Weekly Newsletter of the New Mexico International School
Volume II, Issue # 20
Monday, January 14 , 2013
From the Director
Todd Knouse, School Director
In This Issue
From the Director
1
Kindergarten News
2
First Grade News
2
Second Grade News
3
Third Grade News
3
Music Notes
4
Sensei Says
4
Parent Committees
5
Upcoming NMIS Events
6
Help Wanted
6
NMIS Birthdays
this Week
None!
Cold Weather and Playground
Time
Kids need to be able to play when at school.
But they also need to be in a “safe
environment” that takes into account their
health. Every day during winter, I make a
decision on whether or not to hold or cancel
each recess. I make this decision based
obviously on the temperature, but I also take
into account any precipitation or wind. I
default to allowing children to go to recess
unless it’s absolutely unsafe tot their health
to do so.
So please be sure to send your child to
school dressed for cold weather each day
this winter. Let’s let the kids get as much
outdoor time as they can, unless it’s simply
not safe.
This Just In: Being Bilingual is
Better than Being Monolingual –
Who Knew?!?
In case you needed more of a reason to have
your child enrolled at NMIS, attached to this
newsletter is an article from ABC News about
the physiological benefits to our brains when
we learned a second language by 10 years
old.
Box Tops Check
NMIS received a check for $266.52 for
our Box Tops for Education submission!
Remember to keep saving those little
coupons as the school year goes on.
We’ll have another collection in the
future (perhaps next fall), but you can
start collecting now!
Enrichment Program
Do you value our Enrichment Program? It
cannot run without intensive parent
support and involvement. Please read
the article on page 5 to see what you can
do to help maintain the vitality of this
amazing program.
MAP’s Window Changed
We have changed the Winter MAP window
from January 28 – February 1. Testing
will begin a few days earlier, on January
23.
No School Next Monday
As a reminder, NMIS will be closed on
Monday, January 21 in observance of
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Lost and Found Purge
Tis the season for overflowing Lost and
Found Bins around the city! Please take
a minute to scan through the NMIS Lost
and Found. The content swill be emptied
this Friday and donated to charity.
Curriculum Corner – Living By Principles
Thomas Paine said “’Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm
and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.”
Our students are learning about the IB Learner Profile of being principled. This attribute
discusses the development of a sense of fairness, justice, and respect for individuals, as
well as being responsible for our actions. I think we’d all agree that we do want our
children to grow up living by certain principles. Although WHAT those principles are
might vary amongst us, we do wish our children to have some sort of guiding compass to
their actions. It’s when we get into arguing about the specifics of these principles that
everything gets sticky.
The IB mission states that we encourage students to learn that other people, with their
differences, can also be right. I like the use of the word “also” here, as it validates both
person’s points of view.
You can reinforce this lesson at home by talking about specifics of the principles YOU live
by. When doing this, remember that others might have differences in those principles,
and that difference is honored (and indeed celebrated) at our school.
Page 2 of 7
Grade Level News
El Correcaminos
Kindergarten News by Mtra. Reyes & Mtra. Prego Prego
“At the center of
nonviolence stands the
principle of love.”
-
Dr. Martin
Luther King
Jr.
HI parents! We are so excited to launch
our IB unit today!
at school. They will make a picture of their own family
and label it.
This first week we will be talking about families
and the diversity in families such, families with
one parent, with grandparents, with two
moms/dads, etc. Children will brainstorm and
come up with conclusions about our families.
Between today and tomorrow we will be sending you a
rubric to start a family time line or a family tree. You
can Google it for some ideas there are many websites
about it. Look for Kinder or Preschool level because
the presentation is going to be in Spanish. THE
PRESENTATION IS DUE MONDAY JAN. 27TH.
We will be doing Mind Maps, which are like
graphic organizers, but they are specific in their
format. Children will learn a different Map for
different purposes. For example, they will learn
a Map to “compare and contrast,” and another
to “sequence events,” etc. This is a very
powerful tool to teach them to organize ideas.
The first Map children will learn will help them
find “details to a main idea.” We will write a
central idea about a topic and we write more
words and rough notes about the topic. It is also
great to acquire vocabulary. We will identify
roles at home and compare and contrast to roles
This week we will be working on letter “Ll” and “Qu”
(this is how we use it in Spanish). We will be continuing
practicing addition, some subtraction and we will have
some reading about cold weather.
Please, if your child has some work to finish at home
encourage him/her to finish it. This is work that is
hasn’t been finish in the classroom and it starts to pile
up.
First Grade News by Mtra. Cooper de Uribe & Mtra. Jiménez Moreno
Baby, it’s cold outside! Our students are
getting the hang of letting us know if water
can freeze outside in the mornings. We
continue to read temperatures in class, and
if it is windy this week, we will also take
advantage of the weather to measure the
force of the wind. And speaking of
measurement, we will continue measuring
the classroom with standard measurements
of inches and feet.
We will also be incorporating math into our
IB studies of living beings by creating charts
of animals, plants, and human beings. We
are having a wonderful time with our IB
studies of Who We Are, and we will continue
this week with activities to investigate what
makes a living thing, the differences
between the parts of living things, and what
their purposes are for survival. In language
arts, we will be using nouns and verbs that
have to do with animals and their actions to
continue developing vocabulary and grammar
usage, as well as writing sentences that
focus on capitalization and punctuation.
By the end of the week, we will also let you
know what your children can investigate for
the continent of North America. Since we are
focusing on Who We Are, this area of social
studies dovetails well with our IB studies. As
you can see, we are excited about the week
ahead!
Maya Ortega
dressed warm!
El Correcaminos
Grade Level News
Page 3 of 7
Second Grade News by Mtra. D’Amour & Mtra. Lopez-Gastón
We got off to a great start last week and are
moving forward with our International
Baccalaureate unit on Social and Spiritual
Values. We received some favorable input
from some of you and encourage your
comments.
This week, we are continuing our
preparation for the student presentations on
diet, relationships, activities an emotions
and their effect on our wellbeing as they
read about feelings, self-management and
relationships. We are also launching an in
class case study for the next two weeks on
activities to establish the ones with the
most favorable outcomes. Students will be
creating a flow chart card game, reflective
maps, journaling, and playing math games
from unit four in Everyday Math. Thanks
again for all our help and support.
Third Grade News by Mtra. Martini
What a wonderful beginning to our unit on
Justice last week! The third graders really took
to this subject and we engaged in many
interesting and in-depth discussions. We are
furthering our investigation into rights by
studying the United States Constitution. This
will include the process and history of this very
important development in U.S. history. Students
will read, understand, and interpret the
Preamble of the Constitution. They will also
learn about the Bill of Rights and why it was
necessary.
Additionally, I will be sending home a
voluntary questionnaire called “Free and
Equal.” This activity is purely optional and is
not a requirement. Students should interview
three different people regarding their rights. If
they choose to, students may share their findings
with the class.
As we continue to memorize our
multiplication facts in Math, students will also
relate what they learn to division facts. To
prepare for the Standards Based Assessment
(SBA) at the end of March, we will implement
test-taking strategies to solve math word
problems…everybody’s favorite.
In Spanish we will conjugate the irregular
verb ser and use it in conjuction with
adjectives. Students will study the masculine
and feminine endings used for adjectives and
their plural counterparts. Students will learn the
capital letters C, E, M, and N in Handwriting.
Page 4 of 7
Music
Special Program Updates
El Correcaminos
Music Notes by Mtra. Hood
Happy New Year from violin class! The
kinder classes have been so excited to
finally work with their real instruments.
Over the next few weeks, they will be
reviewing the motions they did on the box
and transferring them to the real deal.
Things like how to open the case, put on
their sponge and unlock their bow are a
little tricky at first!
The first grade classes will be given a
challenge for Twinkle and Lightly Row.
We've had some hurdles to overcome in
regards to muscle memory so I'm
challenging them all to play notes before
saying them. They usually do the other way
around, but this is now forcing the motion
to come before the vocalization.
Both second and third grade classes have
been given shoulder rests! These are much
better than the sponges, particularly for the
bigger violins. The shoulder rest contours
to the body and the children have an easier
time relaxing their heads to use the natural
Third Grade Original Compositions.
weight to keep the instrument up. These were a
gift to me and I'm happy to extend their use to
the students. These classes are reviewing as well
as trying the same challenge as the 1st graders.
The challenge means that students can practice
at home. They can show you how I taught them
to 'air play' and I hope you can all get a kick out
of their practice!
NMIS
Aikido
Sensei Says…
by Michelle Sensei
As we come back from winter break, the children will
review the new techniques and body movements learned before
the holidays.
Kindergarters will review falls and front rolls then we will
move on to partner practice, integrating basic body movements
and falls. With partner practice more focus will be placed on
cooperation and respect.
First through third graders will review the new techniques
they learned before break and use these new body movements as
foundation for more techniques.
El Correcaminos
News from Parent Committees
Page 5 of 7
Fundraising: Karin Tydeman [email protected]
Enrichment: April Freeman [email protected]
The Enrichment committee consists of a few dedicated volunteers. Some teach, some serve in an
administrative capacity. This is an extremely small group of volunteers. In order to sustain and grow
this program, we need more volunteers willing to help with recruiting, administrative functions, etc.
We would prefer at least one parent from each class. Please email us with your availability. Thank
you
Special Events: Brenda Vigil [email protected]
Yearbook: Brian Barlow [email protected]
Don’t forget to check out TreeRing to design and purchase your child’s yearbook for 2012-2013. Just
as last year, each child’s book will have two customizable pages. If you need help designing your
personal pages, contact Yearbook Committee member Alexa Verardo at [email protected].
She’s willing to help on a first come, first served basis.
The yearbook committee will be sending home a student poll for this year’s yearbook. We are also
giving our students an opportunity to create and give their interpretation of our school mascot, the
roadrunner! Please help your student fill out the poll and give them encouragement to create their
own mascot to be placed in this year’s yearbook! Please return the poll and artwork to their teachers
no later than Feb. 1st. We appreciate your help and cooperation! Thank you!
Library: Mary Stuart [email protected]
Uniforms: Cass Barlow [email protected]
Facilities: Amos Baca [email protected]
Humanitarian: Michelle Cate [email protected]
School Advisory Committee: Joy Wasson [email protected]
SAC meets this Wednesday, January 16 at 6:30.
Page 6 of 7
General Announcements
El Correcaminos
Upcoming NMIS Events
New Mexico
International School
4261 Balloon Park Road NE
Albuquerque, NM, 87109
Phone:
(505) 433-3250
Fax:
(505) 433-3253
E-mail:
[email protected]
We’re on the Web!
www.nmis.org


Wednesday, January 16 – SAC meeting 6:30

Wednesday, January 23 – Friday, February 1 – Winter MAP’s
Window
Students take their second of three major tests in English

Monday, January 28 – Friday, February 1 – National School
Choice Week

Monday, January 28 – Intent to Re-enroll Forms available
Forms sent out to current families soliciting intent to re-enroll
students next year as well as any siblings.


Friday, February 1 – End of 2nd Quarter


Wednesday, February 6 – SAC Meeting 6:30pm

Friday, February 15 – Intent to Re-enroll Forms due
Form due to school to secure an enrollment spot for next year.
Help Wanted!
NMIS is seeking volunteers for the following areas.
If you are able to help us, please contact our
receptionist, Cheryl.
Monday, January 21 – No School
School closed in honor of MLK Jr. Day
Monday, February 4 – Tuesday February 12 –
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Each teacher has one full day this week to conduct
parent/teacher conferences. Exact days per teacher TBA.
Monday, February 11 – 100th day of school
A Kindergarten extravaganza celebrating our 100 th day this year.
Details to follow from kinder teachers.

STILL looking for someone to help clean
up the playground with a ll the winter
leaves and woodchips.


We’re looking for a crafty volunteer to
sew NMIS patches onto our fencing
jackets. There are 20 jackets. Do you
have a sewing machine and know how
to use it?
Wednesday, February 20 – Information Session for Prospective
Parents 6-7 pm
The first of three evening informational session opportunities for
parents considering NMIS for next year.



Thursday, February 21 – Committee Chair Meeting 4:30

Monday, March 11 – Friday, March 15 – No School
School closed for spring break.


Wednesday, March 20 – SAC Meeting 6:30

Friday, March 22 - Information Session for Prospective Parents
6-7 pm
The third and final evening informational session opportunities
for parents considering NMIS for next year.

Monday, March 25 – Thursday March 28 – SBA Testing



Wednesday, April 10 – SAC Meeting 6:30
Wednesday, February 27 – SAC Meeting 6:30
Wednesday, March 6 - Information Session for Prospective
Parents 6-7 pm
The second of three evening informational session opportunities
for parents considering NMIS for next year.
Thursday, March 21 – World Poetry Day
An in-school event organized by the Special Events Committee
State mandated annual testing for third graders
Friday, April 12 – End of 3rd Quarter
Monday, April 15 – Wednesday April 24 – Parent/Teacher
Conferences
Each teacher has one full day this week to conduct
parent/teacher conferences. Exact days per teacher TBA
El Correcaminos
NMIS Sponsors
Page 7 of 7
New Mexico International School thanks these businesses for their support of the school.
Aikido of Albuquerque
Philip Vargas, Sensei
5600 McLeod Road NE, Suite P
(505)850-8460
www.aikidoofabq.com
Harmony  Energy  Way
9780 Coors Blvd. NW
(505)890-WINE
www.nickyvs.com
$40 donation in exchange for one month’s advertising in our
newsletter!
Contact Karin at [email protected]
$40 donation in exchange for one month’s advertising in our
newsletter!
Contact Karin at [email protected]
$40 donation in exchange for one month’s advertising in our
newsletter!
Contact Karin at [email protected]