Wednesday, September 16, 2026 • 6:00 p.m. -- Joseph M. Montoya Gymnasium
Join Mora Independent Schools and members of the Mora community for a special Community Forum celebrating 50 years of the Joseph M. Montoya Gymnasium.
Dedicated in 1976, the gymnasium has been much more than a place for basketball and volleyball. For five decades, it has served as a gathering place for generations of students, families, athletes, educators, and community members. It has hosted championship moments, school celebrations, graduations, community events, and countless memories that have become part of the story of Mora.
Honoring the Class of 1976
The evening will feature a panel of Mora High School Class of 1976 graduates - the first graduating class to use the new gymnasium. Panelists will share firsthand memories of the gym's opening and their experiences during its first year.
Invited panelists include:
• Shirley (Gauna) Vigil - Class of 1976 Student Council President, who participated in the original gym dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony
• Mark Cassidy - Class of 1976, legendary Mora basketball player and coach, college athlete at New Mexico Highlands University, and former professional player in Australia
• Elmer Aragon - Class of 1976 Valedictorian and Stanford-educated attorney
The History Behind the Gym and Its Famous Mural
Dr. Fidel Trujillo will provide a historical presentation exploring the story of the gymnasium, its 1976 dedication, and the significance of its connection to Mora's educational and community history.
The presentation will also examine the gym's remarkable 37-by-11-foot triptych mural, painted by renowned Mexican muralist Aarón Piña Mora, who served as an artist-in-residence in the Mora schools through the New Mexico Arts Commission. The mural's imagery tells a story of New Mexico's history and cultures and remains one of the gymnasium's most distinctive and treasured features.
T
he presentation will also explore the role of Senator Joseph M. Montoya, for whom the gymnasium is named, and the broader legacy of education, athletics, and community that the facility represents.
Looking Toward the Next 50 Years
This celebration is also an opportunity to look forward.
As Mora Independent Schools enters the Planning and Assessment Phase of its facilities planning process with the Public Schools Facilities Authority (PSFA), community stakeholder engagement is an important part of determining the future of our facilities.
The high school gymnasium is currently being evaluated for needed improvements, including structural repairs and renovations to areas such as the lobby, restrooms, and locker rooms. While replacement has been raised as one potential option, the District believes there is significant value in exploring how the existing gymnasium can be preserved, renovated, and modernized while retaining the character, capacity, and community functions that make it special to Mora.
The gymnasium continues to serve the community well beyond athletics, including graduation ceremonies, school activities, community gatherings, and emergency shelter needs.
During the forum, community members will have an opportunity to:
• Share memories and stories about the gym
• Learn about its history and significance
• Discuss what the gym means to Mora today
• Identify priorities for renovation and modernization
• Consider how the facility can remain functional and accessible for future generations
• Help shape the District's thinking as it plans for the next 50 years
This is more than a celebration of a building. It is a celebration of the people, memories, accomplishments, and community that have filled it for 50 years, and an invitation to help determine what comes next.
Please join us on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Mora High School Gym.
Parent/Guardian Registration Reminder
Parents and Guardians: We need your help!
If you have not yet completed all required registration forms and information in PowerSchool for your child, please do so as soon as possible.
This is more than a routine or optional form. This is part of the required enrollment process for New Mexico public schools and ensures that Mora Independent Schools has the accurate information we need to properly serve and account for every student. Our reporting processes to the state require complete information.
Please complete your child's registration by Wednesday, August 26.
Having trouble accessing PowerSchool or unsure what remains to be completed? We're here to help! Please contact school administrative assistants or stop by the school front office, and we will assist you in completing the process.
If you have already completed registration, thank you! No further action is needed.
We appreciate your help in making sure every student is fully registered.
A Message to Our Community During Difficult Times
Dear Mora School Community,
I'd like to send this note to acknowledge that this has been a difficult and painful time for our community.
When tragedy touches a small community like ours, its impact reaches far beyond the people directly involved. We know that many of our students, families, staff, and community members are hurting, grieving, worried, or simply trying to make sense of what has happened. Some may be struggling with emotions that are difficult to put into words.
As a school community, we want you to know that you do not have to carry those feelings alone.
Our School Counselors are available to support students and staff. Please avail yourselves of the opportunity to talk to someone. If you know a student who might benefit from talking through things, please point them in the right direction. Our Secondary Counselor is Amanda Nolan-Trujillo, she can be reached at 575-387-3124. Her email address is mhscounselor@mora.k12.nm.us. Our Elementary Counselor is Michelle Cruz. Her phone number is 575-387-3132 and email address is mescounselor@mora.k12.nm.us. Our School Social Worker is Jessica Lucero. She is attending training off campus the next couple of days, but feel free to reach out to her upon her return. She can be reached at 575-387-3190 or jlucero@mora.k12.nm.us.
Our partners at the Mora Valley Community Health Services are also available to provide support to members of our extended community who may need someone to talk with. Please visit their website at www.mvchs.org.
There is no right way to process something like this. Give yourself, and one another, a good measure of grace. Check on your neighbors. Listen to your children. Be patient with your colleagues. And remember that sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is simply be present for one another.
We are a close-knit community. We are connected by our schools, our families, our friendships, and our shared sense of home. In moments like this, that connection matters.
There is one thing I am certain of: we will take care of one another.
Our thoughts are with everyone who is hurting, and we will continue to support our students, staff, families, and community as we move through this difficult time together.
Sincerely,
Dr. Trujillo
Fidel J. Trujillo, Ph.D.
Superintendent
As we get into the groove of a new school year, one of the greatest predictors of student success is simply being in school every day, on time, and ready to learn.
Missing just 10% of the school year, even for excused absences, can make it harder for students to stay on track academically and socially.
Families can help by:
✅ Establishing consistent bedtime and morning routines.
✅ Planning ahead for transportation and appointments.
✅ Communicating with the school if challenges arise.
If your child is sick, please keep them home and notify the school. If you're experiencing barriers to getting your child to school, please reach out. we're here to help. Our site Administrative Assistants are our Attendance Coordinators this year: Mrs. Lisa Pino at the Secondary School and Mrs. Angelica Vigil at the Elementary School.
Together, let's make excellent attendance one of the keys to a successful 2026-2027 school year!
Every Student. Every Day. Every Opportunity.
#MoraISD #AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts #ResetRenewRise
As we begin another great school year, thank you for helping us keep our students safe and our arrival and dismissal procedures running smoothly.
✔ Complete Registration
If you have not already done so, please complete your student's registration forms in PowerSchool as soon as possible. Keeping student information current helps us ensure accurate records and effective communication throughout the school year.
🚗 Morning Drop-Off (Elementary)
Please pull all the way forward to the end of the gym portal before stopping to allow as many vehicles as possible to unload and help reduce traffic congestion. Whenever possible, please have your child exit on the passenger side of the vehicle to avoid walking around vehicles and blind spots.
🚸 Afternoon Pick-Up (Elementary)
Please meet your child at the green gate near the cafeteria, basketball court, and middle school building.
For student safety, we cannot allow students to walk unaccompanied past the buses and into the busy parking lot.
Thank you for your patience, cooperation, and partnership in helping us provide a safe and efficient start and end to each school day.
#Mora ISD #Safety First #Every Student #Every Day.
Transportation Update for the 2026–2027 School Year
Please note the following changes to our bus routes for this school year:
The Golondrinas route has been discontinued.
Students from Buena Vista will now be picked up by Bus 4, driven by Lori Duran.
Bus 44 will now serve the Guadalupita and La Cordillera routes, with Laurie Carrillo as the driver.
Bus 2 will continue serving Ledoux, Monte Aplanado, and Highway 94, with Tim Racicot as the driver.
If you have any questions regarding these transportation changes, please contact the Mora Independent Schools
The Food 4 Kids Pantry is available throughout the summer for Mora Independent School District students, families, and staff members in need of food assistance.
If you would like to schedule a pickup or learn more about available items, please contact:
Rachel Rogers
📞 575-447-0884
Pickups are available by appointment. All requests will be handled confidentially.
Please feel free to share this information with anyone who may benefit from this resource.
Together, we can help support our community throughout the summer months.
Join us as we honor our graduates during the Mora High School Commencement Exercises on Friday, May 29th at 6:00 PM in the Senator Joseph M. Montoya Gymnasium.
If you are unable to attend in person, the ceremony will be streamed live via Hudl so family and friends near and far can be part of this special occasion.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! We are proud of all you have accomplished and look forward to seeing the impact you will make on the future.
https://fan.hudl.com/usa/nm/mora/organization/164503/mora-high-school/team/735287/coed-varsity-other
💚🤍 Home of the Rangers and Rangerettes
There will be an early release on Friday, May 29th at 12:00 PM.
Please make arrangements to ensure students are picked up on time. Thank you for your continued support, and we wish everyone a safe and wonderful weekend!
💚 Home of the Rangers and Rangerettes 🤍
💚🎓 Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Please join us at the 2026 Mora High School Graduation! Friday, May 29, 2026 @ 6:00 pm at the HS Gym🎉
The Mora Rangerettes are headed to Albuquerque for the State Softball Championships!
📍 Los Altos Field #3 – Albuquerque
🗓 Wednesday, May 13, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM
🆚 Hozho Academy
🎟 Tickets available on GoFan: GoFan Tickets
Let’s pack the stands and cheer on our Rangerettes as they compete for a state title! 💚🤍🥎
Watch live: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nmaa/track-and-field
Live results will be posted at: http://liverunningresults.com/
Go Rangers & Rangerettes! 💚🤍
It’s a big day on the diamond as your Mora Rangerettes Softball host the McCurdy Bobcats Softball for a HOME DOUBLEHEADER this afternoon!
📍 Mora Softball Field
🕒 First Game begins at 3:00 PM
Then join us again TOMORROW same time for one more home matchup against McCurdy as we celebrate:
🎓 Senior Night
👨👩👧👦 Parent Night
Come out and help us honor our seniors, recognize our supportive Rangerette families, and cheer on the girls as they battle on their home field!
Wear your GREEN, bring the energy, and let’s pack the stands! 💚🤍🥎