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Los Lunas Schools Sundance Elementary
November, 2015
Happy Fall. Our first nine weeks grading period is over and we
are now beginning the 12th week of the school year.
Our forty day count is complete and we currently have 593
students enrolled.
Our annual Math & Science Night will be held on November 17
from 5:30-7:00 PM. Events will include: A 6th Grade Science
Fair Project Gallery Walk, Family Science Explorer Activities,
Microscopes, Family Hands-On Math Activities and Incentives for
attending. Thanks to Ms. Heather Cannon, Ms. Carolyna
Aparici-Chavez and their committee for coordinating and organizing
this important event. We would love for you to join us if you
can.
Information was given and pencils were distributed during Drug
Free Education Awareness Week. Students wrote essays, drew pictures
and made posters. Our motto this year was: “Respect Yourself. Be
Drug Free.” Many of our pictures and posters are currently
displayed throughout our campus. Thanks to Ms. Tara Speegle our
counselor who coordinated this event.
Parent teacher conferences were held this past week and report
cards were issued. Current classroom and district assessment
results (Discovery and DRA) were shared with parents. As always, if
you need
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FROM THE PRINCIPAL From the Principal 1-2
Computer Clicks 3
Academic Coach 4-7
Library 8
Music 8
Health 9
Physical Education 9
PTO 10
Counselor 11
Box Tops 12-13
Important Dates 14
Pop Tabs 14
Community 15
Breakfast/Lunch 16
Science
and
Math Night!
When: Tuesday, Nov. 17
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Where: Sundance Cafeteria
Why: To have fun learning
and to support our
students and school!
Be there, or be E=MC²
Dinner for sale that evening! Supports Sundance Renaissance
*See 6th Grade student Science Experiments on display with the 6
Best of Show projects
selected by profes-sional judges!
*Play Math games!
*Try some science experiments of
your own!
*Enter to win prizes!
Need some
thing to do
? Want to
have
some fun?
Come to o
ur
Science an
d Math N
ight &
6th Grade
Science Fa
ir!
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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further clarification, please contact us. We were pleased to see
so many parents actively involved in their child’s education.
Thanks for caring and being involved.
A Fall/Harvest parade along with our first 9 week Renaissance
Assembly was held before class parties began on October 30th. We
had a lot of strange and interesting creatures/characters around
here. The parade
concluded on the soccer field with The Monster Mash and The
Coffin Square Dance lead by our PE teacher Mrs. Aragon. Ms.
Otero-Sanchez, our music teacher and her choir group lead our
audience in The National Anthem and Abram Brown. Congratulations to
students in
(Continued from page 1) grades 1st and 4th who won the
Renaissance Spirit Stick. Our 5th and 6th grade teachers won most
spirited costume/theme
with their portrayal of Harry Potter. Good job teachers!
Parents, thank you so much for your help and cooperation in
selecting costumes that reflect positive values and good character.
Congratulations also to our students who received Renaissance
status this 9 week
period. We had 447 students qualify for Bronze (59), Silver
(136) or Gold (311).
We regret to inform you that due to our continual growth we will
not be able to accommodate our parents/families for the annual
Thanksgiving dinner. Please know that you are
welcome to join your child any other day of the week. We thank
you for your understanding in this matter.
Again, this school year we will begin our Thanksgiving food
drive on November 2-13. The food baskets we gather will be given to
students within our school community. Please donate if
possible.
I hope that your November is filled with joy and family as you
gather on Thanksgiving. Have a happy and safe season.
-Ms. Mildred Chavez, Principal
From the Principal Cont.
With the onset of cold weather it is so important to help out
the homeless. Many people are not only homeless but also do not
have warm
clothing. Therefore, Mrs. Hayes’s 3rd grade class will be
accepting donations of new or gently used gloves, hats, socks,
coats, and blankets until November 20th. Please help us give the
gift of warmth to those in
need.
Give the gift of warmth.
Give to Joy Junction.
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Carolyn Sandoval, Computer Lab
As fall continues, we will be working on different projects in
the computer lab depending on the grade level. All grades will work
on keyboarding skills. Learning how to use the keyboard properly is
very important skill because the upper grades will be using it on
the PARCC test (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College
and Careers). The kindergarteners are getting better at logging in
and learning how the keyboard works. 1st and 2nd is getting to know
Microsoft Word better and they are getting to use WordArt to make
acrostic poems. They will finish them up and start working on
typing up stories they have worked on in class. The upper grades
continued to work on different projects and we will go over the
PARCC practice test soon. They will be taking the PARCC test in
March. It is important for the students to practice this test and
get to know all the tools that PARCC has to offer. If you would
like your child to practice the PARCC test at home you can go to
http://www.parcconline.org/practice-tests . This month we will also
be taking the second Discovery test. In November we will go over
text message etiquette using I-Safe. The purpose of this lesson is
to develop an awareness of how words and feelings affect the
meaning of a text message. We will also cover cyber bulling. The
students will learn how to define cyber bulling and they will also
compare and contrast cyber bulling and outside bulling. I would
like to inform you that all staff and students at Los Lunas Schools
(those with a computer account) may now login to our district
Microsoft Office 365 account and download an license for a free
copy of the latest version of Microsoft Office available for your
personal PC, Mac, or mobile devices. In order to access your online
account, students should use their ID number with
@student.llschools.net – for example,
[email protected], along with their standard district
password. Students and staff may download and install up to 5
copies of Office on your personal PC or Mac, along with up to 5
copies on your tablets or Smartphone's. There are some changes on
how to access Typing Instructor. If you have logged on to the Los
Lunas Schools (llschools.net) website this year you have noticed
that it has changed. So to log onto Typing Instructor you will
first login into the Los Lunas Schools website and click on
students. When the students page comes up if you look to left side
of the page you will see Typing Instructor Students, click on it.
Then the Typing Instructor login page will appear. To log into
Typing Instructor your student will need their user name and
password. Their user name is their lunch number and their password
is their lunch number with a capital “S” at the end of their
password. (see below) If your student is new to our school or are
in second grade or lower they will need to type a zero at the
beginning of theirs username and password.
Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Help us earn Funding! We are collecting used ink cartridges, old
cell phones, mp3
players, GPS units, cameras and headsets from home or busi-
nesses to support us. This is a wonderful fundraiser to
raise
money for the computer lab and it also helps save the
environ-
User name Password LUNCH# (e.g., 12345) LUNCH#S(e.g., 12345S)
New Student or 2nd grade or lower User name Password 0LUNCH# (e.g.,
012345) 0LUNCH#S(e.g., 012345S)
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Carolyna Aparici Chávez
News You Can Use in Your Home!
PARCC for Parents! Our state’s and school’s first PARCC (The
Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers)
scores are now available from the PED (Public Education
Department). Individual student scores will follow shortly. Below
find some quick information to help you understand the data you
will receive soon! Your student will receive Individual Student
Reports for English Language Arts and Math. The goal for
proficiency is a 4 or a score of a 5, which is advanced.
Overall ELA (English Language Arts) Score: 650-850 Level 1 (Did
Not Yet Meet Expectations): 650-699 Level 2 (Partially Met
Expectations): 700-724 Level 3 (Approached Expectations): 725-749
Level 4 (Met Expectations): 750-802 Level 5 (Exceeded
Expectations): 803-850 Reading Scale Score: 10-90 -Literary Text:
Read and analyze grade-appropriate fiction, drama, and poetry
-Informational Text: Read and analyze grade-appropriate
non-fiction, including texts about history, science, art, and music
-Vocabulary: Use context to determine what words and phrases mean
in grade-appropriate texts Writing Scale Score: 10-60 -Writing
Expression: Compose well-developed, organized, and clear writing,
using details from what they have read -Knowledge and Use of
Language Conventions: Compose writing using the rules of standard
English, including those for grammar, spelling, and usage Overall
Math Score: 650-850 Level 1 (Did Not Yet Meet Expectations):
650-699 Level 2 (Partially Met Expectations): 700-724 Level 3
(Approached Expectations): 725-749 Level 4 (Met Expectations):
750-802 Level 5 (Exceeded Expectations): 803-850 -Major Content:
Varies by Grade Level- visit http://www. parcconline.org/math
-Additional and Supporting Content: Varies by Grade Level
-Expressing Mathematical Reasoning: Creating and justifying logical
mathematical solutions and analyzing and cor-recting the reasoning
of others -Modeling and Application: Solving real-world problems,
representing and solving problems with symbols, reasoning
quantitatively and strategically using appropriate tools
For more information visit:
http://www.parcconline.org/resources/parent-resources
OR http://newmexicocommoncore.org/parents
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LIBRARY Patti S. Bitting, Library Assistant
November brings fall colors which is a great
time to begin learning about the tone colors of
the orchestra. We have begun to see the orchestra in
action as we view videos of a youth orchestra playing
Pictures at an Exhibition. In October, students began listening
to the piece and concentrated on two ‘sound
paintings called, ‘The Hut on Fowl’s Legs’ and ‘The Gnome’. We
continue our musical journey in November as we listen to sound
pictures such as, ‘Bydlo’ and ‘The Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks’
from Pictures.
The choir did a wonderful job singing the National An-
them and ‘Abram Brown’, at our first Renaissance As-sembly in
October. Both the Recorder Club and Choir
are now practicing for the December Music Assembly.
The Recorder Club students are beginning to learn
songs from their new Recorder Karate books and will
soon earn their first belts. Fifth and Sixth graders
are also learning how to read music from the new
classroom set of Yamaha Recorder Books that the
school ordered. Fourth graders are well on their way
to playing all three beginner songs and are sounding
ready to move on to more challenging songs like ‘Ode to Joy’.
And as always, we are continuing to play class-room instruments,
sing and move as much as possible.
The best way to know what is going on in music class is
to ask your child to perform what they are learning in
class!
Have a wonderful November and Tasty Thanksgiving!
In this season of thanksgiving I must take a moment to thank all
the
wonderful people who helped make our Scholastic Book Fair such a
success. I could not have accomplished such a task without all the
support and encouragement from the staff and wonderful parent
volunteers. A huge thank you goes to all the families who visited
our book fair and purchased books. Your generosity was greatly
appreciated. We sold 1,183 books and earned $4,042.24 for our
library. Thank you to our wonderful teaching staff for their
patience with the library closing for a week to be transformed in
to a book store and for encouraging their students to buy and read
fabulous books. Thank you to all the incredible
parents who gave so much of their time to help with the set up,
tear down and over all assistance with the students.
A super congratulations goes to Mrs. Morales and Mrs. Walraven’s
2nd grade classes. They placed 1st and 2nd respectively in the book
contest. Since 10 pizzas are a lot for one class both classes will
be rewarded with a pizza party in November to celebrate this great
accomplishment. The fact that these two classes purchased 181 books
is absolutely fabulous! Great job 2nd grade readers!
At this time of year I can’t help but be extra thankful for my
family, my friends and coworkers, and
my students. I wish all of you a beautiful and joyous fall
season. Remember to curl up with a good book on chilly nights!
Patti S. Bitting, Library Assistant
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”
~Emilie Buchwald
Music Notes Erica Otero, Music Teacher
Melanie Moya
Victoria Lakey
Melissa Jones
Kim Herrera
Amy Baca
My Book Fair Volunteer Heroes:
Dawn Levine
Tiffany Gonzales
Amanda Fillmore
D’nene Luera
Tim Bitting
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Health News Kim Morrison, RN
Physical Education Monica Aragon, P.E Teacher Thank you so much
to those of you who attended our Annual Halloween/Renaissance
Celebration. We all had a good time dancing to Dem Bones, The
Monster Mash and The Skeleton Square Dance!
All classes have been working hard on learning to pass a
volleyball with our forearms and to serve the ball over the net.
These two skills
are necessary to play a volleyball game.
November Happenings:
K-2nd grade students will learn about bicycle safety. We will
also learn to kick,
dribble, pass and trap.
3rd-6th grades will be learning about bicycle safety and riding
bikes.
Being prepared for PE: All children, regardless of grade level,
must wear sneakers to PE class. Flip flops, shoes, boots, and
sandals are regarded as unsafe footwear. Keeping your child safe is
our first priority.
I wish all of you a wonderful
Thanksgiving Holiday!
M. Aragon
Supplies we could use: New or gently used tennis shoes. Your
support is greatly appreciated.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month – Talk to your health care
provider about the risk
factors in your family, take precautions, and support the people
you know with Diabetes!
Continue to say “BOO” to the Flu! – This year the Centers for
Disease Control
advise everyone 6 months of age and older to get a flu vaccine
during the months
of October and November. Talk with your physician.
Please keep all sick children home from school especially if
they are exhibiting respi-
ratory and/or stomach symptoms! If you are unsure – stay home
and call your health
care provider or school nurse for advice.
Allergy and Asthma season is hitting us HARD this year. Monitor
all symptoms closely and
follow your health care provider’s advice. If your child has
asthma, it is extremely important
to keep an inhaler (with a physician’s order) at school in the
nurse’s office.
We can protect and strengthen our own immunity by eating
nutritious foods, taking daily
walks, sleeping 8-10 hours a night, reducing stress, and smiling
daily.
Happy Autumn!
Kim Morrison, RN
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NOVEMBER 2015
Pie Bingo Night PTO will be hosting a Pie Bingo Night on
Thursday, November 19 from 5:30-7:00. Entry fee is $4.00 per person
which includes a dauber and one bingo card. Each additional card is
50 cents. There will be 5 pie flavors to chose from: pumpkin,
apple, lemon meringue, chocolate cream, and cherry. We hope to see
everyone there!
Holiday Craft Fair Our 4th annual Holiday Craft Fair will be
held on Saturday, November 21 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. We will
have a silent auction with items from
all the vendors at the show. There will be dance performances
from a local dance studio. Come get gifts for everyone on your
list!
Santa Shop We will have Santa Shop December 7th through December
11th. Students can visit the shop and purchase gifts for family and
friends.
Popcorn/Pickle Every Friday, the PTO will be selling snack for
the students to purchase after lunch. We will have popcorn,
pickles, cheese crackers, pretzels, and popsicles. All snacks are
either 25 or 50 cents.
Student Store Every Wednesday, except early release days, the
PTO has a student store. We have several school related items for
purchase. We sell after
lunch on the stage in the cafeteria. Come check it out!
Important Dates… Tuesday, November 10: PTO Meeting
Thursday, November 19: Pie Bingo Night
Saturday, November 21: Holiday Craft Fair
Monday, December 7- Friday, December 11: Santa Shop
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Tara Speegle, Counselor
Counselor’s Corner November is about more than just the
turkey!
November is the perfect time of year to talk about and teach
your child about gratitude! Here are a few simple ways to instill
thankfulness in young children:
• Ask your children about the highs and lows of their school
day. What went well? What went right? Focus on appreciating the
positive.
• Thank your children often, even if they’re doing required
chores or activities you requested of them. Let them know you
notice and appreciate their effort!
• Say “thank you” to your spouse, your friends, and your family
in the presence of your children.
• Generate an attitude of giving. Ask your children to gather
and donate old toys or clothes to other children who may be in
need.
• Encourage your children to write or draw thank you notes or
pictures to friends, family, teachers, etc.
• Point out how others have helped your children-someone holding
the door open, a friend helping your child tie his/her shoe, a
teacher giving extra time to make sure your child understood the
lesson, etc.
• In the classroom during
the month of Novem-
ber we will be cover-ing several topics in-cluding making
healthy
choices, friendship, and bullying.
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Help Raise Money by Collecting Box Tops!
Help Your Child’s Class Collect the Most Box Tops!
Congratulations to Mrs. Hayes’ 3rd Grade class for collecting
the most Box Tops in September!!
Congratulations to Ms. Cordova’s Kindergarten class for
collecting the most Box Tops for October!!
Both classes earned popsicles and will have their class picture
displayed on our Box Top board!
Every month our school is collecting Box Tops to help raise
money for our school. Here are a few
ways you can collect to help make it easier for your child’s
teacher. You can glue them on the Box Tops
forms. Be sure to ask your child’s teacher for extra forms or
grab one from our Box Top board in the
hallway. You can also send them with your child in labeled
baggies of 10 or 50. Each Box Top is worth
10 cents! Every Box Top counts! Be sure to ask relatives to help
collect Box Tops so that your child can
have even more Box Tops to turn in!
Last year our school earned over $1,000 for collecting Box Tops!
Help us to surpass this goal by
collecting even more Box Tops! Thank you for all of your support
in helping raise money for our school.
Thank you,
Nicole Bitting and Laura Blackwell
The Box Top Committee
Box Tops News
Ways to turn in Box Tops
• Glue them on the Box Tops forms. There are extra sheets on our
Box Top board or be sure to ask your classroom teacher for extra
forms
• 50 regular box tops per baggie labeled 50
• 10 regular box tops per baggie labeled 10
• Place your Bonus Box Tops in a separate baggie.
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1—Daylight Saving Time Ends
2—Flu mist distribution
SE food drive begins-Please try and donate at least 1 item
4—Early Release @ 1:00 PM. No AM or PM Pre-K
9—Turkey raffle begins--.25 each
10—PTO Meeting @ 3:45 PM in Teacher’s Lounge
Judging for Science Fair
11—No School due to Veteran’s Day
12—ACC Dental here
13—Progress Reports out to students
17—Math & Science Night @ 5:30-7:00 PM
LLS Board Meeting @ 6:00 PM
19– Pie Bingo Night
20—Drawing for turkey raffle
21—SE Craft Fair
25-27—Thanksgiving Break
30—Students return to school
Hello students, parents, and staff...
We are doing a GREAT job in collecting pop tops. Remember every
pop top counts towards helping others.
We have collected about 3,500 pop tops so far.
Our goal this year will be to collect 17,500 pop tops.
The class with the most pop tops at the end of the year will
receive a treat for doing a great job in representing our
school!
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Sundance # 80083
Here at Sundance, we know that its parents are very involved in
their students’ education. Below is an easy way to help out
Sundance! By following the directions below and linking your Smiths
card to Sundance, every time you make a purchase a percentage will
toward Sundance.
Thank you for continuing to support Sundance!
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No School
