Sandia Vista Elementary

After analyzing mid-year data, a common theme we see is that many students have low reading stamina. Many tests include reading passages that serve as the resource for test questions, especially as we move into upper elementary grades. Did you know that K-2 is all about learning to read, while grades 3 -5 is all about reading to learn? Giving students the opportunities to have eyes on text helps to support reading proficiency in school.

Families, how can you help? Encourage your students to read daily - this can include them reading silently, them reading aloud to you or someone in your household, you reading aloud to them as they listen, and/or you reading to them and pausing for them to read a word/passage every few lines. After reading, ask the five W’s about the text (Who were the characters? What happened in the part that you read? Where did the story take place? When did the story take place? Why is this important to the overall story?). Facilitating a quick recap discussion helps to ensure students truly understand what they’re reading.

News from the Art Room for February!

Hello families! I am excited to remind everyone that the Sandoval Regional Medical Center has student art on display. Thirty-nine 4th and 5th grade artists were honored by the hospital staff at a reception on February 5th. We had many proud students and even more proud parents attend. Art will be on display through April. There are 2 locations to see the art if you find yourself at SRMC. The 3rd floor waiting area hosts one gallery and the office building's “Annex” waiting area that is just northeast of the hospital hosts the other gallery.

What has your student been learning?

K & 1st grade students have been learning about weaving and symmetry! We started our year learning how to weave with paper and how to follow an “AB” and a “BA” pattern. For our symmetry unit, we have learned how to cut out a symmetrical shape, a heart, and then create symmetrical designs using what we learned about symmetry.

2nd & 3rd have been learning about color mixing by making tints and shades. We are using what we have learned to make giant ice cream cones! These have been very fun creations to watch as the students have had to think about what each flavor would be named and of course figuring out different ways of adding toppings!

4th & 5th have been learning how to draw 3-D using shading techniques. 4th graders are concentrating on spheres and the 5th grade students are learning how to shade parts of the face. Both grade levels are making some amazing artwork. Prepare to be impressed!

We have another art show coming up in March, The RRPS Elementary District Art Show. I look forward to preparing art for this show and will be letting families know if their students' artwork will be displayed.

Thank you for supporting the art room and your artist! Let me know if you have any questions!

Artfully yours,

Heather Armstrong

We are well into our 2nd Trimester of music making and it has been exciting to observe the levels of musicianship of the students at SVE!!! Rio Rancho Public Schools closely follows a set of National Core Arts Standards in Music and has a framework of skills and concepts to be acquired at each grade level.

I am pleased with the high level of musicianship and growth I've seen thus far. As we get deeper into the 2nd half of our school year, students will be focusing on concepts and skills such as:

• Pitch accuracy

• Steady beat and rhythm

• General music reading/musical notation

I hope your children are coming home excited to share with you the fun activities we've been working on in Music!

This month’s focus is Honesty. One way to think about Honesty is “being truthful in what you say and do.” Practicing Honesty helps strengthen our relationships and even reduces stress. Honesty is 1 of 4 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress-management.

This month in STEAM class, we’re diving into the science of sound waves with fun, hands-on

exploration! Students will also put their engineering skills to the test by building candy heart

towers—a sweet challenge in balance and structure.

Our Engineering Design Process continues as we construct and test sleds, learning what

makes them slide faster and farther. Plus, we’re sharpening our coding skills by programming

Ozobots to navigate tricky mazes.

It’s a month full of creativity, problem-solving, and discovery in STEAM!

The PE classes have continued to show amazing enthusiasm and a true eagerness to learn. Let’s keep this great momentum going!

As we continue our Physical Education (PE) activities this school year, we want to reiterate 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. Equipment Safety:

• Usage: Teach your child the importance of using PE equipment correctly. They should be aware of how to handle and use sports equipment safely.

3. 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.

4. Following Rules and Instructions:

• Rules: Encourage your child to listen carefully to instructions and follow all safety rules set by their PEteacher. 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.

5. 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 participating in Football Stations, KingPin Team Game and basketball! It’s a fantastic way for them to build teamwork and coordination while having a blast

Exciting Happenings in the Library!

January was an amazing month in our elementary school library! Our "Bringing Biographies to Life with LEGOs" project was a huge success. Fifth graders worked hard to create LEGO representations of the historical figures they researched, and their creativity and dedication truly shined. They did a fantastic job sharing their creations with their classmates!

February promises to be just as exciting! We are celebrating Black History Month by featuring books written and illustrated by Black authors and illustrators. This month, we are highlighting the incredible works of Jacqueline Woodson and The Pinkney Family, among others. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about inspiring figures from the African American community through engaging stories and discussions.

A friendly reminder: Please help your young readers remember to return their books on time so we can continue sharing the joy of reading with everyone!

Book Club is Back! We are thrilled to kick off our next read: The Witching Wind by Natalie Lloyd. We can’t wait to dive into another magical adventure together!

Happy Reading! 📚✨