Upcoming Events
- 9/17 Governing Council Meeting,
PAPA Theatre at Albuquerque Museum for “3rd Thursday” Performance, 5:00pm
- 9/23 College Application Day (seniors)
- 9/24 PAPA PTSO Meeting (all welcome!),
National Dance Educators Organization (NDEO) visits PAPA
- 9/25 PAPA Family Movie Night, 6:30pm
- 10/2 Middle School Dance, 6:00pm
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 Theme: Decision Making and Substance Abuse Education
Scroll to the the section below titled “Student Health” to learn about caffiene
and how it might be affecting your PAPA student.
Senior Announcements
- College Application Day: PAPA seniors will have the chance to begin the process for applying to colleges on 9/23 during the school day. Stay tuned for fun announcements from Student Council about the event.
- 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
- Yearbook Deadline Warning: Senior Quotes and Glamour Shots are due by October 2nd! If you want them included in the yearbook, you must submit them by the deadline.
Community
- Help us grow! Do you know a student who would love to attend a college-prep arts focused education setting? Share this link that shows PAPA’s enrollment process: https://www.paparts.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Lottery-Dates.pdf
- Free books for students: https://www.rallyreadernewmexico.com/
- PAPA Family Movie Night is September 25th! Join us on the back lawn from 6:30–8:30 PM for a movie night under the stars! Tickets are $5 and include two snack tickets. Additional snack tickets will be available for $1 each. Bring your friends, bring your family, or bring both, and enjoy an evening together watching Coco!
- PAPA Spirit Gear: Show off your PAPA pride and get ready for PAPA Spirit Days on Fridays The PAPA Spirit Shop closes September 28th, so make sure you get your gear before the deadline! The link to the Spirit Shop will be posted on the PAPA Student Council Instagram and both the Middle School and High School Google Classrooms. Direct Link: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/MctmrdWuaB
- Breakfast Preferences: Students, we have placed a survey in the high school and middle school Google Classrooms for you. We are interested in learning about your preferences for breakfast. Please complete the quick form to help us with planning. Thank you!
- HS Google Classroom Code: kpkrcvmm
- MS Google Classroom Code: iktsrn7i
- The National Dance Educators Organization (NDEO) is holding its annual conference in Albuquerque from 9/24 – 9/27 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. As part of their pre-conference activities, there will be a bus load of dance educators from across the country visiting PAPA on Thursday 9/24. NDEO guest will be treated to a tour of our dance spaces, master classes for students in the afternoon, and culminating in a mini performance in the cafe.
- 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 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
- Garden Club will have its next meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd, 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 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 Poetry Club will be selling Bracelet and Bookmark Bags during high school and middle school lunches, Monday-Wednesdsay. These mystery bags will be filled with whimsical trinkets made by our club members, and one lucky customer will have a golden ticket in their bag to turn in for a creative writing prize. See you at lunch on the 14th through the 16th! Middle School Poetry Club meets every Tuesday during middle school lunch in Room 13 with Ms. Dominguez. Bring a poem to share!
- 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).
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
