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.
The Artesia Public Schools will continue to serve breakfast and lunch to APS students through the end of the school year. Only students will be allowed in the cafeteria. The student must be present to receive meals. This process helps us maintain safety and also helps us ensure we are feeding only our students.
Dates: April 6th to May 22nd (Mondays Only)
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m at school sites. 9:30 to 10:30 at Seven Rivers and Hope.
Meal type: Grab N Go (5 breakfasts and 5 lunches will be given to students)
Locations: Grand Heights, Central, Hermosa, Roselawn, Yeso, and Yucca
*We will also be delivering meals to Seven Rivers, in front of Seven Rivers Inc, and to Hope, in front of the Methodist Church. We attempted to communicate with parents who live in these areas. If you did not receive a phone call and would like to pick up meals at one of these two sites, please contact us at one of the numbers or e-mails listed below.
Payment: Students who qualify for free meals are free. Students who qualify for reduced meals will be charged the reduced price. Students who are on paid status will pay full price. Parents may pay for meals using the MyMealTime App or by writing a check and mailing it to the address listed below. We realize that some of our parents have been laid off from work. If this is this case for your family, please complete a new meal application as you may now qualify for free or reduced priced meals. Meal applications can be completed online by visiting www.bulldogs.org and clicking on the icon “MyMealTime Apply Online” on our homepage. You can also request a paper application by calling one of the numbers listed below. You must know the student’s school identification number. Parents may log into Powerschool or contact their child’s school to obtain the identification number.
Artesia Public Schools
301 Bulldog Boulevard
Artesia, NM 88210
Please direct all questions regarding this program to:
Thad Phipps at (575) 746-3585 or tphipps@bulldogs.org
Aaron Caldera at (575) 748-2381 or acaldera@bulldogs.org
Julie Sedillos at (575) 746-3585 or jsedillos@bulldogs.org
Good afternoon, Bulldog Families,
As you are likely aware, the secretary of education announced this morning the extension of the school closure through the end of the 2019–2020 school year. I want to first acknowledge that we realize the tremendous strain this will place on the families of our community, but I want to assure you that we will be doing our best to support every student and family in this district. I also want to say that our hearts go out to all of our students, especially our seniors, who are missing out on making special memories this time of the school year. One of our top priorities is making certain all of our seniors get to graduate on time and be honored appropriately when it is safe to do so. Our district administrators, principals, and department heads have already been hard at work making preparations, and our board of education is the most supportive in the state. I have also already been contacted by numerous members of our community reaching out with offers of support. Please know we will all be dedicated to continuing to place the needs of our "Children First" and providing a "Superior Quality Education for All Students".
There are many details to be shared with you in the coming days. Please continue to check your emails and our website for updates and don't hesitate to reach out to us for anything. We are so grateful for the families in the City of Champions and the trust you have placed in us. It's Great to Be a Bulldog!
Buenas tardes, Familia “Bulldog,”
Probablemente han oído que el secretario de educación anunció esta mañana la extensión del cierre de la escuela hasta el final del año escolar 2019–2020. Primero quiero reconocer que nos damos cuenta de la tremenda tensión que esto supondrá para las familias de nuestra comunidad, pero quiero asegurarles que haremos todo lo posible para apoyar a todos los estudiantes y familias de este distrito. También quiero decir que nuestros corazones están con todos nuestros estudiantes, especialmente nuestros graduantes, que se están perdiendo de hacer recuerdos especiales en esta época del año escolar. Una de nuestras principales prioridades es asegurarnos de que todos nuestros graduantes se gradúen a tiempo y sean honrados adecuadamente cuando sea seguro hacerlo. Nuestros administradores de distrito, directores y jefes de departamento ya han trabajado arduamente para hacer los preparativos, y nuestra junta de educación es la que más apoya en el estado. También me han contactado numerosos miembros de nuestra comunidad para ofrecer ofertas de apoyo. Tenga en cuenta que todos nos dedicaremos a continuar colocando las necesidades de nuestros "Niños Primero" y brindando una "Educación de Calidad Superior para Todos los Estudiantes".
Hay muchos detalles que se compartirán con usted en los próximos días. Continúe revisando sus correos electrónicos y nuestro sitio web para obtener actualizaciones y no dude en comunicarse con nosotros para cualquier cosa. Estamos muy agradecidos por las familias en la Ciudad de Campeones y la confianza que han depositado en nosotros. ¡Es genial ser un bulldog!
Good evening, Bulldog Families,
After an afternoon of conference calls with the public education department and district administrators, I wanted to take a moment to update you on what we have learned and some timelines. In our call with the public education department, we received guidance from them regarding the continuous learning that is to take place for students, even though students will not be getting to attend classes on our campuses. Our plan for providing the continuous learning is due to the public education department by April 8; however, our goal is to roll out our plan April 6 and fine tune it for full implementation on April 13. Our principals will be working with our Assistant Superintendents of Instruction on Monday morning to get started. Department heads and teachers will then be involved to further develop and finalize the plan. The plan will be communicated to families as soon as possible. There is no doubt that the plan will include a great deal of online learning, but we don't want lack of access to keep a student from having the chance to keep moving forward in their education. So, we will work with families that have limited technology and access to best meet their needs. Please be aware and spread the word that Penasco Valley Telecommunications is offering 60 days of free Internet service with no contract to families. I have attached their press release that explains the program. We will also be working with our technology department in the coming days to potentially provide devices to students needing them.
Finally, I have attached today's press release from the governor that also has a number of frequently asked questions. If we can be of any assistance, please reach out to us. Thank you!
Buenas tardes, Familia “Bulldog,”
Después de una tarde de conferencias telefónicas con el departamento de educación pública y los administradores del distrito, quería tomarme un momento para informarle sobre lo que hemos aprendido y algunos plazos.
En nuestra llamada con el departamento de educación pública, recibimos orientación de ellos con respecto al aprendizaje continuo que se llevará a cabo para los estudiantes, a pesar de que los estudiantes no podrán asistir a clases en nuestros campus. Nuestro plan para proporcionar el aprendizaje continuo se debe al departamento de educación pública antes del 8 de abril; sin embargo, nuestro objetivo es implementar nuestro plan el 6 de abril y ajustarlo para su implementación completa el 13 de abril.
Nuestros directores trabajarán con nuestros Superintendentes Asistentes de Instrucción el lunes por la mañana para comenzar. Los jefes de departamento y los maestros se involucrarán para desarrollar y finalizar el plan. El plan se comunicará a las familias lo antes posible. No hay duda de que el plan incluirá una gran cantidad de aprendizaje en línea, pero no queremos la falta de acceso para evitar que un estudiante tenga la oportunidad de seguir avanzando en su educación.
Por lo tanto, trabajaremos con familias que tienen tecnología y acceso limitados para satisfacer mejor sus necesidades. Tenga en cuenta y corra la voz de que Penasco Valley Telecommunications está ofreciendo 60 días de servicio gratuito de Internet sin contrato para las familias. Adjunto su comunicado de prensa que explica el programa.
También trabajaremos con nuestro departamento de tecnología en los próximos días para proporcionar dispositivos a los estudiantes que los necesiten.
Finalmente, adjunto el comunicado de prensa de hoy del gobernador que también tiene una serie de preguntas frecuentes. Si podemos ayudarlo, comuníquese con nosotros. ¡Gracias!
As we work collaboratively to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Penasco Valley Telecommunications (PVT) realizes that broadband internet access is essential to ensure that people in our communities are able to learn and work remotely. Please read the press release from PVT regarding internet access for students in response to the need for on-line learning during the COVID-19 school closures.
Dear Families,
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic can cause New Mexicans of any age to feel overwhelmed, scared, anxious, or make it harder to cope with mental health conditions they struggled with before the pandemic.
In this letter, you will find resources to help yourself, your family, and your loved ones. Remember, even when things feel overwhelming, there is hope, and there is help.
To help combat strong feelings like anxiety, staying informed is important. The New Mexico website is updated frequently and is the best one-stop information destination for New Mexicans.
As you work to stay healthy, remember that your emotions, thoughts, faith or spirituality, and relationships are just as important as washing your hands.
Please reach out to the mental health providers and/or faith and community leaders in your area to learn more about available services.
For more information, please read the March 19, 2020, general behavioral health resources family letter.
Dear Families,
We are excited about the pool of resources we have been able to provide on our district website. Spending time each day working within these sites and others you may have discovered on your own is crucial to helping our students maintain and continue moving forward with their learning. Please know that our principals and teachers are making plans now and working toward better organization of resources by grade level and subject area. Although we are currently still planning on returning to school on April 6, we have to be prepared in case of an extended closure.
I have received many questions regarding travel during the time of school closure—especially with spring break next week. Our goal has to be to keep all of us as safe as possible, so please use good judgment in making travel decisions. For more information pertaining to travel and this update, please read the entire March 18, 2020, COVID-19 family letter.
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.