Hózhó Academy Newsletter

Weekly Updates

Dear Families,

It's hard to believe it's already September! Our first month back to school was busy and exciting. I hope you were able to relax over Labor Day weekend. Be sure to read the important events like picture day and testing coming up this month!

Picure Day - Picture Day is coming up next week! Please see the flyer below to know which day. Click here to pre-register using the code PGHH24678

Activity Bus - We'd like your help designing our new activity bus! Students and/or classes can drop off design ideas to the front office by the end of this week. We look forward to seeing all your creative ideas. Stay tuned for a fundraising campaign to wrap or paint the bus!

After-School Program - We are hoping to start our after-school program next week, but we will send an update when we know for sure.

If you have questions, please reach out to our front office at (505) 722-8922.

Drama Club: Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Room 206 in the Lower School Building (Mrs. Feddes's 5th Grade Room) from 3:45 to 4:45. Drama is open to grades 1st through 10th grade.

Garden Program: Every Tuesday after school from 3:30-5 p.m. Grades 4th-8th.

Fitness Club: Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Photography: Meets on Wednesdays.

Girl Scouts: Coming soon on Thursdays for all grade levels.

Board Games and Lego Club: Meets on Fridays.

We have acknowledged why reading is important, so how do we encourage our children to read? How do we invest in reading when we are busy and do not have the time?

Encouraging Your Child to Read

Have books in sight and easily accessible to your child
Have a cozy reading space in your home.
Take note of their interests, there is a book for everything, there is even a classical book for everything!
Find a book series they enjoy. Books like the Percy Jackson Series or The Chronicles of Narnia are engaging and have multiple books that engage the readers.
Read stories that have movie or show adaptations. Readers love comparing them to the book.

How to Encourage Reading With Busy Schedules

Establish a reading routine. This takes work at first, but eventually it becomes second nature to children! Find the time that works best in your schedule, maybe it's right before or after dinner or right when they come home from school. It could even be the car ride to and from school. Set the expectation that this time is reading time.
Read on the Go! A book can be taken anywhere, but they now come in multiple formats. The Libby App allows you to rent books for free through your local library, kindles and nooks allow you to purchase books (most classics are free!), and Spotify, Audible and YouTube have plenty of free audio books! Read in the car, waiting in line at the grocery start or while waiting during a siblings' sports practice.
It Doesn't Have to Just Be Books! While we encourage having your child read beautiful literature, there are other forms of reading that could fit a busy lifestyle. Magazines, newspapers, signs on the road or grocery store all provide your child with the opportunity to practice reading in different environments.
Have Your Child Read to Anyone Available. Set up a phone call with your child's best friend where they can read to each other. They can read to a babysitter, little sibling or even a pet or stuffed animal!

Book of the Week

The Wind in the Willows

By Kenneth Grahame

This lovely story describes the adventures of a Mole, Rat and Badger in the English countryside. Amongst other challenges, they must deal with the mischievous Mr. Toad, saving him from constant trouble.

Click here to listen to an audio recording of this book.