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De’Vra Richards used her creative writing skills to write about a dog who eats ice cream.
When it comes to loving her work, Symone Barry states it proudly on her creative writing paper.
Pre-K student, Starlitt Greaney, wrote about a dog who gets a Valentines bag.
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA
Photo Credit: courtesy SUIMA
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Pawaaghani Pɵˈɵkwatʉ – Eagle’s Nest

Friday - March 7, 2025 by Mari Jo Owens

Academy begins strategic planning process 

Recently, the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (SUIMA) began a strategic planning process. To do this with integrity, we looked back on the beginning years of the school. The first day of school was Sept. 6, 2000.  

Currently, there are four of the original staff members still at the school. Before SUIMA, there was Blue Sky Montessori School, a “school-within-a-school” presiding in the Ignacio School District and served as a precursor to SUIMA as teachers were getting trained in the Montessori method.  

SUIMA was not always known as SUIMA. As it was being established, the school was called the Southern Ute Indian Family Center. The name later changed to Southern Ute Indian Academy (Academy).  

In 2007, the word “Montessori” was included in the school’s title. When talking of the school, the names SUIMA and Academy often interchange.  

In 2000, there were also two principals, in 2001, that changed to a director and a principal. In 2016, we merged with Public Ed. and Higher Ed. and fell under the Education Department.  

In 2012, the school became accredited with the American Montessori Society and accredited in 2019. Our next accreditation will take place in 2027. 

 

Montessori Tidbits 

Still confused about what Montessori is or does, taking into consideration what a conventional, school looks like, let’s compare the two.  

 

Montessori Conventional 

  • Starts at infants/toddlers Starts at Kindergarten/First Grade 
  • 3 year age range in classroom 1 year age range in classroom 
  • Freedom to move around Seated at desks 
  • Family atmosphere Little socialization 
  • Self-correcting materials Teacher as source for answers 
  • Child-centered schedules Teacher/school centered schedule 
  • Emphasis on individuality Emphasis on conformity 
  • Progress at individual rate Annual promotion 
  • PEACE in education Punishment 
  • Strong school/home ties Little parent involvement 
  • Observation based progress reports Graded report cards 
  • Freedom within limits Controlling environment 

 

Early Release Days are every Friday at 2:00.  

 

Upcoming Events  

March 7: UE students go ice fishing at Vallecito 

March 12-14: No School for Students  

March 17-21: Spring Break 

March 25: Parent Advisory Group meeting 

March 26: Family Night 

March 31 – April 4: Book Fair 

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