Barranca Mesa Elementary School Principal Kristen Martines (left), along with teachers Laura Haynes and Aedin Loychik, and Assistant Principal Audrey Juliani gave a brief update during the LAPS School Board work session held at the school last week. Photo Courtesy LAPS

LAPS NEWS RELEASE

The LAPS School Board held a work session at Barranca Mesa Elementary School last Thursday. School Board President Melanie Colgan, Vice President Sondra Wyman and Member Ellen Specter met in person, while Secretary Lauren Coupland and Member Ryan Adams attended via Zoom.

Barranca Mesa Elementary School Principal Kristen Martines and Assistant Principal welcomed the School Board to the school and gave a brief update on the school year and what programs and activities are in place to address the district’s key areas of academic excellence, social-emotional wellbeing and civic responsibility.

Principal Martines noted the positive impact of the master schedule as well as the implementation of Spring Math and Reading Plus. The development of Professional Learning
Communities (PLCs) and weekly grade level team meetings have proven beneficial for staff.
Assistant Principal Juliani discussed several options in place that impact social-emotional
wellbeing for staff and students, including staff wellness, second step lessons and after school
clubs.

Barranca Mesa teachers Laura Haynes and Aedin Loychik presented data on math and reading
scores, as well as action plans in place. K-2 MOY (middle of the year) reading proficiency
improved 11% over the beginning of the year. Scores for 3-6 improved by 7%. In Math, scores
improved by 19% for K-2, and 24% for 3-6.

Board members were impressed with the work of the school. President Colgan commented that
they are “building community here at Barranca.” The School Board also discussed that they would begin accepting nominations for the 2025 New Mexico School Boards Association (NMSBA) Excellence in Student Achievement Award, and set the deadline for submissions as Friday, Feb. 21. Secretary Coupland and Member Adams serve on the award review committee.

The next School Board meeting will be on Tuesday, February 11 at 5: 30 pm in the School
Boardroom.

Photo caption: Barranca Mesa Elementary School Principal Kristen Martines (left), along with
teachers Laura Haynes and Aedin Loychik, and Assistant Principal Audrey Juliani gave a brief
update during the LAPS School Board work session held at the school last week.