New Mexico public education leaders praise transition to in-person learning in Las Cruces
LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- In their visit to a Las Cruces elementary school on Friday, leaders with the New Mexico Public Education Department praised the transition to in-person instruction at Las Cruces Public Schools.
Deputy secretaries Tim Hand and Gwendolyn Perea Warniment visited Valley View Elementary, along with State Sen. William Soules, a democrat who represents Doña Ana County.
"The kids are the barometer," said Timothy Hand, deputy secretary of the Public Education Department. "When you're talking with the kids and seeing the expression of relief and gratitude on their faces, all signs are pointing up."
“It really shows the quality of education that we have, the quality of teachers we have, that have been doing this in a remote situation," Sen. Soules said. "The energy is overwhelming.”
On Tuesday, the district allowed all students to return in person, if they wanted to head back to the classroom.
"It's more funner here," said fifth grader Andres Sanchez-Ortega. "I was kind of nervous coming back because of this whole Covid thing... Now that I'm here, it's fun and it is safe.
First-year teacher David Carmona told ABC-7 he must help his young students cope with loss.
“We do daily check-ins," Carmona explained. "They give you a number. They say, “I’m feeling like a one today because I lost my grandmother.' It makes me worry."
The visit of state officials to look at in-person learning by LCPS came on the same day the school district disclosed it was quarantining an entire class at Mayfield High School after a student tested positive for Covid-19.
