COMANCHE COMMUNICATOR

 www.aps.edu/aps/comanche/index./html

Comanche Elementary

“Where Children Come First”

December  19, 2008

Dear Comanche Community,
     Season’s Greetings!

Wishing you every happiness this holiday season. 

Sincerely,
Mrs. Highland

Thank you to all the behind the scenes volunteers who help supply goodies throughout the year to our Comanche Staff:
Rena Larranaga, Kathy Kersting, Krista Laybourne, Deena Pierce, Lori Tufaro, Stefani Quintana,
Lisa Mack, Amiee Wray, Susan Denis, Sid Richardson, Kathy Kwait, Jodi Butler,
Lori Robertson, and Jeni Jones.

      
           
From APS Food Services:
On Monday January 5th, 2009 students who either pay full or reduced price for their meals will be able to charge up to $17.50 for meals. Students who have charges greater than $17.50 and do not have money to pay for the days’ meal will be offered an alternate meal instead of the regular meal.

Highland’s Research:
                                                                                                                                                                                

Strategies to help your child
EFFECTIVELY expand extended-response questions in Reading

*Have your child describe a personal connection to the passage she read.
*Have your child state an opinion about the passage.
*Help your child make a prediction about what he thinks might happen next.
*Encourage your child to make a comparison about two characters in the passage.
*Encourage your child to make inferences about something she read in the passage.
*Point out a cause/effect situation in the passage.
*Help your child make a conclusion about the passage

PTA CORNER:

YEARBOOKS
Cost this year is $15 and although we have already placed the order we will continue to accept orders at the $15 amount through January 15th.  The amount will increase to $18 if you have not pre-ordered and they will be given out on a first come, first serve basis.  Forms are available in the office.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS
We have about a dozen Entertainment Books for sale. If you still don’t have one or want a unique gift for a hard to buy for person, the cost is $35 per book and you can either let someone in the PTA know you would like one or check with the office.

COMANCHE KIDS CLUB and SANTA FE OPERA
Registration forms are due on January 5th for the “Before and After” school programs.  There are limited numbers in each class so if there are more students that sign up than there is space for, a lottery will be held to assign classes.  If your child was enrolled in a class last semester and it fills up, all other students who did not participate will be assigned first and then previous participants will be added if space allows.  If your child enrolls in a class, they are expected to be on time and fully participate or they may lose their opportunity.
CUBBY COUSINS – We will continue to have Cubby Cousins available after the break until they run out.  They are $5 and you can find forms in the office.

        
NDI for 4th Grade Students

National Dance Institute of New Mexico (NDI-NM) was founded with the knowledge that the arts have a unique power to engage and motivate children.  Through unique, educational programming NDI-NM encourages and inspires children to work hard, never give up and do their personal best in all activities of their life, resulting in a genuine sense of achievement and self-respect that can change the life of a child – any child. 

Our In-School program at Comanche Elementary is part of NDI-NM’s statewide Outreach which sends NDI-NM certified instructors and professional pianists into elementary schools throughout New Mexico.  This year, NDI-NM programs will reach more than 70,000 people in 70 schools in 36 communities across the state!  During the 15-week program at Comanche, NDI-NM instructor Liz Perlman, will teach 75 fourth graders the benefits of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle while engaging them in physically active weekly classes.  Students will perform in an exciting assembly in May 2009 for family, friends and community.

UNM  Spring Theatre Classes for Youth: Registration is now open for Saturday Theatre classes for children between the ages of 4-15 years old. The Spring program runs from Jan. 31-Apr. 4. Classes meet Saturdays on the UNM Center for the Arts. They explore basic concepts of acting for stage and screebn, building self-confidence, and teamwork. Cost is between $65-$85 and need-based scholarships are available. For information and to register call Abby, 507-2436 or emil acole@unm.edu.

UNM Dance Graduate Student Project: This is a free creative movement/dance class for 9-11 yr olds and is part of a dissertation research study. Classes meet on Saturdays from 1:00 -2:15 and Wednesdays 4:00-5:15, January 28th – March 8th. For more information contact Ashley Miller(instructor) at 319-290-9284 or email ashmill@unm.e

  
      Bug Award Winners
(Being Unusually Good) 

For date of 12/5/08
Congratulations to
Aubree L
Ashley O.
Andrew S.
Haley S.
Heather B.
Mateo O.

For date of 12/12/08
Congratulations to
Savannah S.
Donald K.
Lilijana F.
Xandria F.
Delaney H.
Joshua W. 

For date of 12/19/08
Congratulations to
Doanld K.
Kylee T.
Ralston S.
Amelia R.
Zach V.
Saja W.

Dates To Remember:
                           
Dec. 22nd -           Winter Break
Jan. 2nd                       

Jan. 5th                 School
                                Resumes

Jan. 13th               No School
                             Inservice

Jan. 14th               2nd Grade
                               Parent
                             Luncheon

Jan. 19th               No School
                            MLK Holiday

Feb. 11th               3rd Grade
                               Parent
                             Luncheon

Feb. 11th               Pajama Day

Feb. 12th              Class Pictures

Feb. 16th              No School
                             President’s
                                  Day

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND ENJOY THE BREAK!!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN EXCITING 2009 AND HOPE YOU ARE HEALTHY AND HAPPY AND READY TO START ON JANUARY 5TH!!