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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. |
| | | FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR YOUR PTA | National PTA has the funding your PTA needs to transform your community! Over $1M in funding is available to help PTAs engage youth and host programs in the areas of STEM, the arts, digital safety, healthy lifestyles and more. Applying is easy, just answer a few questions about your PTA and how the funding will help your PTA engage the community. | | WEBINAR: MOVIE COVERAGE FOR EVERY SCHOOL SCENARIO | Join Swank Movie Licensing USA and the New Mexico PTA on October 2nd at 7 PM MDT for a webinar on legally showing movies to your school events. We’ll cover when your school or PTA needs a license, share creative ways schools use movies to engage students and families, and answer your questions. Attendees will also learn about a limited-time popcorn machine giveaway—perfect for your next big event | | | SEEKING PARENTS & GUARDIANS FOR FAMILY ADVISORY BOARD | |
Calling all parents and guardians! We are seeking 10 FABulous parents or guardians of K–8 students to join Learning Heroes’ Family Advisory Board (FAB) starting January 2026. As a FAB member, you’ll share your family experiences and ideas, and collaborate on projects that elevate family voice in education.
Selected members will receive a small stipend for their time. If you’re interested, please fill out this Google form by September 30, 2025.
To learn more about the FAB, visit BeALearningHero.org.
As kids head back to school, it’s the perfect time to help others understand the unique ways your child learns and thinks so they can thrive in class.
We’re proud to share Through My Eyes, a new interactive tool from our partners at Understood.org. This tool lets people experience the world through the eyes of kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and dyscalculia.
| | ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM | |
National PTA’s School of Excellence program supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools that strengthen connections with families and work to improve the educational experience and school environment for every child.
Visit PTA.org/Excellence to enroll in the 2025-2026 School of Excellence program and get support and recognition for your work in the new school year to strengthen connections with families and make a difference for children’s success.
| | FORMER NMPTA BOARD MEMBER RECOGNIZED BY STATE SENATE | LouAnn Romero, former NMPTA Board Member, was recognized and congratulated by the New Mexico State Senate on her retirement from over 36 years of social work service. | | 2026 MILITARY CHILD OF THE YEAR AWARDS | |
Every year (now in its 18th year) Operation Homefront hosts the Military Child of the Year® Awards. The awards are open to military children between the ages of 13-18. There are 7 recipients 1 child from each branch of the services and each recipient receives
$10,000 CASH, a laptop, other donated goodies, and a 3-day trip to Washington, DC with us and their families.
Children are entered by nominations. Anyone that knows a military child can nominate any military child. So, you may nominate your students, friend’s children, children can nominate their siblings and best friends and so on. The awards are open to Active Duty, Reserves AND Veteran children.
The program is entirely FREE and exclusive to military children.
| | | STUDENTS FACE NEW CELLPHONE RESTRICTIONS IN 17 STATES | Kentucky is one of 17 states and the District of Columbia starting this school year with new restrictions, bringing the total to 35 states with laws or rules limiting phones and other electronic devices in school. Both Democrats and Republicans have taken up the cause, reflecting a growing consensus that phones are bad for kids' mental health and take their focus away from learning, even as some researchers say the issue is less clear-cut. | | 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.
Get Creative with Lunches
- Ditch the Boring Sandwich: Try roll-ups, quesadillas, pasta salads, pita pizzas, or breakfast-for-lunch ideas.
- Think Fun Shapes: Cookie cutters can turn sandwiches, cheese, and fruit into playful bites.
- Divided Containers: Make it easy to pack colorful options that appeal to picky eaters.
- Offer Dips: Hummus, yogurt, or ranch dressing can make veggies more inviting.
- Try Theme Days: Create traditions like Taco Tuesday or Pizza Friday for added excitement.
| | Each September, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) recognizes Suicide Prevention Month as a time to raise awareness, spread hope and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. Support mental health with resources available through National PTA's Healthy Minds program. | | GET RECOGNITION FOR YOUR PTA'S IMPACT | |
We know advocates and PTAs across the country have been hard at work making strides in child advocacy and championing diversity and inclusion. Nominations for National PTA's Outstanding Advocacy Awards and Jan Harp Domene Awards are now open at PTA.org/Awards!
The National PTA Outstanding Advocacy Awards honor state, local and individual PTA advocates for taking action to make a difference for the education, health, safety and well-being of every child. The awards are presented to PTA advocates in four categories:
- Outstanding State PTA Advocacy Award
- Outstanding Local PTA Advocacy Award
- Shirley Igo Advocate of the Year Award
- Outstanding Youth Advocate of the Year Award
The Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Awards recognize PTAs that best demonstrate outstanding achievement in the areas of diversity and inclusion, as well as efforts to end discriminatory practices.
| | FREE HANDS-ON FOOD EDUCATION RESOURCES & VITAMIX GIVEAWAY | |
Small Bites Adventure Club https://www.smallbites.club/ is offering PreK–2nd grade teachers free digital resources to teach students how to make Rainbow Wraps with Peppers this October. Educators will receive a start-to-finish PDF guide, a how-to video with Chef Asata, family engagement activities, printables, and extension activities designed to make food education fun and engaging.
Teachers who register will also be entered into a Vitamix giveaway. The prize includes a Vitamix blender plus two bonus kid-friendly, hands-on recipes.
| | 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. | | | | |
