When students walk through the halls at Lynn Community Middle School, they know where to find critical resources at every turn. From kindhearted teachers to staff who care for and support every young cougar, welcoming them each morning as they shuffle to class with friends.
For those who have never heard of a community school, Lynn CMS was the first school in the district to lead the way by becoming the pilot school for what would later expand to seven community schools within LCPS. But you might ask, what makes a community school so special? The answer is in the community partnerships established with health and dental care providers, New Mexico State University, Doña Ana Community College, law enforcement, food pantries, meal distribution centers, the city of Las Cruces, and funding from local partners who believe in the district’s mission of putting students’ needs first.
This year, Lynn CMS moved their school-based health center, a partnership with La Clínica de Familia, to an onsite portable for students to connect with services that address student and family physical and emotional needs. This supports their well-being and helps create a healthy environment for learning and growth. You’ll also find an on-campus dental clinic available to students. Staffed by NMSU and DACC dental hygiene students, the dental clinic provides free oral and preventative care to all students.
To build on these initiatives, Lynn CMS established a community resource space located in the same portable as La Clínica. This space connects students and families with essential services, information and support to strengthen well-being and foster a thriving school-community partnership. The new facility also offers educational classes and parent engagement nights. Inside, there is a food pantry and laundry facilities (for emergency use only) available to Lynn CMS families.
“This room was created and designed for the community, for parents and families to come in and participate in family engagement at least one night a month,” said Diahn Nevares, Lynn Community School Coordinator. “We have a TV, a whiteboard and tables set up to create a classroom learning environment. We also have a children’s area, so parents are not expected to leave their kids at home, they are welcome to bring them,” Nevares added.
In a separate area of the school building, you’ll find the Student Resource Room, a space dedicated to providing clothing, shoes, hats, belts, and personal hygiene products to any student in need. This effort removes barriers and ensures students always have what they need to succeed every day.
“When we started this room, there were bags and clothes everywhere,” said Mayra Granados, an 8th grader. “Our student government group came together to sort everything, including girls’ and boys’ clothes and shoes. Now it looks really nice. In the winter, if students need a jacket, they can come in here, check the size and take what they need or like.”
As you pass by classrooms where students are engaged in learning, you’ll also find the Restorative Room. This space provides a safe and supportive environment for students to reflect, regulate their emotions, and restore their readiness to learn. It leads to a positive school climate and helps reduce disciplinary issues.
Through a grant by the City of Las Cruces, Lynn Community School was able to build a weight and exercise gym, complete with an exercise bike, treadmill, adjustable weight dumbbells, and lifting racks. Even staff are welcome to utilize the gym before and after school. Through their physical education program, student athletes will also be able to use the facilities in addition to a specified weightlifting class for students. The gym will help to promote physical fitness, build healthy habits, and support students' overall well-being and confidence.
In collaboration with the Las Cruces Police Department, Lynn CMS has a therapy dog named Ranger who supports the school’s counselor and social worker during group sessions with students. Ranger visits classrooms weekly, playing a vital role in promoting emotional well-being, reducing stress and creating a calming environment that fosters students’ mental health and learning.
Lynn CMS has also partnered with New Mexico State University’s School of Social Work, Counseling Department, and Education Department to provide support with attendance issues, group sessions and family engagement.
Casa de Peregrinos supports Lynn families with more than 50 food baskets every month and will also provide snacks for students on an emergency basis. This collaboration is designed to support the basic needs of students and families and ensure students are ready to learn and thrive.
In addition, Lynn CMS continues to work with Roadrunner Food Bank through a monthly food distribution open to anyone in the community. Staff distribute food on the first Wednesday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Lynn CMS cafeteria. Brighter Bites distributes fresh produce on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, also in the cafeteria from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and is open to anyone with a student attending the school.
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