Assisted Learning Returns to Raton for Online Students.

By Melody Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Homeschooling students in Raton now have the opportunity to have the Learning Lab help assist in their education.  Since COVID, more families have turned to online schooling for their children’s education.  As with any educational setting, students will sometimes struggle throughout their academic journey.   Online students deal with working parents, the need for diligent discipline to complete assignments, different learning styles, the need for social interaction, and the ups and downs in everyday family life.  As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, parents and youth can benefit greatly from help from trusted and trained professionals helping ensure the academic success of our future generations. That is where the Learning Lab plans to help!

In response to community feedback, a united team of caring and driven individuals have come together working to bring back some type of alternative learning.

Counselor and owner of New Hope Family Counseling Angie Ortega, has 21 years experience as a social worker, is familiar with the alternative learning field, has worked with at-risk youth, and wants to pursue another way to help them.

In early December 2024, Ortega reached out to JJAC Program Coordinator Danielle Archuleta to work on finding funding for this venture.  From there everything fell into place quickly with multiple meetings held over the following month, building a working plan, finding future staff members, state JJAC officers walking them through obtaining a grant, having a city commission meeting held, and much more.

The efforts in launching this pilot project were rewarded when voting passed at the Raton City Commission meeting held on Feb. 11 approving the City of Raton to act as the fiscal agent of the CYFD Grant.  Archuletta, graciously donating her time to this project, is now the Continuum Coordinator for the Learning Lab.  This is a $59,400 grant that will be utilized to open the Learning Lab, pay for staffing, tutors, insurance, tech devices if needed, supplies, ect. with the largest expenses being staffing and tutoring.  It also requires a 40% in-kind contribution.  This grant typically allows for a 180 day school year but being granted now, it will likely be closer to 70 school days including a 3 week summer session.

With the CYFD Grant funding, Raton will now have a Learning Lab offering a structured place to do online school work with access to tutors and a bonus life skills component.  Dedicated, trained, and experienced staff will be there to help encourage and motivate students in continually making progress.

Understanding that some students may be academically behind and struggling, staff will be prepared to help give each student the tools needed to exercise growth and knowledge, not just academically, but in common life skills as well.  Things from changing a tire to how to get a copy of your birth certificate, are skills that can be acquired along the way.

The main focus on every student no matter what is making sure they know they matter. Students who have dropped out or struggled learning in in-person school settings have generally gotten a bad rap. As such, it tends to discourage youth in thinking they can accomplish what they set out to do, and does not allow them to explore all the potential they have lying dormant inside.

The heart of this operation is to assist youth and their families by empowering students with self confidence and a sense of worth, not only changing how students see themselves but how the community sees them too.  Helping direct the youth with encouragement and proper guidance will hopefully keep them out of negative situations and aid them in becoming productive membersof society.  This allows for a better and brighter future in Raton’s community.

Diligent communication with families, school social workers, and the Learning Lab’s case manager will be key in making sure these students excel and are not left behind.  Case management will also help students with local resources for needs such as transportation or meals if needed. Community involvement is arranged as well to assist with life skill components and to help students to build rapport throughout the community.

The Learning Lab is tentatively planning to be open before the end of March and will benefit up to 20 ninth through twelfth graders, and no more than five eighth graders. Hours will be Monday thru Thursday 10- 4 and Friday 9-12.  This is intended to go throughout the remainder of the school year and a short summer session. The timing of the program launch is a wonderful opportunity to help students finish their school year strong and supported.

Once the pilot is completed the intent is to reapply for the same funding and  additional resources, and regroup to make adjustments and improvements for next school year.

If you are interested in getting your child enrolled, or would like to find out how to help support this pilot project; please contact Angie Ortega at angie21@newhopefamllc.com .

The Learning Lab facilitators would like to thank the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, City of Raton, Treasurer Michael Anne Antonucci, City Manager Rick Mestas, Danielle Archuletta, Angie Ortega, New Hope Counseling, Youth Heartline, Judge Amy Hronich, Zia youth owner Linda Headley, Chief JPO Erika Meadows, Leonore Barfield, Jolene Young, Jayda Cordero, all CORCAB members and Yourg Bird members along with Raton Public Schools and all online school programs for their support.