Announcements for the Week of April 2, 2012

April 5, 2012

Categories

• General Information
• Professional Development / Teacher Training
• Student Programs / Scholarships
• Discounts

General Information

Public Education Dept. Seeks Input on Grading of Public Schools: The New Mexico Public Education Department will conduct a public hearing from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., May 1 in Mabry Hall, Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe to gain input on the proposed amendment of rule 6.19.8 NMAC “Grading of Public Schools,” adopted on Dec. 15. Submit comments via mail to Mary H. Deets, Administrative Assistant, Office of General Counsel, Public Education Department, Jerry Apodaca Education Building, 300 Don Gaspar, Santa Fe  87501-2786; via e-mail at MaryH.Deets@state.nm.us; by phone at 505-827-6641; or via fax 505-827-6681 no later than 5 p.m., May 1. To view proposed rules, visit http://ped.state.nm.us/, under the “Public Meetings and Hearings” link.

Balloon Museum Begins Weekly Story Time: The Balloon Museum will host “Stories in the Sky” every Wednesday from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. and 11– 11:45 a.m. beginning April 4 and evening stories from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. on April 12 (stories and music about stars and space) and on May 10 (bed time stories and Mother’s Day crafts). The events are free and highlights include stories, songs, crafts, and movement for young adventurers up to age 6 and their adult companions. Bring a picnic to enjoy. Different stories and activities will be offered each week. For more information, call Laurie Magovern at 768‑6034 or visit www.cabq.gov/balloon.

Documentary in Commemoration of Bataan Airs April 12: A documentary on the Bataan Death March, “Bataan - A 70^th Anniversary Commemoration” will air on KNME Ch. 5 at 7 p.m. on April 12. Social Studies and English teachers may be interested in using this documentary in class or in future classes. There is also a press room on the KNME web site. Materials are available at http://www.newmexicopbs.org/pressroom/.  For more information, call Joseph Escobedo at 880-3790 or e-mail escobedo_j@aps.edu.

Space still available for American Graduate Teacher Town Hall: There is still time to register for the New Mexico PBS American Graduate Teacher Town Hall. KNME Ch. 5 is gathering input from teachers for improving the drop-out crisis in America’s schools.  The event takes place from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., April 18 at UNM Continuing Education Conference Center Auditorium, 1634 University Blvd. NE. Doors open at 5 p.m. The conversation will air on KNME at 7 p.m., April 27.  To register, visit http://www.newmexicopbs.org/educate/american-graduate/american-graduate-register/.  For more information, call Laurel Wyckoff at 277-8296 or e-mail lwyckoff@newmexicopbs.org.

APS Elementary Summer School Positions Re-opening: Elementary Summer School positions have reopened and will remain open until 4 p.m., April 13. View job openings at http://www.aps.edu/jobs/jobs/jobs/job-listings, click on Extended Learning, and click on Summer School - elementary. Current APS employees may skip the submission of a cover memo, resume, license, and transcript, but references will need to be updated. Applications are specific to a school. Those who have never completed an APS application online are considered “new;” those who have applied need only “update.”  For more information, call Carla Cano in the Center of Extended Learning at 855-5260 or e-mail cano_ca@aps.edu.

Cancer Society Walk set for April 29: The American Cancer Society will hold its 13^th annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk along the Rio Grande River from 7 – 10 a.m., April 29, beginning at Cottonwood Mall, 10000 Coors Blvd NW. Register at www.cancer.org/stridesonline. There is no registration fee, and participants are encouraged to fundraise but not required, walkers can register the day of the walk. For more information, call Katie Larntz Johnson at 262-6017.

7 Bar Staff Reunion Set for May: 7 Bar Elementary School is having a staff reunion from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, at Desert Greens Golf Course Banquet Room.  Due to space limitations, only staff and former staff members are invited. Please RSVP to 7barstarfall@gmail.com. The cost is $20 and checks should be made payable to 7 Bar Elementary) and sent to Beth Kukowski at 7 Bar by May 1. If you would like to be included in an address book for current and former staff members, visit  7-bar@aps.edu and click the link to complete a bio-form.

NM Rail Runner Express to Expand Weekend Train Service: Beginning Saturday, April 7, the New Mexico Rail Runner Express will add two more trains to both the northbound and southbound Saturday schedule allowing more choices for arrival and departure from each station:  the first train will arrive in Santa Fe an hour earlier (10:16 a.m.); another train will leave Santa Fe at 9 p.m.  The new schedule will remain in effect on a permanent basis and will not change for the winter months.  For more information, visit www.nmrailrunner.com, call Augusta Meyers at (505) 239-8612, or e‑mail ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov.

Professional Development / Teacher Training

Teachers Invited to Join in Museum Environmental Literacy Planning: The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science invites teachers to help create a framework for students to increase environmental literacy and enhance academic achievement through innovative, real-world, project-based learning from 4 – 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 24 at the museum, 1801 Mountain Rd. NW. Refreshments provided.

For more information, e-mail Cirrelda Snider-Bryan at cirrelda.snider@state.nm.us or call 841-2882.

Workshop focuses on Integrating Fine Arts in Classrooms: A workshop entitled, “Making the Connection: The Arts in Your Classroom – 2012” will be held June 4 – 8.  Morning or afternoon sessions emphasize creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration for elementary teachers, ESL, bilingual, PE, Special Ed, counselor, librarians, and other certified staff. Registration deadline is April 20. Cost is $25. For more information, visit http://www.aps.edu/fine-arts/news-and-showcase/making-the-connection-the-arts-in-your-classroom-2012.

Anti-bullying Workshop set for Oct. 17: The NM Human Rights Projects will host Mary Johnson, Ph.D., in a one-day workshop that provides tools for educators to initiate thoughtful, in-depth discussions of ostracism and bullying from 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Oct. 17 at the Hotel Albuquerque, 800 Rio Grande Blvd NW. Cost of $75 includes resource materials, FHAO online campus access, continental breakfast, and lunch.  CEU’s will be available for counselors and social workers. Register online at www.nmhrp.org until Sept. 28. For more information, call 730‑1060, e-mail info@nmhrp.org or visit www.nmhrp.org.

Museum Offers Summer Internships for Elementary Teachers: The Science Education Institute of the Southwest and Sandia National Laboratories are co-sponsoring a Museum Teaching Fellowship Program in June and July at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the Albuquerque BioPark. Six elementary school teachers will be chosen to participate in the 80-hour program that offers valuable learning and resource opportunities, as well as a $1,000 stipend. Teachers who choose the NMMNHS session will meet from June 18-21. Teachers choosing the Albuquerque BioPark session will meet from June 25-28. A 48-hour, self-directed study is required, followed by a final presentation on July 25. The application (available at www.seisinstitute.org) is due April 13.  For more information, call Selena Connealy at 217-5605 or e-mail selena.connealy@comcast.net.

UNM Offers Master’s Degree in Literacy/Language Arts &/or a Reading Endorsement: This master’s program will include 24 hours toward a reading endorsement, which is applicable K-12 and would be added to the teaching license. In addition, completing a dossier is part of the program so that teachers may move up to Tier 2 or Tier 3 in the licensure system. Most importantly, hands-on learning will help teachers develop a deep understanding about reading, writing, and language processes to support good instructional decisions and help children be successful. For information, contact Rick Meyer, Ph.D., at rmeyer@unm.edu or 277-6376.

Student Programs / Scholarships

Scholarship for Descendents of Bataan Corregidor POW’s: The New Mexico Guardians of our Heritage, Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor is accepting applications for an annual scholarship for students who are direct descendants of Bataan Corregidor prisoners of war. Scholarships can be used for tuition, books or living expenses. Application requirements include enrollment and good standing at a qualified university, college or trade school; maintaining either a GPA of B- or above or passing grades at a trade school; financial need as demonstrated by the FASFA; 1500-word essay about the Bataan relative; and must not have received the scholarship in the past. Preference will be given to New Mexico Coast Artillery descendants.  To apply, visit www.guardiansofbataan.org.  For more information, e-mail guardiansofbataan@gmail.com.

Holocaust Survivors Share Memories with High School Students: New Mexico Human Rights Projects, the Holocaust & Intolerance Museum of New Mexico, and the Jewish Federation of New Mexico have joined together to bring “A Continuum of Remembrance” in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day or “Yom HaShoah” for high school students. The event will be from 1:30 – 3 p.m., April 22 at the Holocaust & Intolerance Museum of New Mexico, 616 Central Ave. SW. A musical performance and reception complete the free event. For more information, contact Regina Turner at 730-1060 or Ann Powers at 315-9966.

Poetry Contest for Students in Grades 1-12: In honor of National Poetry Month, Alamosa Books is hosting a poetry contest for students. Poem submissions (maximum of 50 lines) will be accepted through April 10. E-mail poems to info@alamosabooks.com with the subject line “Poetry Contest,” or drop a paper copy of the poem off at the Alamosa Books store at  Paseo del Norte and Ventura before 8 p.m. on April 10. Students should include name, grade, phone number, and name of teacher or librarian (and school) encouraging entry. Entrants will be invited to read their poems at the Poet's Corner on April 14. Prizes will be awarded and the schools with the most students to enter win a free, 50-minute visit from authors Carolee Dean (middle and high school) or Caroline Starr Rose (elementary school).  For more information, visit www.alamosabooks.com.

Summer Math Camps for Middle- and High-School Students: AfterMath June camps will be held June 4-7 (for middle school students) and June 11-14 (for high school students) at the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber; the July camps will be held July 16-19 (for middle school students) and July 23-26 (for high school students) at the SW Carpenters Training Center. Scholarships are available. For more information, visit www.aftermathcamp.com or call Hilary Noskin at 449-7984.

Discounts

Check out the new employee discounts page to learn about our community partners who offer discounts to APS employees. Employee Discounts >>