Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences

Imagine this: At each of 30 dining tables, a select writer holds forth, discussing his or her work and passion for reading with a group of book lovers, who have gathered for a celebration focused on words and language. During this evening of dinner, dancing, and tales, a silent and live auction will tempt bidders with book-related arts, bookshelves uniquely embellished by artists, sets of books most beloved by notable New Mexicans, and other pleasures.

The event is LitQuest 2014 and will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino at 6 p.m.  This inaugural gala will benefit the Partners in Education Foundation, which has been supporting local teachers for 25 years, and Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences, an independent pre-K through 8^th grade school dedicated to diversity and the wonder of learning.  

Writers throughout New Mexico are being invited to join the quest to unlock the joy of reading for every single child in Santa Fe.  Authors Doug Preston and Tom Chávez will act as Honorary Co-Chairs for this event.  Other writers that have signed on to be 2014 LitQuest Heroes are:  George Ancona, Hakim Bellamy, Johnny Boggs, Sandy Blakeslee, Janie Chodosh, Jon Davis, Nate Downey, Kevin Fedarko, Anne HIllerman, Alexandra Huddleston, Steve Jimenez, Lucy Lippard, Joan Lugghe, Carol Moldaw, David Morrell, Baker Morrow, Barbara Beasley Murphy, David Grant Noble, Tony O'Brien, Carmella Padilla, James Reich, Barbara Rockman, Lois Rudnick, Polly Schaafsma, Henry Shukman, Sarah Stark, Arthur Sze, Don Usner, Candace Walsh, and Rosemary Zibart.  30 authors will participate in the evening’s activities.  Special thanks to these LitQuest Heroes, who can't attend but are supporting the event: Kirk Ellis, Hampton Sides, George R.R. Martin, Dorothy Massey, and Cormac McCarthy.  The committee thanks our generous sponsors, including: Avalon Trust, Los Alamos National Bank, New Mexico Bank & Trust, Santa Fe Prep, State Employees Credit Union and Hutton Broadcasting.

Join the quest to unlock the joy of reading for every single child in Santa Fe!  

Space is limited. Reserve your seats today!

Santa Fe Reporter columnist Seth Biderman visited SFSAS and included the school in a recent column.  Seth is also the manager of the Academy for the Love of Learning’s Institute for Teachers, committed to revitalizing the lives and practices of teachers.  SFSAS Principal Geetha Holdworth and Executive Director Perli Cunanan also visited the Academy for the Love of Learning and were impressed by the organization's knowledge and commitment to supporting great teaching in Santa Fe.  

Congratulations to the 11 SFSAS students who won in this year's Pasatiempo Annual Writing Contest!  SFSAS students won 1st place in all four student categories.

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/pasatiempo/books/writing_contest/

Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Betty Williams' visit to the school was a day to remember!  After touring all of the classrooms, she had tea with Youth United students.  The Pearson Foundattion also produced a video about our students meeting Nobel Peace  Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee.  Watch it here:

The Journal North covered the visit:

Nobel Laureate offers SF kids sage advice: 'Never Give Up'
By Jackie Jadrnak
Of the Journal

When youths at the Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences asked Nobel Peace Prize recipient Betty Williams for advice Wednesday, her answer was short and emphatic:

“Never give up.”

She was awarded the prize in 1976 after witnessing the deaths of three children during the “troubles” in her Northern Ireland home, where the Irish Republican Army battled British authorities. She collected 6,000 signatures within a couple of days from people urging peace and, with the children’s aunt, Mairead Corrigan, founded Women for Peace.

Ever since then, Williams said, she has been criss-crossing the world, speaking out for peace and for improved conditions for children.

On 9/11, she said, when terrorists flew jets into buildings in New York City and Washington, D.C., killing thousands of people, 35,615 children in the world died from malnutrition – “and no one said a word.”...

Seventh and 8th grade students were followed by a reporter and photographer from the Santa Fe New Mexican during their weekly community service time on Friday mornings.  As part of the Hooked on Books program, students organize book donations and re-stock shelves at 11 locations around Santa Fe.  Children from all over the city are invited to take the free books with the hope that reading will become a lifelong passion for them.  To read the entire news story, click here.

In its second year, the SFSAS reading camp succeeds in engaging students in the joy of reading.  Last year, students grew on average one year in reading after the two-week camp.  Thank you to the Santa Fe Community Foundation, the Los Nativos Fund at the New Mexico Community Foundation and the staff of Con Alma Health Foundation for making this camp possible!  The Santa Fe New Mexican spent time with the kids and staff of the camp.  Here is the story. 

The Kindest School on Earth - One school's plan for a more civilized classroom

By Adele Oliviera
What if you you went to a school where you wrote the rules? These eighth graders at Santa Fe School for the Arts & Sciences in New Mexico do exactly that.  Every year they create their own constitution... 

The Santa Fe New Mexican, Monday December 31, 2012. Download here