In-person learning is set to resume at two New Mexico school districts on Dec. 12 after crews worked to deep clean all neighborhood schools after an overall rise in the number of respiratory illnesses being reported forced sharp increases in both staff and student absences.
KOB.com reports all students in the Las Vegas City Schools district were moved to remote learning over three days following an outbreak in the number of flu, RSV and COVID cases. Officials added with in-person resuming, masks will be required on buses and strongly recommended within the schools.
“At the junior high, we did have a total of I believe it was 18 staff members out, and 14 of them were certified teachers,” Henry Montano, assistant superintendent of Portales School District, said, adding that over the break breakfast and lunch was still delivered via bus routes in the city and over the first two-days after-school programs were set to be remotely available. “So in with the other schools having staff out it pretty much left us without any subs to cover.”
Upon returning to in-person learning, Montano said all students will be required to turn in to their first-period teacher the completed three-day packet they were given when classes were switched to remote learning.
Montano added he’s doing all he can to adjust to the changing times.
“I’ve been in the business for 26 years and at first, I wasn’t much of a technology guy, you know,” he said. “But I’ve seen things evolve, as they evolve, we’re definitely grateful that we do have this option."
Anyone with questions is urged to call Portales Junior High School at 575-356-7045
