SUIMA celebrates 25 years!  

The Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy (SUIMA) had a birthday/anniversary celebration, Friday, Sept. 5, which recognized the 25 years of the school being open. Along with enjoying Frito Pie, a SUIMA favorite…there was also delicious cake, a raffle, and the original architectural drawings of the school on display. Along all of the classroom windows, there were photos from the years 2000 through 2025.  Many smiles, and a few tears, could be seen as past students were reminded of their childhood, the field trips that were taken and the many cultural events and activities which makes SUIMA special.   

There were also conversations about how the Montessori method was chosen for the school, what was different about our curriculum versus a traditional classroom, and how traditional classrooms have been incorporating more hands-on learning than they did when SUIMA opened.   

What continues to hold true for SUIMA is the fact that the curriculum is based upon principles developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. The focus of her method was the creation and theory behind the materials, educational techniques, and observations, which support the natural development of children.  Some of the classroom materials are still her original design and can be found in every Montessori classroom around the world.  

Because the method is based upon developmentally appropriate activities, the child often learns the process of education by doing and learning through trial and error. The environment becomes the “teacher,” with the child as the initiator of their own education. Montessori classrooms are designed to accommodate various stages of development in children, from birth to three years of age, three to six years, six to nine, and so on and because the child goes through these various stages, Montessori classrooms are organized into three-year groups.  

 

Early Release Days are every Friday at 2 p.m.   

 

SUIMA School Board is seeking people to sit on their school board.  If you are interested, please reach out to the school, or better yet, bring a letter of intent to the SUIMA office.  

 

Upcoming Events  

• Sept. 19: No School due to Professional Development Day 

• Sept. 24: School picture day 

• Sept. 24: Family Night 

• Oct. 3: Professional Development Day 

• Oct. 9: SUIMA School Board meeting  

• Oct. 13: No School – Indigenous Peoples’ Day 

• Oct. 21: Parent Advisory Group meeting 

• Oct. 29: Family Night  

• Oct. 31: Halloween