Sandia Vista Elementary
Principal Monthly Newsletter - January 2025
Note from Mr. DeSoto and Mrs. Northness
Sandia Vista Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well! As we embark on our second week of school following winter break, it has been exciting to see all of our students return, eager and excited to learn.
Important Announcements
National Dance Institute:
Our fourth graders have begun their dance practice sessions every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Please keep an eye out for communication from the fourth-grade teachers regarding performance dates.No School Reminder:
There will be NO school on Monday, January 20th, in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We encourage families to take this time to reflect on Dr. King's legacy and the importance of community.
Celebrations from the Week
We are thrilled to share that our students have shown remarkable enthusiasm as they dive back into their studies. From engaging classroom discussions to collaborative projects, the joy of learning is palpable. Thank you for encouraging your children to embrace this new semester with such positivity!
We are also proud to announce Trysten LeDoux won the Rio Rancho District Spelling Bee today!
Additional Information
Our dedicated teachers have been busy over the past two weeks collaborating with our Instructional Coach to analyze the information gathered from assessments taken in December and January. This ongoing effort ensures that we are meeting the diverse needs of our students and providing the best educational experience possible.
We are grateful for the strong partnership we share with you, our Sandia Vista families. Your continued support and involvement make a significant difference in our school community. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to your children's education.
As we move forward, we look forward to more wonderful moments of collaboration between home and school.
Warm regards,
The Sandia Vista Admin Team
LeDoux wins 1st in District Spelling Bee
Instruction - Ms. Gonzales
Teachers have hit the ground running - we’ve been reflecting on effective strategies that have given us great results, while also sharing ideas that can increase student engagement.
Our district is in the process of adopting a new science curriculum. Let your voice be heard on January 29 (10:00 - 6:00) at the RRPS Training Center. You can review and give your feedback on instructional materials that the adoption team is considering.
Community Partners
Related Arts
Visual Arts
Happy New Year from the Art Room!
We have an exciting event coming up for our artists at SVE. At the end of January we will have student work on display at the Sandia Regional Medical Center. Art works are being selected and students and families will be notified if their work is chosen for the display. Families will be invited to attend an evening reception where they will be recognized and have an opportunity to view the artworks. The art show will hang at the hospital through the month of April. If you happen to find yourself at SRMC be on the lookout for art from our amazing artists!
In the classroom we are starting new learning units. 4th and 5th grade students are learning all about shading and drawing in 3-D. 2nd and 3rd grade students are learning about value and mixing tints and shades. Kindergarten and 1st grade students are learning about weaving and patterns.
If you start your spring cleaning and find you have a lot of fun materials you think we would enjoy in the art room, there will be a donation box in the foyer before you enter the school. Please do not bother the office with these items and just put them in the donation box. I will be checking it daily. Things we would like include ribbon, buttons, beads and puppet embellishment items. Think Jim Hensen and fuzzy, fluffy, plastic glasses, silly items, etc…
Things I DO NOT need at this time include markers, crayons, colored pencils, paint and paper.
Contact me if you have any questions heather.armstrong@rrps.net
Thank you for your continued support of the Arts here at SVE!
Music
We would like to give a huge warm welcome to our new music teacher: Mr. Agustin Arredondo!
Choir Students: Rehearsals will resume on January 28th for Choir 1 and January 30th for Choir 2. A list of names for each group will be sent next week! Also, 4th Grade Singers keep your eyes peeled for more information in regards to our District VI Music festival. Forms will be going out soon!
Counseling
This month is all about Perseverance. One way to think about Perseverance is “pushing yourself through challenges and obstacles.” We all experience challenges in our lives. We all have moments when we feel like we can’t do it or that we want to give up on a big task. It is important to develop tools that help us work through those challenges in order to grow in those moments instead of giving up. Perseverance is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Strong. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.
STEAM
Welcome back families, and happy New Year! I hope you had a restful and joyful vacation. As we begin the new year, we are excited to dive into our upcoming units of study, which will explore the concepts of force and motion, and light sources. Students will engage in hands-on activities and experiments designed to help them better understand how energy moves and transforms, as well as the essential role light plays in our everyday lives.
We look forward to a fun and enriching learning experience ahead!
I would also like to thank all the families who attended our STEAM Night. Your support and engagement truly help our school, and I hope you all enjoyed the event.
Library / Media
Happy New Year! At the elementary school library, we’re starting 2025 with exciting lessons and projects for every grade. Let’s dive into something new together:
Fifth Grade: Exploring nonfiction biographies! Students will learn about inspiring individuals, collaborate in groups, and create Lego representations of their chosen person.
Fourth Grade: Diving into nonfiction biographies, too, but with a twist! Students will design creative posters to share their newfound knowledge with the class.
Third Grade: Beginning author studies with the beloved Kate DiCamillo. We’ll explore her books and the magic she brings to storytelling.
Second Grade: Discovering the wonderful world of nonfiction author Gail Gibbons and her engaging, fact-filled books.
First Grade: Learning all about Mo Willems, the creator of Elephant & Piggie and the hilarious Pigeon books.
Kindergarten: Exploring animals that hibernate during winter – a cozy and fun way to learn about the natural world.
Let’s make 2025 a year full of learning, creativity, and discovery! Keep an eye out for updates on our projects.
Happy reading,
Mrs Garmon & Mrs Hund
Coach Chavez
I hope you had a fantastic winter break filled with fun, relaxation, and maybe a little physical
activity. As we kick off the new year in PE, we’re excited to jump, run, and play our way into
staying active and healthy.
This month, we’ll focus on teamwork, coordination, and setting new goals to start the year
strong. Get ready for fun games, exciting challenges, and activities that will keep your body
moving and your heart smiling! Don’t forget to wear proper footwear on your PE day — let’s
make 2025 our best year yet in PE!
See you in the gym!
— Coach Chavez
Ed Tech
Please click on the links below to access the presentation and recording of our SVE Digital Information Meeting for Parents:
Article: Protecting Kids from Unhealthy AI Relationships
Technology Reminders:
Chromebooks do NOT go home with students at the elementary level (students begin taking these home when they go to 6th grade).
Students are able to access educational content used at school from home (using a household device) by going to Clever's login page and using their school credentials.
