The Taos News from Taos, New Mexico • Page B005

The Taos News Education July 22-28, 2010 B5 Taos Day School receives 'Benchmarks and Beyond' school-of-the-year award Taos Day School is a top the Bureau of Indian Education! SludmU cud St4f)! Taos Dav School- Taos Day School principal Patricia Kessler, left, gives plenty of credit to reading coach Leonila Serna, center, and math coach Leroy Martinez for pushing the students to higher achievement levels. The Taos Pueblo school recently was named school of the year by the Bureau of Indian Education. czm I mm Soaring to Succe? By Matthew van Buren The Taos News Taos Day School Principal Patricia Kessler credits effective programs and a dedicated staff for the school being named "school of the year" by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). Kessler said the Taos Day School was the first ever to win the BIE's top award, which was announced at a national conference in St. Louis last month.

BIE funds 184 elementary and secondary schools on 64 reservations in 23 states. Taos Day School has 165 students in kindergarten through 8th grades, according to information from the federal agency. "We are really happy," Kessler said. She said Taos Day School has been closely tracking student performance for the last seven years and has seen consistent improvement in reading proficiency. According to information compiled by school administrators, a kindergarten class that was 33 percent proficient in reading in the 2004-2005 school year was 100 percent proficient by the time it reached fifth grade.

During that period, the student body as a whole went from 40 percent proficient to 88 percent, and the 25 percent of students who were targeted for "intense" intervention in 2004-2005 dropped to 0 percent during the last school year a statistic Kessler described as "phenomenal." "It's almost unseen anywhere," she said. She said everyone at the school reads, and a special emphasis is put on students in kindergarten and first grade to make sure they meet benchmarks and are ready to succeed in later grades. Reading coach helps students, teachers Kessler said the school's use of the Reading First program, along with full-time reading coach Leonila Serna and careful tracking of student data, are largely responsible for Taos Day School's successes in reading. She said having students read at least 90 minutes a day, maintaining fidelity to the program, focusing on direct instruction and teaching reading 180 days each school year has proven to be a winning formula. Kessler said kindergarteners read for three hours every morning before lunch.

Serna said professional development has benefited teachers at the school, as well, and the reading and math coaches are in the classroom on a daily basis while also helping teachers, analyzing data, engaging in staff development and planning for the weeks and slipping. "Everything we do is assessment-driven," Martinez said. "We look at (the numbers) all the time." Kessler said there was some resistance to the programs when they were first implemented. "I don't hear that anymore at all," she said. She said the programs leave room for teachers to be creative, and Martinez said when skeptics look at the resulting improvements in student scores, "It changes their minds quickly." Kessler said Taos Day School's hardworking, enthusiastic staff, which has embraced the programs to boost student success, has shown that children can learn with the help of quality instruction even if they months to come.

"Just as the teachers help the students, the coaches help the teachers," Kessler said. Kessler said the school's first year of "really being serious" about a similar program to boost students' math scores, called Math Counts, yielded similarly encouraging results. According to data compiled by the school, classes improved across-the-board after a year of Math Counts. For example, at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year the kindergarten class was 26 percent proficient in math, while 81 percent of the class met benchmarks by the end of the year. The eighth-grade class went from 56 percent to 81 percent, and fourth-graders improved to 76 percent from 12 percent.

who are interested in theater," he said. In addition, Artega-Ortfz maintains physical fitness while training for mixed martial arts. "I would like to join a mixed martial arts club. I feel comfortable and relaxed while practicing the sport, and I want to use my body to its full potential," said Artega-Ortfz. A person of many interests, Artega-Ortfz says that one of his best high school experiences was gathering research for his senior project.

"I studied different types of dances, such as the tango, salsa, and swing. I learned the history of the Math coach Leroy Martinez said computation skills vastly improved, with students going from 15 percent to 74 percent proficient. Staying ahead of the curve Serna said the school's positive steps are a result of good leadership and a proactive, rather than a reactive, approach to improvement. She said information collected about the students leaves little doubt as to the programs' effectiveness. "There is a lot of data analysis," Serna said.

Kessler said testing students regularly also helps instructors identify which kids need intervention and in what areas early, and structured intervention steps help guide teachers as they assist students who are through life dances, as well as the ways in which dancing is perceived in various countries. In America, dancing is typically viewed as a form of entertainment, while in Africa, dancing is a way to maintain strength and fitness," Artega-Ortfz said. While many people have influenced Artega-Ortfz, he acknowledges his uncle Sean Ortiz, grandfather John Ortiz, and his parents for having had the greatest impact on him. "My uncle has always been there to support me and help me find a solution for everything, and I really admire my grandpa because of his Steven Artega-Ortiz moves with optimism The Social Light Ashley Branch community. "I like to read and perform skits and plays, and I enjoy volunteering with children Matt van Buren have troubled home lives or live in poverty.

"It's not that. It's about instruction," she said. She said student success under Reading First and Math Counts has led to less frustration and fewer behavioral problems at Taos Day School. She said when she came to the school a decade ago, fighting, drugs and tagging were consistent problems. "That's kind of just fallen away," she said.

"They're happy That to me is the most exciting thing." Martinez said students learn to enjoy reading and math more when they're doing well in class, and they have been receptive to the new forms of instruction. "It's easy when you're succeeding," he said. learn how different remedies affect the body, and I'd love to make a discovery that could help people one day," he said. Artega-Ortfz hopes to inspire others to help make little changes in their part of the world. Despite how bad you might feel at a certain moment, you should always try to be the best person you can possibly be," he said.

Ashley Branch is a student at UNM-Taos who plans on a career in sports medicine; she hopes to major in biology and minor in journalism. Her column publishes bi-weekly Crisp Lettuce fl ffl 99 ea. 89 0 Fresh Tomatoes extra large gg 23 ft 79c Borden American Singles regular or big fl Vj pre-priced $2.29 TenderCrust Hamburger Buns IUV a pk.h ff ea. tor OniroOTsilfc I 1 not liable for MEMBER STORE I I I 1 i I TYPOGRAPHICAL (hawk mechanical) yrjp i i i II I II II Jj I I RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES PLUMBING HEATING REFRIGERATION INCOLORAD0 (fjSl "el McLaughlin TosT TOli strength. He continues to stay active by playing softball, and he even does better than some of the younger guys," he said.

Artega-Ortfz enjoys talking to his parents and learning from their past experiences, so that he can better prepare for his future." Artega-Ortfz plans to attend UNM-Taos in the fall, and looks forward to studying biology and film. "I'm keeping my options open. "I'm interested in becoming an actor or a UFC welterweight fighter, but I would also like to get a degree in biology, because I want to mmar ca. Shurfine or Shur Saving Milk Shurfine Ice Cream select varieties Kellogg's Cereal Frosted Flakes, or select varieties Mini-Wheats 14-20 oz. Country Style Hfo-ypock Ml Small Pack $1.5,9 lb.

PictSweet Vegetables select varieties regular or steam'ables IS "Let it go, but don't forget," says Steven Artega-Ortfz. Such a motto is helpful in overcoming life's obstacles as well as striving to move forward, but continuing to cherish precious moments. "It's important to keep a positive outlook, and remember that problems are just challenges to overcome. Use those experiences to help you grow and further motivate you in the future. It's also important to remember the great times, and although they must come to an end, be grateful that they happened," said Artega-Ortfz.

Artega-Ortfz was born in San Jose, Dec. 26, 1991, to Tim and Sally Ortiz. His paternal grandparents are Frank Padilla and Sally Artega, while his paternal grandparents are John and Linda Ortiz. His siblings are Timothy, 25, Alexis, 12, and Yvanica Ortiz, 10. During his spare time, Artega-Ortfz finds enjoyment in playing basketball, baseball and video games, as well as cooking, spending time with friends, listening to music and watching movies.

His favorite types of music are rap and hip hop while his favorite movies include "The Green Mile" and "Saving Private Ryan." His favorite book is Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner." A recent Taos High School graduate, Artega-Ortfz was involved in various activities over the span of four years. He was a member of the Tiger Football Team during his freshman year and a part of the Tiger baseball team his freshman, sophomore and junior years. Artega-Ortfz also participated in taekwondo during his sophomore year and took part in the high school's drama class his senior year. "I enjoyed meeting different people from various teams and clubs all throughout high school," Artega-Ortfz said. Keeping himself busy during the summer months has not been a problem for Artega-Ortfz, as he is involved in Metta Theater, and a volunteer with children's theater in the ruj Fresh frJIQ Ribs Ground Bee! vita III SmollPack $1.69 lb.

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