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The Return of the Country Fair
Students of all ages teamed up to tug their way back to the return of the RGS Country Fair on Saturday, August 29th. Along with spirited games of tug-of-war as seen above, there were watermelon seed spitting contests, water games, prizes, an appearance by Wise Fool New Mexico, and a dunk tank that gave students and adults the chance to dunk teachers, administrators and, in some cases, colleagues.
A HUGE thanks to sixth grade parent Larry Hill and his big team of parent volunteers for making this event such a big success! | |
Associate Teachers Now At Every Grade Level
Pictured from left to right are Sarah Thomas, Kate Remsberg, and Numi Hirsch
Every grade level at RGS now boasts two outstanding teachers! New this year is the addition of half-time associate teachers at second grade and above. There is a big difference between teaching aides and assistants and associate teachers. Associate teachers are degreed professionals who actually teach students as a whole class, in small groups, or individually. They work closely with the lead teacher at every grade level to plan lessons and determine strategies to best reach all learners, what we call "differentiation of instruction." Associate teachers once only worked with students through the first grade.
"Given the complexity and high expectations of our core academic subjects in the upper grades, we felt that adding another excellent teacher to the class would help us better attend to each student's strengths, interests, and learning style," said Associate Head of School Maureen Devlin.
And the lead teachers of each class are excited about their new partners. Fourth grade lead teacher Kristin Potter has been working over the summer with Associate Teacher Sarah Thomas preparing for the year. "Sarah and I are already a great team. Having a partner with whom I can collaborate with and share ideas has opened up a whole new set of possibilities for the classroom," said Mrs. Potter.
Associate Teachers at RGS: Pequenos: Lydia Lopez
Grandes: Katy Kaiser
Kindergarten: Neal TurnquistFirst Grade: Bridget Green (co-lead teacher) Second Grade: Numi HirschThird Grade: Kate Remsberg
Fourth Grade: Sarah Thomas
Fifth and Sixth Grades: Stuart Pendleton |
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Meet More New Team Members in Extended Care
Janet Asher, Early Childhood Extended Care Coordinator: Originally from New York, Janet is a graduate of the University of Denver with a B.A. in elementary art education. She received her Montessori certification shortly thereafter in Ithaca, NY. She has taught young children for over 13 years, most recently at Children's Adventure Company.
 Tina Schwartz, Early Childhood Extended Care Assistant: Tina is a 2006 graduate of Mary Baldwin College in Virginia. Prior to moving to Santa Fe last year, Tina was an instructor with the Virginia Institute of Autism, and has also been a Montessori teaching assistant. She is currently attending Southwestern College for her Master's degree in Art Therapy.  Anne Ransome, K-6 Extended Care Assistant: Anne is a graduate of St. John's College who is originally from Colorado. She works currently as a program and event coordinator for Santa Fe Mountain Adventures. She has also been a program director for Woogaboo, an after school ultimate frisbee program. |
Join the Party! Spots Open for Upcoming Fundraisers
Each February at the RGS Gala Grande fundraiser for tuition assistance, attendees purchase tickets for popular theme parties hosted by RGS families. We still have space available for two wonderful fundraising parties that were offered through last year's Gala Grande.
Fiesta at the Gonzales Ranch
Hosts: Melissa Gonzales, Erik Litzenberg, and the Gonzales Family
Tickets available. This wonderful back-to-school family event has been generously offered for a number of years and is a wonderful way to get reacquainted with returning RGS families and to meet new families. Gather the family and your friends for a beautiful drive to the Gonzales Ranch in Vadito. Enjoy some of the best northern New Mexican cuisine that you've ever tasted! Play horseshoes, pick corn, visit with the animals, hike and bike, and take a wagon ride. Tickets: $40 per adult; children free. Saturday, September 12, 2009 from noon to 4:00 p.m. Moms' Jewelry Making PartyHosts: Marti Newman, Laura LewAllen, and Kirsty Mitchell One space available. The kids' jewelry making parties have been so popular in the past, we thought we'd share the fun with the Moms. Design your own piece of silver jewelry with the help of Laura and Kirsty and your wax piece will later be cast into wearable silver! Includes drinks and hors d'oeuvres. A great reason for a Moms' night out! Tickets: $100 per person. Friday, November 6, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thank you to all the party hosts for their generous donations and to those who purchased party tickets in support of the RGS tuition assistance fund. Please contact Sue Gaddis in the RGS office to purchase tickets. |
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RGS Stars  Parent Kinga Dow's company, Kinga Dow Productions, has teamed up with the Center for Sustainable Economy and San Jose State University to host a competition to find the college students with the lowest ecological footprints. If you'd like more information or if you happen to know a college student that might be interested in competing, please click here to be directed to the award-winning website. Congratultions on this wonderful collaboration, Kinga!
Do you know any RGS Stars? Let us know! We take pride in the accomplishments of our students, parents, grandparents, staff, and alumni. Please email your star's information to NewsGrande editor Kate Remsberg. | |
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Mark Your Calendar
NO SCHOOL-Labor Day, Monday, September 7
Student Photos, P-3rd Grade, Tuesday, September 15
Wednesday, September 16 at 8 am in the courtyard (NOTE THE CHANGE)
Parent Association Meeting, Wednesday, September 16 at 8:30 am in Gilbert Hall (NOTE THE CHANGE)
Student Photos, 4th-6th Grade, Wednesday, September 16
Back-to-School Night, Thursday, September 24 from 6 to 8 pm in Gilbert Hall
NO SCHOOL-Yom Kippur, Monday, September 28
Seventh Grade Options Night, Thursday, October 1 from 6 to 8 pm in Gilbert Hall
Annual Gathering, Friday, October 9 from 6 to 8 pm in the RGS Courtyard |
Main Building Wins Design Award
Spears Architects recently received a prestigious American Institute of Architects merit award for the design of Rio Grande School's main building. This marks the second such recognition of the building's excellence in design by the AIA.
PA Meeting & Coffee Moved to Sept. 16
The Parent Association meeting and Coffee in the Courtyard with new staff originally slated for Wednesday, September 9 will now take place on Wednesday, September 16 at 8:00 am. Join us in the courtyard for coffee, tea, and conversation with new staff, courtesy of the Parent Association, and stay for a PA meeting in Gilbert Hall in which we will discuss exciting volunteer opportunities this year. |
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Wear Your RGS Pride! 
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