San Lorenzo Elementary students get ready to read their fish stories.

Photos and article by Margaret Hopper

On May 8, 2017, the Cobre school board met at San Lorenzo, the elementary school farthest out in the district. In the closed, early portion, they discussed student identifiable information and limited personnel issues, without reaching any decisions, according to board president Toy Sepulveda. The other two members present, Frank Cordova and Frank Gomez, gave the board a bare quorum.

With a light agenda, the meeting began at 7:00 p.m. and as a courtesy to the many children at the meeting, they were moved closer to the beginning. Principal Michael Koury said the kids had an opportunity to help raise some Gila Trout, and the duties were shared with all grades, including kindergarten. Those who spoke had written their own stories on paper and read them back during the meeting. Even the kindergarten kids read their stories back.

Different classes had different assignments. The youngest were paired with the sixth graders, who helped them feed the hatchlings properly. The sixth graders used arithmetic to figure the average weights, growth, and how much food was needed. Other assignments included deciding when the water had to be changed, nitrate rates, pH, water temperatures, health and mortality figures, any factors that would likely affect the fish in their early growth.

The hardest time was coming up. All these fish must be returned to the wild on May 19. The kids had become attached to them, and Koury said it would be considerate NOT to fish in Lake Robert after the 19th, to avoid catching a special pet. Students had written some "good-bye" letters, anticipating that time. At present, they were still in the library, awaiting their release date, when San Lorenzo children would take them safely to their new home.

As each child went to the microphone to read the written paper, the conclusion was always a round of clapping and photo flashes from excited parents who would long remember the event.

Principal Michael Koury explains the new spelling of sAAn Lorenzo
to the audience.The second presentation was a special rendition of the name sAAn Lorenzo by Koury, who was proud to point out that the school had its second "A" grade on the Student Achievement Award from the State.

This took the first 30 minutes of the meeting, and he encouraged the kids to go home and rest up for testing tomorrow. All the teachers present gathered for a group photo as Sepulveda presented them with the large plaque commemorating the reception of that A rating.

Alicia Edwards, of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, and CobreGÇÖs SHAC (School Health Advisory Council) representative Vickie Smith, discussed the state mandates and needs for upgrading the policy changes for the program. Edwards said that while Cobre's work was ahead of many other schools, it was important that they show some gain, not revert back to lesser standards, just because they were ahead.

The deadlines were coming soon, on May 22, and they needed to go over the past policies and compare them with state suggestions for this writing. Sepulveda said he wanted to be sure to meet the mandates and the board might need some help with this prioritizing. Later he explained what it took to create a policy: first and second readings, then the vote. Edwards and the board agreed to work together on meeting the needs. With two members missing, they would meet again to get it all caught up.

Another agenda item, finishing the appointing of finance and audit committee members, was tabled, for, as Cordova said, by being two members short, it was important to have their input and ownership on the selection process of adding the community members.

In the superintendent's report, Robert Mendoza checked with Irene Rodriguez, board secretary, to be sure that the new, and missing board members, had gowns for the upcoming graduation. The elementary calendars were noted, and on this Wednesday, he said there was an early release.

The student representative was not present, and no report was given on behalf of the students. The public input periods had no responses, so with a quick mention of the next meeting on May 22, back at the administrative building in Bayard, the board adjourned just before 8:00 p.m.