Pershing County School District is asking the community to help shape what success looks like for its students both in the classroom and beyond.
During a recent Pershing County Economic Development meeting, Pershing County Middle School Principal Shea Murphy spoke about the district’s ongoing “Portrait of a Learner” initiative, a statewide effort that aims to define the skills and qualities students should have when they graduate.
“This is really about preparing our students for whatever path they choose,” Murphy said, noting that not all students will follow a traditional college route. “Some go into trades, the workforce, or the military. We want to make sure we’re doing the right thing for our students at the right time.”
The district has been working on the initiative since last fall, with a local committee meeting regularly to begin shaping what college and career readiness should look like specifically in Pershing County.
Now, they are looking to expand that conversation.
A community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 5 at the middle school, where residents, business owners, and community partners are invited to share their input.
Murphy emphasized the importance of local involvement, especially from employers and organizations who will ultimately be working alongside future graduates.
“We want to partner with our businesses and community entities to understand what they need from our students,” she said. “That’s how we build a workforce that supports our community.”
So far, the committee has identified several core values they believe are essential for Pershing County graduates. These include responsibility and accountability, strong character, community awareness, critical thinking and problem-solving, and effective communication.
But Murphy said those ideas are only a starting point.
“We can’t do this without the community,” she said. “We want our students to feel proud of where they come from and to have the skills to go out into the world and succeed, whether they stay here or come back.”
Those who have participated in earlier discussions say the process is meaningful and unique to each community.
“This is something every district in Nevada is doing, but they all look different,” Murphy noted. “This is about defining what Pershing County wants for Pershing County kids.”
Organizers encourage anyone with an interest in the future of local students including parents, employers, and community members to attend the meeting on May 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. and be part of the conversation.
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