Pueblo principal discusses socioeconomic barriers affecting students

Preston Wenz is quick to point out he doesn’t have all the answers.

“I don’t want to have all the answers quite frankly,” the Baca Elementary School principal said to about two dozen people. “But collectively as a community we do.”

Wenz organized a community meeting Monday afternoon at the Praise Assembly of God Church to discuss the socioeconomic barriers that prevent Pueblo students from focusing at school and how to help them.

He said access to food, clothes and transportation are some of the many challenges facing students in Pueblo City Schools (District 60). Wenz also stressed the need for more mentors.

“Some kids don’t have that support at home. And so when they come to school they can feel safe. And they can feel fed and they can feel valued,” said Domenique Roush, a teacher at Baca.

Superintendent Dr. Constance Jones agreed. “When volunteers can come in and say — I care. I want to help you get caught up with your studies. I want to help you learn how to read,” she said. “That can go a very long way to motivate the child to do better in their school work.”

The need for mentors comes at a critical time for District 60. It has less than two years to improve student performance, or it risks being taken over by the state. But Wenz said that’s not what’s driving him to improve the quality of life for students.

“If we eliminate these barriers and get these kids to where they can just come to school and learn and know that there’s caring adults all around them, help them out at home with issues that they need… then those scores will take care of themselves,” Wenz said.

“If what I see happening in this room is any indication of what’s about to happen in Pueblo, we’re heading in the right direction,” said Pueblo resident Amy King.

For more information on how to help, contact Wenz at preston.wenz@pueblocityschool.us