Training SUIMA staff
As the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy started to become a reality, the incoming staff had to be trained in the Montessori method – the chosen curriculum for the school.
There were 19 people obtaining their Montessori training at the Southern Ute Head Start in hopes that some of those people would become teachers at SUIMA. These participants spent a full summer, several weekends during the school year, and a portion of the following summer getting trained so that they could become certified. Because this training took place at the Head Start, Montessori materials had to be purchased so that hands-on learning could take place.
With the change from a typical pre-school to a Montessori pre-school, the title of Montessori was then included in the name of the Southern Ute Head Start. You can imagine the confusion once SUIMA opened! As the training was coming to an end and the reality of SUIMA opening its doors, a school within a school opened to further the Montessori training for the teachers.
This school was Blue Sky and had been housed in modulars at the Education Center. It was the steppingstone to move towards SUIMA. Tribal and non-tribal students attended Blue Sky, but once SUIMA opened, Blue Sky closed. The objective of the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy has been to offer another opportunity for tribal members to pursue an education separate from the public schools.
SUIMA School Board
The School Board is currently updating policies and procedures as well as discussing the 2024-2025 school calendar. Their next meeting will be at 12 p.m. on April 10. If you’d like to bring something to their attention, you can find a tab on our school’s website (www.suima.org) to submit your concern. A board member will get in touch with you.
Reminders
The book fair was a success! Thank you to everyone who helped our students become awesome readers!
Parent Advisory Group
The next PAG meeting will be Tuesday, April 23 from 6 – 7 p.m. via Zoom. These meetings are typically held every third Tuesday of the month.
Family Night group
Our next Family Night will be Wednesday, April 24 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Come join us for dinner and family fun! Drum group will be held in the Ute Language room that night from 6 – 7 p.m.
Upcoming Events
- Early Release at 2 p.m. every Friday!
- Apr. 9: Golden High School group tour
- Apr. 10: School Board meeting
- Apr. 10-12: UE overnight field trip to Denver
- Apr. 15: FLC tour group
- Apr. 16: PAG meeting
- Apr. 19: No school for students
- Apr. 24: Family Night