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Dr. Romero Awarded Superintendent of the Year by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents(ALAS) awarded Dr. Arsenio Romero, Superintendent of Deming Public Schools, the National ALAS Superintendent of the Year Award. ALAS is a national coalition of public school leaders from around the country. The focus of ALAS is to provide leadership that assures every school in America effectively serves the educational needs of all students, with an emphasis on Latinx youth, by building capacity, promoting best practices, and transforming educational institutions.
Dr. Romero was nominated by his peers and competed with nominees from across the nation. All nominees were required to meet the qualification for Latinx Superintendent and or Latinx Serving School District Superintendent.
The requirements are as follows: Twenty-five percent or more of the student population in the school district must be Latinx in order to qualify, as a nominee. An ALAS state affiliate is required to make the nomination on behalf of the superintendent, they select. Nominations are submitted to the National Level Organization in Washington DC.
Cynthia Pandurini of national ALAS organization stated, “ALAS seeks to bring recognition and highlight those superintendents who are making a strong impact in closing the achievement and opportunity gaps for all Latinx students. Dr. Romero has been instrumental in making this happen.”
The nominees were scored by a selection committee based on their work and evidence. The selected superintendent must show evidence in each of the following areas.
(1) be committed to student excellence;
(2) have programs designed to meet the academic and social needs of all students, with an emphasis on Latinx students; and
(3) have firm ties to parents and the community.
“I am very honored to be recognized by my peers for this award. This was possible because of the hard work of the Deming Public School teachers, principals, community, and students. Deming Public Schools is being recognized on a national level for our work with Latinx students. I look forward to what the future brings.” expressed Dr. Romero.
Summer K-5 Plus Program “Full STEAM Ahead”
For the first time ever New Mexico State Legislature is offering a state wide K-5 Plus program. In the past, Deming Public Schools K-5 Plus program had only 1,200 seats available for students to get a head start on their education. Now this opportunity will be available to all K-5 students. Deming Public Schools elementary students will start school on July 2nd, adding 25 extra days of instruction. During the K-5 Plus program all school services including busing and meals will be provided to the students.
“This program will give us the leading edge in education, for the ability to offer this opportunity to every K-5 student in the community.” Fred Parker, Chief Academic Officer. “The district is well aware that this is a transition for the community, we want to continue to offer this as an opportunity for every child, but we also recognize that we need to be flexible due to family plans and vacations. As such, we will allow this flexibility and we will work with families planned absences. We will also extend this flexibility to teachers and staff.”
The theme for the extra 25 days of instruction is “Full STEAM Ahead”. The district is excited to be able to have a program that has 25 days of instruction that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics activities. This is an exciting time for the students, where they can meet their classmates and have exciting experiences, while learning about STEAM. STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking. The results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. STEAM removes limitations and replaces them with wonder, critique, inquiry, and innovation.
There will be opportunities for non K-5 teachers to partner and assist with planning during the K-5 Plus program. Another opportunity, is for older youth to mentor in the Elementary Schools during this program. Mentoring helps to engage and motivate the students to strive to new heights in their educational career. The district understands that not every child is meant for the college pathway, by offering technical or trade pathways, we ensure that every child has an opportunity for success. K-5 Plus program and STEAM is one avenue that we can offer more opportunities to students in our community.
For more information or questions about this opportunity please contact your local Elementary School or call (575)546-8841 and ask to talk to the Academics Office.
“The district has embraced this opportunity for many years and we look forward to the expansion of the K-5 Plus program. There is no better place for our children to be than in school learning, and this opportunity will engage our children and help them rise to the next level.” Dr. Arsenio Romero, Deming Public Schools Superintendent. “These are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century.”
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