Parents receive updates at Parent Advisory Board meeting

Parents received several updates and information during the Aug. 6 Parent Advisory Board meeting at the Middle School and Teen Center.

Parents receive updates at Parent Advisory Board meeting

Parents received several updates and information during the Aug. 6 Parent Advisory Board meeting at the Middle School and Teen Center.

Reina Marquez, Chief, Child and Youth Services, kicked off the meeting with the following updates. CYS will be undergoing a system upgrade in the coming weeks. Any changes will need to be made after the upgrade. Also, all CYS facilities and programs will be closed on Aug. 22 for a training day. Parents need to make other arrangements for care on that day. All facilities and programs will also be closed on Sept. 1 for the Labor Day holiday. SAC and MST will offer camps during the Fall Break Oct. 6 to Oct. 10.

Kim Arrey was introduced as the acting Child Development Center Director. She noted that enrollment at the CDC continues to increase, and they have hired three new staff members to meet the demand. The center will also be celebrating a Fall Festival in October. More details to come. Arrey also welcomed Katrina Nichols as the CDC Training and Curriculum Specialist.

Jocelyne Maus, the Assistant Director at School Age Care, welcomed Maura Gutierrez as the new SAC Training and Curriculum Specialist. She announced they will have their annual pumpkin patch field trip this year. Aug. 28 and 29 will be a remote learning day for Las Cruces Public Schools and SAC will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide care. SAC will be providing Fall Break Camps from Oct. 6 to Oct. 10. Also, Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 will be the Pumpkin Patch field trip. Oct. 13 will also be a remote learning day, and the center will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to provide care.

Aaron Johnson provided information for the Middle School and Teen Program. He introduced Kelsie Parra as the MST Training and Curriculum Specialist. The Back to School Bash/Teen Takeover will take place Aug. 29. Johnson said they are encouraging student input for these types of events. Aug. 28 will be Operation Megaphone, a joint event with Fort Bliss Youth Center. Youth need to be picked up by 7 a.m. On Sep. 12 the Service Member Appreciation Event will take place. Sept. 19 will be High School Night Out. Oct. 3 will be Middle School Night Out. Oct. 24 will be Scary Movie Bash and Oct. 31 will be the Halloween Party.

Isaias Juarez provided information about Youth Sports. Home School Physical Education will begin Aug. 25 for ages 5 and up from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every Monday. Fall soccer for ages 3-12 begins Sept. 2 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Sports Open House will take place Sept. 3 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fall Archery for ages 8-18 begins Sept. 8 on Mondays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Family Kickball Nights is scheduled for Sept. 26 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the MST soccer field. Sports Open House is scheduled for Oct. 15 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Flag Football Clinic for ages 7-12 is scheduled for Oct. 20 on Mondays and Wednesdays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is now open for all sports programs.

Marquez said they are looking for community members who would like to share their talents, skills, and hobbies with the youth in our community. They are looking to offer these through the SKIES Program. If you are interested contact Reina Marquez at (575) 678-6022.

Marquez said they are also looking for Family Child Care Program providers. Anyone interested can call (575) 678-5670. Also, interviews for Outreach Services Positions will be held this week. Parent Participation Point opportunities are available at CDC and other opportunities will be made available. Parents can earn PPP for participating in designated activities. Once you accumulate ten points you can use them towards a 10 percent discount on one child’s childcare expense.

Arrey, the School Liaison Officer, announced there will be no school during Remote Learning Days Aug. 28-29. Fall break is Oct. 6 to Oct. 10 and there will be no school on Oct. 13 for Remote Learning. She also announced that the Las Cruces Public Schools is using a new communication platform to communicate with parents called Parent Square.

Garrison Commander Col. Don Mozer welcomed parents to the meeting and thanked them for attending. He told them this is their meeting and the place where their voices will be heard.

The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 5 from noon to 1 p.m. at MST center.

Miriam Rodriguez

WSMR Public Affairs