Sandia Vista Elementary

Dear Sandia Vista Families,

We hope this message finds you well and enjoying the beautiful start to the school year. Your ongoing support and involvement make our school community thrive, and we are truly grateful for everything you do.

Important Announcements

• Curriculum Night: We are looking forward to seeing you all for Curriculum Night on September 26 from 5-6:30 PM. This is a great opportunity to learn more about what your children will be studying this year.

• Wildlife Concerns: Wildlife continues to be a concern on school property. We are currently working with our facilities department on possible solutions to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

• Attendance Improvement: We are pleased to report that our attendance rates are improving! Thank you for making sure your students are here at school and ready to learn. We appreciate your support in this vital area.

Celebrations from the Week

• This year, we are excited to recognize students through the Cloud 9 Award. Some students have already received this award letter and brought it home. Those recognized are also entered to win a gift certificate each week, with names drawn during our school news updates.

• We would like to congratulate Mrs. Hale, who was named Staff Member of the Month! Mrs. Hale received a beautiful bouquet from Albuquerque Florist for her hard work in ensuring our technology needs are met every day for both staff and students.

Additional Information

We have heard from several parents about the desire for more communication regarding disciplinary measures taken at school. I have instructed teachers to communicate with parents when such actions occur in the classroom. Additionally, I have clarified our expectation here at Sandia Vista that students who are restricted from play should not be asked to run as a consequence.

We are grateful for your feedback and commitment to our school community. Your voices help us grow and improve.

As we move forward, we want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can create a nurturing and enriching environment for our students. We look forward to more collaboration and success in the upcoming weeks.

Warm regards,

Mr. DeSoto & Mrs. Northness

We have had a busy start to the school year in the Art room learning how to use our studio, planning and creating awesome artworks. 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are working on a project for Square 1 Art. These projects are one of my favorite projects of the year because it gives students a chance to showcase their creativity and unique ideas for their creations.

Square 1 Art takes the students' original artworks and prints it on all kinds of products that families can order. It is a fundraiser for the art room to help supplement our supply budget and a wonderful way for students to showcase their ideas and talent! Students plan their picture by choosing the subject and creating a sketch, then they choose the materials that they want to use to color which include markers, colored pencils, oil pastels, chalk pastels, gel pens, tempera paint sticks, watercolors and tempera paints to create their final art works. It teaches them the creative process from start to finish and I am always thrilled to see what the students create. Ordering brochures for Square 1 Art are sent home in October.

2nd grade students have gotten a chance to show off their knowledge taking the RRPS 2nd Grade Art Assessment. In addition, they have been busy learning how to take care of the art studio so that they will be able to use tools and materials independently. The 2nd grade students will be making their art for Square 1 Art soon!

Kindergarten and 1st grade students have been learning a lot about lines and using their knowledge to draw and cut lines to use on a Collage. I have been excited to see how much the Kindergarten students have already learned about being in school!

Please remind your student that the Art room can get messy and they should not wear fancy clothes or their favorite clothes on art day just in case! Please feel free to send in a box of kleenex for one of the Related Arts teachers. We will share our supplies with each other; we see a lot of students and a lot of runny noses! Feel free to contact me at any time heather.armstrong@rrps.net

Artfully yours,

Mrs. Armstrong

We are excited to welcome Christopher Fleming to the SVE Music team! All students at Sandia Vista now have music class twice in their Related Arts Rotation!

4th and 5th grade students: Don't forget that recorder papers have been sent home and all money and forms should have already been returned back to school. If your student still have a recorder at home that they need to bring in or any other circumstance, please let us know ASAP! We are excited to begin recorders with your students in the upcoming weeks.

During the month of September we will be focusing on Respect. One way to think about Respect is “seeing value in all people and things & treating them with care.” Many people feel Respected in different ways and we hope this month inspires discussions with your family about what Respect means to you and how you can practice it together!

Students have a chromebook checked out to them for use at school. Insurance can be purchased for these devices (click here for more information).

Common Sense Media is a fantastic resource for parents with tips for safeguarding children's online activity as well as recommendations for movies, video games, and even great podcasts to enjoy as a family!

Deadline to sign up for chromebook insurance is October 1st.

In August, all classes focused on learning about collaboration, a fundamental concept that will

be utilized throughout the year in the STEAM Lab. It serves as a crucial lifelong skill and is the

first concept I like to introduce to the students. They practiced collaboration by building

challenges and learning the expectations of using the STEAM bins.

In the upcoming weeks, the students will delve into the Engineering Design Process, applying

their knowledge by constructing shelters, designing gliders, and studying topics such as gravity,

weather patterns, and architectural shapes.

I recently discovered that the Loma Colorado Library offers a wide range of STEAM bins for

families to check out and explore at home. These bins provide an opportunity for students to

engage in hands-on exploration, building, and creativity. Additionally, the library offers passes

that provide complimentary access to attractions like Explora, Museums, and the Zoo. It's an

incredible opportunity for families to enjoy these experiences at no cost. If you are interested,

you can find more information at https://rrnm.gov/4217/Library-Information-Services.

Help us keep Steam Lab thriving! We rely on donations to keep the maker space going. Our

current needs include thin cardboard (like the kind snacks come in), empty paper towel tubes,

water bottles, bottle caps, and plastic bags. Your contribution can make a big difference!

We're looking forward to an exciting September!

Mrs. Hohenberg

To celebrate the release of "The Wild Robot" movie on the 27th we are hosting a Wild Robot reading challenge!

Coinciding with our learning about the Dewey Decimal System students are encouraged to read a non-fiction book that covers a topic found in the book "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown. Ideas include, but are not limited to: various animals, robots, islands, environment, fire, hibernation, ships, and more! At the end of the month a drawing will be held and selected students will be entered to win copies of the book, posters, and other fun prizes. This September we are wild about reading!

What a fantastic start to the year! The PE classes have shown amazing enthusiasm and a true eagerness to learn. Let’s keep this great momentum going!

As we dive into our Physical Education (PE) activities this school year, we want to emphasize the importance of safety to ensure a positive and injury-free experience for all students. Here are a few key points to discuss with your child to help keep them safe during PE:

1. Proper Attire:

• Footwear: Make sure your child wears appropriate athletic shoes with good support and grip for PE activities. Sandals, crocs, and other non-supportive shoes are unsuitable for physical activities and can increase the risk of injury.
• Clothing: Encourage your child to wear comfortable, breathable clothing that allows for easy movement

2. Awareness of Environment:

• Space: Help your child understand the importance of being aware of their surroundings during PE. They should be cautious of obstacles and other students to avoid collisions and falls.

3. Following Rules and Instructions:

• Rules: Encourage your child to listen carefully to instructions and follow all safety rules set by their PE teacher. Understanding and adhering to these rules helps prevent accidents and ensures a safe environment for everyone.
• Behavior: Discuss the importance of playing respectfully and safely with their peers. Remind them to avoid rough play and to be considerate of others.

4. Health and Hydration:

• Hydration: Make sure your child drinks plenty of water before, during, and after PE classes to stay hydrated, especially on hot days.
• Rest: Ensure your child gets adequate rest and inform their PE teacher if they feel unwell or have injuries.

This month, we are diving into scooter basketball! It’s a fantastic way for them to build teamwork and coordination while having a blast.

Sandia Vista Elementary School, Franklin Road Northeast, Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Phone: 505-338-2526