45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF A PROGRAM USING RETIRED CITIZENS WILLING TO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO ASSIST WITH EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY PROGRAMS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

WHEREAS, many retired New Mexico citizens possess invaluable skills, life experiences and knowledge that could be shared with school children, their families and the entire community; and

WHEREAS, a number of retired citizens would gladly donate their time to assist schools with before- or after-school extracurricular activities; and

WHEREAS, many middle school children in grades six through nine have parents who work and are not available to spend time with them immediately before or after the school day; and

WHEREAS, middle school children, their families and New Mexico's communities would benefit greatly from extracurricular activities that could be organized and provided for them; and

WHEREAS, the participation by retired volunteers could be integrated into programs like those proposed in Senate Bill 17 in the first session of the forty-fifth legislature, whereby middle schools would offer students a variety of extracurricular activities that are sports related, community oriented or of an academic nature; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to middle school children of working parents to have interesting, fun and educational activities to pursue and participate in outside of the time they spend in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, there are retired residents and organizations within many communities that would likely donate their time, resources and buildings to provide extracurricular activities for middle school children;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state department of public education be asked to study the feasibility of having retired citizens willing to volunteer their time assist with extracurricular activity programs for middle school children in the public schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the members of the New Mexico legislative council and the superintendent of public instruction.