2003

Double Eagle Newsletter

May 19, 2006

A Note from the Principal
WOW! It is hard to believe that this is the last newsletter for the 2005-2006 school year. We have had such a wonderful year with your children. They continue to amaze us with their growth in academics and development. We are very proud of your children and the work that we have been able to do with them!
Thank you all for the volunteer hours in the classroom, PTA activities, PTA committees, countless hours at the kitchen table, field trips, donations, time, energy and support of your children and us. Your time and effort does not go unnoticed. Your support helps us provide a better education for your children.
Thanks to our 5th grade students and families that will be moving on to middle school. We appreciate all the time and effort that you have spent with us here at Double Eagle. We know your children will do wonderful as they continue to grow at middle school as another page in their life is turned. We will miss you and good luck!
I am looking forward to next year and all that it will bring. I am confident that Double Eagle will continue to expand in our abilities to provide the highest quality of education for our children. We are looking forward to the addition of North Star Elementary to the La Cueva Cluster next year. Thank you students, family and staff for your time, effort, love and dedication that you all have shown during your years of service to Double Eagle. We together have helped make Double Eagle a great place for children to learn. You all will be missed, but at least we still have a half of a year to still work together.
Thank you Mrs. Zwilling, for your 31 years of love, kindness, time and effort for the children of Albuquerque Public Schools. You will be missed but your work with children will not be forgotten. Enjoy the years of retirement and your new grandbaby.
I hope each of you has a wonderful, safe and restful summer! Thank you all for your support and most importantly sharing your children with us!
Troy Hughes DEES Principal

Last Day of School
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
12:40 Dismissal

A Note From Coach Kane
We would like to thank all the Double Eagle runners and walkers who helped us on Friday mornings. We ran and walked over 1,150 miles this year. Also thanks to all the volunteers who helped with Play Day. The kids all had a great time. Special thanks to Albertson’s for donating popsicles for us to enjoy. Coach Kane

Health Room Notice
All parents who have left medication for their children in the Health Room will need to pick it up by NOON on Tuesday, May 23rd. APS does not allow storage of medication over the summer, so it will be discarded. Jan Larsson, Nurse

Summer Ideas
Summer is here! I hope everyone will take this precious time to enjoy activities with your children. We have placed several flyers in the school foyer advertising different camps, clubs, YMCA, music lessons and other activities for you to view and pick up.

2006-2007 Registration
Registration for both Double Eagle and North Star Elementary Schools will be held on July 21st from 9:00 a.m. to noon. If you know of any new student or if you have an incomplete registration packet please come in on this day. Remind new students that they need to bring in a current PNM bill, birth certificate and shot records.
If you have already completed your registration you do not need to attend this registration.

Please come to school on August 9th for Meet Your Teacher Day. Double Eagle’s will be held from 12:00 to 1:00 and North Star will be held from 2:30 to 3:30.

May 5, 2006
A Note From the Principal
La Cueva Cluster had a wonderful opportunity for professional
development in the area of mathematics this past week. The La Cueva Cluster received legislative money in January, 2005, for profesional development whill allowed several of our teachers, cluster support staff and cluster principals to attend the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in St. Louis. We had a great time as a school and as a cluster. We really appreciate the opportunity that legislature affoded us and will put our knowledge to better serve our students.
Troy Hughes, DEES Principal
Charges in the Cafeteria
The policy for charging lunches in the cafeteria is only for students that may have forgotten their money or lunch. Charging is not set up to allow students to put it on their accounts. As the end of the year is approaching, please be sure that your students account is current. All charges must be paid in full by the end of the school year. If you would like to check on your students account please call: Gina Bailey in the Double Eagle Cafeteria at 857-9708 before 11:00 AM. Lunch costs $1.40 and Breakfast costs .75.

Last Day of School
The last day of school for APS will be May 23, 2006. All elementary schools will dismiss at 12:40 p.m. Breakfast will be served but lunch will not be served on that day. All buses will run after school.

Elementary Band Concert
Dennis Chaves ES and Double Eagle ES will be performing their end of the year band concert at Desert Ridge Middle School on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 7:30PM. A special thanks goes to Larry R. Case for teaching and encouraging our young musicians all year. Our thanks also go to the Desert Ridge Band Directors: Donna Schmidt and Amy Williams and the members of the Desert Ridge Band for helping with this program.

Mother’s Day at Double Eagle
We invite the mother at Double Eagle to join their student for lunch the week of May 15th-May 19th. The cost is $2.00 for non-students. See schedule below:
5th Grade May 15th (breaded beef patties)
4th Grade May 16th (chicken nuggets)
3rd Grade May 17th (APS hoagie)
2nd Grade May 18th (tortilla burgers)
1st Grade & Kinder May 19th (pizza)
If you plan to join us please fill out the following and return to the cafeteria by May 12th.

Student’s Name:___________________________

Student’s Teacher:__________________________

Number of non-students attending:______________

April 7, 2006
New Double Eagle Principal
Congratulations to Troy Hughes for accepting the position as Double Eagle Principal. Meet Your Principal Night was a success. Topics that were addressed included Mr. Hughes history and Double Eagle’s future plans. Mr. Hughes is very happy and honored to be named the new principal and he is eager to get started. If you have any questions or concerns please call the DEES office or contact the DEES PTA.

Kindergarten Registration
If you know anyone that will be attending the New School or Double Eagle next year let them know to come in to the DEES office to register as soon as possible. It is very important that we know how many students will be attending each school for staffing purposes and for ordering materials and furniture.

Parent Surveys
Please make sure that you fill out both surveys that were sent home and return them to school as soon as possible. The Standards Based Progress Report and the Quality of Education surveys are both very important to our school for instruction and overall ratings. Your input is valued and appreciated.

Parenting Workshop
Transform Your Parenting: A Workshop to Tame Teen & Child Obnoxious, Disrespectful or Abusive behavior. Presented by: Iris Fanning, APS La Cueva Cluster Family Counselor – material developed by: James Lehman LSW
What you will learn:
The main reason your teen or child misbehaves
Common characteristics of young people who have obnoxious, disrespectful or abusive behavior.
Ineffective Parenting Roles and how these ineffective roles bring on more disrespectful behavior from young people.
The Four Effective Parenting Roles that will lead to a culture of accountability, increased peace and respect in your home.
When: Tuesday May 9, 2006 6:00pm – 7:45pm with a 10 minute break
Where: In YOUR home, on a telephone bridge line
How to Access the Call: Call 1-712-580-1800 then key in Access Code 14148
Reminder & Handouts: If you would like to be emailed a reminder and handouts for this workshop, simply email Iris Fanning, APS Family Counselor at fanning@aps.edu and type parenting workshop in the subject line.
You will be charged regular long distance charges for this call and it will show on your bill as a call to Iowa. This allows the bridge line services to be FREE to all participants. Otherwise a toll free bridge line costs $300 for 50 participants and $600 for 100 participants.
Tele-Conference Etiquette
If possible, use a land line rather than a cell phone. Cell phones often bring static to the entire bridge line.
Use your mute button or toggle the number “6” on your phone to mute on or off.
If you can’t mute your phone, please go to a very quiet place. The entire call can hear your dishwasher, TV, dog, sink, others’ talking etc.
When the call is on a discussion mode, please state your first name and share your answer or question. If several people talk at once, I will call on one person and then we will take turns.
If you have call waiting, please turn it off. If you have a phone that plays music when on hold, please do not use the hold button.
The bridge line holds up to 50 participants, once it is full, you will not be able to attend.
Please do not monopolize the call. Many people want to participate.
I look forward to meeting with you to learn more about this most important job we call Parenting!

March 17, 2006

Standard Based Testing is Over!
Thank you for assisting your children with testing by giving them wonderful breakfasts, getting them to bed early and arriving to school on time. I know testing is a change in instruction, but it is an essential tool used to improve instruction for your children. The results of the New Mexico Standard Assessment will arrive at our school a few weeks after school begins next year and will be distributed. 5th grade students will have their test results sent to Desert Ridge Middle School for distribution. If you are moving over the summer or planning on attending another school, please give Mr. Hughes a self-addressed envelope to mail the results to you. Thank you once again for all your help in making testing run smooth. Please keep your children properly feed, well rested and arriving on time!
Troy Hughes, Asst. Principal

Meet Your New Principal
April 4th 2006 at 6:30 pm in the Cafeteria.
Double Eagle Parents will have an opportunity to meet the newly appointed Double Eagle Principal. At this time he or she will be able to answer many questions regarding the upcoming year. Please come out and support our new principal!

Parks and Recreation Summer Registration
Summer registration for current participants of the Bernalillo County Parks and Recreation Program will be on April 3, 2006 in the Double Eagle Cafeteria from 7-9AM and 3:30-6PM. If you have questions, please call 797-9607.

Kudos
We would like to thank Cub Scout Pack 241 for their “Good Turn Day” in which they helped clean the grounds of Double Eagle on March 5th. Thank you for helping keep our school and community clean and beautiful.

Student Messages
Please make every effort to arrange schedules, where to meet, etc., with your child prior to the start of each school day. We try to limit classroom interruption to a minimum so that the delivery of valuable instruction is not disturbed. Only emergency messages will be delivered to students. We would appreciate your cooperation.

New Computers for Double Eagle
We need to send out a very large thank you to several of our legislators; Rep. Larry Larranaga, Senator John Ryan, Rep. Greg Payne and Senator Kent Cravens for appropriating $118,000 for technology improvements at Double Eagle. This enabled us to purchase 110 new XP machines, additional network printers, a new server and an interactive Smartboard.
With the help of many, many wonderful parent volunteers we pulled approximately 100 older machines out and then replaced them with newer machines, which was no small task. Our 98 machines that were still in good shape were transferred to other APS schools. Our school is now entirely XP machines with the oldest systems being approximately 4 years old,5 which is quite an accomplishment for an elementary school. Thanks again to everyone who made this possible!

March 3, 2006
2006-2007 School Registration
It is very important, as we form a new school, that we know enrollment numbers as early as possible. If you know of anyone that will be attending Double Eagle or the New Northeast Elementary Schools next year, please inform them to come and register as soon as possible.
Registration Packets for current Double Eagle students should have been completed and returned to school. If you have not returned your registration pack, please do so as soon as possible. You will be notified if the registration packet is incomplete.
Registration for all new students and kindergarteners that will be attending either Double Eagle or the New Northeast Elementary School next year is ongoing between 10:00AM & 3:00PM in the DEES office. All new kindergarteners and students new to APS will need to bring a current PNM bill, current shot records and a birth certificate.

TESTING INFO
We had a great first week of testing. Thank you for your assistance in getting your child here on time, feed and well rested. Please remember that we will continue testing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for the next two weeks. Your children are doing an excellent job in trying to do their best.
THANK YOU FOR A
WONDERFUL PARENT TEACHER
CONFERENCE WEEK!
This is such a great opportunity to discuss and share how your child is progressing in their academic and social development. Please continue to keep in contact with your child’s teacher as we still have a trimester left of school.

A Note from the Counselor
Continuing Education is currently an important concept in almost every career, and parenting, the most significant career you may ever have, is not an exception. There are a number of opportunities for parenting skills classes that I’d like to share with the Double Eagle community. I highly recommend them to you. Fliers will be available on the white shelves in the school foyer, or call me at 857-0187x3.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and A Grandparent Refresher class – offered by OUTCOMES, INC. For more information call 243-2551. Various locations around town, various days, starting Feb. 18
Responsible Parents Raise Responsible Kids – offered by MENUAL SCHOOL PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION featuring Betsy Geddes. For more information call 345-7727 or visit www.menualschool.com Location is First Presbyterian Church on Tues evening, March 14.
Here’s a quote from James Baldwin, used by Betsy Geddes: “For these are all our children; we will profit by, or pay for, whatever they become.”
Fonda Kirchmeyer-Counselor, Double Eagle ES

February 17, 2006
2006-2007 School Registration
Registration Packets for current Double Eagle students that will be attending either Double Eagle or the New Northeast Elementary School next year were sent home on Wednesday, February 15th and should have been returned Friday, February 17th. If you have not returned your registration pack, please do so as soon as possible. You will be notified if the registration packet is incomplete.
Registration for all new students and kindergarteners that will be attending either Double Eagle or the New Northeast Elementary School next year is scheduled for February 28th and March 1st between 10:00AM and 7:00PM at the Double Eagle Office. All new kindergarteners and students new to APS will need to bring a current PNM bill, current shot records and a birth certificate. Registration Packets will be available for you to pick up on Wednesday, February 22nd. Registration is ongoing after these dates between 10:00AM & 3:00PM in the DEES office.
It is very important, as we form a new school, that we know enrollment numbers as early as possible because budget calls for both schools are due the end of March. If you know of anyone that will be attending Double Eagle or the New Northeast Elementary Schools next year, please inform them of these important registration dates.

Mark Your Calendar
February 20 President’s Day (NO SCHOOL)
Feb 27-Mar 3 Parent/Teacher Conferences (1:30 Dismissal all week)
Feb 28-Mar 1 New Student Registration (10:00AM-7:00PM)

Thank you for voting yes for our schools!

Important 5th Grade Dates
We are not ready to see your children off to middle school yet, but we are working diligently to prepare them for this transition that is still several months away. As always thank you for working with us to make Double Eagle such a wonderful place to learn.
Human Growth and Development March 8 6:30 PM in the Library
Enriched Math Testing March 15 2:00 – 4:00 DRMS Cafe
Alternate Math Enrichment Testing March 18 9:00 - 11:00 DRMS Cafe

Testing Schedule
3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be testing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through out the first three weeks of March. The testing blocks will be 9:30 to 11:00AM and 1:30 to 3:00PM. Students will not be allowed to enter or exit testing rooms once testing has begun. Please do not schedule appointments during the testing window. Parent volunteers will not be allowed in the classrooms during the testing times. Please provide the support your child needs to perform well on tests. Students who get encouragement at home and who come to school ready to take exams perform noticeable better.

January 27, 2006

Mandated Testing
The New Mexico Standard Base Assessment is now upon us. 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will be testing for over 14 hours in the upcoming weeks. The testing window is February 27th through March 24th. We are in the process of making the final testing schedule, but for general purposes we will be testing one hour in the morning and another hour in the afternoon. We will not test on Mondays and have scheduled March 20th through March 24th as make-up dates. Things that can be done at home to help with your child’s success during testing are:
Get plenty of sleep
Eat a healthy breakfast every morning
Arrive to school on time
Have a positive attitude towards doing well on the test
Students will not be allowed to enter or exit testing rooms once tests have begun. Parental volunteers will not be allowed in the classrooms during the testing time. Please check with your child’s teacher in advance for detailed times if you will be assisting in the classrooms during the day.
Thank You,
Troy Hughes-Assistant Principal DEES

Mark Your Calendars
February 3 Inservice Day-NO SCHOOL
February 20 President’s Day - NO SCHOOL
Feb 27-Mar 3 Parent/Teacher Conferences
1:30 Dismissal (All Week)

Lost and Found
Many coats have been lost this past couple months here at Double Eagle. The lost and found box is located in the foyer between the gym and cafeteria. Please write your child’s name inside their coat to ensure items are returned to the proper owner. Items are donated to the APS clothing bank periodically.

5th Grade Parent Night At Desert Ridge Middle School
Incoming 6th grade students and their parents, living in the Desert Ridge area, are invited to attend an information meeting Thursday, February 2, at 7:00PM in the DRMS Gym regarding the 2006-07 school year. Parents will meet in the gym and students will meet for activities with WEB leaders.
The DRMS Counseling office will be at Double Eagle on Thursday, February 9th. They will be talking to students in their classrooms and delivering Registration Packets for 5th graders attending DRMS next year.

January 13, 2006

A Note From the Principal
Happy New Year! I sincerely hope that 2006 will be a year full of love, happiness, and good health for each of you! I hope that it will also be a time to dedicate to new resolutions and goals. This New Year also brings with it the excitement and nervousness of planning for the opening of the New Elementary School in our cluster. For several years now Double Eagle has been severely overcrowded and we have been looking forward to the new school to relieve our overcrowding issues. Now that the time has arrived I think everyone feels the stress and worry of what will happen to Double Eagle, the students and the staff as we downsize and a new school is born. We have worked so hard over the last five years to build a real community here and now it feels like we are being broken apart. We need to remember that we are still a community and that we are working together to create a new community of parents, students and teachers that can grow from the seeds that we have planted here at Double Eagle. Let us show the best of the best and help move this New School forward in a positive direction.
The Albuquerque Public School Board approved the boundaries for the New School on Wednesday night so we are ready to begin the transition process. We will hold our first community meeting with the parents of the children in the New School boundary area on Wednesday, January 18th in the Double Eagle cafeteria at 7:00pm. Please plan on attending if you reside in the New School boundary area.
Diane Kerschen, DEES Principal

Campus Beautification
A special thanks goes to Daisy Girl Scout Troop #111 for planting flower bulbs in front of our school. With a little luck, we will all have beautiful purple tulips to enjoy in the spring.

2006-2007 School Registration
Registration Packets for current Double Eagle students that will be attending either Double Eagle or the New Elementary School next year will be sent home on February 15th. Please retain a current PNM bill for registration.
~~All students registering with the Albuquerque Public Schools for the 2006-07 school year MUST present proof of residency in their school’s boundary area every year. Proof of residency will be a December, January or February Public Service Company (PNM) bill. You must present the portion of the bill that shows your name, date, and service address at registration. ~~
New student and kindergarten registration will follow but the date has not been approved. Please retain a current PNM bill for registration.

Music Classes Available
The UNM Music Prep School will provide a spring session of Saturday music classes for children from birth through sixth grade. The 14 week program of 45 minute classes (30 minutes for birth through 29 months) begins January 14 and ends May 6, 2006. The Saturday classes are held in the UNM Center for the Arts (Popejoy Hall) between 8:00 and 2:45 pm , and include preschool, family, and general music. The cost per child is $90.00 ($70.00 for birth through 29 month classes) and is non-refundable.
Announcing New Program: The UNM Music Prep School Children’s Chorus. This new class will meet at Sandia HS Chorus room on Wednesday afternoons from 4:00—5:30, beginning on January 18th. It is open to children ages 8-12. No audition is necessary.
For more information call 277-8816 or e-mail musprep@unm.edu.

December 9, 2005

A Note from the Principal
The entire staff joins me in extending well wishes to you and your family for the holidays and the New Year. During this special time let us take time to remember and share goodwill, joy and happiness with others. We hope that each moment of the holidays and the New Year will be filled with a deep appreciation for just how special these moments are.
Our wish to each of you is to:
Celebrate life…Think freely...Practice patience... Smile often... Make new friends...Rediscover old ones...Tell those we love, we do...Feel deeply... Forget troubles...Forgive an enemy... Grow...Count our blessings...Observe miracles...Take time for people...Reach out...Let someone in...Trust life...Comfort a friend...Laugh heartily....Cry when we need to....Make time for ourselves...Enjoy wonder...Have good ideas...Make some mistakes... Learn from them...
CELEBRATE EACH SPECIAL MOMENT!
Diane Kerschen and Staff

Spelling Bee
The Double Eagle spelling bee was held Monday, December 5th. All of the students did a wonderful job and should be very proud of themselves. The first place winner was Eric Li from Mrs. Middleton’s fourth grade class. Eric’s last two words were commemoration and cowardice which he was able to spell correctly. The second place winner was Steven Chen from Mrs. Little’s fourth grade class and in third place was Michelle Collette from Mrs. Hague’s fourth grade class. Eric and Steven will represent Double Eagle at the La Cueva cluster spelling bee on January 24th. Congratulations to all of the third, fourth and fifth grade students who participated!

NO SCHOOL
Winter Break
December 19-January 2
School Resumes Tuesday, Jan 3rd
January 16
Martin Luther King Day

Snow Days
When weather conditions are severe, parents should listen to the radio or watch the television for announcements concerning the school schedule. Double Eagle is NOT considered an APS mountain school. APS School Police make the decision district wide whether the school day is delayed or canceled. If an abbreviated day for all APS schools is declared, the instructional day will begin two hours late (11:00AM) and end at the regular time (3:45PM), even on Wednesdays. Buses will run two hours later than usual. Lunch will be served on these days.

November 18, 2005

A Note from the Principal
I want to thank everyone for participation in our parent teacher conferences. I hope the time spent was valuable to the education of your child. It is so important that both home and school work together for the success of our children. I also believe that working together helps build strong character in our children. Clearly, when it comes to character building, the family is the key. There is simply no substitute for a mother and/or father who form a loving and supportive circle around their child, providing loving guidance and defining for their child, both by what they say and how they live, standards of good conduct. Schools have strong supportive roles to play in character building. Schools must not only help children become literate and well informed, they must also help them develop the capacity to be responsible and demonstrate good problem solving skills in situations of ethical conflict. Schools can reinforce those universal values that we all cherish and which we hope our children will demonstrate when we are not around. When they are on their own, we want them to demonstrate the pillars of our Character Counts! which are: Responsibility, Caring, Respect, Trustworthiness, Fairness and Citizenship. As we come upon this Thanksgiving season may we encourage our children to display these pillars, especially Caring by sharing with those less fortunate.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Diane Kerschen

NO SCHOOL
Nov 24 & 25 Thanksgiving
Dec 19-Jan 2 Winter Recess

Dress for the Weather
As winter finally arrives, the chill in the air comes with it. Students need to make sure they dress appropriately and winter coats should be worn. Students are outside for recess three times a day. Outside recess is a great opportunity for fresh air and a great energy release, which is necessary for the learning process. Make sure you label all coats for ensure lost items are returned to the rightful owner.

New School Boundary Committee
School has been very busy for the last few weeks with parent teacher conferences and the new school boundary committee meetings. I would like to thank everyone for your input and concern regarding the boundaries for Double Eagle and the new school. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Padilla (DEES teacher representative) and Mrs. Craft (DEES parent representative) for all of the hard work in representing everyone as they worked on the committee. The whole committee will be holding two public meetings to take input on the proposed plan. Those dates are December 1st at 7:00-8:30 PM at Desert Ridge Middle School in the Cafeteria and December 5th at 7:00-8:30 PM at Double Eagle Elementary School in the Cafeteria.
The proposed plan is posted on the Double Eagle Web site: http://www.aps.edu/aps/doubleeagle/index.htm The plan consists of drawing the boundary line on Eubank and continuing south to enclose the Quintessence subdivision. Double Eagle is scheduled to loose several outstanding families West of Eubank. The new school will be blessed in starting out with such wonderful and outstanding students and helpful parents. Their boundary line will extend down to Alameda and Louisiana to the North. We will be sending a flyer with a map of the new proposed boundaries soon.
Thank you all for handling this very emotional issue so well.
Troy Hughes, DEES Assistant Principal

October 28, 2005

A Note From the Principal: Progress Reports
Many of you have asked me questions about our progress reports so I would like to give you the latest information that I have. The Double Eagle staff is working hard to continue efforts on the SBPR (Standards Based Progress Reports). We are in the second year of the pilot. To go back to the traditional report card would be a step backwards, as the expectation of the District is that all elementary schools will go to a standards based reporting system. There have been many improvements to the SBPR from last year based on the findings from parent focus groups, principals and teachers throughout the district. Findings from the parent focus groups were that parents were unaware of the shift to a standards based system, that the language was too difficult and too much information was given, that student motivation was not obvious and the SBPR was difficult to summarize results. Parents did like knowing the specifics of what their child was learning and parents also liked ABC grades better than the Proficiency language. Principals said that the pilot took more time and work than anticipated, that the progress reports pushed schools to figure out how to put standards into daily practice and that the December media coverage created misperceptions that SBPR was not a supported next step. Teachers needed a progress report that was easier to fill out and easier for parents to understand and that logically followed the standards based system. The feedback conclusions from all three groups was to continue the pilot, use the feedback to guide revisions, clarify the progress report's purpose, market the District's standard based system, clarify grading procedures and give more professional development. The revisions were done as a collaborative process based on input from parents, principals, teachers, instructional coaches and district personnel.
The SBPR is now down to one page, clearer language, and a simplified marking system. The new marking system of 4,3,2,1 measures student achievement in that grading period. Mastery measures grasp of content standard. A 1 indicates that the student is experiencing difficulty understanding the grade level standards in the grading period. The student's work indicates a need for additional instructional opportunities to achieve even a basic understanding and display of the skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. A 2 indicates that the student is nearing the expectations toward the grade level standards in that grading period. The student's work indicates a partial understanding and display of skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. The student's achievement is approaching acceptable performance but has not achieved it. A 3 indicates the student meets expectations toward the grade level standards covered in that grading period. The student's work indicates a solid understanding and display of skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. The student is achieving at the accepted grade level performance. A 4 indicates that the student exceeds expectations toward the grade level standards covered in that grading period. The student's work indicates an in-depth understanding and an exemplary display of the skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. We will be sending home a district parent survey and based on those results there could be a place for grades on the SBPR but letter grades will be based on the teacher's professional judgment of the student's performance and effort. In a standards based system, the main objective is for students to understand and apply the key concepts and skills for each topic as noted by Mastery marks. Mastery marks are a more accurate reflection of student achievement than grades. Diane Kerschen, Principal

School Safety Is A Priority
Thank You All for being safe and considerate!! We do not have supervision in the Oakland cul-de-sac on the SW part of the school as it is not a drop off area. The parking lot near the buses on Eagle Rock is not supervised and very busy as we are supervising the loading and unloading the students. So please only use the pick up and drop off lanes that are in front of the school. The drop off and pick up system in front of the school is working great as we normally have our last car leave within 12 to 15 minutes after the dismissal bell. Thank You All for being safe and considerate!!

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October 14, 2005

A Note From the Principal
Progress Reports
Many of you have asked me questions about our progress reports so I would like to give you the latest information that I have. The Double Eagle staff is working hard to continue efforts on the SBPR (Standards Based Progress Reports). We are in the second year of the pilot. To go back to the traditional report card would be a step backwards, as the expectation of the District is that all elementary schools will go to a standards based reporting system. There have been many improvements to the SBPR from last year based on the findings from parent focus groups, principals and teachers throughout the district. Findings from the parent focus groups were that parents were unaware of the shift to a standards based system, that the language was too difficult and too much information was given, that student motivation was not obvious and the SBPR was difficult to summarize results. Parents did like knowing the specifics of what their child was learning and parents also liked ABC grades better than the Proficiency language. Principals said that the pilot took more time and work than anticipated, that the progress reports pushed schools to figure out how to put standards into daily practice and that the December media coverage created misperceptions that SBPR was not a supported next step. Teachers needed a progress report that was easier to fill out and easier for parents to understand and that logically followed the standards based system. The feedback conclusions from all three groups was to continue the pilot, use the feedback to guide revisions, clarify the progress report's purpose, market the District's standard based system, clarify grading procedures and give more professional development. The revisions were done as a collaborative process based on input from parents, principals, teachers, instructional coaches and district personnel.
The SBPR is now down to one page, clearer language, and a simplified marking system. The new marking system of 4,3,2,1, measures student achievement in that grading period. Mastery measures grasp of content standard. A 1 indicates that the student is experiencing difficulty understanding the grade level standards in the grading period. The student's work indicates a need for additional instructional opportunities to achieve even a basic understanding and display of the skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. A 2 indicates that the student is nearing the expectations toward the grade level standards in that grading period. The student's work indicates a partial understanding and display of skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. The student's achievement is approaching acceptable performance but has not achieved it. A 3 indicates the student meets expectations toward the grade level standards covered in that grading period. The student's work indicates a solid understanding and display of skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. The student is achieving at the accepted grade level performance. A 4 indicates that the student exceeds expectations toward the grade level standards covered in that grading period. The student's work indicates an in-depth understanding and an exemplary display of the skills included in the APS Content and Performance Standards. We will be sending home a district parent survey and based on those results there could be a place for grades on the SBPR but letter grades will be based on the teacher's professional judgment of the student's performance and effort. In a standards based system, the main objective is for students to understand and apply the key concepts and skills for each topic as noted by Mastery marks. Mastery marks are a more accurate reflection of student achievement than grades.

School Safety Is A Priority
Thank you all for being safe and considerate!! We do not have supervision in the Oakland cul-de-sac on the SW part of the school as it is not a drop off area. The parking lot near the buses on Eagle Rock is not supervised and very busy as we are supervising the loading and unloading the students. So please only use the pick up and drop off lanes that are in front of the school. The drop off and pick up system in front of the school is working great as we normally have our last car leave within 12 to 15 minutes after the dismissal bell. Thank you all for being safe and considerate!!

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October 7, 2005

School is going great! We are so excited to see the growth that has begun in your children’s education. The children are developing their school routine and summer vacation seems like such a long time ago. Please remember that teaching moments are always around us and that your children always have a question that is going through their mind. (Sometimes they even have too many questions! HA HA) So please make that extra time from our busy lives to explain different ideas, concepts or just STUFF with them. I am always amazed at the curiosity that our Double Eagle children process.
I would like to thank everyone that has helped in someway with Hurricane Katrina. We have had food drives, bake sale, cash donations and letters written to children who were affected by the hurricane. The care and thoughtfulness provided by this community, students, parents, teachers and staff is amazing. So THANK YOU for everything that was done as this was a great group effort.
Diane Kerschen, Principal

Lost & Found
This is the time of year that our lost and found box gets overflowing. The mornings are chilly and the afternoons are still warm. Light jackets are being shed at the playground and ultimately end up in the lost and found. A Lost and Found area is in the foyer between the gym and cafeteria. We ask that you label your child's outerwear clothing (jackets, coats, gloves, hats, sweaters, etc.). We have many articles found each week and we would like to insure their return to the owner. Feel free to check for lost items as the need arises. Unclaimed items left at school will be donated to the APS Clothing Bank at the end of every month.
Fall Break
October 7, 2005
NO SCHOOL

Parent Involvement
We welcome your participation! Please remember that this is our school and we all share the responsibility for meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of the children. Check with your child's teacher and see what you can do in the classroom to help. Let us know of any special interests, talents, or abilities you can share with us. We need you!
A key ingredient in an outstanding school is the degree to which all adults unite in a concerted effort to provide for our children. Our children are our most precious resource. There should be no limit to the unification of effort in providing for them. When you volunteer, we thank you for . . .
~checking into the office and recording your presence at school by signing in/out and by wearing a volunteer badge.
~notifying the parties involved if you are unable to fulfill your volunteer duties on a certain day. Please try to give sufficient notice so a replacement can be arranged.
~being discreet and trustworthy and for respecting the confidences of teachers and children by signing a “Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement”.

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September 9, 2005

A Note from the Principal
We are now in our fourth week of school and things continue to be exciting. We did not make our projected enrollment of 888 students. Surprisingly we are at only 840 students. This is very unusual for us here at Double Eagle, as we have been over projection for the past five years. Consequently we have had to close a second grade class in order to meet our budget. It is always a stressful time for all involved, but we feel fortunate to be able to move Ms. Cheri Zacharias-Sanger into the Instructional Coach position here at Double Eagle.
A special thank you to all of our parents who were able to attend our Curriculum Overview Nights and the Welcome Back Picnic. (The water in the dunk tank was very warm this year!) Both events had great turnout!
I would like to congratulate all of our Double Eagle students and staff members for the recently released results of the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment which was administered last spring. Double Eagle made AYP (Adequately Yearly Progress), as required by No Child Left Behind. The tests were long and lengthy and the children performed well. Our teachers did an excellent job preparing our students for the testing. I also know that this type of success is only possible because of the tremendous support we get from the home and our wonderful parents. Thank you! Diane Kerschen, DEES Principal

Neighborhood Watch
We have had some unfortunate vandalism at our school over the last two weeks. Our handicap parking signs were broken and pulled from the ground on August 29th and our U.S. Flag and NM Flag were pulled down and taken on August 30th. If you happen to see suspicious activity after 11:00 pm, please call APS Security at 243-7712.

NO SCHOOL
October 7, 2005
Fall Break

Counseling Corner
We’re all off and running with a great start to new school year. Because the APS Counseling Department suggests that we present the role of the school counselor to the parent population, I will take this newsletter opportunity to quote from a portion of the counseling brochure you received at Meet Your Teacher Day (There are more in the foyer shelves):
The elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. School counselors understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population….. The (counseling) program is proactive, preventative, developmentally appropriate, and essential for 1) children to have a better understanding of, and acceptance of themselves, 2) children to learn to cope with family changes, 3) children to develop decision-making and problem solving skills, 4) children to develop socially and emotionally, to mature in their relations with others, 5) children to be able to understand themselves in relation to their own development, and 6) assisting parents, teachers and administrators in understanding and meeting the needs of the children’s emotions, behaviors, and learning styles
It is my joy to be the counselor at Double Eagle ES. This is my fifth year in this community and I’m anticipating a challenging (in a good sense) and successful year with you all. My thanks to the entire Double Eagle Community.
I’d like to include in this article some time-sensitive information. There are several parenting workshops that are available to the Albuquerque community offered by the Lovelace Sandia Health Systems. They cover a wide range of topics, are offered in the evening or Saturdays starting in September through December, and are very affordable. A few examples are, Children with ADHD, Family Traditions, The Work Out of Homework, Basic Family Communication, and many others. Please check the white shelves in the office foyer for a listing and more information or you may call me at 857-0187 x3 as I have a full list in my office as well.
Fonda Kirchmeyer, DEES Counselor

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August 26, 2005

A Note from the Principal

What a wonderful start to the school year! We are happy to have our staff back and the hallways full of children! We have added several new staff members and we would like to welcome them. In kindergarten we have Kelly Padilla. For first grade we have added Judy Calhoun, Rebekah McNutt and Casey Russell. Our new addition to third grade is Marilyn Moyer and in fifth grade Sally Gosnell. In special education we have added Julie Furgison. We would also like to welcome some new educational assistants to our school; Ann Siska, Tiffany Gonzalez, Sally Hale and Virna McEntee. We also have two district art teacher on campus this year, Julie Dunker and Candice Stanford who will be teaching our children art every other week. We are also housing the cluster evaluation specialist, Ann Isburgh and Kimberly Baker. Last but not least, a BIG WELCOME to all of our new families here at Double Eagle. We are thrilled to have you join us. WELCOME EVERYONE!!!! Diane Kerschen, DEES Principal

WELCOME EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Leaving School Early

This procedure begins in the school office. Please do not go directly to the classroom to get your child. Only parents or adults (over 18 years of age), who are listed on the “Parent Permission to Pickup Student” card will be allowed to check out students before the regular dismissal time. For the safety of our children, the office staff will ask for identification. PLEASE HAVE PICTURE IDENTIFICATION WITH YOU WHEN YOU PICK-UP YOUR CHILD. A child will not be released if proper ID is not given. Students will not be allowed to leave the campus early by themselves. Your child will not be released to any adult who is not listed on the child’s enrollment card or on the “Parent Permission to Pick-Up Student” card.

Attendance Procedure

Each day your child is absent, please call the absentee number before 9:30 a.m. A volunteer parent committee will check the attendance every morning, beginning at 9:30a.m. If your child has not been reported absent and is not in school, the volunteer committee will immediately notify you at home or at work. The attendance number is 857-0187 ext 1. This number is to report absences ONLY.

NO SCHOOL

September 2nd Inservice Day

September 5th Labor Day

Arrival & Dismissal Procedures

Hello and welcome to another great year at Double Eagle! Please take time to review safety rules with your children if they are walking or riding a bike to school. Please remind them how everybody needs to be following the safety rules as we have hundreds of students being picked up or dropped off daily. Examples are walking on the sidewalks, using crosswalks and looking both ways before crossing the street, and walking their bikes on campus.

Buses are going well and pick up and drop off times will start to become more consistent as everyone adjusts to new routes. Your child should know what bus number they ride, their bus driver’s name, and the color block in which they wait until they load.

Parent pick up and drop off is also going well. Please refresh your knowledge of the rules by looking at pages 14 and 15 in you Double Eagle Parent Handbook. Safety is a major reason we all need to follow these rules. A-L is in front of the gym and exit to the South and M-Z is in front of the office and exit East or North. Thank you for your PATIENCE and remember to smile as you pick up or drop off your precious child.

Troy Hughes, DEES Assistant Principal