FEATURE STORY By Taylor Hood
Lessons from the past, plans for the future As the new school year kicks off, educators look to cast off the fear, but keep the lessons. Back to school The pandemic might not be completely behind us, but the oddity that was the 2020-2021 school year is thankfully in the rearview mirror. Much has been made (and for good reason) of the changes people were forced to make to their lives to stay safe from COVID. That includes people working from home, wearing masks in public, and – most importantly for the kids and young adults in our schools – learning remotely. But what are our schools taking away from the pandemic? Surely not all of the new policies warrant reversal now that students are returning to the classroom full time. Thankfully, according to Lillian Torrez, Taos Municipal Schools Superintendent, educators and administrators have no intention of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. So what exactly are Taos schools keeping from the pandemic policies, and what is being jettisoned? Well, the schools are putting in the work, planning for a return to normalcy, but also preparing for the future. For example, sports are back! Student-athletes will once again be able to join their teammates on the field/court. BUT, schools are also beginning to put some time and pride into the future of their esports programs, something that surged in
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BACK TO SCHOOL 2021-2022
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popularity as the pandemic raged on and competitive students found remote ways to channel their love of the game. Here’s what Taos teachers, administrators, educators, and staff have been planning during the summer vacation. Technology Technology is always evolving, of course. But sometimes it is forced to take a major leap forward. Such was the case with our schools over the last 18 months. Notebooks were replaced with laptops; pens and pencils with keyboards; chalkboards with PowerPoint. Now that kids are returning to the classroom, what is to become of the technological changes implemented by Taos Municipal Schools and surrounding districts?
“We are going to continue using technology,” said Torrez. “Every student will have their own laptop, which is something we didn’t have before COVID.” According to Torrez, depending on age, the students can either take their laptops home or store them at school. Torrez also confirmed that the district will continue to provide technical assistance and equipment repair for all students. “Probably the biggest thing that will stick, which we never would have done if it weren’t for COVID, is we are creating the Taos Municipal Schools Online Academy,” said Torrez. “The kids who were successful last year online, they can continue to do online, if they want. That option is open for kids that did well.” continues on page 54
The information in this publication is accurate as of the date of publishing and is provided in good faith by Taos Municipal Schools; Information is subject to change without advance notice.
