Los Lunas Schools
LLS
District Pulse Newsletter
Los Lunas Schools Superintendent - Dr. Ryan Kettler
Now that we are back from Spring Break, it is a great time to refocus on teaching and learning, and make a push to the end of the school year. As we round the corner into the final stretch of the 2023-2024 school year, I want to encourage parents to help keep their students focused on school and finishing the year. strong. We all know as the weather begins to warm up and as the school year nears completion, students will begin to get antsy in anticipation of the summer.
Dr. Andy Reddock, Superintendent of Sinton ISD in Texas posted on X (formerly Twitter), “though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start and make a brand-new ending.” While I hope the start of the school year was a good one and the time between now and then has been successful, we have the opportunity to start now and work toward a brand-new, successful ending.
There are 9 weeks of school left. Finishing the school year on a positive note is crucial for your student's academic growth and future success. It reinforces the importance of perseverance and hard work, and sets a positive tone for the upcoming academic year. By working together, we can create a supportive and encouraging environment that will help our students finish the school year on a positive note. Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in your student's education.
Desert View Elementary
Desert View Elementary was happy to Celebrate Read Across America on March 1st. We welcomed community leaders including Deputy Chavez, Sheriff Baca, Dr. Kettler, Susan Chavez, Albert Aragon to name just a few. Our amazing leaders read with our scholars and gladly stayed to answer many questions!
We are excited to announce an additional community partnership. Students from the UNM Nurse program were on campus in Ms. Marquez first grade class on March 5th. We had our amazing District Head Nurse Dana Tapia and Nurse Patricia Garcia to assist with working with our scholars and UNM Scholars. They gave an engaging hands-on demonstration to our scholars, how to brush their teeth and clean germs (health-related topics).
We were ecstatic to have Annette Brinkman on March 7th working with all our teachers, differentiated for our new teachers. The topics were Active Engagement Strategies and Depth of Knowledge the Development of Strategic Learners.
Century High School
This week, CHS - all about careers! On Monday, our students visited the Young Blood Skilled Trades Fair and worked on a mural project as part of our partnership between Hope Works and our Entrepreneurship class. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we had mock interviews. Then, on Thursday, parents participated in a Career Night and we welcomed the grand opening of our CAT Simulator. On Friday, we worked with skilled trades. Check out what they achieved!
Bosque Farms Elementary
At BFE, students recently commemorated the culmination of their third nine weeks efforts by diving into a water party. This lively celebration marked the achievement of their SMART goals, which are established every nine weeks by our dedicated teachers and staff. These goals span a range of skills, from mastering primary class fundamentals like recognizing upper and lower case letters, to advancing reading fluency in the upper grades. The excitement for these-nine week milestones is evident among our students, who eagerly await the chance to revel in their accomplishments alongside their peers. Already, our students are gearing up for the next set of goals, setting their sights on the fourth nine weeks and striving to meet their objectives.
Maintenance and Construction
There are many projects happening in Los Lunas Schools currently. A few of the projects include:
- Valencia Middle School’s new secure vestibule is wrapping up this week. This will allow for the entrance gates to remain closed during school hours ensure the campus is safe. It will also give the school a welcoming new front entrance for parents and visitors.
- Peralta Elementary Rebuild is in full swing with demolition taking place this week.
- Maintenance has been all hands-on deck with the districts multi-department collaborative Interactive Flat Panel roll out. Maintenance has started the assembly of 680 IFP rolling carts and mounting of the flat panels, which will be utilized in every classroom across the district. In two days, they were able to complete 200 carts!
Sundance Elementary
Students representing LLHS FFA came to share a lesson with our 3rd grade students using the Goat in the Rug read aloud to make connections to agriculture. Students learned how to spin wool as well as build a natural resources bracelet.
Los Lunas Middle School
Los Lunas Middle School is excited to announce the installation of new interactive flat panel screens in all of our classrooms. Teachers have already begun utilizing them with their lessons, and we cannot wait to see the academic success that this new technology will help our students reach.
Los Lunas High School
Lending A Paw promoting kindness with messages on tape and painting kindness rocks during lunch.
Student Services Department
Los Lunas Schools is excited to announce new, state-of-the-art technology, for each classroom across the district. We will be replacing the aging SmartBoards with new Interactive Flat Panels (or IFPs). In coordination with Educational Technology and teachers across the district, LLS received competitive bids from three companies. Los Lunas Schools selected ViewSonic to purchase 680 IFPs at a cost of $2.1 million dollars. Site Educational Technology Coordinators and Digital Learning Coaches vetted the three companies and provided feedback during the process. The Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund III (ESSER III) was provided to school districts across the United States to support schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. ESSERS III funds were used to purchase the IFPs for Los Lunas Schools. The new IFPs are equipped with advanced interactive technologies, high-resolution picture quality, that offer the latest in interactive educational experience. Each flat panel will be equipped with a mobile cart, along with many features the current SmartBoards currently do not offer. Los Lunas Schools would like to thank our Board of Education for approving the purchase. Our district believes that embracing new technology will unlock boundless opportunities and empower our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Together, we can create an innovative and future-ready learning environment that prepares our students for success.
Valencia Middle School
After an exciting and educational journey filled with unforgettable experiences, a group of Valencia Middle School students and their teacher, has returned from their highly anticipated trip to New York and Washington, D.C. The trip, organized by their school and 7th grade Social Studies Teacher Sara Trujillo, aimed to provide students with a unique opportunity to explore the nation's capital and the bustling metropolis of New York City. The group had the chance to visit several iconic landmarks and historical sites, including the White House, the Supreme Court, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, just to name a few. They also had the opportunity to explore the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Arlington National Cemetery, as well as touring the U.S. Capitol and Mount Vernon. The students also embarked on an exciting journey to the bustling streets of New York City. They were able to visit to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and marveled at the
impressive skyline from atop the Empire State Building and experienced the vibrant energy of Times Square. Broadway became their stage as they attended a captivating musical performance, leaving them in awe of the talent and creativity on display. The trip provided the middle school students with a unique blend of educational and cultural experiences. Beyond the historical significance of the sites they visited, the journey fostered personal growth, independence, and a sense of global citizenship. By exploring the nation's capital and New York City, the students gained a deeper understanding of American history, government, and culture. As they settle back into their classrooms, the students will carry the memories of their trip, the knowledge gained, and the friendships formed. The journey will serve as a constant reminder of
the possibilities that lie beyond the confines of their textbooks, inspiring them to explore, learn, and embrace the world around them.