Upcoming Events
- 10/7 PSAT
Family FAFSA Night, 5pm
- 10/8 Senior Showcase Panel, 9am
No School – Fall Break
End of Grading Quarter
- 10/9 No School – Fall Break
- 10/12 No School – Fall Break
- 10/13 Report Cards Sent Home
- 10/15 GC Meeting, 430pm
PTSO Meeting, 7pm (virtual link in Community Topic section)
- 10/23 BAMBOO Fall Festival
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.
BAMBOO! Fall Festival, 10/23/2026
- NO 8th PERIOD Friday, October 23rd, 2026
- BAMBOO Fall Festival is on October 23rd and pre-sale tickets are already available! Click the following link to pre-purchase: https://go.theprom.us/a25651.
- Donate to the Fundraiser: PAPA is looking for donations for the following items to support the BAMBOO Fall Festival fundraising event. If you can help, we would greatly appreciate it!
- Pumpking Carving Contest: This is a call for all creative community members, students, staff, parents, siblings of PAPA students join the pumpkin carving/decorating contest taking place during the BamBoo carnival. Carved, painted, and/or decorated pumpkins participating in the contest must be taken to the to the front office by 3:30pm on 10/23/2026 to register for the competition. The 3 pumpkins with the most votes will receive prizes and certificates.
Senior Announcements
- Senior Showcase Panel is on October 8th at 9am. Come prepared to work directly with your mentor and show the progress you’ve made!
- FAFSA Family Night: Seniors FAFSA night is on Wednesday October 7th from 5-7pm in the Cafe. Make sure you and your parent/guarden have your FAFSA ID’s by Monday of next week.
- Daniels Scholarship Applications are now open! New Mexico is important to the Daniels Fund, and we know there are many charter students eligible for this life changing opportunity. Learn more and apply: Daniels Scholarship Program – Daniels Fund
Your Voice Matters
The annual NMPED Panorama Family Survey is now available, and we encourage all PAPA families to take a few minutes to share your feedback.
PAPA staff and administration review the survey results carefully and use what we learn to improve our school, strengthen our processes, and better serve our students and families.
Your feedback has made a difference in the past! A few years ago, families shared that they wanted more opportunities to volunteer and be involved at PAPA. In response, we created opportunities for parents and families to volunteer at our Thanksgiving lunch and help rebuild our outdoor performance floor.
We want to hear from you again. What is working well? What could be better? What opportunities would you like to see at PAPA?
Please take a few minutes to complete the Panorama Family Survey. Your honest feedback helps us continue to grow as a school community.
Thank you for being an important part of PAPA and for helping us make PAPA an even better place for our students! Survey Link: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/newmexico/family/surveys?language=en
Community
- Do you know a student who would love to attend a college-prep arts focused education setting?
Here are the dates for the upcoming lottery. https://www.paparts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lottery-Dates.pdf
- Free books for students. Information here: https://www.rallyreadernewmexico.com/
- Testing for Sophomores: Sophomores the PSAT/NMSQT assessment is on October 7th from 1st-4th periods. Make sure that you prepare to do your best.
- Help PAPA THRIVE: Do you believe every student deserves the opportunity to thrive? Are you interested in helping PAPA a more equitable and supportive community? Then have your voice heard at the next THRIVES meeting on Wednesday, September 30th at 3:15 pm. THRIVES is a community-led initiative dedicated to advancing historically marginalized and underrepresented students in the arts and academics. We bring students, families, faculty, and staff together to identify inequities, build understanding, and turn ideas into meaningful action. Reach out to Mr. Sisneros if you have questions or concerns about the upcoming agenda.
- 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
- Student Drivers: students who drive must display a student parking decal and park in the west lot, which will be secured from 8:30 AM until dismissal. Anyone needing access to this lot during the school day must contact the front office: 505-830-3128
- PAPA PTSO invites all PAPA families to attend our meetings. Our next meeting is on October 13, 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
- Garden Club meets Wednesdays during 8th period. Meet in Mrs. Walker’s room to touch some grass.
- High School Poetry Club will have its first meeting on Tuesday, September 18th, in room 7, during high school lunch. If you’re in high school and are interested returning to or joining high school poetry club it would be GREATLY appreciated that you show up to our first official meeting. However, if you decide to join later you’re welcome to join ANY meeting with a poem or piece of literature that means something to you. High school poetry club is a safe space for all writers, so please join us in room 7 every Tuesday during lunch.
- Middle School Descendants Club meets on Fridays during lunch. Come hang out with our new lunch group for fans of Disney’s Descendants! Join Ms. Nina in the Social Work Office to talk about your favorite characters, songs, and just have fun.
- Middle School Debate Club meets every Wednesday during lunch in Room 13 with Ms. Dominguez. Join us and learn how to craft an excellent argument.
- Middle School Social Club meets Mondays and Thursdays during middle school lunch. If you like to eat and play games, play with legos or just color and meet new people, come hang out in room 16 (Mrs. Torrez’s room).
- Middle School Poetry Club meets on Tuesdays during Middle School Lunch. Everyone is welcome!
School Policies and Technology
- Chromebook Insurance: It is not too late to sign up for Chromebook insurance. Here is the link: www.smarttechins.com/papa
- 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.
