Focus on the Fabulous
Large Group Festival
We had a lot of exciting events going on at the middle school. On Wednesday, both of our middle school bands competed under the direction of Kate Newmyer, at the Large Group Festival at OMS. Our kids looked and sounded great and represented our school well. The hard work and dedication of Kate Newmyer is evident in the level of student performances.
Science Fair
Jordan Lobato receiving one of her many awards
On Thursday and Friday, we had of our students competing at the Regional Science Fair at Adams State. Jordan Lobato and Camille Ruggles both received recognition and awards at the competition. Jordan won several awards including the Water/Soil Conservation certificate and Rio Grande Head Water Land Trust Certificate. Camille Ruggles received an Honorable Mention award in physics. Our middle school scientists worked hard and we had the highest number of middle school students competing at regional contest than ever before. Thanks to Lisa Renner and Daniel Newmyer for the support and guidance they provided to our students so that they could achieve at this level.
Knowledge Bowl
2nd place team- Michael Ward, Dean Martinez, Mason Torr
I also want to recognize the Skoglund Knowledge Bowl team and their success at the Monte Vista competition. Our teams came in 2nd and 4th place at their first competition of the season. The second place team consisted of Michael Ward, Dean Martinez, Mason Torr, Brandon Chavez, and David Macias. Congratulations!
Teacher Feature with Ms. Renner
Ms. Renner
Exciting things are happening in science class this year! The 6th grade is starting their unit on ecosystems just as the weather is warming up. The animals are more active and plant life is coming out. I hope to have the students explore our new school grounds to help them learn about the different types of ecosystems and relate it to their surroundings. The 7th graders are learning why the Earth “Shakes, Rattles, and Rolls” as we go through our Plate Tectonic Unit. This is where we study the crust of the Earth and how it moves causing earthquakes and volcanoes. Current events such as the earthquake in Trinidad and the tsunami in Japan become more understandable as we move through this unit. The 8th grade are learning how the different types of weather occur, studying air masses and how they move causing warm and cold fronts. Shortly we will be moving on to genetics to see how traits are passed on from generation to generation. In Explore class our students have just finished up their science fair projects. They participated in the school level fair last week, March 1. We had a decent turn out with approximately 15 projects. Three of those projects were chosen to participate in the ASU Regional Science Fair. Mason Torr and Michael Ward won 1st place at the Skoglund MS level with their project , Jasmin Sorzano-Ayala placed 2nd and Selena Perez, Elizabeth Serna, and Blanca Villagomez. All of these projects had the potential to participate at the regional level at Adam State University. I am extremely proud of all the students who worked hard on their project to make them the best they can be. I am hoping the skills they have acquired over the quarter and through this process will benefit them not only in high school, but in life as well.
Rewind
We spent time throughout the week making plans for the upcoming TCAP testing. Monday morning Lori trained the staff on testing protocol. Following the training, Kevin, Lori and I reviewed the ELL and Special Education accommodations for our students and assigned staff members accordingly. I was able to get into classrooms throughout the week and finish up third quarter walkthroughs. Tuesday I attended several IEP meetings. Wednesday our middle school band students competed in the Large Group Festival at OMS and I attended the monthly AD meeting in Alamosa. Thursday and Friday our Viking scientists headed to Adams State for the regional Science Fair competition. I met with Mrs. Ramos on Friday to review the Reading Plus data and check student progress up until this point. I also met with Lori Cooper and she provided me with some resources for TCAP review for Explore teachers next week. Saturday our wrestlers competed in the second tournament of the season at Del Norte.
Forward Focus
We spent time throughout the week making plans for the upcoming TCAP testing. Monday morning Lori trained the staff on testing protocol. Following the training, Kevin, Lori and I reviewed the ELL and Special Education accommodations for our students and assigned staff members accordingly. I was able to get into classrooms throughout the week and finish up third quarter walkthroughs. Tuesday I attended several IEP meetings. Wednesday our middle school band students competed in the Large Group Festival at OMS and I attended the monthly AD meeting in Alamosa. Thursday and Friday our Viking scientists headed to Adams State for the regional Science Fair competition. I met with Mrs. Ramos on Friday to review the Reading Plus data and check student progress up until this point. I also met with Lori Cooper and she provided me with some resources for TCAP review for Explore teachers next week. Saturday our wrestlers competed in the second tournament of the season at Del Norte.
On a Personal Note
We were saddened by the news of Alea Villagomez’s passing this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. I know that we will come together as a community to support the family and our students in this difficult time.