Education

July 27, 2021

Public Education Department Releases COVID-19 School Re-entry Protocols

Monday, July 26th, the state Public Education Department released its back-to-school reentry guide, or “toolkit,” for the 2021/2022 school year.

The new protocols require masks for everyone in an elementary school while in a school building, on school transportation or at an indoor school-sponsored event.

At secondary schools, however, students, staff, volunteers and visitors who are fully vaccinated and provide documentation don’t have to wear masks. Anyone who is unvaccinated (or lacking documentation of vaccination) will have to wear masks in all those places (here’s a PED FAQ on masks).

The plan also requires social distancing for unvaccinated students and staff in schools, with adults required to maintain 6 feet of social distance from others and unvaccinated students required to maintain 3 feet of social distance “to the extent possible, except when eating, exercising, taking mask breaks, playing wind instruments and singing or shouting, in which case 6 feet of social distance is required.”

As for determining the vaccination status of students, individual schools are required to come up with plans for doing so, as well as new disciplinary measures for mask-wearing violations. In the case of Santa Fe Public Schools, classes start Aug. 6. According to the district’s website, it is in the process of reviewing the state guidance and will publish a guide for the district in the coming days and hold community and staff meetings prior to students’ return.

July 23, 2021

Got Shots? Immunization Clinics to be Held July 24 through August 14

Providers to Hold Special Office Hours to get Children Immunized in time for School!

(Santa Fe) – The New Mexico Department of Health, the New Mexico Immunization Coalition (NMIC), the New Mexico Primary Care Association (NMPCA), and healthcare providers from across the state are helping parents prepare children for going back to school.

Special immunization clinics will be held from July 24th through August 14th for all children 18 years old and younger. The special clinics are part of the Got Shots? immunization campaign.

School is right around the corner, and despite COVID-19 restrictions, children are required to be up to date on immunizations for school. Got Shots? provides many opportunities for parents to take their children for needed immunizations. Immunizations are even more important for children and for families during the COVID pandemic.

Participating providers will offer immunizations to any child, regardless of whether they are a patient or have insurance as part of Got Shots?. Some providers hold clinics on weekends or evening hours to accommodate parents’ busy schedules. Parents should call ahead to the clinic to check if an appointment is needed. In addition, due to COVID-19, there may be special procedures in place, such as waiting in the car until their child’s turn. Parents need to bring their child’s shot record and Medicaid or private health insurance card if they have insurance, even though immunizations are provided at no cost to parents.

This year, pharmacies across the state will be providing COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 12 and older, as a special addition to Got Shots? A separate listing of participating pharmacies is available on the Got Shots website.

The Got Shots? immunization campaign is organized by the New Mexico Immunization Coalition, which includes the New Mexico Primary Care Association and the Department of Health. This year 47 community health centers, public health offices, and private practices across New Mexico are participating in Got Shots?.

To find a clinic in local communities statewide, people are encouraged to go online to www.immunizenm.org and click on the Got Shots? logo. The Department of Health provides immunizations at no cost year round at public health clinics in every county for uninsured children. To find your local Public health office visit www.nmhealth.org, however, please check with your local public health office for details about this due to COVID-19.

Source: https://cv.nmhealth.org/2021/07/06/got-shots-immunization-clinics-to-be-held-july-24-through-august-14/

July 23, 2021

New Mexico announces back-to-school pharmacy partnership

SANTA FE- The New Mexico Department of Health and Public Education Department today announced a partnership with local pharmacies to provide back-to-school COVID-19 vaccinations for students 12 years and older.

Participating pharmacies have committed to giving free COVID vaccines without appointments from July 15 to Aug. 15.

Depending on the pharmacy, the walk-in hours will be either 2-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, or 2-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday 9 a.m-noon.

Here is a list of participating pharmacies around the state that will be providing the Pfizer vaccine. The list includes walk-in hours for each venue.

Please note: CVS and Walgreens will service walk-in patients anytime their pharmacies are open. We would also like to encourage parents to have their child’s confirmation code from the DOH portal – vaccineNM.org – ready when they arrive at a pharmacy.

Source: https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2021/7/?view=1567

July 12, 2021

Southwest Region Public Health Offices Offering Back-to-School Vaccinations

SANTA FE –The New Mexico Department of Health’s Public Health Offices in the Southwest Region will be providing no-cost back-to-school vaccinations by appointment or walk-in basis. Parents or guardians can bring their child to one of the locations listed below with the current schedule from now until the start of the school year in August. We encourage all students to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Students are required to be up to date on their childhood immunizations in order to attend school. The COVID-19 vaccination will also be available for parents and students 12 years and older.

Las Cruces Public Health Office 1170 N. Solano. Las Cruces, NM 88001

Monday and Friday- 8:30am-11:30am and 1:00pm-4:00pm – Walk-ins Welcome
Tuesday thru Thursday- 8:30am-11:30am and 1:00pm-4:00pm- by Appointment Only

Beginning on July 24th, the Las Cruces Public Health Department will be open 5 days a week for walk-ins. This will be in partnership with our Got Shots? Campaign which will run until August 14th.
Call 575-528-5006 if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Anthony Public Health Office 855 N. Anthony Dr., Anthony, NM 88021

Tuesday thru Thursday – 8:00am-5:00pm- Appointment and Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-882-3121 to schedule an appointment.

Chaparral Public Health Office 317 McCombs, Chaparral, NM 88081

Tuesday thru Thursday- 8:00am-5:00pm- Appointment and Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-824-3454 to schedule an appointment.

Sunland Park Public Health Office 3807 McNutt Road, Sunland Park, NM 88063

Tuesday thru Friday – 8:00am-5:00pm- Appointment and Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-589-2543 to schedule an appointment.

Otero Public Health Office 1207 8th Street, Alamogordo, NM 88310

Wednesday and Thursday- 8:00am-5:00pm- Appointment and Walk Ins Welcome

Call 575-437-9340 to schedule an appointment. Luna Public Health Office 501 Pear Ave., Columbus, NM 88029

Monday- 8:00am-5:00pm- Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-649-7065 for more information.

Silver City Public Health Office 2610 N. Silver, Silver City, NM 88061

Tuesday and Wednesday – 1:00pm-4:00pm- Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-538-5318 for more information. Hidalgo Public Health Office 530 De Moss Street, Lordsburg, NM 88045

Thursday – 1:00pm-3:00pm- Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-542-9391 for more information.

Sierra Public Health Office 201 East 4th Street, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901

Monday and Wednesday – 8:00am-5:00pm- Walk-ins Welcome

Tuesday – 3:00pm-4:00pm – Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-894-2716 for more information.

Socorro Public Health Office 214 Neel Avenue NW, Socorro, NM 87801

Wednesday and Friday – 9:00am-11:30pm & 1:30pm-3:30pm – Appointments and Walk-ins Welcome

Call 575-835-0971 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Source: https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2021/7/?view=1561

June 7, 2021

The Silver Consolidated School District Now Offers Free 2021 Summer Meals

The Silver Consolidated School District is pleased to announce the availability of free summer meals for 2021. The summer lunch program will begin Monday June 7 and run through July 30. Grab ‘n Go lunches (breakfast & lunch in the bag) will be offered to all children, regardless of income on a first come, first served basis. Adults may purchase a meal ($3.50) after all children have been served. All sites are open to children 1 – 18 years.

Park in the school lot, inform staff of your arrival, and someone will come out to deliver the food.

July 5th – no lunches served.

G.W. Stout Elementary School, 2601 N Silver St, Silver City, NM 88061, 12:00-1:00 pm

May 5, 2021

Khan Academy

The Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

Visit the website.

April 29, 2021

Help with Internet Expenses — the Emergency Broadband Benefit

The Emergency Broadband Ben efit is an FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. This new benefit will connect eligible households to jobs, critical healthcare services, and virtual classrooms.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Beginning on May 12 households can apply in three ways:

Contact your preferred participating broadband provider directly to learn about their application process.
Go to GetEmergencyBroadband.org to apply online and to find participating providers near you.
Call 833-511-0311 for a mail-in application, and return it along with proof of eligibility to:

Emergency Broadband Support Center
P.O. Box 7081
London, KY 40742

For more information, check this website: https://www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit

March 14, 2021

Substitute Teachers Needed!

Silver Consolidated Schools is looking for qualified individuals to serve as substitute teachers for the district. Individuals will have flexibility in areas to substitute and buildings to serve. Pay is based on educational background and experience. Those who are interested should contact Samantha Madrid at smadrid@silverschools.org or by calling 575-956-2000.

October 21, 2020

NMHED provides technology and test vouchers to adult learners

The New Mexico Higher Education Department has distributed 300 new Chromebook computers to adult education programs across the state to enable students to engage in online learning and work toward the attainment of a high school equivalency credential in the midst of the COVID pandemic. The computers, which were issued during National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, are available for use by students in any of the 24 state-sponsored adult education programs operating across the state, Most adult education programs have shifted to distance learning in light of the COVID pandemic.

In addition, the New Mexico Higher Education Department will provide vouchers, waiving the cost of testing for New Mexico residents wishing to take the HISET or GED exams, the two approved high school equivalency tests in New Mexico. Normally, the tests can cost between $50 and $80 for all required subjects. Students can submit a voucher application at

hed.state.nm.us

Services to New Mexicans in need of a high school equivalency credential and Eligible students age 16 and older can receive instruction in core subject areas, and many programs also provide English as a Second Language courses.

Adult education programs also help parents and caregivers support their children’s learning needs more effectively, which could be crucial for families struggling to support children’s schooling at home in the COVID environment. For more information about New Mexico adult education programs and services, go to hed.state.nm.us or call 5054768437

October 9, 2020

In Need of Childcare?

Need Child Care? Your Local Providers Are Here to Help

Since the beginning of the public health emergency, New Mexico’s child care providers have been open for business.

The state of New Mexico—in partnership with child care providers—have developed some of the clearest, most detailed health and safety regulations in the country. As a result, child care providers have kept COVID cases low.

• Handwashing

• Temperature-taking

• Cleaning and sanitation

• Distancing

• Mask-wearing

• Rapid response and testing

if a positive case occurs

Here’s what you’ll need to apply: • Proof of income

• School schedules for applicant children • Birth certificates for applicant children • Proof of residence

• Contact info for selected child care provider

Last year, the state raised eligibility thresholds for child care assistance.

Household Maximum