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SPECIAL NEEDS
LMS' special education programs comply with all federal guidelines, by providing students who have been identified as having special needs with a free, appropriate education in the least restrictive environment, to the maximum extent possible. While our goal is full inclusion for every student,  LMS offers a wide range of services designed to meet the needs of the individual learners.A screening process is used to evaluate students to determine their need for special services and/or curricular modifications, so that they can achieve to their highest potential and succeed in school.  Usually this process is initiated by a classroom teacher when they notice a student is having particular difficulty succeeding in their class (though any staff or family member can make a referral).  A referral for screening begins a data gathering process that attempts to determine the cause of the student's difficulty.  The term "evaluation" does not necessarily mean a full diagnostic battery of tests. It can mean that, however, most of the time it refers to informal data gathering. Depending on the student’s disability it may include a case history, behavior logs, medical records, a report from the parent, attendance records, etc.  In some instances, a screening will be conducted by the school psychologist, physical therapist, assistive technologist, or occupational therapist. If the individual case dictates, an educational diagnostic evaluation might be included.
SCHOOL REFORM

LMS has designed and is implementing a reform plan based on the Effective Schools research.  The plan incorporates the school's various improvement initiatives under a single "umbrella".  These combined initiatives include: the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Goals 2000 program, the North Central Accreditation Association and New Mexico State Department of Education's school improvement programs, as well as other reform movements, such as the Annenberg Rural Challenge, the Utah-Colorado-Arizona-New Mexico Rural Schools Initiative (UCAN) and Service--Learning programs.The School Restructuring Council oversees the development of the school reform plan, and monitors its implementation.  The SRC comprises the principal, 3 professional staff members, 2 support staff members, 1 student from each grade level (6th, 7th, and 8th), 1 parent, and 1 community-at-large member.   Members are elected (staff and students) or serve on a voluntary basis (community members).

SPECIAL INITIATIVES - NMISSI

NMISSI - New Mexico Integrated Services in Schools, a new initiative of New Mexico Community Foundation to ensure that students have access to high-quality primary healthcare including: preventative medical care, behavioral health, health education, dental health services, and age-appropriate reproductive health education.

Outside regular school hours, services in "Extended-Day Learning" will be available. Project-based learning activities will include: academic enrichment, arts integration, physical activity, homework assistance, service learning opportunities and youth leadership development.

TECHNOLOGY

At LMS, we believe that technology should be seamlessly incorporated across the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning for all members of the school community. Technology is not an "add-on" program at LMS, nor is it an electronic substitute for human interaction. Instead, LMS believes that technology should equip students and teachers with powerful tools to develop and sustain life-long learning. These tools also create educational equity for students living on the reservation, and knowledge of their intelligent use prepares them with important skills necessary for life in modern society. Technology provides them with immediate access to information from global sources, and enables them to build communicative bridges to other worlds, linking them with diverse communities, cultures, and ways of knowing. LMS believes that technology is one of the primary tools that enables its students to achieve the school’s mission: participating in Laguna and other world societies.

COUNSELING

A certified counselor offers the following services to LMS students, staff, parents, relatives, and community members:

  • individual and group counseling for students and staff
  • career counseling for students and community members
  • assistance with high school applications and preparations
  • student class scheduling
  • monitoring of student attendance and performance
  • organizing "Career Day" activities
  • providing information about drug and alcohol abuse, "risky" lifestyles

Students can meet with the counselor at any time; they must first ask their classroom teacher for a pass to the counselor's office, or stop by the office during passing period. If the counselor is unavailable, students should leave a message with the secretary that they want an appointment, and the counselor will call them out as soon as they are available. Teachers can refer students for counseling regarding academic, social, and/or behavioral problems. Parents can request counseling for their children by requesting for an appointment. This can be done by phone or in person, or by sending an email to the counselor.

EXTRA CURRICULAR
LMS recognizes that middle level learners have many needs--social, physical, and emotional--that cannot all be met by the regular academic school curriculum.  Consequently, the school provides extensive extracurricular opportunities.  These activities include: Athletics (boys' and girls' Cross-Country, girls' Volleyball, and boys' and girls' Basketball), Yearbook Production, MESA (Math, Engineering, and Science Association) and Homework Help.Students must provide their own transportation home from after school activities.  To accommodate parents who work later than the 5:00pm ending time for most activities, the school also provides an extended care program until 6:30pm.

 
 
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