“This has been an unusual year for everybody,” Darnton said.
No school in the district lost more total students or at such a high percentage than El Dorado, according to district data.
While enrollment has been declining at SFPS and across New Mexico for years, the 2020-21 school year saw an even larger decrease. The district’s 120th day enrollment in 2021 totaled 11,586, down more than 650 students from the previous school year, a 5% drop.
Many schools – particularly those at the lower grade levels – saw large percentage decreases in enrollment, with eight seeing declines of more than 10% in one year. That includes Aspen and Amy Biehl community schools, and Chaparral, Nava, E.J. Martinez, Piñon and Kearny elementary schools.
The Leopold Writing Program is pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Aldo Leopold Writing Contest. Students from around New Mexico in Grades 6-12 entered this year’s contest. The First Place essayists in three grade categories each receive a $500 cash prize, and the Overall Best Essay Winner receives an additional $250 award.
Dylan Como-Mosconi, an eighth-grade student at Mandela International Magnet School, Santa Fe, won the First Place Award in Grade Category 8-9, and was also the winner of the David E. Stuart Humanitarian Prize for Overall Best Essay. Honorable Mention award winners are Charles Chapman, Grade 8 at Mandela International Magnet School, Santa Fe; and Karen Zhang, Grade 9 at Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque.
Mar. 2—Aaliyah Lucero worries her senior year at Santa Fe High School could end just like the Class of 2020's — with a drive-thru graduation ceremony that lacked any of the pomp and circumstance she and her fellow seniors desire. "Every kid looks forward to graduation when they're in school — everyone," Lucero said. Lucero and seniors across the city saw a ray of hope that a more conventional .
In too many ways, 2020 has been one for the history books. A global pandemic thatâs caused schools and businesses to shut down, numerous instances of racist police brutality and an indescribably polarized presidential election â itâs all been a little surreal.
But, amid the heartache and isolation, 2020 has also been marked by a relentless hope. In the most difficult times, there are lessons to be learned and there is joy to be found.
Moving nearer to 2021, Generation Next writers reflect on the hardships as well as on those silver linings. More than ever, youth are determined to increase their awareness of social justice issues, show appreciation for those they love, be their true, authentic selves and strive to make the world a better place.
Participants from 33 high school teams convened virtually Dec. 12 for the second New Mexico Governors STEM Challenge, a competition testing students ability to use science, technology, engineering and math to solve real-world problems. Led by New Mexicos Office of the Governor, the Challenge was a collaboration between New Mexico State University, the Department of Public Education, the Department of Workforce Solutions, Los Alamos National Laboratory and 18 other STEM employers in the state. Centennial High School participants from Las Cruces, New Mexico, were one of 33 high school teams to compete virtually in the second New Mexico Governors STEM Challenge Dec. 12. (Courtesy photo)