Rotary Meeting 10-29-26 Updated 

• Club Meeting Opening & Activities
  • Morning Pledge of Allegiance was led by Meredith E.
  • Invocation was led by Ron H.
  • Four-Way Test was led by Shirley A.
• Guest Introduction & Announcements
  • Guests
    • Kathy Heck – John’s wife.
    • Debbi – Kathy’s friend.
    • Denise Rael-Comstock, Horizons Albuquerque and guest speaker.
    • Em Bird-Brown, Horizons Albuquerque and guest speaker.
  • Announcements
    • Ed R. – Presented check to Tony P. in amount of $14,804 to give to the School for the Blind and Visually Impaired as their portion of the proceeds from the Night Golf Tournament.  The club’s portion was $7,402 which will be given to the club’s Foundation.
    • Mitch S. – The Tour de Tucson bike ride to end polio is 11/21.  He will be riding again, and you can make donations to the link in the email he sent out today. The Gates Foundation is matching all donations 2:1.
    • Ron H. – He will email all going on the Las Vegas train trip on 11/6 today with trip details.
• Kathy Heck was inducted into the club.  Congratulations Kathy!

• Denise Rael-Comstock, Executive Director, and EM Bird-Brown, Director of Development, Horizons Academy, and guest speakers.

  • Horizons Albuquerque mission is to advance equitable learning opportunities for students. They partner with families, communities, and schools to provide a summer academic and enrichment program, as well as wrap-around and supportive services for students and families throughout the year.

  • Horizons Albuquerque Goals:

    • Create a positive, safe, and inclusive learning environment and expand social and emotional learning opportunities and other evidence-based approaches that promote healthy development
    • Expand relevant enrichment opportunities, including internships and field experiences
    • Increase parent and family involvement, engagement, and advocacy regarding their student's education 

    • Provide ongoing meaningful opportunities and resources for our students and families by enhancing collaborative partnerships with organizations in our community

  • The Horizons Albuquerque program began in the summer of 2014 at Bosque School, welcoming 46 students entering 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade. In 2017, the program expanded to include Manzano Day School, and again in 2019 with the addition of Sandia Preparatory School (Sandia Prep). Today, their students complete rising grades 1-4 at Manzano Day School, rising grades 5-8 at Bosque School, and rising grades 9-12 at Sandia Prep. In the summer of 2026, Horizons Albuquerque served 177 students from rising 1st to 12th grade. In May 2026, their fourth class of Horizons Albuquerque students graduated from high school. 

  • All students deserve the opportunity to succeed; but unfortunately, opportunity isn't equal. Across our country, additional support during and outside of school is not accessible to many students and families. COVID-19 thrust summer and out-of-school learning into the spotlight, with many students experiencing what is now called the COVID Slide - an erosion of academic, social, and emotional skills due to disrupted schooling caused by the pandemic, particularly for students in communities most affected by school closures.

  • In 2023, the percentage of students at/above grade level at pretest significantly rose. Despite this increase, the percentage of students at/above grade level is still below pre-pandemic levels. Though the percentage of students at grade level continues to stay below pre-pandemic levels, student growth increased and remained within the 6-10 week range. Students in grades K-1 gained 9.6 weeks on average, with students below grade level gaining 12.4 weeks on average in Early Literacy. In reading, students in grades 2-8 grew 8.8 weeks, with students below grade level gaining 9.5 weeks on average. In Math, students in grades 3-8 gained 8.1 weeks, with students below grade level gaining 9.7 weeks on average.   

  • Especially during the summer, out-of-school programs may be costly or offer limited options for transportation and activities, leaving many families unable to participate. These opportunity gaps all contribute to students experiencing summer learning loss - the cumulative loss of academic skills over the summer months, which, over time, can leave students years behind in school, contributing to chronic absenteeism and high school drop-out rates. On average, a student who does not experience enriching summer activities can lose up to 2 months in academic skills. Albuquerque Public Schools currently reports that 70% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, while the four-year high school graduation rate of students is 76%. 

  • Horizons Albuquerque is committed to changing this reality. Their program supports students who might otherwise experience significant learning loss during summer, ensuring every child has opportunities to learn and grow. By the end of each summer session, Horizons students have typically gained at least 6-10 weeks of grade equivalence in reading and math, reversing summer learning loss and sending students back to school feeling confident and ready!