August

After school Tutoring

Need to make some extra moolah for a small commitment of your time and a huge impact to student growth? If yes, please send me an email. I'm looking for individuals who could assist each grade level, one hour each afternoon, 3:30-4:30 PM, Monday-Thursday. We are hoping to get started at the middle/end of September.

34th Annual Multicultural Red ribbon relay run

On Thursday, September 4th around 2:00, we will be cheering on runners participating in the relay. They are making a special stop at Algodones to give high five to students along their path. We will have students in the grassy area near the front of our school, runners will continue through our parking lot along their route. Decorating posters and cheering on runners is highly encouraged!

The Red Ribbon Campaign began in 1985 after FBI Agent Enrique (KiKi) Camarena, was assassinated in Tijuana, Mexico by drug traffickers. Students attending the high school where KiKi graduated started wearing ribbons to signify his bloodshed. The Red Ribbon became the symbol to reduce the demand for drugs and encourage the choice of a healthy lifestyle. Today, as part of this national campaign, the New Mexico Red Ribbon Campaign continues to be a driving force in focusing statewide attention on substance abuse issues and solutions.

Tribal communities carry messages to one another throughout the week through relay running. Each community exchanges batons and runners on the way to the NM State Fair Indian Village.

NACHO BAR on Thursday!

Sign-up sheet is located in the staff lounge. Thank you, Nurse Amanda, for heading this up!

MLSS Information from our staff Meeting

Slides for Principal Toolkit

No School on monday, september 1st

Labor Day

First Staff Meeting

August 26th, 3:30-5:30
We’ll be learning more about the district’s MLSS documentation for this school year. Please bring your questions, ideas, and positive energy!

Staff Bulletin - Week of August 25th

Staff Shoutouts!
Thank you to Mary S. & Greg for our very cool safety sign that is displayed by our front door. Gwen, saw the sign, and then asked for the template, so she could send it to all schools in the district!

Thank you to all who made our fire drill and evacuation go as smooth as possible on Friday!

Thank you to all teachers and staff for encouraging attendance. We are leading in the district with the best attendance so far this school year. Let's keep it up!

Thank you to Guadalupe who continues to work without extra help. 😔 We are in need of a part-time custodian and a kindergarten EA. Please spread the word if you know someone who is interested. Both positions are posted on the Bernalillo Public School Website.

Remember if you have someone who has gone above & beyond-send me an email, and I'll make sure to recognize them in the next staff bulletin.

Fire Drill

Our second fire drill will be on the 27th at 10:00 AM. We will be using the Test Mode on Rave. Our number one priority is keeping our students safe, and practice makes perfect! We are aiming to get students to safety . . . faster! Let's do this!

Walkthrough

I will be conducting walkthroughs during the next couple of weeks. I wanted to give you an idea of the things I will be looking for. I will focus on Phase 1 of the Get Better Faster Scope and Sequence, so I'll be looking for routines & classroom management, lesson launch & directions, student engagement, teacher presence & tone, and feedback & corrections. The checklist is provided on the right.

Self-Reflection (repeat)
Your self-reflection will be due August 29th. Remember—teachers are often our own toughest critics, and we already know where we need to grow. Please be intentional with your reflection and goal-setting, so I can best support you in reaching both where you want to be and where you need to be.

Weekend Access (repeat)

You are more than welcome to come to campus on the weekends between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. We just ask three things of you, please text Greg or I to let us know you are there, and text when you leave as well. Last year on my campus in Alaska, the electricity went out one evening, and my co-teacher was stuck in the elevator. And just like AES, the reception wasn't the best, so even though she had her cell phone, she didn't have reception. Luckily, our band teacher was there and heard her commotion to be able to help. We just want to make sure that no one is stuck in the elevator at AES (especially on the weekends). Second, please make sure all the lights are turned off when you leave, and third, please make sure the building is secure once you leave. The doors have a tendency to stay open because of the air flow, so just give it that extra tug. Let me know if you have any questions.

Amazon Wish Lists (repeat)
Don’t forget to turn in your Amazon Wish List by September 30th so we can help make those classroom dreams happen or at least have a few more glue sticks than we had before!

Add Principal to Class Dojo (repeat)
If you haven’t yet, please add me to your Class Dojo, so I can stay connected with your classroom celebrations and updates.

Student of the Week (repeat)
Don’t forget to submit your Student of the Week—someone who has been kind to peers, helpful, and a positive influence. Let’s celebrate those everyday heroes in our classrooms! The google sheet is in our shared google drive. Students will be called to the office each Friday morning after announcements.

NM_enVision_Realize_Refresher_Sessions_Digital_Links_Flyer.pdf

SAVVAS Refresher Training

Clink on the PDF to learn more!

Student of the Week

"Recognition is the spark that ignites the flame of inspiration in the hearts of others."

-Ava Thompson

Staff Bulletin - Week of August 18th

Staff Shoutouts!
Thank you to Sharon who has done an amazing job registering our students, getting paperwork, reaching out to families...doing all the things to make sure our students are ready to go on the first day.

Thank you to Ms. Uhl & Ms. Tafoya for staying late to get all the kindergartners ready for their first day!!

Thank you to Lerin who stepped up when we needed an extra hand!!

Thank you to Brandy who still has a smile on her face every time I come into her room (when at this point, she knows I'll be asking for a favor)!!

Thank you to Kristal who spent time on the weekend hanging the apples and pencils from our ceiling. Gwen pointed out how well they looked, and I was like, "Ms. Martinez did that!"

Thank you to ALL the teachers who have struggled and made the best of the warmer temperatures in their rooms! Y'all are rockstars & probably should move to humid Texas...just kidding, we need you here!

Remember if you have someone who has gone above & beyond-send me an email, and I'll make sure to recognize them in the next staff bulletin.

Weekend Access

You are more than welcome to come to campus on the weekends between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. We just ask three things of you, please text Greg or I to let us know you are there, and text when you leave as well. Last year on my campus in Alaska, the electricity went out one evening, and my co-teacher was stuck in the elevator. And just like AES, the reception wasn't the best, so even though she had her cell phone, she didn't have reception. Luckily, our band teacher was there and heard her commotion to be able to help. We just want to make sure that no one is stuck in the elevator at AES (especially on the weekends). Second, please make sure all the lights are turned off when you leave, and third, please make sure the building is secure once you leave. The doors have a tendency to stay open because of the air flow, so just give it that extra tug. Let me know if you have any questions.

Fire Drill

Our first fire drill will be on the 22nd at 2:00 PM. We will be using the Test Mode on Rave (new this year)! We will also be evacuating to our second location-the Fire Station. We will go to our usual fire drill spots, and then head out the gate and around to the Fire Station next door. Greg will also be discussing what this will look like at our Leadership Team meeting Tuesday morning with all the details. Our number one priority is keeping our students safe, and practice makes perfect!

Leadership Team Meeting

I would love everyone to be involved on the Leadership Team. We meet once a month on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 AM. If you want to be 'officially' on the team, please let me know. If you want to come intermittently, you are always welcome! We will be discussing upcoming events, and everything involved in helping AES run smoothly.

First Day of School for Kinder and Pre-K

We will have the littles on our campus starting Monday (Kindergarten) and Tuesday (Pre-K). Please welcome the sweet faces, and remind your big kids to set the example! It will be so nice to have everyone here!

Self-Reflection (repeat)
Your self-reflection will be due August 29th. Remember—teachers are often our own toughest critics, and we already know where we need to grow. Please be intentional with your reflection and goal-setting, so I can best support you in reaching both where you want to be and where you need to be.

Amazon Wish Lists (repeat)
Don’t forget to turn in your Amazon Wish List by September 30th so we can help make those classroom dreams happen or at least have a few more glue sticks than we had before!

First Staff Meeting – August 26th (repeat)
We’ll be learning more about the district’s MLSS documentation for this school year. Please bring your questions, ideas, and positive energy!

Add Principal to Class Dojo (repeat)
If you haven’t yet, please add me to your Class Dojo, so I can stay connected with your classroom celebrations and updates.

Student of the Week (repeat)
Don’t forget to submit your Student of the Week—someone who has been kind to peers, helpful, and a positive influence. Let’s celebrate those everyday heroes in our classrooms! The google sheet is in our shared google drive. Students will be called to the office each Friday morning after announcements.

Wanted - Those to Serve on the Leadership Team!

We will hold our first Leadership Team meeting on Tuesday, August 19th. I would love to have at least one teacher from each grade level. If you would want to serve on the Leadership Team, please let me know or come Tuesday morning, August 19th at 7:30 AM. Leadership Team meetings are held once a month where we discuss upcoming events at AES, master schedules, and areas of improvements. Let me know if you have any questions.

SAVVAS ELA PD Opportunity

Click here for more detailed information. Please respond by September 4th.

The September 13, 2025 training focuses on K-3 instruction. It will be a deep dive into the 2025 curriculum. The trainers will show the key differences between the 2020 and the 2025 version as well as the layers of support within the curriculum. There are some pre-requisite trainings SAVVAS would like you to complete beforehand.

By the end of the training, participants will be able to:

Use knowledge of patterns in myView Literacy to plan units, weeks, and lessons

Backward plan using tools such as the Look and Listen For Tool

Establish unit, week, and lesson routines that support students' reading comprehension, language development, writing, and speaking and listening skills

Scaffold grade-level texts and tasks for all learners through the routines

Staff Bulletin - Week of August 11th

Fantastic First Day!
Thank you all for making our first day of school such a success! The energy, teamwork, and dedication you’ve shown are already making a difference for our students. I can see it in their smiles and excitement to be back at Algodones!!

Self-Reflection
Your self-reflection will be due in September. Remember—teachers are often our own toughest critics, and we already know where we need to grow. Please be intentional with your reflection and goal-setting, so I can best support you in reaching both where you want to be and where you need to be.

Amazon Wish Lists
Don’t forget to turn in your Amazon Wish List by September 30th so we can help make those classroom dreams happen or at least have a few more glue sticks than we had before!

First Staff Meeting – August 26th
We’ll be learning more about the district’s MLSS documentation for this school year. Please bring your questions, ideas, and positive energy!

Add Principal to Class Dojo
If you haven’t yet, please add me to your Class Dojo, so I can stay connected with your classroom celebrations and updates.

Student of the Week
Don’t forget to submit your Student of the Week—someone who has been kind to peers, helpful, and a positive influence. Let’s celebrate those everyday heroes in our classrooms! The google sheet is in our shared google drive. Students will be called to the office each Friday morning after announcements.

Staff Shoutouts
I want to be able to thank those who need to be thanked--the ones who go the extra mile, lend a helping hand, or brighten someone's day without expecting recognition. You make our school stronger, and you deserve to be celebrated! Send me an email to give a grateful shoutout to one of your colleagues.

Drills
We have two fire drills planned for Friday, August 22nd and Wednesday, August 27th. Our lockdown drill will be on Friday, September 5th. We will update everyone with more details in our next staff bulletin.

PD Friday, August 8, 2025

Provided Links:

Focus on Culture LITE

Classroom Management Workshop

https://culturallyresponsive.org/

Reminder: First Day Back Tomorrow!!

Hi Team,

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow is our first day back—I’m so excited to welcome you all!

🕗 We’ll kick things off at 8:15 AM in the gym.
🥐 A light continental breakfast will be provided.
👕 Feel free to dress comfortably—you’ll have time to work in your rooms later.
🥤 Bring a 2-liter bottle (you’ll see why 😉)
🎯 And don’t forget to bring your goals and dreams for the upcoming school year!

We’ll move through our morning PD as efficiently as possible, so you’ll have time to settle in and set up your classrooms.

📅 Reminder: Open House is Thursday from 3:30–5:30 PM.

🖱️ For the full schedule, please scroll down the staff webpage to review the info sent in my previous email.

Let’s make it a great start—we’re ready to blast off to brilliance!

Morning Announcments & Daily Themes

Dear Mustang Team,

Starting on Monday (the very first day of school!! eek!), I will be coming on the loudspeaker at 8:32 AM each morning to deliver our daily announcements. To help foster a consistent and meaningful start to the day, we're launching themed daily announcements:

Make a Difference Monday
Take Time Tuesday
Warm Heart Wednesday
Thoughtful Thursday
Fist Bump Friday

For the first week, we will say the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom. After that, we'll begin our Attendance Reward Program--the class with the best attendance will have the honor of reciting the pledge via video.

Each day also includes a short presentation tied to our Character Strong trait of the month. In August, we begin with our KINDNESS kickoff! These presentations include a brief video or image along with a discussion question you can use during your classroom morning meetings.

Here are the links to the daily presentations:

Week 1, August 11th-15th: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18qE_7eUzoHuf9RSAvyAxwKlvpcgA_eCeSHuNveBXz5w/edit?usp=sharing

Week 2, August 18th-22nd:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17vAWqGYxkHv-IQ_aLPp66wYEvyBlr7nkQ7A1adUu5hM/edit?usp=sharing

Week 3, August 25th-29th:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-jQOByVSMfBsNLtvZ8LjwpGzTnzexVIw1h_aQO-Uk_E/edit?usp=sharing

If there's anything I can do to support you in making our mornings more consistent, reflective, and full of Mustang pride, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Let's make every morning count!

Welcome Back Email

Dear Team Algodones,

I hope you’re all enjoying the final days of summer and feeling recharged for a brand-new school year! I’m thrilled to officially welcome you back—and to kick off our exciting year ahead with our theme: Blast Off to Brilliance! Get ready for a year full of discovery, growth, and stellar success.

Good news: The floors are done and looking great! You’re welcome to come in and begin setting up your classrooms. I’ll be on campus tomorrow (normal times) and Friday (after 11 AM). You are more than welcome to begin working in your rooms. I won’t be on campus July 28–30, but Ms. Sharon has my full permission to check out keys and badges as soon as she’s back in the office. I've also shared the 2025-2026 Google Drive with you. Feel free to explore the folders and resources at your convenience.

Here’s a quick look at our first week back:

Wednesday, August 6 – Welcome Back!

Staff returns to campus
Breakfast provided
Campus PD in the morning (please bring a 2-liter soda bottle)
Work time in your classrooms in the afternoon

Thursday, August 7 – Schedule Options
We need your input! Please email me your vote ASAP:

Regular hours on campus with BPS Convocation from 11–3
Meet me at Convocation and then stay later for an Open House from 3:30–5:30 PM

Let me know what works best for you—we want to finalize plans by this Friday, July 25th!

Friday, August 8 – CLR Professional Development
We’ll attend CLR (Culturally and Linguistically Responsive) training at the high school from 7:30 AM–3:30 PM.

Monday, August 11 – First Day of School!
Let’s get ready to shine!

I’m so excited to be joining the amazing team at Algodones Elementary as your new principal. I can’t wait to get to know each of you better, support your work, and watch the magic happen in your classrooms. Together, we’re going to make this year one for the books!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Let’s blast off to brilliance!