6 minute read
Health
Technology Department
Dear Families,
The Technology Department at Taos Municipal Schools is committed to creating a collaborative, anytime and anywhere learning environment. We inspire students and teachers to be innovative and offer students an avenue to succeed as citizens in a global society in which technology is growing at an incredible rate. Our Digital Learning plan (DLP) sets the vision around technology use within our district, it focuses on four primary areas. • Internet and Wireless Network partnered with Taos
Net, Kit Carson, and AT&T • Technology equipment 1:1 device for all students partnered with Apple and Dell • Network and device management partnered with
SHARP USA • Technology PD training for all staff and students partnered with Community Tech Solutions
Office 365
Students in grades K-12th, will use Microsoft Office365 to enable teachers and students to work together collaboratively and securely in the cloud. This supports students with greater information and file access while strengthening 21st Century Learning opportunities.
School Messenger
School Messenger is the way that we communicate urgent messages and special events directly with you (K-12). School Messenger sends alerts to your home phone, cell phone, email or via text message. You may choose the delivery option that works best for your family. Please contact the main office at your child’s school to make sure that we have your most current information for your child.
PowerSchool
As parents of students in 6th-12th, you can use PowerSchool to monitor grades and absences. First time users can log on at http://ps.taosschools.org/public/ and then download the App, PowerSchool Mobile, from your preferred App Store. If you set up the Mobile App to allow notifications, PowerSchool will notify you when your student misses a class. If you have questions about grades in PowerSchool, don’t wait, contact your student’s teachers directly.
Website
taosschools.org is Taos Municipal Schools friendly website that has useful information for prospective new and returning students and families. Each school has their own page to showcases work of students and staff and highlights stories and news. Our website offers many resources that include our district calendar, school board policies, board meeting information, school breakfast/lunch menus, community links, resources, useful documents, forms, along with general contact information, and links to the systems we use to communicate. Visit our page for the latest news and upcoming events.
Canvas
Students in grades K–12th can access Canvas, the TMS learning management system, for blended learning activities developed by their teachers. Canvas extends the boundaries of the classroom, allowing students to take their class discussion, resources, and assignments with them wherever they go. Parents will have access to Canvas, information will be provided in August to create parent accounts.
Let’s Talk!
Let’s Talk! from K12 Insight, is a customer service and community engagement solution that makes it easy for community members to connect with school and district leaders at their convenience.
Social Media
We use social media venues: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to communicate up-to- date information, announce events, and share in celebrations. Like and follow your child’s school’s Facebook page from the Facebook link on their school page of taosschools.org. By using the official names of the Taos Schools Facebook Pages below, you will be able to connect to your student’s school’s page.
Taos Schools Official Facebook Pages
• Taos Municipal Schools • Arroyos del Norte Elementary • Enos Garcia Elementary • Ranchos Elementary • Taos Middle School • Taos High School • Taos Tiger Athletics
What tools are available to your family for 2022-2023 SY
• Hotspots for students without internet • Student Office365 Account • Parent and Student Canvas/PowerSchool Account • School Messenger • School Website • Let’s Talk • Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
New: Securly
A cloud-based web filter designed specifically for schools, helps keep students safe with powerful features that makes our school safer and our IT team happier. IT has visibility into online activity, download or email reports, and block inappropriate sites instantly.
What to expect
• Every student will receive a school issued device. • Grades: K-2 iPads • Grades: 3-12 Chromebooks • Required tech waiver signed by guardian. • Every student will need a laptop backpack or case. • Higher internet speed at each of our school sites • Network upgrade and infrastructure will be in place to support our 1:1 model. • Tiger Tech internship class at THS.
Coming Soon
Stay Tuned for TMSD first online auction, purchase laptops and ipads from school inventory! Date of release will be advertised through school website, Facebook, Instagram, and district wide robocall.
We make it work at TMSD Tech Room!
Located at Taos High School, 134 Cervantes Rd. Taos. COME VISIT US! Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or call 575-751-8081.
Maria Jeantete, IT Director Michele Franco, IT Secretary
Student Nutrition Programs
Community Eligibility Provision
The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provides an alternative to household applications in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. The intent of the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) is to improve access to free school meals in eligible, high poverty school districts and to eliminate the administrative burden of collecting household applications. Taos High School, Taos Middle School, Enos Garcia Elementary School, Ranchos Elementary, Arroyos del Norte Elementary, Chrysalis Alternative High School and Cyber Magnet School are participating in a Universal Breakfast and Lunch Program for the current 2022-2023 school year. If your children attend any of the schools listed, breakfast/lunch will be available to them at no charge. All students enrolled at these schools may participate in the breakfast/lunch program at no charge to them. By providing breakfast/lunch to all children at no charge, we are hoping to create a better learning environment for our students. Numerous studies and practical thinking all point to the realization that hungry children cannot learn as well as children who are fed balanced meals. The school breakfasts and lunches follow USDA New Meal Pattern guidelines for healthy school meals. The CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) cannot succeed without your support. Please encourage your children to participate in school meal programs. All meals will be served to all students at no charge regardless of income eligibility status.
Student Nutrition Programs National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946 (USDA).
http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp
Afterschool Snack Program (ASP)
The National School Lunch Program offers cash reimbursement to help schools serve snacks to children in afterschool activities aimed at promoting the health and well being of children and youth in our communities. A school must provide children with regularly scheduled activities in an organized, structured and supervised environment; include educational or enrichment activities (e.g., mentoring or tutoring programs). Competitive interscholastic sports teams are not an eligible afterschool program. The programs must meet State/local licensing requirements, if available, or State/local health and safety standards. All programs that meet the eligibility requirements can participate in the National School Lunch Program and receive USDA reimbursement for afterschool snacks.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/ afterschool-snacks
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a federally assisted program providing free fresh fruits and vegetables to students in participating elementary schools during the school day. The goal of the FFVP is to improve children’s overall diet and create healthier eating habits to impact their present and future health. The FFVP will help schools create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices; expanding the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience; and increasing children’s fruit and vegetable consumption (USDA).
http://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/fresh-fruitand-vegetable-program
New Mexico Grown
Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (NMFFVP)
The New Mexico Grown Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is to encourage school districts across New Mexico to purchase local grown fresh fruit and vegetables for school meals. This will be organized so that freshly harvested local foods become a staple in the diets of New Mexico students.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/ffvp/fresh-fruitand-vegetable-program
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ensures that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. This summer, USDA plans to serve more than 200 million free meals to children 18 years and under at approved SFSP sites (USDA).
