News from the Superintendent: April 27, 2009

April 26, 2009

Dear APS Community Member,

As schools and departments continue to fine-tune their budgets and see where they stand fiscally, I would like to let you know about some opportunities for public input that the district will be offering. During the first half of May, we will hold sessions on four different evenings. The dates aren’t set in stone yet, but probably will be set this week. They will take place at schools in different parts of town so they should be conveniently located for most everyone.

We are looking at the best way to make responsible cuts without hurting classrooms or laying off personnel. APS is in better shape than many districts across the country that are laying off teachers by the hundreds. I hope you will be able to join us for one of the input sessions. It will take the cooperation of the entire community to get through the economic crisis.

Speaking of public input, we are going back out into the community for two more Celebrate the 8! meetings before the school year ends. They are coming up at 5:30 p.m. this Thursday in the Del Norte High School library, and at 6 p.m., next Monday, May 4, in the Garfield Middle School cafeteria. We’ll be talking primarily about Goal 1, improving graduation rates and reducing the dropout rate, and the progress we’ve made this year. We’re in the midst of presenting progress reports to the Board of Education and we would like to share with you as well. Please join us.

I will be visiting Tierra Antigua Elementary for a ribbon-cutting ceremony first thing Wednesday morning. The school is opening to students for the first time this week, along with Sunset View Elementary. I would like to commend the students and staff for persevering; they have waited for this day for a long time. I would also like to thank all the parents, and those at Ventana Ranch, for their patience with the construction process.

On Friday, I’ll be joining city officials at La Luz Elementary for a pre-school opening. We are celebrating the opening of the program created through a partnership between APS and the city of Albuquerque.

Congratulations to Ben Duck and Taylor Middle School. Ben is a sixth-grader who took the initiative to rally his fellow students to raise funds for the Deputy James McGrane Officer Survival Training program. Deputy McGrane was killed in the line of duty three years ago, and I understand his parents set up this program in his memory. Ben—who wants to be a law enforcement officer—and many other students raised more than $600 in a three-week period. It was a very touching act. Well done, all of you.

If you are a graduate of UNM, you may have received an e-mail from the alumni office about APS’ annual School Supplies Drive. We are again partnering with UNM and KOAT-TV to collect school supplies for needy students for next year. I’m grateful to these partners for encouraging people to help our students, especially in these times that are difficult for everyone. Thank you for your support.

Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Winston Brooks, Superintendent
Albuquerque Public Schools