CHAMISA JANUARY/FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

With the cold temperatures we've been having, please remember to have your student dress in appropriate outerwear, including boots. The playgrounds have a combination of snow, ice and mud. If your student gets wet or muddy during recess, we do not have a change of clothes for them.

Although Chamisa does not use school buses, except for field trips, please be aware of the NM Statute for Overtaking and Passing a School Bus:

The driver of a vehicle upon approaching or overtaking from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway, with special school bus signals in operation, for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, shall stop the vehicle at least ten feet before reaching the school bus and shall not proceed until the special school bus signals are turned off, the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the driver to proceed.

About 9 years ago, a middle school student that attended Chamisa, crossed in front of an Atomic City Transit bus and was hit by a truck. He sadly passed away due to his injuries, which was a tragedy for our community. Please be cognizant of school buses, ACT buses, school zone speed limits, and crosswalks.

Global School Play Day is Wednesday, February 6, and Chamisa will be participating for the 2nd year!

What is Global School Play Day? It is a grassroots effort created by educators in support of unstructured playtime for students around the world. To learn more, click on this link: https://www.globalschoolplayday.com

If you would like to volunteer, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.

Join us on Thursday, February 28 for Family Learning Night! A fun-filled evening of math and literacy activities and games for families.

Families can pre-order pizza from Chartwells and salad/drinks will be provided by Chamisa, or bring your own dinner! Order forms will go home soon to pre-order pizza.

Dinner will be from 5:00-5:45; activities from 5:45-7:15.

Families that are affected by the government shutdown:

The United Methodist Church in Los Alamos (next to Sullivan Field) is offering free plate dinners on Wednesdays at 6:00.

Lunch

For students with parents working at Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve, or the Manhattan Project National Historic Park, extra supports and lunch are provided at school.

LA Cares

Monthly food distribution, emergency food boxes, and emergency assistance with rent and utilities for Los Alamos County residents. Call 505-661-8015 for more information.

Santa Fe Food Depot's Mobile Food Pantry

Available to low-income residents on the 4th Friday of each month from 11:30 am-12:30 pm, except holidays, in the parking lot at First United Methodist Church. Call 505-662-8068 for more information.

Self Help, Inc - contact for emergency utilities, rent, food assistance through the Salvation Army funds

Call for an appointment - 505-662-4666

Self Help can assist with basic needs, help families develop a plan and provide coaching on negotiating rent or finding employment as well as referrals to additional community supports.

Conferences will begin Wednesday, March 13 from 1:00-3:30 and March 14-15 from 8:30-3:30. There will be no school for students on March 14 and 15.

Your conference schedule will be the same as in October. Many factors go into scheduling conferences, such as siblings, Special Ed teachers, and ancillary staff. We will do our best to accommodate rescheduling requests, but cannot guarantee.

Conference notices will be sent home on March 4; please be sure to check your student's take home folders.

Feb. 6: Global School Play Day

Feb. 12: Upper Team Musical: 9:15 & 6:00

Feb. 18: No School - Presidents' Day

Feb. 27: Class Pictures

Feb. 28: Festival of Learning: 5:00-5:45 (Dinner); 5:45-7:15 (Activities/Games)

Mar. 1: Pancake Breakfast: 7:30-8:20 - $5/person

Mar. 13: Parent/Teacher Conferences: 1:00-3:30

Mar. 14, 15: Parent/Teacher Conferences: 8:30-3:30 NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Mar. 21: Rocket Launch: 8:30 a.m.

Mar. 21: Primary Team Musical: 1:15 & 6:00

Mar. 25 - 29: Spring Break