Announcements Week of October 19, 2026

Upcoming Events

• 10/21 Early Dismissal
• 10/23 BamBOO! Fall Festival, 4:30pm-7:00pm (No 8th Period)
• 10/28 Thespian Troupe Chipotle Fundraiser
• 10/30 Honor Concert/Ice Cream Social (only for PAPA students)
• 11/2 No School – Inservice Day
  • Senior Showcase Panel, 9am-11am, 1st Showing
  • Junior Capstone Project, 10am-11am, Outline Project

Early Release Dates

• 10/21, 11/18, 12/2, 1/13, 1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/17, 4/7, 4/21, and 5/5.
• Dismissal at 2:15 pm. Study Hall is available in the cafe on these dates until 3:18 pm.

Health and Wellness

October’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) will focus on “Bullying Prevention, Substance Abuse Prevention, and Digital Literacy.” SEL discussions during the week of October 19th will create opportunities for students to reflect on how individuals can do their part to make PAPA’s campus feel safe for everyone.

Senior and Junior Announcements

Senior Showcase Panel, Monday, 11/2, 9:00-11:00am. Seniors come prepared to show your progress to a small group of students and faculty. After you perform for your group you will receive feedback that you are expected to implement as you continue to develop and refine your performance.

Junior Capstone Project, Monday, 11/2, 10:00-11:00am. All Juniors are required to meet at school on Monday, November 2nd from 10-11am, during the in-service day to begin work on PAPA’s inaugural Junior Capstone Project. Mr. Sisneros will guide students through the first steps of the creative process. Students should bring a fully charged Chromebook. By the end of the session, they will have an outline for a project they will complete during the fourth quarter. This project will help students begin preparing for the Senior Showcase.

Community

• Chromebook Insurance available for $34 until December 1st! Why risk replacing a computer at full cost for hundreds of dollars when you can spend $34 to cover accidental damage, cracked screens, liquid spills, loss, or theft? Coverage is quick and easy to set up online: www.smarttechins.com/papa. Protect your student’s device today so you’re covered for the rest of the school year!
• Winter Performance Schedule! Performance events will be announced individually as the dates get closer, but in the meantime PAPA’s Winter Performance schedule can be found here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHYGwcUxkc/HumPja1-lnisC7xylUBHLg/edit
  
• BamBOO! Fall Festival is on October 23rd and pre-sale tickets are already available until October 20th! Click this link to pre-purchase: https://go.theprom.us/a25651. PAPA is also looking for donations for the following items to support the BAMBOO Fall Festival fundraising event. If you can help, we would greatly appreciate it!
• Request for “gently used” stuffies. Does your student have any “gently used” stuffed animals they aren’t interested in any more? If so, please bring them to PAPA by October 22nd as a donation for Fall Festival.
• Pumpkin Carving Contest! Do you like to carve, paint, or go absolutely wild with pumpkin sculpture designs? PAPA’s Pumpkin Carving Contest is fun for the whole family! Please bring your pumpkin masterpieces to PAPA by October 23rd to enter them into the BamBOO Pumpkin Carving Contest! Special prizes to the top winners.
• October 26 – 30 is Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug-use prevention awareness campaign in the United States. NHS is taking the opportunity to celebrate a drug-free lifestyle with students by hosting Spirit Week because there are many ways to have fun without drugs. The Spirit days are as follows:
  • Monday: Mullet Monday (business on top, party on the bottom!)
  • Tuesday: Dynamic Duo (dress as a famous pair in history)
  • Wednesday: Red Carpet Day (dress up in your fanciest red outfits)
  • Thursday: Hot vs. Cold (aka, Summer vs. Winter)
  • Friday: Halloween costume
• PAPA Thrives Questionnaire: Please take a moment to complete this quick form for our PAPA THRIVES team. All members of the community (including families and students) are invited to complete the form to provide feedback about the PAPA experience. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdophZCaEeNjdvOuVfGMTWM-lfDx89nZESz0dN7VQ4c1YVp1g/viewform?usp=preview
  
• Nominate a PAPA Student: The PAPA way is all about creativity, expression, and kindness. This means we hold the door open for others, we take care of our space and belongings, we leave things better than we found it.  Did you notice a PAPA student demonstrating kindness? Nominate them for PAPAPAWsitivity by completing the form outside the front office or emailing info@paparts.org.
• Nominate a PAPA Staff Member: Help us recognize an awesome PAPA staff member. Thank you for taking a moment to tell us about a positive impact or interaction.  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0pQgi9k-xB4I8YWJIgq9occjuGXb2dKGD6caJDP1M2KrdqQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114791415821990573038
  
• PAPA PTSO invites all PAPA families to attend our meetings. Our next meeting is on November 12, 2026 at 7:00pm. We meet via zoom.
  • Link to Join Zoom Meeting: https://hsc-unm.zoom.us/j/92781115142?pwd=ytBQEarScTK2b6n591aSKLgjIaRaKN.1
  • Meeting ID: 927 8111 5142
  • Passcode: panda
  • The mission of PAPA PTSO is to support our students, celebrate our incredible staff, and build vibrant, connected school community. We will be voting in our new executive board at the August meeting. We are still looking for parent volunteers to support the PTSO! Please reach out to Tara at tkonecny@paparts.org for more information.

Clubs

Monday

• MS Art Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Chandler’s Room
• MS Social Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Torrez’s Room
• MS D&D Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Cunningham’s Room
• HS Bible Club, High School Lunch, Ms. Labog’s Room
• HS Thespian Troupe #6667, 5th Period, Ms. Sundstrom’s Room

Tuesday

• MS Art Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Chandler’s Room
• MS D&D Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Cunningham’s Room
• MS Poetry Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Dominguez’s Room
• PJHS Officer Meeting (when announced), Middle School Lunch, Ms. Gonzales’ Room
• HS Poetry Club, High School Lunch, Mr. Ramirez’s Room
• NHS Officer Meeting (1st Tuesday), High School Lunch, Ms. Hennig’s Room
• HS Thespian Troupe #6667, 5th Period, Ms. Sundstrom’s Room

Wednesday

• MS Art Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Chandler’s Room
• MS Debate Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Dominguez’s Room
• PJHS Monthly Meeting (when announced), Middle School Lunch, Ms. Gonzales’ Room
• HS Garden Club, High School Lunch, Ms. Walker’s Room
• NHS Monthly Meeting (1st Wednesday), High School Lunch, Ms. Hennig’s Room
• HS Thespian Troupe #6667, 5th Period, Ms. Sundstrom’s Room

Thursday

• MS Art Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Chandler’s Room
• MS Social Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Torrez’s Room
• MS Poetry Club Leadership Meeting (last Thursday), Middle School Lunch, Ms. Dominguez Room
• HS Gender Sexuality Alliance (every other Thursday), High School Lunch, Ms. Sundstrom’s Room
• HS Language Club (last Thursday), High School Lunch, Ms. Eiland’s Room
• HS Bible Club, High School Lunch, Ms. Labog’s Room
• HS Thespian Troupe #6667, 5th Period, Ms. Sundstrom’s Room

Friday

• Student Council Meeting (last Friday), 7:00am, Choir Building
• MS Art Club, Middle School Lunch, Ms. Chandler’s Room
• MS Descendants Club, Middle School Lunch, Social Worker Office
• HS Thespian Troupe #6667, 5th Period, Ms. Sundstrom’s Room

School Policies and Technology

Tardies: When a student has three tardies in one class period, students will receive one lunch detention. The cycle will start over again when that detention is served.

Technology: Cell phones, wireless headphones, smart watches, smart glasses, personal tablets, iPads and gaming systems are to be put out of sight upon arrival on campus. Items seen or heard during the school day will be taken to the front office for pick up by a parent or guardian.

Student Health

Caffeine & Our Students
What Parents Should Know

Caffeine is common—but children and teens are more sensitive to its effects than adults. Pediatric health experts recommend that children and adolescents avoid caffeine when possible, and they specifically recommend that children and teens avoid energy drinks.

Why does caffeine matter?

• Caffeine is a stimulant. It can temporarily increase alertness, but it does not replace sleep, nutritious food, hydration, or rest.
• Too much caffeine may cause:

☕ Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

❤️ Racing or pounding heartbeat

😟 Anxiety, nervousness, or irritability

🤕 Headaches

🤢 Nausea or stomach discomfort

🫨 Shakiness or jitteriness

📚 Difficulty concentrating when sleep is disrupted

Because caffeine can remain in the body for many hours, afternoon and evening caffeine can interfere with the sleep students need for learning, memory, mood, and physical health.

How much is too much?

• There is no established safe daily amount for younger children.
• For adolescents ages 12–18, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry suggests limiting caffeine to no more than 100 mg per day. This is an upper limit—not a recommended daily intake. Less is better, and avoiding caffeine is the healthiest choice for children and teens.

Caffeine can add up quickly!

• The amount varies by product and brand, so checking the label is important.
• Beverage/Product    Approximate Caffeine*
  • 12 oz caffeinated soda    23–83 mg
  • 12 oz green tea    ~37 mg
  • 12 oz black tea    ~71 mg
  • 12 oz brewed coffee    ~113–247 mg
  • Energy drinks    Can contain 200+ mg

*Caffeine amounts vary considerably by brand, serving size, and preparation.

Energy drinks are different from sports drinks. Energy drinks may contain large amounts of caffeine and other stimulants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children and adolescents not consume energy drinks.

What can parents do?

• Talk about caffeine without judgment. Help students understand how caffeine affects their individual sleep, mood, heart rate, and concentration.
• Encourage students to:

💧 Choose water for hydration

🥗 Eat regular, nutritious meals and snacks

😴 Prioritize adequate sleep

🏃 Use movement and fresh air to boost energy

🏷️ Read labels and check caffeine amounts

⚡ Avoid energy drinks and highly caffeinated products

A simple message for students:

• Caffeine can make you feel more awake—but it cannot give your body what sleep gives you.

If your student regularly consumes caffeine, especially large amounts, talk with your child’s healthcare provider before making significant changes. Some students may be particularly sensitive to caffeine because of individual health conditions or medications.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org); American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry; U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Statement

PAPA Is a Drug-, Alcohol-, and Nicotine-Free Campus

As we begin the new school year, we want to remind our entire PAPA community of an important expectation designed to keep our campus safe, healthy, and focused on learning.

Public Academy for Performing Arts is a drug-, alcohol-, tobacco-, and nicotine-free school.

In accordance with New Mexico Administrative Code 6.12.4 (Tobacco, Alcohol and Drug Free School Districts), schools are required to prohibit the use and possession of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs by students, school staff, parents, and visitors on school property and at school functions held away from school property. (NMPED)

Therefore, the following are not permitted:

• Alcohol or illegal drugs
• Marijuana/cannabis products
• Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, or other tobacco products
• Vapes, e-cigarettes, and electronic smoking devices
• Nicotine pouches, nicotine products, or other alternative nicotine products
• The possession, use, or distribution of these products

This policy applies to all students, parents/guardians, staff, volunteers, and guests:

• On the PAPA campus and school property
• In school buildings, parking areas, and athletic/performing arts spaces
• On school buses and school transportation
• At school-sponsored concerts, performances, dances, field trips, and activities—even when they take place off campus

We ask everyone in our PAPA community to help us maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students. Please leave all tobacco, nicotine, vaping, alcohol, and drug products at home.

Thank you for helping us protect our students and uphold our commitment to a safe, respectful, and healthy school community.