District News
We’ll keep you up to date on the important issues affecting our schools. We also want to share all the wonderful things that happen to make Artesia Public Schools a great place to get an education. Check in often to see the latest information and announcements.
To the City of Champions:
Finishing this school year teaching and learning at home instead of at school has been challenging for all; however, one particular group has been on our hearts more than any other—the class of 2020. There are 52 nine-week periods students will experience over the course of their 13 years with us. Although this pandemic has only affected one of those 52 periods, it impacted a very crucial one for our seniors. Seniors were striving to finish strong academically as well as possibly compete for the last time in their chosen activities and athletic events. They were anticipating final pep assemblies, prom, senior banquet, baccalaureate, and, of course, graduation and senior salute.
With it apparent that a traditional graduation ceremony in May was not possible, the class of 2020 student officers, class sponsors, and administrators met recently, and with excitement, we announce that a plan is coming together to celebrate our graduates in a memorable and healthy manner on the originally scheduled graduation day. On Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a class of 2020 senior recognition parade. Seniors will start at Artesia High School and drive a parade route that ends at the Bulldog Bowl parking lot where we will announce them and they will receive a bag of goodies from their senior class sponsors and counselors. Seniors have already received a ticket admitting one vehicle for their loved ones to park in the Bowl parking lot to view the ending of the parade. For more information on this event as well as other upcoming plans:
Since 2014, Grand Heights Early Childhood Center and our elementary schools have participated in the kindergarten through 5+ summer program providing families the option for their children to attend school 25 extra days during the summer. The program has been successful in helping many students better prepare for their next grade level.
We submitted our application in April to participate in the program again this summer. Unfortunately, with the current circumstances, uncertainty of summer activities, and concern for funding, the Public Education Department made the difficult decision to cancel the program statewide for this summer. We know many of you were counting on us offering the program, and we apologize for the difficulty this may cause.
We fully intend to offer the program again in the summer of 2021. We will be sure to inform you if there are any new developments. Please take a moment to read Superintendent John Ross Null's complete letter regarding the cancelation of the summer program.
Learn about New Mexico's new plan for assessing your child's learning.
Please also take a moment to look over New Mexico's statewide student assessment plan for 2019–2020. It includes frequently-asked questions, facts for parents, and a lot of other valuable information.