Aubrey E. Tucker, new assistant principal, of Bernalillo High School

New Assistant Principal of Bernalillo High School brings track record of success

Bernalillo High School hired Aubrey Tucker to serve as the new Assistant Principal. From his 10 years of administrative experience, Tucker brings a proven track record of success in reducing violence and vandalism while improving academic achievement. During the 2003-2004 school years, under Tucker’s tenure as Principal of Belen Middle School, he was credited with reducing incidents of violence at Belen Middle School by nearly fifty percent as well as increasing academic achievement.

Aubrey Tucker said, “I am honored to be joining Superintendent Lowder’s team and I am impressed with the Bernalillo Public School District’s commitment to academic achievement. I believe in safety and come most recently from a district where our state-of-the art security systems were recognized nationally and internationally. I look forward to bringing my expertise in safety logistics to Bernalillo Public School District”

Superintendent Lowder stated, “We are pleased to announce the arrival of Mr. Aubrey Tucker as our new Assistant Principal at Bernalillo High School. His wealth of experience working in the areas of security and academic achievement will compliment our goals for Bernalillo Public School District.”

Bernalillo High school Principal, Janelle Garcia noted, “I look forward to working with Mr. Tucker. He brings strong leadership to the Bernalillo High School staff and students. His commitment to hands-on teaching and mentorship with both students and teachers is a valuable asset.”

Tucker added, “I want to use my 10 years of administrative experience to improve the academic success for students and staff. As an academic leader, administrators must continue professional development with the instructors in order to keep up with the demands of teaching. Student safety is part of teacher’s responsibility, before we can improve academically, a child has to know and the public has to know that the student is in a safe environment that will nurture the individual and lead them to success.”

Placitas Library summer reading program continues

—NANCY GUIST
The summer reading program, “Catch the Reading Bug,” continues throughout the summer at the Placitas Community Library. The program is designed for three- to six-year-olds and seven- to ten-year-olds. It is held every Thursday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Each program consists of shared books, as well as related crafts. We have had wonderful participation and invite all to join us for the remaining programs:

• July 3—Ladybugs

• July 10—Spinning Spiders: Meet Charlotte, the tarantula.

• July 17—Busy Bees with guest beekeeper

• July 24—Magical World of Dragonflies

• July 31—Grasshoppers

• August 7—Summer Reading Celebration: “Exotics of the Rainforest”

Remember also to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, which is open to all children, regardless of age. Information and packets are available at the library.

“Prime Time for the Kids” arrives in Bernalillo

—PAMELA ENGSTROM, PRINCIPAL, VILLAGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
Village Academy is pleased to announce that the charter school is hosting the “Prime Time for the Kids’ State-wide Talent Search” for the Town of Bernalillo. The event will be held on July 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Social Center of Our Lady of Sorrows, 301 South Camino del Pueblo. This is an exciting opportunity, if you are a talented child or teenager, to help yourself get the recognition you deserve.

The chosen winner will go on to compete at the state level competition, which is sponsored by CYFD, Wal-Mart, Comcast, and APS. Prizes awarded at the state level include the following: a trophy; a CD produced at Lesman’s music store; all travel expenses paid to Albuquerque; hotel paid for two nights; promotional attention through local radio, TV, and newspaper; a golden opportunity to open up for a main act; and much more. For more information, call 449-8113.

Rio Grande Nature Center offers outdoor adventures for sixth- through ninth-grade students

Students entering sixth- through ninth-grade who want to learn about the Rio Grande bosque are invited to join the Junior Ranger program at Rio Grande Nature Center State Park this summer. Junior Rangers learn about the three major habitats of the Rio Grande riparian ecosystem—river, bosque, and pond—and conduct basic biological and chemical monitoring.

“The Junior Ranger program is a great opportunity for real hands-on learning experiences in nature,” said Park Superintendent Beth Dillingham. “The kids get to explore areas of interest that they might pursue in the future, have a good time, and make new friends.”

Twelve students will be accepted for each of the two-week sessions, which are scheduled from July 7 to 18 and from July 21 to August 1. Junior Rangers keep scientific and creative journals, meet with scientists and park rangers, and participate in habitat restoration projects. Short field trips and bike tours allow opportunities to explore the relationship between the river ecosystem and its inhabitants. For more information, call (505) 344-7240 or visit www.nmparks.com.

The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is located at the west end of Candelaria Road NW in Albuquerque. The bosque features two miles of nature trails, which wind through partially wooded areas to open sand flats alongside the Rio Grande. The park offers naturalist-led hikes, bosque exploration, exhibits, hands-on activities, teacher workshops, seasonal classes, and special events for visitors of all ages. Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is owned by the City of Albuquerque, but managed by New Mexico State Parks as a city/state collaboration.

The Rio Grande Nature Center Junior Ranger program is one of many special events scheduled during New Mexico State Parks’ 75th anniversary. Over seventy-five years, State Parks has evolved from a federal New Deal initiative in 1933 to a vibrant system of thirty-four parks serving over four million people annually. New Mexico State Parks celebrates its 75th Diamond Anniversary throughout 2008 with a three-carat diamond bracelet giveaway, special events, the Geocaching Challenge, Outdoor Classroom initiatives, and more. For further information, call 888-NMPARKS or visit www.nmparks.com.

Roadrunners and Kevin Kinane at the Esther Bone Library

Kevin Kinane, One-Man Band, simultaneously plays sticks, harmonica, keyboards, and drums, while singing original songs about food, pets, bad drivers, cell phone users, and other funny subjects. He accompanies his music with throat singing and funky jams. His program, geared to all age groups, takes place at the Esther Bone Memorial Library on Tuesday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m. The performance is free; however, tickets are required for a seat in the library’s program room and are available at the adult information desk at the Esther Bone Library.

There will also be a presentation on the Roadrunner Project—a two-year-old, ongoing mission to study and photograph roadrunners in an urban setting—on Saturday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. Sarah Bonneau is the photographer and coordinator of this important and creative endeavor. Ms. Bonneau studied photography at California State University at Northridge, and has been a photographer for over thirty years. Sarah has over ten thousand images to date and has created a slide show of two hundred images for the presentation. This program is free and no prior sign-ups are required.

The library is located at 950 Pinetree Road SE in Rio Rancho. For more information about these programs, stop in at the library; call 891-5012, extension 3128; or email rnankin@ci.rio-rancho.nm.us.