Ancient Stone Huts

 

 

 

The Primary class had a visit from archeologists who shared lots of information about petroglphys in our valley, as well as information about these stone huts in our neighborhood! These were rumored to have been built by Italian miners for baking bread, but there is no evidence of fire inside of them, no holes for smoke at the top, and the front door is met with direct sun on the spring equinox and the back "tail" points to the winter solstice. Guest archeologists from the Smithsonian as well as Tiwa elders have visited the huts and all report they suspect them to be of pre or protohistoric construction, with mesoamerican influences that are found in Mexico. The excellent condition of the huts, and the interesting use of materials throughout the modern baca neighborhood could make one doubt their age! But apparently they are ancient--and radiate wonder! If visiting these huts (off Spanish Creek near the Spiritual Centers' High Road) the archeologists ask you don't go inside the huts, remove any of the stones from the huts, or vandalize them.

Mathematics and Music

 

 

 

Master teacher and volunteer, Hamilton Brannon, shares time with Intermediate students during an Everyday Math lesson. Percussionist Andy Skellenger introduces EE students to drumming and rhythmn in weekly music lessons.

Sheila Sears and Middle School Fun

 

 

Here our CCA educational consultant, Sheila Sears, shares a smile with our Arts Grant coordinator Lyndsay Duebber on a visit from Denver to our Campus. Middle School students shine for the camera.

The Travels of Ulysses

 

 

 

Often our bi-annual Show and Tell, which is to serve as a public demonstration of student achievement for each semester, is presented as a collection of diverse student works in a variety show format. The staff had the idea to try something a little different for this winter’s Show and Tell---a whole school play that linked each classroom together through a shared theme. With studies of ancient Greece happening in all classrooms, and LINK travel planned for Greece and Turkey this spring, the Tales of Ulysses became the interweaving thread.

Each class took on one section of the hero’s journey including the Land of the Lotus Eaters, the Tale of the Cyclops, Circe the Enchantress and the Song of the Sirens. Here LINK students share a moment following the production in their Siren Costumes alongside Ulysses. Middle School Students rocked the house in gender-bender beehive wigs as Circe and her "Enchantments"--this pic is from a rehearsal prior to the performance. Choreographer and ATB instructor Katie Getchell enjoys the action from the sidelines.

Turkish Coffee House Variety Show

 

 

 

More pictures of the wonderful student performances from this December's variety show fundraiser.

Turkish Coffee House

 

 

 

The young people formed a mini-mosh pit and danced the night away during the rock band performances. Audience members got "laid back" during the coffee house!

Turkish Coffee House Variety Show

 

 

 

Student performances were showcased at the Variety Show.

Turkish Coffee House of Delights Variety Show

 

 

 

LINK students held a fundraiser variety show at the White Eagle. The Intermediate Uke Orchestra performed. Belly dancing, poetry readings, music and other acts from high school mentorships were also featured. Guests enjoyed kabobs, eggplant and hummus dip with veggies, and bahklava and sweet treats from an ala carte menu catered by LINK teacher Karen Acker and students.

Primary Class

 

 

 

Jennifer Bridgman, Primary Instructor, works one on one daily with students on writing and editing. Students in Primary class have spent time with clay artist Lynn Drake in her studio to create a series of pottery and scultpure pieces. This activity has been sponsored by our grant from Colorado Council for the Arts.

Teacher training

 

 

Federal incentive dollars have brought a bounty of resource support to our program in the vehicle of Instructional Coach Kelly Murillo. Kelly is employed by BOCES and works on campus weekly with teachers to support them with training in reading instruction, progress monitoring and student achievement.
Our K-3 teachers and teaching assistants have each received ten hours of workshop instruction with Kelly as well as in-class modeling.

Reading Buddies

 

 

 

Primary and EE students came together to improve literacy and celebrate stories through a multi-age approach---reading buddies!

Whole School Feast

 

 

 

Lots of fun and togetherness at our school wide Thanksgiving feast! After the meal, students pass through the "whipped topping dispensery" for a dollop of cream to follow their pumpkin pie! We all took a moment following the meal to take a whole-school picture.

School-wide Thanksgiving Feast

 

 

 

LINK students hosted the school for Thanksgiving. Each class prepared dishes for the meal. Here, Primary students baked pumpkin pies with help from their teacher, Jennifer Bridgman. The group shared a blessing before the meal that was served by LINK students.