New Mexico Kids! Jan/Feb 2025

January/February 2025

Vol. 34 / No. 1

FREE

Mentorship Program Provides Children with Life-Changing Besties Through ‘Bigs’ pg 8 Young Scientist: Monotremes pg 36

Kids! Calendar pg 20 School Directory pg 30

Cover by Neelesh Saha, 6th Grade

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Are Music Lessons Worth the Cost?

By SARAH LYONS Does your child love to sing? Love plunking on the piano or pounding on the drum? Do you think you might have a future musician in your home? The average cost of private music lessons ranges from $15-40 per half hour (www.takelessons. com). Although the price will vary depending on location and the expertise of the teacher, private lessons cost parents $1,000 to $2,000 a year. This may make you wonder whether music lessons really are worth it? Let’s look at some short- and longterm benefits of music lessons.

Discipline Learning to play beautiful music doesn’t happen overnight.

All students must start from the beginning, playing scales and mastering basic skills. In our society instant gratification is the norm. Music teaches the value of patience and discipline because children must set aside time for practice and make it part of their routine in order to further their skills.

Work ethic Music teaches children a good work ethic because they see the value of practice as they improve and reach new achievements.

Students learn how dedication creates good results, while failing to do all the necessary practice results in mediocre results.

These lessons carry into school studies and future employment.

Memory Is your child always forgetting things? Music requires kids to practice memorization. Even if sheet music is used, students

memorize how to play each note until the sheet music eventually becomes a guide. Students can use their developing memorization skills in a variety of ways in school and at home.

Math and language skills Music helps develop math and language skills that give kids an edge in school. “Students who have early musical training will develop the areas of the brain related to language and reasoning. The left side of the brain is better developed with music,” according to the National Association for Music Education. (continued on Page 5)

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What's in this issue for you!

Stories & Special Features

Regular Features

2: Are Music Lessons Worth the Cost?

8: Mentorship Program Provides Children with Life-Changing Besties Through ‘Bigs’

6: Let's Color!

14: Kids' Art

26: Young Historian: Holiday History 36: Young Scientist: Monotremes

18: Kids' Crossword

15: Let's Read!

20: Albuquerque Kids! Calendar 24: Santa Fe Kids! Calendar 30: Directory of Schools & Academic Support Programs 38: Let's Draw!

Cover Art Story Royal Bengal Tigers are indigenous to the forests of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. However, the amount of Royal Bengal is decreasing in the world. It is an endangered species and needs to be protected. There’s another Bengal Tiger that is called the White Bengal Tiger which is very rare to see. Royal Bengal has orange skin with black stripes. A grown up male tiger can grow up to be 400+ pounds and have a lot of power, being able to haul prey that is even heavier than the tiger for more than a mile. I saw Royal Bengal Tiger in a zoo.

Neelesh Saha, 12, 6th Grade

NEWMEXICO-KIDS.COM

@NEWMEXICOKIDS

If you would like to submit art to be considered for a New Mexico Kids! cover, please email a copy to kids@newmexico-kids.com or send a snapshot of the work to Prime Time Publishing, 111 Iron Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Don't forget to include your phone number!

Publishers

Ashley Conner Dana Benjamin

Editor

Tania Soussan

Calendar Editor Autumn Gray

Customer Relations Dana Benjamin

Contributing Writers:

Art Director/Graphic Designer Ashley Conner Dana Benjamin

Autumn Gray, Keli Holt, Sarah Lyons, Aileen O’Catherine,

Advertisers Contact: Dana Benjamin at 505-967-7812 or email kids@newmexico-kids.com New Mexico Kids! is published bimonthly by Prime Time Publishing, 111 Iron Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Phone 505-967-7812.

Email kids@newmexico-kids.com. Copyright 2023/2024 by Prime Time Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Locally and Women Owned. Printed by the Santa Fe New Mexican with soy-based recyclable inks.

The Publisher does not take responsibility for the accuracy or legitimacy of the advertiser’s message or that of the guest writer/ columnists or any aspect of the business operation or conduct of the advertisers in the paper.

4 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Are Music Lessons Worth the Cost?

(continued from Page 2)

Teamwork Teamwork isn’t just for sports. Music students may have an opportunity to participate in a band or orchestra, gaining experience working as a team and a sense of camaraderie.

Teamwork develops social skills that they will use for a lifetime.

Confidence and social development Kids will gain confidence as they begin to perform music for an audience. This helps kids learn to face their fears and builds selfesteem. As kids build up this confidence, they are more likely to boost their communication skills and have increased social development.

Lifelong challenge In music, there is always room for improvement. This creates the opportunity for students of any age to improve and challenge themselves for many years to come.

Stress relief Playing an instrument can be an outlet for kids. Music can be relaxing and a form of stress relief, as well as a way to express yourself creatively. Kids who have this outlet may be less likely to find negative ways to relieve stress.

Expression and creativity Kids who play music are trained to think creatively. The ability to think outside the box in other situations is a coveted asset among many employers.

Improved coordination Kids who play instruments develop their hand-eye coordination.

Just like in sports, playing an instrument requires these skills and develops their motor skills.

Higher test scores Studies show that children who are exposed to music education have higher SAT scores and better grades in school overall, according to the Children’s Music Workshop.

Introduces children to other cultures Through music, kids are exposed to other cultures, teaching them awareness and empathy for others. This can help them become more accepting of other cultures at an early age.

My daughter recently started taking piano lessons. As I sat in the room observing her first lesson, I witnessed something. As she played her first chord, a smile spread across her face. It was clear she has a true love for music. To me, this makes the cost of lessons worth it. Each family will have to weigh the overall price of music lessons against their child’s enjoyment of music and the many benefits it offers to make a decision whether music lessons are truly worth the cost.

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Mentorship Program Provides Children with LifeChanging Besties Through ‘Bigs’

Nonprofit matches vetted adults with youths seeking reliable friendship, support

By AUTUMN GRAY Parents, close your ears. This is a story for children and teens who have ever wished they had an adult who “got them.” Who they could trust and rely on. Who they could just hang out with. Who didn’t come with the complexities of family but who somehow still felt like home. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central New Mexico can provide that.

As the nation’s largest donor- and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes monitored matches between adult volunteers ("Bigs") and children ("Littles"), creating lasting, meaningful relationships that help young people achieve their full potential. With January being National Mentoring Month, there’s no better time than now to see if Big Brothers Big Sisters might be for you.

“It’s introduced me to a lot of new things … and allowed me to get away from my (three) siblings,” 13-year-old Enzo Dominguez said of his 14-month relationship with his Big, Andy Tibble. “I am definitely able to talk with him. He’s able to understand me more, I guess, and we actually have a lot of common interests.”

Enzo and Tibble are both energetic and into sports and the outdoors. In the nine hours per month that they spend together, the two often play soccer, shoot hoops on a park basketball

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8 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

court, hike with their dogs, attend library events – and almost always eat.

It’s no accident that they share so much in common. Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs Bigs with Littles using a proven matchmaking program and only after rigorous background checks and screenings for safety has been conducted. Matches are also tracked to ensure they work out.

“It is taken very seriously,” said chief program officer Deeana Sauceda, herself a Big. “We look at the interests of the volunteer and the child – if they both like arts and crafts, or gaming, or want to become a film maker. We really like to match based on interests.”

Anyone between the ages of 6 and 14, from anywhere in the state can apply to be matched with a big brother or sister. Littles and their matches receive organization support through age 18.

Enrollment has nothing to do with family income, or whether a child is undergoing some kind of crisis, or struggling with classes.

Though much of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ grant money is to support children in single-parent homes, who have incarcerated parents, are in failing schools, have learning or mental health challenges, or are immigrants or refugees.

The only qualification for a child to enroll to be a Little is that their family wants some extra support from another adult in their child’s life, Sauceda emphasized. All programs are provided at no charge.

“We are open to all children because every child can benefit from a mentor,” she said.

Enzo, for example, gets excellent grades, is cerebral by nature, and lives in a stable and loving household. However, after Enzo’s father died in 2017, his mother, Christina Rain, recognized he needed a supportive male figure in his life. Having worked as a program manager for match support with Big Brothers Big Sisters in the past, she was well aware of all that a Big could provide her son.

“As a single mom feeling spread thin and trying to give my kids the individual attention they deserve - I know I can’t always do that. Big Brothers gives my children undivided attention,” said Rain, whose other three children also have Bigs. “They go out with their Bigs, and they come home happy and kind of glowing, if you will. It’s been such a positive experience.”

At the very least, enrolled youths gain a close friend or an additional person to support them. However, Big Brothers Big Sisters statistics show that nine of 10 in the organization’s mentoring program will also graduate from high school, and (continued on next page)

Mentorship Program Provides Children with LifeChanging Besties Through ‘Bigs’ (continued from previous page)

eight of 10 will want to go to college. They are therefore focused on making good choices, avoiding risky behavior and violence.

“The goal is for kids to reach their full potential and have a plan when they’re ready to leave high school,” Sauceda said. “With our youth today and the challenges they face, they need us more than ever to step up, especially when so many things are influencing them and they’re having to make important choices.

“Sometimes they don’t want to talk to their parents, so what are their sources of information? Is it Instagram? Is it Tik Tok? Is it their peers? Having a caring adult around makes such a difference.”

National research has shown that positive relationships between Littles and their Bigs have a direct and measurable impact on children’s lives, according to the organization’s website, https:// www.bbbs-cnm.org/. By participating in its programs, Little Brothers and Sisters are shown to be: • more confident in their schoolwork performance; • able to get along better with their families; • 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs; • 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol; • and 52 percent less likely to skip school.

Parents can also feel confident that their children are in good hands. All volunteers must fill out an application, agree to a background check and fingerprinting, provide references, and be interviewed. The whole process can take two to four months

for a volunteer to be accepted as a Big and matched with a Little.

Indeed, Rain said she had some concerns about who Enzo might be matched Andy and Enzo with, but those were unfounded: “That was one of my fears. I didn’t want him to be let down. But if Andy says he’s going to be here Sunday at 2 o’clock, he’s here knocking on the door at 2 o’clock. Not one time has he ever let down Enzo.”

Big Brothers and Big Sisters has been supporting youth and families nationwide for 120 years and in New Mexico for 55 years. Statewide, 1,000 youths have a Big through the nonprofit.

In Albuquerque, 400 children have big sisters and about 200 have big brothers.

To enroll to have a Big in your life, contact enrollment intake coordinator Gary Jones at gary.jones@bbbs-cnm.org or call (505) 480-6185. For more information, visit https://www.bbbs-cnm. org/enroll-a-child/. (continued on Page 10)

Albuquerque

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 9

Mentorship Program Provides Children with LifeChanging Besties Through ‘Bigs’ (continued from Page 9)

By Mekhi Bradford, age 14 Over the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of being matched with my mentor, Justin Schmetterer, through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Looking back, it’s been an incredibly positive and transformative experience.

When we first met, we spent time getting to know each other by playing with his dog, Molly, tossing a Frisbee, and studying

together at Flying Star restaurant. We also tried activities like archery and visiting a rage room, which was a blast! It helped build a strong bond based on trust, consistency, and mutual respect.

This mentorship has been invaluable. When I started 6th grade, I felt unsure of myself, but after being matched with Justin when I was in 7th grade, everything changed. He didn’t just encourage me, he actively supported me. Whether helping me study for math, teaching me how to throw a baseball, sitting through my guitar performances or award ceremonies, or simply listening when I needed to talk, Justin has always been there for me.

The biggest change I’ve experienced goes beyond academic improvement. While I’m proud to say my grades have gotten better, the real transformation has been in my confidence. Justin has helped me believe in myself, and because of that, I know I’m becoming a better version of myself every day. I still face challenges, but now I feel empowered to push through them.

A quote by national renowned educator Rita Pierson perfectly sums up what Justin means to me: “Every child deserves a champion, an adult who will never give up on them.” Justin is that champion. He encourages, guides, and reminds me that I’m capable of more than I ever thought possible! (continued on Page 12)

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Mentorship Program Provides Children with LifeChanging Besties Through ‘Bigs’ (continued from Page 10)

We were born within the same week, different years She is my Big and I am her Little In our small world, she taught me ways to grow To learn, to laugh, and sometimes cry She showed me how to read and add and count To handle money and not overlook it How to survive, how to be strong, and how to be kind When I was shy and couldn't find my voice She helped me speak and stand up for myself She taught me social ways to know the world To read the signs and understand the hearts of others How to love, and through it all, her patience held me up

Sister By My Side - A Bond Like No Other

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I met Anna in 2017, and my life was changed for good We've spent our days in laughter Archery, playing chess in the park, watching movies, sharing meals Through every moment, we built something so rare A bond that time could never sever

We wandered through Meow Wolf’s strange doors A dream of colors, shapes, and endless noises But still the true magic was the way she made me feel Like I was enough She taught me so much more than I could say She helped me find the person I would be And though the years may pass and the world changes She'll always be my sister by my side

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New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 13

Kids' Art

Samuel, 6

Kaylee, 10

Adrick, 11 Yoselyn, 10

Ellie & Kylie, 10

14 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Let's Read!

Written by Christine Laffler's 4th grade students at Bandelier Elementary Camp Twisted Pines

Author: Ciera Burch Publisher: Finch House Ages: 8-12 Do you ever feel like you're being watched? In Camp Twisted Pines a girl named Naomi does! Naomi doesn't want to go to a camp but of course, her father makes her go. At camp, Naomi feels like she is being watched so at night her and her friends go out to the forest and find unspeakable things. The water is not blue like it should be and there is something among the trees! Will Naomi make it out of this horror show camp alive? Read Camp Twisted Pines to find out!

Delilah G., age 9

My Extraordinary Face

Authors: Samir Mardini And Marissa Suchyta Illustrator: Violet Tobacco Publisher: Mayo Clinic Press Kids

Ages: 4-7 In My Extraordinary Face the characters have Vitiligo, a cleft palate, a port wine stain, or Treacher Collins Syndrome. In this book, the four main characters show the people reading or listening to this book how to deal with the stares, unkind words, or bullying that may happen when you look different to others.

The way they show the reader how to deal with bullying is by breathing in and breathing out. By doing this, you make a bubble around yourself. People might try to pop it, but you say to yourself that you don't need to listen to them. The recommended reading ages are 4-7 but I believe that this book is for all ages.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful!

My favorite is on page 13. A girl with cleft palate has a flower and she's standing on the earth made of flowers, which in my opinion, is absolutely beautiful. This book shows that its ok to be different as long as you are yourself!

By Delilah G., age 9

A Bite Above the Rest

Author: Christine Virnig Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ages: 8-12 A Bite Above The Rest is an intriguing novel by Christine Virnig. If you like scary stories this is for you! This book has all sorts of creatures like vampires, witches, werewolves, and more but noone in the town knows about the monsters roaming around except a boy named Caleb and his best friend Tai. Caleb’s mom just forced him to move to Samhain, Wisconsin where it’s Halloween every day! Everyone dresses up like monsters and he is expected

to partake in dressing up, too. But is everyone really just dressing up? You’ll have to read this exciting book to find out!

Grant G., age 9

The Panda Cub Swap

Author: Beth Bacon Illustrator: Anne Belov Publisher: Histria Ages: 5-7 Lun Lun, a panda at Zoo Atlanta, has twin pandas! The zookeepers have to try to swap the twin baby pandas so Lun Lun can spend time with each of them. It’s a lot of work and the zookeepers have to find new ways to swap the pandas. Lun Lun didn’t even know she had twins! I really like the illustrations in this book.

Baby pandas are very cute!

By Isabel F.S., age 9

Mabel Wants a Friend

Author: Ariel Bernstein Illustrator: Marc Rosenthal Publisher: A Paula Wiseman book Simon and Schuster books for Young Readers Ages: 4-7 In this book, Mabel makes a new friend named Chester. When they argue, she tells him he’ll let her have whatever she wants but he doesn’t like that and decides he doesn't want to be friends anymore. At first, Mabel was happy alone. But then, she gets lonely. She tries to get her friend back but doesn’t know how. Finally, she realizes she has to apologize.

Do you want to know if she gets her friend back? Read this sweet book and see what happens!

By Bodhi Azay, C.G., age 9

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie War

Author: Matthew Swanson Illustrator: Robbi Behr Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers Ages: 8-12 Do you like action packed movies and shows? Well maybe after you read Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie War you'll like action packed books too! This book has astonishing and funny illustrations.

Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie War is an awesome novel about two best friends who come to war because they both want to run for class president! To learn more about what happens as their friendship is tested, read Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie War!

By Daphne B., age 9

Nana Lupita And The Magic Sopita

Author: Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz Illustrator: Carlos Velez Publisher: Gibbs Smith Ages: 8-12 Do you enjoy making potions and magic? Well, if yes then Nana Lupita And The Magic Sopita is just the book for you! The illustrator pays close attention to plant life which makes the illustrations magical. In the story a girl named Luna and her little brother Sol (and by the way Luna means Moon and Sol means sun in Spanish) are grandchildren to Nana Lupita. One night Luna and Sol wake up feeling yucky and sick. They told their mother and their mother asked Nana Lupita to make a healing potion. Luna and Sol sneak out into the kitchen and hear their Nana singing about a frog while she was making the healing soup. They wondered if frogs are the magic ingredient. Are they? You’ll have to read to find out! At the end of the book there are fun Seek and Find activities and a recipe for Nana Lupita’s Magic Sopita!

By Heidi G., age 9

Countdown to School

Author and Illustrator: Greg Paprocki Publisher: Gibbs Smith Ages: 3-5 This book teaches your little one how to count from 1-10!

This super nice board book can also be a fun challenge when you ask your little friend to find each object with a certain color and pattern. The illustrations are wonderful and it's even challenging for me to find everything! This book will let your children know anything they need to know about going to school. Plus, they will learn how to count! In order to have little one counting down to school, read them Countdown to School.

By Isla I.G., age 9

I Want To Read All The Books

Author: Debbie Ridpath Ohi Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers Ages: 4-8 In I Want to Read ALL the Books, a young girl named Hana loves to read. She decides she wants to read all the books! Hana reads all types of books, including nonfiction, fiction, spooky books, and more!

Hana reads books at libraries, friends’ houses, and everywhere she can get her hands on one!

But can Hana read all the books? Read the book to find out!

By Tasi L., age 9

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 15

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18 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

ACROSS

DOWN

1. A tracker's clue, indicates an animal's diet 5. A brand name used in many cartoons 11. An overhead curve, often in a ceiling or doorway 12. The superhero identity for Kyle Rayner, a Green Lantern protagonist 13. When counting - Fif(th), Six(th), Seve (___) 15. Cousins of mandolins 16. Central Nervous System, acronym 17. Multiple negative responses as opposed to yes's 18. Rock music subgenre using confessional lyrics about emotional topics 19. The ocelot is a wild one 20. Hair for a hare 21. The magical words a magician repeats 23. Michel___ paintings are very famous 25. A well risen loaf of bread has bubbles of this 28. A very wide shoe size 29. Embarrassed when admitting a mistake, idiom 34. Famous American food on a bun 37. Out Of Stock, acronym, when an item is sold out on the menu 38. The alphabet begins this way 39. ___ilnovium (meitnerium, element 109) is a rare, limited use synthetic element 40. "It's c-c-cold!"

41. Word for a spherical shape such as the earth or the top of a sceptre 42. ___ Run Recreation Area in New Mexico is popular for rock crawling 44. A cozy place to stay, like a bed and breakfast 45. This made Pinnochio's nose grow 46. You count these with each birthday, in Spanish they have tildes 47. Orville is on in AC and books flights for ___ Airlines.

48. They come is wrappers and are often have chocolate in them

1. When you can get money for it 2. A bit that falls off a cookie when you eat it 3. These people are professionals at fake eating 4. One of the most common articles in the English language 6. This bug lies dormant underground in their nymph stages, some are dormant for more than 10 years.

7. An environment of relatively moist cool upland slopes below timberline dominated by large coniferous trees 8. "Star Trek" rank: Abbr. Chekov was the original one 9. Birthday's are this, once a year 10. Sighs of relief 14. Your stomach is in the center of this part of the body 19. California: Abbr.

20. At no cost, a garden grows food for this 22. "Best Grandma Ever", acronym 24. The tart quality of a lemon, one of the 5 basic taste sensations 25. The cards in a deck that can be high or low 26. Hot temper 27. Actress who plays Ashoka 30. Squirrel's treat 31. A prickly pear, though tasty, has a ___ surface 32. A duck has feet like this 33. This desert lizard's favorite food is yellow flowers of the creosote bush 35. British Columbia, Abbrv.

36. Ewoks' forest moon 40. A generic term for a container that holds garbage 41. No longer fresh 43. "Chocolate" dog

Crossword Answers on Page 38

Albuquerque

Francisco, 5

Albuquerque & Rio Rancho

Empower Your Child's Future Today!

SpringStone Montessori nurtures children 6 weeks to 5 years, fostering growth, independence, and confidence at every stage.

NE Heights 505-587-5192

Rio Rancho 505-591-6268

Paradise Hills 505-587-1889

University 505-587-1803

EN ROLL NOW www.springstonekids.com

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 19

Albuquerque Kids! Calendar

By AUTUMN GRAY Our calendar is as accurate as possible, but dates, times, places and prices of events can change. So, be sure to call ahead. Events listed are child- and teen-appropriate to the best of our knowledge. As families have different ideas of “age-appropriate,” we encourage you to confirm that any activity you attend is appropriate for your child. To have your events listed for free in our next calendar, fill out the calendar form at newmexico-kids.com or send the date, time, place, cost, description of the activity, sponsoring organization, and contact phone number to kids@newmexico-kids.com. The deadline is February 13 for listings in the March/April calendar. Listings are not guaranteed due to space limits. Phone numbers have a 505 area code unless otherwise noted.

January

ARTS & CRAFTS Jan. 11, Henna Class Series Part 2: Henna Mixing and Cone Rolling, 10 a.m.-noon. Design and apply henna art. Supplies provided. Preregistration required. Taught by Maryam Chudnoff of High Desert Henna. Free for community center members. Part 3 of the class series is set for the same time and place Jan. 25. Register for free membership and the class at play. cabq.gov (search for "henna").

Holiday Park Community Center, 11710 Comanche NE, 764-6425.

Jan. 24, Imbolc Crafts, 3:30-5 p.m.

Create a mini altar in a jar, as well as a Brigid’s Cross. Registration required. Limited to 8 participants.

Ages 9 to adult. Ernie Pyle Library, 900 Girard Blvd. SE, 256-2065.

Jan. 25, Lunar New Year Crafts for Kids, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Celebrate Lunar New Year – Year of the Snake - with crafts and treats.

Registration required. Ages 6+.

Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 291-6260.

FAIRS & FESTIVALS Jan. 11, Downtown Growers' Winter Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Local growers, artisans, wellness creators, and food vendors.

Free. FUSION! 708 1st St. NW, 766.9412, https://www.fusionnm. org/upcoming/2025/1/11/2025downtown-growers-winter-market.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Area libraries offer ongoing activities like Lego Club, book groups, Read to the Dogs, movies, craft clubs, science groups, origami adventures, chess and board game clubs, and storytimes. Check websites for calendars and details: abqlibrary. org, riorancholibraries.org, placitaslibrary.org. Prime Time attempts to provide a list of special library events under appropriate category headers in this calendar listing.

Jan. 4, Harry Potter Trivia Evening, 3-5 p.m. In celebration of National Trivia Day, exercise your expertise to win fun prizes at this fun Harry Potter themed event. All ages. San

Pedro Library, 5600 Trumbull Ave. SE, 256-2067.

Jan. 7, Family Event Diné Tea and Winter Stories, 3-5 p.m.

Watch Diné Coyote Stories in the Navajo language and enjoy a light refreshment. International District Library, 7601 Central Ave. NE, 768-4970.

Jan. 7, Family Movie Matinee: Ever After: A Cinderella Story (PG), 3:30-5:30 p.m. Snacks provided.

Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

MUSIC & DANCE Jan 4-31, Free Dance Class with Dance Theatre Southwest. Take advantage of a free class in any type of dance style a student or family is interested in. If a family or student signs up for classes, they will receive 50% off of February’s tuition. Classes range from Discovering Dance through advanced classical ballet & pointe, two levels of pas de deux (partnering), jazz, contemporary modern, and community hip hop for all ages and families to take together. Boys under 18 are always 50% off, Gift certificates are available. Free, Dance Theatre Southwest, 3805 Academy Parkway South, 296-9465, dtsw.com.

Jan. 8, Concerts @ the Library: MonÁxi Daughter of the Earth, 3-4 p.m. MonÁxi, whose music is grounded in her Angolan Motherland, combines soulful vocals with the Djembé drum.

Free. International District Library, 7601 Central Ave. NE, 768-4970.

(Also 4-5 p.m. Jan. 9 at Juan Tabo Library) Jan. 17, Concerts @ the Library: Ay! Clarumba Clarinet Quartet, 3-4 p.m. The Ay! Clarumba Clarinet Quartet, composed of four B-Flat clarinets and one bass clarinet perform arrangements and original compositions of Cole Porter, jazz, ragtime, classical through 20th century, and traditional Hispanic songs. Free. Taylor Ranch Library, 5700 Bogart St. NW, 897-8816.

SCIENCE & NATURE Jan. 2, 3, 6, 7, 15 Science is Everywhere Winter Break & Day Camps, 7:30 a.m.,

20 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, $75.00 member discount available,601 Eubank Street SE, (505)245-2137, https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/ educate/kids-camp/2024-winterbreak-camps. Email: brobin@ nuclearmuseum.org

with Cubelets, robot blocks that help teach important problemsolving skills like collaboration, engineering, design, and computational thinking. Space is limited. Registration required. Ages 7-17. Call 877-5170 or stop by the library to register. South Valley Library, 3904 Isleta Blvd.

Jan. 29, LEAP into Science: Balance Shmalance! 4-5 p.m. We balance to pick up a stone, walk along curbs, run up and down hills and carry heavy book bags on one shoulder – all without falling over. Learn more about balance.

Ages 6–9 with an adult. Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 291-6260.

Jan. 8, Beat That! 4-5 p.m. Can you stand up with a cup balancing on your head without dropping it? Can you stack four dice with chopsticks in 30 seconds? Can you bounce two ping pong balls at the same time and get them into two cups? Try these and other wild challenges. Registration required.

Ages 12+. Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 291-6260.

STAGE

Jan. 11, Steampunk Dictionary Prints, 3-5 p.m. Use custom stencils to make designs on old dictionary pages and create unique steampunk art. Materials provided. Registration required.

Limited to 25. Ages 13+. South Broadway Library, 1025 Broadway Blvd. SE, 764-1742.

Jan. 12, WinterFest gala, 1-4 p.m. Vote on Albuquerque Little’s Theatre’s 2025 slate of musicals after seeing eight snippets of performances from each, and be the first to hear the year’s lineup of plays. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, complimentary champagne. Black tie or costumes. Tickets for ages 16 and up cost $60; age 8-15 cost $30. Albuquerque Little Theatre, 224 San Pasquale SW, 242-4750, https://albuquerquelittletheatre.org/

STORYTELLING Jan. 18, Laurel Goodluck Storytime, noon-2 p.m. Indigenous children’s author Laurel Goodluck reads from her new book, Yáadilá!

San Pedro Library, 5600 Trumbull Ave. SE, 256-2067.

Jan. 28, Animal Tales with the ABQ BioPark, 10:30-11:30 a.m. As an animal-related book is read, the BioPark will present animals and biofacts that represent the animals in the story for the children to meet. Alamosa Library, 6900 Gonzales Road SW, 836-0684. (also 11 a.m.-noon Jan. 7 at San Pedro Library and 10:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 16 at Tony Hillerman Library)

JUST FOR TWEENS & TEENS Jan. 2-3, Sphero Robot Ball Race Jam & Robo Cubelet Chaos, 2-3:30 p.m. both days. Day One: Use tablets to control Sphero robot balls to race through obstacle courses. Day Two: Play

Jan. 11, Second Saturday STEM Club: Kool Kinetic Kopters! 11 a.m.-noon. Explore the power of Potential vs Kinetic energy by launching helicopters into the air. Ages 7-17. Children under 7 welcome, with adult helper. South Valley Library, 3904 Isleta Blvd. SW, 877-5170.

Jan. 22, Bookmark Charms, 5:30-7 p.m. Craft a charming creation for your next read. Ages 16+. Central & Unser Library, 8081 Central Ave. NW, 768-4320.

Jan. 25, Teen Button Making Workshop, 4-5 p.m. Make buttons with personal art, comics, and any other image you want to sport on a backpack or lapel. Ages 13–17. Los Griegos Library, 1000 Griegos Rd. NW, 761-4020.

Jan. 30, Ready, Set, Bake! A Baking Challenge for Tweens, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Using the library’s Kitchen in a Box baking kit, six participants can participate in creating baked goods to rate, trade, and enjoy.

Registration required. Ages 8-12.

Central & Unser Library, 8081 Central Ave. NW, 768-4320. (continued on next page)

Albuquerque Kids! Calendar ESPECIALLY FOR ADULTS/ PARENTS Jan. 7, YouTube & Video Editing, 5:30-7 p.m. Learn how to easily edit your videos and upload them to YouTube. Free, online via Zoom.

Register at: https://abqlibrary.org/ ernafergusson.

Jan. 9, Imbolc Corn Dolls, 5:307 p.m. Learn about Candlemas, (known as Imbolc in the Celtic tradition), while making a Brigid doll to attract good fortune.

Registration required. Ages 18+.

Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

Jan. 10, Adult Crafternoon: Paint Pour Art, 3-4 p.m. Participate in an acrylic paint pour using your own colors and design. Registration required. Limited to 16. Ages 18+. Lomas Tramway Library, 908 Eastridge Dr. NE, 291-6295.

Jan. 11, Vision Boards 2025, 2-4 p.m. Create a collage of images that will motivate you to accomplish your goals in the new year. Bring any images or quotes you’d like to include. All materials provided. Registration required.

Ages 18+ but teens welcome. Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo Blvd.

NE, 291-6260.

Jan. 23, Gardening with Native Plants: Enjoying Nature at Home, 4-5:30 p.m. Learn how to choose the right native plant for the right place, where to find other resources, and how to become part of the ABQ Backyard Refuge program. Diane Stevenson, native plant enthusiast, ecological garden design coach, and horticulturist will share her challenges in designing and maintaining her home garden. Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 2916260. (Also 3-5 p.m. Jan 18 at Lomas Tramway Library and 4-5 p.m. Jan. 29 at Tony Hillerman Library) Jan. 27, Hands-on Introduction to Sewing Machines, 5-7 p.m.

Beginner basics: threading the machine, choosing stitch types, steering fabric, and simple ways to be creative. Ages 18+. International District Library, 7601 Central Ave. NE, 768-4970. (Also 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Jan. 30)

ALSO OF INTEREST

Jan. 4, Monthly Matinee: The Leopard Man, 3-4:30 p.m. After

a leopard used in a nightclub act escapes, mysterious murders begin occurring in a quiet New Mexico town. This 1943 noirhorror-thriller, directed by Golden Age of Hollywood auteur Jacques Tourneur, includes exteriors filmed in Santa Fe. Runtime 1 hour.

Special Collections Library, 423 Central Ave. NE, 848-1376.

storytimes. Check websites for calendars and details: abqlibrary. org, riorancholibraries.org, placitaslibrary.org. Prime Time attempts to provide a list of special library events under appropriate category headers in this calendar listing.

Jan. 14, Open House at Rio Grande School, 9-11 a.m.

Meet the staff and tour the campus. Learn more and RSVP at admissions@riograndeschool. org. 715 Camino Cabra, 9831621, www.RioGrandeSchool.org, admissions@riograndeschool.org

Feb. 1, Van Hanh Lion Dance Group, 1-3 p.m. Albuquerque’s Van Hanh Lion Dance Group celebrates lunar new year with a performance. Then, craft a hóngbāo (red envelope) to wish friends and family a prosperous, happy new year. Materials provided. Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

Jan. 19, Board Games & Pizza with Albuquerque Association of Gifted and Talented Students (AAGTS), 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Enjoy free gaming while purchasing your own pizza. No RSVP needed. Look for the AAGTS table. Slice and Dice Pizzeria, 2225 Wyoming Blvd. NE Suite C, (408) 515-7518, www. aagts.org, info@aagts.org.

Jan. 23, Open House at Amy Biehl High School, 5:30-7 p.m. Tour this public tuition-free charter school.

123 4th St. SW, 299-9409, www.

AmyBiehlHighSchool.org

February

ARTS & CRAFTS Feb. 1, Candy Sushi, 2-4 p.m.

Maske sushi out of candy. Fun, delicious materials provided.

Registration required. Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 291-6260.

Feb. 1, Wax Seal Workshop, noon2 p.m. Decorate a greeting card, and learn to seal your message with a wax seal. Registration required. Ages 8+. San Pedro Library, 5600 Trumbull Ave. SE, 256-2067.

Feb. 8, Heart-Shaped Animals Craft, noon-2 p.m. Create and decorate animals out of heartshaped paper. San Pedro Library, 5600 Trumbull Ave. SE, 256-2067.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Area libraries offer ongoing activities like Lego Club, book groups, Read to the Dogs, movies, craft clubs, science groups, origami adventures, chess and board game clubs, and

MUSIC & DANCE

Feb. 2, Concerts @ the Library: Michael Anthony, 2-3 p.m.

Michael Anthony spent decades as a first-call session guitarist and second-generation member of the famed Wrecking Crew that played on countless hit records. Free.

Main Library, 501 Copper Ave. NW, 768-5141.

SCIENCE & NATURE Feb. 1, STEAM Night: Zozobra, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Enjoy science, technology, engineering, art, and math at the Balloon Museum during an event that focuses on the story of Zozobra and the museum’s new exhibition celebrating 20 years. Free for members, or included with museum admission.

Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr. NE, 768-6097, https:// balloonmuseum.com/event/st-e-a-m-nights-at-the-balloonmuseum-zozobra/ Feb. 8, QuanTimeNM, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Engage in quantum demos and activities led by quantum scientists. All ages. Included with admission. Explora! 1701 Mountain NW, 600-6072. Explora.us.

Feb. 17, Science is Everywhere Presidents' Day Camp, 7:30 a.m., The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Brilliant Bridges (Grades K-6). Build on your knowledge of architecture and engineering as we analyze how bridges are designed and built and what makes them work as well as they do. $75.00 member discount available,601 Eubank Street SE, (505)245-2137, https://www. nuclearmuseum.org/educate/kids-

camp/2024-winter-break-camps.

Email: brobin@nuclearmuseum.org.

Feb. 22, Dive Into Discovery: Celebrate STEAM Day with Hands-On Fun for the Whole Family, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) through engaging experiments and hands-on activities. Local engineers, physicists, technicians, and scientists will guide families in activities designed to spark interest in scientific fields. Included with museum admission; no charge for museum members.

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, 601 Eubank Blvd. SE, 245.2137 https:// www.nuclearmuseum.org/visit/ events/2025-discover-steam-day

READING/STORYTELLING Feb. 19, Winter Themed Courtyard Storytime, 3-4 p.m. Courtyard reading about snow and winter.

Games, crafts, snacks. Ages 0-10.

Tony Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache Ave. NE, 291-6264.

STAGE March 1 at 2 at 7 p.m., and March 2 at 2 p.m., Ballet Repertory Theatre’s Beauty & the Beast. Set in an enchanted world, a gentle beauty discovers a sensitive soul hidden within a magnificent beast.

KiMo Theatre, Downtown, Central and 5th, $22-$30, ABQtickets.com, https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/ kimo/events/upcoming-events, 768-3522.

JUST FOR TWEENS & TEENS Feb. 8, ThunderbirdHacks. Allday engineering and coding event for high schoolers of all coding abilities. Prizes, food, and more.

Pre-registration required.

Offered in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories.

Explora, 1701 Mountain NW, 6006072. Explora.us.

Feb. 8, Second Saturday STEM Club: Mini Marshmallow Megabuilding Madness! 11 a.m.noon. Using toothpicks and mini marshmallows, race to build the tallest structure that can stand on its own while learning about engineering concepts of stability, weight distribution, and structural support. Ages 7–17. Under 7 (continued on next page)

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 21

Albuquerque Kids! Calendar welcome with adult. South Valley Library, 3904 Isleta Blvd. SW, 877-5170.

Feb. 13, Teen and Tween Craft: Mask Decorating, 4-5:30 p.m.

Decorate a masquerade mask for Mardi Gras or as a wall decoration.

Materials provided. Ages 9–17.

Lomas Tramway Library, 908 Eastridge Dr. NE, 291-6295.

ESPECIALLY FOR ADULTS/ PARENTS Feb. 3, Gardening with Native Plants: Enjoying Nature at Home, 6-7:30 p.m. Learn how to choose the right native plant for the right place, where to find other resources, and how to become part of the ABQ Backyard Refuge program. Diane Stevenson, native plant enthusiast, ecological garden design coach, and horticulturist will share her challenges in designing and maintaining her home garden. Cherry Hills Library, 6901 Barstow St. NE, 857-8321.

Feb. 8, The Haunted Old Santa Fe Prison, 5:30-7 p.m. Presentation on the anniversary of the Santa Fe Prison Riot of 1980, exploring one of America’s most haunted prisons and providing information about the riot. Registration required.

Ages 18+. Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

Feb. 8, Valentine Gnomes, 2-4 p.m. Make the cutest creatures to represent the season of love.

For adults, but teens welcome.

Registration required. Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE, 291-6260.

Feb. 13, Decorative Witch Brooms, 5:30-7 p.m. Learn about the powers of the Witch’s Besom while you decorate a miniature broom.

Registration required. Ages 18+.

Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

Feb. 14, Adult Crafternoon: Ikebana Flower Arranging, 3-4 p.m. Class on Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging.

Learn the basic principles of this ancient art form and make an arrangement. Materials provided.

Registration required. Limited to 16. Ages 18+. Lomas Tramway Library, 908 Eastridge Dr. NE, 2916295. (also 1-2 p.m. Feb 1 at Los Griegos Library)

who lived in your house before you? Do you think your house has historical significance? Attend our House History Workshop and begin a fascinating journey through history of your home or building.

Special Collections Library, 423 Central Ave. NE, 848-1376.

CULTURAL CENTERS & MUSEUMS

ALSO OF INTEREST

Indian Pueblo Cultural Dance Program, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sats and Suns. Pueblo communities celebrate seasonal cycles through prayer, song, and dance that connect ancestors, community, and traditions while honoring gifts from the Creator. Included with admission, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St. NW, 8437270, indianpueblo.org/culturaldance-program.

Feb. 1, The Montessori Elementary & Middle School annual open house, noon-1 p.m.

Meet the staff and tour the Carmel campus, serving kindergarten and the private, tuition-based Casita preschool. 5801 Carmel Ave. NE, 796-0149, https://tmesnm.com/ Feb. 1, The Montessori Elementary & Middle School annual open house, 10 a.m.noon. Meet the staff and tour the Montaño campus, serving kindergarten-8th grade. 1730 Montano Rd. NW, 796-0149, https://tmesnm.com/ Feb. 1, Hearing Our Voices, Reading our Words, 1-3 p.m.

Kick off Black History Month by honoring African American authors in all genres, featuring African American writers of New Mexico such as children’s book author Charlia Boyer of Vado and poet Doris A. Fields of Placitas. Rudolfo Anaya North Valley Library, 7704-B 2nd St. NW, 897-8823 Feb. 14, Chocolate-Covered Strawberries, 3:30-5 p.m. Learn how to make chocolate-covered strawberries/ banana treats.

Materials provided. Ages 11+.

Alamosa Library, 6900 Gonzales Rd. SW, 836-0684.

Feb. 16, Board Games & Pizza with Albuquerque Association of Gifted and Talented Students (AAGTS), 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free gaming; buy your own pizza. No RSVP needed.

Look for the AAGTS table. Slice and Dice Pizzeria, 5720 McMahon Blvd.

NW, Suite B, (408) 515-7518, www. aagts.org, info@aagts.org Feb. 28, The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T., 3-5 p.m. In observance of Dr. Seuss' 120th birthday, watch The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (G), Dr. Seuss' only original liveaction film. Runtime: 90 minutes.

Activities and prizes. Refreshments served. All ages. Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE, 888-8100.

Feb. 15, House History Workshop, 3-5 p.m. Have you ever wondered

22 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Toddler Time, 9-11 a.m. Mondays at Explora! This is a reserved timeslot for the museum’s youngest visitors to explore. 1701 Mountain NW, 600-6072. Explora.us.

STORYTELLING Stories Under the Cottonwood Tree, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Third Saturday of each month. Meet in the Native Plant Garden for storytelling by Dianne Rossbach, weather permitting. Ages 5-10.

Free. Rio Grande Nature Center Park, 2901 Candelaria Road NW, 344-7240, https://www.rgnc.org/ index.php/rgnc-events-calendar/ Stories & Music in the Sky. Choose from two sessions Wednesdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon.

An award-winning early childhood education programming featuring stories, music, movement, and art produced by the ABQ Balloon Museum; for ages up to 6. Stories are brought to life, and stories and music are shared from around the world in multiple languages by incorporating books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Free, Anderson Abruzzo ABQ International Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum NE, visitalbuquerque.org/event/ stories-%26-music-in-thesky/55549.

Early Childhood Bilingual Storytime, Third Tuesdays, 10 a.m.

Stories come to life through art, movement, and more. Ages 3 to 5 and caregivers. National Hispanic Cultural Center Library, 1701 4th St. SW, 505.724.4771. https:// www.nhccnm.org/event/earlychildhood-bilingual-storytime-11/

NATURE & SCIENCE Bosque Wild Guided Hike, first Saturdays, 8-11 a.m. Moderately strenuous. Take water, wear comfortable closed-toed shoes,

and dress for the weather. Free. No pets. Open Space Visitor Center, 500 Coors NW, 768-4950.

Guided Bird Walks, Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30-10 a.m. Join a volunteer naturalist and fellow birders for a guided walk through the Nature Center, including some areas normally off-limits to visitors; limited to 12. Registration required. Meet at the blind at the east end of the parking lot. $3 parking/day use fee or FRGNC or State Park pass on the dash, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, 2901 Candelaria NW, 344-0274, rgnc.org/index.php/calendar.

STEM Day Fun Day, fourth Saturdays, 3:30 p.m. Learn about science, technology, engineering, and math in new and creative ways. Do an experiment or a craft.

The HUB @ Enchanted Hills, 7845 Enchanted Hills, Rio Rancho, 8915008, riorancholibraries.events. mylibrary.digital.

JUST FOR TEENS Teen Creative Writing Club, first Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Share work, find a group to push you past writer’s block, and find tips and tricks to hone skills.

Free. Loma Colorado Library, 755 Loma Colorado NE, RR, 8915013, riorancholibraries.events. mylibrary.digital.

Young Adult Book Club, fourth Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m. Each month read a different book chosen by club members. Talk and eat snacks, enjoy crafts and other activities related to the book that was read. Free, ages 12-18, Loma Colorado Main Library, 755 Loma Colorado NE, RR, 8915013, riorancholibraries.events. mylibrary.digital.

ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS Colcha Community Stitch A-long, 9:30 a.m. 4th Tuesday of each month, beginning Feb. 25. Open to all levels of experience in an informal setting. Guided by awardwinning artist Annette GutierrezTurk. Free. Register monthly at https://my.nmculture. org/29977/41758 to attend in person or via Zoom. For questions, contact Annette.Lujan@dca. nm.gov or call 724-4771. National Hispanic Cultural Center, Domenici Education Building,1701 4th St. SW. (continued on next page)

Albuquerque Kids! Calendar FREE ADMISSION ABQ Museum, Tuesday-Sunday, ages 3 and under; members with ID; first Wednesdays; Sundays from 9 a.m.-1p.m., 2000 Mountain NW, 243-7255, cabq.gov/artsculture/ albuquerque-museum/plan-yourvisit/admission-ticketing.

Balloon Museum, Sundays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; first Fridays; ages 5 and under; Museum Foundation Members; and ICOM, AAM and NMAM members, 9201 Balloon Museum NE, 768-6020, cabq. gov/artsculture/balloonmuseum/ plan-your-visit/admission-onlineticketings.

Coronado Historic Site, Wednesday-Monday, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Free 16 and under; first

Sundays NM residents; NM residents 60 years and older with ID admitted free every Wednesday; Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Friends of Coronado and Jemez members, Native/Tribal affiliations, disabled veterans, and foster families all foster families; 485 Kuaua Rd, Bernalillo, 867-5351, nmhistoricsites.org/coronado.

Explora, Monday-Sunday, under age 1; members; 1701 Mountain NW, 600-6072, explora.us/visitorinformation.

Jemez Historic Site, WednesdaySunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free 16 and under; first Sundays NM residents; Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Friends of Coronado and Jemez members, Native/Tribal affiliations, disabled

veterans, and foster families; 18160 NM-4, Jemez Springs, 8293530, nmhistoricsites.org/jemez.

National Hispanic Cultural Center Visual Arts Museum, Tuesday-Sunday, free for ages 16 and under; members; all NM foster families; first Sundays NM residents; NM residents 60+ with ID on Wednesdays; active military and reservists, and up to five family members; NHCC Foundation Members, foster parents and children in the custody of foster parents, 1701 4th SW, 724-4771, nhccnm.org/visit/hours-admission.

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, MondaySunday, under age 5, 601 Eubank SE, 569-0865, nuclearmuseum.org/ visit.

NM Museum of Natural History and Science, Wednesday-Monday, ages 2 and under; NMMNHS Members must reserve their free tickets ahead of time by calling the membership desk at 505.841.2851,1801 Mountain NW, nmnaturalhistory.org.

State Parks Free Entrance Days are listed at nps.gov/planyourvisit/feefree-parks-state.htm.

Tingley Beach Recreational Area is free every day, anglers 12 and older need a valid NM fishing license; ponds are restocked approximately every 3-4 weeks, 1800 Tingley SW, cabq.gov/ artsculture/biopark/tingley.

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New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 23

Santa Fe Kids! Calendar

By AUTUMN GRAY Our calendar is as accurate as possible, but dates, times, places, and prices of events can change. So, be sure to call ahead. Events listed are child- and teen-appropriate to the best of our knowledge. As families have different ideas of “age-appropriate,” we encourage you to confirm that any activity you attend is appropriate for your child. To have your events listed for free in our next calendar, fill out the calendar form at newmexico-kids.com, or send the date, time, place, cost, description of the activity, sponsoring organization, and contact phone number to kids@newmexico-kids.com. The deadline is February 13 for listings in the March/April calendar. Listings are not guaranteed due to space limits. Phone numbers have a 505 area code unless otherwise noted.

January

CULTURAL CENTERS & MUSEUMS

Jan. 3, First Friday, 10 a.m.-noon.

Think of someone inspiring in your life and create a unique retablo. Materials provided. Free.

New Mexico Museum of Art, Plaza Building, 107 West Palace Avenue, 476-5063, https://www. nmartmuseum.org/events/firstfriday/.

Jan. 26, Lunar New Year Celebration, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Celebrate Asian New Year traditions and the Year of the Snake with art activities and live performances. All ages. Free.

Museum of International Folk Art, 706 Camino Lejo, on Museum Hill, 476-1204, https://moifa.org/ events

ARTS & CRAFTS

Jan. 5, Family Art Making, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Say “farewell” to the Saints y Santos exhibition by creating your own saint portrait. Light snacks. Free to NM residents. Vladem Contemporary, 404 Montezuma Ave., 476.5062, https://www.nmartmuseum.org/ events/family-art-making-3/ Jan. 9, Create with O'Keeffe: Create Your Own Music Stick, 3:30 p.m. Join artist Christina Kortz to explore the art of sound and music by creating a music stick using ribbons and jingle bells.

Free. learning@okeeffemuseum. org. La Farge Library, 1730 Llano, 955-4862. (also 3:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive, 955-2820 and Jan. 23 at Main Library, 145 Washington, 955-6837) Jan. 19, Family Art Making, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Guided “doodling” inspired by the exhibition, Line

by Line. Light snacks. Free to NM residents. Vladem Contemporary, 404 Montezuma Ave., 476.5062, https://www.nmartmuseum.org/ events/family-art-making-4/

FAIRS & FESTIVALS Jan. 26, Lunar New Year, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. It’s the Year of the Snake! Join us to celebrate the New Year traditions of east and southeast Asia. There will be family-fun for all ages including art activities, performances by Quang Minh Temple Lion Dance Group, Taiko Drumming by Smokin’ Bachi Taiko and more! Museum of International Folk Art, 706 Camino Lejo, on Museum Hill, 476-1204. https://www.internationalfolkart. org/event/details/6353/2025/01/ lunar-new-year-celebration

SCIENCE & NATURE

Jan. 4, Science Saturday, 2-4 p.m.

Fun, educational experiments and projects with scientists and STEAM instructors. Included with admission. Santa Fe Children's Museum, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8359, https:// santafechildrensmuseum. org/event/sciencesaturday-43/2025-01-04/ Jan. 25, Come Build With Us, 2-4 p.m. Use your imagination to build your newest creation. Children, tweens. Main Library Community Room, 145 Washington Ave. 9556781.

STORYTELLING Jan. 7, 9, and 21-23 Audubon Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Miss Kanah from the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary for a special nature storytime. Held at Southside, LaFarge, and Main libraries. Check library listings for respective dates.

yoga and meditation, guitar ensembles, book clubs, movies, and knitting clubs. Check websites for calendars and details: santafe. librarycalendar.com/events, vglibrary.org. Prime Time attempts to provide a list of special library events under appropriate category headers in this calendar listing.

STORYTELLING

February

LIBRARY EVENTS

ARTS & CRAFTS Create with O’Keeffe, 3:30-4:30 p.m. on second, third, and fourth Thursdays of every month at libraries around Santa Fe. Free.

For more information, contact learning@okeeffemuseum.org.

Friday Afternoon Art, 2:304:30 p.m. Children and tweens.

Southside Library Café Room, 6599 Jaguar Drive, 955-2820.

Feb. 2, Family Art Making, 10 a.m.-noon. Make Valentine’s cards for friends, family. Light snacks.

Free to NM residents. Vladem Contemporary, 404 Montezuma Ave., 476.5062, https://www. nmartmuseum.org/events/familyart-making/ (unspecified family art event also set for 2-4 pm Feb. 16) Feb. 7, First Friday: Valentines Card Making, 5-7 p.m. Materials provided. Free. New Mexico Museum of Art, Plaza Building, 107 West Palace Ave., 476-5063, https://www.nmartmuseum.org/ events/first-friday-valentines-cardmaking-2/

JUST FOR TWEENS & TEENS GAMES Jan. 25, Opera Makes Sense Performance for Kids, 1-2 p.m. Join the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera for this interactive exploration of opera. Younger children also welcome. La Farge Library, 1730 Llano St., 955-4862.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Area libraries offer ongoing activities like Bilingual Books and Babies, Paws and Pages, Read to a Pup!, Game Time, chess clubs, after-school clubs, storytimes, and movies. For adults, ongoing activities include

24 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Feb. 28, Drop-In Legos and Games, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Southside Library Community Room, 6599 Jaguar Drive.

SCIENCE & NATURE Feb. 22, Come Build With Us, 2-4 p.m. Use your imagination to build your newest creation. Children, tweens. Main Library Community Room, 145 Washington Ave. 955-6781.

Feb. 19, Audubon Storytime, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join Miss Kanah from the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary for a very special nature story time. La Farge Library, 1730 Llano, 955-4862 Area libraries offer ongoing activities like Bilingual Books and Babies, Paws and Pages, Read to a Pup!, Game Time, chess clubs, after-school clubs, storytimes, and movies. For adults, ongoing activities include yoga and meditation, guitar ensembles, book clubs, movies, and knitting clubs. Check websites for calendars and details: santafe. librarycalendar.com/events, vglibrary.org. Prime Time attempts to provide a list of special library events under appropriate category headers in this calendar listing.

CULTURAL CENTERS & MUSEUMS Animal Meet & Greet, Thursdays, 12:30-1 p.m. Learn fun facts about the museum pets and see them eat their lunch. Say “hi” to Cornelius (Corn snake), Bisquick (Tortoise), Fafnir (Lizard), and Loki (Mexican Black Kingsnake).

Included with admission, Santa Fe Children’s Museum, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8359, santafechildrensmuseum.org/ events.

Can You Dig It Archaeological Program, select Wednesdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. See website for schedule. Handson archaeology dig for kids and families provides chance to learn about archaeology and New Mexico history by digging in a simulated archaeology pit. Ages 5 and older. Parent supervision required. Included with admission.

Free to members and children 12 and under. NM residents get free admission Wednesdays, with a valid ID. El Rancho de Las Golondrinas, 334 Los Pinos Road, 471-2261, https://golondrinas.org/ event/. (continued on next page)

Santa Fe Kids! Calendar Family Day, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. second Sundays. Take the whole family to explore the connections between shapes, abstraction, music, and self-expression.

Monthly themes vary. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, 217 Johnson St., 946-1000, https://www. okeeffemuseum.org/events/?_ event_type=family-day.

Fine Art Friday, 2-4 p.m. First Fridays. Explore the arts with special guests and hands-on activities. Included with admission, Santa Fe Children’s Museum, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8359, santafechildrensmuseum.org/ events.

Seeds & Sprouts, Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Kids explore nature from fun in the backyard, to in-house programming.

Included with admission, Santa Fe Children’s Museum, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8359, santafechildrensmuseum.org/ events.

Wee Wednesdays, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. Parents and toddlers enjoy discovery with story time and play. Included with admission, Santa Fe Children’s Museum, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8359, santafechildrensmuseum.org/ events.

LIBRARIES

Area Libraries offer activities like Audubon Storytime, Bilingual Books and Babies, Paws and Pages, Read to a Pup!, Game Time, chess clubs, after-school clubs, story times, movies, and knitting clubs. Check websites for calendars and details: santafe. librarycalendar.com/events and vglibrary.org. The following are just some of the ongoing events at libraries.

MUSIC & DANCE Caregiver and Tot Creative Movement, 10:15 a.m. 1st and 3rd Saturdays. A gentle introductory class for children and their caregiver with discovery of dance through play, that sparks a lifelong appreciation for movement arts. Free. Main Library, 145 Washington, 955-6837, santafe. librarycalendar.com/events.

Kids Sing Along with Queen Bee, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Wednesdays.

Queen Bee leads ages 0-6 through a variety of engaging music games

and sing-alongs, from classics like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ to energetic originals like ‘Dinosaurs Don’t Roar Anymore.’ Meets in Community Room or grassy slope, depending on weather. Free, but donations welcome. Railyard Park Conservancy, 805 Early Street, 204 B, 316 3596, https://railyardpark. org/events/.

SCIENCE & NATURE Saturday Birding Meetup, Saturdays, 8:30-10 a.m. A guided walk through the gardens and property; all welcome. Free, Randall Davey Audubon Center, 1800 Upper Canyon, southwest. audubon.org/event-type/birdwalks.

STORYTELLING Toddler Time at Many Mothers, 11:30 a.m.-noon first Mondays.

Program of rhymes, songs, movement, and stories builds on familiar experiences to introduce new vocabulary and sounds, foster early literacy. Ages 1-3. Many Mothers, 4001 Office Ct Drive, Ste. 207, 983-5984, trpaisley@ santafenm.gov Elements of Art: Story Time, every other Monday at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Ages 3-5 learn about a basic element of art though story, song, and craft. Introduces children to concepts such as color, line, and form. New Mexico Museum of Art Library, Plaza Building, 107 West Palace Ave., 476.5063, https:// www.nmartmuseum.org/events/ storytime/.

Bilingual Books and Babies, 1010:30 a.m. The power of music and song is used as an introduction to language in this program for babies and toddlers. Free: Wednesdays, Main Library, 145 Washington, 955-6781; Fridays: La Farge Library, 1730 Llano, 955-4862; Saturdays: Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar, 955-2820, santafe.librarycalendar. com/events/upcoming.

Children’s Storytime and Craft, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free, Tuesdays: Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar, 955-2820; Wednesdays: La Farge Library, 1730 Llano, 955-4862; Thursdays, Main Library, 145 Washington, 955-6781, santafe. librarycalendar.com/events.

Pajama Story Time / Hora Del Cuento En Pijama, Thursdays, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. A cozy, evening story time that includes a snack and a craft. Preschool. Southside Library Community Room, Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar, 955-2820, santafe.librarycalendar.com/ events.

GAMES & CLUBS Youth Chess Club, Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m. A chance for schoolage youth to continue to improve critical thinking skills through chess. While playing with other youth, new techniques, strategies, and tricks are introduced. For youth of all ages who know the basic elements of chess and can play without aid. Free, Main Library, 145 Washington, 9556780, santafe.librarycalendar.com/ events/upcoming.

JUST FOR TWEENS & TEENS Tweens Create! Third Fridays.

3:30 p.m. Crafts and activities.

Ages 9-12. Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Drive, 955-2820.

Teen Lounge, every Wednesday, 2-4 p.m. A safe space for teens to decompress after school with art supplies, homework tables, laptops and Wi-Fi, board games, tea, and snacks. La Farge Library, 1730 Llano, 955-4862.

ALSO OF INTEREST Baby and Toddler Play Hour, Second Saturdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free, unstructured play where children can explore and interact with other children and new educational toys. Learn and make social connections together with your toddler. Main Library Community Room, 145 Washington, 955-6781, santafe. librarycalendar.com/events.

FREE ADMISSION

Though many museums and cultural centers offer free admission days, restrictions may apply during high-traffic dates like Balloon Fiesta, please call before you visit to verify the dates of your visit are free admission days. To see a full list of hours and prices, visit newmexicoculture.org/visit/ hours-and-admission-prices.

IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sunday. Children (under 16), members, Native and Indigenous peoples, and United States military veterans, daily; free to all, Fridays.

83 Avan Nu Po, 983-8900, iaia.edu/ free-fridays-at-the-iaia-museumof-contemporary-native-arts.

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, Open every day 10am5pm (May through October). NM foster families and children 16 and under, daily; NM residents, first Sunday of each month; NM seniors 60+ with ID, Wednesdays.

710-708 Camino Lejo, 476-1269, indianartsandculture.org/hours.

Museum of International Folk Art, Open every day 10am-5pm (May through October). NM foster families and children 16 and under, daily; NM residents, first Sunday of each month; NM seniors 60+ with ID, Wednesdays. 706 Camino Lejo, On Museum Hill, 476-1204, moifa. org/visit/hours-admission.html.

NM History Museum, Open every day 10am-5pm (May through October). NM foster families and children 16 and under, daily; NM residents, first Sunday of each month; NM seniors 60+ with ID, Wednesdays. 113 Lincoln, 4765200, nmhistorymuseum.org/visit/ hours-and-admission.html.

NM Museum of Art, Open every day 10am-5pm (May through October). NM foster families and children 16 and under, daily; NM residents, first Sunday of each month; NM seniors 60+ with ID, Wednesdays. 107 W. Palace, 4765072, nmartmuseum.org/visit.

Santa Fe Botanical Garden, Monday-Sunday, ages 3 and under, members, 715 Camino Lejo, 4719103, santafebotanicalgarden.org/ visit.

Santa Fe Children’s Museum, Wednesday-Sunday, under age 1 and members; free to all, Thursdays 4-6pm, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, 989-8356, santafechildrensmuseum.org/ explore/plan-your-visit.

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 25

Young Historian: Holiday History

By KELI HOLT In 220 A.D. a poor father worried about his three daughters’ futures. The people employed to catch enslaved workers that had escaped were in town, and he wondered if a life of servitude would be preferable to starvation. The next morning the family woke to a miracle: A bag of gold coins lay on their floor in an old shoe (some say a stocking). Over the years, more bags of money appeared. The Bishop of Myra, a town in Romancontrolled Turkey, had secretly thrown the bags through the window. Christians called him Saint Nicholas and exchanged gifts in his honor every Dec. 6 on his Feast Day. Hundreds of years earlier, sometime around 6 B.C. a baby was born in Bethlehem in modern Israel. At that time, Israel was controlled by the mighty Roman Empire, and its ruler, Caesar Augustus, had ordered a census. The pregnant Mary and her husband, Joseph, returned to his hometown of Bethlehem to be counted. They arrived too late to find a place to stay, so Mary gave birth to the baby Jesus in a barn and laid him in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. Christians know this humble birth as the Christmas Story. But it would be hundreds of years before Dec. 25 would be recognized as Jesus’ birthday.

After Jesus’ death, his disciples traveled the Empire, using the elaborate Roman road system to spread His teachings. However, Christianity was illegal. The Caesars did not like that Christians refused to worship them as Gods. The early Christians faced horrible persecutions, and many were killed for their faith. Over time, secret churches sprang up and kept a calendar marking the dates when a Christian was martyred. These “death dates” were commemorated with prayer and worship.

Then in 313, the Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, and the underground churches flooded into the open. The early Christians, however, did not celebrate the birth of Jesus, as the Bible does not give a specific date. Their holy calendar contained the Easter holiday, the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Epiphany, the appearance of Jesus and the martyrs’ death dates.

As Christianity spread, a question arose: what to do with the old Roman religious celebrations? The greatest one was called the Saturnalia, a crazy seven-day period from Dec. 17-23 in which gifts were exchanged, wreaths and greenery were hung to ward off evil spirits, and societal roles flipped. The party culminated on Dec. 25, the birthday of Sol, the unconquered sun. Many new Christian converts refused to give up these traditions and rather than punish people for partying on Dec. 25, the Emperor Julian

yule log and ivy vines

26 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

in 345 A.D. declared that day the birthday of Jesus.

Julian wasn’t simply co-opting Sol’s celebration, however. The early Christians believed that Jesus’ conception and death fell on the same day, March 25. Conveniently, March 25 is exactly nine months before Dec. 25, and any of you older siblings will remember it takes nine months in a mom’s belly before a baby is ready to face the world. As more Romans converted to Christianity, they could still celebrate their beloved Dec. 25 holiday, but with a new meaning. The greenery and wreaths once displayed for Sol were now hung in honor of Jesus. By the 400s, Dec. 25 was an established part of the holy calendar.

Christianity rapidly spread on the backs of thousands of missionaries. Germany converted in the 7th century, and the Germanic traditions of a Yule log (a large trunk designed to burn for an extended period), winter feasting, red holly berries and mistletoe were given Christian meanings. The greenery and red holly berries now represented the body and blood of Jesus. The Yule log now burned for the entire 12 days of the Advent (the 12 days of worship in preparation for Christmas) and represented the fire burned to keep the baby Jesus warm.

In the 12th century, the Italian monk Francis of Assisi built the first nativity scene, a depiction of the wise men coming to worship the baby Jesus. St. Francis wanted to emphasize the humility and poverty into which Jesus had been born. His rendering of the Christmas Story has been on display for almost 1,000 years.

By the 16th century, however, many Christians wanted to reform the Catholic Church. Martin Luther sparked the Reformation in 1517 when he posted a series of proposals on a church door.

One of his ideas was to end the Catholic Church’s veneration of saints. Since Christians loved celebrating St. Nicholas on Dec. 6 with gift giving, Luther simply decided to exchange gifts on Christmas Day in honor of Jesus. He wanted children to celebrate the birth of Jesus over the good works of a saint. We have been doing so ever since.

Some Protestants, as those Christians who left the Catholic Church were called, did not like the celebration of Christmas.

In the 1640s after a civil war in England, a group of Christians called the Puritans came to power. The Puritans tried to outlaw Christmas and all of its traditions. Since Dec. 25 is never mentioned in the Bible, they argued it was blasphemous to celebrate it. They passed laws in Parliament forcing all stores to stay open on Christmas Day and banned all drinking, gambling and Christmas decorations and food. Like the Romans refusing to give up Saturnalia, most English simply ignored the edicts and carried on eating mince pies, Christmas pudding and turkey and drinking wassail as well as decorating with greenery.

American children will recognize the name “Puritan” as those English settlers who sailed to America on the Mayflower in the 17th century. Descendents of the American Puritans in Massachusetts followed their English brethren and banned Christmas celebrations.

Although other colonies, especially Virginia, continued to celebrate Christmas with all the English trappings, in Massachusetts, Christmas was just another day.

It was not until the 19th century when large numbers of Catholic and German immigrants arrived in America that Christmas burst into the lives of all American children. Christmas’ arrival in America coincided with (continued on Page 28)

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IS YOUR BABY PROTECTED? New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 27

Young Historian: Holiday History (continued from Page 26)

the Industrial Revolution. People now had more free time, more money and, with the invention of mass production, more things to buy.

Books and poems about Christmas exploded in the 1800s.

Walter Irving was the first author to popularize tales of Sinterklaas (as the Dutch settlers of New York called Saint Nicholas) and his selfless gift giving. The name was quickly Anglicized to Santa Claus and the name stuck. The anonymous “A Night Before Christmas” delighted Victorian-era children with the scintillating adventures of Santa Claus climbing down their chimneys and filling stockings with toys.

The cartoonist, Thomas Nast, published pictures of Santa Claus in the newspapers with a jolly face and beard, elves, and the North Pole. By 1900, Santa Claus had taken America by storm and pictures were everywhere. Images depicted him wearing a yellow, white or red coat. It was not until the 1930s that CocaCola (yes, the soda company) showed Santa in the red coat we are all so familiar with. After the horrors of World War II, the booming international economy in the 1950s made Christmas even more popular for adults and children alike.

Christmas is now celebrated throughout much of the world from Japan to Brazil, Uganda, Australia and beyond. While not everyone celebrates it as the birth of Jesus, the themes of love, charity and kindness tie together all Christmas celebrations. So whatever Christmas means to you and your family, may it bring joy, contentment and a desire to make the world a better place.

Rex, 7

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Directory of Schools & Academic Support Programs Santa Fe Fayette Street Academy, 830 Fayette St., SF, NM 87505.

Phone: 505-982-3396; Email: info@fayettestreetacademy.org; Website: fayettestreetacademy.org; Ages: 5-12; Enrollment: ~44; Average Teacher/Student Ratio: 1/6; Cost: $10,800. For over 44 years, we have offered high quality, individualized education with a small student-to-teacher ratio. Our scholar citizens, ages 5-12, are divided between 4 multi-age classes, based on levels of neurological development. Our curriculum is constructed to match these different stages. Piaget was correct when he said children are not simply little adults, they actually perceive the world in different ways at different ages. We hope you will come tour our wonderful campus in Santa Fe! Fayette Street Academy is currently discussing enrollment for the coming year, for all classes.

Little Earth School, 321 West Zia Rd., SF, NM 87505.

Phone: 505-988-1968; Email: Carolyn@littleearthschool.org; Website: littleearthschool.org; Contact: Carolyn Brandi, Director.

Grades: Age 2-Elementary School; Maximum Enrollment: 58; Established in 1978, Little Earth School provides a successful program of academic excellence for children preschool through elementary. Children learn through an integrated, developmentally appropriate and experiential curriculum which includes art, music, Spanish, yoga, environmental and multicultural studies and which emphasizes respect for self and others. Tuition assistance and before and after care available.

May Center for Learning, 1200 Old Pecos Trl, SF, NM 87505.

Phone: 505-780-5439; Email: admissions@maycenter.org; Website: maycenter.org; Contact: Leia Branton, Director of Enrollment; Grades: Pre-K to 8th; Enrollment (No.): 60; Teacher/ Student Ratio: 8:1; Cost: Varies; Accredited by: Cognia and International Dyslexia Association (IDA). May Center for Learning is an independent, nonprofit school serving exceptional students from preschool through 8th grade and specializing in those with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and language processing disorder. A low student/teacher ratio allows us to give each student individualized instruction and support through a curriculum engaged in self-regulation, executive functioning skills, and social-emotional learning at all levels. We also provide consultation and professional development to educators across New Mexico. Financial Aid Avaliable. Enrichment programs: Summer LEAP program in Santa Fe and Albuquerque (June-July)

Santa Fe Girls' School, 310 W Zia Rd, SF, NM 87505. Phone:

505-820-3188; Email: info@santafegirlsschool.org; Web site: https://santafegirlsschool.org/; Contact: Rosie Williams, Co-Director. Grades: 6-8; Enrollment (No.): 45; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:7; Cost: $16,900; Dedicated to middle school girls, the Santa Fe Girls’ School cultivates discerning minds, strong voices, and emotional wisdom through substantive academics and authentic student-teacher connections. Our thoughtful academic curricula engages our students’ curiosity and excellence; our small class size ensures that each student's abilities, challenges and accomplishments are recognized by her teachers. Our graduates go on to the public and private high schools of their choice as academic and social leaders. Financial Aid; After Care.

Self-defense, electives. Call or email to schedule a visit.

30 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Santa Fe Prep, 1101 Camino Cruz Blanca, SF, NM 87505.

Phone: 505-982-1829; Email: mlittle@sfprep.org; Website: www.sfprep.org; Contact: Mary Little, Director of Admissions; Grades: 7-12; Enrollment (No.): 349; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:9; Cost: $27,564; Accredited by: ISAS and NAIS. Santa Fe Prep is a nationally recognized independent school with 349 students in grades 7-12. Prep was founded in 1963 to provide an ambitious and exceptional college preparatory education dedicated to active discourse, community engagement, and creativity. In addition to outstanding academics, Prep is committed to service learning and well-developed programs in athletics and fine and performing arts. 33% of students receive tuition assistance, with an average award of over $18,000 per year. Application Deadline: February 19, 2025. Scholarships and Financial Aid available.

Albuquerque 1st Class Learning Center, 5111 Homestead

Circle NW, Alb., NM 87120. Phone: 505-8985702; Email: 1stclasslearningcenter@gmail.com; Website: 1stclasslearningcenter.com; Contact: Leann C Gordinier, Owner/Director. Ages: 6 Weeks to 12 Years Old. Mission Statement: To provide a learning environment that is safe, enjoyable, interesting and peaceful for all children, their families and community. We believe in our curriculum where each child develops according to age and capacity, having the freedom to develop physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually without any pressure. We also believe children learn best when rules and limits are clear and consistent. Most importantly, we believe that children learn best by staff members who create an atmosphere that is loving, warm, caring and friendly by which all children feel accepted, safe, and a part of 1st Class Learning Center. Financial Aid; Before & After Care. FOCUS and Free NM Pre-K openings; available now. Reasonable childcare for 6 weeks-12 years old. ECECD subsidized care is also available, and we do not charge sales tax. Discounts are also available. We have an age-appropriate curriculum. We serve nutritional meals mandated by CACFP. All staff are CPR/First Aid certified and have their background clearance. Staff also takes childcare training mandated by the ECECD. – NOW HIRING!

ACES Technical Charter School, 4501 Montgomery Blvd

NE, Alb., NM 87109. Phone: 505-506-1186; Email: jeron@ acespublicschools.org; Website: https://www.acespublicschools. org/; Contact: Jeron Titus Campbell, Founder; Grades: K-10; Enrollment (No.): 170; Teacher/Student Ratio: 15:1; Cost: Free.

ACES Tech is a STEM focused public charter school that provides a rigorous, college readiness academic program. Students in all grades take challenging core classes and engage in state of the art STEM and music courses. Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: STEM and music.

Albuquerque Academy, 6400 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Alb., NM

87109. Phone: 505-828-3208; Email: admission@aa.edu; Website: aa.edu; Contact: Juaquin Moya, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management. Grades: 6 - 12; Enrollment: 1,192; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:6; Cost: $28,149 (2024-25 full tuition amount); Accredited by: Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS). Each year, we seek motivated students (continued on next page)

Directory of Schools & Academic Support Programs entering grades 6-12 who are naturally curious and passionate about learning. We invite you to explore the Academy’s comprehensive academic program, vast extracurriculars, and welcoming community. We’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive school and providing tuition assistance that meets 100% of a family’s demonstrated need. Our dynamic faculty empowers learners and fosters intellectual inquiry, all within our inspiring learning spaces on a stunning 312-acre campus.

Applications for Fall 2025 are available at aa.edu. February 6, 2025: Regular admission applications due.

middle and high school students with the confidence they need to manage their own learning while supplying them with critical academic skills. With a dual-language focus, CIS encourages global citizenship. At CIS, older students follow an advanced curriculum and upper-level students are able to earn college credits from CNM and UNM. Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: Tutoring, Dual Enrollment (CCNM and UNM), Leaders in Training. Applications for 2025-2026 are on our website now.

Tours will be available starting in January. Lottery will be held February 19, 2025.

Albuquerque School of Excellence, 13201 Lomas Blvd. NE,

Escuela del Sol Montessori, 1114 7th St. NW, Alb., NM

Alb., NM, 87112. 505-312-7711; Email: npetersen@abqse.org; Website: www.abqse.org; Contact: Nancy Petersen, Enrollment Coordinator. Grades: K-12; Enrollment (No.): 1000; Teacher/ Student Ratio: 16:1; Cost: NONE. Before and After Care.

Albuquerque School of Excellence is an Independent Public Charter School. ASE is a STEAM-based school largely focused on academic preparation for college. ASE has been recognized as a 2022 Blue Ribbon School. We are A Rated by NMPED and are in the process of becoming the first school of Character in NM. Please reach out to our Enrollment Coordinator for more information and to get a tour of our campus. clubs, engagement and intervention electives, college visits, and more!

Alice King Community School, 8100 Mountain Rd NE,

Alb., NM 87110. Phone: 505-344-0746; Email: kristi@akcs. rog; Website: www.akcs.org; Contact: Kristi Collins, Head Administrator; Grades: K-8; Enrollment (No.): 400; Teacher/ Student Ratio: 1:10; Cost: Free. AKCS has a 4-day school week, follows a multiage philosophy, and has a focus on project-based learning. Many types of students benefit from the program provided at Alice King including students with curiosity and drive, who bring their own passions and interests to their studies; students who use projects to express their creativity; students who want to be known by name; explorers who want to find and develop their talents; students who want a sense of community and belonging; students who want to make a positive impact on the world, and understand that that can begin now; students who want to keep learning, regardless of whether they are already above grade level, on grade level, or a little behind; students who understand that a good school will challenge them, regardless of their ability; and all kinds of students who want to learn, build relationships, and grow!

AKCS was voted as a top five charter school in the Best of the City awards! AKCS is the home of the New Mexico Charter School Students of the Year for the past two years! AKCS has students who competed at regionals, state, and nationals with their National History Day projects! Before and After Care.

Enrichment programs: AKCS provides Art, Music, Technology, PE, and Makerspace classes to all students!

Corrales International School, 5500 Wilshire Ave. NE, Alb.,

NM 87113. Phone: 505-344-9733; Email: info@corralesis. org; Website: Corralesis.org; Contact: Mark Tolley, Head of School; Grades: K-12; Enrollment (No.): 260; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1/2 to 18; Cost: N/A; Accredited by: NMPED and APS. In the International Baccalaureate program, elementary aged students are equipped with the knowledge and skills essential for responsible action. The Middle Years Program provides

87102. Phone: 505-242-3033; Email: office@edelsol.org; Website: escueladelsol.org; Contact: Elizabeth Marcilla; Administrative Director. Grades/Ages: 18 months thru 8th grade; Enrollment: 200; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:6 Toddler, 1:12 Primary, Elementary & Jr. High. Accredited by American Montessori Society, National Council on Private School Accreditation. Escuela del Sol Montessori is an independent notfor-profit school that provides the best educational conditions to engage and nurture every child’s innate passion to learn.

Fundamental skills are integrated into an interdisciplinary program to nurture creativity and enthusiasm for learning while fostering critical thinking and social responsibility. Learning in an environment of kindness, courtesy, self-respect, and consideration for others is crucial to moral development, a sense of dignity, and academic success. Scholarships/Financial Aid; Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: Spanish, Music, Art, Gardening. On-site chefs provide delicious & nutritious lunches & snacks.

Evangel Christian Academy, 4501 Montgomery Blvd NE, Alb.,

NM 87109. Phone: 505-883-4674; Email: franceshammond@ ecanm.org; Website: ecanm.org; Contact: Frances Hammond, Principal; Grades: infants to 12th grade; Ages: infants to 18 years old; Enrollment (No.): Preschool: 39 Academy:79; Teacher/ Student Ratio: 1-13; Cost: varies by grade; Accredited by: Association of Christian Teaches & Schools. Evangel Christian Academy (ECA) is a multicultural private institution serving children from preschool through 12th grade. ECA’s mission is to educate students spiritually, academically, and physically. Our philosophy is to prepare students for the work God has for them while providing a high quality education.

Scholarships and Financial Aid Available. Before and After Care.

Enrichment programs: S.T.E.A.M., Music, Library, PE, Dual Credit, Home Ec.

HOPE Christian School, 6731 Palomas Ave NE, Alb., NM

87109. Phone: 505-822-5399; Email: admissions@hcsnm.org; Website: HCSNM.org; Contact: Roxann Vineyard, Director of Enrollment Management. Grades: PreK-3 - High School; Ages: 3-18; Enrollment (No.): 1485; Teacher/Student Ratio: Preschool 12:1; K-12th 20:1; Cost: $5,400 - $11,300. Accredited by: ICAA, AdvancEd (Cognia), and NMPED. HOPE Christian School ranked

by Niche.com as the #1 Private K-12 school in Albuquerque! And is also listed on ABQ the Magazine's Best of the City. HOPE is a non-denominational, independent private Christian school in the NE Heights of Albuquerque serving students aged 3 - 18. HOPE has three campuses along Palomas Ave NE, including Preschool/ Elementary, Middle School, and High School. (A brand NEW (continued on Page 32)

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 31

Directory of Schools & Academic Support Programs HIGH SCHOOL facility is currently under construction!) HOPE offers Advanced Academics, Award-winning Drama & Arts, and Championship Sports - with a Full Athletics Program from 1st grade - all approached from a Biblical worldview. Scholarships/ Financial Aid, Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: After School Clubs, Music Education, Athletics & more. Despite being the largest private school in New Mexico, HOPE is known for its close-knit community.

Immanuel Lutheran School, 300 Gold Avenue S.E. Alb., NM

87102. Phone: 505-243-2589; Email: admissions@immanuel. org; Website: immanuelabq.org; Contact: Kevin Dunning, Principal; Grades: Preschool through 8th Grade; Enrollment (No.): 75; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:12; Cost: $7,125; Accredited by: National Lutheran Schools Accreditation. Founded in 1924, Immanuel Lutheran School is a private Christian school serving preschool (from age two) through 8th grade. ILS is located in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more than 100 years, the ILS experience has been the primary mission of Immanuel Lutheran Church. The school was founded to provide a school where parents can comfortably and confidently send their children to receive an excellent academic education and instill in students morals and values of a Christian faith. Scholarships/ Financial Aid Available. Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: Team sports, chess club, debate team, martial arts, youth groups, lego club. Immanuel Lutheran students are educated and nurtured by a team of professionally licensed, deeply passionate, and dedicated teachers who work to establish meaningful, individual connections with each student.

At ILS, we have the unique ability to coordinate curriculum and instructional material from preschool through middle school, which guarantees students a seamless education as they transition through the levels of our school.

are prioritized, leading to a lifelong love of learning. Graduates are prepared to succeed at any of the top private middle schools and beyond. Call (505) 822-5150 to schedule a tour. Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: Intergenerational program, gardening, dance/gymnastics, physical expression. Montessori ONE’s Intergenerational Program allows students and AMARAN senior facility residents to engage in fun, meaningful, and culturally diverse activities. AMARAN residents share their skills, experiences, and talents in a way that fuels students’ intellectual, social, and emotional development. Participants might engage in pottery class, singing, exercising, reading, cooking, painting, crafts, gardening, and more. Both campuses feature interior and exterior multi-purposes spaces perfect for program activities.

Mountain Mahogany Community School, 5014 4th Street

NW, Alb., NM 87107. Phone: 505-341-1424; Email: info@ mountainmahogany.org; Website: www.mountainmahogany. org; Contact: Angelina Lopez-Brody, Registrar; Grades: K-8; Enrollment (No.): 225; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15; Cost: N/A; Accredited by: New Mexico Public Education Department. MMCS is a tuition-free, public K-8 charter school in Albuquerque’s North Valley. Our vision is a school in which public education and profound learning are synonymous. The mission of Mountain Mahogany Community School is to develop students' agency, advocacy and academic mind. MMCS focuses on outdoor learning and civic engagement. Our mission and approach attracts a diverse community of students and families seeking a small school with a big heart. Before and After Care.

Enrichment programs: Enrichment classes are offered afterschool Tuesday through Friday.

North Valley Academy, 7939 4th St NW, Los Ranchos de Alb.,

Phone: 505-243-6659; Email: admission@manzanodayschool. org; Website: manzanodayschool.org; Contact: Admission Office.

Grades: Pre-k through 5th; Enrollment: 460; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1/10; Cost: $13,837 - $17,670; Accredited by: ISAS and NM Department of Education. Manzano Day School, founded in 1938, is an independent, nonsectarian elementary school dedicated to innovative child-centered education, excellence in teaching, and Joy in Learning® to prepare children for a life of discovery and community involvement in our diverse world.

Applications for 2025-26 are now being accepted. Financial Aid; Bus Service; Before and After Care.

NM, 87114. Phone: 505-998-0501; Email: info@nvanm.org; Website: https://www.nvanm.org/; Contact: Tammy Hernandez, Dean of Students; Grades: PreK-8th; Enrollment (No.): 280; Teacher/Student Ratio: 20:1; Cost: tuition free; Accredited by: State of New Mexico. North Valley Academy is an exciting educational journey. We have adopted academic programs with high expectations which deeply engage students with a focus on health and wellness. Our educators provide high quality, culturally responsive curriculum and instruction. Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: Kids Cook! Culinary Program Wellness initiative focused on Physical & Emotional Health Creative Art Program with local community artists National Dance Institute School Site.

Montessori ONE Academy, 9360 Holly Avenue NE, Alb., NM

Public Academy for Performing Arts, 11800 Princess Jeanne

Manzano Day School, 1801 Central Ave. NW, Alb., NM 87104.

87122. Phone: 505-822-5150; Email: info@montessorione. net; Website: https://montessorione.net; Contact: Shivaani Gardner, Director; Grades: Infant - 5th; Enrollment (No.): 200; Teacher/Student Ratio: dependent on level - 1:4, 1:6, 1:12; Cost: varies based on level and program; Accredited by: Association Montessori International/USA. Montessori ONE Academy is the only AMI-recognized private Montessori school serving infants, preschool, and elementary students in Albuquerque. These award-winning programs are based upon the internationally celebrated and scientifically-supported Montessori Method: an individualized, experiential approach to education whereby the child’s needs, curiosity, and interests

Ave. Alb., NM, 87112. Phone: (505) 830-3128; Email: info@ paparts.org; Website: www.paparts.org; Contact: Jackie Mickey, Office Assistant; Grades: 6-12; Enrollment (No.): 450; Teacher/ Student Ratio: 1/23; Cost: Free; Accredited by: NMPED. PAPA’s educational program places equal emphasis on academics and the performing arts. The curriculum features an integrated program with a student-centered environment that provides safety and enjoyment while students grow and pursue knowledge and skills. PAPA’s academic curriculum consists of college preparatory courses including Advanced Placement opportunities and Dual Enrollment through Central New Mexico Community College. Traditionally, PAPA’s graduation and (continued on next page)

32 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Directory of Schools & Academic Support Programs college entrance rates have been among the top in the city. The performing arts program includes Choir, Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Piano, Theatre, Musical Theatre, Film, Visual Arts, and five types of Dance (Flamenco, Jazz, Hip Hop, Contemporary, and Ballet).

Students have many opportunities to perform in school-based and community-requested performances.

Vision - The Public Academy for Performing Arts will be a small, supportive educational community where students achieve high academic standards and pursue excellence in the performing arts.

Mission - The Public Academy for Performing Arts is a public charter school that integrates a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with the performing arts and prepares students to pursue their passions and talents.

Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, PO Box 25284, Alb.,

NM 87123. Phone: 505-842-8203; Email: angela@pcsnm.org; Website: pcsnm.org; Contact: Angela Lopez, Field Director: Grades: PreK-12. Public Charter Schools of New Mexico is the primary entity that supports and advocates for charter schools in the Land of Enchantment. It is the only state-wide professional organization serving New Mexico's charter schools. Our mission is to increase student academic achievement by serving charter schools and advocating for charter school quality, growth, and autonomy. You can find a public charter school near you on our website!

Sandia Preparatory School, 532 Osuna Road NE, Alb., NM

87113. Phone: 505-338-3007; Email: admission@sandiaprep. org; Website: sandiaprep.org; Contact: Ray Nelson, Director of Admission & Enrollment; Grades: 6 – 12; Enrollment (No.): 513; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:7; Accredited by: National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS). At Sandia Prep, students take meaningful risks in a supportive community while learning who they are and who they want to become. Through a blend of contemporary and traditional education, our students think creatively, critically, and without limits. They grow in confidence and resilience as they navigate the world. As an independent school, our passionate teachers create rich educational and extracurricular experiences that meet each student's needs.

The Center for Learning Excellence (CFLE) at Sandia Prep offers academic services to meet the individual needs and learning styles of students. The Center for Learning Excellence offers academic coaching, accommodation plans, study strategies support, ACT/SAT standardized test accommodations, and community tutors. Visit us today to see why Sandia Prep was voted the Best Private School in Albuquerque. Apply for the 2024-2025 school year at sandiaprep.org. Financial Aid Available.

Sandoval Academy of Bilingual Education, 4321 Fulcrum

Way NE Suite A, Rio Rancho, NM 87144. Phone: 505-771-0555; Email: twilburn@gmail.com; Website: nmsabe.org; Contact: Tamara Wilburn, Community School Coordinator; Grades: K-8; Enrollment (No.): 255; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20; Cost: Free; Accredited by: Public Education Commission (PEC). Our mission at SABE is to enable students to maintain their native language, reconnect with their heritage language, or discover a new enriching language. Students will attain Spanish and English fluency and literacy through two-way immersion,

which will expand their worldview and educational and career opportunities. Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: 5050 dual language, Spanish emersion, After school extra curricular activities. We are a state authorized public charter school, and we are the only dual language school in Rio Rancho serving students in Rio Rancho and beyond.

The Montessori Elementary & Middle School, 1730

Montano Rd. NW, Alb., NM 87107. Phone: 505-796-0149; Website: https://tmesnm.com/; Contact: Piper Curry, Executive Director. Grades: K-8; Enrollment (No.): 450; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1/13 Elementary and 1/20 Middle School; Cost: Free; Accredited by: NMPEC. Established in 2005, The Montessori Elementary & Middle School (TMEMS) is a charter school authorized by the New Mexico Public Education Commission.

TMEMS currently serves students from Kindergarten through eighth grade from Albuquerque and the surrounding areas.

TMEMS classes incorporate the Montessori philosophy and curriculum, with weekly Suzuki Strings and Visual Art classes.

Before and After Care. Enrichment programs: Fine arts, electives and out of classroom experiences.

Academic Support Programs Explora, 1701 Mountain Rd. NW, Alb., NM 87104. Phone:

505-600-6072; Website: explora.us; Contact: Reservations Manager. All ages. Scholarships. Explora offers educational enrichment programs for children, families, teachers, schools, and community organizations, serving tens of thousands of students annually. Educators trained in inquiry-based learning offer programs fostering the joy of learning that encourages curiosity and builds critical thinking skills through creative science, technology, engineering, art, and math investigations. These include Growing a Scientist™ for children ages 2 1/2 to 5 and their adult companion(s); Science to Grow On™ for Grades K-3 (parent participation is encouraged); Home School Exploration Series for Grades K-8; and more.

Other learning enrichment programs include Winter, Spring and Summer Camps for Grades PreK-teens, Single day "School's Out" Camps during APS days off for Grades K-5, and Birthday Parties with science activities for ages 2 and up. We also offer professional development for teachers and early childhood providers. Some of these include a Continuing Education Certificate for 2 competency hours.

Sound Steps LLC, Alb., NM. Phone: 505-220-6716;

Email: sara@soundstepsintervention.com; Website: www. soundstepsintervention.com; Contact: Sara Eliason MS CCCSLP; Owner, Speech-Language Pathologist. Ages: 3-18 years; Enrollment (No.): 15; Teacher/Student Ratio: 1-to-1; Cost: $86.10 for 60-minute session; Accredited by: ASHA, NM RLD. Does your child need speech-language intervention? Get comprehensive, fun, and effective services with a PROMPT Trained SLP who has ten years of experience working in early intervention, outpatient, and school settings. I’ll meet you in your home or a community setting for 60 minute sessions, with evening and Saturday slots available. Get the care and tools you need to make progressive steps long after therapy is over!

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 33

Albuquerque

Albuquerque

SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES Committed to providing quality pediatric services to our local communities.

INSURANCE ACCEPTED

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Activities of Daily Living, Fine and Gross Motor Skills, Sensory Integration, Feeding, Play, Visual Perceptual / Visual Motor

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY

Articulation and speech sound disorders, Augmentative and alternative communication, Social and pragmatic language, Dysphagia, Fluency, Expressive and Receptive Language, Aphasia

Call 505-200-9962 to add your child onto the waitlist!

Referrals required F: 505-633-7926 Bilingual Services Available Upon Request

3311 Candelaria Rd NE, Suite E Albuquerque, NM 87107 34 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Albuquerque

Albuquerque

DANCE WITH US! 2025 Summer Dance Camps Ages 4-18, all levels and abilities SCAN HERE FOR MORE INFO!

Kids Dance Classes Contemporary, Ballet, Mixed Ability, and More!

Drop-In Registration Open and Ongoing Winter/Spring session runs January 6 May 10, 2025. All ages, levels, and abilities!

SCAN HERE TO REGISTER! Sliding scale payment/unlimited noncompetitive scholarships offered for ALL classes and camps!

CoralAnne, 11

Visit KeshetArts.org for a full schedule of all classes and camps! 505.224.9808

Albuquerque

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 35

Young Scientist: Monotremes

By AILEEN O'CATHERINE Not all mammals share the exact same characteristics. Mammals are known for bearing their young live, but a small group of unique mammals called monotremes (MON-oh-treems) lay eggs. These animals live in Australia and New Guinea and share other major characteristics with mammals, so that is how they are classified. Monotremes include the platypus and four spiny anteaters called echidnas that have body hair and are endothermic, meaning they keep a constant body temperature, just like other mammals. They also produce milk for their young like mammals, but how monotremes produce their milk differs, because it comes from milk-secreting patches on the skin rather than from nipples. Unlike mammals, monotremes have a cloaca, which is a single opening used for reproduction and for getting rid of waste. Other mammals have several openings for these functions. (Monotreme means “single opening” in Greek.)

The duck-billed platypus is a monotreme that lives in eastern Australia and Tasmania. It is semiaquatic and has a flattened head and body and waterproof fur that helps it navigate rivers and waterways. It looks a bit like a beaver but weighs only about 2-6 pounds (1-3 kilograms) and is about 15-19 inches (40-50 centimeters) long with a 5-inch tail. Its snout looks like a duck’s bill but is soft and has many receptors that help it find prey.

Platypuses are shy bottom feeding carnivores that eat insects, larvae, shellfish and worms that live in the sediment. They store

(continued on next page)

Albuquerque

The Montessori Elementary & Middle School

A FREE Public Charter School for Grades K - 8 Featuring Montessori Curriculum, Suzuki Strings, Orchestra, and Visual Art We are recognized as a Spotlight School by the NMPED for being in the Top 25% of schools in New Mexico.

2025-2026 Applications for Kindergarten - 8th Grade Available Online now!

Join us for our annual open houses on February 1st, 2025 at our two locations to meet our staff & tour our beautiful campuses!

The Elementary & Middle School Main Campus Open House will be February 1st, 2025 from 10am - 12pm located at 1730 Montano Rd. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 Kindergarten Carmel Campus Open House will be February 1st, 2025 from 12pm -1pm located at 5801 Carmel Ave. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

Admission details and FAQ.s on our website at www.TMESNM.com If you are interested in our private, tuition based, Casita preschool please visit our website for more information.

36 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Albuquerque

Young Scientist

(continued from previous page) their food along with gravel and mud in their cheek pouches.

Because they have no teeth, they use the stored gravel to help them “chew” their food through grinding. Like other monotremes, platypuses can find prey through electrolocation to help them “see” in cloudy water. Electrolocation is the ability for animals to detect electrical fields around them. Monotremes and dolphins are the only mammals with this ability.

The platypus is one of only a few venomous mammals. Male platypuses have sharp stingers on the heels of their rear feet that can shoot venom at their foes. Platypuses spend most of their time alone, either sleeping or eating. They are nocturnal, so they are mainly active at night. Baby platypuses are called puggles. When they hatch, they are completely blind and hairless.

Echidnas (i kid ne) are also monotremes. These spiny anteaters have long or short snouts that end in a tiny, toothless mouth. An echidna’s spines are actually rigid hairs, not spines. Echidnas can be found in the forests and woodlands of Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. They shelter in brush piles, hollowed logs or dens dug by other animals. Adult echidnas can be from 14 to 21 inches (45-78 cm) long and can weigh between 5 and 22 pounds. They eat ants and termites by poking their snouts into logs and anthills, where they lick up their prey with long, sticky tongues. Echidnas with longer snouts eat worms and larvae. Like the platypus, they have no teeth, so they grind their food. They have short limbs with claws and are powerful diggers. Echidnas live on land but are good swimmers. Short-beaked echidnas look a bit like hedgehogs.

Some echidnas live in extremely hot environments. When temperatures rise to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, they stay cool by blowing snot bubbles at the ends of their snouts. The snot bubbles pop and moisten the echidna’s nose. That draws heat from a blood-filled cavity in the snout, and as the moisture evaporates, the animal’s blood cools down. Echidnas hide in piles of leaves or grasses or crawl into underground burrows to escape predators such as dingoes, eagles and foxes. Female echidnas carry their eggs in a pouch, and baby echidnas are called puggles. After spending several months in its mother’s pouch, a puggle emerges looking like a tiny adult.

Spring Break camp registration is open now

• Keep your kids' curiosity alive with playful STEAM camps.

• Abundant topics available for PreK-8th grades.

• Before- and after-care available, plus supervised lunch.

• Financial aid available upon request.

Planning to enroll your child in Explora Camps or Semester Programs? Become an Explora Member first, and get discounts on camp fees, special programs, unlimited visits for the family throughout the year, discounts, birthday party discounts, and lots more!

Scan the QR code to explore more online Isabella, 9

505.600.6072 explora.us New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 37

Albuquerque

Let's Draw!

Become a published artist! Create your own drawing below and mail or email it to Prime Time Publishing: 111 Iron Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87102; kids@newmexico-kids.com. Call us at 505-967-7812 with any questions. Some drawings will be selected to illustrate future issues!

Please include your name, age, hometown and contact info.

Casey, 10

38 • New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025

Albuquerque

Albuquerque

Free Public K-8 Charter School Art, Music, PE, Makerspace & Technology for All Students Multi-age Classrooms 4 Days/Week - Extended School Year Busing Available Before and After School Care After School Enrichment Classes Low Student-Teacher Ratio Hands-On Project-Based Learning And Much More!

A Private School Quality Education in a Public School Setting!

505.344.0746

8100 Mountain Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

AKCS.org

New Mexico Kids! • January/February 2025• 39

C H R I S T U S S T. V I N C E N T P R I M A RY C A R E

Keep Them Healthy At CHRISTUS St. Vincent, we are always committed to providing the best and safest healthcare to you and your family.

From routine check-ups or vaccinations to acute illnesses – we are always ready to care for you and your loved ones.

Visit us in one of our eight conveniently located Primary Care locations.

Adult & Family Care Offering Family Medicine for newborns, children, adults and seniors 465 St. Michael’s Dr. Suite 230 Santa Fe, NM 87505

Health Specialists - Las Vegas Offering Family Medicine for newborns, children, adults and seniors 600 Mills Avenue, Suite B Las Vegas, NM 87701

Arroyo Chamiso Pediatrics Offering Pediatric Care for newborns through18 years of age 465 St. Michael’s Dr., Suite 200 Santa Fe, NM 87505

Health Specialists - Los Alamos Offering Family Medicine for newborns, children, adults and seniors 2237 Trinity Drive, Unit B Los Alamos, NM 87544

Entrada Contenta Health Center Offering Pediatrics, Family Medicine, and Urgent Care 5501 Herrera Dr. Santa Fe, NM 87507

Pojoaque Primary Care Offering Family Medicine for newborns, children, adults and seniors 5 Petroglyph Circle, Suite A Pojoaque, NM 87506

Family Medicine Center Offering Family Medicine for newborns, children, adults and seniors 2025 Galisteo St. Santa Fe, NM 87505

Center for Healthy Aging Offering Family Medicine and Geriatric Care for older adults and seniors 1692 Hospital Drive, Bldg. A Santa Fe, NM 87505

Call (505) 913-DOCS (3627) to schedule your primary care appointment today.