🐾February Newsletter🐾

Dear Families,

As we head into February, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the tremendous support you provide our school. Our partnership with families is essential as we work together to grow not only strong readers, writers, and mathematicians, but also kind, resilient, and thoughtful human beings.

So much more happens at school than academics alone. Each day, students learn how to interact with one another, navigate disappointment, solve problems, and celebrate their successes. We are incredibly proud of the progress our students have made since the beginning of the year. From the start of the year to the middle of the year, our students grew 14% in reading (exceeding our 5% goal) and 5% in math. These gains are a direct result of hard work from students, staff, and families alike.

While we celebrate these successes, we also recognize areas where students still need support. After reviewing our data, we noticed that behavior disruptions and frequent calls for support were sometimes limiting students’ access to instruction. To better support all learners, we have adopted a new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. This will give our teachers dedicated tools and lessons to help students:

• Dream big and set meaningful goals

• Discover their unique talents and strengths

• Build positive, empowering relationships

• Take responsibility for their choices and actions

• Bounce back from setbacks with resilience

• Appreciate what they have and give back to their community

These SEL lessons will take place once a week for 30 minutes, and this time is already built into our master schedule. Our hope is that by intentionally teaching these skills, we will see fewer disruptions, increased engagement, and more time for quality learning in every classroom.

There is a lot happening this month, so please read the rest of the newsletter for additional details, including:

• After school clubs beginning February 9th (Compost Club, Ukulele Club, Robotics Club, Cheer Club, and Bo Club)

• Important information from Roosevelt for our incoming 6th graders (it’s hard to believe how quickly time is moving for our soon-to-promote 5th graders!)

• A Summer Reading opportunity that will take place at San Antonito this summer

Thank you again for your continued partnership and trust. Please never hesitate to reach out with questions, ideas, or concerns. We are grateful for each and every one of you.

With appreciation,

Andrea Day
Principal

A. Montoya Elementary School

• All visitors must check in at the Administration entrance and wear a visible badge.
• A photo ID is required to access the school or to check out a student.
• Only cleared volunteers (with prior teacher/admin permission and updated background checks) may stay on campus to volunteer.
• Volunteer info: https://www.aps.edu/police/background-and-fingerprinting/background-checks-for-prospective-volunteers
• All items must be dropped off at the front office. Office staff will deliver them to the appropriate classroom. For minimal disruption, families are not permitted to deliver items directly. If preferred, the office can call the student out of class to retrieve the item upon request.

February is known as the month of love, but it is also a time to focus on self-love through health!

This month is American Heart Month and National Children's Dental Health Month.

Here are a few tips for home:

For Healthy Hearts:

· Move More: Try to get at least 60 minutes of active play every day. Jump rope, dance, or play tag!

· Eat the Rainbow: Incorporate heart-healthy fruits and veggies, especially red ones like apples, strawberries, and peppers.

For that Dazzling Smiles:

· The 2x2 Rule: Remind students to brush for two minutes, two times a day.

· Rethink Your Drink: Swap sugary sodas and juices for water or milk to keep teeth strong and cavity-free.

We look forward to seeing those healthy, happy smiles in the hallways!

Nurse Holly

holly,diedrich@aps.edu

505-281-0880 ext 24405

Dear A. Montoya Families,

During the month of February, I will continue visiting our 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. In 3rd grade, students are learning about social media, including its benefits and potential dangers. We are also discussing the importance of following age guidelines to help keep students safe online.

Fourth grade students are focusing on conflict resolution skills. We are learning how to identify small problems they can solve independently versus big problems that should be reported to a trusted adult. Students are also being introduced to nine different strategies for solving conflicts in positive and respectful ways.

Please be sure to check your child’s backpack for handouts and take time to discuss these topics together at home. These conversations help reinforce the skills students are learning at school.

Thank you for your continued support!

Alheli Baca, MA, NCC, LPCC

School Counselor

alheli.baca@aps.edu

(505) 281-0880

Community Meeting- February 2nd @ 3pm

February 27th from 5-8pm in the cafeteria!

We are looking for volunteers to join our dance committee and help with the event!

Our Family Dance committee meeting is on February 3rd at 3pm in the teacher's lounge

We are also looking to recruit for the 2026/2027 school year!

If you would like more information on positions or PAWSS please reach out via email.

amontoyapawss@gmail.com

Hello Incoming Roosevelt Families,

We are excited to invite you to an exciting open house for incoming 6th grade students on February 18th from 5 to 6 p.m.

We will showcase our outstanding staff, award-winning band, orchestra, and choir programs, our 5th grade to 6th grade transition program (WEB), our unique electives, and our clubs.

See schedule here —> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zL6NEdXsSKDogJyjTW69bWt_UBhBa-wcA3ES9ZfRQd8/edit?usp=sharing

Did you know?

• Roosevelt Middle School is a school of choice in our second year as a developing Global Leadership magnet school. We increase college and career readiness by developing leadership skills through increasing global awareness and including 10 global competencies into the curriculum in all classes.

• Inside Roosevelt Middle School (NM): A Hub of Global Learning, Innovation, and Community

• Together We Lead: Building Shared Purpose with Global Leaders

• When Students Take the Lead: Agency in Action with Global Leaders

• 
  

• The New Mexico Public Education Department has named Roosevelt a Spotlight School, the highest designation possible.

• Roosevelt’s yearly assessment scores rank among the top middle schools in the state.

• Roosevelt supports whole child development and social/emotional education through advisory courses.

• At Roosevelt, all students have a class called “What I Need,” where students get daily academic support and enrichment.

• Roosevelt is the top-ranked middle school in APS as ranked by the annual quality of education survey.

• Students LOVE Roosevelt Middle School. Read what they have to say: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1gwB2IHiQZYSDOHgq3UywPrERd66BqddG?usp=drive_link

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out directly to the principal, Dave Roberts, at 505-337-7267 (call or text) or via email at david.roberts@aps.edu.

Best,

Dave Roberts

Principal

Roosevelt Middle School

San Antonito STEM Magnet with APS/NMPED Partnership is offering a free Summer Reading Program at our site! Please click here to register your student today.

Program Dates:

• June 8, 2026 - July 17, 2026

  • No program on Juneteenth (June 19th)

  • No program week of June 29 - July 3, 2026

Key points:

• School Hours M-F 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

• Breakfast 8:00 am & Lunch 12:00 pm served each day

• Before & After School program 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

• Transportation provided (bus times released in May)

• Address: 12555 North HWY 14 Sandia Park, NM 87047

• Open to ALL New Mexico students Kindergarten through 5th grade

• It's time to register now! See website below or the flyer for the QR code

• Contact us at (505) 281-3931 or email Principal Gallegos gallegos_pat@aps.edu with any questions.

Lots more information can be found on the Extended Learning Website. The website has a link to register students, Before/After School Provider information for each site for families to sign up for the summer and bus routes in MAY.

Respectfully,

Mrs. Gallegos

• Tardies are recorded at 8:05 a.m. After that, students must be walked into the office by an adult.
• For early pickup or if a student becomes ill, please bring a valid ID to the front office. This helps us verify that you are listed as an authorized contact for student release.
• Doctor's notes are required to excuse medical appointments.

• Keep ParentVue contact updated at all times.
• Call the office by 2:15 p.m. for emergency end-of-day changes. We will do our best to accommodate last minute requests.
• APS and AMES uses SchoolMessenger to send alerts via phone/email.
• Weather closures or asynchronous days will be announced via SchoolMessenger, school website, ClassDojo, and news outlets.

• AMES Website

• Monthly Smore Newsletter: This will be sent out monthly and posted to the school website.
• School Messenger: School-wide phone/email messages. These will be sent out with important messages, reminders, or updates, as needed.
• Teacher Communication: Your child's teacher will send out communication regularly.
• Parent-Teacher Meetings: These will be scheduled as needed.
• Class Dojo, Facebook, and Instagram