Principal's Post

San Antonito Families,

As we head into the spring season, I’d like to share a few important reminders to help maintain a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all students.

Cell Phones & Smart Devices

Cell phones are not allowed on the bus or during school hours. This expectation also applies to smart watches—students may not use them to make calls or send text messages while at school or on the bus.

If a violation occurs:

• 1st Violation: The device will be taken for the remainder of the day and returned to the student at dismissal. Legal guardian(s) will be contacted.
   
• 2nd Violation: The device will be taken and given to administration. It will only be returned to a legal guardian during a conference, where a plan will be developed to prevent future violations.
   

If you need to get a message to your child during the school day, please contact the front office, and we will ensure the message is delivered.

Dress Code Reminder

With warmer weather approaching, many students are beginning to wear shorts. Please take a moment to review our dress code, as we are noticing an increase in clothing that does not meet school expectations.

SASM’s dress code is designed to support equitable access to learning and is enforced in a way that does not marginalize any group. If a student is out of dress code, families will be contacted and asked to bring appropriate clothing so the student can change.

Key reminders:

• Clothing may not promote drugs (including tobacco or alcohol), gangs, violence, profanity, hate, or inappropriate content
   
• Low-cut or revealing clothing must be fully covered
   
• See-through clothing is not permitted
   
• Shoulder straps must be at least 1 inch wide
   
• Clothing must fit at the waist with no undergarments or exposed skin showing (including when arms are raised—no midriff visible)
   
• Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be at least fingertip length when standing
   
• No exposed skin above fingertip length, including through rips or frays in pants
   

Thank you for your continued support in helping us maintain a respectful and focused school environment. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

SASM Families, 

Spring is approaching, and learning continues to be in full superhero mode here at SASM! This time of year is when our students make some of their biggest academic and social growth gains. The routines are established, expectations are clear, and our Roadrunners are soaring.

With warmer weather right around the corner, it can sometimes be challenging to keep our children focused on learning. Now more than ever, we encourage families to make school a top priority.

How Can You Support Your Child This Spring?

Make attendance your number one priority.
Let your child know that unless they are sick, they must attend school — and be on time. Every instructional minute matters. Please try to schedule appointments after school hours whenever possible.

Show you care.
Ask about school activities, projects, and STEM learning experiences. Attend school events when you can. Your involvement sends a powerful message that education matters.

Remain positive.
Set a positive example about work and school responsibilities. Even on challenging days, your attitude influences how your child feels about their own learning experiences.

State Assessments Are Approaching

Students in Grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the New Mexico state assessments in:

• English Language Arts & Math: April 8–9
• 5th Grade Science: April 15–16

Please ensure your child is present on testing days to avoid make-up sessions. Students have been working hard all year, and this is their opportunity to demonstrate their growth.

Summer Reading Program – Registration Open!

We are excited to share that the New Mexico Summer Reading Program will once again take place at San Antonito Elementary. :

• Dates: June 8, 2026 – July 17, 2026
  (No program on June 19 and June 29–July 3)
• Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
• Location: San Antonito Elementary School
• Grades: Kindergarten through 5th
• Cost: FREE for all students

This program provides high-impact tutoring in structured literacy with small group sizes (maximum of 4 students). As a structured literacy campus, we strongly encourage families to take advantage of this incredible opportunity to strengthen reading skills and build confidence over the summer.

Families can register at Literacy.NM.gov. If you have questions, please contact me at gallegos_pat@aps.edu or 505-281-3931.

Parent/Teacher Conferences – March 26 & 27

Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on March 26 and March 27

These will be asynchronous learning days for students, meaning students will not attend regular classroom instruction on campus while teachers meet with families.  Students are encouraged to complete 1 or 2 BINGO card activities. Please ensure you have scheduled a conference time with your child’s teacher. This is an important opportunity to review progress, set goals, and partner together for continued success.

Stay Connected

Find the most up-to-date information about events, programs, and important announcements by visiting our SASM website regularly.

At SASM, superheroes walk our halls every day — students, staff, and families alike. Thank you for helping us make learning a priority. Let’s finish this school year stronger than ever!

San Antonito STEM Magnet with APS/NMPED Partnership is offering a free Summer Reading Program at our site!

Program Dates:

• June 8, 2026 - July 17, 2026
  • No program on Juneteenth (June 19th)
  • No program week of June 29 - July 3, 2026

Student Hours:

• NM PED K-5 Reading School Hours M-F 8:00 am - 12:00 pm 
• Breakfast 8:00 am & Lunch 12:00 pm served each day
• Before & After School program 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• Transportation provided (not sure bus times or location this is a TBA)
• Address: 12555 North HWY 14 Sandia Park, NM 87047

Any student in the surrounding areas may absolutely join as well at our site; this is open to ALL New Mexico students!  We are the in the initial planning so if you are interested in this summer opportunity for your student please fill out this interest google form. Once the NMPED site is update for 2026 you will then be notified to officially register there as well.  

Contact us at (505) 281-3931 or email Principal Gallegos gallegos_pat@aps.edu with any questions.

Skills, Habits, and Mindsets: Student Survey 

To help all our children succeed, we at APS are focusing on both academics and important life skills like self-efficacy, perseverance, social awareness,sense of belonging and self-regulation. This is in alignment with the district Goal 4.1 and 4.2.  Our 3rd-5th graders take this survey twice a year.  It asks how students feel at school and how they handle challenges. The feedback helps SASM staff create a more supportive and welcoming learning environment for all. Responses are confidential and will only be used by school staff—no student identities will be shared publicly.

Students will take survey #2 in early March in one of their DigiLab classes. We will use the results to help guide our March-May’s focus for student success.  

You can preview the survey click here. Also, APS and ABQ Isotopes partnered up to create this video to share with families and students to support goal 4.  

School Safety: 

Throughout each school year we are required by state law to practice a variety of safety drills. Please take the time to read our parent letter to know what you can expect if an emergency arises. 

Dear SASM Families,

As we close out the first half of the school year, I want to express my gratitude for your continued partnership, support, and trust. Our students have grown so much academically, socially, and emotionally—and their success is a direct reflection of the strong collaboration between home and school. It has truly been a wonderful semester filled with learning, exploration, and community.

Winter Break Information

Winter Break will run from December 22–January 5.
Students will return to school on Monday, January 6th.
We hope your family enjoys a peaceful, joyful, and restful break together.

Lost & Found Reminder

Before we all head off for the holidays, please take a moment to stop by campus and check our Lost & Found. We have many jackets, lunch boxes, water bottles, and other personal items waiting to be claimed.
All unclaimed items will be donated on December 19th.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we look forward to the new year, our staff remains committed to providing a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment for every student. January brings new goals, new learning opportunities, and a renewed sense of excitement as we begin the second half of the school year.

Thank you again for being an essential part of our SASM community. I am so proud of what our students have accomplished so far, and I can’t wait to see all they will achieve in the months ahead.

Wishing you and your family a warm and wonderful holiday season!

San Antonito STEM Magnet Families,

We were so fortunate to have so many families join us for our Thanksgiving Lunch in mid-November. Thanks to our incredible cafeteria staff and dedicated volunteers, we served over 500 meals! While the lines were long at times, we truly appreciated your patience and were grateful to share this special tradition with our community. Events like this—and so many others at SASM—are only possible because of the amazing staff and volunteers who support our school every day.

As we enter December, we look forward to three full weeks of instruction before Winter Break. School will be closed December 22, 2025 through January 5, 2026, and students will return on January 6, 2026.

Before break, please take a moment to check our Lost & Found. All remaining items will be donated on December 18, 2025.

Thank you for your continued partnership, and we wish you a joyful start to the holiday season!

SASM Families,

San Antonito STEM Magnet will be hosting a Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, November 10, 2025, to honor all current and past military personnel.

We hope to recognize and celebrate as many of our heroes as possible. The assembly will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the gym, followed by a light breakfast to honor Veterans and their families in the cafeteria.

If you or a family member will be attending this special event, please complete this form so we can plan accordingly.

We look forward to honoring our veterans and sharing this meaningful tradition with our SASM community.

This is an exempt event, so no background checks are required. However, all visitors must report directly to the gym for the assembly and then to the cafeteria for the breakfast. Visitors are kindly asked to depart no later than 10:30 a.m. Please note that campus and classroom visits will not be permitted during this event.

We are also excited to announce that APS will once again host Thanksgiving Luncheons this year! Families are warmly invited to join us on Thursday, November 13th for this special tradition.

This is an exempt event, so no background checks are required. However, all visitors must sign in at the front office upon arrival.

Thanksgiving Luncheon Schedule — Thursday, November 13th

• 11:00 a.m. – Kindergarten
   
• 11:25 a.m. – 1st & 2nd Grades
   
• 11:50 a.m. – 4th & 5th Grades
   
• 12:15 p.m. – 3rd Grade

Meal Cost

• $5.00 per person (including siblings)
   
•  Cash only, please — no checks or credit cards. Exact change is appreciated!

We look forward to sharing this festive meal with our amazing San Antonito families!

Please RSVP for this event no later than Oct 29, 2024. 

Snow Day Update – Asynchronous Learning at Home

This year, our snow days will once again be asynchronous learning days for students.

If weather impacts our school schedule, families will receive both an email and voicemail from me between 5:00–7:00 a.m. with details about either a delay or an asynchronous learning day at home.

When APS cancels school due to weather, students will complete learning activities from home. We encourage all students to complete one or two STEM-related activities from their Snow Day BINGO card:

• Grades K–2: K–2 BINGO Card
   
• Grades 3–5: 3–5 BINGO Card
   

Students who complete a Blackout BINGO Card (all squares filled) can redeem it in the front office for a free popcorn, pickle, or cotton candy voucher — or choose a prize from the treasure box!

Hard copies of the appropriate grade-level Snow Day BINGO Cards will be sent home the first week of November.

Cooler Weather Reminder

As the weather turns colder, please make sure your child brings a jacket to school each day. Students go outside several times a day for recess and other activities, and the wind can make it quite chilly without proper layers.

If your child is missing a jacket, lunch box, or water bottle, please remind them to check the Lost and Found located by the cafeteria. All unclaimed items will be donated over winter break.

Stay Informed:
Don’t forget to visit our school website for the latest updates, calendar events, and important information for families.

San Antonito STEM Magnet Families,

Thank you to everyone who helped make our Jog-a-Thon fundraiser such a success! We don’t have a grand total yet, but every donation is deeply appreciated. We’ll share our final Jog-a-Thon total soon — stay tuned!  This is the one and only fundraiser our PTA holds each year to support students, families, staff, and community events at SASM.

Here are just a few ways your contributions make an impact:

• $300 for each staff/group for materials to use for their workspace
• $600 for each grade level to support field trips
• $350 each for Kindergarten and 5th Grade Promotion
• $4,000 Food/drinks for family events
• $1,500 for our annual Fall Bash
• $50 for each classroom for EOY celebration
• $500 copy paper
• $1,000 each for supply money for special classes
• $500 Pillar money
• $500 Playday 
• $1,000 STEM Fair
• $2,500 Staff Appreciation
• $500 playground equipment
• AND so much more*You can locate the entire PTA budget hanging on the PTA board outside the front office on the east wall

We welcome all families to join PTA! Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. in the library. 

Spirit Wear: Should be in next week. We will send out a messenger the day it is going to be delivered. 

ABQ Aloft — Friday, October 3rd

We’re thrilled to once again participate in ABQ Aloft! Weather permitting. PTA and community donations will help provide light breakfast items.

Time: 7:30–8:30 a.m.
Location: SASM Soccer Field

All families are welcome — no background check is required for this event. Bring your chairs, blankets, and warm drinks, and please supervise your children while on campus. No animals are allowed; if you bring a pet, you will be asked to leave for safety reasons.

Fall Break & Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Please note there will be no school on Friday, October 10th, for Fall Break, and no school on Monday, October 13th, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

We hope all of our Roadrunner families enjoy the long weekend!

San Antonito STEM Magnet Families,

I hope you’ve had a relaxing and refreshing summer! It’s time to gear up and launch into another super year at SASM—and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome back all of our incredible student heroes and their families.

Our staff has been hard at work behind the scenes this summer preparing our campus, classrooms, and learning experiences to ensure your child is set for a successful and inspiring year. We can’t wait to see our superheroes in action—ready to Wonder, Explore, and Contribute!

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to review our updated Family Handbook, which includes important information about expectations, procedures, and resources for the year ahead.
Don’t forget to check our school website regularly for the most up-to-date information—it’s your home base for all things SASM.

Mark Your Calendars – Superhero Open House!
Wednesday, August 14th
Meal begins at 5:00 PM (while supplies last). Classroom visits: 5:30–6:30 PM

A light meal will be available starting at 5:00 PM, courtesy of our amazing PTA.
To help families hear from multiple teachers, we’ll follow a 3-part classroom rotation, each signaled by a bell:

 Rotation Times:

• 5:30–5:45 PM
   
• 5:50–6:05 PM
   
• 6:10–6:25 PM
   

Each session will begin promptly, and teachers will be presenting at the start of each rotation. Please make every effort to arrive on time to get the most from each visit.

 Please note: The building will close at 6:30 PM sharp.

We’re looking forward to an action-packed year full of learning, growth, and hero-worthy achievements.

SASM Families,

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, I want to share a few important reminders and upcoming events.

First and foremost, it is critical that all students remain present, engaged, and focused on learning through the very last day of school. Every instructional day counts, and we are committed to finishing the year strong together.

According to the approved 2026–2027 APS calendar , the last day of school for this year will be a full day on May 28th, so please plan accordingly.

End-of-Year Events:

Play Day – Friday, May 22nd

• Grades 3–5: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Grades K–2: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

We are looking for 2–3 volunteers per classroom to help support this event. All volunteers must have current APS supervised or unsupervised clearance.
If you are available, please email your child’s classroom teacher and Coach Harrison.

Promotion Ceremonies – Wednesday, May 27th (Gym)

• 5th Grade: 9:15 AM
• Kindergarten: 10:30 AM

Summer Reading:

We strongly encourage all students to participate in our Summer Reading Program if possible. Continuing to read over the summer is one of the most effective ways to maintain and grow academic skills, and we hope to see strong participation from our students.

Looking Ahead to 2026–2027 calender 

 The new APS school year will begin:

• August 7, 2026 – First day for Grades 1–12
• August 11, 2026 – First day for Kindergarten and Pre-K

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Let’s work together to ensure a positive, productive, and successful end to the school year for all of our Roadrunners.