School attendance is very important
School attendance is very important and SUIMA is doing everything it can to keep the classrooms clean. As our students came back from winter break, they entered classrooms that had been thoroughly cleaned and prepared for them. Knowing that RSV, flu, COVID, and colds are still in our area, we will support any families who wish for their child to wear a face covering in school, in fact, we have them available in all classrooms.
The school office contacts parents when their child is absent, which is then recorded so that we can refer to the record if students become chronically absent. You can find our attendance policy on page 10 in the SUIMA Parent/Student Handbook that is on the SUIMA website.
We will be starting our winter benchmark assessments soon. These assessments help us drive instruction as our students receive their lessons and given academic work.
Please ensure that your K-6th grade child attends school during this time. Regardless of the assessment period, any absences cause a disruption in learning for your child – even for the infants and toddlers. Unless truly sick, support your child by getting him or her to school every day.
Montessori Tidbits
In the article before our winter break, I addressed the Montessori term “Grace and Courtesy,” which is essentially manners, etiquette, and showing respect for others. For this article, I will write about some principles of the Montessori philosophy and how we apply them to the activities we do in the classroom.
Respect the child’s sensitive periods of time for knowledge growth. Every child goes through sensitive periods i.e., the time to walk, the time to be potty trained, the time to read, the time to understand math, etc.
Follow the child by understanding that each child has their own interest and needs such that lessons should be individualized for maximum learning.
Respect the child as an individual. They desire to be treated with kindness and respect just as adults are treated.
Allow the children enough freedom to choose what they want to learn and to give them time with that material, so they build their self-discipline and concentration.
Provide materials that allow the child to learn by doing. i.e., it is much easier for the child to understand what “three” means if we provide items in groups of three in place of just writing the number and saying “three.”
Not disturb the child while he is working. Just as adults’ “zone” in on their work, so do students. When they are working diligently, the student’s focus is totally on their work.
Positions advertised
We have openings in the infant/toddler level, the primary level, and the elementary level. You can find applications by going to: Southern Ute Indian Tribe Jobs, click on Career Portal – Government, then click on View Current Jobs. It’s as easy as that!