SNACS Family Newsletter | August 2026

We’ve officially finished up our first month of school! It’s been great seeing our students get comfortable in their classrooms, reconnect with friends, get to know their teachers, and settle into their daily routines.

With all the wildfires, we know August was challenging for families, staff, and students. Special thanks to our first responders, firefighters, and emergency personnel for keeping our community safe!

As we head into September, we’re looking forward to continuing that momentum and making it a great month of learning, growing, and connecting. This month, we are focusing on helping you understand i-Ready and all it has to offer your student’s learning experience. Since the fires impacted so many of our community, our goal is to connect anyone who may have been affected by the fires with appropriate safety and wellness resources.

In spite of all the wildfires, SNACS celebrated our Back-to-School Bash and the first week of school by welcoming all of our staff and students back to campus!

Welcome Back, SNACS Families!

A New School Year, A Strong Community, and a Fresh Start

Dear SNACS Families,

Welcome back to school—again!

To say that the beginning of the 2026–2027 school year has been unusual would be an understatement. In just a few short weeks, our North Valleys community has experienced evacuations, school closures, uncertainty, and two significant wildfires. Through it all, we have also been reminded of something we have known about SNACS for a very long time: our community is strong, resilient, and deeply connected.

We welcomed students and families back to school on August 6th for our Back to School Bash. It was an exciting event where we saw so many students, families and staff reunite after summer break. We were scheduled to welcome students back on August 10, excited to begin a new year of learning. But, the BUG Fire disrupted that beginning. SNACS was located on the perimeter of the yellow “Watch – Get Ready” evacuation zone, while some of our families and staff faced evacuation orders of their own. After the closure, we were grateful to welcome everyone back and restart school on August 17.

Then, on August 22, the Hawk Fire brought another frightening challenge to our community.

This time, many SNACS families and staff members living throughout the North Valleys were placed under red “Evacuate – Go Now” orders, while others remained in yellow evacuation zones. SNACS itself was within the yellow evacuation area, requiring us to close school August 24–26.

The impact reached beyond the North Valleys as well. Across town in northwest Reno, I was among those evacuated from my home.

Most importantly, 47 homes were lost in our North Valleys community. Behind that number are families, neighbors, friends, classmates, and community members whose lives have been changed. Our thoughts remain with everyone who experienced loss, displacement, fear, or uncertainty during these fires.

I am extremely grateful for all of the firefighters and emergency personnel first responders who worked endlessly (and still are) to get the fire contained and the community safe. I also thank Governor Lombardo for the State of Emergency declaration and calling in the National Guard for support in all of the efforts to keep our communities safe.

And Then, on August 27, We Came Back.

Students walked through our doors.

Teachers welcomed their classes.

Friends found each other again.

Learning and laughter resumed.

And SNACS was once again filled with the energy, laughter, questions, conversations, and activity that make a school a community.

It has certainly been a whirlwind beginning to the school year, but now we have an opportunity to turn the page and begin the year we have been preparing for.

We Are Ready for an Exciting Year at SNACS!

There is so much to look forward to in 2026–2027.

Our teachers and staff are ready to challenge, support, and inspire our students. Our classrooms are ready for exploration, discovery, student choice, and meaningful learning. And our entire team is focused on helping every student learn and grow academically and experience success.

At SNACS, our mission is clear:

SNACS accelerates academic growth and student success for all learners through rigorous, standards-aligned personalized instruction grounded in PLAY®, student choice, and exploration within a small school community.

That small-school community matters perhaps more than ever right now.

After everything our families, students, staff, and neighbors have experienced during these first weeks of school, we are especially grateful to be together. We also recognize that returning to school does not mean that the impact of these events simply disappears. Some members of our community may need additional patience, understanding, or support in the weeks ahead, and we will continue to look out for one another.

At the same time, we are ready to move forward.

We are ready to learn.

We are ready to grow.

We are ready to celebrate our students.

And we are ready to make this an incredible year at SNACS.

Thank you to our families for your flexibility through changing schedules, closures, evacuation notices, and repeated restarts. Thank you to our staff for continuing to show up for our students while many were managing evacuation concerns for their own homes and families. And thank you to the firefighters, first responders, emergency personnel, volunteers, and community members who worked tirelessly to protect the North Valleys and surrounding communities.

This was not the beginning to the school year any of us expected.

But August does not define our year. What we do together from here will.

Welcome back, SNACS families.

We are together. We are moving forward. And we are ready for a great year full of student learning, growth, and achievement!

Warmly,

Dr. Kimberly Regan

Important Dates and Reminders 📅

Please find the upcoming dates and important reminders for September and October below. We have a busy schedule for our school community!

September

- September 1 – Fall Picture Day for all students (infant through 8th grade)
- September 3 & 4 – Half Days for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Dismissal at 11:45 am
- September 7 – No school and campus closed in observance of Labor Day
- September 9 – Family Math Night, from 5 pm to 6:30 pm
- September 14 – Literacy and Art Night from 3:30 pm to 5 pm
- September 11 – Early Release; dismissal at 1:45 pm
- September 18 – Early Release; dismissal at 1:45 pm
- September 25 – Early Release; dismissal at 1:45 pm

October

October 2nd – Early Release; dismissal at 1:45 pm
October 5th through 9th – Fall break; no school for PK-8. Educare available with pre-registration and payment
October 12th – No school; Professional Development for Staff
October 16th – Early Release; dismissal at 1:45 pm
October 19th – Picture Makeup Day (8-9:30 am)
October 23rd – Early Release; dismissal at 1:45 pm
October 30th – No school and campus closed in observance of Nevada Day

Back to School Bash!

We kicked off the school year with a fun and welcoming Back-to-School Bash! Families were welcomed to the campus after a long summer and had a chance to see what’s new. Students and their families got to meet their teachers and get familiar with their classrooms before the first day of school.

Events like our Back to School Bash remind us what a strong sense of community we have. We loved seeing so many of our SNACS families come together, and we are grateful to everyone who helped make the event such a great way to start the year!

A Family's Guide to i-Ready

As the school year gets underway, you may hear your child talk about a learning tool the school uses called I-Ready. I-Ready is a learning program that gives students opportunities to practice important reading and math skills at their own level. This program gives teachers helpful information about students’ academic strengths and areas for improvement.

I-Ready makes personalized lessons for each student by testing them to see where they are; this is called a diagnostic. Throughout the school year, your child will take the diagnostic in reading and math 3 times. One at the beginning of the school year, one halfway through, and one at the end of the school year. The results show your child’s academic level and help the teacher personalize their learning. The questions adjust based on your child’s answers, which means the assessment may become easier or more challenging as they work. Once the student has completed the diagnostic, they will receive personalized lessons based on their individual learning needs. These lessons may include videos, activities, practice questions, and interactive learning. As your child learns and grows, their lessons will change with them.

One of the great things about i-Ready is that it meets students where they are. Each child’s learning path is different. Lessons are structured around the skills they’re working on and the areas they need the most practice in. This gives students a chance to work at their own level, build confidence, and keep making progress. Here are some helpful resources for families to help support their child at home:

i-Ready Family Resource Center
Explore family-friendly information about i-Ready, how it works, and ways to support your child at home.
Family Overview Guide
Learn what i-Ready is, how it supports your child’s learning, and how families can get started.
Understand Your Child’s i-Ready Results
Have questions about your child’s Diagnostic results? This resource explains scores, placement levels, areas of strength, areas for growth, and student progress.
Support Your Child’s Learning at Home
Find practical tips, including ways to encourage your child, track progress, and create a positive learning routine at home.
Get Technical Support
Need help getting i-Ready to work at home? Find guidance for logging in and troubleshooting common technology questions.
Explore the Family FAQs
Find answers to common questions about the Diagnostic, personalized lessons, progress, logging in, and learning at home.

Families can make a big difference in their child’s i-Ready experience with just a little encouragement and support! Help your child create a routine by finding a consistent time and quiet, comfortable place for i-Ready practice. Show interest in their learning by asking what they learned that day or how close they are to reaching their i-Ready goal for the week. Most importantly, remind your child that learning takes time and encourage them to keep trying when something feels challenging. Your child may not always know the answer, and that’s okay! Give them time to think, try, and work through challenges on their own. Making mistakes and learning from them is an important part of the learning process.

If you have any questions about your child’s progress, please reach out to your child’s teacher. We are always happy to help!

Supporting Our School Community Through the Fires

Our hearts are with the families and community members who were impacted by the Bug and Hawk Fires. We recognize that these fires have brought uncertainty, evacuations, property loss, and added stress for many families in our school community. We are especially grateful to the firefighters, first responders, emergency personnel, and community members who worked tirelessly to keep our community safe.

If your family has been affected by the fires and needs support with resources, temporary housing, basic needs, or other assistance, please reach out to our school team. We want to support our families and help connect you with available community resources. Helpful resources include:

Food assistance:
- The Washoe County School District Family Resource Centers provide food pantry access and resource navigation. WCSD says its Family Resource Centers serve community members regardless of income for pantry access. Families can receive help identifying their needs and connecting with community and government assistance
- Food Bank of Northern Nevada: The Food Bank of Northern Nevada has a Food Finder for locating nearby food pantries, meal sites, and distributions. The Food Bank is also specifically supporting people affected by the Hawk Fire.
Nevada 211/Washoe County:
- Families can call 211 for help locating food, shelter, housing assistance, transportation, health services, and other community resources. Washoe County’s resource directory specifically lists free meals, groceries, nutrition assistance, housing, clothing, health care, and mental health resources.
Clothing and essential items:
- Washoe County’s resource directory includes clothing and basic-needs resources, which can be especially useful for families who evacuated with limited belongings.
- Good Shepherd’s Clothes Closet offers free clean clothing, shoes, linens, newborn necessities, and personal care items. Adults (18+) need an ID to “shop” once every 30 days. They also run a Mobile Micro Closet, bringing items directly to families across Northern Nevada.
- Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada: The St. Vincent’s Program is located at 500 E. Fourth Street in Reno. They offer clothing vouchers every 4 to 6 months (with an ID and proof of address) alongside an essentials closet stocked with hygiene items, diapers, and formula on an emergency basis.
- Find Help- Clothing is also a great tool to find places near you that offer a list of different places that can help provide basic need items.
Mental-health support:
- Washoe County’s resource directory also has resources for families and children experiencing stress, anxiety, grief, or trauma after evacuation or loss.
- Mental Health Services– Nevada 211 also has a list of different clinics that can help families at low cost. Just type in your zip code, and it will show you the different clinics that can help in your area.
School-based support:
- Families affected by displacement should be encouraged to contact the school. We can help connect families with resources and work with families around attendance, school supplies, transportation, and other school-related needs. For assistance, contact our family engagement coordinator, Mrs. Ingalls, at kingalls@snacs.org.

💛 Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, a time to remind our students and families that they are not alone and that it is okay to ask for help. Sometimes, simply taking a moment to check in, listen, and let someone know we are here for them can make a big difference. Families can help by creating open conversations at home and reminding children that they can talk to a trusted adult whenever they are feeling worried, overwhelmed, sad, or unsure of what to do.

If your child or someone in your family needs additional support, help is available. Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Families can also find helpful information and resources through 988 Lifeline. If there is an immediate safety concern or someone is in immediate danger, call 911.

At SNACS, we believe that every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and cared for. Please reach out to your child’s teacher, our school social worker (estigall@snacs.org), or another trusted adult at school if your family could use support. We are here for you.

Community Events and Local Highlights

Free Family Fun events

Bingo Night! (All Ages)

- - Where: North Valley Library
  - When: September 4, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
  - Join the library for a fun night of bingo games

Free Movie Night (All Ages)

- - Where: West Wind El Rancho 4 Drive-In Theater
  - When: September 10th, 2026, gates open at 6 pm and movies start at 8 pm
  - Featuring Toy Story 5, Michael, Project Hail Mary, and more.

North Valley Game Night (All Ages)

- - Where: North Valley Library
  - When: September 11, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
  - Get ready for an evening filled with laughter, snacks, and fun with your neighbors. The library provides a variety of board games such as chess, Code Master, and dominoes. You can bring a game to share, too!

Family Concert: Tchaikovsky Discovers America (All Ages)

- - Cost: Free
  - Where: The Pioneer Center
  - When: September 12, 2026, activities start at 3 pm and the concert starts at 4 pm
  - Based on actual historical events, this story tells of the great composer’s arrival in New York for the grand opening of Carnegie Hall in 1891 and his famous trip to Niagara Falls. Enjoy special activities for children in the downstairs flex space related to the concert theme, including a coloring station, craft station, and more.

Crafternoon: Hobbit Perler Beads (All Ages)

- - Where: North Valley Library
  - When: September 22, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
  - Unleash your creativity this Hobbit Day by crafting Sting, a Hobbit door, or the Eye of Sauron with Perler beads.

Fall Stories on Screen: ‘Coco’ (All Ages)

- Where: North Valley Library
- When: September 18, 2026, from 4 pm to 6 pm
- Join the library in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and experience Coco. This colorful and heartwarming animated adventure follows a young boy’s journey through the Land of the Dead as he uncovers his family’s history and learns the importance of honoring loved ones and traditions.

Literary Arts

Paws 2 Read (All Ages)

Where: North Valley Library

When: September 12, 2026

Reading program for children of all ages proudly presented by Paws 4 Love. Friendly dogs lend a loving, non-judgmental ear to beginning readers. After reading to a gentle dog, children receive a free book.

The Paws Have It (Ages 7 and up with an adult)

Cost: $60

Where: Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary

When: September 5, 2026, from 1 pm to 4 pm

You will be painting about Jaguars near the resident Jaguar, overlooking the Tiger exhibit! Stencil and step-by-step instructions provided, and as always, creativity encouraged! This is a fundraising effort for the Sanctuary.

Hurts, Donut (Ages 7 and up with an Adult)

Cost: $43

Where: Need 2 Speed

- When: September 18, 2026, from 6 pm to 9 pm
- Enjoy step-by-step instructions, and as always, creativity is encouraged. Arrive early to settle in and grab some food and drinks available for purchase; painting begins at 6 pm.
Hazy Howler (Ages 7 and up with an adult)
- Cost: $43
- Where: Daddy’s Tacos
- When: September 19, 2026, from 1 pm to 4 pm
- Enjoy step-by-step instructions, and as always, creativity is encouraged. Delicious food and drinks available for purchase at Daddy’s Tacos. This is a fundraising Event to benefit the US Wolf Refuge and an ambassador Wolf will be onsite for photo opportunities at the end of the event.

STEM Happenings

STEAM: Oreo Cookie Moon Phases (Ages 7 and up with an adult)

- - Cost: Free
  - Where: North Valley Library
  - When: September 1, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
  - Blast off to the library for a sweet science adventure! Participants will learn all about the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies. Of course, participants will get to eat the “moon”.

Invent a Robot (Ages 5 and up)

- - Cost: Members- free Nonmembers- free with admission
  - Where: The Discovery Museum

When: September 2, 2026 from 4 pm to 7:30 pm

- - Visitors will be given access to craft supplies and cardboard pieces (including recycled materials like plastics) and asked to create a robot of their own design. They will be prompted to think about its function and what it needs to do those things.

STEAM: Parachute Competition (Ages 7 and up with an adult)

- Cost: Free
- Where: North Valley Library
- When: September 15, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- In this activity, participants’ engineering skills will be put to the test as they compete to see whose parachute can fall the slowest. Using a variety of materials, participants will experiment with lift, drag, gravity, and velocity as they move through the process of designing, developing, and testing their parachutes.
STEAM: Archimedes Screw (Ages 7 and up with an adult)
- Cost: Free
- Where: North Valley Library
- When: September 29, 2026, from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- Participants will learn how to build a very simple pump, called an Archimedes screw, to transfer water from a low-lying location to a higher location.

Misc/Ongoing events

The Great Reno Balloon Races (All Ages)

- - Cost: Free
  - Where: Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
  - When: September 10th- 13th, from 3:30 am to 11 am
  - The Great Reno Balloon Race is the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event. During four days in early September, you can look up into the Reno skies and see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about.

Biggest Little Mess Fest (All Ages)

Cost: Members- free Nonmembers- free with admission

- - Where: The Discovery Museum
  - When: September 12, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm
  - The inaugural Biggest Little Mess Fest is The Discovery’s hands-on celebration of messy exploration and creativity where people of all ages are encouraged to squish, splash, and explore without worrying about making a mess. Through STEM-rich activities, Mess Fest transforms curiosity into joyful learning and permits attendees to learn by getting messy!
- Water Lantern Festival (All Ages)
  - Cost: $31 (early bird), $35 at the door
  - Where: Sparks Marina Memorial Park
  - When: September 19, 2026, from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm
  - Enjoy food trucks and music, and decorate and release your own lantern.

September’s Kids Night Out

- Cost: $50
- Where: Tumbles in Midtown
- When: September 25, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 8 pm
- Drop the kids with Tumbles and take the evening off! Their coaches will lead a night of fun exercise, crafts, dinner & friendship in a safe and supportive space.