Summer for students and teachers begins

​
​End of school ceremonies and summer routines change

As the school year closes with many health and safety guidelines still in place across the state, students and families will continue to adjust to changes in expected rituals and routines.  For West Las Vegas High School's seniors, for whom  long awaited traditional graduation celebrations have been cancelled, West Las Vegas High School will be conducting a “drive by graduation” on Saturday 23 May.  For more information, consult this flier or go to the West Las Vegas High School Facebook page.

Other families are figuring out how to plan for the summer. While traditional summer activities and programming will not be available, at least not during the early weeks of the summer, the recent easing of restrictions will allow some “in-person summer programs and sports camps” to operate.  These programs can be provided only if they are “restricted to 5:1 child to adult ratios" and include "children who live in the local geographic area only.” All in-person summer programs will also need to comply with the “required COVID-19 Safe Practices of Summer Youth Programs.” As an option, many school districts and youth groups are also developing online summer programs. The West Las Vegas School District is currently finalizing plans for their summer programs, and expect to have details available by the end of this week. Stay tuned! 

Free summer meals for children
The Summer Meals for Children program provides free meals during the summer for all children age 18 and under. This summer, the state will continue the “grab and go” meal delivery format, which has provided so many meals so successfully during the COVID-19 outbreak. The program will make food available through the same school bus delivery and drop-off point system that has been used for distributing meals since the pandemic started. Any child in need of food during the summer, even if not enrolled in the New Mexico public school system, is eligible for these meals. Deliveries are tentatively scheduled to run June 8th - August 7th, but details are not yet finalized. The schedule should be completed and available by the end of this week. Stay tuned.

Free coaching and planning for online instruction available to teachers and administrators
Although plans for the fall school semester are still uncertain, many schools and teachers may be preparing for classroom instruction taking place at least partially online. Free resources to assist districts in planning and improving their distance learning is available through the Always Ready for Learning Network , a program of the Learning Accelerator.  The network, a “philanthropically-supported initiative to ensure K-12 school district leaders … get urgent and customized guidance,” offers FREE services, including:

• Free, individualized coaching based on specific distance learning needs;
• Rapid 1:1 planning focused on implementing remote instruction;
• Improved learning models over time, emphasizing differentiated, personalized approaches. 

Their website provides an application to get a consulting session started and, through the Learning Accelerator, provides access to additional resources, including resources in blended learning and an opportunity to explore how different schools have experienced the integration of technology into their learning structure.