Students reading a cultural book recently at Chamisa Elementary School. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos School Board met Tuesday, Sept. 14 in the Board Room on Trinity Drive. The meeting also was broadcast via Zoom.
Board President Melanie Colgan began the meeting by recognizing Los Alamos High School English teacher Christine Engelbrecht, the recipient of a 2021 Yale Educator Award. Engelbrecht was nominated for this award by LAHS alumnus and Yale freshman Andrew West.
Colgan also recognized Allan Didier, the Computer Science teacher at LAHS recently selected as one of 21 State Ambassadors by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
LAHS Student Body President Gwyneth Lyons updated board members on the start of school and student activities planned for Homecoming week.
“Students are glad to start school in person,” Lyons said.
The Board started the evening’s business by announcing the new student liaisons to the school board for the 2021-22 school year. LAHS juniors Lizeth Garcia, Quentin Marsden and Fayrouz Mourad join seniors Elizabeth Booton, Nina Johnson and DeJahn Tafoya in this role. Student liaisons provide another perspective, attend meetings and are given an opportunity to comment on the agenda items being presented.
Next, the board heard a presentation by Curriculum Director Dr. Sharon Fogle, which focused on student learning and academic growth during COVID. She presented data on assessments in reading, language usage and math for kindergarten through 8th grade, comparing data from assessments given at the beginning of the 2020-21 school year and the end of year. While results indicate that the majority of students are on target or near target in all subject areas, math is an area that we need to review and make improvements.
“Students demonstrated growth in reading, language usage and math from the beginning of the year to the end of the year assessment,” Dr. Fogle said. “A large majority of students in grades 3 through 8 continue to be proficient in reading and language usage which is significantly higher than what has been reported throughout the state and nation.”
The presentation included opportunities for improvement including professional development and resources to assist teachers, developing shared leadership through elementary literacy and math lead teachers, implementing MLSS (Multi-layer System of Supports) to provide targeted support for students who are struggling, and scaffolding instruction to teach grade-level standards instead of trying to remediate deficiencies.
School Board Vice President Ellen Specter indicted she was encouraged by the data, but at the same time concerned about the math data.
“Here is where we are thriving, and here is where we have challenges,” she said.
Colgan indicated she was encouraged by the plans for professional development and resources for teachers, which can be used to inform instruction.
The Board next approved the ESSER III (Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief) funding application in the amount of $337,351.
“LAPS will put all of the money towards educational supports for students including the social and emotional needs of students,” Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy said.
Funds will be allocated for academic support and enrichment including tutoring, before and after school clubs and activities and summer programs, as well as math intervention and additional staff to provide academic support for students during the school day.
A grant from the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention was also accepted by the Board. School districts across the state are also receiving funding through this grant, with LAPS receiving $176,320. While other districts are considering using funds to expand COVID testing, LAPS will use a portion of the fund to hire an additional nurse for the district.
The Board also approved the revised Non-discrimination policy (Policy 5130). This policy now states that LAPS will not discriminate in any of its policies, procedures or practices and includes veteran status and political affiliation.
Finally, Colgan gave an update on the Superintendent Search. The executive search committee will be in Los Alamos at the beginning of October to meet with stakeholders to determine the qualifications of the next superintendent. They also will meet with community members during a Community Forum. More information about this event will be available soon. After these meetings, the search committee will develop advertising materials for the superintendent search.
The next School Board meeting is Thursday, Sept. 23 at Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock.
