Next week, the bulk of Archuleta School District (ASD) students will head back to their classrooms for the new academic year, which will run until the end of May.
“Every school year brings the opportunity to have a significant positive impact on the lives of all our students,” ASD Superintendent Rick Holt wrote in an email to The SUN.
Holt adds, “We remain focused on providing students the highest quality instruction, expecting all students to meet grade level expectations (and supporting when they are not yet able), and providing a safe learning environment for all students.”
Holt, as well as several of the school leaders, also noted an effort to increase student engagement within the classroom, as well as to combat chronic absenteeism.
Pagosa Springs
Elementary School
Pagosa Springs Elementary School will continue to be led by Principal Kelly Vining and Assistant Principal Nicolle Looper.
“Welcome to a new school year,” Vining wrote in the school’s September newsletter. “I am excited to begin another year of learning, growth, and memorable experiences with you and your children. At our school, we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment where every student feels valued, supported, and challenged to reach their fullest potential.
“Our dedicated staff has been preparing engaging lessons, building inviting classrooms, and planning opportunities that nurture both academic and social-emotional growth. We know that children thrive when schools and families work together, and we look forward to partnering with you throughout the year.
“Thank you for entrusting us with your children. Together, we will make this school year one of success, discovery, and lasting connections.”
Pagosa Springs Middle School
Pagosa Springs Middle School will be under the helm of a new principal, Josh Sanchez, this year, following the retirement of Chris Hinger after 22 years.
He will be work alongside returning Assistant Principal Janae Ash.
“We’re so excited to start the school year,” Sanchez wrote in a statement to The SUN. “Building strong relationships, supporting every student’s growth, and creating a positive school environment where everyone feels included and valued continues to be the middle school focus. We believe that when schools and families work together, amazing things can happen. We’ll be keeping the lines of communication open and encouraging your involvement throughout the year. Your partnership matters.
“Here’s to a great year ahead full of learning and shared success!”
Sanchez also notes he’s “truly excited” about the fresh opportunities the new school year brings “to connect, grow, and lead our school community forward.”
He adds, “The start of a new school year is exciting times with students and staff refreshed and with so much optimism. This helps create a shared commitment among staff and families to make this year meaningful and successful.”
He adds he’s “especially looking forward to seeing and supporting the great work of our incredible educators. Having the opportunity to work with many of them a few years ago, I know their commitment and dedication in supporting student success. We want to continue to build a school culture that makes students feel safe, challenged, and inspired to be their best.”
Sanchez also suggests that the new school year is a great time for families to establish school routines for their students, noting that “having such routines can greatly set up students for success at school.”
He continues, “I highly encourage families to monitor students’ progress weekly, ask their students regularly open-ended questions about how school is going for them, and encourage their students to get involved with the school. We will have many opportunities throughout the year for students to get involved with a club, athletics, and after school activities. Research shows the more students are involved with their school, the more successful students show to be in and out of the classroom.”
Pagosa Springs High School
Pagosa Springs High School will continue to be led by Principal Sean O’Donnell and Assistant Principal Chantelle Jordan.
“Pagosa Springs High School is excited to welcome our students back for the 2025-2026 year,” Principal Sean O’Donnell wrote in an email to The SUN.
O’Donnell notes the high school is “committed this year to re-engaging our students.”
He adds, “We still remain firmly committed to helping every student explore their passions and prepare for their unique path after graduation, whether that leads to college, career training, or entering the workforce. We can’t wait to see what our students will accomplish this year.”
The school also recently announced that there will be no entry fees for athletics effective immediately.
The new policy applies to all regular season games and matches across all sports, with the only exception being playoff games, where entry fees will still be collected as required by the Colorado High School Activities Association.
San Juan Mountain School
San Juan Mountain School (SJMS), the district’s alternative high school, will again be led by Principal Stewart Bellina.
“Our staff is back, and we are getting ready for another great year with our students at San Juan Mountain School,” she wrote in an email to The SUN. “One of our biggest initiatives this year is to increase student engagement in classes and in interactions with peers throughout the day. By working hard to develop engaging lessons for students and putting some new restrictions in place for the typical distractions, we believe we can improve the interactions between students and teachers and among students. Research shows that students who have positive social interactions (in-person) each day are more resilient and less anxious.”
Bellina explains that, as is usual for the school, SJMS will begin its school year with two weeks dedicated to developing the culture of the school with the help of the student body.
“We are excited to use this time to develop goals for the year, plan and execute our fall overnight trip to Carlsbad Caverns, and discuss and practice the classroom procedures we will use throughout the year,” Bellina wrote. “By dedicating two weeks to these important tasks, our students begin the academic period feeling as though they are part of a strong community of support and have a clear understanding and some investment in our goals for the year.”
Cellphone/device change
In a move to increase engagement in the classroom and school, ASD is implementing a new policy this school year regarding cellphones and other devices.
“The change in policy comes from the desire to increase student engagement,” Holt explains. “The reality is that the research on the harm that can be caused through exposing young minds to social media is substantial. Experts in the field are recommending a significant decrease if not the elimination of use. Schools can play a significant role in creating an environment where we prioritize engaging in human to human contact. Our teachers’ work had to create and deliver engaging and meaningful learning. We have decided to significantly alter the environment that teachers and students interact by expecting that phones no longer are part of the equation.”
According to the policy, which was approved by the district’s Board of Education on June 10, personal portable technological devices — including cellphones, smart watches, tablets, laptops,cameras, headphones/earbuds, audio and/or video recorders and players, and all other handheld cellular communication devices — cannot be used or on a student’s person at school during the instructional school day.
The policy dictates that it is the student’s responsibility to ensure devices are off and placed in their backpack or similar bag while on campus during school hours.
“The Board of Education believes personal technology devices (PTDs) are unnecessary distractions for students in the educational environment,” the policy states. “The use of and access to personal technology devices in school situations must be regulated to ensure that the use of such devices does not disrupt or interfere with the educational process or school operations. Therefore, students may only use PTDs on district property, on a district vehicle, or at a district or school-sponsored activity or event in accordance with this policy.”
It later notes use of devices in school vehicles and during off-campus extracurricular activities will be at the discretion of the activity sponsor, and notes the policy may be modified on an individual basis to meet required accommodations in Individual Education and 504 plans.
To view the policy, visit http://bit.ly/4fWyxeh.
Combating absenteeism
“As part of our efforts to increase student engagement in learning we are focused on ensuring all students regularly attend school,” Holt wrote. “Obviously school attendance is critical for student success. Learning takes place when you are interacting with challenging materials, interacting with peers and adults in constructive settings, and managing your way through social relationships. We need students to be here with us for those experiences.”
Holt explains that, for the 2023-2024 school year, the district’s chronic absenteeism rate was 39.9 percent, compared to the state rate of about 27.7 percent.
Holt notes a student absent 10 percent or more of the days enrolled during the school year is chronically absent. All absences are included — unexcused and excused.
“While our overall attendance rate was just above 90%, regular attendance remains a concern,” he wrote. “Schools will be focused on working closely with students and parents to address attendance concerns. Since we have a 167 day school calendar students who miss 17 days (more than 3 weeks of school) are considered chronically absent. 3 weeks is a significant amount of learning time regardless if those days are excused or unexcused.”
School and road
construction
The U.S. 160 reconstruction project remains underway in downtown Pagosa Springs, leading to the district to continue to suggest that students ride district buses to help lessen congestion in the area and improve safety.
The Colorado Department of Transportation, through Meredith Greene, a spokesperson for the reconstruction project, also offered safety tips.
“As the new school year begins, students, parents, and drivers in Pagosa Springs are reminded to stay extra cautious when traveling downtown near the US 160 reconstruction project. With school traffic returning and construction activity ongoing, safety is a shared responsibility,” she wrote in an email to The SUN.
The following information was provided by Greene and CDOT.
For students
Students walking to and from school should always use the open crosswalks at 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th streets. Mid-block crossings between 4th and 5th Streets are closed for safety.
Barriers are in place to keep everyone out of the construction zone; please don’t climb over or walk through them.
Look up from your phone, make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and always stay alert for construction vehicles and traffic.
For parents and driving
students
The school district is strongly encouraging students to ride the bus whenever possible — even on the first day of school. Fewer vehicles in the school zone will reduce congestion and improve safety for students walking, biking or being dropped off.
Drivers should also expect heavier congestion during drop-off and pick-up times, along with potential 15-minute delays through the work zone.
The road is reduced to one lane in each direction, and large equipment is frequently moving in the corridor.
Please plan ahead by leaving a few minutes earlier, obey all traffic signals and avoid distractions while driving.
Stopping in crosswalks makes it unsafe for pedestrians — always stop before the line.
For the whole community
“The construction project is improving roadways and replacing utilities, but it means changes in our normal travel routines,” Greene wrote. “Let’s make this back-to-school season safe for everyone by being patient, alert, and respectful of one another on the road.”
Stay informed by visiting the project website at codot.gov/projects/us160pagosasprings or subscribing to project updates at subscription.cotrip.org.
randi@pagosasun.com
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