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Taos district outlines expanded SEL, restorative justice and community schools programs
Summary
District leaders presented plans to expand social-emotional learning, restorative justice across grades, a state-supported Behavioral Health Initiative, and community schools partnerships that have already yielded in-kind donations and expanded after-school meals and tutoring.
Taos Municipal Schools staff told the board on April 22 that the district is expanding social-emotional learning (SEL), restorative practices and a state-supported Behavioral Health Initiative to strengthen student well-being.
Associate Superintendent Renea Montreon and staff described multiple components: schoolwide SEL as a preventive measure; restorative justice implemented in tiers across elementary, middle and high schools; the district's selection as one of six New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) pilot districts for a behavioral health initiative; and early-stage deployment of mental-health first-aid and measurement via Panorama student surveys.
"Restorative justice helps to repair harm and builds the community," the presenter said, describing tiered implementation that moves from community-building circles to restorative responses for major incidents. The district said staff training partners include state providers and consultants who have already trained many teachers across campuses.
Raul Gonzalez, community-schools coordinator, reported local partnerships and operational advances: integration of the Boys & Girls Club at Enos Garcia (including after-school warm meals for students), creation of community resource rooms, centralized documentation on a district OneDrive, and an estimated $35,000 in documented in-kind donations for community-schools programs.
The presenters emphasized measurement: the district will use the state Panorama wellness survey and local trusted-adult surveys to track changes in sense-of-belonging and school climate, and will pilot mental-health first-aid curricula for older students and adults. Planned next steps include a district well-being web page, expanded middle- and high-school after-school programming, and ongoing trainings for board members and staff.
Board members asked about measurement, parent access to literacy/training resources, and how community partners are being engaged; staff said resources and training for parents would be posted on the planned web page and that desktop/digital payment systems will help scale donations and programming.
