Elementary (PreK-3)

We are excited to invite our little cheerleaders to our BASKETBALL Cheer Camp!

PRES students are actively engaged in learning how to prepare Cooking with Kids Cuban Beans and Rice, led by culinary expert Chef Victoria and supported by classroom teacher Dorene Salazar and families. It’s truly a recipe for success! 🍽️✨

Dear Staff and Families,

As temperatures are expected to drop significantly this week, we kindly ask families to ensure students come to school dressed in appropriate winter-weather clothing, including warm coats, hats, and gloves.

Even when roads are clear, cold temperatures can pose safety concerns during arrival, dismissal, and outdoor activities. We ask that schools create indoor activities for students during recess times to keep them inside due to low temperatures. We also ask families to wait with their students at bus stops until the bus arrives to help keep them warm during the morning commute.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and comfortable during the colder weather. We appreciate your continued partnership.

Sincerely,
PVSD Leadership

Pojoaque Valley Little League Registration Now Open Pojoaque Valley Little League is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Little League season. The league is open to players ages 4 to 16. Baseball divisions are available for both male and female players, and softball divisions are available for female players only. Registration is available online at: https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=755049 For questions or assistance, please contact pojoaquelittleleague@gmail.com or League President Adam E. Muller at (505) 690-7193.

January is School Board Appreciation Month, and we are grateful for the opportunity to recognize and thank our dedicated Board of Education members for their service to our students, staff, families, and community. Jerome Lujan and Susan Quintana conducted their Oaths of Office for their new terms with family and friends present. Serving on a school board requires countless hours of thoughtful decision-making, courageous leadership, and a strong commitment to doing what is best for students, often behind the scenes, and always with care and integrity. Together, they share a vision for high-quality instruction, supportive learning environments, and strong partnerships with our community.

Good Evening Families,

Please join us for the Winter Literacy Night hosted by our PRES & PVIS PAC in collaboration with the LANL Foundation. Our families are lining up to be one of the lucky 50 to receive a free book. They areready to begin by first enjoying a Frito Pie, games and listen to Joe Hayes our very special guest Storyteller and author.

Reminder: Winter Literacy Event tonight! Doors open at 5:00 PM. Enjoy Frito Pie dinner ($5 exact cash or QR ticket) in the PRES cafeteria, STEM activities in the library, and cookies & hot chocolate in the MPR. Storytelling with Joe Hayes begins at 6:00 PM in the PRES MPR. Pre-sale QR codes can only be scanned once. We hope to see you there! 📚❄️ https://www.givebacks.com/causes/pabloroybalelem/events/c09307a4b9d2

Hi 1st Grade Families,

We’re excited to share that we are continuing our Just Right Readers pilot program, and students will be bringing home their new books this afternoon as part of our Gift of Reading initiative!

Our 1st-grade students are embarking on an exciting reading journey, and families are invited to join us in helping combat the winter reading slump. Students are receiving Take-Everywhere Literacy Packs, purchased by our district to help develop a love of reading. To make this experience even more fun and engaging, students will have opportunities to earn prizes along the way!

How It Works – Student Incentives

Each time your child reads, they will color in one finger on the High Five hand chart at the back of the book.

Students who color in 2 out of 6 High Five hands will receive a treat.

Grade-Level Incentive

Any class with 50 or more completed High Fives will earn a movie party and a treat.

What Counts as a High Five?
Students may color in a finger each time they:

- Read to themselves
- Read to a friend
- Read to a family member

Books will need to be returned to school the week of February 9 so we can count High Fives.

Incentive Dates
📅 January 14, 2026 – February 12, 2026

Thank you for supporting your child’s reading at home—we are excited to continue this journey together!

Warmly,
Elizabeth Pacheco
PRES Assistant Principal

Hi families! Hope your week is off to a great start. Please check out our weekly school newsletter link with updates and reminders. https://app.smore.com/n/t50g4

Join us for Winter Literacy Night this Thursday, Jan. 15 at 5:00 PM! Pre-sale Frito Pie tickets are still available online and in the front office. https://www.givebacks.com/causes/pabloroybalelem/events/c09307a4b9d2

Please remember to return SchoolStore lanyards today for guaranteed reading buddies—after today, items will be first come, first served while supplies last. Thank you for your support!

Good Morning Familes,

Today the weather has certainly proved true to weather predictions. It is currently snowing, the roads are wet. Please take your time and drive safely.

🍴❄️ Frito Pie Sale at Winter Literacy Night! ❄️🍴

Join us for a Frito Pie Dinner during our Winter Literacy Night on Thursday, January 15th!

📍 PRES Cafeteria
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
💲 $5 per ticket (includes a Frito Pie & a drink)

🎟️ Pre-sale tickets available!
Families may scan the QR code on the flyer to purchase tickets online, or purchase cash pre-sale tickets directly from our Bookkeeper, Ms. Maitai Lopez, in the PRES front office beginning tomorrow between 8:00 AM–3:00 PM.

https://www.givebacks.com/causes/pabloroybalelem/events/c09307a4b9d2

We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening of literacy, food, and family time!

📚❄️ Winter Literacy Night – Jan. 15 @ 5PM ❄️📚
Join us for storytelling with guest author Joe Hayes, STEM activities, art display, hot chocolate & cookies (5–7PM).
📖 Read aloud at 5:30 PM
🎁 First 50 students receive a FREE Joe Hayes book!
🍴 Frito Pie sale (5–6:30 PM) – $5 includes drink.

Our PRES teachers are busy today attending Professional Development improving their craft of teaching. They are adding to their tool box to meet the needs of all students.

Happy New Year!

May all be merry and bright!

Athlete of the WeekSanta Fe New Mexican Dec 23, 2025 Monique Arrietta scored 40 points overall during the Ben Luján Tournament to help the Elkettes win their home tournament for the first time in six years. Monique Arrietta never thought twice about diving for a loose ball late Friday. Even though the Elkettes were comfortably ahead in a Ben Luján Tournament semifinal against Peñasco, their junior point guard threw herself at the ball and faceplanted into the hardwood during a 50-35 win. Arrietta’s reward? A nine-stitch wound on her chin and an all-tournament selection as she helped Pojoaque win its own Ben Luján Tournament over the weekend for the first time in six years. Arrietta did her part by scoring 40 points over the three-day event and saved the best for last — an 18-point performance against Santa Fe Indian School in a 45-36 win Saturday night while wearing a bandage over her chin. She had 10 points in the win over the Panthers and scored a team-high 12 points in an opening-round 44-31 win over Crownpoint. Arrietta said she will wear the scar with pride. “Just another battle wound,” Arrietta said. “It’s what happens when you play hard.” Arrietta is a key cog to the Elkettes’ success, as they improved to 8-3. Honorable mentions St. Michael’s junior forward Ryan Hunt scored 29 points and had five dunks during a 70-45 win over undefeated Tularosa on Dec. 16. Peñasco’s Kaileb Atencio finished his run in the Ben Luján Tournament with a flourish. He had 18 points in a 52-49 loss to Cuba in the consolation semifinals Friday, then he dropped 38 on Moriarty to win seventh place with a 61-28 win. Santa Fe High wrestler Leyton Opare pinned four of his five opponents on his way to winning the 215-pound title at Roswell’s Rio Hondo Scuffle on Saturday. He is now 10-0. Pojoaque Valley’s Mariah Leyba won the 120-pound title at the Rio Hondo Scuffle on Friday, while Capital’s Madelyn Rodriguez claimed the 125 crown. Leyba beat Capital’s Jadyn Rodriguez by pin in the finals.

Each month, we shine a spotlight on a New Mexico student who’s making an impact through athletics and activities. This month, that spotlight lands on Pojoaque Valley sophomore Mariah Leyba—a powerhouse of energy and involvement. Mariah doesn’t just stick to one lane. She’s on the volleyball court in the fall, wrestles her way through winter, and hits the hardwood for basketball before moving on to softball in the spring. On top of that, she steps up as a leader in programs like National Honor Society, AVID, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and school leadership. Of all her commitments, wrestling holds a special place. “I’d say wrestling is my favorite sport,” she said. Inspired by her brothers who wrestled in high school, Mariah jumped at the chance to get on the mat herself. “I thought that looked so fun!” But for Mariah, it’s not just about winning matches or filling her calendar—it’s about purpose. “Keeping busy keeps you focused. Teens often lose themselves throughout high school, and staying focused and having something to work for keeps me feeling valued.” Driven, determined, and always ready for the next challenge—meet Mariah Leyba of Pojoaque Valley High School, this month’s Dion’s Student Spotlight.

Meal kits for 5 days will be distributed on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
These are shelf-stable meal kits (not frozen).

Distribution will take place in the lane between the high school student parking lot and the Ben Lujan Gym, the same location used during COVID meal distribution.

Please feel free to stop by during the listed times. Thank you!