“We are not here to create the stars of tomorrow; rather, we are here to create a whole human being today.” -PAPA Founders, 2001

Upcoming Events

• 9/1 PAPA HipHop performs during Isotopes baseball game
• 9/4 Spotlight Auditions (during lunch)
• 9/7 No School
• 9/8 PAPA Staff In-Service,
  Senior Showcase Panel #1, and
•       Senior Parking Space Painting
• 9/9 Progress Reports for Quarter 1
• 9/11 Spotlight Performance (closed event, students only)
• 9/17 Governing Council Meeting
• 9/24 PAPA PTSO Meeting (all welcome!)

Early Release Dates

• 9/16, 9/30, 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

September’s Health and Wellness Theme is “Decision Making and Substance Abuse Education”

Health and Wellness Life Hack for the Week

“Do you know about the 5 second rule? This is a simple, kind-hearted guideline for when it is ok to comment on someone’s appearance. If they cannot change/fix/remove it in 5 seconds or less, don’t say it. Examples include untied shoes, something stuck in your teeth, a price tag on your clothes, etc. Judging someone’s appearance, even with good intentions, can be hurtful and damaging. Please be mindful of what you are saying about someone else in our classrooms, hallways, bathrooms, and other school areas.”

Senior Announcements

• Senior Showcase: The first Senior Showcase Art Panel will take place Tuesday, September 8, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the Film Room. Please make sure you plan accordingly and arrive on time. Attendance is mandatory.
• Parking Spots: Hey Seniors did you already reserve your senior parking space? Save the date for Save the date for Senior Parking Painting on September 8th. Gather your crew to help you September 8th after Senior Showcase Panel until 2pm. Your design must be approved The design must follow PAPA guidelines, no hate.  It’s not too late to grab your spot, $40 per spot, proceeds benefit National Honor Society. See Jasper, NHS President or NHS Sponsors Hennig or Labog for details. Make sure to submit your design for approval.

Community

Voting is open for Albuquerque the Magazine’s 2026 Best of the City!

Vote for PAPA for Best Charter School with this link: https://www.abqthemag.com/best-of-the-city/

• Free books for students. Information here: https://www.rallyreadernewmexico.com/
  
• 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 Staff Member: Staff VIP Shout-Out; 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 September 24, 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

• 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).
• 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.

Technology

It is not too late to sign up for Chromebook insurance. Use this link: www.smarttechins.com/papa

School Policies

• 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.
• Electronics: 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.
• Dual Credit Courses: The PAPA Governing Council has approved an update to the Dual Credit weight policy (June 2026). All dual credit courses which UNM will accept for transfer credit towards a degree will be weighted. Previously only courses in English, Math, Science, and History were weighted. Current students that have already completed a dual credit course will have transcript review and weight adjusted to retroactively apply this new policy through a transcript audit this fall.
• Governing Council Employee Policy Update: The following policies are being shared for public comment. To make a comment send an email to Director Lopez at tlopez@paparts.org  |  Furlough Policy  |  RIF Policy

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.

Visit our website for updates: www.paparts.org

Please contact the office for any support at info@paparts.org.

Submit attendance needs to attendance@paparts.org or call the attendance line at 505-830-3128, press 5.

Do you know a student who would love to attend a college-prep, performing arts school? If so, refer them to lottery@paparts.org for any enrollment questions.