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Sage Velasquez and Sapphire Herrera read about how to care for caterpillars as they learn about a butterfly’s life cycle.
The toddlers in T1 work on a STEM activity using baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring.
Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy Primary students, Stoney Bluestar and Myklin Goodtracks observing the butterfly’s life cycle.
Tayton Goodtracks works on his STEM project by writing comparisons in his journal.
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA
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Kwanachigani pɵˈɵkwatʉ – Eagles Nest  

Thursday - May 5, 2022 by Staff report | The Southern Ute Drum

A big shout out to all the students at SUIMA! During Earth week, STEM projects were the focus as well as activities to help our community. In the infant and toddler level, the students were busy with cause-and-effect activities using baking soda, vinegar, and drops of food color. Each child was given a small container of diluted vinegar and a dropper. They squeezed the vinegar into the baking soda to create different colored bubbles.  

In the early childhood/primary level, the students learned about the butterflies’ life cycle — egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly. All the EC/P classrooms ordered live caterpillars for their classrooms. They are going to observe when they start to form their chrysalis, how long they take to change into butterflies, and then release them.  

The lower elementary students learned geometry concepts, in addition to green energy. They used a Venn diagram to compare and contrast energy forms, writing in their journals about their progress. Not only did the upper elementary students create their own Roly-Poly habitats, but they also planted flowers for the Sun Ute center as well as picked up trash around the Tribal campus. 

‘apagha nuu 

When an outside source came to observe recently at SUIMA, she had nothing but praise regarding the progress we are making here at the school with speaking the Ute language. While she was in one of the primary classrooms, she observed one of the Ute language guides speaking Ute 90% of the time during their morning circle.  

She noticed that the students responded in Ute and were super engaged. She was impressed with the fantastic visuals, use of songs, and hands-on activities for the kids. She also noticed that the students were genuinely and fully enthralled!  

It was nice to hear from someone who is not part of our school. It gave validity to the SUIMA staff as we work hard to build on the cornerstone of the school – our Ute language.  

Nuu’apaghapi – Ute phrases, sentences and songs  

  • Look at this. – Puníkyaaqh ‘ich. 
  • What? – ’áay’ 
  • Look at this. – Puníkyaaqh ‘ich. 
  • Here. (location) – ’iveeti. 
  • This is beautiful. (inanimate) – ’ích na’áwaapuni 
  • Really! (amazement) – ’úvaa’! 
  • Are you sure? – ’úma’ tuvúsapa ik 
  • Yes, of course. – ’uú, ’úchʉ̠’ará.

Upcoming events 

  • 5/10 – Family Night – topic: TBA 
  • 5/11 – I/T parents appreciation potluck 
  • 5/11 – National Nurses Day 
  • 5/16 – Ignacio Community Library summer reading skits 
  • 5/17 – Sun Ute sponsored walk 
  • 5/18 – Field Day 
  • 5/19 & 20 – Primary level field trips 
  • 5/20 – Upper elementary poetry slam with Tanaya Winder 
  • 5/26 – End-of-the-year ceremony – Parade details will be coming out soon 
  • 5/27 – Opening of Bear Dance – half day 
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