Student’s success in virtual learning

The Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy’s Parent Advisory Group meeting for October will be held virtually on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 6 – 7 p.m.

The Parent Advisory Group Family Night will be held virtually on Wednesday, Oct. 21. If you would like to join us on the 21st, please provide you and your family with a pumpkin as the theme is “Pumpkin Carving Contest.”SUIMA will provide the tools for the carving (call the SUIMA office to claim a set).

Here are some tips to help your son or daughter be successful in virtual learning, whether it comes from SUIMA or any other school in the area.

• “Quarantine” the Devices: It might be tempting to let your child use electronic devices so that you can get to your office work; but consider limiting your child’s cell phone and tablet use until their schoolwork is done satisfactorily. This will help so that the work can be focused on and receive their undivided attention.
• Provide a learning space: Children will work best in a quiet, comfortable, and dedicated space used just for learning. If a undistracted space can’t be made available, buy a display board so that visual interruptions can be filtered out. Using a large tray or box lid, a mobile desk space can be built. In that space, papers, pencils, reading books and learning materials can be easily contained and transported for any virtual meetings that will take place.
• Don’t forget recess: Make sure that your child takes plenty of breaks in order to get up and stretch, move, run around the outside of the house or to do some jumps on the trampoline. To help ensure that these breaks happen, set your phone alarm so that your child can get up when it goes off. Have a snack so the energy doesn’t get deplete which can make it hard to concentrate.
• Socialization: In-person interaction is ideal for kids, but until it’s safe for them to return to school, encourage your child to video chat or text message rather than scrolling through social media. You don’t want your child to feel socially isolated, but at the same time, you want to protect him/her from being on devices all day long.
• Plan the week: Good planning can relieve stress for both children and parents. Check in with your kids about their plans and help them develop a written schedule not only for the day, but for the week. Help your child prioritize and create goals, tasks, and deadlines, just like adults do when they go to work.
• Fun! Fun! Fun! When things were normal, it was rare for parents and children to have this much time together, so turn it into an opportunity for bonding. Learn a new card game, play charades, or get outside for a bike ride or walk together after school.

Teacher of the Week

Eagle’s Nest teacher of the week is Ms. Valorie Armendariz. Valorie is the oldest of six kids. With her husband Luis, they have one son, Eli, who is attending Fort Lewis College. Not only does Valorie have three dogs, one rabbit, some fish, she also has 25 chickens.

Valorie started with SUIMA when the doors first opened and has worked in the infant/toddler level ever since. In her free time, she spends time with her family by camping, playing games, and gardening. With her favorite character being Mickey Mouse, her favorite quote comes from Walt Disney himself, “Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.”

Thank you Valorie for being part of SUIMA.