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Zia's School Wide Programs

[ Outdoor Classroom ] [Computer Lab] [ Bilingual Programs ] [Second Step Curriculum] [Best Buddies Program]

Outdoor Classroom
Zia's Outdoor Classroom is an open-air courtyard bordered by the U-shaped east and west wings of the orginial school building. It was created by the students, staff and parents of the Zia community in order to demonstrate xeriscape gardening (low-water, native plants); to offer a natural setting for art, reading, writing, and science classes; and as an outdoor performance space for theatre and music. Plants include chamisa, desert willow, cottonwoods, autumn sage, Spanish broom and pampas grass.
Located on the south wall of the Outdoor Classroom is an enormous and colorful mural depicting landscapes and people of New Mexico. This mural arguably attracts the most attention from first-time visitors to Zia because of its impressive size, its vibrant colors and its exquisite workmanship. The mural was designed by Cerrillos, New Mexico artist Ken Wolverton and painted, with his expert guidance, by all the students, teachers and many parents at Zia. Even the students in the Visually Impaired Program helped paint the mural by painting within areas fringed by raised borders. In the middle of the courtyard and facing the twelve-foot mural is a gently sloping hill with terraced flagstone "benches" that serves as a kid-sized amphitheatre.

The north end of the Outdoor Classroom is partially bordered by two five foot genuine adobe walls. Just north of the walls is an adobe horno, or bread oven, identical to hornos used at most of New Mexico's Rio Grande Pueblos. The Outdoor Classroom is another reason why we are so proud of our school!
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Computer Lab
Zia's Eleanor Scott Computer Lab was inaugurated on March 6, 1998 after nearly five years of preparation and hard work.  The lab was named after Eleanor Scott who taught second grade in what is now the computer lab for 39 years! Zia features Mac computers school-wide. In 2006-07 and 2007-08 we received generous funding from the NM State Legislature to increase our technology program. In addition to the state of the art Mac lab, we have school-wide email and Internet connections and multiple computers in each classroom.  
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Bilingual Programs
Zia Elementary has a state funded bilingual program designed to provide English as a Second Language, English Language Development, Home Language (Spanish) and Cultural Instruction to our linguistically and culturally rich student population. Some of Zia's students receive instruction in Dual-Language Immersion classrooms; others from their own classroom teacher in a self-contained setting; and still others from the Bilingual Resource teacher who visits classrooms. Spanish language development is promoted through dialogues, games, songs, reading and writing books and dramatizing predictable books. The cultural component of the program is integrated with a schoolwide study of the history of New Mexico.
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Second Step Curriculum
Second Step is a social skills curriculum that is coordinated by the school counselor and taught by teachers in every classroom. The lessons teach students skills in empathy, impulse control, problem solving, and anger management. Second Step is a research-based, violence prevention program designed to decrease negative and violent behaviors by teaching students how to respect differences and resolve problems peacefully. We are proud to be a Second Step school!
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Best Buddies Program
Best Buddies are 4th and 5th graders at Zia Elementary who volunteer their recess time to support their peers on the playground. They are trained to seek out others who might need a friend and to assist students in resolving problems using conflict mediation skills. Best Buddies also help with various school-wide events that promote tolerance and caring. Best Buddies are an asset to our community!
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