DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – This year, Mrs. Koeppen’s Special Education Life Skills class at Douglas High continued its tradition of service with two meaningful projects involving approximately 20 students.
- Care packages for deployed Marines: In partnership with DHS JROTC, students and families collected donations and assembled care packages for active‑duty members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Many families contributed generously — several students have family members who serve, and Mrs. Koeppen’s husband is a Marine, making this effort especially personal for the class. Students also wrote more than 100 individualized holiday cards. A small student team visited the post office to learn about mailing logistics for large packages before shipment.
- Holiday outreach to Gardnerville Rehab Center: For the second consecutive year, students prepared and delivered holiday cheer to residents of the Gardnerville Rehab Center. The class created over 50 handmade ornaments, assembled candy canes and individual holiday cards, and a student group visited the facility to distribute the items and spend time with residents.
These projects were made possible by the leadership of student team leaders, generous donations from families, and the support staff who assisted with logistics. The class emphasizes service learning for all students — as Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.”
“As a teacher, advocate, and mother involved in special education, I believe community engagement through two‑way service is essential for building an inclusive community,” said Koeppen. “When families, students, and local partners work together, our schools thrive and every learner benefits from a welcoming, inclusive learning environment. DCSD continually strives to foster and sustain inclusive learning environments where all students can succeed.”
