Our students remind us that what is planted is not always immediately seen. Struggles does not mean stagnation, and effort is never wasted. With patience, care, and consistency, they push through the hard seasons, stand steady through challenges, and slowly turn toward what helps them grow.
So when the work feels heavy, remember this: our students are not failing–they are becoming. They are not stuck–they are learning. And when the moment comes, they rise with confidence, show their growth with pride, and BLOOM because someone believed in them long before it was visible.
All staff are required to complete test security training (again . . . for Spring) to ensure a smooth and secure testing season. The training will take place after school during our February 24th staff meeting. If you are unable to attend, please connect with Lorrieanne to receive the training prior to February 24th. All teachers and staff must be trained no later than February 25th. We are excited for our students to show what they know, and maintaining strong test security helps ensure our results are accurate and meaningful.
For our January 27th staff meeting, we will be focusing on differentiation strategies across all content areas and the ways we support diverse learners in our classrooms. This will be a collaborative "share and grow" experience, where each of us brings one strategy or practice that has made a meaningful difference for students.
Staff Shout Outs!
Thank you to everyone who helped make the school board meeting run so smoothly. From the delicious food to the thoughtful planning, everything came together AWESOMELY—and most importantly, it showcased our students so well! I truly can’t say enough about how this school consistently makes anything and everything look, feel, and be so good for our students! Your care, pride, and teamwork were on full display, and it made a powerful impression on families, our school board, but most importantly our students! 💛
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.
Dates to Remember this Week:
January 27 - TOMORROW! - Staff Meeting After School - Small Tweaks, Big Gains (please bring a way you differentiate instruction for your students)
February 3 - 100th Day of School (We all will be 100 years old!!)
February 10 - Grandparent's Dance 5:00 PM
February 11 - CLR Training with Dr. Sharroky Hollie @ BHS Aux Gym (make sure you register), Lunch, and then Professional Development Afternoon with the May Center! (Increase Student Engagement through Classroom Structure and Teacher Modeling)
February 17-20 - Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK Week)
February 16 - President's Day, No School
February 18 - Fire Drill at 2:30 PM
February 19 - School Field Trip to the Let's Go Science Show!
February 17 - Leadership Meeting
February 23-24 - Erika is back with more SAVVAS training!! Woot! Woot!! (Schedule Coming Soon . . . We will NOT have Mustang Monday Mashup because of her visit.)
February 24 - Staff Meeting - Test Security Training (If you are NOT able to attend our staff meeting, please get with Lorrieann before the 24th - everyone needs to be trained by February 25th!!)
February 26 - STEM NIGHT 4:30-6:30 PM
March 12 - San Felipe Day
March 23 - Mustang Monday Mashup!
March 26 - Third Grade Field Trip to the Valles Caldera National Preserve
April 17 - Second Grade Field Trip to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
April 21-22 - NMSSA for Third Grade
May 5-6 - IMSSA for Third Grade
June 5 - Last Day of School (85 more days of school . . . but who is counting?!)
Instructional Tours
This Thursday during PLC, we will be participating in instructional tours. Please be prepared to learn from your peers and to welcome colleagues into your classroom. It will be a valuable opportunity for shared learning and reflection—and a great day of learning for everyone.
Amazon Teacher Wishlist (Repeat) We’re excited to share that each teacher will have $200 to spend on classroom supplies! Please send me your Amazon Wishlist by January 30th so we can get materials ordered and ready. This is a great opportunity to make the next quarter even more rewarding for our scholars by purchasing supplies that best support their learning and success. Thank you for all that you do each day to help our students grow—we truly appreciate you!
Bookkeeper (Repeat)
Our bookkeeper, Mikayla, will be on campus ALL day on Mondays for the rest of the school year. We are excited to have her on campus, and she will be willing to answer any questions you might have, Timeclock issues you might need assistance with, or answer any other questions you might have about our budget or just ask her to buy paper.... (I'm so happy. 🥳)
Small Tweaks, Big Gains (Repeat)
For our January 27th staff meeting, we will be focusing on differentiation strategies across all content areas and the way we support diverse learners in our classrooms. This will be a collaborative "Share and grow" experience, where each of us brings one strategy or practice that has made a meaningful difference for students. Our goal is to build a collective bank of real examples that teachers can apply immediately--because even the smallest instructional shifts can create big gains for student confidence and growth. Thank you in advance for contributing your expertise and helping us continue to grow together.
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
FEEDBACK WANTED FOR DISTRICT CALENDAR 26-27
Quick Glance Differences/Similarities - Each of the three calendars have teachers/staff starting back to school on August 4th with the first day of school for students on August 12th. Calendar #1 has Early Release on Wednesday Feb. 17th instead of Tuesday, Feb.16th, and Early Release on Wednesday, April 21st instead of Friday, April 23rd. Calendar #1 & #2 have the last day of school Friday, June 4th. Calendar #3 gives us Veteran's Day off, and a full week for Thanksgiving break, "Fall Break." Otherwise, Calendar #3 is the same as Calendar #2 as far as the early release days . . . but Calendar #3 adds the additional Veteran's day & Thanksgiving days to the end of the school year, meaning our last day of school will be on June 9th. Please email me with your thoughts ASAP. I have to report any feedback at our next calendar meeting on January 26th.
Staff Shout Outs!
Thank you to ALL teachers and staff who have gone out of their way to keep their classrooms, bathrooms, and hallways clean, especially Nadine and Maria who have gone above and beyond, taking out trash each morning and keeping the cafeteria clean as students eat lunch. It has not gone unnoticed!!! THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help on Thursday....the School Board Meeting!! And who have already given ideas, made decorations, and just gone above and beyond to make this a special day for our school and students. Thank you to Kristal and Lorrieann who made Hollywood Stars/Handprints for every single one of our superstar students! THANK YOU!
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.
Dates to Remember this Week:
January 20 -- Community Meeting about transitioning from PreK-3 to PreK-6th Grade, 5-6 PM.
January 22 - AES hosts the BPS School Board Meeting, Premiere of Blasting Off to Brilliance: A Day in the Life of a Mustang, Dinner & Violins begin at 5:00, School Board Meeting 5:30
January 26 - Our very, very FIRST . . . dut, dut, duuuuuh! MUSTANG MONDAY MASHUP! Students will spend the day attending specials, allowing teachers meaningful time to update MLSS documentation (see links to updated forms below), plan upcoming units, prepare materials, and thoughtfully design engaging lessons that deepen student thinking and learning.
January 27 - Staff Meeting After School - Small Tweaks, Big Gains (please bring a way you differentiate instruction for your students)
January 26-30 Kindness Week
February 3 - 100th Day of School (We all will be 100 years old!!)
February 10 - Grandparent's Dance 5:00 PM
February 11 - CLR Training with Dr. Sharroky Hollie @ BHS Aux Gym, Lunch, and then Professional Development Afternoon with the May Center! (Increase Student Engagement through Classroom Structure and Teacher Modeling)
February 17-20 - Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK Week)
February 16 - President's Day, No School
February 18 - Fire Drill at 2:30 PM
February 19 - School Field Trip to the Let's Go Science Show!
February 17 - Leadership Meeting
February 23-24 - Erika is back with more SAVVAS training!! Woot! Woot!! (Schedule Coming Soon)
February 24 - Staff Meeting
February 26 - STEM NIGHT 4:30-6:30 PM
Amazon Teacher Wishlist (Repeat) We’re excited to share that each teacher will have $200 to spend on classroom supplies! Please send me your Amazon Wishlist by January 30th so we can get materials ordered and ready. This is a great opportunity to make the next quarter even more rewarding for our scholars by purchasing supplies that best support their learning and success. Thank you for all that you do each day to help our students grow—we truly appreciate you!
Bookkeeper (Repeat)
Our bookkeeper, Mikayla, will be on campus ALL day on Mondays for the rest of the school year. We are excited to have her on campus, and she will be willing to answer any questions you might have, Timeclock issues you might need assistance with, or answer any other questions you might have about our budget or just ask her to buy paper.... (I'm so happy. 🥳)
Small Tweaks, Big Gains (Repeat)
For our January 27th staff meeting, we will be focusing on differentiation strategies across all content areas and the way we support diverse learners in our classrooms. This will be a collaborative "Share and grow" experience, where each of us brings one strategy or practice that has made a meaningful difference for students. Our goal is to build a collective bank of real examples that teachers can apply immediately--because even the smallest instructional shifts can create big gains for student confidence and growth. Thank you in advance for contributing your expertise and helping us continue to grow together.
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
At Tuesday evening’s community meeting, exciting plans were officially approved by the state to expand our school from 42,000 to 62,000 square feet. The new construction will include classrooms for 3-year-old PreK through 6th grade. They will build one addition, we will move into that addition, and then they will tear down our current building, and build the second addition. We’re especially excited about improved safety and traffic flow, with bus drop-off and playgrounds moving to the front of the school and teacher parking relocating to the back—keeping students farther from streets and the train. When finished, our school will serve approximately 350 students, making it the largest school in the Bernalillo School District. Fun times ahead! We will break ground in August (tentatively). Another community meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 20th from 5-6 PM if you were unable to attend the first community meeting.
On Tuesday, our data team attended the Navigate Conference, where we reviewed our current designation as a low-performing school, meaning we fall within the bottom 5% of New Mexico schools. This designation is based on multiple factors, including attendance, English Learner (ELL) status, and student proficiency on the IMSSA and NMSSA. One challenge specific to our situation is that student growth is not included as a factor, which makes it more difficult to exit this status—even when our proficiency levels are similar to schools that have already exited.
Throughout the conference, we learned a great deal about what we are doing well and where we can continue to improve. The bottom line is this: we must love our students and ensure they are growing—academically, socially, and emotionally. With that foundation, here our the Beginning-of-Year (BOY) and Middle-of-Year (MOY) goals to show how we are intentionally moving forward:
School’s Identified Next Steps at BOY
The school will continue implementing the existing 90-day plan with a renewed focus on strengthening academic language through STEM integration. The new ELP teacher will assume responsibility for the STEM/Library class, providing weekly 45-minute hands-on sessions designed to reinforce academic vocabulary and language application in science and math. The teacher will receive training from the principal on using Generation Genius mini-lessons to extend classroom learning and support conceptual understanding. Additionally, gardening activities will continue to serve as an engaging, hands-on approach to deepening science learning and vocabulary development. These actions collectively aim to bridge gaps in math and science achievement through purposeful language and experiential learning.
Progress at MOY
At the middle-of-year checkpoint, the school has made steady progress in strengthening ELP and STEM integration with a continued emphasis on academic language and vocabulary development. The ELP/STEM teacher is consistently implementing Generation Genius mini-lessons to extend classroom learning through engaging, hands-on experiences that reinforce key science and math concepts and academic vocabulary. Students actively participate in STEM class—often wearing their “lab coats”—which has helped build excitement, identity, and confidence as young scientists while supporting meaningful language application. In addition, students will be participating in field trips that emphasize real-world science concepts, further deepening understanding through experiential learning. This ongoing focus on science-rich instruction and vocabulary development will continue as we build enthusiasm and connections to authentic learning experiences, including the upcoming NASA Artemis mission.
School’s Identified Next Steps at BOY
The school will create and administer a teacher feedback survey to gather input on professional development, instructional needs, and reflections following the SAVVAS math training, establishing a clear feedback loop to amplify teacher voice. Results from the survey will be shared with teachers, and the principal will communicate the school leadership’s planned next steps based on this feedback. In addition, classroom walkthroughs will be conducted to ensure that professional development strategies are being effectively implemented, providing timely observations and actionable feedback to support continuous instructional growth.
Progress at MOY
At the middle-of-year checkpoint, the school has made strong progress in strengthening math instruction through purposeful professional development and responsive teacher feedback. The teacher feedback survey following the SAVVAS math training reflected positive perceptions and increased confidence in instructional practices, and this feedback informed ongoing instructional support. As a result of targeted professional development, consistent classroom implementation, and a focus on fact fluency, math scores have grown significantly. Math-focused classroom observations began in December and will continue throughout the second semester to support fidelity and provide actionable feedback. Student engagement has also increased through school wide initiatives such as the multiplication challenge, where students worked toward fact fluency goals and were celebrated with a pizza and slime party. Looking ahead, teachers will have opportunities to observe peers beginning in January, further strengthening collaboration, shared best practices, and continued gains in math achievement. Additionally, SAVVAS professional development will continue into the second semester, with Erika returning to provide ongoing training, coaching, and support to further strengthen instructional practices and sustain momentum in math achievement.
School’s Identified Next Steps at BOY
The school will ensure that PLCs maintain a strong focus on data to guide instructional decisions and interventions. The MLSS documentation will be consistently entered using the district-provided system, ensuring accurate tracking of student progress and support. During data-focused PLCs, teachers will review data compiled and presented in a centralized format, enabling targeted discussions of student learning and skill development. On the third Thursday of each month, PLCs will review individual student supports to provide precise, skill-based feedback and interventions, ensuring that instruction remains focused, actionable, and responsive to student needs.
Progress at MOY
At the middle-of-year checkpoint, the school has made consistent progress in strengthening data-driven PLC practices and MLSS implementation. Teachers continue to document MLSS supports using the district-provided Google Forms, ensuring accurate and consistent tracking of student progress and interventions. A data team was formed to organize and present information in clear, accessible formats that support reflection and informed instructional decisions, and the use of a data wall has further helped visualize student outcomes and identify trends. Importantly, data analysis has directly informed instructional adjustments, including increased intensity of support for second-grade students performing below grade level through additional WIN time and targeted small-group instruction. These practices have strengthened collaborative problem-solving and ensured instruction and interventions remain focused, actionable, and responsive to student needs.
The calendar for next school year is due by January 30th, and I’d appreciate your thoughts before we submit it. The biggest changes include late-start Mondays, additional KERES classes so we are no longer double-booking classes at the same time, and color-coding to make last year’s very mundane schedule more attractive. Once submitted, the calendar will be reviewed to ensure we’ve allotted sufficient instructional time for ELA, math, and all the other required components—yes, all that fun stuff 🙂
To create a clear distinction between our student intervention plans from Semester 1 (2025) and Semester 2 (2026), the district has created new forms (same information, but different links).
All of these forms along with the data tracker can be found in this folder.
You will still have access to the original spreadsheet here.
Please identify students who are at risk in your classroom, and fill out the pink form (Step 1) on/before Monday, January 26th (work on it during our Mustang Mash-up). The blue form (Step 2) will need to be completed by Tuesday, February 17th (you will be able to use our PLC time on February 12th to further complete the MLSS process). The yellow form for progress monitoring will need to be completed every two weeks thereafter.
Step 1: Student Identification
The SAVVAS math training yielded very positive results, with teachers expressing strong appreciation for the clear layout, organization, and practical structure of the experience. Educators found the training engaging and easy to navigate (for the most part), which increased their confidence in implementing the curriculum with fidelity. Overall, staff reported that the training was valuable, user-friendly, and directly applicable to classroom instruction, contributing to improved instructional consistency and student learning outcomes. And our students are growing because of your teaching skillz!! Here are what teachers said about the opportunity:
One thing I learned from Erika's model lesson was....
Keep the students active so they don't loose focus.
It's not possible to get through everything!
I have a better understanding of the different games and tools online.
Sharing revised quick checks, a few ideas about circulating around, different way (and I liked it) to do the solve and share.
During her visit to observe instruction and provide feedback, one thing that was helpful to me was...
When showing the video, you are able to push on the icon, your turn and practice the lesson.
That I was doing well given the pacing guide, expectations, and getting through Savvas material.
She taught for a review, so I didn't see much at all.
She walked around and helped students and could see who was struggling.
The the "try me" can be interactive.
If Erika were to return, one thing I would want done differently in the professional development is...
Model using small group with the black box, encourage district leaders to participate.
I would love to see a full lesson from start to finish!!
I would love to see a different lesson.
What worked well about the structure of this PD (model lesson - Q & A - observations - feedback)?
Feedback
I think the whole thing was beneficial!
It worked great...and I really liked that we talked and received feedback immediately.
I liked that she modeled a review lesson and then had immediate feedback.
How could this PD structure be improved for future sessions?
Model how to get difficult students involved instead of ignoring them.
Ensure the website is working and available.
Maybe a check up in a month to see how things are working...ask teachers specifically what they may need help with individually (differentiate for teachers).
I really liked how she showed us how to use the different manipulatives.
What additional support would help you feel more confident using SAVVAS in your classroom?
She had all students do independent lesson together. So how would you assess students?
I would like all the tools and manipulatives that go with the curriculum.
I feel pretty confident and thank you for the support! Even though I'm retiring --I still want to rock it for my kiddos!!!
How supported do you currently feel in implementing SAVVAS?
60% Very Supported
20% Somewhat Supported
20% Neutral
Staff Shout Outs!
Thank you to ALL the teachers who decorated our campus for the holidays. Your effort made the holiday season that much more special during the month of December. A special shout-out to Ms. Martinez who made our windows covered in snowflakes (especially since the weather won't cooperate with us....remember-spoon under your pillow, flush ice cubes, and pajamas inside out).
Thank you to our participants in the Minute-to-Win-it Games! I do believe the students wanted the teachers to win more than their classmates!
Thank you to Ms. Dostart, Ms. Serrato, and to ALL the other teachers and staff who made testing in the month of . . . December . . . okay. We LOVED all the growth, and I can't wait to share our results with the state when they visit on the 22nd. Plus, I was told that students said they wanted to test some more because of all the good attention (and snacks) they received!
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.
Dates to Remember this Week:
January 13/January 20 -- Community Meeting about transitioning from PreK-3 to PreK-6th Grade, 5-6 PM.
January 19 - MLK Day, No School
January 22 - AES hosts the BPS School Board Meeting, Premiere of Blasting Off to Brilliance: A Day in the Life of a Mustang, Dinner & Violins begin at 5:00, School Board Meeting 5:30
January 26 - Our very, very FIRST . . . dut, dut, duuuuuh! MUSTANG MONDAY MASHUP! Students will spend the day attending specials, allowing teachers meaningful time to update MLSS documentation, plan upcoming units, prepare materials, and thoughtfully design engaging lessons that deepen student thinking and learning.
January 27 - Staff Meeting After School - Small Tweaks, Big Gains (information below--you have homework)
January 26-30 Kindness Week
February 10 - Grandparent's Dance 5:00 PM
February 11 - Professional Development Day with the May Center! (Increase Student Engagement through Classroom Structure and Teacher Modeling)
February 17-20 - Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK Week)
February 16 - President's Day, No School
February 18 - Fire Drill at 2:30 PM
February 19 - School Field Trip to the Let's Go Science Show!
February 23 - Mustang Monday
February 24 - Staff Meeting
February 26 - STEM NIGHT 4:30-6:30 PM
Amazon Teacher Wishlist We’re excited to share that each teacher will have $200 to spend on classroom supplies! Please send me your Amazon Wishlist by January 30th so we can get materials ordered and ready. This is a great opportunity to make the next quarter even more rewarding for our scholars by purchasing supplies that best support their learning and success. Thank you for all that you do each day to help our students grow—we truly appreciate you!
Bookkeeper (Repeat)
Our bookkeeper, Mikayla, will be on campus ALL day on Mondays for the rest of the school year. We are excited to have her on campus, and she will be willing to answer any questions you might have, Timeclock issues you might need assistance with, or answer any other questions you might have about our budget or just ask her to buy paper.... (I'm so happy. 🥳)
Small Tweaks, Big Gains (Repeat)
For our January 27th staff meeting, we will be focusing on differentiation strategies across all content areas and the way we support diverse learners in our classrooms. This will be a collaborative "Share and grow" experience, where each of us brings one strategy or practice that has made a meaningful difference for students. Our goal is to build a collective bank of real examples that teachers can apply immediately--because even the smallest instructional shifts can create big gains for student confidence and growth. Thank you in advance for contributing your expertise and helping us continue to grow together.
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.
Intentional questioning and meaningful student talk can transform learning, magically! This presentation highlights strategies that help students explain what they are learning, think more deeply, and actively engage—while also recognizing the magic of great teaching wherever engagement is happening. (If you missed our PD on January 7th, here is how you can see what you missed.)
We will have two community meetings to discuss AES moving towards PreK-6th Grade. Please encourage your parents to attend. The first meeting will be on Tuesday, January 13th from 5-6 pm, and the second meeting will be Tuesday, January 20th from 5-6 pm.
Help Wanted: Kinder Tutor 🌟
Join our growing team and make a difference for our smallest learners! We are expanding our tutoring support to help students reach grade-level proficiency—one afternoon at a time.
Schedule: Monday–Thursday until 4:30 PM
We’re excited to share that each teacher will have $200 to spend on classroom supplies! Please send me your Amazon Wishlist by January 30th so we can get materials ordered and ready. This is a great opportunity to make the next quarter even more rewarding for our scholars by purchasing supplies that best support their learning and success. Thank you for all that you do each day to help our students grow—we truly appreciate you!
You have extra money!!!
We’re excited to announce an upcoming school field trip to Popejoy Hall for the School Time Series: Let’s Go Science Show! Students will eat lunch early and then depart for the theater at 11:00 AM. Since lunch will be earlier than usual, a snack will be provided when we return to campus. This science-filled extravaganza is packed with energy, hands-on demonstrations, and exciting discoveries that make learning come alive. It’s a fun and engaging way for students to experience science beyond the classroom! To learn more about the show, visit letsgoscienceshow.com.
We would love your help and smiling faces at the School Board Meeting on January 22, hosted right here at Algodones Elementary! Our students will kick off the evening by introducing a special video that highlights all the amazing learning happening on our campus. Families and community members are invited, and we’re hoping for a huge turnout to truly showcase our school and the incredible things we do every day. Dinner will be served with fun, movie-theater–style concessions, followed by the video presentation. We’ll need helping hands for decorating, serving food, and all the behind-the-scenes magic—and most of all, your positivity and school pride. This is a perfect opportunity to show how strong our team is when we work together. We hope you’ll join us! 🎬🍿💙
As we return to campus after winter break, we invite you to enter a world of wonder as we explore a day of magical professional growth on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. We’ll begin with breakfast in the gym/cafeteria from 8:15–8:45, followed by a presentation from 8:45–9:45 titled The Magic of Engagement, where we’ll explore how truly great teachers bring that special “magic” into their classrooms—the spark that captivates students and makes learning come alive. From 10:00–12:00, we’ll head to the Equine Center for team building and learning about how their work supports our students. We’ll return for lunch from 12:00–1:00, celebrating Mariah with a baby shower, and then spend the afternoon in Collaborative Conjuring, with extended PLC time to plan, reflect, and prepare for the joyful return of our students. ✨