Here’s a look at today’s news:
The Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce has made available a petition in support of the transfer of the Fort Bayard National Historic Landmark to the Village of Santa Clara. The petition was created with an effort to preserve, restore and develop this southwestern New Mexico Historic site. The petition is available at the Silver City/Grant County Chamber of Commerce and the public welcome to make copies and share the petition with others. The completed petitions can be returned to the Village of Santa Clara Town Clerk’s office or to Cecilia Bell at the Fort Bayard Museum. The deadline for the return of the petition is April 1st.
Governor Susana Martinez has signed House Bill 207 into law that will expand internet access in schools and libraries across the state. The bill, introduced by Representative, Candie Sweetser, of Deming, will appropriate money from the general fund for broadband infrastructure in public school, tribal, and community libraries. The legislation was deemed a grassroots effort with the idea being suggested by Deming High School librarian, Teresa Ortiz who chairs a statewide subcommittee aimed at helping school, public, and tribal libraries attain better broadband access for students and community members.
Two Grant County New Mexico Eastern Star chapters were honored for their work by a visit from the Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Jurisdiction of New Mexico last week. The meetings were attended by Grand Worthy Matron, Gay Chambers, of the Tularosa Basin Chapter, and Larry Bishop, of the Bethany N. 56 chapter in Hobbs. The state projects for this year include raising funds for “Paws and Stripes”, which trains service dogs for military personnel, and the “Soldier Smiles” program that sends packages to military personnel overseas. Locally, the Silver City Chapter will be focusing on raising funds for the Public Library children’s section, educational scholarships, and the annual Masonic Clothe-a-Child program. The special projects for the Georgetown chapter include monetary donations to the Scottish Learning Center that works with children with developmental dyslexia, additional donations to the Children’s Hospital in Albuquerque and St. Jude’s Hospital in Tennessee, educational scholarships and the annual Clothe-a Child Project. The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal nonprofit organization in the world for both men and women. Thank you, Silver City and Georgetown Chapters for serving our communities!
The Western New Mexico University’s Child Development Center and Growing Tree has been awarded “Five Stars” by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The program faced a vigorous accreditation review for renewal and was placed in the highest tier. The five-year renewal process assesses 10 standard areas: relationships, curriculum, teaching practices, assessment of child progress, health, teachers, families, community relationships and physical environment. Seven out of 10 areas received perfect scores, with the remaining areas receiving nothing lower than 86 percent. The National Association for the Education of Young Children sets the standards for all Early Learning Programs nationwide, connecting practice, policy, and research to advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate and work on behalf of young children.
