Superintendent’s News

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our custodians for receiving

individual awards and for receiving the Ben Lujan Maintenance Achievement Gold

Award. Thank you for providing us with a safe, clean learning, and working

environment.

We have finalized our five year facilities master plan and will be adopting it during

our regular board meeting of November 19, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. If you are interested

in reviewing the plan, it will be located in the Superintendent’s office and will be

available for review Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

We will be having the School Board Election on February 3, 2015 and the polling

place will be at the City Hall in Wagon Mound between the hours of 7:00 a.m. –

7:00 p.m. There will be three (3) positions to be filled on the board: Position 1

currently held by Mr. Tony Rubin, Position 2 currently held by Mr. Fred Muniz

and Position 3 currently held by Mr. J.D. Schmidt.

I would like to thank all the donors from our community who have donated to the

Volleyball team, and for providing jackets, gloves, shoes, and other winter gear to

our students in need.

The Elementary Sunshine Parent Organization has been working diligently to

provide activities for our students, reward excellence, and provide support for their

efforts. The SPO will be assisting with decorating, and providing help during the

winter program on December 11, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the old gym. Mrs. Cruz’s

Spanish classes will also provide entertainment on this joyous night.

There will be no Advisory Council meeting in the month of December. Our next

Advisory Council meeting has been scheduled for January 25, 2015 at 2:30 in the

board room.

Ms. Martha Ulibarri a longtime Superintendent’s Secretary for the district has

decided to retire at the end of December. Ms. Ulibarri provided her excellent

services for thirty years and is much deserving of a healthy and happy retirement.

Ms. Ulibarri started working at the young age of thirteen and never stopped until

now. We will be honoring Ms. Ulibarri and her family during a dinner on

December 17th

at the cafeteria at 4:00 p.m. Please join us in making this

celebration a joyous and memorable occasion for Ms. Martha Ulibarri.

Here is wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sunshine Parent Organization

Whew! It has been a very busy time for the SunShine Parent Organization.

First of all “thank you” to everyone who is constantly helping out with all of

the little things that it takes to give our Elementary Teachers support. Kudos

to all of the elementary students for making it to the Elementary Incentive

Breakfast, and a round of applause for the family members that helped them

make the grade. We are in the process of putting together the decorations for

the Christmas Program. Please support the elementary Incentive Program by

buying a raffle ticket from one of the Elementary students. They are raffling

off a quilt that was made in part by them, as well as some other great prizes.

Please contact Teresa 575-666-3003 for anything related to the Sunshine

Parent Organization.

FROM THE COUNSELING OFFICE

DUAL- CREDIT

Several juniors and seniors are taking advantage of the dual-credit classes offered by Luna

Community College (LCC) through the Wagon Mound Public Schools. Students, if their schedules

allow, can earn from three (3) to twelve (12) college credits per semester beginning in their junior

year. Students can also take college courses in the summer in more academic areas if they focus

and commit. LCC, usually, offers a summer program where tuition and books are provided to

students along with a stipend for participating. The stipend is offered to students who sign-up for

and complete a given number of credit hours. Arrangements can be discussed regarding how the

WMPS’s can assist in on-line or web delivered courses for students interested and serious about

participating in any LCC courses.

The first semester has Mrs. Cruz, Mrs. Encinias, and Mrs. Sena teaching LCC curriculum in

Beginning Spanish I, Computer Fundamentals, and Introduction to Woodworking respectively.

Some students are earning credit in a woodworking course offered as an evening class.

Next semester Beginning Spanish II and Woodworking; Planning, Layout, and Design will

be offered through high school courses. Again, in the second semester, an evening woodworking

class is a possibility.

SCHOLARSHIPS MEMORANDUM

To: Elijah Cordova, Danny Gray, Loriann Martinez, Jessie Peralta, Shannon Sanchez, and Parents

DATE: September/2014 RE: Scholarships

Gentlepeople, I submit the first reminder of scholarships and their submission deadlines or postmark deadlines. These scholarships include: SEPTEMBER

Coca-Cola Scholarship Research OCTOBER

NOVEMBER Linkin Scholarship November 7 Daniels Fund Scholarship Deadline: November 12, 2014 – 4:00 PM MST (On-Line) DECEMBER UNM University Scholarships December 1, 2015 Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarships before December 5, 2014. 2015 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship January 8, 2015 JANUARY Los Alamos Foundation Scholarship January 20, 2015 (On-Line) Hispanic Scholarship Fund Applications become available FEBRUARY MARCH Sparx & Lorenzo Antonio Foundation March 13, 2015 (Postmarked0 Scholarship APRIL MAY JUNE I have submitted the information and, in some cases the forms you are required to complete for these scholarship. I suggest you review your folders and, if you need any or all of the paperwork for a particular scholarship, let me know. I gave you enough information to determine if you are eligible. If you are missing any part of a particular application, stop by the counseling office. Many of the applications require o on-line completion.

If you need an ‘official transcript’, it would expedite matters if you let me know at the time you begin completing an application - some applications require more than one official copy. Please do not wait until the last minute.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to ask…or to have your parents call me: 666-3005. *Definition of terms Deadline – Application has to be in their ‘office’ by due date Postmarked - Application has to have due date postmark from Post Office on envelope. On-line – Applications have to submitted by due date (always preferred when made available)

COLLEGE NIGHT

On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, three seniors traveled to Las Vegas and New Mexico Highlands University to participate in College Night. College Night is sponsored by Luna Community College and New Mexico Highlands University to showcase their department offerings. Both institutions had tables where different departments within their institution offered materials and information regarding their programs.

RECRUITERS

Recruiters from NM Highlands University, The University of New Mexico, and several branches of the Military have been to the high school to present their programs to our students. Students are asked, but not forced, to meet with these recruiters for informational purposes.

FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP

Ruben Reyes, a New Mexico Educational Assistance Foundation representative was in Wagon Mound on November 5, 2014 to present information to seniors and their parents about monies available to seniors for college. Mr. Reyes re-enforced the importance that all students contemplating post-secondary education complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) before March 1, 2015.

Mr. Reyes use to offer a session to parents in February at Wagon Mound

to assist in completing the FAFSA. This year because of a time constraint Mr. Reyes has proposed that Wagon Mound and Springer combine for the presentation in February. Arrangements are still pending regarding the details of this presentation. Parents and students will be notified as soon as the details of the presentation are made available. HONOR ROLL/FIRST NINE WEEK GRADING PERIOD*

High School

A-HONOR ROLL FIRST NINE WEEKS**

TENTH GRADE

Dylan Quimby

NINTH GRADE

Julia Trujillo

B-HONOR ROLL FIRST NINE WEEKS**

SEVENTH GRADE

Kyra Maxwell

NINTH GRADE

Kristen Herrera

TENTH GRADE

Shantelle Hernandez

EVENTH GRADE

Shayla Maxwell

TWELFTH GRADE

Elijah Cordova

Jessie Peralta

COMPREHENSIVE HONOR ROLL***

SEVENTH GRADE

Faith Armijo

Malaika Martinez

Diego Rivera

TENTH GRADE

Jakob Sena

ELEVENTH GRADE

Marcus Cruz

Destiny Lujan

Julia Olguin

TWELFTH GRADE

Danny Gray

Shannon Sanchez

HONOR ROLL/FIRST NINE WEEK GRADING PERIOD*

Elementary

A-HONOR ROLL FIRST NINE WEEKS**

FIRST GRADE

Haley Romero

Skylar White

SECOND GRADE

Jerome Martinez

Robert Trujillo

Larae Vasquez

THIRD GRADE

Anikaua Armijo

FOURTH GRADE

Michael Arrellin

FIFTH GRADE

Katalina Villalba

B-HONOR ROLL FIRST NINE WEEKS** COMPREHENSIVE HONOR ROLL***

KINDERGARTEN KINDERGARTEN

Levi Lopez Illiana Gallegos

Diego Rivera Destiny Gutierrez

FIRST GRADE FIRST GRADE

Benito Armijo Joslyn Alcon

Cali Brown Eugene Armijo

Colton Romero Jericho Martinez

Josiah Vasquez

SECOND GRADE

THIRD GRADE Juan Garcia

Lewis Lopez FOURTH GRADE

Cali Brown Richelle Rivera

FOURTH GRADE FIFTH GRADE

Landon Maxwell Maisen Avent

Adriano Rivera Javier Gallegos

FIFTH GRADE

Thaddeus Moreno

Araya Portillo

SIXTH GRADE

Elias Armijo

Amaliah Cruz

Isabella Moleski *No grade below an ‘A’-90%

**No grade below a ‘B’-80%

*** No grade below a ‘C’-70%.

W/a 3.00 GPA

Testing

COUNTDOWN TO

PARCC

FOR FAMILIES

SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN MATHEMATICS Math standards identify what students need to know in math at each grade level and can be found at http://www.corestandards.org/Math. While teachers introduce concepts in school, students should also practice at home.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR KIDS IMPROVE

MATH SKILLS? Provide a quiet place and ample time for doing

homework. Kids learn by teaching others. Have your child

explain class assignments and homework to you, siblings, or friends.

Kids also learn through play and daily activities! Play math and reasoning games with your child, or ask your child to help you count, calculate, solve daily math problems, and discuss creative solutions. See suggestions below. MATH GAMES AND ACTIVITIES These activities will help your kids improve their math and reasoning skills while they have fun!

measure distances on a map.

calculate the amounts of each ingredient when you halve, double, or triple recipes.

you collect items, ask your child to estimate the bill.

comparing serving sizes. They can also calculate taxes and apply discounts.

content and calories of different snack foods.

reasoning games such as Yahtzee, Uno, Phase 10, Set, Tantrix, Tangrams, Stratego, Chess, Mancala, Sudoku, Origami, Rummy, Battleship, and 24. COMPUTER-BASED MATH GAMES AND TUTORIALS

ath-games.com

guide, watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6D3sPttgqE

equation editor at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yq7QERlBF3M

ELKS STUDENT OF THE MONTH

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER

Jessie Peralta

Wagon Mound High School’s August/September and October Elk’s Student of the Month is the seventeen year old, Jessie Peralta, son of Josie Peralta and Orlando Trujillo of Ocate, New Mexico. Jessie best exemplifies the merits of leadership, character, and service for the months evaluated. Jessie has attended the Wagon Mound Schools for all twelve years of schooling. He has been a member of the WMHS Chess Club for four years and on the Year Book Staff as both editor of The Mound, WMHS’s yearbook, and the Trojan Newspaper. Jessie will graduate on May 23rd of 2015. Jessie’s immediate

plans include enlisting in the military and later attend the New Mexico State Police Academy and serve as a State Police Officer.

WMHS STUDENT OF THE MONTH

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

JULIA TRUJILLO

Julia Trujillo is the daughter of Josie Peralta and Orlando Trujillo of Ocate. Julia is a freshman this year. Her hobbies include listening to music and reading. Julia has a job most weekends with her brother building fences – Julia is not afraid of hard work and likes working in the ‘wide open spaces.’ Julia is contemplating entering the military after high school.

WMHS STUDENT OF THE MONTH OCTOBER DYLAN QUIMBY

Dylan is the son of Louisa Maestas and Matthew Quimby of Wagon Mound. Dylan is a sophomore this year. He is involved in Business Professionals of America and has competed at two national conferences. He has placed 3rd in Business Math and 5th in Financial Literacy at the State level. He has been a member of the Chess Team since the fifth grade when they took a State championship. Dylan has also played basketball for the Trojans Varsity for two years. Dylan is interested in pursuing a career in civil or technological engineering.

School Absences Translate to Lower Test

Scores, Study Says

Missing even a few days of school seems to make a difference in whether

8th graders perform at the top of their game, according to a new analysis of

results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

The report, the first of a planned series of analyses of NAEP's background-

survey data, looks at how 4th and 8th graders use existing school time,

including their attendance, instructional time, and homework. It was

previewed here at a Nov. 29 meeting of the National Assessment Governing

Board, which sets policy for NAEP. The study found that instructional time in

reading, math, music, and the visual arts is on the rise nationwide, and that

teachers are expecting more homework from their middle school students.

As schools ramp up their academic focus, however, the analysis shows the

cost of missing school may be greater.

Fifty-six percent of 8th graders who performed at the advanced level in

NAEP reading in 2011 had perfect attendance in the month before the test,

compared with only 39 percent of students who performed below the basic

level.

In comparison, nearly one in five 8th graders at the basic level and more

than one in four below basic in reading had missed three or more days in the

past month, according to Alan L. Ginsburg, a research consultant for the

governing board and a co-author of the report with Naomi Chudowsky of

Caldera Research in Bend, Ore.

"Three days, if you multiply that out by nine months, is five weeks a year,"

Mr. Ginsburg said. "You've got more than a quarter of the below-basic kids

who are going to miss five weeks of school a year or more," he said, noting

that only 8 percent of students at the advanced level had missed that much

school. "That, to me, would be something that if you are a chief state school

officer or a superintendent, you might worry about."

The analysis contributes to mounting evidence that absenteeism puts

students at greater risk of poor academic achievement and eventually

dropping out of high school.

"For those of us in schools, this reflects what we've been saying all along: In

order to advance, in order to learn, you have to be there," said Doris Hicks,

a governing board member and the principal and chief executive officer of

the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology, in

New Orleans.

Low Performers

Academic expectations seem to be increasing for middle school students

both in school and at home, the researchers found. But the bulk of the

additional instructional time happened before the 2001 passage of the

federal No Child Left Behind Act, with its new demands for academic

progress, and the students who most needed extra time weren't always the

ones to get it.

Teachers reported that from 1996 to 2000, 18 percent of 8th graders moved

from having less than four hours of mathematics instruction each week to

four or more hours a week, and from 2005 to 2011, another 6 percent of

students started receiving five or more hours of math each week.

While 8th graders performing at or below basic in math on the 2011 NAEP

were more likely than advanced students to receive seven hours of math

instruction a week or more, the researchers found that more than half of 8th

graders performing below basic in math received less than an hour of math

each day on average.

"To me, this is [about] opportunity to learn," Mr. Ginsburg said. "Are the

kids getting the amount of instruction they need to succeed?

"At grade 8, pre-algebra, where we have most kids getting less than an hour

a day on average," he said, "does that make sense? ... You have a group of

kids who are below basic, who are in need of help, and they are getting less

than an hour a day of instruction."

Some educators have voiced concern that extending math and reading

instructional time could crowd out other subjects, but the researchers

actually found a slight increase in arts instruction in middle school. Fifty-

seven percent of 8th graders had music instruction three or more times a

week in 2008, up from 49 percent in 1994. During the same time, 47

percent of 8th graders had visual arts at least three times a week, 5

percentage points higher than in 1994.

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Moreover, the analysis found that teachers are expecting students to do

more work outside of class to bolster their class time. From 1996 to 2011,

the percentage of 8th graders assigned an hour or more of math homework

each night rose more than fourfold, from 4 percent to 17 percent.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan last week called for more

expanded school days and years. But the NAEP background questionnaire

does not include questions on school length, so researchers were not able to

include such data in the report.

The assessment governing board has also released an analysis of charter

school attendance and achievement, and it is planning as many as a dozen

reports intended to "develop a portrait of American education."

"You're raising questions with this data for the field that I think will be very

useful," Mr. Ginsburg said.

BPA NEWS

Shantelle Hernandez, Jesse Blanco, Jeremiah Martinez, and Dylan Quimby attended the CTSO Fall Leadership Conference in Albuquerque in October.

Middle School participants are: Malaika Martinez, Faith Armijo, and Diego Rivera. These students do not have to compete at the Regional Level. They will compete at State in February. State is held in Albuquerque. If any of the three students named above place at state in the top five, they qualify to compete at Nationals in early May. Middle School students had to meet a 3.0 GPA to participate in BPA.

High School BPA participants are: Dylan Quimby, Shantelle Hernandez, Jesse Blanco, Jeremiah Martinez, and Kristen Herrera. These students will compete at Regionals to be held in more in early January, 2015. Those that place in the top 10 at Regionals qualify to compete at state and if they place in the top 10 at state they qualify to compete at Nationals in early May. This year Nationals will be held in Anaheim, California.

Both Middle School and High School BPA participants are busy raising money to attend State and Nationals competitions. Students are selling, River Star Farms, Fruits, Meats, and Gourmet Deserts, as well as World’s Famous Chocolates. A bake sale is being planned for Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Lowe’s in Raton NM.

Wagon Mound BPA wants to wish you a “Happy Thanksgiving”, and thank you for your continued support.

WAGON MOUND BPA IS TAKING HOLIDAY ORDERS FOR BAKED GOODS FROM NOW THROUGH

DECEMBER 15, 2014. ITEMS INCLUDED ARE: PIES,(CHERRY, APPLE, PUMPKIN, PRUNE), PUMPKIN

ROLLS, BREAD, BISCHOCHITOS, SOAPAPILLAS/BUNUELOS,TAMALES, RED AND GREEN CHILI

CHICKEN, EMPANADITAS, BOTH FRUIT AND MEAT, UPSIDE DOWN CAKES, PLEASE CALL 575-666-

2008 OR 575-666-3030 AND ASK FOR CLAUDIA OR JANICE.

Volleyball News by Shayla and Julia

The first year our Volleyball season was amazing!!! We all enjoyed playing

together as a team. We ordered our uniforms at the beginning of the season

but sadly; we didn’t get them until the last game. They looked Great!! All the

volleyball girls learned a lot over the short period of time. The team is

thankful for Coach Nicole Duran for putting up with us. Nicole was a Great

Coach. Next year there will be a lot more players on the varsity team because

the 7th graders are moving up to the 8th grade.

We are proud of what we accomplished this year and hope next year is just as

great. We also would like to thank Rita for taking the time out of her day to

help us…. Thank you to all our supporters.

School Pub News

School Pub Staff has been busy gathering articles, and pictures for the

November newsletter, as well as preparing the yearbook cover, senior pages,

and ADS.

School Pub Staff is planning on attending the JEA Convention in Denver,

Colorado in late April, 2015. Staff is busy selling Ads, River Star Farms Fruits,

Meats, and Gourmet Deserts, as well as World’s Famous Chocolate bars.

School Pub Staff accepts articles, pictures from anyone wishing to share with

us, whether it is a favorite recipe, cartoon, or puzzle.

School Pub Staff wants to thank everyone for their contributions and support

Senior News

Cap and Gowns have been received and senior pictures have been taken by MJ Thomas Photographers. Other senior memorabilia has also been ordered and should be received by November 30, 2015.

Senior class sponsored the Fall Carnival. We had good attendance. Thank you to all that participated.

Seniors are also busy working on keeping up with their grades. Jessie Peralta, Danny Gray, and Elijah Cordova took their ACT test at NMHU.

Seniors are selling World’s Famous Chocolates candy bars for a $1.00 each

This years seniors are: Elijah Cordova, Danny Gray, Jessie Peralta and Shannon Sanchez. Loriann Martinez is also a senior, although she has transferred to Mora Schools.

.

Junior News

The junior class says that the school year is going very good. Almost all of the

junior class is in sports. Julia, Destiny, and Shayla are in volleyball. Damian, and

Abel are playing basketball. They hope to have a good rest of the school year and a

good time playing sports. The class of 2016 is shocked how fast the school year

has gone by so far. We are ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas break. Julia,

Shayla, and Destiny are sad that volleyball season has ended. We know that

next year’s volleyball season will be a great one. The Junior Class is also

excited for basketball season to start. The class hopes this upcoming year goes

by slowly so we can all spend more time together.

Sophomore News

The sophomore class has a new student, and he is going to help fundraise with the

sophomore class. The sophomore class will be selling cheesecakes from November

3rd

to the 20th

. The cheesecakes will be delivered on November 25th. If anyone

would like to order any cheesecakes, ask any of the sophomores or Mrs. Cruz.

They will also be fundraising in the fall carnival. They will have a booth in the

carnival.

Freshman News

The freshmen has a new student, her name is Kristen. She came from LasVegas.

She says “It’s all good here”. They are all enjoying school so far. The Fall

Carnival was a great success. We had lots of fun. We are still focusing on

school and grades. Jeremiah is excited for basketball and Jesse and Kristen are

anxious for BPA. Julia is ready for a Thanksgiving vacation. We want to wish

everyone a Great Thanksgiving Break.

8th

Grade News

The 8th

grade class has two new members and has trippled its size. Now they have

as many students as they have sponsors!

7th

Grade News

The 7th graders have a new student named Cristal. All of the 7

th grade girls have

joined volleyball except for Cristal. The girls say that volleyball is fun. For their

first year in the high school they like it a lot. They say that switching classes is

pretty fun. They have accomplished opening their locker. They have the largest

class in high school.

6th

and 5th

Grade News

The 5th and the 6

th graders are excited to start the New Year. We have two new

students in the 5th

grade, Maisen Avent and Katalina Villalba. We are working hard

to learn as much as we can to help our school with our overall performance grade.

No Other Elementary News Received

Directions 1. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup oil, garlic, salt and pepper. With

fingers, carefully loosen skin from the turkey breast; rub mixture under the skin. Place sage leaves and two thyme sprigs under the skin. Secure skin to underside of breast with toothpicks.

2. Cut onions into wedges and the celery, carrots and parsnips into 2-in. lengths. Place about a fifth of the onions, celery and carrots in the turkey cavity; add sprigs and remaining thyme. Place remaining vegetables in a roasting pan. Place turkey, breast side up, over vegetables. Brush with remaining oil.

3. Bake at 325° for 3-1/4 to 3-3/4 hours or until a meat thermometer reads 180°, basting occasionally with pan drippings. Cover loosely with foil if turkey browns too quickly. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes before carving turkey. Discard vegetables; use drippings to make gravy. Yield: 14 servings.

Ingredients 1/2 cup olive oil, divided 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 turkey (14 to 16 pounds) 8 fresh sage leaves plus 4 fresh

sage sprigs, divided 6 fresh thyme sprigs, divided 4 medium onions 5 celery ribs 5 medium carrots 3 medium parsnips