Students from Rancho Verde and Sandia Academy showcase nutrition, attendance and STEAM programs

Students from Rancho Verde Elementary and Sandia Academy presented short reports to the board highlighting school nutrition, attendance incentives and STEAM activities.

Rancho Verde student council vice president Ari(Aria) Figueroa and student Camila Toledo said the school runs a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program that gives students a fruit or vegetable three days a week; they described attendance challenges and incentives (including events and small rewards) and said Saturday school offers breakfast and enrichment activities. "At Rancho Verde, we are doing fresh fruits and vegetables program for the second year," Figueroa said.

Sandia Academy students (including eighth‑grade representative Isabella Barnes and third‑grade representative Elian Rodriguez) described a student‑led FFVP at their site, new student jobs that support phonics instruction and attendance intervention, expanded art and STEM opportunities, a makerspace, and strong family engagement nights. Sandia students reported success at a recent district STEAM fair and invited trustees to visit campus.

Trustees and the superintendent praised the students' confidence and the community engagement demonstrated by the programs. The board accepted the student reports and members said they look forward to following up and visiting the campuses.