beauty with a love for learning—especially math! 🧮 She enjoys spending time in class and soaking up knowledge alongside her human, Mr. Manning. With her curious spirit, Vitiligo reminds us that learning is for everyone. 💚🐾 .
👈 Dr. Sheldon Cooper Ph.D. is a smart little fellow that was adopted by Ms. Lombardi. He was found after the Maui fires and brought to the Pet Network. Luckily Sheldon and Ms. Lombardi found each other, they are perfect companions for one another.
☝️ 🌟 Meet Pono! Pono is truly a star at Incline High School—he’s been part of our Highlander family for over five years! Always spreading joy and comfort, Pono has become a beloved presence on campus. His human is our wonderful Ms. Newbaker, and together they make a fantastic team. 💚🐾
☝️ ✨ Meet Denver! Denver is a gorgeous Golden Retriever who loves greeting Highlanders in the afternoon pickup line. 💛 She’s on her way to stardom as a proud Liberty Dog, and her human is our very own Ari. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things Denver will accomplish! 🐾🌟
☝️ 🚲 Meet Oakley! Oakley rides in style! 💚 Thanks to the creativity of his human Heath and Heath’s dad, Oakley has a one-of-a-kind custom riding vessel made just for him. This special setup lets Oakley cruise right alongside his family and enjoy every adventure. 🐾✨
📢 ATTENDANCE MATTERS! 📢
🚨 Did you know a student is considered CHRONICALLY ABSENT if they've missed 10% of these days?
📆 That's 18 days in the academic year! However, if you are absent 2 days a month you're on track to be chronically absent.
🩺 3 Exceptions that are EXEMPT from the 10% rule:
✅ Doctor's note (Medical, Mental, or Behavioral Health Professional)
✅ Religious Absence
✅ Our school nurse can verify illness and send a student home (fever, vomiting, etc.)
How does it impact a student?
Students that are chronically absent will not have their DMV attendance verification forms signed to receive their driving permits.
Students that are chronically absent will not be able to attend dances (Homecoming, Prom, etc.). You can file an appeal with administration for extenuating circumstances (funeral, court, etc.): https://forms.office.com/r/QEDKwHEcBx
Want a senior parking spot? Spots will go to students that are not chronically absent in ranking order.
You miss 88 minutes of classroom instruction each class period. This cannot be duplicated and causes stress for students.
🕒TARDIES
Students exceeding 11 unexcused tardies in a quarter, will lose their off-campus privileges. Students that lose their off-campus privileges will be required to check in with our Assistant Principal Mr. Culbert in the lunchroom at the beginning of the lunch period and at the end.
Let's strive for excellent attendance! 📚👩🏫👨🏫
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