Welcome Back, PAPA Families!
Welcome back to all of our returning students and families, and a special welcome to our new PAPA students and families! We are excited to begin another year of creativity, expression, learning, and community.
🎨 The PAPA Way: Creativity, Expression & Kindness
At PAPA, The PAPA Way is about creativity, expression, and kindness. We show this every day through the small choices we make:
- Hold the door open for others.
- Take care of our space and belongings.
- Treat others with kindness and respect.
- Leave things better than we found them.
Thank you for helping us create a school community where everyone can learn, create, and perform with purpose.
Did you notice a PAPA student demonstrating kindess? Nominate them for PAPAPAWsitivity by completing the form outside the front office or emailing info@paparts.org.
🍎 Breakfast & Lunch at PAPA
Breakfast and lunch are free for all students each school day.
If your student plans to eat school lunch, it is essential that they let their 1st period teacher know so Chef Nicole can prepare enough food for everyone who wants a meal.
Because PAPA receives meal reimbursement, there are certain meal components students are required to take, while other items are optional. Students should follow the signs and directions in the café.
Once students have their trays, we encourage them to head outside for some fresh air and sunshine when weather permits. At the end of lunch, students should return their trays to the café.
View this month’s meal information here:
PAPA August Meal Information
🎓 Dual Credit Policy Update
The PAPA Governing Council approved an update to the Dual Credit Weighting Policy in June 2026.
Under the updated policy, all dual credit courses that UNM will accept for transfer credit toward a degree will be weighted. Previously, only dual credit courses in English, Math, Science, and History were weighted.
What does this mean for current and former dual credit coursework?
Students who have already completed a qualifying dual credit course will have their transcripts reviewed. During a transcript audit this fall, qualifying courses will be retroactively weighted in accordance with the updated policy.
No action is required from families at this time. We will provide additional information as the transcript review process moves forward.
🏆 Vote for PAPA — Best of the City 2026
Voting is open for Albuquerque the Magazine’s 2026 Best of the City!
Please consider voting for PAPA in the Best Charter School category.
Vote for PAPA – Best of the City
Thank you for supporting PAPA!
🌟 Staff VIP Shout-Out
Help us recognize an awesome PAPA staff member!
We want to hear about the positive impact a PAPA staff member has made on your student or family. Take a moment to share a positive interaction, a meaningful connection, or a staff member who has gone above and beyond.
Submit a Staff VIP Shout-Out
🚗 Student Drivers
Students who drive to school must:
- Display a PAPA student parking decal.
- Park in the west parking lot.
- Understand that the west lot will be secured from 8:30 a.m. until dismissal.
Anyone who needs access to the west lot during the school day must contact the front office at 505-830-3128.
📵 Wireless Communication Devices
PAPA follows our wireless communication device procedures to help maintain a focused, safe, and respectful learning environment.
Cell phones, earbuds/wireless headphones, smart watches, smart glasses, personal tablets/iPads, and gaming systems must be put out of sight once students arrive on campus. These devices are not permitted during school hours on campus.
If a device is seen or heard during the school day, it will be brought to the front office and must be picked up by a parent or guardian.
If your student needs assistance during the school day, please remind them that they can always come to the front office for help.
💚 Alongside: A New Wellness Resource for Students
PAPA is offering Alongside, a personalized student skill-building and wellness platform, to our students this year.
Alongside was developed with clinicians to help students build skills that support success both inside and outside the classroom. Students can access the platform anytime through a browser or on an iOS or Android device using their school email address.
Parent information and resources:
Alongside Parent Signup
Learn More About Alongside
Alongside Parent Overview Video
Alongside Terms of Use
Alongside Privacy Policy
Parent Access to Alongside
Information About Alongside’s Content and Use of AI
AI Safety & Youth Wellness Information
If you do not want your student to access Alongside, please email privacy@alongside.care and include your student’s name, school, and school email address.
🕑 Early Release & Study Hall Dates
On the following dates, students will be dismissed at 2:15 p.m. to allow staff to participate in PLC collaboration.
Study Hall will be available in the café until 3:18 p.m. on these dates.
- August 26
- September 16
- September 30
- October 21
- November 18
- December 2
- January 13
- January 27
- February 10
- February 24
- March 17
- April 7
- April 21
- May 5
Please plan transportation accordingly.
🚌 Jeanne Bellamah After-Care
Are you signed up for the Jeanne Bellamah after-care program?
If so, please have your student meet in the front office at the end of the school day so we can show them where to meet the center van.
📸 Picture Day
Picture Day is Monday, August 10, 2026!
Students will take their school photo with their class during the school day. Photos will be used for:
- Student IDs
- The 2026–2027 yearbook
- School records
- A professional performing arts headshot
If you have questions, please contact Ms. Maes.
We look forward to seeing everyone’s smiles!
🐼 PAPA Open House — This Thursday!
Thursday, August 13 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
We are excited to welcome families to our PAPA Open House!
🎭 5:00–5:30 p.m. — PAPA Social & Pop-Up Performances
Join us in the café for pop-up performances, refreshments, and an opportunity to meet other PAPA families.
Seniors: You can also sign up for your painted senior parking space during this time!
🏫 5:30–6:00 p.m. — Visit Classrooms
This portion of the evening is designed to help families meet teachers and become familiar with their student’s classrooms.
If you would like to have an individual conversation about your student or discuss specific needs, please schedule a follow-up meeting or phone call directly with the teacher. Teachers will have sign-up sheets available.
Tip: If you have multiple children, plan ahead and decide which classrooms you would like to visit. If you plan to visit all of your child’s classes, please limit your visit to approximately 5 minutes per classroom so that all families have an opportunity to connect with teachers.
🎓 6:00–6:30 p.m. — Parent Learning Sessions
Choose from a variety of sessions designed specifically for PAPA families:
- 6th Grade News
- Preparing for Senior Showcase — Grades 9–11
- How to Be a Successful High School Math Student
- What Are UDL Tools and How Do They Help My Kid?
- Theatre/Improv — Come Experience Live Theatre
- Senior Yearbook Business
- How to Best Support Your Visual & Performing Artist
- Hip-Hop Dance Lesson for Parents
- Supporting Adolescent Health
📋 Update Your Family Information
While you’re here, please stop by and visit Mrs. Lucero, our registrar, to update your family’s phone numbers, address, and email information.
We can’t wait to see you!
🎨 Seniors: Choose Your Senior Parking Space!
Hey Seniors! Be at Open House this Thursday!
This is your opportunity to select your spot for your custom senior parking space and create something that is uniquely yours.
📍 Thursday, August 13 | 5:00–5:30 p.m. | Café
💰 $40 per space
❤️ Proceeds benefit National Honor Society
Can’t make Open House? You can select your custom space on Friday during lunch in the café.
🎨 Save the Date: Senior Parking Painting
Tuesday, September 8
Gather your crew and get ready to paint your space after the Senior Showcase Panel until 2:00 p.m.
All designs must be approved in advance and must follow PAPA guidelines. Designs must be school-appropriate and may not contain hate speech, discriminatory content, or other inappropriate imagery.
Don’t miss your chance to leave your mark on campus!
💜 PAPA PTSO
PAPA PTSO invites all PAPA families to participate in our meetings!
The mission of PAPA PTSO is to:
- Support our students
- Celebrate our incredible staff
- Build a vibrant, connected school community
📅 First Meeting
Thursday, August 27 | 6:30–7:30 p.m. | Zoom
We are also looking for parent volunteers to get involved. We especially need a Treasurer!
PTSO Volunteer Interest Form
You may also contact Tara at tkonecny@paparts.org for more information.
2026–2027 PTSO Meeting Schedule
All regular meetings are virtual and begin at 6:30 p.m.
- August 27, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- September 24, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- October 15, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.*
- November 12, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.^
- January 28, 2027 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- February 25, 2027 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- March 9, 2027 | 4:30–7:30 p.m. — Bouquet Sales Prep+
- April 22, 2027 | 6:30–7:30 p.m.
- and ^ indicate dates that differ from the regular fourth-Thursday schedule.
🐼 Thank You, PAPA Families!
Thank you for helping us begin the year with creativity, expression, kindness, and purpose. We are excited about the year ahead and grateful to have you as part of the PAPA community.
Perform with Purpose: Consistent. Intentional. Respectful.
Have a wonderful week!
