Welcome Back, PAPA!

We are excited to welcome you back to campus and kick off a strong second semester. As we begin, please remember these three priorities that guide who we are and how we show up every day:

1. Safety Comes First

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Be alert and follow the instructions of adults at all times—especially during an emergency.

Stay off your phones until the staff tells you it is okay to use them. Phones can slow down emergency response and communication.

In an emergency, parents will be notified with clear directions about when and where to pick up students. Parents should not come to campus unless directed—this helps emergency personnel do their jobs quickly and safely.

If you see something unsafe, say something immediately to the nearest adult.

Safety also means being where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there.

2. Focus, Excellence, and Purpose

PAPA is a college-prep and performing arts school. We are the premier performing arts school in the state and a Spotlight-designated school because we work with purpose every day.

There is no downtime or free time—we are always learning, rehearsing, and growing.

Students and staff commit to quality teaching and learning for every student, every day.

We are chasing goals, dreams, and scholarships.

If you’re not fully locked in yet, now is the time. Take your art and your education seriously and keep pace with the excellence around you.

3. Kindness and Community

At PAPA, we are a community.

We say hello, include others, and support one another.

We celebrate individuality, creativity, and humanity.

We encourage each other, rehearse one more time, and persevere through setbacks.

We do not gossip or cause harm. If it’s not kind or helpful, we don’t say it.

We show pride in our work, our art, our campus, and our school by keeping our spaces clean and supporting one another.

We are glad you’re here. Let’s make this semester one of growth, excellence, and care for one another.

Welcome back, and have a great second semester!

Parents –

Parents, please be on the lookout for updates from teachers that review weekly educational plans, the week at a glance. Teachers will be putting at least 2 grades in the gradebook each week. Please check PowerSchool for updates in grades weekly. If you need help logging in to your PowerSchool account, email or call our Registrar, Mrs. Lucero; llucero@paparts.org.

Giveaway

Was your New Year’s resolution to get better grades? romanticize school? Or even be more prepared? Well, Thespian Troupe is hosting a giveaway for a back to school basket, INCLUDING a planner for the 2026 year! For $2, you get a brand new, pre-sharpened pencil and the opportunity to win the back-to-school basket! We will be selling on the west side of the cafe during middle school and high school lunch. Your chance to start the new year off right begins on the 12th through the 16th. That is this week! We will announce the winner of the back-to-school basket on Monday, the 19th. All profits go towards helping us get to DramaFest! See you there!

Student Spotlight

Do you want to be featured in the next Student Spotlight? Auditions will be held on Friday, January 16th, during lunch in the East Dance Room.

Be sure to complete the Google Form before auditioning. Grab your lunch first, then head straight to the East Dance Room for your audition! Auditions must be 1 minute or less.

We can’t wait to see your talent shine!

✨❄️ Attention students! ❄️✨

Mark your calendars! Winter Ball: A Night Under the Aurora is happening on January 31, 2026, in the Café. 🌌

Join us for a magical night of music, dancing, and memories. Winter Ball Court voting will take place at the dance, and court winners will be announced between 8:30–9:00 PM, so make sure to stick around!

Dress to impress, bring your friends, and get ready to glow Under the Aurora! 💫

This year, Winter Ball will have a full royal court, and we want you to run for royalty! PAPA Winter Ball Court applications are now open! Pick up an application and turn it in to Mrs. Muniz in Room 18 by Wednesday, January 21 at 3:00 PM — no exceptions!

To be on the ballot, you must attend the Winter Ball Court meeting during high school lunch on January 21, have your Winter Ball ticket purchased, be in good standing, and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Voting happens at the dance, so you must attend to vote — and to win!

✨ Winners will be announced at Winter Ball between 8:30 and 9:00 PM, and you must be present to claim your crown. No gifts, no favors — just school spirit! 🎉

Freeze the memories before they’re gone! 📸✨ Yearbooks are on sale now for $80, packed with all the moments you’ll want to remember. Swing by Ms. Maes in Room 17 to grab yours before they sell out — future you will thank you! 😄📘

Vote for Superlatives

It’s time to make your voices heard! 🎉 Voting for Middle School and High School Superlatives is now open. You can access the Google Form through your Middle School or High School Google Classroom.

🎓 Seniors — your superlative voting form can be found in your Seniors 411 Google Classroom.

⏰ Voting closes on 01/14/26, so don’t wait! Cast your votes and help decide this year’s superlatives! 🗳️

Emailing Staff

When you email staff, please use the .org email. Staff emails are first name initial, last name @paparts.org. The .net emails are for students and Google Classroom only. If you need any help or assistance, contact the front office or email info@paparts.org.

Spring Performances

Use this chart to plan to attend our Spring Performances:

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Home Computers to Chromebooks

Parents and students: We will be transitioning from student-owned devices to school-issued Chromebooks. This change is designed to enhance the security of our school network and ensure that all students have access to the school’s technology safety measures, including firewalls and monitoring tools, which help protect students and maintain a safe digital learning environment.

Inclement Weather at PAPA

Should we encounter inclement weather and need to cancel school, guardians/parents will be notified through school messenger. Local radio & television stations post APS delays and school closings. PAPA follows its own policies and procedures regarding delays and closings. If APS delays or has asynchronous snow days DISTRICT WIDE, PAPA will cancel school for the day.   If APS delays or cancels East Mountain schools only, PAPA will be in session. Residents of the East Mountains can make informed decisions for their own safety to come to school on time or be delayed.  Parents/Guardians must report absences to the attendance phone line or email attendance@paparts.org.

General Info

This is a reminder that students may not be dropped off or enter the building before 7:30 a.m. per our Student Handbook. This expectation is essential to ensuring student safety on campus, as there is no supervision before 7:30 a.m.

Possession or distribution of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, nicotine liquid containers, alcohol, mood-altering substances, and illicit drugs in school buildings, school premises, and away from school grounds at school-sponsored activities is prohibited for all. This includes students, staff, and families.

Student Drop-off & Pick-up Safety Reminders

• Be patient during drop-off and pick-up.

• Have your child ready with belongings before stopping in the loading/unloading zone.

• If your child needs extra time, please park on the street or in a parking spot.

• Do not block crosswalks, entrances, or exits.

• Refrain from honking, yelling, or using inappropriate language.

• If you’re running late, do not speed—safety comes first.

• We’ve had a few close calls; please help us keep all students and families safe.

Students not enrolled in 8th-period class may not stay on campus unless they have an appointment with a teacher. Students may not loiter on campus.

Cell Phones

Per the NM Legislature, students are not permitted to be on cell phones during instructional time. Instructional time means during class time. Take a moment right now and put yours in your backpack out of sight. Students must have a pass from their teachers if they need to be out of class for any reason. Leave your phone in the classroom if you need to leave in the middle of class. Please review the cell phone policy in the student handbook. Students who violate this rule will have their phones taken away or locked in a pouch. If you don’t want this to happen to you, make sure your phone is out of sight during instructional time.

College Info

Did you know that even though some colleges are test-optional, there is still a standard to meet for admission?  At UNM, you must have a 3.0 G.P.A.. and a 1030 on the SAT or a 20 on the ACT. All grades at PAPA are striving to improve their grades, attendance, and scores on standardized testing. All students will record their interim test scores in their PAPA data folder and track their progress. Is your score college-ready?  If not, are you working to get college-ready?

5•7•10 RULE 

● Five unexcused absences: When a child has accumulated five unexcused absences, school personnel will arrange a meeting at the school with the parent or legal guardian to discuss the unexcused absences. A plan to improve attendance will be developed and implemented.

● Seven unexcused absences: When a child has accumulated seven unexcused absences, school personnel will arrange a second meeting at the school with the parent or legal guardian to review the attendance plan and discuss the impact of truancy on the future of the child. At this time, the child may enter into an attendance contract requiring him or her to attend school regularly, or other consequences may be applied (i.e., removal from PAPA to attend the child’s home school in the case of transportation issues).

● Ten unexcused absences: If a student has accumulated an equivalent of ten or more unexcused absences within a school year, the parent shall be given written notice by personal service or certified mail that the student is habitually truant and is not in compliance with the Compulsory Attendance School Law. At that time, the student shall be reported to the probation services office of the judicial district where the student resides for an investigation as to whether the student shall be considered to be a neglected child or a child in a family in need of services because of habitual truancy.

Being Present Matters!