In just a few short weeks, Halloween will be here!  The students at the Southern Ute Indian Montessori Academy will be trick-or-treating around Tribal Campus on Friday, Oct. 31!  There are three starting times: 8:30 a.m. for the elementary level, 9 a.m. for the pre-K/K level, and 9:30 a.m. for the infant/toddler level.   

On Thursday, Oct. 3, we enjoyed the SUIT Agriculture Farm.  With their help, we created a pumpkin patch for our youngest students in a grassy area between the school and SunUte.  The toddlers had a wonderful time picking out their pumpkins.  The students in the preK/K and elementary levels were bused to the farm where they picked out their pumpkin as well as harvested other fruits and vegetables.   

During this autumn season, we plan several activities around hunting and gathering.  One event in particular is field dressing of an elk or deer where the older students actively participate in the skinning, butchering, and wrapping of the meat.  Later, they make stew or jerky from the animal. We also started our Fishing Club, which runs three days a week with one or two of the students catching something each day – though it might just be some lake weeds!   

We continue to collect data on academic areas and growth of the Ute language. All of this drives our instruction and provides insight as we work on our Strategic Plan.  With the beginning of the year’s assessment period ending, we look forward to the results as we compare this time of year to the same time last year. Our next assessment period will be mid-year.   

Attendance is always an area that schools know they can make improvements in; SUIMA is no different.  Working with parents, we know we can reach our goal of a 90% attendance rate this year.   

 

SUIMA School Board, Parent Advisory Group, and Family Nights 

 

The SUIMA school board meets on the second Tuesday of the month during lunch hour. They are seeking a candidate to fill the secretary position. If you would like to contact the Board, go to our website: www.suima.org, click on the School Board tab, and submit your question, concern, or comment.  

Our PAG meetings will be on the third Tuesday of every month. This is a good time to find out what all the levels are doing as well as what events or activities are happening.  

Family Nights will be held on Wednesdays. Check the school calendar for dates as there are some exciting events planned.  

 

Nuu’apaghapi – Ute phrases and sentences 

With the weather changing, we now see students and staff getting autumn colds.  And what a perfect time to practice our Ute Language!  Here are some phrases to use at home.  

• ˈʉ́mʉ̠ ‘áa’ naghami?     Are you sick? 

• ˈʉ́ʉ naghamin. Yes, I am sick. 

• Kachin, naghami wa.  Not me, I am not sick. 

 

Upcoming events 

• Oct. 21: Parent Advisory Group meeting  

• Oct. 23: Elementary students participating in the Bison Blessing and Field Dressing  

• Oct. 24: No school for students – Teacher Workday 

• Oct. 27-30: Conference week 

• Oct. 31: Halloween – trick or treating around SUIT campus