In Pueblo Jan/Feb 2015 by Joseph Brewster

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For advertise information call (719) 671-6030

For local coupons & event information visit www.inpueblo.com

For advertise information call (719) 671-6030

For local coupons & event information visit www.inpueblo.com

is…Making a Difference in Pueblo by Amy Gasperetti Interview with Ms. Cynthia Ramu

20 Years of Making a Difference: Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences is celebrating 20 years of making a difference for students and our community. I’m fortunate enough to talk with Cynthia Ramu who has been with the school since the beginning. She began working as a mentor and never left, becoming an art instructor and an integral part of PSAS. Cynthia says she was drawn to the school from the moment she walked in. What she saw and what she felt was so different and welcoming. “This school is just filled with joy, music, creativity and everyone is happy to be here. From the start the staff felt like a family, there were parents reading with children, there was mentoring and tutoring and an approach of teaching and developing the whole child,” says Ramu. What does that mean? While all schools teach a curriculum, there is a difference when you have a focus of developing a child’s intellect and caring about each child’s depth of understanding. “When we see that there is an individual need, we work as a team to address it. We work to create opportunities for growth and challenge the students creatively.” It stands to reason, with a commitment to this approach, that the staff have the opportunity to grow and challenge themselves as well. Ms. Ramu has been a Destination Imagination coach and brings the skills she coaches with to inspire and challenge her students. “All instructors are valued for their creativity and ideas.” Teachers put students and program before everything else. For example, students who struggle in school and might be seen as difficult are given various opportunities to find success and to grow in their strengths rather than focus on just their difficulties. Ms. Ramu can recall several children who have come to the school dealing with personal and emotional issues; children who go from feeling lost and withdrawn to becoming healthy, expressive young adults. “We have students come back from high school and even after graduation so grateful to have been a part of this school, appreciative of how prepared they are for further education and the life skills they’ve taken with them.” The after school programs are plentiful at PSAS. From simply offering tutoring to ensure no one falls behind to areas of interest like photography, sculpting, painting, engineering, brain bowl, sports and drama class (through which their 20th 8

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annual spring musical is being produced). Their soccer team has won the championship the last two years in a row. There really is something for everyone here! A Servant’s Heart: Something else that truly impresses me about PSAS is their effort to create lifelong volunteers. From kindergarten, children here are taught about needs in their community and around the world. They are involved in creating solutions and encouraged to make a difference. This fall marks the 20th year for their Empty Bowls project. Every child in every grade is guided in creating a piece of art from clay, from design to glazing and firing while learning about hunger. They partner with other local artists for a community event & auction each fall. The children sell their bowls and other donated art. All proceeds are then donated to our local shelters and soup kitchen. The depth of individual development these students are engaged in along with learning the importance of having a servant’s heart is more than impressive to me, it’s inspiring.

The Philosophy The Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences believes that “the best education for the best is the best education for all”. Our Paideia philosophy in our public school promotes rigorous educational goals and utilizes effective and innovative teaching techniques. It is a school where students develop to their fullest potential. The PSAS community shares a commitment to learning as a lifelong process. That means always, with all of the excitement and empowerment that is brought about by lifelong learning.

The MISSION PSAS will provide a K-8 curriculum based on Paideia principles and anchored in the arts and sciences for the success of all students.

The community garden is another source of pride and education at PSAS. Children and families alike are taught about changing lives through healthier lifestyles. The school partners with the local Boys & Girls Club, sharing plots and education in the community garden. They also partner in special events. It’s easy to see that the attitude of giving, sharing, learning and partnerships are core values. Taking it to the next level:

Most people don’t attend a Socratic seminar until they go to college. The students at PSAS participate in Socratic seminars starting at Kindergarten and continue through 8th grade . Socratic Seminar develops academic skills such as higher-level reading and thinking as well as improved writing and problem solving while also developing social skills such as better communication and how to respect differing opinions. The students are able to respect each other and listen without bias which is something we as adults still struggle with at times. The model and programs at PSAS are incredible. Their approach to teaching, coaching and developing children not just as students but as people and community members with their minds and hearts is something to aspire to. Time to Celebrate! We hope you’ll join us this April 25th to celebrate the PSAS 20th Anniversary. We kick it off with a 5k Run starting at Minnequa Lake in the morning followed by a community celebration at the school with food, art, music, entertainment & fun for all ages! Tickets are available at the school until April 1st. Call the school at 4042680 for information or to enter the 5k Run.

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For advertise information call (719) 671-6030

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EVENTS PASTA BENEFIT DINNER FOR CERISSA BACA

Saturday March 14th at The Draft Sports Bar & Grill 4605 Club Manor Dr Dinner 2pm-6pm Dance 6pm-8pm $8 plate, Dessert Sale (Take out available) Raffles, Auction, 50/50 Raffle For more info or to purchase tickets please call 719-994-8907

Dentistry From the Heart Hosted by West Mountain Dental in Pueblo West FREE DENTAL DAY! On Friday, March 13, we are partnering with Dentistry from the Heart for the second year in a row, to give free smiles to the community! It’s a whole day of FREE DENTISTRY: anyone who comes that day will get a free cleaning, filling or extraction! SPREAD THE WORD!! Call 719.547.8338 for details. Harry Houdini Birthday Party. Magic Show Tuesday March 24th at 2:00 pm. Spring break at The Party People! Cherish the Child at The Pueblo Mall April 3rd from 4-6pm Free for everyone! Join us for child safety information, free give aways, community resources, musical performances, prizes and lots of fun! Call CASA of Pueblo for more information at 719-583-6326 11th Annual Girls Night Out Presented by Junior League of Pueblo April 17th 5-9pm at Pueblo Convention Center Featuring Martini Shot! CASA of Pueblo: 11th Annual Light of Hope Lunch! 16

Tuesday April 21st at Sangre De Cristo Arts & Conference Center Go to www.casaofpueblo.org to register to attend or call 719-583-6326 for more information Buell Children’s Museum: The Way West Exhibit Here through May 30th 210 N Santa Fe Ave Admission: $8 for adults/$6 for children, military and seniors Tues, Thurs, Fri 11a.m.-5 p.m. Wed 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat & Sun 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Paul Rodriguez @ Pueblo Memorial Hall March 20 at 8pm 1 City Hall Place Pueblo Memorial Hall and Global Spectrum are excited to announce The Latin Comedy Jam Featuring Paul Roriguez Tickets: $25-$40 Call: 1-866-7228844 8th Annual Small Business Expo & Community Marketplace Pueblo Convention Center March 21 from 10am-4pm The annual signature event is always open to the public with free admission and has great giveaways and door prizes for those that attend.

ARTS Open Mic Night Every Wednesday! 5th & Main Espresso Bar/Art Gallery 6:30-8:30pm Open Mic Night, musicians, vocalists & poets welcome! Steel City Theater Company – “Eleemosynary” Tickets available: $7-$10 Showtimes:

7:30 pm March 13-14 and 20-21 2:30 pm March 15 and 22 241 S Santa Fe Ave Phone: 719-994-8298 El Pueblo Museum Presents: HandsOn History EVERY FRIDAY through May 1st! 1:30-5:15pm Grades 1-5 can “Play their part in History”! $12/week with snacks pro-

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vided! Learning Opportunities: Mexican Folklorico Dancing, Construction Kids, Clay & Pottery, Modern Homesteading Archaeology. Register Today! El Pueblo Museum 301 N Union Ave Phone: 719-583-0453 Women of Ireland: Pueblo Memorial Hall 1 City Hall Place Mar 19 2015 - 7:00pm For the first time, a stage show brings together all the most adorned elements associated with Irish & Celtic music, song and dance in one brand new super stage spectacle. Tickets: 888-813-2929 Damon Runyon Presents: “Laughter on the 23rd Floor” Cost: $13 Showtimes: March 13-14 7:30 pm March 15 2pm Damon Runyon Theater

611 N Main Street Phone: 719-564-0579 Sangre de Cristo Ballet Presents: Lilywild Sangre de Cristo Art Center Sange de Cristo Tickets $12 Nonmembers and $10 Members. Sat. March 14th 7:30 pm Sun. March 15th 2 pm Contact: 719-295-7200 Pueblo Choral Society – Visions of the Spirit 2200 Bonforte Blvd. Hoag Recital Hall March 14 – 7:30pm This season’s masterwork concert is once again performed in collaboration with the Concert Choir of CSUPueblo and accompanied by an orchestra. It will feature Jesus Priceless Treasure by JS Bach and the Seven last Words of Christ by Theodore Dubois. For more Events InPueblo, go to

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