It’s difficult to believe that we’re at the end of April! As is typical of how we experience time, in the moment, this pandemic year has passed slowly. In retrospect, though, it’s racing by. The return of students has helped create an energetic pace.

This week’s School Board meeting brought some significant decisions. Specifically, the Board:

1. Approved the contract for the new superintendent, Ed Murray. Mr. Murray will begin his work with the District on July 1.

2. Passed a resolution placing a Capital Levy proposition before voters on August 3. The proposed levy will run for 5 years and is estimated to cost approximately $.09 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. If approved, this levy will:

• Fund construction of an enhanced water system that will provide a comprehensive, updated design, backup in the event of a pump or power failure, reservoir recirculation, more efficient operation

• Support the cost of annual major maintenance projects, easing the burden on the general fund.

Next week, you’ll receive a questionnaire designed to help us identify those opportunities we provide that are most important in motivating and inspiring your student(s). Your feedback will help us determine how to best direct our resources.

That’s all for now.

Enjoy the weekend and Go Lobos!

Carl Bruner, Ed.D.

Interim Superintendent

If you are throwing away a face mask, the ear loops need to be cut in half so these do not end up around the neck of a bird, duck or other small critter. Please then throw them in the garbage. Contrary to popular belief, chipmunks do NOT use them for hammocks!

We just finished Week 2 of hybrid learning and it really is so wonderful to have students in the building. When they are here, this place feels so alive and vibrant!

Term 6 conferences are Wednesday, May 5. Teachers are reaching out to parents for instructions on how to sign up, and I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with your child's teachers.

The junior class is planning prom, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 22nd. It will be held outside under the covered area with Covid-19 safety protocols in place. We'll need plenty of chaperones so don't be surprised if you are asked to help! Tickets will be on sale this week for $15 each. We are limiting the number so only juniors and seniors and their dates are invited to attend at this point.

A subgroup of secondary teachers and I are working on the secondary course schedule and the daily/weekly schedule for the 21-22 school year. Though the course schedule cannot be finalized until the budget process has concluded, we hope to have a draft available by mid-May so students may begin registering for classes.

Have a fantastic weekend!

All my best,

Martha

• "The best thing that has happened to me in this past year is the fact that I have had time to really find out who I am as a person and express myself. I have been able to find more things I enjoy but before the pandemic I was always busy and never just had time to relax and explore who I am."
• "What I’m most grateful for one year later is that there is a vaccine and more people are getting vaccinated everyday. It seems to be coming to a close and is good for the world."
• "For me the most positive thing is that we get to spend more time with our family."
• "I think that school should be in-person school because it lets us interact with people that are not on a screen and it won’t hurt our eyes."
• "For me, the biggest positive about the pandemic has been spending so much more time with my family, and doing more crafts like building model cars which are SO FUN!"
• "From now on, I think school should be always in person unless there is a: War, Pandemic, etc."
• "I miss sushi a lot but that’s not the only thing I miss because of the pandemic."
• "I waited for the time to come to hear that there was a death on Lopez and everyone would go crazy and it would be a blood bath waiting to happen."
• "One way I’ve changed as a result of the pandemic is I’m getting weird about people hugging me and talking without a mask and walking around without a mask."
• "So I’m grateful we're going back to in person school and hopefully I can get back the motivation that I had."
• "What I am saddest about is that during the months without people I had developed a fear of communicating with people and sharing my feelings."

Dear Family Lopez Lobos,

“Starting strong is good. Finishing strong is epic.” – Robin Sharma

Now that we have students back in school, more support for our remote learners, and spring conferences in the rearview mirror, it is starting to feel like the end of the school year is just around the corner. Before we can get to the finish line, we still have seven weeks of excellent instruction and great learning for students. The elementary team is focused on finishing strong and they are ready to support students in making the most of their learning. Thank you families for supporting your students with a "Finish Strong" attitude.

Thank you,

Mary

Also, don't forget to complete the Parent Partner Intent Form if you're interested in this program for the 2021-22 school year: https://forms.gle/FJ4WspRozNcTuUDT6