Ann Parish Elementary renews Apple Distinguished School status to continue innovative instruction

Ann Parish Elementary staff and students recently celebrated their renewal as an Apple Distinguished School through a celebration that showcased the many ways the school utilizes technology to enhance student outcomes.

“The Apple community has been amazing,” said Apple distinguished educator and digital learning coach Rose Trujillo. “You get to collaborate with educators around the world and can get feedback on lessons, share lesson ideas, and share how we’re integrating technology in the classroom which to me is amazing because our kids need that. They need to be creative, they need to be hands-on, they need to be thinkers and be part of a group that they’re learning from.”

APE is one of three Apple Distinguished Schools in the Los Lunas Schools district, a status received in 2022, and was the first school in New Mexico to receive the distinction. The other two schools are Desert View and Los Lunas elementaries. To renew the status, the school had to show they have made progress in their efforts to bolster education through technology.

“This designation highlights the school’s commitment to innovation, leadership and educational excellence by creatively integrating technology into the classroom to enhance student’s educational experience while emphasizing 21st century skills,” as described in a press release from the district.

The celebration was held Nov. 1 and featured interactive presentations and activities with students and educators showcasing innovative projects and lessons that incorporate technology. Many of them featured small robots that utilize rudimentary coding, giving students a valuable head-start on an increasingly important and sought after skill.

APE Principal Lisa Begay said educators introduce coding skills from pre-k on through a variety of engaging activities, some of which were on display at the celebration. For example, one of the demonstrations featured students working with Bee-Bots, which students maneuver atop a grid map by inputting how many spaces they want the robot to move and in which direction to have it move to an area they want it to go.

They also used Sphero robots at the celebration to demonstrate how technology can be utilized as a tool for creativity as well. For this activity, the students maneuvered spherical robots covered in paint across a large paper canvas on the ground to make a mural.

“It helps with literacy, math skills and the creativity and imagination that I think some of the kids are lacking because they’re consuming rather than creating, so I love seeing how they come up with their own ideas on how they can get something to work better or try something new,” said Trujillo.

The staff also benefit from the program, as the distinguished school status allows for communication and collaboration with educators from any of the other 889 Apple distinguished schools around the globe. Through this, they “gain access to a global network of like-minded schools, resources, and best practices, which can further enhance teaching and learning.”

“It not only highlights a school’s dedication to enhancing student engagement and achievement using Apple technology, but also signifies a broader commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development among educators,” the release states.

“It’s been great. I’ve learned a lot these past few years,” said Trujillo. “We’ve been able to support teachers to integrate technology and make the learning interactive for them.”

“Ann Parish Elementary is committed to providing a high-quality education to prepare students for a rapidly evolving digital world, while equipping them with essential skills for the future,” read the release. “With a focus on personalized learning and technology, the school aims to inspire and empower every student to reach their full potential.”