December 2024- 

2nd-6th: 2nd Grade PBL Market Sales

6th: Pickles/Popcorn Sale

       Spirit Day-Winter Sweater

12th: STEM Fair and Explora Family Night 6pm-7:30pm (gym and cafeteria) *light refreshments/snacks available while supplies last. 

20th - PJ and Stuffy Day

21st - All SASM Lost and Found will be donated

24th - January 6th- Winter Break, No School

SASM Clubs
Mondays & Wednesdays- 3:30-5:30 East Mountain Junior Jazzers (4th & 5th Graders), Cafeteria 
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month -3:30-5:15  5th Grade Coyote Club, Library
Thursdays - 7:35AM-8:35AM, Chess Club, Cafeteria
Thursdays - 3:30PM-4:30PM, Bible Club, Cafeteria
Fridays - 3:30-5:30  Girl Scouts-troupe 1029, Cafeteria

When there is no school for students, there are no clubs. This includes inclement weather delays/cancelations, parent/teacher conferences, and Holidays. 

Are you considering volunteering at SASM or within APS? 
While encouraging family and community participation, we must consider the safety of every child in the district. State law requires a background check from volunteers before participating in any volunteer activity at any APS school.
There are two categories of volunteers who receive differing levels of background check clearances and badging:

1. Unsupervised School Volunteers: preferred by SASM as you can be “alone” around campus and with students on field trips, etc. This background is a full FBI Fingerprint clearance initiated only by Mrs. Gallegos. The cost is $56 and  the clearance is good for two years.  

Cleared individuals receive a Unsupervised volunteer badge from APS Police. 
If your interested in obtaining this badge, please email gallegos_pat@aps.edu  the following information: 

• Full Name of Volunteer
• DOB
• Last 4 SS Number
• Address
• Phone Number
• Email address

OR

1. Become a Supervised Volunteers. The cost is $12 for two years.  These volunteers must always be in line of sight supervision by an APS staff member. 

Begin the Supervised Volunteer Clearance Request (you will be a new user)

Are you interested in volunteering but the cost or the steps of obtaining volunteering clearance is preventing you? Complete this form, and we will do our best to provide assistance. 

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Come Work With Us!

We have three job vacancies at our school. If you or anyone you know is interested in working with our staff and students, please apply to aps.edu. Thank you!

1.0 cross cat teacher 
0.5 counselor 
0.5 gifted teacher

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Talking Talons Youth Leadership is seeking a part-time Environmental Educator to work in our 5th grade Coyote Club after school programs.  Our Coyote Clubs focus on Climate Education, Nature Awareness, individual student Leadership and Team-Building.  If you are interested in knowing more about this opportunity, email John Ross, Co-Executive Director at email jross@talkingtalons.org

Throughout October and November, the San Antonito health office experienced a spike in the numbers of students experiencing respiratory and digestive illness symptoms. In response, I have had the opportunity to visit several of the classrooms to present information about proper hand-washing techniques, when to wash hands and how to cover coughs/sneezes (using your elbow instead of your hand). I thought it would be helpful to share some of the same information with parents/guardians, so you can help your child remember these techniques at home as well as at school.

When to wash our hands:

• Before, during and after food preparation
• Before eating
• After restroom usage
• After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
• After touching garbage
• After playing outdoors
• After touching animals or animal food
• After visiting public places

Best ways to wash our hands:

1. Wet your hands
2. Put on soap
3. Rub your hands together, palm to palm
4. Scrub between your fingers
5. Scrub the backs of your hands
6. Scrub around your thumb
7. Clean your fingernails
8. Rinse your hands with water
9. Pat your hands try with a towel

Ways we can all stay healthy:

• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Wash hands often
• Keep distance between yourself and others
• Don’t play around in the bathrooms
• Wipe down tables, chairs, door handles and other high-touch surfaces frequently

Hopefully these techniques will help students, families and staff experience fewer illness symptoms in the coming months!

As a reminder: If your student needs to have medication, including cough drops, while they are at school, please contact me so the necessary form and procedure can be followed.

As always, please contact me with any health-related questions, concerns or changes to your student’s health needs while at school.

Sending healthy thoughts to the entire SASM family!    

Nurse Robyn Blomberg, RN, BSN
SASM School Nurse
Email 
robyn.blomberg@aps.edu
Health Office Webpage
Phone: 505-281-3931, ext. 25604

Hello San Antonito Families, and Merry December! Just a friendly reminder about school attendance procedures: 

 Reporting Absences: If your child is going to miss school, please either: 

• Call and leave a message on the attendance line, or 

• Submit the absence via ParentVue. Important: Be sure to include the reason for the absence (e.g., stomach bug, dentist appointment) so it is coded correctly. 

• Appointment Notes: If your child has an appointment (doctor, dentist, etc.), notes can be: 

• Sent with your child to school, 

• Dropped off by a parent, or 

• Emailed to me directly at adam.sandoval@aps.edu. 

• Safety Calls: The APS attendance system will generate a safety call if we do not receive notice of the absence or if it’s not coded as an appointment or family emergency. 

Please keep your ParentVue account updated with accurate emergency contacts and authorized pickups. Let me know if you’d like to make any changes!

Lost and Found: 

We have gathered a large number of jackets, water bottles, and lunch boxes in our lost and found area. Please stop by and check for any items your child may be missing. If you have any questions about attendance, feel free to contact me at 505-281-3931 ext. 0 or via email adam.sandoval@aps.edu.  Please make time to come check out the lost & found as all items will be donated on 12/21/24.  Thank you, and stay warm!

Thank you and GOOO Roadrunners!
Mr. Adam
Front Office Clerk
Email
Adam.Sandoval@aps.edu
505-281-3931, ext. 25600

Please join us to celebrate the student scientists and engineers on December 12th at San Antonito’s STEM Fair, sponsored by PTA!  STEM Fair projects will be on display in the cafeteria and Explora will be hosting a Family Night in the Cafeteria. Enjoy a fun night of STEM at school starting at 6:00 pm. There will be light refreshments served while supplies last!
Everyone is welcome at the meeting, but only members may vote. Register at our SASM Hub to become a PTA member.

Please feel free to reach out with any questions at our email sanantonitopta@gmail.com
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Thank you!
Veronica Ligon
PTA President
Email
sanantonitopta@gmail.com
PTA Google Site
Membership Hub

Dear Parents and Students,

Happy December! As the year comes to a close, our DigiLab is bustling with creativity and innovation. Here’s what your students will be working on this month:

December Learning Focus
In December, all classes will be building their skills in three key areas:

• Programming Skills: Students will continue exploring programming concepts, with interactive projects designed to sharpen their logic and problem-solving abilities.
• 3D Printing with Tinkercad: Using Tinkercad, students are designing and printing more intricate projects, applying their creativity and engineering skills.
• Google Suite Applications: Students will practice working with Google Slides, Docs, and Sheets to develop their collaboration and productivity skills—essential for academic and future professional success.

Access to APS Classlink during winter break
Your student can also access their APS Classlink, which is full of educational resources. 
This portal provides a variety of tools to support your child's learning both in and out of the classroom.

We’re looking forward to a great month as we continue building these essential digital skills. Thank you for your continued support!

DigiLab Donations Needed
To keep our DigiLab running smoothly and support our innovative projects, we’re kindly asking for donations. Here’s what we need:

• Lysol spray to keep our workspace clean and safe.
• Rolls of PLA filament for 3D printing.
• A small toaster oven for project use (used is okay!).

If you can contribute, we’d greatly appreciate your generosity. Donations can be sent to school with your student or dropped off at the office.

Thank you for supporting our DigiLab and making it such a special space for learning and creativity. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!

Warm regards,
Mrs. Apodaca
SASM DigiLab Teacher
Email
valerie.apodaca2@aps.edu.
505-281-3931

Hello STEM Families, 

One of the major elements SASM is emphasizing at this time is mathematics proficiency. As a school we are taking deliberate steps to analyze student mathematics performance from both a quantitative and qualitative perspective in order to improve on our instruction and assessment design.  This is resulting in increased mathematics integration across all Specials classes as well as the core academic subjects taught during class time. 

The “M” in “S.T.E.M.” of course stands for Mathematics. We recognize the importance of this skill for learners of all ages and abilities. In Roadrunner Lab each class has received integrated mathematics instruction, and has also participated in age appropriate discussions of the role of mathematics within technical fields and future educational experiences.  Having students buy-in to mathematics instruction with a positive disposition toward it is a major element that impacts student self-efficacy in regards to numeracy skills. There is much that can be done to reinforce this effort across home and school settings as a partnership toward improved life outcomes for our students. 

For example, children can be involved in various elements of household routine to support and bolster their comprehension and retention of mathematical concepts.  Consider having your student involved in cooking, time-telling, budgeting, estimation, and measurement tasks at a level appropriate for their age. Even basic elements such as counting, shape recognition, and counting of money can instill lasting results that make a significant difference over time. We all desire for the children in our community to be successful in future employment, post-secondary education, and independent living. Just a touch of math, both at school and at home, may make that future all the brighter. 

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Thank you,
Mr. Buchanan
STEM Coach
Email
matthew.buchanan@aps.edu 

December is the perfect time to cozy up with a new book! With chilly nights and the busy holiday season, it’s a great chance to slow down and enjoy a good story or learn something new. Did you know that December is Read a New Book Month? It’s a wonderful opportunity for kids to explore different kinds of books and topics.

Encourage your child to try something new this month. Perhaps they could switch from reading fantasy to adventure, or explore a biography about someone who inspired them. If they love animals, they might enjoy learning about endangered species, the ocean, or wildlife habitats. If they’re into technology, a book about inventions or famous scientists might spark their curiosity!

You can also make reading extra fun by turning a book into an activity. If your child picks a book about gardening, try planting seeds together in a small pot. Or, if they choose a book about different cultures, you can learn a dance or try out a new craft from another country. How about reading a book about the stars and then making your own constellations with glow-in-the-dark stickers?

Parents, this is also a great time to share a favorite book from your own childhood with your child. It’s a fun way to connect and pass down the love of reading!

No matter what your child chooses to read, remember that books are a great way to start fresh as we get ready for the new year. So let’s make December a month filled with new adventures and stories!

Here are a few places to get started looking for children’s books.

The Best Children's Books

Goodreads

Albuquerque Public Library

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Happy reading,
Mrs. Gaddis, Librarian
Email
carol.gaddis@aps.edu
Library Webpage
Phone: 505-281-3931

Hello Families,

Happy Holidays!  I can’t believe we are headed into the month of December.  If you haven’t signed up your child for SABA winter basketball, good news–it’s not too late.  Registration forms are due Dec. 20th.  If you have any questions, you can call the front office. 

Update: We are currently in our basketball unit.  The students are learning specific basketball vocabulary.  The students are also learning and participating in some basic drills that support both  offensive and defensive in basketball.  

Upcoming:  Once basketball is over, we will not have enough time to start a new unit, so we will have our annual jump rope, hula hoop competition for grades 3rd-5th.  For the younger kids, we will learn and play some cooperative games. When we return from winter break, our first unit will be hockey.

Announcement: Our first annual rope climbing competition was a success.  Here are some of the results.  We had 31 boys from Kinder to 5th  make it to the top of the rope, which is equivalent to 22%.  We had 37 girls make it to the top, which is 23%, so the girls won by 1%.. How exciting, you can’t get much closer than that!  We also had some individual celebrations.  Receiving the bronze medal for boys is Brody Beecher with a time of 13.15 seconds.  Dylan Schevchuck went home with the silver medal with a time of 10.94 seconds, and Logan Smith-Lorenzo took home the gold with a time of 10.88 seconds.  For the girls, Maci Beecher received the bronze with a time of 15.12 seconds.  Lauren Edmonds received the silver medal with a time of 14.67 seconds, and Teagan Hachfeld took home the gold with a time of 13.37.  Congratulations to everyone who participated–it was a great success! 

My goal is that students can participate fully and safely during PE class, so it is important that your child wears appropriate footwear to PE for the remainder of the year. Please help me by learning what colored day your child’s PE class is and encourage him or her to wear good shoes.  Thank you families, for your help with this.  As always, please send any questions, or concerns my way.  This year continues to be spectacular!

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Thank You,
Coach Harrison 
Email
monica.harrison@aps.edu
505-281-3931

Hello SASM Families,

I can’t believe how fast this semester has gone. We just finished up a color unit in which we connected color in art to the science of how we see color: color spectrum and light waves, and the difference between light and pigment color wheels. Students mixed primary colors to create secondary and tertiary colors. 

All students have just finished creating their first clay project which we will be glazing in the coming week. We have been learning about 3-D forms in art through work with model magic and clay.  We will also be working on some fun winter art projects and continuing to learn about color including color families: warm, cool, and neutral colors as well as complementary colors.

Over the break, you can encourage your student to continue making art at home by having a variety of art materials readily available and proudly displaying your student’s artwork.  Though I encourage students to draw on their own, many students also enjoy guided drawing videos online. One popular site is Art for Kids Hub: . 

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Sincerely,
Carrie Sanchez
SASM Art Teacher
505-281-3931
Email
carrie.sanchez@aps.edu
SASM Art Google Site

Hello Families,
I hope everyone is doing well. I would like to introduce myself, my name is Shannon Winters, and I am the new Redirector for San Antonito STEM Elementary this year. I am here for anything students may need. I am here for emotion please feel free to reach out for support.

I look forward to a great year and helping every student thrive.

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Best Wishes,

Shannon Winters
SASM Redirector 
Email:
shannon.winters@aps.edu
Phone: 
 505-281-3931 ext. 25635 

Welcome Families, 
I have amazing news this school year! Students are able to receive 1 breakfast and 1 lunch at no charge. This year we will also be classed as a CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) school, meaning we will not need to fill out any eligibility lunch forms this school year. That being said they may still pay for any second meals (main $2, sides, milk $0.40)

I will still need any student with food allergies to have a current dietary needs form filled out as soon as possible. This ensures that I can provide a safe option for those in need. www.aps.edu/food-and-nutrition-services/dietary-needs-forms 

Please call or email me if you have any questions. 

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Jasmine Padilla
SASM Site Supervisor
Email

jasmine.padilla@aps.edu

505-281-3931
505-253-9345

Free meals

All APS students will receive free meals this year, regardless of their family’s income. State lawmakers and the governor signed off on Senate Bill 4 earlier this year, which requires public schools to provide healthy breakfasts and lunches to students at no charge.
And while all New Mexico students will get free meals, the state Public Education Department is nevertheless urging families throughout the state to fill out the free and reduced lunch application. PED says filling out the form ensures children will receive maximum funding for benefits like Summer EBT. An accurate count of qualifying students is also used to determine funding for such things as after-school programs, technology, and quality internet.

Apply online by filling out the

• Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application
• External link
• Note: Please spell out Albuquerque or use 505 and our district will appear in the drop down list.              

LINQ Connect Menu System

• APS School Menus are now at your fingertips on the LINQ Menu
• External link
• Discover more information regarding APS school menus, nutrition, and allergens.
• LINQ Connect is also available on Apple and Android devices.
• The LINQ Connect Menus app is an easy way to keep track of your weekly/monthly menus!

TRANSPORTATION BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Riding the bus is a privilege. 

Appropriate behavior is expected whenever a student is on the bus. Suspension from riding the bus does not mean suspension from school. Instead, the parent/guardian will be responsible for transporting the student to and from school. The bus driver or bus assistant shall submit a referral to the school administrator to manage the consequence. Bus disruption occurs anytime a student deliberately or inadvertently interferes with the safe operation of a school bus, which is stopped or moving; behaves in a manner adversely affecting an individual or property on or near the bus itself, at bus stops, or at pick-up areas. 

Please, speak with your children about bus safety. 

• Listen to the bus driver
• Students need to remain seated and facing forward
• Students may not move around on the bus
• Be kind to one another
• Using foul or vulgar gestures is inappropriate
• Nothing goes out the window

Consequences/Disposition
1st Violation - Written Warning 
2nd Violation - Up to 5 days Suspension from the bus 
3rd Violation - Up to 10 days Suspension from the bus 
4th Violation - Suspension from the bus Up to the End of the Semester 
5th Violation - Suspension from the bus Up to the Remainder of the Year

Severe Disruption 
• Physical harm to other students or staff 
• Physical damage to the bus (restitution may be required) 
1st Violation - Up to 10 days Suspension from the bus 
2nd Violation - Suspension from the bus Up to End of the Semester 
3rd Violation - Suspension from the bus Up to the Remainder of the Year

Visit my bus stop to locate your child’s bus stop. The bus company has informed me that they will not honor "temporary" bus/bus stop changes this school year. Your child must ride their assigned bus and get on/off at their assigned stop.

Remember, there are no bus options for transfer students.
The bus company can be reached at 505-253-0287 with any transportation questions.