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New Mexico Parent Teacher Association Newsletter | 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. |
| SAFER INTERNET DAY 2026 GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE | |
We’re thrilled to announce that ConnectSafely is offering grants of up to $1,000 to support U.S.-based schools and nonprofit youth-serving organizations in hosting Safer Internet Day events.
Grant winners can use the funding to design a classroom activity, family night or community event between Feb. 9–13, 2026, perfect for diving into topics like media literacy, online safety, digital wellness, AI, civility and more.
Apply by December 31. Grant awards are being made on a rolling basis, so please apply soon.
| | 4TH GRADE PUBLIC LANDS PASS | Fourth graders and their families can see America's natural wonders and historic sites for free! Visiting public lands is healthy and fun. Learn about your heritage, and connect with nature. No matter where you live in the U.S., you’re within two hours of an included site. We chose fourth graders because research shows that kids ages nine to 11 are beginning to learn about the world around them. They’re open to new ideas, and they are likely to connect to nature and our history. We offer the pass to fourth graders every year. Over time, every kid can get a free pass to explore our country. | | | AFA'S 2026 TEEN ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST | |
AFA’s Teen Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship provides educational funding to college-bound high school seniors who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Applicants are asked to write an essay (1,500 word maximum) or submit a video no more than 4 minutes long, describing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-related illness on themselves, their families or their communities, and what they have learned from it. More than $520,000 in college scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception.
Grand prize winner receives $5,000!
Additional prizes will be awarded for runners-up.
| | NATIONAL PTA TO DISTRIBUTE $45K TO PTAS NATIONWIDE TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY | |
National PTA will distribute $45K to PTAs nationwide to help address ongoing food insecurity facing children and families. The funding is made possible in large part through National PTA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which was established to provide emergency support to local PTA communities.
“During the recent federal government shutdown, many families faced hardship and lost access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. “While the shutdown has ended, the congressional agreement only funds the federal government through Jan. 30, leaving families uncertain about support to help feed their children.”
Two New Mexico PTAs - Chaparral Elementary and Comanche Elementary - are receiving $500 each from National PTA to support their food programs!
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Movies aren’t just fun - they’re a great way to fundraise! School screenings can engage families and communities while supporting programs and initiatives.
Check out our K-12 Movie Fundraising Guide and learn how to host a successful movie night!
| | SHOP NMPTA'S ONLINE STORE POWERED BY SHOPPTA.COM | Do you need some PTA-branded signs? Shirts? Notepads? Reflections awards? Check out NMPTA's Online Store. | | | | PACKING HEALTHY & BUDGET-FRIENDLY LUNCHES FOR KIDS | |
Keeping school lunches both exciting and affordable can be a challenge for busy families. With a little creativity and planning, parents can send their children to school with meals that are nutritious, fun, and wallet-friendly. In the coming months, we will share the latest tips and resources to help make lunchtime a success.
Helping Picky Eaters
Involving kids in planning and letting them assist at mealtimes can make them more open to trying what they helped create. Introduce new foods gradually and make food fun with shapes, skewers, or bright arrangements.
Picky Eater Tip:
Let kids pick one fruit or veggie at the store each week. Giving them ownership makes them more likely to try it.
| | NATIONAL PTA'S LEGCON 2026 | March 2-4: Join us in Alexandria, Va., for the National PTA Legislative Conference (LegCon). This annual event brings together PTA leaders and passionate advocates from across the country for three powerful days of connection, learning and impact. Head to PTA.org/LegCon to learn more and register. For a limited time, you can register at the special early bird rate of $315! This one-time registration fee gets you access to all events, meals and activities during LegCon. The early bird rate is only available until Jan. 15. | | EPA ENVIRONMENTAL YOUTH AWARD AND TEACHER INNOVATION AWARD | |
Applications for both awards are due no later than Friday, January 16, 2026.
The 1990 National Environmental Education Act established PEYA, which recognizes outstanding environmental stewardship projects from students in Grades K-12 that protect our nation’s natural resources. The act also established PIAEE, which recognizes outstanding Grade K-12 educators who use environmental education as a learning tool to excite students and communities about protecting human health and the environment.
Eligible projects should align with only one or more of the focus areas listed below:
- Agricultural practices
- Artificial Intelligence
- Food waste
- Recycling
- School gardens or green space (e.g., playground, park or other community space)
- Use science, data analysis or other creative approaches
- Water infrastructure
- Water quality and/or litter within waterways
| | | 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. | | | | |
