With the New Mexico Public Education Department shutting down schools to help stop the spread of COVID-19, districts across the eastern part of the state are making vital adjustments to switch to online-only learning.
Clovis Municipal Schools distributed Chromebooks to students during the first week of April and planned to launch online-only learning on April, 8, according to The Eastern New Mexico News.
The 1,080-hour minimum attendance requirement will be waived for graduating seniors, however, they must still have a minimum of 24 credits hours of required or elective course work in order to receive their diplomas.
All school facilities in Clovis also are closed through the remainder of this school year, and students should only come to schools to pick up free meals.
The district is exploring ways to celebrate graduating seniors once the public health emergency is over.
Teachers employed by Portales Municipal Schools are have been asked to make weekly contact with each student, according to The Eastern New Mexico News.
As the district switches to online learning, they have asked families without internet access to reach out to Yucca Telecom to receive free service for up to 60 days.
The district also is checking out Chromebooks to students as needed.
“It is my intent that should the congregation ban last into June, then we will schedule a graduation in June or July or even December if it comes to that," Portales Superintendent Johnnie Cain was quoted by the News as saying. "I fully intend to ensure there is a graduation ceremony for those who want to attend, even if we have to put it off several months.”
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