from the principal inside this issue
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1
Los Lunas Schools
Sundance Elementary
March 2017
FROM THE PRINCIPAL Educators use assessments to
understand student mastery
of content and skills, and to
provide students with
effective, individualized
instruction. There are four
types of assessments:
Formative Assessments are
typically informal “checks”
administered frequently by
teachers to monitor student
progress and adjust teaching to
help students learn.
Short-Cycle Assessments are
periodic (daily, weekly, bi-weekly,
and/or monthly) assessments such
as DIBELS, reading checks, learning
logs, exit slips, quizzes, etc. that
provide regular feedback to
teachers. Results of short-cycle
assessments help teachers ensure
that students are learning and
provide concrete feedback to help
students improve their
understanding and apply their
knowledge.
Interim Assessments are
administered three times at the
beginning, middle, and end of the
school year. These tools measure
student progress throughout the
course of the year.
Summative Assessments are
formal assessments administered
at the end of a unit, course, or
year to determine a student’s
proficiency of the standards at
each grade level.
The PARCC tests are
summative
assessments that are
taking the place of the
SBA in English Language Arts
(Continued on page 2)
From the Principal 1-2
Computer Clicks 3
Academic Coach 4-5
Library 6
Music 6
Health 7
Physical Education 7
PTO 8
Counselor 9
Box Tops 10
Important Dates 11
Pop Tabs 11
Breakfast/Lunch
Menu 12
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Sundance Elementary Young Authors’ Day
Family Event!
Date: Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Time: 5:30-7:00
Place: SE Cafeteria All Student Writing on Display!
Page 2
(ELA) and
math. Aligned
with
instruction,
they assess student
mastery of the Common
Core State Standards,
which are designed to
better prepare our
students for college and/
or a career. The upcoming
PARCC tests, which begin
in early April, will provide
teachers with important
information about
students’ learning to help
support better
instruction and increase
student achievement.
PARCC Resources
In the past few months,
PARCC has developed
excellent resources to help
students and their families
become familiar with the
(Continued from page 1) PARCC assessments. In
addition to general test
information, the following
resources are available for
grades 3 – 11 in ELA and
math:
Tutorials. Located at http://
parcc.pearson.com/tutorial,
the tutorials will help
familiarize students with the
new computer platform
(called TestNav), text-to-
speech, online tools, and
other resources.
Sample Items. Available at
http://parcc.pearson.com/
sample-items, sample items
are available in online and
paper formats. In addition to
providing practice with new
types of test questions, the
math sample items include
practice with equation
editors and online
calculators.
Rubrics. Available on the
same webpage as the sample
items, you will find rubrics for
ELA writing questions. The
rubrics show the number of
points students can earn and
skills students are expected
to know.
Practice Tests. You can find
practice tests for grades 3 –
11 here: http://
parcc.pearson.com/practice-
tests.
Using online practice tests
requires that computers have
the appropriate hardware
and software (http://parcc-
test.pearson.com/technology-
setup). If your home
computer is unable to run
the practice tests, they can be
printed so students can
practice PARCC questions
on paper. Additionally, these
practice tests are available in
large print and Braille.
From the Principal Cont.
We have openings! Project Keys is a before and after school daycare
program for students. We are located here in the cafeteria at Sundance
Elementary for your convenience. We will help the students with homework
and provide games and activities to keep the students engaged. We provide
snack and very affordable pricing! We are open from 7:00am-school start
and school release-6:00pm. If you are interested in more
information please contact Debbie Jones at 505-866-3787 or come
by the cafeteria before or after school.
PROJECT KEYS
Page 3
Carolyn Sandoval, Computer Lab
Spring is almost here!
The students 3rd thru 6th have
been preparing to take the
PARCC (Partnership for
Assessment of Readiness for
College and Careers) test. They have
been practicing their typing skills and
taking practice tests. We will start taking
the PARCC in April.
They like practicing their typing
using the Typing Instructor. If you would
like your child to practice at home they can
practice by logging into the Typing
Instructor web site. To log onto the web
site they need to go to the Los Lunas
schools web site (llschools.net) and hover
over Students then click quick links. The
page will open and at the bottom of the
page you will see TYPING INSTRUCTOR
STUDENT click on it. Once the Typing
Instructor opens your student will need to
log in to Typing Instructor. To log in
they will type in their user name and
password. Their user name is their
lunch number L (yes it’s a capital L)
their password is their lunch number S
(yes it’s capital S) at the end of their
password. All students will log in the same
way.
The kindergarteners are getting
familiar with using the computer. They
have learned how to log in using the mouse
and keyboard. First grade has been
practicing typing their sight words using
Microsoft word. Their keyboarding skills
are getting better and better. Second grade
has been working on typing their different
projects that they have been working on in
class.
Help Us Earn Funding!
We are collecting used ink cartridges, old cell phones, mp3 players, GPS
units, cameras and headsets from home or businesses to support us. This is
a wonderful fundraiser to raise money for the computer lab and it also
helps save the environment.
Typing instructor login:
User name Password
LUNCH #L LUNCH #S
Page 5
Students in Grades 3-6 will take the PARCC test in April beginning Tuesday, April 4th.
Please mark your calendars as attendance during testing is very important. Testing will occur
throughout the month of April. Students will be assessed in both English Language Arts (ELA)
and Math. Please see the testing sessions outlined below. Students in Grades 3-5 have
seven testing sessions and Sixth Grade students have six testing sessions. If you would
like to see practice PARCC questions, visit:
https://parcc.pearson.com/practice-tests
GRADE 3 GRADE 4 GRADE 5 GRADE 6
ELA ELA ELA ELA
Unit 1: Research Unit 1: Research Unit 1: Research Unit 1: Research
Unit 2: Narrative Unit 2: Narrative Unit 2: Narrative Unit 2: Narrative
Unit 3: Literary Unit 3: Literary Unit 3: Literary Unit 3: Literary
Math Math Math Math
Unit 1 Unit 1 Unit 1 Unit 1
Unit 2 Unit 2 Unit 2 Unit 2
Unit 3 Unit 3 Unit 3 Unit 3
Unit 4 Unit 4 Unit 4 ——-
Page 6
LIBRARY Patti S. Bitting, Library Assistant
March is Music In Our Schools
Month. During this month,
performances will take
place throughout the
country to celebrate
MUSIC. Los Lunas will also
have a performance at the
Los Lunas High School on
March 16th. The
performance begins at 6 p.m. in the
gymnasium and all are welcome to
attend. The whole show lasts about
one hour and includes brief
performances by elementary, middle
and high school students. Our
Sundance Choir students along
with other elementary Los Lunas
students will sing the National
Anthem as well as a fun song
called Shake The Papaya Down.
It’s a great way to celebrate
music in our schools! Hope to see you
there!
The month of March is going to be
full of so many exciting things!
Our Spring Scholastic Book Fair
will be held from March 6-March
10. It’s so much fun to see the
library transformed into a gigantic
book store for a whole week. The
book fair is a great opportunity for
families to expand their home
libraries with lots of books
available at family friendly
prices. It is also an
incredible opportunity for
Sundance to build our library
collection. We earn 50% of all
profits and that money is spent
entirely on new books. Please plan
to join us for our Family Event on
Tuesday March 7 from 4-6pm. The
class that purchases the most
books will be rewarded with an Ice
Cream Sundae Social courtesy of
the library. A flier will be sent
home advertising the dates and
times the book fair will be open.
Read Across America Week:
MONDAY 3/13—Hawaiian
Day – Beach Theme – Bright/
Neon, Flower shirts, sun hats, leis,
etc.
TUESDAY 3/14—Dr. Seuss’
Whoville – Crazy Everything
Theme – Socks, hats, hair, crazy
clothes, Inside-out, backwards, mix-
matched, mustaches (LORAX), etc.
WEDNESDAY 3/15—Farmers and
Flannel – Cowboy, Rancher,
Farmer, Scarecrow Theme -
Overalls, Flannel Shirts, Cowboy
Boots, Cowboy/Straw Hats, etc.
THURSDAY 3/16—Princess/Super
Hero and Forward Thinker
Day – Allows students to
dress as princesses and super
heroes, but also allows older
students the chance to dress
appropriately as to what they
envision fashion of the future will
look like. Includes Star Wars/
Robots/Space themed items too.
FRIDAY 3/17—Wearing O’ the
Green/Leprechaun Day –
EVERYTHING GREEN AND
LUCKY!
PLEASE NOTE -Students who have
received a hot slip can participate
although they will be required to
wear their uniforms every day.
As always, curl up with a good
book!
Patti S. Bitting, Library Assistant
Music Notes Erica Otero, Music Teacher
Page 7
Health News Christin Zamora, RN
Physical Education Monica Aragon, P.E Teacher
Food and Fitness for a Healthy Child
When your child comes through the door after school or activities,
they are probably starving. Try these tips for healthy snacks that will
give your child the energy to play and do homework.
Stock the Kitchen
What you have in your kitchen is what your child will be eating, so
when you shop keep that in mind. Stocking your kitchen with healthy
snacks such as fun fruits and veggies is the key. When your child asks
for a snack give them a choice, and since you have
stocked healthy snacks they will be able to choose
from healthy snacks that will give them energy and be
healthy for them. Some healthy snacks include,
grapes, apples, veggie sticks (celery, carrots, jicama), oranges, air
popped popcorn and more.
Build Your Own
Do you have a picky child? If you let your child get creative in the
kitchen they will be more likely to eat the results. Making fruit kabobs is
something most children love to be involved in, let your child thread
grapes, melon, low fat cheese and more onto toothpicks making
different designs and shapes. Spreading low fat cream cheese or organic
peanut butter on rice cakes and decorating it with dried fruit is another
fun idea your child might enjoy.
Exercise is Fun
When children are young, exercise is just plain
fun! Here are a few ideas for getting more physical
activity into your child’s day. Superman: lie on
your stomach with arms and legs straight out. To
fly stretch your arms and legs out and hold them off the ground, see
who can fly the longest. Freeze dance: play music and have a dance off,
when the music stops everyone freezes and holds that position for at
least 10 seconds, start the music and start all over again. Math pro: give
your child a math problem to solve with an exercise. For example, do
3+4 jumping jacks. The child should perform 7 jumping jacks. This is a
fun way to exercise while practicing math!
Just have fun!
Keeping healthy shouldn’t feel like a chore.
Incorporating fun exercises and activities into your life
is easy once it gets started. This is a great way to spend
time and bond with your child while teaching them
healthy habits.
Supplies we could use: New or gently used
tennis shoes. Your support is greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
On February 17, 2017 students at Sundance Elementary jumped
all over heart disease and stroke by participating in Jump Rope
For Heart. The students raised $3,939.56 for the American
Heart Association, which funds research, programs and
education to fight heart disease and stroke.
I am so pleased with our success! Overall we had about 88
students who raised money for the American Heart Association.
Once again Thank You to all that participated in being a “Heart
Hero.”
M. Aragon-Physical Education
The Top Students: Andres Burkhard $515
Hannah Gulas $298
Caylee Dewsbury $200
Aidan Atencio $200
Payton Keryte $175
Andrew Escajeda $165
Gabrial Escajeda $165
Samuel Escajeda $165
McKaylee Burt $131
Kiara Baca $109
Alanna Jojola $105
In class students are
learning how to bowl
and score.
Page 8
PTO News
PTO will be sponsoring the Save Around Coupon Book Fundraiser from March
10th—March 17th. The Save Around coupon book has more than $5,000 in sav-
ings in each book. There are local coupons for places like Albertson’s IHOP,
Denny’s, Del Taco and Great Clips to name a few. There are also coupons for Al-
buquerque including ABQ BioPark, Cool Springz, Hinkle Family Fun Center, res-
taurants and MORE! Permission slips and more information will be sent home
very soon. Thank you for your continued support!
SAY CHEESE!!!
Spring individual and class picture day
is on Friday, March 3rd.
Chili’s donation dinner
On March 15th Chili’s in Los Lunas will
be donating 15% of every purchase
with a flyer back to Sundance. Mark
your calendar and bring the family to
Chili’s. Flyers will be sent home .
Swing into Spring Craft Show
Sundance PTO will be hosting a spring craft show on April 1st from 9-1:30 in the cafeteria. There will
be several vendors, dance performances, a silent auction and food for sale. If you are interested in
being a vendor, you can pick up an application in the office or you can email PTO at
The next PTO meeting will be held on March 14th at 3:45 in the library.
Childcare will be provided for school age kids. See you there!
Page 9
Counselor’s Corner Sheila Broome, Counselor
The Students and I have been very busy these past few weeks learning
more effective ways to calm down. The students have been learning that
when they are having “strong emotions” like anger, worry,
embarrassment, disappointment… they can try calming down by naming
their feelings, doing deep centered breathing/belly breathing, counting,
using positive self-talk and sometimes just walking away from a situation.
The students are trying to find out what works best for them in order
to calm down. When students have strong emotions this can also cause
students to feels those emotions in their bodies as well. Strong
emotions can cause a faster heartbeat, faces to get red, stomachs to
hurt, knees and or hands to shake, and lack of concentration. Doing
deep centered breathing/belly breathing, counting and using positive self-
talk can help to calm down the strong emotions. Students begin to feel
more in control of their emotions and bodies. Positive self-talk will tell
the brain that everything is ok and the body can start calming down.
Students are learning how to change negative self-talk into positive self-
talk. This will also be effective and hopefully utilized for our older
students, grades 3-6 as PARCC testing will be coming up in April.
During the month of March for those grades we will be spending more
time on positive self-talk, building confidence, and calming strategies.
We want our students to try their best during testing and no one
wants stressed out students. Please begin practicing with your child on
positive self-talk, students can tell themselves: I can try my best, I can
do this, I’m smart, It’s all going to be okay, I’m awesome!!! Having
“strong emotions” like test anxiety makes it difficult for students to
think. I am so impressed with the students here at Sundance and how
fast they are learning these skills.
Parents don’t get
discouraged!! I
understand
schedules get hectic
and parents are
pulled in a hundred
different ways. Keep
up the good work
and remember a
quick check-in with
your student on
how they are feeling
can go a long way!
Page 11
1—Early Release @ 12:50. No AM
Or PM PK
3—End of Pennies for Patients
Spring & Class picture day- SMILE!
6—Spring book fair begins (all week)
7—Evening book fair 4-6 PM
LLS Board Meeting @ 6:00 PM
NMSBA (Science-4th grade) testing
begins
10-End of 3rd 9 weeks
Hot slip challenge ends (1-9 through
3-10)
Save Around fundraiser through 17th
13-Dress down for those who qualify
Read Across America Events begin
Hawaiian day
14-PTO Meeting @ 3:45 in library
Dr. Seuss Crazy Day
Poetry Presentation 5:30-7:00PM-
Evening Event
15-Farmers & Flannel day
Chili’s Night (Proceeds benefit SE)
16-Princess/Super Heroes/Robots/
Star Wars day
17-Report Cards out
Wear Green
20-25—Spring Break—NO School!
Hello students, parents, and staff…..
We only have a few months left to collect your POP Tabs. This is a great way to
have our school support others in need. We will be donating the pop tabs to the
Ronald McDonald house charity.