Escolar Documentos
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Healthy habits
Districts director of student nutrition keeps eye on menu
Back to School
Supply list: Are you ready for the first day?
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The Santa Fe New Mexican P.O. Box 2048 Santa Fe, NM 87504-2048 Main switchboard: 983-3303 Office: 202 e. Marcy St. hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday
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986-3010, 1-800-873-3372 circulation@sfnewmexican. com
Many children are anxious to start school again after a long summer. New MexicaN FiLe PhOTO
Back to school
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a letter from Santa Fe Public Schools administration a look at the new superintendent and the Board of education Start and dismissal times for district schools highlights of this years school calendar what your child needs for the classroom The districts Standard Dress code helps focus on learning The director of student nutrition keeps her eye on the menu
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School counselors guide students to success Those big yellow buses offer safe transportation Partners in education helps motivate students, teachers Know what to do if bad weathers hits our area School volunteers connect with students help your child spark a lifelong love of learning Tips to protect your child from cyberbulling
The New MexicaN Back to School 3
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As you have for 163 Years, You Turn To Us.
Positive direction
The New Mexican
to advance Santa Fe Public Schools to be among Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Educathe top districts if not tion hired 33-year-old Joel Boyd, assistant the top district in the superintendent of the School District of state. Board member Philadelphia, as its new superintendent in Barbara Gudwin echoed late June. those sentiments and Board President Frank Montao noted that Boyd wanted announced the news during a special to turn the district into Joel Boyd board meeting. He said Boyd accepted a one of the best places two-year contract at $171,000 a year and to work. She said Boyd should start by Aug. 1. made it clear that he would not accept poverty as a reason for low academic All five board members voted for the achievement among students here. move, and all of them displayed rarely seen expressions of joy as they spoke with Board Vice President Linda Trujillo optimism about Boyds potential to take said Boyd also emphasized the need for the district in a new, positive direction. professional development among school employees and displayed a commitment Board member Steve Carrillo said he to dual-language learning. is very excited for the future of Santa Fe Public Schools. Board member Glenn Montao said Boyds youth and energy Wikle said Boyd has made a commitment will allow him to hit the ground run-
District 1
capshaw, chaparral, e.J. Martinez, Pion asnd SFhS Steve carrillo, member: 699-7478 email: stevencarrillo@ comcast.net term expires: 2015 Employment: cowgirl caf
District 2
acequia Madre, atalaya, el Dorado and wood Gormley Glenn Wikle, member: 660-5037 email: glenn@wikle. com term expires: 2015 Employmnet: Data analyst
District 3
aspen, carlos Gilbert, Gonzales and Tesuque Barbara Gudwin, secretary: 204-9050; 983-1116 email: bgudwin@sfps. info term expires: 2013 affiliation: SFPS Pie Foundation
District 4
agua Fria csar chvez, Sweeney, Ramirez Thomas, NYe Becc, Ortiz and chS linda trujillo, vice president: 699-8702; 795-4324 email:getinvolved nm@yahoo.com term expires: 2015 Employment: Santa Fe county
District 5
Kearny, Nava, De Vargas, SeR/SFPS, career academy, Salazar and amy Biehl Frank Montao, president: 204-9001; 204-9704 email: frankmontano2 @netzero.com term expires: 2013 Employment: Self-employed
Elementary schools
Acequia Madre Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m- 2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:35 p.m. Agua Fra Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:40 p.m. Amy Biehl at Rancho Viejo Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:40 p.m. Atalaya Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:35 p.m. Carlos Gilbert Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:35 p.m. Cesar Chavez Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:35 p.m. Chaparral Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:40 p.m. E.J. Martinez Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:40 p.m. Kearny Monday-Thursday: 7:50 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:40 p.m. Nava Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:35 p.m. Pion Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:35 p.m.
First-grade teacher Audra Carrion reads to her class on the first day of school at Amy Biehl Elementary School when it opened in 2010. New MexicAN File pHoTo
Ramirez Thomas Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-3:25 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 2:25 p.m. Salazar Monday-Thursday: 7:50 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:25 p.m. Sweeney Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:40 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:25 p.m. Tesuque Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:40 p.m. Wood Gormley Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 12:35 p.m.
El Dorado Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: Grades: K-5 12:30 p.m. Grades 6-8 2:55 p.m. Gonzales Monday-Thursday: 7:55 a.m.-2:55 p.m. Friday dismiss time: Grades K-5: 12:30 p.m. Grades 6-8: 2:55 p.m.
High schools
Capital Monday-Friday: 8:25 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Santa Fe Monday-Friday: 8:25 a.m.-3:25 p.m. Academy at Larragoite Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-3:05 p.m.
Middle schools
Capshaw Monday-Friday: 8:20 a.m.-3:20 p.m. De Vargas Monday-Friday start: 8:25 a.m. Grade 7: Monday-Thursday dismiss time: 5:15 p.m. Friday: 3:25 p.m. Grade 8: Monday-Friday: 3:25 p.m. Ortiz Monday-Friday: 8:25 a.m.-3:25 p.m.
Charter schools
Academy for Technology & the Classics Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monte del Sol Monday-Friday: 8:45 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tierra Encantada TBA Turquoise Trail Monday-Thursday: 7:50 a.m.-2:50 p.m. Friday dismiss time: 1 p.m.
Community schools
Aspen Monday-Thursday: 7:50 a.m.-3:05 p.m. Friday dismiss time: Grades K-5: 12:40 p.m. Grades 6-8: TBA
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Freshmen jump-start for capital and Santa Fe high schools First day of school for students, grades 112 Kindergarten Kick-Off
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District in-service (No school for students) Presidents Day (district closed)
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MARCH
end of third quarter Mid-semester break
SEPTEMBER
Labor Day holiday (district closed)
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OCTOBER
APRIL
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8-12 19 21
Isabelle Salazar draws on her cacarones in 2012 at Sweeney Elementary School. New MexicaN FiLe PhOTO
Spring break
Parent-teacher conferences, K-5, K-6, K-8, and high schools (middle schools report to school)
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Parent-teacher conferences, K-5, K-6 and K-8 schools (middle and high schools report to school)
MAY
end of fourth quarter (last day of school for students) Teacher in-service/ planning and prep academy at Larragoite graduation capital high School graduation Santa Fe high School graduation
NOVEMBER
6 2123
closed)
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winter break (No school)
DECEMBER
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JANUARY
winter break (No school)
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Parent-teacher conferences, K-5, K-6, K-8, and middle schools (high schools report to school)
SEVERE WEathER cloSURES Under all but the most extreme conditions, school officials have a responsibility to keep school in session. when weather is bad, but school is open, parents must make a family decision regarding attendance or late arrival for
their children. a call or a written note will excuse a students late arrival or absence during these conditions. when weather is severe enough to close schools, it is extremely important that working parents have pre-arranged child care available to them.
School closures are announced on SFPSs web site at www.sfps.info and as well as local media affiliates. Notification is given prior to 7 a.m. in the event that a snow make-up day is necessary, adjustments will be made to schools instructional minutes.
The New MexicaN Back to School 9
School supplies
Check the districts list for everything your child requires in the classroom
Backpacks line a classroom. Make sure to label your childs personal belongings and supplies. New MexicaN fiLe phoTo
KINDERGARTEN
u 1 regular backpack, labeled with students name u 1 box of 24 crayons u 1 water color paint set u 1 box thick-tip colored markers u 12 No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers u 2 large glue sticks u 1 4-oz bottle school glue u 1 pair of blunt tip scissors u 2 pocket folders u 1 box sandwich-sized zipper bags u 1 large box of tissue
PlEaSE NotE u Label all supplies (except those marked as do not label) with students name in permanent marker. u Send supplies in on the first day of school. u Specialists may require more supplies.
GRADE 2
u 1 box of 24 crayons u 24 No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers (labeled) u 2 big erasers, preferably white u 1 pair of metal pointed scissors u 1 bottle (4) white glue and 2 large glue sticks u 3 spiral notebooks (wide ruled) u 3 (2) pocket folders u 1 large box tissue u 1 box colored pencils u 6 (1)-gallon zipper bags (do not label)
GRADE 1
u 1 regular backpack, labeled with students name u 1 box of 24 crayons u 1 box of colored pencils u 1 box markers u 1 water color paint set u 12 No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers u 1 pink eraser u 1 pair safety scissors u 1 (4)-oz bottle white glue u 2 glue sticks u 1 (1)-inch, 3-ring binder u 3 (2)-pocket folders u 1 large box tissue u 1 plastic pencil box (optional)
markers u 12 No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers u 2 pink pearl eraser u 1 large pair of pointed scissors u 2 glue sticks u 2 (2)-pocket folders u 1 pkg. loose leaf notebook paper (wide rule) u 1 ruler with inch and centimeter markings u 1 large box tissue u 4 spiral notebooks (wide ruled) u 1 set each multiplication and division flash cards (for home use) u 1 pkg. notebook dividers u 1 pencil box u 1 (2)-inch binder u 2 red correcting pens u 1 (1) gallon zipper bag
u 1 pkg. loose leaf paper (wide ruled) u 1 ruler with inch and centimeter markings u 1 large box tissue u 1 (1)-gallon zipper bags u 2 highlighters u No trapper keepers u No pencil boxes
GRADE 5
u 1 box of 24 crayons u 1 box of colored pencils u 1 box thin-tip colored markers u 12 No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers u 2 black Sharpie marking pens ultra fine point u 3 colored ballpoint pens u 1 small plastic pencil sharpener (that holds shavings) u 1 pink pearl eraser u 1 pair metal pointed scissors u 2 glue sticks or 1 bottle of white glue u 2 spiral notebooks u 2 (2)-pocket folders u 1 ruler with inch and centimeter markings u 1 large box tissue u 1 packet of small sticky notes u Notebook paper (500) u 1 pencil box u 6 (8)-pack 3-ring notebook dividers u 1 (1)-inch, 3-ring binder
GRADE 4
u 1 box of 24 crayons u 1 box colored pencils u 1 box thin-tip colored markers u 24 No. 2 sharpened pencils with erasers u 2 pink pearl eraser u 1 large pair of metal pointed scissors u 1 bottle white glue u 4 spiral notebooks (wide ruled) u 2 (2)-pocket folders
GRADE 3
u 1 box of crayons u 1 box of colored pencils u 1 box thin-tipped colored
capshaw Middle School students model No h8 t-shirts in 2012, meant to enforce positive behavior. the districts dress code helps students focus on learning. New MexicaN file phoTo
Judi Jacquez eats lunch in a school cafeteria nearly every day of her life. As director of student nutrition for Santa Fe Public Schools, its her job to ensure that students are eating the right subgroups of healthy foods and that school meals are being served without unexpected problems showing up on the menu. Last year her department, which has about 100 employees, served lunch to about 8,400 of the roughly 13,000-plus students who attend Santa Fe Public Schools. Some 3,000 school kids received breakfast too (all the districts schools except Acequia Madre Elementary School and the Academy for Technology and the Classics offer breakfast). The district runs on an annual budget of about $5 million, with funding coming from the United States Department of Agriculture, which runs the nations school lunch program. In 2010 President Obama signed into law the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, mandating new food standards for school meals beginning with the 2012/2013 school year. Among other measures, the act ensures that students must be offered fruits and vegetables in just the right proportions a half cup of dark greens for all students every day, for instance. The new guidelines will limit student consumption of dairy products, meat, and bread and increase fruit, vegetable, and non-fatty food offerings. Jacquez, who has been on
Judi Jacquez, director of student nutrition for Santa Fe Public Schools, and Betsy torres, the districts Farm-to-School coordinator, talk about using whole wheat flour for some of the cookies in future lunches as they eat in the kitchen at carlos Gilbert Elementary in June. Jacquez oversees 100 employees who serve lunch to about 8,400 students in the district. NaTalie GuillN/The New MexicaN
the job 14 years, has seen a lot of changes since day one, including computerized menus, new federal regulations regarding school lunches, and new programs including Breakfast After the Bell, which
ensures students who dont/ cant get to school in time for pre-class breakfast still have a shot at eating a healthy breakfast. For many students, school meals offer the only healthy nutrition they receive.
The majority of the districts students are eligible for free and reduced lunch based on federal guidelines for poverty. Parents and/or guardians can apply for this program online at the districts website, www. sfps.info, which is where you can also find weekly menus and make payments to your childs lunch account with a debit or credit card. The regular price for student breakfasts is $1; reduced price is 30 cents. For lunch, the regular cost is $2.10 for elementary-school kids and $2.25 for middle and high school students; the reduced price is 40 cents. A half-pint of milk (one-percent white or low-fat chocolate) for all grades is 40 cents. Visitors can eat lunch in school cafeterias for $3. Jacquez encourages adult visitors to try a meal at a nearby school. She imagines many adults are wary of school meals because they have lessthan-fond memories of the school lunches they endured years or even decades back. While Jacquez bemoans the amount of administrative paperwork necessary to keep the program going, she said she enjoys her job: I love feeding the kids. Whenever I see a cafeteria tray that looks beautiful with all this exciting food on it, and the kids are happy with the choices and the staff is proud of their work, I think, Yes, its all worth it. Visit the districts Web site and click on Whats For Lunch for more information on the program or visit the student-nutrition office at 2600 Cerrillos Road or call Jacquez at 467-3600.
For many children, school meals offer the only healthy nutrition they receive. NEw MExiCAN FilE PhOTO
Lunch
All grades: 40 cents
Milk
All grades: 40 cents
Apply online
Online services available on the districts website, www. sfps.info: Apply online for Free or Reduced Meal Applications. Make payments to your childs lunch account using your debit or credit card. For any further questions or concerns, please contact Judi Jaquez R.D., Director of Student Nutrition, at 2600 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 467-3600
Lunch
Elementary schools: $2.10 Middle and high schools: $2.25
Milk
All grades: 40 cents
Judi Jacquez, director of student nutrition for Santa Fe Public Schools, says she loves feeding kids: Whenever I see a cafeteria tray that looks beautiful with all this exciting food on it, and the kids are happy with the choices and the staff is proud of their work, I think, Yes, its all worth it. NATAliE GuillEN/ThE NEw MExiCAN
ThE NEw MExiCAN Back to School 13
I have been a school counselor in Santa Fe Public Schools for 15 years and still love going to work every day. I began at Alameda Middle School and am now a K-8 counselor at Gonzales Community School. As a native of Santa Fe, I enjoy giving back to my community and working with some of the same teachers who helped me when I was a student in SFPS. The role of the professional school counselor is changing in our district, as it has nationwide. The American School Counselor Association National Model guides our work as we help students focus on academic success, personal/ social development, and career readiness, so they thrive in school and graduate prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. Our programs focus is serving all our students not just those with immediate needs. We ensure that school counseling core curriculum (such as bullying prevention, time management, career awareness, responsible decision-making) is taught to all students. We provide brief, solution-focused counseling to students individually or in small groups when they need extra help. We consult with community resources and refer students and their families when they need more support. We look at student and school-wide data to determine our site-specific goals for the year. Our ultimate goal, however, is that students graduate ready for career and college. School counselors at all levels, kindergarten through high school, are working handin-hand with teachers, administrators and other support staff to make this goal a reality.
School counselors believe that every student has the potential to learn. New MexicaN file phoTo
One of the unique aspects of being a school counselor is that we are integral to both our school site teams and our district-wide K-12 Comprehensive School Counseling Program team. We collaborate with staff members and parents to support student success. We serve as a bridge to many different parts of our school system,
into the community, and with families. As committed educators we are accountable for our work as we strive to improve our knowledge and skills. For me, the best part of being a school counselor is experiencing the results of my efforts on the students I serve. Last year our middle school teachers reported that students
receiving targeted interventions were turning in more work. Outcomes revealed that Fs and Ds were reduced by more than 30 percent! I love helping students have positive experiences at school and seeing smiles on their faces when they accomplish their goals. It is great seeing kids outside of school come up to say hello or introducing me to their families. Our eighth-grade Promotion Ceremony is one of the best, tearful days of the year as we celebrate student successes. Many teachers wonder how I do my job day after day, working with the crisis and complexities of our students lives. I respond that we all play crucial roles in this work. Using our unique training, strengths and expertise, we work as a team to understand the complexity of our students lives, and support their growth into success. School counseling is definitely the perfect career for me.
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Those big yellow buses arent just for transportation they are an extension of school
Did you know that the big yellow school bus is one of the safest forms of transportation around? In fact, transporting children to school on a school bus is far safer for students than if they are driven by their parents. Every student in Santa Fe Public Schools rides a school bus sometime during the school year, and the bus itself is an extension of the school. Whether your child rides daily or occasionally, your help is needed to support our goal of providing safe transportation for students at all times. To meet this goal, we follow the disciplinary procedures as stated in the SFPS Code of Conduct. If you are planning for your child to use SFPS bus transportation, you and your child must review the regulations and sign a form to acknowledge your understanding of the rules to indicate your willingness to cooperate with enforcement of the rules. This form will be available at the school site or the Transportation Department as of Aug. 1. Bus registration forms must be filled out for each child. Your child will need to return this form to the bus driver the first day they use transportation services. These forms will be available at your school site during school registration or at the Transportation Department. A copy of the bus routes that service your school will be at the school site and at the Transportation Department as of Aug. 1. When riding the school bus students must: u Behave appropriately at bus stops. u Stay away from the bus until it comes to a complete stop and the driver signals that it is okay for you to approach and enter the bus. u Get on and off the bus in a controlled and orderly manner.
almost every student rides a bus sometime during the school year.
u Use the handrail to enter and exit the bus. u Once on the bus, proceed immediately and quietly to the assigned bus seat. u Remain in the assigned seat for the duration of the bus ride. u Keep hands, feet and personal possessions out of the aisle and away from windows. u Obey the drivers instructionssafety is the drivers #1 concern. u Be a good rider: speak quietly, stay seated and be
courteous. u When being dropped off, exit the bus and walk ten giant steps away from the bus. Keep a safe distance between you and the bus. Also, remember that the bus driver can see you best when you are away from the bus. u Be aware of the street traffic around you.
Please note
For safety and security, buses are equipped with video cameras. Students and adults
riding our buses may be photographed. In the event of a problem or issue, resulting in overall student safety, bus conduct reports will be written by the bus driver. These reports are sent to the school principal and to the parents. If necessary, any disciplinary action will be determined by the school principal. Deviations from regular bus stops require a note from the parent/guardian to the bus driver. These notes must be signed by the school principal or principal designee. Students who do not qualify for bus transportation may not ride the bus home with a student who is eligible. All rules and consequences outlined in the SFPS Code of Conduct apply. Specific disciplinary action, or in some instances legal action, for offenses, will depend largely on the seriousness of the infraction. For more information about school bus transportation, please contact Ted Newton, Transportation Director at 467-3500.
Sharyn Gray, right, a fourth-grade teacher at Wood Gormley Elementary School, does a handstand in May after she was one of seven teachers honored with a teachers Who Inspire award from Partners in Education. New MexicaN file phoTo
Community counts
Two-hour delay
Santa Fe Public Schools will announce a two-hour delay to the school day when weather creates hazardous road conditions which compromise the ability of school buses and parents to safely transport students, as well the safety of staff in getting to work. This announcement will be made as early as possible, but not later than 7 a.m. Staff will also be informed by school messenger.
Procedures u Buses will run two hours later than normal. School will begin two hours later than normal start time. u When weather reports indicate a deterioration of safedriving conditions, the superintendent may announce a delay the evening prior to the delay. Special note: If a two-hour school delay is called after 6 a.m., school buses may already be en route picking up students. In this case, students who are already en route to school on a school bus will continue on to school. Students waiting at school bus stops will be picked up and brought to
Parents are encourage to evaluate weather conditions and make their own decision about their own childs attendance at school. NEW MExiCAN FiLE PHOTO
ing it almost impossible to run school buses in outlying areas. If this condition exists, please watch for news announcements indicating if bus service will not be available, or if bus service will consist of running buses in paved areas only.
school. The students arriving on buses will be supervised at their school site until school begins, or until parents pick them up. The two-hour delay will be announced on the major television networks and local radio stations. District
employees are encouraged to arrive at work as early as driving conditions safely permit. For one or two days immediately following a snow storm, icy conditions often prevail in the early morning hours, mak-
Snow days can be fun, but the time will be made up according to provisions in the school calendar. New MexicaN file phoTo
Early release
An early release of schools, a rarely used option, will be called in extreme weather conditions. Early release will be called no later than 11 a.m., and buses will begin picking up students at 12 noon.
Procedures u High school and middle school students will be picked up first by the SFPS buses on the early release days at 12 noon. All high school students will be dismissed at the early release time for bus students. u When high school and middle school bus routes are completed (usually 45 minutes), elementary students will be picked up. Elementary and middle school students who
Cancellation of school
After a two-hour delay has been announced and weather conditions have continued to deteriorate; the Superintendent may call a cancellation of school.
Procedures u Notice of school cancellation will be made as early as possible, but not later than 8 a.m. u In the event of school cancellation, all schools will be
do not ride school buses will remain in regular classes until normal dismissal time or will be released to parents who come to pick up their child. u All after-school programs will be cancelled if an early release is announced. u All after-school activities and sporting events will be cancelled if school is cancelled; exceptions, while rare, might relate to district or state-championship play-off games for high school students only. u School principals may use their discretion for dismissing employees as long as student safety and supervision of students is not compromised.
reports regularly for the purpose of anticipating a delay, an early release or a cancellation of school when conditions prevent the safe transportation of students. The Superintendent makes the final decision on a two-hour delay preferably by 5 a.m. but no later than 7 a.m. The decision is based on road conditions at the time, as well as snow and ice removal efforts underway by the city and county.
Special notes
u When a two-hour delay is confirmed, the information is relayed to the media listed above. u At the request of the superintendent, the media will be notified if a delay is not called, but the community may feel that driving conditions are dangerous.
lainie Grimmer of Santa Fe, here pictured at aspen community School in 2011, is one of 2,000 volunteers with Santa Fe Public Schools. New MexicaN file phoTos
to be somewhat consistent with scheduling. Pacheco will work with you to set you up in a school near your home, if you like, and fit your skill set to a particular class. If you are musically inclined, youll likely find yourself in a band class somewhere, for instance. Anyone can volunteer, although you first have to pass a background and fingerprint check, read the districts code of conduct, and (of Grimmer has been a volunteer since 1998. course) work for free. Pacheco bemoans the fact that volunPacheco said a lot of parents them and it will listen to the teers have to pay for the backstudent read. Its one adult, who begin volunteering in the system ground and fingerprint check so they can stay close to their is the handler for the dog, and (a total of $32), and shes lookthen the dog and one student. kids as the latter start kindergar- ing for a way to create funding ten and first grade. Over time, Why does Kellerman do it? for that process so theres no many of these parents stick I just want to help the chilcost to volunteers. around to see their children dren. New Mexico is ranked For more information, call through the sixth grade, at least. Pacheco at 467-2050 or visit 49th in the nation for readAlthough a volunteer does ing scores and we should be sfps.info and click on the comnot have to commit to showdoing anything we can to help munity link to Volunteering ing up every day, he or she has in Santa Fe Public Schools. improve that statistic.
The start of a new school year is a great time to emphasize the importance of reading at home. Solid readers perform better in school and in the workplace, have a healthy selfimage, and become lifelong learners. Research shows a whopping 45 percent of children ages 3 to 5 are not read to daily, and this lack of literature can take a negative toll on school performance. Luckily, there are many things parents can do to make kids passionate readers. Reading stimulates childrens imagination and expands their understanding of the world, says actress Kate Beckinsale, who is teaming with The Nestl Share the Joy of Reading Program to raise awareness about the importance of childrens literacy and support the work of Reading Is Fundamental, the largest childrens literacy nonprofit in the United States. If youre looking to make reading a bigger part of your childrens lives this school year, here are some great tips to get them motivated: u Start young. Reading aloud to children at an early age is the most effective way to help them attain critical language and communication skills and instill great habits. u Take advantage of free online tools and resources that help make reading an engaging, shared experience for parents and kids. For example, RIFs Leading to Reading website contains activities for children
Research shows 45 percent of children ages 3 to 5 are not read to daily, and the lack of literature can take a negative toll on school performance. New MexicaN file phoTo
u Variety is the spice of life! Be sure your house contains plenty of books to choose from
on a variety of topics. u Launch a childrens book club with other parents. Take turns hosting your childrens friends for snacks and a lively discussion on the book of the month. u Kids love getting mail! Subscribe to childrens magazines so theyll have something fun and beneficial to look forward to each month. u Make sure children have their very own library cards and become frequent patrons at your local library. u Be it the morning paper or your favorite novel, set a great example by making reading a daily habit for yourself. u Many literacy programs supporting underserved communities are currently experiencing federal funding cutbacks, but everyone deserves a chance to read. Invest in the lives of other children who might not have the same opportunities as your kids. For example, right now, every time you enter a promotion code found inside specially marked packages of Nestl and Wonka candy at www.CelebrationCorner.com/ RIF, Nestl will donate money to RIF, to fund purchasing books for kids. Almost a quarter of public school fourth graders score below even the most basic levels on reading exams, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress. Dont let your children fall behind. Take steps this school year to help your children and others to hone this basic tool for success.
Almost a quarter of public school fourth graders score below even the most basic levels on reading exams, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress
The New MexicaN Back to School 21
Parents can take an active role in protecting their children from cyberbullying. courTesy phoTo
challenge to identifying cyberbullies, OKeeffe notes, parents Most parents are familiar can take an active role toward with traditional bullying that combating this 21st century takes place at school and on problem. the playground, but as life has Here are tips for parents to gone digital, so has bullying. get a handle on cyberbullying, Cyberbullying, bullying that whether your child is a victim, occurs through technology like a bystander or even participatcomputers and mobile devices, ing in the bullying: is often harder to detect than u Monitor your childs traditional bullying. The bully digital technology use. Be on isnt immediately visible and may not even be known to the the lookout for behaviors like quickly switching screens and victim, says pediatrician Dr. having multiple passwords and Gwenn Schurgin O`Keeffe accounts. of the American Academy u Teach your child to come of Pediatrics and author of forward if he or she knows CyberSafe: Protecting and a friend is bullying others Empowering in the Digital World of Texting, Gaming, and or being bullied. Being a bystander helps perpetuate the Social Media. Because of this, cyberbully- cycle and continue someone elses pain. ing is often more upsetting to u You may think your child victims, with even more profound and long-lasting effects, is safely using a digital device in the next room, but any child Dr. OKeeffe said. While the anonymous nature online is at risk for being bulof the digital world does pose a lied. Not all children are going
New Mexican wire services
22 Back to School The New MexicaN
to let you know if theres a problem, including teenagers. If your child is acting withdrawn, evasive or unusually sad especially after using a digital device such as a computer, video game or mobile phone ask if everything is okay. Regularly converse to open the line of communication. u Cyberbullies may think they are acting anonymously, but they can be tracked by authorities. If your child is a victim, save the offending emails, IMs, and texts, and get the school involved if possible. u If you worry your child is in serious danger, or the other parents refuse to help end bullying, call the police. u Find out what your childs schools policies are on bullying, cyberbullying and digital devices. If the rules are insufficient, talk to the teachers and principal about establishing
sensible regulations. u Dont raise a bully! Foster empathy by talking regularly about how actions and words affect others. Set a good example by always treating others with respect yourself, both online and offline. u Help children develop constructive strategies for getting what they want that dont include teasing, threatening or hurting others. u Dont assume that a normally well-behaved child is guilt-free. The faceless digital world makes it easy for even good kids to sometimes be mean. More information about cyberbullying can be found on the AAP parenting website, www.healthychildren.org. With a new school year come new challenges. Learn about the realities of cyberbullying and what you can do to protect your children.
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