Superintendent's District Update

Dr. Channell Segura
Superintendent

Pojoaque Valley School District

This week, our Pojoaque Valley Schools family experienced the heartbreaking loss of our beloved educator, Marc Martin.

Marc served as the AVID Elective and Business and Management teacher at Pojoaque Valley High School. He was a caring and kind human being who brought positivity, warmth, and joy to every room he entered. He always had a smile on his face, and it was a contagious one. His genuine concern for others, his ability to make people feel welcomed and valued, and his sense of humor touched the lives of countless students, colleagues, and families.

Marc believed in his students and encouraged them to recognize their potential, pursue their goals, and prepare for a successful future. His influence extended far beyond the classroom, and his presence made our school community a better place. His students speak of him always greeting them as they entered his class and how he would send them off with words of guidance and care every day.

We extend our deepest condolences to Marc’s family, friends, students, and colleagues. He will be greatly missed, but the kindness he shared and the difference he made will remain with us always.

This school year, we are partnering with Champions (KinderCare) for our before and after school, and Friday out-of-school time programming for the 2026-27 school year. They have been very responsive to our needs and they come highly recommended from other school districts. The program will reside at PVIS for students K-8. Before and afterschool programming is covered by the state's Universal Childcare Act, but Friday's are not. Unfortunately, last week, school districts were informed by the state's Early Childhood Education and Care Department that families will have to pay a fee for students to attend on Fridays.

The Santa Fe Fiesta Council and Royal Court will conduct their annual visit to Pojoaque Valley School District on Tuesday, September 8. This visit is part of the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe tradition and includes a presentation by the Fiesta Court highlighting the history, culture, and longstanding customs associated with the celebration.

We recognize that members of our school community may hold different perspectives regarding this tradition. Designated spaces and alternative activities will be available for any students or staff members who choose not to participate. Additional information about the visit and the opt-out process will be shared by each school.

This month, members of our district leadership team and I met with the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Government for a formal consultation focused on the district’s Needs Assessment. We were also joined by the NMPED Assistant Secretary for the Office of Indian Education.

Following the consultation, the Assistant Secretary met with Governor, Jim Lujan and Lieutenant Governor, Matt Martinez, who shared very positive feedback about our leadership team and district. She described the meeting as a “model consultation” and stated that it was the most productive consultation she has observed anywhere in the state during her three and a half years in her role. She also indicated that she would share our approach with NMPED Secretary, Mariana Padilla as an example of effective collaboration.

The consultation provided an opportunity to identify areas for continued partnership. Ohkay Owingeh and the district expressed a shared interest in collaborating to improve student attendance and strengthen special education identification procedures and processes.

We are grateful to the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Government, the NMPED Office of Indian Education, and our district leadership team for their meaningful participation and continued commitment to serving our students and families.

Our football field/track project is almost complete. There are a few more punch-list items that need to be completed before we sign off. Our soccer and softball field is also complete and now they are working on clean-up. We are grateful to our community taxpayers so we could get these two projects complete to provide these two great new facility spaces for our students to utilize safely.

On August 4, we welcomed students in kindergarten and grades 4, 6, and 9 for Jumpstart Day. This opportunity allowed students transitioning into new schools or grade configurations to become familiar with their campuses, meet teachers and staff, learn routines, and build confidence before the arrival of all students. Later that afternoon, families participated in Open House, visiting classrooms, meeting educators, and preparing for the year ahead.

On August 5, we welcomed all students for the first full day of school. Across the district, our schools were filled with excitement as students reconnected with friends, met their teachers, and began establishing classroom routines and expectations.

This year also brought several important transitions, including:

• New school start and dismissal times

• The implementation of our four-day school week

• The launch of Synergy, our new student information system

• The relocation of the Sixth Grade Academy to a dedicated wing at Pojoaque Valley High School during middle school construction

• Continued implementation of our district strategic plan, Ignite the Path: Pojoaque Valley’s Roadmap for Student Success

As with any new school year, particularly one involving several significant operational changes, we are closely monitoring transportation, arrival and dismissal procedures, schedules, technology systems, and other areas that may require adjustment. District and school leaders are responding to concerns as they arise and will continue refining our processes to better serve students, staff, and families.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to our teachers, principals, support staff, transportation team, safety and security team, student nutrition employees, custodians, maintenance staff, district departments, families, and community partners. Their preparation, flexibility, and commitment made this successful opening possible.

Most importantly, our students returned to welcoming classrooms where they will be known, supported, challenged, and inspired. We look forward to building upon this positive beginning and working together to make the 2026–2027 school year an exceptional one for every student.

1 VIGIL, CAPRICE A

2 BACA, DESTINY

3 MANAJARREZ DE CASTILLO, MARIA L

8 JIMENEZ, SEAN THOMAS

10 MOSER, DOUGLAS R

12 DURAN, ANTONIO

12 MICHEL, VINCENT

13 TURNER, RAQUEL M.

14 BENCOMO, EMMA A

14 MARTIN, LENORA

14 ROMERO, ALEXIS

15 ALVAREZ, DESEREH

16 MARTINEZ, CASSANDRA D.

17 FLAGG, ROBERT

17 GOMEZ, LAURYN A

17 MARTINEZ, JOSEPH

22 MARTINEZ, ELAINE

25 ARAGON, THERESA

25 FRIEDRICH, JOHANNA

25 RODRIGUEZ, MELONIE YVETTE

27 DEQUINA, WHILSON JUDE MANO

29 BRANCH, JENNIFER C

30 ALVIDREZ TERRAZAS, ROSA I

30 BACA, RAY