As a result of parent outrage at the possible closure of New Mexico's top three performing schools, the Southwest Learning Center has been selected to host a Legislative Community Event sponsored by Representatives Conrad James, Jim Smith, and House Minority Leader Tom Taylor from Farmington. The event is being held to hear parent and community input into the elimination of the small school size adjustment and the possible closure of charter schools and the consolidation of 36 of New Mexico's rural school districts.
The event will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at the Southwest Learning Center (10301 Candelaria Rd NE: NW corner of Morris and Candelaria) from 6:00pm - 7:00pm. The event is open to all parents and students attending the Southwest Learning Center, concerned community members, and charter school supporters.
The LFC and LESC have recommended that schools sharing facilities not be allowed to receive the small school adjustment as a way of balancing the state's budget. "The net result will be the closure of many New Mexico charter schools (including the Southwest Primary, Southwest Intermediate, and Southwest Secondary Learning Center in Albuquerque) and the consolidation of many small New Mexico school districts" said Scott Glasrud, Head Administrator at the Southwest Learning Centers.
I have had 3 kids in SSLC over the last few years and cannot imagine what I will do if these wonderful schools are forced to close. Both my wife and I will be at this meeting and making our voices heard!
ReplyDeleteAs a parent I must say that I am appalled. We must show up and support our schools! Please come adn bring your entire family!
ReplyDeleteSchool success is all about school choice and we have chosen Southwest Learning Centers over the "best" schools in APS-including Desert Ridge and La Cueva. Our three children have exceeded our expectations academically, socially and emotionally.
ReplyDeleteJust when the academic landscape is improving in NM, here comes a tornado in the form of the LFC and LESC (and dare I say Winston Brooks who sees small schools and especially charter schools as a MAJOR threat to APS) to eliminate the competition and wreck havoc on the high performing schools.
A major think tank recommended that small schools do a much better job of preparing students both socially and academically. Parents and students prefer small schools-why can't the legislator's see this.
Southwest Learning Centers has proven themselves to be the best time and time again with test scores and making AYP. Numbers don't lie. You bet I'll be there to support SLC.
I have two children at Southwest Learning Centers. This school is phenomenal in every way. I feel comfort and appreciation everyday knowing that my children are in an educational, safe, and positive environment. They are treated with respect by the administration and valued as students and individuals. This alone has been amazing for their self esteem and self worth. This school is giving them the opportunity for the best education available in New Mexico and that will propel them into a successful future.
ReplyDeleteMy children enjoy going to school everyday, they enjoy being with their peers, and appreciate the challenges the school provides for them academically. They want to be happy and contribute to society and this is a desire Southwest has helped them to develop.
It is unacceptable to penalize children, and their education. I understand that there are budget shortfalls due to the economy and more appropriately someone's inability to balance the state budget as well APS's, but going after small schools that are doing an excellent, outstanding job of educating children is immoral and irresponsible.
Look at the test scores! Talk to the students! Southwest Learning Centers are contributing to New Mexico's society, by educating our students, it makes our community a better place. I absolutely support Southwest!
We chose SLC because of its academic record and because our gifted son was not well served in the traditional APS classroom where mediocrity is the norm. Now he is challenged and is learning to work hard. We've just started our journey at SLC--I will do my part to preserve that future!
ReplyDeleteFive nieces and several children of friends attend/ed SLC who were all referred to the school by us because of our experience as parents of children attending SLC. I went to private schools growing up, and SLC stands firmly in quality of education and even more so in opportunities that I never had. It would be a tragedy for New Mexico families to lose this educational option.
ReplyDeleteEven though my son will be finishing up this year at SSLC I will remain a firm supporter of SLC and it's mission. This school has been nothing but a blessing for him. SLC must remain as a choice for parents and students. I will attend this meeting with legislators and I encourage all parents and students to attend and voice your support for SLC. The school needs our support and the legislature needs to know what the proposals from LFC will do to SLC. Please attend and let your voice be heard.
ReplyDeleteBoth daughters attended primary and middle school at Southwest. We sent the older one to our district high school and have seen first hand the difference in communication, academics, administrative responsibility, and overall concern for the student. Southwest Learning Center wins - no contest, over what we have dealt with first hand at APS in all these areas. It makes no sense that in a district that shows so many schools failing, the choice our legislators would make for budget cuts would be against schools that actually succeed.
ReplyDeleteBeing a student at Southwest I don't understand why these people want to put these great teachers out of a job as well as leaving hundreds of kids without a school.
ReplyDeleteMy mom has been teaching at this school for four years and my brothers and I have been there longer. I've been at this school since 5th grade and I've watched it grow from just a hall way with a couple class rooms to the amazing place it is now. We have so much more to offer than just a normal school because we actually can talk to our teachers about ANYTHING! I've had several conversations, personally, with Mr. Hines and Mrs. Dixson about politics and my future as a photographer. My mom and I always discuss new ideas to help make the school better or to bring up in Student Council. I've been in yearbook at this school for almost 6 years now and editor for the past 2. This is not just a school, which might be hard for some to notice, but a new way of learning and a better place to be. We don't have bullies and I have actually had a parent tell me this out of the blue "I love the students here because they are so nice". We don't have drama and everyone stays pretty much to their own business, I had a conversation with two of my many friends on this exact subject. This is important because drama causes distractions which lead to less learning and work and it can also lead to suicide. I have read stories in magazines or heard them from friends or on the news about teenagers doing all this over drama or bullies.
ReplyDeleteI speak for all the students when I say we are so befuddled on why anyone would want to shut down our school. Our grades are high and we make AYP every year when pretty much none of the other schools do. All students are in charge of their own learning and that makes us independent! I could go on and on about how much my school has to offer more than to what any other school seems to. My boyfriend goes to Rio Rancho High School and I listen to him go on and on about how jealous he is of all my opportunities. The fact is all the students at SLC take advantage of these opportunities and never think twice about how lucky they are to really have them, at least I never realized it.
I'll end my blog with this last note. This school is like a caterpillar, I've watched it go from just a little hall with a couple of rooms and a bus to take us to Smart Lab on the other side of town like a caterpillar growing up. Then the school added the High school into the same building and that was the cocoon phase. Finally the stage of the school where it is now as a beautiful butterfly and someone is trying to squash it. You don't squash a butterfly it's just wrong on too many levels to list. But, my older brother and a third of my friends graduated last year, I intend to be the second Kennedy in my family to graduate and my little brother to be the third!