Proposed budget shows commitment to education ‘moonshot’

SANTA FE — In a clear sign that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s education “moonshot” remains a key priority amid this year’s economic and health crises, the Executive Budget Recommendation builds on recent investments and seeks innovative ways to support students who need it most.

The proposed Fiscal Year 2022 budget, released by the Department of Finance and Administration Jan. 18, recommends spending $3.3 billion of the $7.3 billion recurring general fund total on public education. That is a four percent increase from FY21 as the state moves aggressively to meet its legal and moral commitment to New Mexico students...

Indian Hills’ Melanie Van Dorp utilizes classroom donations in COVID-19 era

Each month, Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe recognizes one local teacher within the Gallup area for his or her determination to help students go above and beyond. Prospective teachers are nominated by students who feel they deserve to be recognized.

Melanie Van Dorp, a third grade teacher at Indian Hills Elementary School in Gallup, is December’s pick. She spoke to the Gallup Sun about her upbringing, her career path and teaching style.



EARLY LIFE

Van Dorp is a native of Canada, where she grew up in Stony Mountain, Manitoba. She considered herself motivated and a hard-worker when it came to tending the...

Gathers over 1,100 pounds of food in one day

GRANTS — The competition: To determine which Grants High School class could collect the most non-perishable foods in a two-hour period on Dec. 16.

The four classes at Grants High  — freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors — competed for the top honors and a cash prize for their class.

The beneficiary: Grants Community Pantry.

GHS staff, students and parents were encouraged to bring donations to the school’s east side entrance. GHS staff helped get donations from the cars and placed the donations on and near tables that separated the four classes for the school.

The event was spurred by the Grants High Anchors Club, a...

GRANTS — The Grants High School soccer team’s athletes received a donation from the New Mexico United professional soccer team Dec. 17.

Through the team’s Somos Unidos Foundation, the United sent a crew in a United vinyl-wrapped van — including player David Estrada — to the high school to make a donation of soccer balls and backpacks to the boys’ and girls’ team athletes.

“We know that Grants is taking care of their people this year, and sports, even though they can’t play in person, is still a huge part of people’s lives, and we want to support that,” Chanel Wiese, the executive director of the Somos Unidos Foundation told the Gallup Sun.

Fans greeted the van...