LAPS Librarians, from left, Jeff Lloyd, Erin Manzanares, Beverly Nelson and Shannon Seitz were recognized by the School Board at the start of the meeting last month at Piñon Elementary School. Courtesy/LAPS
LAHS sophomore Ariela Rittner provided a student perspective on the new 1:1 live tutoring resource, TutorMe. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The LAPS School Board met Thursday, Sept. 28 in the Piñon Elementary School library and via Zoom. Here is a recap:
School Board President Antonio Jaurigue recognized LAPS school librarians and Banned Books Week Oct. 1 through Oct. 7.
“Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read and spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools,” he said. “For more than 40 years, the annual event has brought together the entire book community — librarians, teachers, booksellers, publishers, writers, journalists, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular. The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools. By focusing on efforts across the country to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the harms of censorship.”
LAPS librarians include Jeff Lloyd, Aspen Elementary; Erin Manzanares, Barranca Mesa Elementary; Beverly Nelson, Chamisa Elementary School; Carissa Pittman, Mountain Elementary School; Tia Rhodehouse, Piñon Elementary School; Angelina Manfredi, Los Alamos Middle School; and Shannon Seitz, Los Alamos High School.
Jaurigue also recognized LAPS Custodial Manager Herman Salazar and his staff. National Custodian Appreciation Day is celebrated Oct. 2.
Piñon Elementary School Principal Ivanna Austell presented a school update, citing the school’s 100% goals for the 2023-2024 school year including the implementation of grade band teams, structured literacy walkthroughs, new teacher supports and the new math lab.
“The Math Lab is a hit,” she said. “The kids love it! They see the usefulness of math.”
She also touched on the clubs and other supports at the school to promote connection, instruction and engagement among staff and students. Austell also shared her enthusiasm for the construction of the new school, noting that students take turns going out to see construction progress.
“We’re excited about what is coming,” she said.
Dr. Sharon Fogle, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, updated the School Board on the district’s new online tutoring service, TutorMe. TutorMe is available to all LAPS students in grades 7 through 12 and provides live, 1:1 tutoring.
“TutorMe provides access to tutoring when and where a student needs it,” Fogle explained.
She reported that so far, 190 students have enrolled in the program and completed 112 sessions.
Students are also able to submit assignments to the writing lab for review and feedback. She noted that 91 papers had been reviewed with the average paper length being 2,314 words.
Los Alamos High School sophomore Ariela Rittner told the board that she has tried TutorMe but said that there is room for improvement. She had some issues setting up her first session and finding the right tutor for the subject matter she requested. “The instructions weren’t very clear,” she noted. However, she did say that she will try to continue using TutorMe.
Fogle told the board that the district will be evaluating the program throughout the year and is considering granting access to more grade levels. The resource costs the district $74,000, which is being paid for through ESSR funds.
School board members unanimously approved the STEM Robotics 27508 Award in the amount of $75,000. Assistant Superintendent Carter Payne explained that Sen. Leo Jaramillo was instrumental in securing this funding for purchasing technology, engineering and math support and equipment for the LAPS robotics teams. The Los Alamos 4153 Project Y Robotics Team earned 4th place at the 2022 FIRST Robotics World Championships.
The next School Board meeting is 5:30 p.m. Oct. 17 in the School Boardroom and via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public.
