Originally written and published for LIVE.WORK.PLAY Magazine, Family and Education Edition, Fall 2026

When volunteers come together each fall for the Great Sierra River Cleanup, every bag of litter collected helps protect the waters, forests, and communities that make the Sierra so extraordinary. On Saturday, September 19, 2026, Incline Village will do its part as IVGID Waste Not and Diamond Peak host the Pollution Penguins/Diamond Peak Ski Team Cleanup with everyone’s favorite mascot, Penguin Pete.

Organized in partnership with The League to Save Lake Tahoe’s Tahoe Blue Crew and other local organizations, the event is part of a region-wide effort to beautify communities while preventing litter from entering local waterways. Volunteers will help remove trash from Diamond Peak’s ski slopes and around town, protecting the watershed that ultimately flows into Lake Tahoe. Every piece of litter collected helps preserve the natural beauty that makes our community so special.

The cleanup takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at Diamond Peak Ski Resort, with volunteers meeting in the upper parking lot before heading out to cleanup locations. Families, friends, coworkers, and community groups are all encouraged to participate. Penguin Pete will be on hand to greet volunteers, pose for photos, and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Cleanup supplies will be provided—participants simply need to wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, and bring a reusable water bottle.

Whether you can spare an hour or stay for the morning, your efforts will make a lasting impact. Join your neighbors for a day of stewardship, community pride, and teamwork as Incline Village joins thousands of volunteers across the Sierra in helping keep Lake Tahoe and our mountain community clean and beautiful for generations to come.  It’s a meaningful way to share your love for Tahoe and leave the community a little better than you found it.

Submitted and written by Mary Danahey of Incline Education Fund, 09/03/2024

Well, now that we’ve all had 2 weeks to accept that summer is over, it’s time to get back into the groove of the school year. This week and next week, each of the schools will host their Back to School Nights: (Note: IES already had their BTS night last night!) but the other two schools are:

IHS:  Sept 4th 5:30-8:00pm

IMS: Thursday, Sept 10th 5:00-8:00pm

If you want to be “in the know” all year round, this is the time to join the parent group at each school you have a student at. The parent organizations provide vital support for our schools and are also the BEST way to both get involved and find out what’s going on and when.  At Incline Elementary, it is the PTA, at Incline Middle, it’s the Jr. Boosters and at Incline High School it’s the Boosters. Check your school websites for contact information.

If you don’t have a current student in the schools, you can still volunteer!  Incline Education Fund can help you find a place or contact your school of choice directly.  

Incline Elementary School is hosting their Jog-a-Thon on 9/25/26.  It is their biggest fundraiser and helps support opportunities like Makerspace, Art, and PE. 

Incline Middle School continues to expand (enrollment is up by 23% this year) and they are refining the opportunities for students to “learn by doing” in the Wednesday Exploratory programs. This quarter’s offerings include: financial literacy, robotics, culinary, swimming, leadership, bowling, bear box beautification, environmental science with TINS, mountain biking, building and fiber arts. Middle school sounds a lot more exciting than I remember it.

Incline High School students are already thriving, the athletic teams are all off to a fantastic start and IHS will host a HUGE College and Career Fair on Sept 21st with 30+ organizations. There will be both 2 and 4 year universities and well as a number of trade organizations and local service organizations like the sheriff, fire, forestry departments.

Stay tuned. It’s going to be an exciting year.

Mary Danahey, Incline Education Fund : Originally published in the Families & Education Edition of LIVE.WORK.PLAY Magazine

The elementary years are about more than learning to read, write, and solve math problems. They’re the years when children discover how they learn, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning. At Incline Elementary School (IES), that journey is shaped by small class sizes, caring teachers, and a schoolwide commitment to creative, hands-on learning.

As part of the Washoe County School District, IES serves preschool through fifth-grade students in a close-knit learning environment where every child is known. With approximately 220 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of about 13:1, teachers personalize instruction while building the strong relationships that help children thrive.

What truly sets IES apart is its integrated STEAM approach, weaving Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics throughout the school day.

At the heart of that approach is the school’s vibrant Makerspace, where students explore robotics, coding, engineering, and creative problem-solving through hands-on projects. More than a weekly enrichment class, the Makerspace extends classroom learning by using technology and design thinking to reinforce concepts across math, science, literacy, and social studies.

Art and music are woven throughout the curriculum, helping students deepen their understanding of academic concepts while developing creativity, confidence, and critical-thinking skills. Whether illustrating a history lesson or exploring mathematical patterns through music, students learn by creating, collaborating, and making meaningful connections.

That spirit of exploration extends into every classroom, where curiosity, communication, and problem-solving are part of daily learning. Students are encouraged to ask questions, take thoughtful risks, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways while teachers create a supportive environment where every child feels seen, valued, and challenged to grow.

Combining the personalized feel of a neighborhood school with innovative STEAM experiences, Incline Elementary prepares students not only for success in middle school but for a lifetime of learning. It’s a place where curiosity is celebrated, creativity is nurtured, and every child is empowered to discover their unique potential.

For more information call: (775) 832-4250

It’s hard to believe, but there’s only one month of school left in Incline—the last day is Wednesday, June 10th.

At Incline High School, the next few weeks are packed with milestone moments for the Class of 2026. The beloved  Senior Parade rolls through town on May 28, giving the community a chance to celebrate our graduates. Prom follows on May 29 at The Chateau, always a highlight of the year. The Personalized Learning Academy will host an Exhibition Night on June 3rd (stay tuned for details about that). And while school ends June 10, Graduation will take place on June 15 at 3:00 PM, on the football field.

Over at Incline Middle School, students are diving into their Fourth Quarter Exploratories, one of the most unique and engaging parts of the school experience. This quarter’s offerings include:

• Culinary
• Jr. Lifeguard Training
• Leadership
• Fiber Arts
• Mountain Biking
• Construction (Bird & Bat Boxes)
• Writing
• Kinder Reading Buddies
• Computer Skills

These hands-on classes continue to build real-world skills while keeping students engaged and excited as the year wraps up.

Incline High School We the People — Top 10 in the U.S.

The Incline High School “We the People” team has earned a Top 10 national finish, at the prestigious national finals in Washington, D.C. last weekend.  

The national competition, part of the Center for Civic Education’s “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” program, brings together the top high school teams from across the country for simulated congressional hearings judged by constitutional scholars, attorneys, and civic leaders. Students are challenged to demonstrate deep knowledge of the Constitution while thinking critically and responding in real time to complex questions. Competing at this level requires months of preparation, teamwork, and the ability to perform under intense pressure.

Incline’s Top 10 finish is particularly notable given the school’s size. While many competing programs draw from significantly larger student populations (most schools have 1500-2000 students) and resources, Incline High School continues to prove that commitment, strong instruction, and community support can level the playing field—and even surpass it.

This achievement is a powerful testament to the dedication of our students, the exceptional leadership of their coaches, and a community that believes in providing opportunities that allow our students to compete—and succeed—on the national stage.

IHS 2026 We the People team with teachers and coaches. IHS teacher Milt Hyams, remarked that “this group was extraordinary.  They had a genuine passion for the content that was contagious.  They worked as a team and were extremely well read and they were ready for competition at the national level.

One of the things that makes Incline Middle School so special is their Exploratory Program—a hands-on, student-centered experience that gives every child the opportunity to discover new interests, build real-world skills, and connect learning to life beyond the classroom. The offerings change each quarter and these are the classes this session:

• ? Mountain Biking
• ? Culinary Arts
• ? Leadership
• ? Kindergarten Readers (IMS students mentor our youngest learners)
• ✍️ Writing: How to Write a Book
• ? Junior Lifeguard
• ? Fiber Arts
• ? Pickleball
• ? Bird/Bat Houses (design & build)
• ? Banner Design
• ? Computer Skills

Each course is designed to give students a chance to try something new, build confidence, and develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom—from teamwork and communication to creativity and problem-solving. These opportunities are made possible by the support of our teachers, community partners, and the Incline Education Fund.