Saturday, October 4, 2008

Alamo schools earn recognition

Alamo Navajo School was recently recognized for achieving the greatest progress with the Reading First program of any Bureau of Indian Education school over a two-year period, 2004-2006.

For their success representatives from Alamo were presented with the book "The Giving Tree" during the BIE's Fall Leadership Institute held in Scottsdale, Ariz., last month. Alamo Navajo School Principal Brenda Baca-Miller said the book by Shel Silverstein has been added to the school library.

In addition, Alamo Navajo School received Silverstein's book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" along with a tutorial with lesson plans for using books to teach math.

The conference was for schools participating in BIE Reading First, BIE Reads! and Math Now! Alamo Navajo Schools uses Reading First and Math Now!

Baca-Miller said the school would receive another award later this month. At the North Central Association conference in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Oct. 24-25, the school will be named the Culturally Relevant School of the Year for 2007-2008. Baca-Miller said the award is the result of Alamo Navajo School's introduction of its Navajo Language and Culture in grades K-12. Last year teachers earned certification to teach the classes and the staff developed the curriculum. Students enrolled at the high school level may also receive dual credit at the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus.

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