Leadership Sandoval teams collaborate at Stapleton Elementary

RIO RANCHO — Two teams from Leadership Sandoval, the Rio Rejuvenaters and the Crazy 8’s collaborated on a project late last month.

“As we began Leadership Sandoval, both of our LS teams were lead by RRPS administrators, myself, and Kristopher Johnson, principal of RioTech. We asked the board if we could submit a group project with both teams collaborating on a second project for the LS class of 2025,” Rio Rancho Public Schools employee Rachel Aaker said.

The project included portable classroom upgrades at Ernest Stapleton Elementary with air conditioning units donated by TLC. Aaker said this provided space for STEAM classes.

“The teacher was previously in the building in one classroom. Moving to this building outside of the main building allowed her to maintain access in the summer so that she could expand her classroom to include live animals,” Aaker said. “She was able to add reptiles, fish and other animals to her classroom and include observation and care for these animals to her STEAM instruction for all of the K-5 students at ESE.”

It was just in time for the school year to start too, she added.

The project also included the donation of six Buddy Benches from PlayWell.

“Buddy Benches are set around the playground, and students are encouraged to have a seat on the bench during recess when they are looking for friends to play with during recess. Students can then invite those children to the bench to join their game and play,” she said.

The teams also have a plan to paint a sensory path on the playground area.

This project was an additional project from the entire Leadership Sandoval Class of 2025.