Word on the Bosque
Cultivating Our Community: A Letter from Dr. Barrie
Dear Bosque Community,
Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that February is already upon us. Before we know it, we will be shifting toward spring break, immersives, and summer!
At this moment of increasing polarity and uncertainty in our country, Bosque’s commitment to cultivating community and creating a safe and inclusive home for all of our students, staffulty, alumni, and families has never been more important. It is our highest responsibility as a school to ensure our students feel supported and that they are welcomed, celebrated, and experience a sense of belonging on our campus.
We recognize the level of confusion and fear that many of our students (and staffulty) are carrying with them to school each morning, and our mission “to create transformative learning experiences that empower a diverse community of students to lead lives of intellectual curiosity, personal integrity, and compassionate contribution to a more just world” will continue to be our north star in all of our endeavors forward.
Bosque School's 30th-anniversary celebration
save the date
Mark your calendars: May 15-17, 2025, for Bosque School’s 30th-anniversary celebration! We can’t wait to share this milestone with all of you!
📢 More details and registration info coming in March!
Pave the Path to Our Future: Sponsor a Campus Brick Today
As we celebrate 30 years of Bosque School, we invite you to leave a lasting mark on our campus! In honor of this milestone, we’re offering two unique opportunities to honor our community and support our mission:
Alumni Bricks: If you’re a Bosque School grad (or class of 2025!), add your name to the Alumni Walkway—a legacy path leading through campus. Bricks start at $100.
30th-Anniversary Bricks: Commemorate a special memory or honor a loved one with a personalized brick in the plaza outside the Findlay Arts Center. Bricks start at $300.
Both bricks are available for a limited time—orders close on March 26, 2025. All proceeds go to the Bosque Fund, supporting the future of our students and community.
Don’t miss this chance to be part of Bosque’s history and future. Order your brick today and help us pave the way for the next 30 years!
Rooted in Bosque: Reflections from Our Longest-Serving Staffulty
The Buzz asked some of the longest-tenured members of the current staffulty to share their thoughts about what has kept them here so long and how the school has changed since the year they began.
Our eight round table participants are: from 1995, Dan Shaw, science faculty and Field Science coordinator; from 1996, Cathy Bailey, retired science teacher and current learning center tutor; from 2003, Jim Daly, 7th-grade Watershed Science teacher, Wildlife and Conservation Biology teacher; from 2004, T.J. Middleton, math department leader and math teacher; from 2005, Joanna Hart, upper school dean of students, upper school choral director, and college counselor; from 2006, Meg King, upper school humanities teacher and immersives coordinator; and Sarah Montoya, design and brand manager.
We want to acknowledge that Dolores Landavazo, former upper school administrative assistant, who passed away last spring, joined our community in 2009. She would have added so much wisdom, joy, and humor to these reflections.
Alumni News
Annual Alumni College Panel
Bosque School's upper school students recently had a wonderful opportunity to learn from a panel of alumni currently attending colleges across the country. The panel featured Luc '22 from New Mexico Tech, Emilano '22 from Yale University, Rayne '22 from the University of Montana, Chloe '22 from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, Felix Schroeder '23 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Tate Wagner '23 from Vassar College.
The alumni shared their experiences about choosing universities, getting involved on campus, navigating the academic rigor of college coursework, and the many opportunities they’ve taken advantage of through their own college programs. Our college counselor, Mark Giesmann, shared, “Reconnecting with our recent grads and hearing about their impressive accomplishments during this panel is one of my favorite events each year.”
Our current students gained such valuable perspectives from the alumni's diverse college experiences, and we hope this will help inform their own decisions as they prepare for the next exciting chapter of their lives.
Alumni Holiday Party
Our annual alumni holiday party was a success! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces return to Bosque School, reconnect with former teachers, and share cherished memories. A highlight of the evening was the Bosque School trivia, which was a favorite among attendees. We sincerely appreciate everyone who joined us to celebrate the season—your presence truly made the event memorable.
Bee Club Hosts Alum to Discuss Green Technologies and Beekeeping
The Bee Club recently welcomed back alum Lawrence Rael to share his experiences as a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur working on innovative green technologies. Rael, a graduate of the class of 2010, spoke to the club about his current role at Terra Vera, a company focused on developing sustainable solutions to help bees and the environment.
During his presentation, Rael provided an overview of his career journey, which began with internships in water treatment technology. He explained how this work led him to the agricultural sector and ultimately to beekeeping, an area he is deeply passionate about.
registration is now open!
Build your own adventure
With Bosque Summer, you can build your own adventure with the flexibility of our week-long half and full-day programs for students entering grades K–9. Whether you seek academic enrichment, creative adventures, skill development, meaningful movement, or just plain fun, Bosque Summer has you covered!
Our full-day camps are specially designed for students entering grades 1–8. They are built on the pillars of creativity, discovery, movement, and performance with students taking one class from each section daily. The programs culminate in a Friday showcase on the Bosque School campus for parents and families.
Pick your passion with Bosque Summer's half-day camp options. These half-day, week-long programs allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the topics they are most interested in.
30 Years of Bosque School’s Watershed Science
By Jim Daly, 7th-Grade Watershed Science Teacher, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Teacher
Surprisingly, few people in Albuquerque know that there is a perennial stream on the east side of the Sandias. An exception to this is all of the Bosque School students who have taken the 7th-grade watershed science class over the past 30 years. Every month, each section of 7th graders heads to either Las Huertas Creek, that lone perennial stream in the Sandias, or to Battleship Rock in the Jemez, where the San Antonio and the East Fork of the Jemez converge to form the main stem of the Jemez River. At these sites, the students collect a variety of data, including streamflow, water chemistry, and samples of the macroinvertebrate communities found in each stream.
During those 30 years, our students have documented, among other things, the effect of the Jemez fires on the turbidity of the two streams in the Jemez and the decline in streamflow in Las Huertas Creek, especially during the past 20+ years of historic drought. Through these field experiences and classroom and lab work back at the Bosque School campus, our students explore the biological, physical, and chemical components of one of the most significant watersheds in the Southwest. Additionally, they are developing a sense of and appreciation for the place, which, for many students, fosters a life-long commitment to caring for our natural environments.
7th Grade: A Bridge Made of Stories
By Sean Etigson, 7th-Grade Humanities Teacher
7th grade is a bridge made of stories, and throughout the year, students ask the question: “What are the aspects of a great story?” Over the course of the fall and early winter, the students explored effective storytelling.
Any Time, Any where, Any Way
Challenging education takes Bosque School students and staffulty members on a journey every day, but for two days in November, the 7th graders traversed time and space.
In a dizzying display of literary time travel, the class of 2030 took their own Eras tour—from Ancient Egypt, the Trojan War, and ancient Macedonia to a Led Zeppelin embezzlement mystery and a fashion heist set in the 1970s.
In their English classes, 7th-grade students were challenged to research any person, place, and time in history and then use their findings and imagination to create an original piece of historical fiction. During October, they read existing historical fiction novels, using these texts to analyze and emulate each author’s craft.
Since they were allowed to use any medium, including poems, ballads, or other songs, Josephine and Maddie chose to write a rap about Cleopatra. When asked why, Maddie offered, “Cleopatra is very inspiring in women’s history and women’s rights. Because she stood out in world history, we wanted to stick out from everyone else, so we decided to write a rap.” In a daring literary endeavor, Maddie and Josephine chanted: “Cleopatra ruled with panache, fearless making history clash/Cleo was a woman who dared to defy/She ruled her country with a purpose to edify.”
Bosque School Upper School Students Chosen for All-State in Strings, Band, and Choir
We are excited to announce that numerous Bosque School upper school students were selected for All-State in band, choir, and strings! These students put in tremendous effort throughout the year, including working especially hard over winter break to prepare and memorize music. Their performances were outstanding, and we couldn’t be more proud of their achievements! Congratulations to our All-State band members Steven S. and Jack D., choir members Dusti P., Sophia P., Macy K., Mia B., Brook M., Lauren L., Julian L., Isai S., Bailey F., Allie E., Jazn Z., Carson M., and Ma'ayan B., and string member Olivia H. for their hard work and dedication!
Geek out
Bosque students don't simply learn how to do some math; they become mathematicians."
“How’s your GEEK?” is one of those lines you hear in halls of the upper school classroom building throughout the year, and T.J. Middleton, Math Department Leader, translated it for the Buzz. “The GEEK began as a problem to work on when students completed a test and had some extra time,” he explained, “and at the time, I called it post-exam exploration—a problem related to the unit we just finished, but which also asked them to extend the topic and pull some things together in a new way.”
Gradually, the problems became more refined and complex, and together with former math department colleague Tricia Phaneuf, Mr. Middleton “realized we wanted to give it more time and space, so we changed the name to the acronym GEEK = Grappling with Extended Exploration for Knowledge.”
heART Show 2025
Congratulations to our Bosque School artists and art teachers for pulling off such a successful heART Show! From the creative heart sculptures to the funny and unique Valentine's cards, students really showed off their talents. It was great to see them share their artwork with the community. A huge thanks to everyone who made this event such a special celebration of creativity and community!
Coming and Going: Intercultural Exchange and Immersion
Bosque School’s Spanish Department leader Rafael Martínez de León recently took some time to share with us the exciting work he and the Spanish department are doing in and out of the classroom with our Spanish language learners. His leadership begins by building community within his teaching team, sharing cultural perspectives, emphasizing real-life communication over rote memorization, and taking advantage of language learning apps, online resources, and multimedia tools.
All the Spanish teachers tailor their lessons to accommodate different learning styles, proficiency levels, and interests, ensuring all students can engage with the content effectively. The Heritage in Spanish class—for those students who learned the language from home, students from international schools, and those who studied in bilingual programs—continues to evolve and grow. Profe Rafa is also the sponsor for the Hispanic/Latinx affinity group, motivating and promoting the members’ active participation to be leaders in the school community.
Bosque Students Contribute to Porcupine Research in the Bosque
In January, Bosque School senior Isabel R., along with several other Bosque School students and teachers, went on an exciting porcupine adventure near the bosque. Isabel is working on her senior capstone project, and this hands-on field experience allowed her to collect valuable data on a porcupine—who happens to be the largest female captured to date.
This particular porcupine has been frequently spotted visiting the nearby La Luz community, making this research all the more relevant to the local area. Under the guidance of Bosque School’s field science coordinator, Dan Shaw, and a practicing veterinarian, the team was able to safely examine, treat, and collar the porcupine to monitor its movements.
Safety was our top priority throughout the process," explained Mr. Shaw. "We followed strict protocols to ensure the well-being of both the students and the porcupine. Even when the animal was sedated, we knew we had to be extremely cautious due to its powerful defense mechanisms."
Student Kudos
Elizabeth B. Dazzles in 'Nutcracker in the Land of Enchantment' with Festival Ballet Albuquerque
On December 20-22, 2024, as a member of Festival Ballet Albuquerque (FBA), sophomore Elizabeth B. danced the night away–and a couple of afternoons as well–in the production of Nutcracker in the Land of Enchantment at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Joining her for several of the performances was Bosque School’s Performing Arts Department Leader Nicolle Maniaci, who played first violin in the FBA orchestra.
Bosque School Junior’s Art Exhibition Celebrates Self-Determination and Community Support
Cheyenne ‘26, a current Bosque School junior, recently curated an art show, Self-Determination. The purpose of the show was to make museum-quality art accessible to at-risk youth in underserved communities, including remote reservation schools and juvenile detention centers. Cheyenne partnered with La Plazita Institute, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycles of youth incarceration by using culture, traditional medicine, and art to heal.
The exhibition featured an impressive collection of original art from institutions such as the Guggenheim, MoMA, the Smithsonian, and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Alongside these works, the show also displayed pieces created by South Valley youth and New Mexico juvenile detention center residents.
The exhibition included contributions from prominent artists such as Shepard Fairey, creator of the famous Hope poster of President Obama, and photographer Cara Romero, whose piece Wakeah hangs in MoMA. Additionally, celebrated activist and artist Wendy Red Star contributed a work focused on representing Indigenous women.
WELLBEING Every Day
By Amy Dalness, WELLBEING Department Leader
During their WELLBEING classes, Bosque School students are used to exploring a range of topics that personally affect their lives—the importance of good nutrition and sleep, how to de-stress and unwind, how to navigate conflict and build healthier relationships, and much more. In 8th-grade Life Skills, the students recently started a unit that focuses on teaching them to become good digital citizens and interact with others online in a healthier way. A big topic in this unit is social media use, including how much use is too much and being aware of what intentions could be behind the content they are seeing.
There are many resources available to guide parents and guardians in cultivating healthy social media use in their children, but one recommendation requires us adults to take a look at our own behaviors. The American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics both point to adults’ social media use and digital habits as being highly influential to the children and teens around them. By observing our own behaviors and identifying healthier habits for ourselves, we can directly impact the young people we are working so hard to raise into healthy adults. If we role model good social media and screen habits, our students will take notice and are more likely to follow our guidance.
Bobcat Highlight
Meet Dusti P. '26, an inspiring Bosque School junior, who shares her experiences and passions in this thoughtful interview. From her love for choir to her work in forensics, Dusti opens up about what makes Bosque such a special place. Whether it’s acting in school productions, teaching kids science, or diving into community theater, she’s always engaged in something that sparks her creativity. Dusti also talks about the importance of family traditions, her favorite book, and what she’d tell prospective families considering Bosque.
Meet Gabriel L. '30, a Bosque School student who has a lot to say about his experiences inside and outside the classroom. In this interview, Gabriel shares his favorite class, PE, and explains how Coach Sheila helps him release his energy in a fun way. He also opens up about a memorable project—a podcast he created with his friend Daniel about how New Mexico United impacts their community. Outside of school, Gabriel plays club soccer for the New Mexico Rapids and dreams of going pro.
MEET DR. ERIN ZAVITZ
Dr. Erin Zavitz, Bosque School’s Upper School Humanities Department leader, is characterized by intellectual curiosity, organizational talent, and a keen interest in collaborative work. She teaches Humanities 10, Special Topics courses, and most recently, the New Mexico State History course. She also serves as the Model UN faculty sponsor. She is a committed runner and a busy mom, and she is still engaged in researching and publishing on topics related to her academic area of expertise, Haiti. We are fortunate to have such an accomplished scholar inspiring our students in the humanities.
Meet Tara Maple
Tara Maple, our school nurse, is an empath who connects deeply with students. Outside of her role, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three boys, cheering at sports events, exploring the outdoors, and pursuing her love of cooking, reading, and Broadway. Passionate about travel, Tara has visited 21 countries. Her journey to Bosque School is unique, having worked in the pediatric ICU, traveled the world, and ultimately discovered her love for school nursing.
BOSQUE ATHLETICS
Winter sports are having a great season! Click the link below to read the most recent athletic updates.
A Big Congratulations to Our Recognized Soccer and Volleyball Athletes
We are incredibly proud of the outstanding achievements of our student-athletes in girls and boys soccer and upper school girls volleyball. These dedicated athletes have earned special recognition for their exceptional performances during the fall season.
Athletic Director Jeaney Garcia: A Leader On and Off the Court
Bosque School’s Athletic Director, Jeaney Garcia, recently became the 10-time Senior World Games Pickleball Women’s Doubles Champion and also earned the 2024 National Super Senior Women’s Doubles 60+ Championship.
While Jeaney excels in competition, her true passion is coaching our Bobcats, sharing her knowledge, and fostering growth. Her dedication to her sport and students makes her an invaluable asset to our community.
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