Programs

Program Areas

Schools

We are requesting funds to purchase at least two copies of each of the titles featured on this year's New Mexico Battle of the Books list. This will allow students in grades 4 through 6 participating in this year's competition to access the titles directly from our school library.

The New Mexico Battle of the Books is a reading competition for students in grades 4-8. Children read and meet with their peers throughout the year, then enter a quiz-style battle in which they are asked about books that they have read from the year’s designated Battle of the Books reading list. The New Mexico Battle of the Books encourages the youth of New Mexico to read high quality literature, have fun, and compete by demonstrating their knowledge of books.

Electrifying Glazes

Desert Sage Academy

Desert Sage Academy, formerly Academy at Larragoite has a completely new and budding art program.Students study pottery as a contemporary art with color! The funding would go towards glazes so students can have a range of glazes to choose from after they build their vessels. This project is about imagery, pattern and texture!

Keyboards in Classes at NMSA

New Mexico School for the Arts

This request is for 20 Classroom MIDI Keyboards for Music Fundamentals students at NMSA. This is integral to students musical development and piano proficiency.

I'd like to purchase the following for my students:
Roland GO:Keys 61-key Music Creation Bundle Portable piano for Fundamentals 1 10 $339.00 $3,390.00

Roland CB-GO61KP Gig Bag for GO:Keys For safe storage and transport 10 $79.00 $790.00

Roland GO:Piano 61-Key Portable Piano Portbale piano for Fundamentals 2 10 $339.00 $3,390.00

Gator GKB-61 Slim Keyboard Gig Bag For safe storage and transport 10 $99.99 $999.90

Protecting NM Habitats and Wildlife!

Nina Otero Community School

We would like to bring the New Mexico Wildlife Center into our Fourth Grade classrooms. NMWC brings educational animals and provides education to support our grade level Next Generation standards in a real world presentation. Students obtain a better understanding of how humans impact their environments, as well as how animals' adaptations help them survive in their habitats. Students are currently working on creating Nature Guides for all Pre-K through 8th grade classes, and the NMWC experiences will add a needed element to their education!

We will have 2 presentations/ programs for the 3 fourth grade classes (splitting one class between the 2 presentations). We will cover the mileage fee! Each program will be 50-60 minutes with live animals from the NM Wildlife Center!

Leveled Library

Amy Biehl Community School

I am seeking funding in order to create a leveled library for my students. This will allow students to always have literature that is at their current reading level.

Building Healthy Minds and Bodies Through Adventure Opportunities

El Camino Real Academy

The Mountain Center has generously offered to match half of the programming costs ($1,500) so that approximately ninety 8th graders (four different 8th grade PE classes, over the span of 2 semesters) from ECRA may participate in a beginning of semester and end of semester outdoor adventure fieldtrip/program. All staffing for specialized programming is included in the price. Teachers accompany as chaperones only. (Bus fees are not included and will be paid for by a separate fund).
Eighth graders participating in Mountain Center Field trips during the 2021/2022 school year will focus on practicing skills necessary to help support healthy peer relationships and increase resiliency through adventure and healthy risk taking. Activities include games, leadership and problem-solving initiatives, experiential lessons, debrief/reflections and high ropes course challenge events. This is a special opportunity for students to engage with themselves and their peers in novel and challenging, yet healthy and affirming ways.

Virtual Wild Bird Presentations

On a Wing & A Prayer, run by Mikal Deese, wild bird educator, is a non-profit wild bird rescue program which offers virtual presentations for Santa Fe Public School students.

We are hoping for support for 10 remote presentations this semester, primarily for our southside school students. We piloted a remote presentation in April 2020, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Students learn about the wonders of bird migration, local birds and our state bird - the roadrunner, threats to species, specifics about three types of education birds (raptors who cannot return to the wild), bird diet and range, how we can help, etc. The majority of each hour's presentation has a live bird on display, typically three, and the interface between Mikal and her birds is transformative.

Mikal fields student questions and gives students an opportunity to see a peregrine falcon, barn owl, Swainson's hawk, American kestrel, Great-Horned owl, etc. up close and personal.

10 sessions for $1,000 this semester, with the SFPS Sustainability Office acting as classroom teacher liaison.

Music Masterclasses, Guest Musician, and Student Opportunity Support Project

Schools: New Mexico School for the Arts and Mandela International Magnet School

Music departments at both NMSA and MIMS request funding to support bringing master musicians to campus for visits and masterclasses (virtual and eventually in person) and also will help fund student participation in workshops, summer music festivals, and other opportunities to deepen and enrich their musical studies.

She Who Shaped New Mexico

The International Women's Forum of New Mexico is asking for support in the amount of $2,000 to help New Mexico Historic Women Marker initiative with educational outreach for grades Kindergarten through twelfth grade in Santa Fe Public Schools.

We map the stories of the courageous women who shaped New Mexico and its culture. Through our historical markers, we educate, inspire and empower new generations of women who travel our roads. The website is an easily accessible learning tool and available to anyone free of charge. These funds will help expand our audience and share curriculums which we are developing. Our goal is to share inspiring stories of women who have helped shape New Mexico to inspire future generations to make a positive impact in our communities.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding for High Needs Students at El Camino Real Academy

School: El Camino Real Academy

We got a grant to bring our 24 students to Therapeutic Horseback Riding, but we need your help with $500 for transportation as we can only fit 4 wheelchairs in a Special Education bus.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding offer lots of benefits for our students:
- Improves fine and gross motor skills
- Improves motor coordination and balance
- Improves core strengthening
- Develops and improves social skills
- Positive sensory stimulation

Support the Balance Bike Program at ECRA

School: El Camino Real Academy

El Camino Real Academy is seeking $500 for a fleet of 25 bikes, helmets, kickstands and curriculum.

The purpose of this request is to provide the opportunity for our Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade Physical Education classes to learn how to ride a bike. Which will increase their physical and brain development to aid in their academic achievement in the classroom.

There will be 36 preschoolers, 75-80 kindergartens, 75-80 1st graders and 75-80 2nd graders served through this program. Approximately 260 + students, each year for the next ten years (potentially longer with good maintenance of bikes) will be given the opportunity to learn how to ride a bike and/or increase their skills on a bike. Each balance bike can easily be converted into a standard pedal bike which allows us to serve more students with your donation.

Volunteer Background Check Assistance

School: Multiple Santa Fe Public Schools

As the SFPS Volunteer Coordinator, and in an effort to encourage a more diverse volunteer population, I would like to offer paid background fees for up to 50 volunteer applicants to distributed throughout 5 different schools within the Santa Fe Public School District. Certain demographic criteria, including a residence radius of applicants who live within 6 blocks of the schools' attendance area will be required to be eligible for usage of the background check funds.