Xinachtli (sheen-ash-tlee)- an Aztec word describing the moment a seed germinates, reaching the “bursting” and “in-between” point when it is no longer a seed and not yet the plant it will transform into. This is a representation of how our children have infinite opportunities to blossom.
Would you believe a place where love and respect for language, culture, earth, and value for regaining our raíces exists? A place that embodies this germinating potential exists and is right here in Doña Ana County. I lived in Albuquerque when I read the mission of a Public Charter Community School in Las Cruces.
“Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School implements a developmentally appropriate rigorous academic program through an interdisciplinary curriculum that is experiential, participatory, bi-literate, child-centered, and culturally responsive… Raíces creates an environment where students and parents are valued as participants in the construction of knowledge and the creation of a learning community that promotes high academic performance, positive identity formation, and the reclaiming of cultural heritage.”
Why did I choose Raices?
After reading this, I knew the opportunity for my children and other families to grow bilingual, and bi-literate was at Raices del Saber. My family relocated to be a part of this school and the community it is supporting. My youngest children have the opportunity to learn Spanish in a place where they are being nurtured and learn why science matters and how we are interconnected with everyday phenomena. The children are learning; what we do matters (for a very long time)- when we plant trees (according to lunar cycles), why the moon cycles make a difference (the scientific reason), and why we plant cempasuchitl next to edible plants. They are learning about the Nahuatl language, the Aztecs, and their incredible contributions to the world. Nahuatl is a native language spoken by 1.7 million Nahua peoples in Mexico.
The vision for our school
The founder’s vision of Raices del Saber is recovering roots that are in danger of vanishing. They wanted to ensure that the children have ancestral knowledge before it is lost through challenging circumstances. Raices del Saber is helping regain and retain who we truly are while inviting everyone and anyone who wants to learn, to join us. I am blessed to have a place to bring my children to learn who we are. Not only am I a parent, but I am also the school principal- and I would not want to be anywhere else!
Raices is a FREE Public Charter Community School, using a dual-language two-immersion model. Xinachtli, a unique academic framework, provides a natural way of engaging student learning to explore, investigate and participate in constructing their knowledge. We offer a free after-school program called Tloke Nauoke, and we partner up with the 21st Century Program. Services after-school run from 3:00 pm-6:00 pm. We also have free breakfast, lunch, and dinner for all students (provided by NSLP). This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Are you interested in learning more about our school?
Our school is growing, and we are searching for passionate, highly qualified bilingual teachers who would like to grow and learn with us. You don’t have to be proficient in Nahuatl; we will teach you.
Parents, would you like your child to learn in a constructivist model, where they can touch what they are learning and explore their interests? If this sounds like a model where your child will thrive, visit us at www.raicesdelsaber.org. We are currently enrolling students, and we will begin to interview teachers for the 2022-2023 school year. Please contact Lucia Carmona at 575-571-2177 or email her at lcarmona@raicesdelsaber.org for more information.
Photos by Rochelle Li (FoodCorps Member NM) students are learning about la “Magia del Maíz” (magic of corn) nutritious values, how ancient is as part of our Land Based Learning experience during Afterschool. Instructors: Chef Mateo and Luis Ramos FoodCorps coordinator at Raíces.
By Julia Rivera-Tapia School Director and Lucia V. Carmona Director of Operations and Community Engagement