News from the Superintendent: March 2, 2009

March 1, 2009

Dear APS Community Member,

I would like to welcome three new members to the Board of Education. They will be sworn in at 4:30 this afternoon in the John Milne Community Board Room at APS City Centre. A reception will follow.

Lorenzo Garcia will begin serving District 3 in the North Valley. He is the executive director of Youth Building Better Lives, Inc. David Robbins takes over the seat for District 6, which includes the east and southeast parts of the city as well as the East Mountains. He is a project manager for PNM Resources. Dr. David Peercy will now represent District 7 in the Far Northeast Heights. He is a software scientist and engineer for Sandia National Labs. Please join me in welcoming them to the board.

Paula Maes will be sworn in for her third term prior to the regular 5 p.m. Wednesday board meeting. The board will elect its officers and choose committee chairs for the year during the meeting.

Congratulations to the 2009 Selfless Seniors. For the second straight year, APS and the APS Education Foundation are honoring 28 seniors from 11 traditional and three alternative high schools who demonstrate the desire to serve their communities and put others first. These young people have done some outstanding things, but haven’t been recognized for their efforts. I’m fascinated by their stories and I look forward to meeting them personally at a ceremony tomorrow afternoon at Cibola High School. I would also like to thank photographer Frank Frost for donating his time and resources to creating beautiful portraits of the seniors that really capture who they are. We are fortunate to have such support from local business owners.

Today is Read Across America Day, and a number of our elementary schools are celebrating with reading-themed events. It’s a day designed to promote literacy and the joy of reading, and it also happens to coincide with the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. As a former elementary teacher, I know how important it is to get students reading early and instilling a love of books in them. I hope as parents and educators we are reading to young students as often as possible.

Have a great week.

Sincerely,

Winston Brooks, Superintendent
Albuquerque Public Schools