Good morning RRPS Community,
District staff have been hard at work preparing for the new school year. We are excited to be 100% open and to have our students back in the classroom once again. Below please find the latest information as it relates to school reentry in this first edition of the School Reentry E-Newsletter for the 2021-2022 school year:
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RRPS School Board Decides on Masking Rules for 21-22SY |
Last week, the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) released details to public schools about their requirements for face masks this school year. Based on the current NMPED COVID-19 Response Toolkit, Rio Rancho Public Schools has some flexibility to allow middle and high school students and staff to attend school without a mask so long as they provide evidence of full vaccination. Or, the district could choose a more restrictive approach requiring everyone to wear a mask.
Last night, the RRPS School Board heard both options presented from District Leadership and voted 3-2 for the following face mask rules for middle and high schools students in Rio Rancho Public Schools:
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For Middle & High Schools (Vaccinated Individuals) - All students in middle or high school who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to wear face masks while on campus if they provide documentation of full vaccination and receive an RRPS issued Mask Pass.
- To request your mask pass and provide proof of vaccination, please fill out the special form using the orange button in the next column
- Each school will have a system to distribute passes.
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Students must wear their mask until they receive their pass.
- Students must have their Mask Pass with them each day and show it to administrators, teachers, bus drivers, security, etc. as requested. If they forget their pass, they will be asked to wear a mask.
- Face masks will be provided to those who forget their Mask Pass.
- Vaccinated students can continue to choose to wear a mask
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For Middle & High Schools (Unvaccinated Individuals & those who do not have a Mask Pass) - All individuals who are NOT fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or those who do not provide documentation of full vaccination, will be required to wear a face mask while:
- In a school building;
- On school transportation;
- Or at an indoor school-sponsored event.
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For Middle & High School Staff Members- Vaccinated staff members who show verification of full vaccination will not be required to wear a mask. Guidance will be sent to staff members.
- Students WILL NOT be segregated based on their vaccination status.
- If this plan becomes to difficult to enforce, if COVID-19 cases rise in the schools or community, if rules are not followed, etc., the Board may choose to require masks for all.
NMPED Response Toolkit does not allow for flexibility at the elementary schools:
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For Elementary Schools - All individuals in elementary schools (students, staff, visitors, volunteers, contractors, etc.), regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a face mask while:
- In a school building;
- On school transportation;
- Or at an indoor school-sponsored event
For All Grades & RRPS Campuses - Masks are not required outdoors for any individual (vaccinated or unvaccinated)
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Discipline Matrix for Mask Wearing:

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RRPS will update our student discipline matrix by Sept. 1, for the 21-22 school year with an addendum. This addendum states, in part, that if a student (who is required to wear a mask) refuses to wear a mask,
- The student will be sent home
- A school administrator will contact the parent/guardian to discuss mask requirements for in-person learning and give them the choice to either remain in-person with a mask or transfer to our virtual option
- If the student chooses to remain in-person agreeing to wear their mask and again refuses to wear their mask, the student will be automatically assigned to virtual learning
- Placement will be reevaluated at the end of each grading period.
**Last week, the CDC also released guidance recommending universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. While, we have not seen any changes yet, NMPED could update their guidance to reflect this.
It is very important to note that NMPED and RRPS face mask rules are subject to change at any time. We must ensure we are able to adapt to any changes in the transmission of COVID-19, community spread, enforcement difficulties, community feedback or other circumstances.
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NMPED Requiring Surveillance Testing |
As part of the school reentry requirements from the New Mexico Public Education Department, RRPS will be required to conduct surveillance testing of students and staff. Per the NMPED, the student surveillance testing rules are as follows:
- COVID-19 surveillance testing is required for all schools providing in-person student services, including athletics. Staff and students who provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination, and those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, are not included in surveillance testing.
- Schools are required to provide student surveillance testing programs to all unvaccinated students on a voluntary basis. In alignment with CDC guidance, those who participate in athletics and other extra-curricular activities are strongly encouraged to participate in surveillance testing. Schools have a weekly goal of testing 25% of unvaccinated students.
- Districts and charter schools are required to report the number of staff and students tested for COVID-19 each week through the NMDOH Provider Portal for COVID-19. All COVID-19 testing is available at no cost to students/staff.
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New Close Contact Definition |
For the 2021-2022 school year, the New Mexico Public Education Department has updated the official definition of a "Close Contact" that must be used by all public schools. The new Close Contact definition is:
Someone who over a 24-hour period, has a cumulative exposure of fifteen minutes or longer within six feet of a confirmed COVID-19 case with or without a face covering.
• Exception: In the K–12 indoor classroom setting, the close contact definition excludes students who were within 3 to 6 feet of an infected student (laboratory-confirmed or a clinically compatible illness) where
» both students were engaged in consistent and correct use of well-fitting face masks; and
» other K–12 school prevention strategies (such as universal and correct mask use, physical distancing, increased ventilation) were in place in the K–12 school setting. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.
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RRPS to Provide FREE Lunches for all Students this School Year |
Rio Rancho Public Schools is offering free meals to all enrolled students during theschool year under the COVID-19: Child Nutrition Response #85 Nationwide Waiver to Allow the Seamless Summer Option through School Year. All students within the district are eligible to receive free meals regardless of income.
In addition, Rio Rancho Public Schools would like to welcome our new food service provider, Southwest Foodservice Excellence (SFE) for this school year. SFE is happy to be part of the Rio Rancho Public Schools system and the entire staff looks forward to assisting us in igniting student potential by providing tasty and healthy meals for our students each school day. You will find that SFE’s food is diverse, nutritious, contains locally sourced ingredients, and is incredibly tasty!
Even though all student meals are free this school year, families who typically qualify for free and reduced student meals within Rio Rancho Public Schools, are still encouraged to apply through the standard process as you may qualify for other benefits associated with the program. To apply for free and reduced means and any other associated benefits, please visit: https://family.titank12.com/ For more information, please also visit: https://www.rrps.net/page/food-services For questions directly related to free and reduced meal benefits, please email ginger.lange@rrps.net or call Ms. Lange atExt. 51895
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USDA Non-discrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at at (800) 877-8339.
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C.
(2) Fax: or
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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Mountain View Middle School & Colinas del Norte Schools to Start Virtually
Over the summer RRPS took on large and complex projects at multiple school sites. Unfortunately, due to some setbacks due to COVID-19 in particularly delays in materials and equipment, projects at MVMS and CDN will not be complete in time to welcome students back to in-person learning.
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Due to the delays, both schools will start school virtually to make sure the buildings are safe, properly ventilated and can effectively meet all COVID-safe practices.
Students at these schools will return to in-person learning on Monday, August 23. Both schools have sent information to families in regards to curbside meals and other material distributions.
If you have further questions, please reach out to your school.
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500 Laser Rd NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
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