Travels in Grants

It has taken me a long time to write this--ever since I read the summarized Legislative report about Cibola schools.

Only 17 percent of our children are proficient in math and 27 percent in reading. There was increasing violence in spite of more money given to the schools. We are NOT a stupid and cruel community-so what's happening? While waiting for a response from the School Board and Los Alamitos Middle school [that never came, I asked around 30 community members about their experience (parents, former school employees and whoever]. There was a general feeling of frustration and helplessness. Many of the comments were the following: the teachers don't care or know the students or get back to the parents, the parents don't care or participate in school events, the parents do everything instead of the children being disciplined and working to learn, the school board and administration cover up problems and don't respond to parents and teachers, different ways of teaching are introduced but are ineffective, there's a national agenda to use racism to separate us and sexualization of children to destroy their innocence and selfacceptance, the Covid closing of in-person learning was a setback, the smart phone/social media influence caused a decreased attention span and increased depression and anxiety, the use of THC and drugs affect memory and motivation, pornography and video games decrease focus on studies.

So of course, I had to visit three schools.

Grants High school is a large building complex and Principal Lane Wider is a smiling, energetic, optimistic man who was helpful in his explanations. He felt low grades reflected the increasing difficulty of standards after third grade. The recent 'strategic plan' should improve performance by selecting the standards through the District Learning Plan [DLP] and the Professional Learning Committee [PLC] that has teachers meeting weekly to compare student data and collate it each quarter. Students are evaluated on entrance and then again in December. Some other difficulties students face included changes in teaching methods, lack of classroom learning during Covid, social media bulling and vaping. Absenteeism is dealt with successfully by calling the parents, which is effective since the parents are supportive. Discipline problems are handled by suspensions. Security is provided by nine district guards as well as periods involving Grants police and now County deputies at Grants High and Los Alamitos. Student to teacher ratio is 20:1. A 3.00 grade average is necessary for the Honor Roll and 45 percent go on to college. A charter school will soon be established. As superintendent, he will be an employee of the school board. But he should be able to continue 1. 'To grow kids' academically, as well as developing character and respect, 2. encourage hands on projects and problem solving and 3. help them to stay and contribute in this area after graduation.

A public school that was highly recommended is the Early College High School located on NMSU campus. Principal Lora Coles makes you feel at home and has 23 years' experience with GCCS. She's obviously proud of her first graduating class since the program is only four years old. Anyone may apply. She meets with the students and family before selecting the 25 students who will be able to earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in four years. The families and students are highly motivated and enjoy multiple activities during the school year.

Angela Brunson is the helpful and pleasant principal of a private school [St. Teresa].

The school 'is a family' with only 15 students per class so the teachers know them and their families, often starting in day care. Its foundation is Christian even though 'we welcome all families'. Although parents pay taxes for public schools, they have to pay extra tuition here. Parents can often receive financial help. The basics of reading, math, spelling and cursive writing involve rote memory until advancement to the fourth grade with requirements for more advanced understanding. Students often return after graduation for advice or free tutoring.

This year's valedictorian at Grants High is a former student.

Today's lesson: Good schools are like good families – decent, virtuous and truthful. They train the mind in basics and train the heart to love what is honorable and noble.