LOCKDOWN BRIEFLY INITIATED AT CLOVIS HIGH SCHOOL
CLOVIS HIGH SCHOOL SPANISH CLUB WINS 2ND AT LIGHT PARADE!
HEAD BAND DIRECTOR TO RETIRE – SEARCH BEGINS FOR SUCCESSOR
NEW FACES OF CMS – MEET KIMBERLY MARTINEZ-DALE!
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR YOUR NEW MEXICO MEDICAID/SNAP RENEWAL LETTER!
 CLOVIS MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS PRESENTS: ‘BUDDING ARTIST EXHIBIT’ – FEATURING STUDENT ARTWORK FROM KINDERGARTEN – 8TH GRADE! Clovis Municipal Schools proudly presents the 2023 Budding Artist Exhibit, featuring works of art by students in kindergarten through eighth grade.  The exhibit opens December 5 and will be on display until December 8, in the Eulla Mae Edwards Gallery at Clovis Community College. Admission is free.  A reception honoring the artists will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 7.   Come out and join us in celebrating these young artists!  The exhibit will include student work from:   Arts Academy at Bella Vista Barry Elementary Cameo Elementary Highland Elementary iAcademy at Lincoln-Jackson James Bickley Elementary La Casita Elementary Lockwood Elementary Mesa Elementary Parkview Elementary Sandia Elementary Zia Elementary Marshall 6th Grade Academy W.D. Gattis Middle School Yucca Middle School  TO ALL OUR BUDDING ARTISTS – YOU MAKE US PROUD, WAY TO MAKE IT COUNT!
SCHOOL COMMUNITY ADVISORY: YOUR VOICE MATTERS – TELL THE STATE WHAT YOU THINK! Clovis Municipal Schools and all public school districts in New Mexico are facing a significant challenge from the New Mexico Public Education Department.  The New Mexico Public Education Department is proposing a rule change that would mandate all school districts in the state adhere to a minimum of 180 student days per academic year.  Background –  The New Mexico Public Education Department is, through the rule making process, attempting to modify school calendar requirements set by the legislature this year. This action, in effect, subverts the legislative process and puts into effect rules that the legislature rejected through the passage of House Bill 130. In the spring of 2023, House Bill 130 was passed, essentially setting the school calendar requirement at 1,140 hours per year. Prior to being passed by the legislature, this bill would have required a minimum 180-day school year, much like the now proposed change from the NMPED, however it was modified by the legislature after Clovis Municipal Schools joined with school leaders around the state in objecting to the more stringent requirements.  The legislature ultimately sided with school districts through HB130, putting into law the more locally adaptive 1,140 hour requirement. The legislature, through the heavily debated, well-documented struggle surrounding HB 130, sent a clear message that New Mexico School districts should retain flexibility and adaptive planning when it comes to school calendars – a stance the NMPED is now subverting through its regulatory powers. This was not and continues to be in direct opposition to the intention of the legislature and the spirit of what it was establishing through the passage of HB 130. Current Requirements –  Under current statute, districts have the option of simply meeting a 1,140 hour requirement. Current Clovis Municipal Schools schedule:  Clovis Schools enjoys a calendar with 170 student days — a schedule that has served our community well.  Consequences of the change –    The proposed changes would remove the ability for our neighboring small schools to continue with a full time four-day per week schedule (for example Texico)  -- a model that has been in place for well over 40 years in many surrounding local districts. What’s more concerning is that the NMPED is attempting to enforce this rule by inserting language into the rule that does not currently exist in New Mexico Statute, and by doing so, will be exerting authority it does not have. What Research shows regarding instructional time increases: The proposed change is not supported by research, which consistently shows that increased instructional time alone does not guarantee improved student outcomes.  Rather, factors such as regular attendance, student engagement, smaller class sizes, rigorous learning opportunities, highly qualified teachers, high quality learning materials, and robust family and community support are proven contributors to academic success. Why should this matter?  It’s a move that raises questions about the department’s power and the potential infringement on our local autonomy. Furthermore, the proposed amendment from NMPED not only challenges the efficacy of our current school calendar but also threatens the very essence of local control. Our community has thrived on the ability to tailor our school calendar to the unique needs and values of CMS. The proposed mandate strips away this essential element of local control, undermining our ability to make decisions that best serve our students, parents, and educators. We need to stand united in preserving the autonomy that has allowed CMS to flourish, ensuring that decisions about our school calendar remain in the hands of those who know our community best — us. Take Action! Together, we can protect the legacy of local control that defines the spirit of Clovis Municipal Schools. Now, it’s our time to act! We need to pull together as a community — school employees, parents, and members of the local community — to voice our concerns and protect the unique calendar that has been instrumental in helping us make some of the recent gains we have achieved. Let’s make our voices heard and stand up for what we believe is right for our students, our schools, and our community. Together, we can make a difference. We have posted information on our website and social media pages community members can access to learn more: Please take a moment to review the proposed changes in the 6.10.5 NMAC, School Calendar Requirements https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/policy-innovation-measurement/rulemaking/rule-notification/ YOUR VOICE MATTERS - TELL THE STATE WHAT YOU THINK!  The Public Comment period on this issue concludes Monday, December 18, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. following a Public Hearing in Santa Fe that same day. Submit written input to: rule.feedback@ped.nm.gov
27 STUDENTS SELECTED TO PERFORM AT ALL-STATE CHOIR! Following a rigorous audition process, 27 Clovis High School Freshman Academy and Clovis High School students have been selected to perform with the New Mexico All-State Choir January 10-13 in Albuquerque.  For more information about All-State, hosted by the New Mexico Music Educators Association, visit: https://www.nmmea.com/all-state/  ALL-STATE CHOIR Clovis HS Freshman Academy Isaias Cano Camila Salgado Quiroz Amaya Thomas DeMarcus Williams  Clovis High School Tyler Autrey  Nathan Bjorklund Aiden Brown Izabella Cordova Bella Ellis D'Etta Green Malaya Henry Julian Jimenez  Mia Kerwick Ethan LaCoursiere  Kayleigh Maldonado Belen Melchor Leonel Molina Arcel Pena-Ceballos Emmanuel Pulgarin Saichania Rollins Katelyn Self Rachel Vernooy Joaquin Wheeler Dalton Woznick Keilana Woznick Jacob Wright Daniel Jacob Zulueta  A special "thank you" to those that helped with voice lessons and accompanied the students: Mr. Wayne Anderson, Mrs. Becky Anderson, Ms. Annabelle Rangel, Ms. Leslie Delgado, Ms. Tiffany Roberts, Mrs. Lori Riggins, Mrs. Sarah Sena, Mrs. Peggy Brady, and Mrs. Marsha Brandon.
25 STUDENTS SELECTED TO PERFORM AT ALL-STATE!
ELEMENTARY FAMILIES: TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS & HELP US CREATE AN ELEMENTARY SPORTS PROGRAM!
MARSHALL STUDENTS WIN LIONS CLUB ‘PEACE POSTER’ ART CONTEST
HOLIDAY SCHEDULE – THANKSGIVING BREAK NEXT WEEK!
‘TIS THE SEASON – FOR COLDS, FLU AND COVID!
8:30-10:30 A.M. FRIDAY - GET ADVANCE MEALS FOR THANKSGIVING BREAK!
REMINDER – NEXT TRAINING SESSION: 6:30 P.M. NOVEMBER 30 – LOOKING FOR A WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? VOLUNTEER IN OUR SCHOOLS!  We are currently looking for people with great commitment to help us work with our students.  Mark your calendar!     Our next Volunteer Training Session will be held at 6:30 p.m. November 30**     Sessions are held in the GC Ross Administration Building (Central Office) 1009 N. Main St. Clovis, NM 88101     For more information, visit: https://www.clovis-schools.org/o/cmsd/page/volunteers or email cms.volunteers@clovis-schools.org     Remember, at Clovis Municipal Schools we MAKE IT COUNT!     ** Due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts, the session previously scheduled for November 15 has been moved to November 30, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
ELEMENTARY FAMILIES: YOU WANT YOUTH SPORTS – WE WANT YOUR INPUT!
CELEBRATE BASKETBALL SEASON AT THE WILDCAT BASKETBALL BASH NOVEMBER 30!
WILDCAT SPANISH CLUB WINS SECOND AT VETERANS DAY PARADE!
NOW SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2024 "PURPLE PRIDE HALL OF HONOR AWARDS”