New Mexico Parent Teacher Association Newsletter

August 21, 2025

The mission of NMPTA is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ARE OPEN!

Bring your school community's goals to life with easy-to-apply funds from National PTA!

From STEM to the arts, safety to wellness, we offer funding for programs that support every grade level—yes, even high school! 🙌 Whether you're building community, boosting engagement or supporting student success, there are funds to help make it happen.

✅ Quick application

✅ Real impact

✅ Programs for all families

🗓️ Apply now and make this school year unforgettable!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024-2026 NATIONAL PTA SCHOOLS OF EXCELLENCE

Congratulations to the 330 PTAs and schools honored as 2024-2026 National PTA Schools of Excellence for building strong, effective family-school partnerships.

We’re thrilled to recognize the following New Mexico PTAs:

• Chaparral Elementary PTA, Albuquerque
• Comanche Elementary PTA, Albuquerque
• Janet Kahn School of Integrated Arts PTA, Albuquerque
• Ocotillo Elementary PTA, Carlsbad
• Riverside PTA, Carlsbad

Congratulations on achieving this recognition and thank you for all your hard work and dedication that has strengthened connections between families and your school and improved the educational experience for every child!

Enrollment is now open for the 2025-2026 School of Excellence program. Visit PTA.org/Excellence to learn more and enroll by Oct. 15.

TOOLS TO GROW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Have you checked out the new Canva templates to grow PTA membership? They’re a part of National PTA's membership support resources and a perfect starting point to get creative in growing your PTA’s membership! Each template includes a completed example on the second page for inspiration.

They are available in both English and Spanish and are designed to be used on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Check out some great membership flyers from PTAs in New Mexico!

CONTACT YOUR CHILD'S TEACHERS

Teachers say the #1 way to know how your child is progressing is to be in regular contact with the teacher

Parents often rely on report card grades to understand their child’s progress, but grades alone don’t tell the full story. Go Beyond Grades includes three ways to support your child’s success this year:

• Ask the teacher if your child is on grade level, then make a plan together
• Find out what your child is expected to learn this year  
• Understand why attendance matters for learning, life skills, and social development 

MAIN EVENT BACK-TO-SCHOOL BASH

Summer’s winding down, and we’re throwing a Back-to-School Bash — and you’re invited! Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, coach, or just love a good time, this is the perfect way to kick off the new school year.

Date: Tuesday September 16th

Time: 4:00–7:00 PM

RSVP through Eventbrite and bring a school supply donation to receive:

• Free $10 FunCard for arcade play
• 50% off bowling
• 1 raffle ticket (must be present to win)
• Special offers on birthday parties, field trips, and team-building events

Upgrade to our All Access Ticket — $18.95 (advance purchase only):

• All complimentary ticket benefits
• Activity wristband for unlimited play
• Additional $10 FunCard
• Second raffle ticket (must be present to win)

Educators: Show your school ID at the event to get one All Access Ticket FREE plus a third raffle ticket!

School Supply Drive: We’re collecting school supplies at the event! As a special twist, guests will get to vote on which school receives the donated supplies. Your contribution and vote will make a real difference in our community. 

NASA TECHRISE STUDENT CHALLENGE

The NASA TechRise Student Challenge is a FREE NASA challenge for middle and high schools. The challenge opens this September and invites student teams in sixth-12th grade to submit experiment ideas to fly on a commercial space industry suborbital flight (e.g., rocket, high-altitude balloon). 

The challenge includes information sessions for your department or organization upon request, free educational resources to foster classroom learning and an exciting student virtual field trip in the fall. Sixty winning teams will also receive $1500 to build their experiment, a spot to test it on a NASA-sponsored flight, and technical support from our awesome NASA TechRise advisors. The challenge is a great way to get hands-on with a NASA project this school year, and we encourage teams of all skill levels to apply. Updated challenge resources (including videos, slide decks, and educator pacing guides) can all be found on the challenge website HERE when the challenge opens.

Check out Eisenhower Middle School's Space Pizza project - a 2024-2025 winner!

12 TIPS FOR RAISING CONFIDENT KIDS

SAVER'S FUNDRIVE

Is your PTA looking for a great fundraiser that is also good for the environment? Consider hosting a Savers FUNDrive. Collect clothing, household goods and books from your families and neighbors to donate to Savers and earn money. Use NMPTA's FUNDrive code to set up your PTA's fundraiser today and a Savers representative will help you set up your drive.

NMPTA ANNUAL SPONSORS

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Connect with Us

This document contains information about and from public and private entities and organizations for the reader’s information. Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement by NMPTA of any entity or organization or the products or services offered, or views expressed. This publication also contains hyperlinks and URLs created and maintained by outside organizations. They are provided for the reader’s convenience; however, NMPTA is not responsible for the accuracy of this information.