Summer 2009 - Rio Rancho Public Schools

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1 SUMMER 2009INSIDE OUR SCHOOLSPAGE 3Ready for Teaching and Learning:Rio Rancho’s Newest High SchoolIt seems like we’ve been talking about“August of 2009” and the opening ofthe new Cleveland High School forever.Well, August 2009 is here — and so isCleveland High, ready to receive anestimated 1,800 9th, 10th, and 11thgraders.The 416,000 sq. ft. campus wasdesigned by Albuquerque firm Van H.Gilbert and Associates in partnershipwith Fanning Howey, a Midwesternfirm specializing in the design of largehigh schools. Jaynes Corporation, thegeneral contractor, delivered theclassrooms and other Phase I facilities righton schedule. Some facilities from the secondphase of construction, including the ConcertHall and PE and athletic fields, will becompleted later in the year. The design andconstruction cost of about $125 million waspaid for about equally by the state of NewMexico and local taxpayers through voterapprovedbond issues.The campus was designed and built withenergy efficiency and the environment inmind. Heating and cooling is provided by aseries of 600+ geothermal wells sunk underthe student and staff parking lots thatcirculate temperature-controlled waterthrough the buildings. Windows and naturallight abound. The campus was sited to takemaximum advantage of the natural settingand views — most spectacularly, through thehuge window behind the stage of theConcert Hall, scheduled to come online inSeptember.Cleveland’s administrative team, left to right: AssistantPrincipal Renee Saucedo, Activities Director Stacy Salinas,Assistant Principal Pete Vallejo, Principal Scott Affentranger,Athletic Coordinator Randy Adrian, Assistant Principal DanelleArturet, and Vice Principal Sherri CarverFacilities shown, from top left: the maingymnasium, a classroom, the ConcertHall, the Lecture Hall, and the cafeteria.

PAGE 4INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1 SUMMER 2009Highlights of the 2008-09 School Year . . .The thrill of victory: It was a good year for alot of Rio Rancho sports teams — but a greatyear for six of them. Above, RRHS wrestlerMax Ortega raises his hands in victory aftercapturing one of the Rams’ seven individualwrestling titles enroute to their seventh statewrestling championship. Ortega becameonly the second wrestler in New Mexicohistory to become a five-time individual statewrestling champion.At top left, the moment members of theRams girls cross-country team learned they’dwon Rio Rancho High’s first statechampionship ever in cross-country.Middle left, Rio Rancho’s most consistentfranchise of all is the Sports Medicine team,which this year won its ninth state title. Inaddition to competing, members of theSports Medicine team play an invaluable roleassisting athletes at Rams games and sportsevents like the state cross-country meet.The Rams baseball team closed out the yearwith an astounding 6-5 upset victory ofmighty La Cueva to capture their secondstate title in three years. The knuckle-biterof a game included a Rams grand slam homerun and an amazing throw to the plate to stopa late La Cueva rally.Rams teams also won state championshipsthis year in bowling and boys Lacrosse.The word “graduating” is front and center in Rio Rancho Public Schools’ missionstatement (you may read it on the front page of this publication) — so every year,it is especially gratifying to watch our three high schools’ graduating classescollect diplomas. At top, Rio Rancho High Class of 2009 ValedictorianFrancesca Garcia addresses a packed house at the Santa Ana Star Center — herspeech was written in verse. Middle, the 24 graduates of Rio Rancho CyberAcademy smile for the camera. Bottom, Independence High graduates movetheir tassels, signifying their successful completion of high school.Recently released state statistics indicate that more than 75% of ninth graderswho begin school in Rio Rancho earn a high school diploma — well above thestate average. More than 900 seniors received diplomas from Rio Ranchoschools in 2009.

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1 SUMMER 2009INSIDE OUR SCHOOLSPAGE 5. . . An Excellent Year for Student Excellence!Tigers and coyotes and rabbits, oh my! No need for alarm — these students from ErnestStapleton Elementary school are performing their original opera, “Music of the River”, atthe S.A.F.E. before-and after-school program’s annual Student-Produced Opera Showcase.Four elementary schools participate in the program every year, which is conductedwith the assistance of the Santa Fe Opera’s Student-Produced Opera Program. Thisyear’s operas, created by Stapleton, Colinas del Norte, Puesta del Sol, and Sandia VistaElementary students, had an environmental theme.“Grease”d LightningReaders, Writers, Spellers Excel!I can read! The annual Reader’s Café showcases thereading skills of first graders in the district’s ReadingRecovery program. Many of these students come intothe program unable to read at all. Students also getthe chance to read to one of the dogs from the district’sTales of Joy® READ program, designed to help youngreaders gain confidence in their reading skills.The district’s annual spelling bees also give youngerstudents the chance to shine. Below left, LincolnMiddle School student Logan Meredith looked nervousbut really had no reason to be as he spelled “fallibility”to prove infallible in thedistrict spelling bee. Atlower right, anexuberant YoluasQuispe from StapletonElementary Schoolpatiently aced the word“pacienca” to win thedistrict’s Spanishlanguage Spelling Bee.A fine year in fine arts: At top, JoeyCoté, as the too-cool Danny Zuko(standing at middle left) leads his T-Birdbuddies in singing and dancing“Greased Lightning” during Rio RanchoHigh’s performance of the musical“Grease.”It was another great year for the RioRancho High marching band, too. Theystrutted away with the championship atthe annual Pageant of the Bands, finishedthird in the Zia Marching BandFiesta’s state competition.Student success starts early! RioRancho’s youngest “graduates,”four-year-olds at Shining StarsPreschool, cross the bridge tokindergarten and — eventually —the class of 2022!The annual Research EXPO teachesstudents critical thinking and analysis skills andgives them the opportunity to win cash prizesat the local, regional, state, and national level.Here, Erin Garcia and Kandis Wright, whoanalyzed whether RRHS’s artificial turf ischemically safe for students to play on (it is),present their project to a judge.

PAGE 6INSIDE OUR SCHOOLSVOLUME 15, NUMBER 1 SUMMER 2009RRPS Honors Volunteers of the YearAlan Kenneth (at far right in the photo to the right), the long-time “Voice of the Rams” atmany Rio Rancho and state sports events, parent booster, and volunteer on district andcommunity committees, is Rio Rancho Public Schools 2008-09 Volunteer of the Year.Grade-level Volunteer of the Year honorees are Sarah Raybourn from Shining Stars Preschool(elementary ), Alicia Ahluwalia from Eagle Ridge Middle School (middle schools), and StaceyTempleton from Rio Rancho Mid-High (high schools).School Volunteers of the Year are: Pat Delgado, Cielo Azul Elementary; Denise Romero,Colinas del Norte Elementary; Val Hawn, Enchanted Hills Elementary; Bill Smith, ErnestStapleton Elementary; Becky Farley; Maggie Cordova Elementary; Elizabeth Jacome, MartinLuther King, Jr. Elementary; Debi Fillion, Puesta del Sol Elementary; Cathy Fairhurst, RioRancho Elementary; Christine Holland, Sandia Vista Elementary; Sabrina Abeyta, VistaGrande Elementary; Jennifer Whittenbrink, Lincoln Middle School; Kim Gray, Mountain ViewMiddle School; Terri Spencer, Rio Rancho Cyber Academy; Angelica Montoya, IndependenceHigh; and Mitchell Robison, Rio Rancho High.Craig Brandt Joins School BoardThe newest member of the Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education is Craig Brandt (at left, being sworn in), who won election in District 5last February. He replaces Lisa Cour, who served 12 years on the board including two terms as board president and did not run for re-election.District 1 board member Don Schlichte and District 3 member Margaret Terry were each re-elected to their third terms on the board. Schlichte isthe new board president, and Ms. Terry will continue to serve as the board secretary.Wanted:School BusDriversTraining ProvidedforQualified ApplicantsFor furtherinformationplease call:Rio RanchoPublic SchoolsStudent TransportationDepartment338-0078Board Vice President Martin Scharfglass (District 2) and board member Divyesh N. Patel (District 4) continue their service on the board. Boardmembers serve staggered four-year terms; the next election is in 2011.School Start Times (Bell Schedule)Rio Rancho High SchoolCleveland High SchoolMiddle Schools:Elementary Schools:Colinas del NorteCielo AzulAll other elementaryschoolsShining Stars PreschoolMorning sessionAfternoon sessionIndependence HSRio Rancho CyberAcademyClasses Begin - 7:20amDismissal - 2:29 pmWednesday dismissal - 1:40 PMClasses Begin - 8:10 amDismissal - 3:15 pmWednesday dismissal - 2:35 PMClasses Begin - 7:30 amDismissal - 1:55 pmNo early dismissal on WednesdaysClasses Begin - 8:10 amDismissal - 3:10 pmWednesday dismissal - 12:00 pmClasses Begin - 9:00 amDismissal - 4:00 pmWednesday dismissal - 12:45 pmClasses Begin - 8:05 AMDismissal - 11:00 AMNo classes on WednesdaysClasses Begin - 12:20 PMDismissal - 3:15 PMNo classes on WednesdaysClasses Begin - 8:10 AMDismissal - 2:29 PMWednesday dismissal 1:40 PMMonday: grades 11-12 12pm—4pmTuesday: grades 9-10, 9 am—4 pmWednesday: grades 6, 7, 8, & 11,9 am—4 pmThursday: Grades 9-10, 9 am—4 pmFriday: grades 6, 7, 8, 9 am—12 pmRio Rancho Public Schools2009 – ’10 CalendarSeptember 7October 7October 8-9October 29-30November 25 –27December 21 -January 1, 2010January 4Labor Day holidayStaff inservice -- all schools: noclassesFall break -- all schools: no classesParent-teacher conferences andcredentialing – all schools: noThanksgiving holidayWinter breakClasses resume for grades 9-12; staffplanning day with no classes forgrades K-8January 5 Classes resume for grades K-8January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. holidayFebruary 16* President’s Day holiday/weathermake-up dayMarch 15 – 19 Spring breakApril 1-2Parent-teacher conferences andcredentialing – all schools: noApril 5*April 29April 30*May 25Holiday -- all schools: noclasses/weather make-up dayInservice day – all schools: no classesHoliday – all schools: noclasses/weather make-up dayLast day of school*Plans that cannot be changed should not be made forweather make-up days

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1 SUMMER 2009INSIDE OUR SCHOOLSPAGE 7Spotlight on Staff, Students, and Community• Rio Rancho Elementary bilingual education teacherBlythe Turner (top right) was named New Mexico’s2008 Teacher of the Year• Christina Lytle, Mountain View Middle Schoolteachers, was named one of seven New Mexico GoldenApple fellows for 2009.• Janna Stewart, who also teaches at Mountain View,was named an American Star of Teaching by the U.S.Department of Education. Middle right, Ms. Stewart(on the left in the photo) is recognized by New MexicoEducation Secretary Veronica García.• Through its Volunteer Hours program, Intel donated atotal of $8,000 divided among 14 Rio Ranchoschools. In addition to allowing employees tovolunteer their time, Intel makes a donation to theschool for each volunteer hour worked by Intel staff.• Last year, Rio Rancho Public Schools employeesdonated more than $55,000 to communityorganizations through the United Way. The United Wayrecognized RRPS as one of its top 100 companies andas a “Campaign to Potential” honoree for increasedparticipation in the United Way campaign.• Rio Rancho High was one of 10 New Mexico schoolsrecognized in 2008 for encouraging studentparticipation on the ACT college readiness exam, andwas one of seven schools recognized for fiveyearimprovement in ACT scores. Nearly threequartersof RRHS seniors take the ACT.• RRPS has named Richard Bruce as its ChiefOperations Officer. Mr. Bruce has been withthe district since its founding in 1994 as itsExecutive Director of Information Technology.Native American students and familiescelebrate RRPS’s second annual Pow Wow inthe RRHS Gym. The event features dancecompetitions and special recognitions,traditional foods and crafts, and fun activities.Seats and Eats Funds School ProjectsWhy are all those people in the picture at the bottom smiling? They’re the recipients of more than $45,000 in grantsfrom the Rio Rancho Education Foundation.Every year, the business and community leaders who make up the Foundation raise money, principally through their“Seats & Eats” annual event (at right, the very successful 2009 event), to fund projects in schools and classrooms thatthe district is not able to fund through its operational budget. The Foundation awards grants of up to $1,000 tosupport projects geared towards individual classrooms and small numbers of students, and up to $5,000 to fundcampus-wide initiatives. In 2008, the Foundation funded 10 campus grants and 16 smaller projects.The deadline for applying for grants is October 1. Rio Rancho teachers and school staff are encouraged to submitproposals. Information about the program and how to apply may be found on the Foundation’s Web site, www.rref.org.HP Awards RRPS $260,000+Technology GrantRio Rancho Public Schools has been selected asone of 25 school districts in the country to receivea 2009 HP Innovations in Education grant.Targeted towards grades 6 through 12, the grantprogram is designed to help educators address the need for raisingstudent achievement in math and science and increase studentawareness of high-tech college and career opportunities.Through this award, Rio Rancho High will receive an HP Innovationsin Education award package of HP technology, cash, and professionalservices valued at more than $260,000. (Above right, RRPS IT techsTom Wiberg and Mark Leppelman process some of this equipment).RRPS teacher Bill Ryan will manage the project. The grant willgreatly assist the district in upgrading and modernizing the technologyinfrastructure at Rio Rancho High School, which opened 12 years ago.The grant also will enable students, guided by a team of teachers, tocreate science and math curricula relating to generation of energythrough wind turbines. As part of the project, students will develop aprototype wind turbine for use as a personal source for renewableenergy in the home or small business. The program also has aninternational language and culture component, as students will workwith students in Spain and France to develop a bilingual web site andexchange information about the project.Thank you toour businesscommunityforsupportingourschools!As the New School Year Begins . .H1N1 Flu: Rio Rancho Public Schools isclosely monitoring reports of the H1N1(swine) flu, and works closely with statehealth and education officials in planningfor health-related issues including, ifnecessary, school closings. Good hygiene,including frequent handwashing and coughetiquette (coughing into your elbow) is thebest prevention for colds and flu. Studentsand staff who are ill should stay home untilthey have been fever-free for at least 24hours. For the latest information andupdates on H1N1, visit www.rrps.net orcontact the nurse at your child’s school.Can we reach you in an emergency? RioRancho Public Schools’ emergency phonenotification system provides a means tocontact parents promptly with basicinformation and updates in the event of anemergency situation at their child’s school,school closures or delayed start times, orurgent, time-sensitive information. In orderfor the system to work properly, it is veryimportant that the phone numbers in yourchild’s school record are up-to-date. If theinformation needs to be corrected, contactthe registrar at your child’s school. Ofcourse, as has always been the case, schoolstaff will contact you directly as soon aspossible if your child becomes ill or isinjured at school.

PAGE 8INSIDE OUR SCHOOLS VOLUME 15, NUMBER 1 SUMMER 2009President Obama Visits Rio Rancho High SchoolWhen seen on television navigating the corridors of power, the President of the United States seems a remote figure.But when the President comes to your community and speaks at your high school, he becomes very real indeed.Rio Rancho residents got the opportunity on Thursday, May 14, when President Barack Obama held his Town Hall onreforming credit card statutes. About 2,400 people crowded into the Rio Rancho High gymnasium to see the President;hundreds more, including some protestors, congregated on roads leading to RRHS and stood across the street.The Rio Rancho High and Rio Rancho school district staff had less than six days notice that the President had chosentheir school as the site of the town hall. RRHS principal Richard VonAncken, Vice Principal Jacquie Monclova, andActivities Director Bill Duncan, along with the school’s securityand custodial team and district-level support staff, had awhirlwind week coordinating with the White House advanceteams and helping to assure the President’s visit wentsmoothly (and preparing for next week’s graduation!).School remained in session on Thursday at all schools, includingRio Rancho High, though only a small number of studentswere able to be accommodated at the event. Other studentsviewed the President’s remarks live on television in their classrooms.In a remark to a reporter, Superintendent Sue Cleveland prettymuch summed it up: “This is exciting. How cool is it that thePresident came to our high school?”RRHS Hosts StateStudent Council ConventionLast spring, the RioRancho High SchoolAssociated Students(student government) hosted fellow high schoolers fromaround the state at the 2009 New Mexico Association ofStudent Councils conference. Students attending theconference attend workshops and develop leadership skills —and have some fun, as the Rio Rancho Mid-High delegation (atright) demonstrates. The Rio Rancho High School AssociatedStudents earned “Gold” Student Council Recognition this year.School Phone Numbers:Shining Stars Preschool 892-7735Cielo Azul Elementary 338-2320Colinas del Norte Elementary 896-3378Enchanted Hills Elementary 891-8526Ernest Stapleton Elementary 891-8473Maggie M. Cordova Elementary 994-0229Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary 892-2575Puesta del Sol Elementary 994-3305Rio Rancho Elementary 892-0220Sandia Vista Elementary 338-2526Vista Grande Elementary 771-2366Eagle Ridge Middle School 892-6630Lincoln Middle School 892-1100Mountain View Middle School 867-0711Rio Rancho Middle School 891-5335Independence High School 338-4658Rio Rancho Cyber Academy 892-7222Rio Rancho High School 896-5600V. Sue Cleveland High School 938-0300Career Tech/Early College Center 896-6613RRPS District Office 896-0667Student Transportation 338-0078Curriculum & Instruction/Fine Arts 994-2811Inside Our SchoolsEditor and photographer: Kim VeselyQuestions and comments should beaddressed to:Inside Our Schools500 Laser Rd. NERio Rancho, NM 87124E-mail: district@rrps.netWe hope you find this newsletter informativeand enjoyable. Please addresscomments to the attention ofEditor, Inside our Schools, at theabove addresses.Happy 15th, RRPS!Quietly and withoutmuch fanfare, RioRancho Public Schoolscelebrated its 15th yearof operations this lastyear. The district wascreated in the summerand fall of 1993 andbegan operations in July1994. Since then, thedistrict has grown fromseven elementary andmiddle schools to 19 schools (including four high schools) and from anenrollment of about 5,900 students to more than 16,000.The milestone didn’t pass entirely unnoticed, however. At the district’sannual volunteer and staff recognition event in May, studentgovernment leaders surprised Superintendent Sue Cleveland with a15th anniversary cake.Rio Rancho Public Schools500 Laser Rd. NERio Rancho, NM 87124ResidentRio Rancho, New MexicoNONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGEPAIDALBUQUERQUE, NMPERMIT NO. 539