New Year, New Programs at Area Schools

Students and staff at the Elgin School and Patagonia Union High are settling in to some new routines, due to changes in the curriculum and innovative programs put in place for the new academic year. 

At the Elgin School, Superintendent Mary Faley described several changes to the school. Librarian Lynn Daffern is offering a pre-school story hour, open to children 3 and older, on Wednesday mornings at 8:00a.m. Parents and children meet in the school library for a story, snacks and an activity. “It’s a way for the preschoolers to get used to the school environment,” Faley said. 

The fifth grade has been moved into the middle school this year. All students in grades 5 through 8 are now able to choose electives on Friday, which include supplemental support in reading and math, robotics, creative writing, study skills and dance lessons. 

This quarter, in the dance elective, students are learning the tango, taught by Manuel Gatica, the middle school math teacher. Faley hopes to add music to the elective schedule if she can find an instructor. “If there is somebody with the time and talent, I would encourage you to contact the school,” she said.

The Mountain Empire Rotary Club has expanded their Books for Birthdays program to the Elgin School this year, a program that they have had in place in the Patagonia Schools for the past several years. Daffern pointed out a bookcase full of books for students to choose from on their birthday. 

Faley also pointed out new planters complete with inspirational sayings located throughout the school, assembled by art teacher Anna Coleman and volunteers, which, she said, “added a lot of warmth to the campus,” 

The Patagonia Schools have seen some changes this year, as well. District Superintendent Rachell Hochheim has revamped the curriculum, with electives now being offered Monday through Thursday from 8:15 to 9:15, as well as all day Friday for students in grades 7 – 12. Electives available include current affairs, yoga, art, P.E., weightlifting, Spanish and music. Electives are graded in two ways. Many of them are pass/fail, based on participation, but subjects such as U.S. history and foreign languages are graded. 

“Enrichment blocks” of time on Fridays are incorporated into the new schedule, as well. These offer an opportunity for qualified experts in the community to share their knowledge with students. “Anything they are passionate about and have expert knowledge of, we want to bring to the school,” Hochheim said. She encouraged anyone interested in this program to contact her. 

The school has also instituted the College or Career Prep Academy for students in grades 11 and 12 to help them prepare for life after high school. 

Patagonia High School students can now earn college credit by taking dual credit courses. All seniors at the school are enrolled in Pima Community College (PCC), and by graduation can have earned a full semester of college credits. Patagonia is the first high school in the state to offer college level English, based on the curriculum from PCC. “Statewide, 80% of students place in remedial English and math when they enroll in college. 80% of our juniors and seniors passed into college English,” Hochheim said. “We are asking our teachers to go above and beyond. That our students can perform at that level is phenomenal.” 

Another innovation at the school this year is the introduction of a behavior intervention system, overseen by Student Services Director Kenny Hayes. All students can earn points, which are rewards given by their teachers for positive behaviors, on an app, which they track on the computer or their phones. The students can use their points to ‘buy’ certain privileges or to purchase items at local stores who are sponsoring the program. “We want to acknowledge positive behaviors that are necessary for them to become good students,” Hochheim said. Local businesses sponsoring this program are Gathering Grounds, Patagonia Health and Fitness, Patagonia Market, Red Mountain Foods, Ranchers Well Service and Sonoita Mini-Market.