Questa Independent School District
SUPERINTENDENT’S NEWSLETTER
FROM THE OFFICE OF ERIC V. MARTINEZ
August Newsletter
Welcome Back! The administration and staff are looking forward to a new and exciting school year. There are significant changes in the Questa Independent School District for the school year 2010-2011. It is my pleasure to announce the principals assigned to Questa Jr/Sr High School and Alta Vista and Rio Costilla Elementary Schools. Mr. Ruben Lucero has assumed responsibility for Questa Jr/Sr High School and Dr. Catherine Collins has been hired at Alta Vista and Rio Costilla Elementary Schools. Both educators have been in the educational profession over 20 years and bring a wealth of knowledge to the District. The most significant contribution is that both principals have high expectations of all children attending school in the Questa Independent School District. We are pleased to announce the hiring of three new teachers in the District. Mrs. Sally Trigg is responsible for reforming the High School English program. Mr. Bill McDonald will teach Math at Questa Jr. High School. Mrs. Geri (Martinez) Roybal will teach 3rd grade at Alta Vista Elementary School. Parental Involvement
Parents who set high expectations for their children will receive the desired academic results from their children – student(s) success. Parents with high expectations of their children, teachers, and school considerably influence their child’s ability to succeed both in education and in life. A quality education for children will facilitate opportunities for children in the future. Parent involvement is necessary to ensure a child is successful in school. Please take advantage of all the opportunities to participate in your child’s education. This includes attending school with your child, attending special days with your child, attending field trips with your child and any activity that invites parent involvement. Please become involved with your child’s education. It is what is best for your child. The District will be providing parents a subscription to “Modern Parents Magazine” quarterly. Please take advantage of this resource.
Academic Performance
Questa Jr. High School has made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) two consecutive years. The school was designated as (SI) School Improvement due to the inability of students/teachers to meet AYP. Questa Jr/Sr High School (grades 7 and 8) have accomplished a great deal by meeting AYP the past two consecutive years. These students have demonstrated the ability to achieve and the staff has demonstrated the ability to provide high quality instruction. The attendance rate at Questa Jr/Sr High last school year was 99 percent. There is a direct correlation between student attendance and student achievement. Please ensure your child attends school daily to allow your child the opportunity to receive a quality education. Congratulations Questa Junior High School students and staff!
Alta Vista Elementary School (grade 3) has also made AYP for the second consecutive year. Congratulations to the staff and students of both schools.
For the second consecutive year, the District has prioritized the purchasing of school supplies for all children attending the Questa Independent School District. The Questa Independent School District Board of Education is committed to assisting the parents with these supplies. Students attending Questa High School grades 9-12 are being afforded the opportunity to participate in college courses. The high school administration is actively recruiting children to attend UNM Taos. Students will be afforded the opportunity to take elective and academic courses at UNM Taos. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this excellent opportunity.
Food Service Program
In the school year 2009-2010, the District initiated breakfast in the classrooms grades K-7. The research shows the child is better prepared to learn if the child is not hungry. By having breakfast in the classroom, we can be assured that children are not attending school hungry. The program was very successful and will continue school year 2010-2011 in grades K-8.
Menus have been developed for the first eight weeks of school. If you have any concerns about the food service program, please contact either principal or the superintendent’s office to address your concerns.
School Construction
The Questa Independent School District has completed or nearly completed the projects listed below. The funding sources for the projects are also listed below. The athletic field project has been completed and there are several minor improvements to be made. The facility is beautiful and the community is encouraged to utilize the facilities. This is a once in a lifetime project. Please assist the District in caring for these facilities. I would like to take this time to thank the parents and community that supported the bond issue that paid for the athletic field facilities. Excellent Job! The Questa Independent School District Board of Education has prioritized the projects listed below for the children and school community.
- Athletic Field Facility 2008-2009 Bond Issue $3.2 million
- Roof Replacement (Alta Vista) 2008-2009 Bond Issue $340,000
- Playground Equipment (Alta Vista Elem) SB9 Funding $ 59,741
- Athletic Facility Improvements SB9 Funding $126,000
- Administrative Building (QISD) SY 01-02 NMGRT $495,000
- Parking Lot Improvements (QHS) NMDOT/QISD $ 64,380
- Fencing at Alta Vista Elementary SB9 Funding $ 6,952
Painting of QHS gym - Playground Improvements (Rio SB9 Funding $ 4,750
Costilla and Alta Vista) - District wide phone system Operational $ 79,102
- School Supplies for all students Operational $ 20,045
- La Cienega Daycare (Alta Vista) Legislative Finance $ 85,000
- Rio Costilla Elementary Gym SB9 Funding $ 85,096
Renovation - Questa Jr/Sr High School Lock SB9 Funding $ 63,500
Replacement - Red River Charter School Multi- Legislative Funding $100,000
Purpose room, K-classroom, Legislative Funding $ 300,000
additional classrooms. (The Questa Legislative Funding $ 100,000
Board of Education accepted and/or 2008-2009 Bond Issue $ 600,000
approved all funding awards for RRVCS).
- Drainage Improvements at the SB9 Funding $ 54,000
QHS athletic facility - Parking Improvements at the NMDOT $ 32,000
QHS athletic facility - ADA Compliance/Roof 2008-2009 Bond Issue $1,740,000
Replacement (Alta Vista Elementary) - Rio Costilla Gym Floor SB9 Funding $ 40,000
- Alta Vista Lock Replacement SB9 Funding $ 40,000
The staff in the Questa Independent School District intends to provide the best quality instruction for your child. Teachers from Rio Costilla and Alta Vista Elementary Schools have been provided 20 days of professional development in the content areas of Math, Reading, Writing and Bilingual Education. Professional development consists of curriculum alignment of Standard-based education grades K-6. By aligning curriculums and engaging in meaningful professional conversations in these content areas, staff will surely improve professionally and competently. This professional development is ongoing and intended to improve instruction for children.
Commitment
The Questa Board of Education is committed to providing the best education for children in the Questa Independent School District. The Questa Board of Education is also committed to providing children with the best educational opportunities. Please assist the Questa Board of Education, the Administration and the staff with this commitment to a quality education. Your children deserve it.
Contact Information
Administrative Office: 575 586-0421
Questa High School: 575 586-1604
Questa Junior High 575 586-1604
Alta Vista Elementary 575 586-0541-586-0032
Rio Costilla Elementary 575 586-0089
Red River Valley Charter 575 754-6117
Roots and Wings Charter 575 586-2076