New Mexico Parent Teacher Association Newsletter

January 8, 2026

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.

PEER SUPPORT IS A LIFELINE

Sometimes the most helpful words come from someone who can say, “I get it.” The Peer-to-Peer Warmline is staffed by Certified Peer Support Workers (CPSWs), who are trained professionals with lived experience, offering empathy, coping skills, and hope without judgment. 

A peer helps to normalize what’s hard, share what helped them, and support you in mapping out tomorrow’s next step. Learn more at nmcrisisline.com/peer-to-peer_warmline 

New Mexico Crisis and Access Line

24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

CALL 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) AND/0R DIAL 988

TTY 1-855-227-5485

711 for relay (hearing & speech impaired)

New Mexico Peer-to-Peer Warmline

Call 7:00am – 11:30pm or text 6pm – 11pm every day

1-855-4NM-7100 (466-7100)

711 for relay (hearing & speech impaired)

ACADEMIC ANXIETY: WHEN SCHOOL STRESS BECOMES TOO MUCH

Everyone feels stress about school sometimes, but the feeling should fade once the test or project is over. If your child is still experiencing school stress after the holidays, that may be a sign of an anxiety disorder, ADHD, or something else. "Academic anxiety isn’t a clinical diagnosis in itself," explains Child Mind Institute neuropsychologist Ken Schuster, PsyD.

SODEXO STOP HUNGER FOUNDATION YOUTH GRANTS

Youth Service America is now accepting applications for the 16th Annual Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants program through January 25, 2026! With the support of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation, YSA is offering project grants to youth changemakers—aged 5 to 25—to lead awareness, direct service, advocacy, and philanthropic projects that focus on ending childhood hunger in their communities.

MEMBERSHIP TIP: THANK MEMBERS OFTEN!

Thank your members when they join and during PTA events for their support. Thank them in all of you communications. Thank them during the holidays and at the end of the school year with a member recognition event and/or a member recognition goodie or discount at a PTA event. Make them feel appreciated for their membership and for the time they devote to PTA!

CONGRATULATIONS DOUBLE EAGLE ELEMENTARY PTA!

Double Eagle Elementary PTA in Albuquerque has been awarded the National PTA 2026 Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award!!!

The Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award is awarded annually to one local, district, council or regional PTA that through their dedication, leadership and efforts positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy aligned with National PTA’s public policy agenda.

Two representatives from Double Eagle PTA will receive travel, accommodations, and registration to National PTA's Legislative Conference in March where the award will be presented.

PACKING HEALTHY AND 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.

Resources for Families Using SNAP

• SNAP-Ed: Free nutrition classes and cooking resources. Local agencies such as NMSU’s ICAN (Ideas for Cooking and Nutrition) provide free SNAP-Ed classes on cooking, budgeting, food safety, and nutrition.
• SNAP Outreach: Assistance with applications and program navigation via the New Mexico Health Care Authority—call (505) 841-2652 or 1-800-648-7167.
• Community Health Cooking Classes via Presbyterian Community Health Classes: Presbyterian runs free, hands-on cooking classes at three teaching kitchens (including Albuquerque and Santa Fe) and virtually statewide. These are led by professionals like registered dietitians and are free of charge.

BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER IN THE NEW YEAR

Kick off the new year by bringing students, staff, and families together with movies that inspire, entertain, and connect. Our programming calendar is full of holiday and movie pairing ideas, perfect for school celebrations.

Send photos and a short paragraph about your great event to NMPTA

(nmpta@newmexicopta.org) for a chance to be featured in the PTA SPOTLIGHT!

PTA SPOTLIGHT

RIO RANCHO ELEMENTARY, RIO RANCHO, NM

PTA Door Dash! For Rio Rancho PTA's spirit nights with restaurants, if they offer a full day for a spirit event (so far Red Robin and BJ’s have) we offer two pick up times that any staff can order lunch, let us know that day, and we pick it up and deliver it to them at school.

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