Albuquerque Public Schools
Finding Your Place
In her weekly message, Superintendent Durán Blakey highlights the importance of school activities in building a sense of belonging among students.
You know it’s fall in New Mexico when the scent of green chile fills the air and our stadiums, soccer complex and gyms come alive as our football, soccer and volleyball teams begin their seasons!
The energy that fills our athletic facilities is amazing, but the thing that I love to see is these teams working together toward a common goal. These athletes have found their people and their place, and that’s an incredible thing to see. The same goes for our cheerleaders, band and the DECA students running the concession stands at these games.
And it’s not just athletics.
This sense of community spans across all co-curriculars — from drama, Educators Rising, and mock trial to student senate and esports. These programs foster a strong sense of belonging, which is critical to student success. They give our kids a shared purpose, something to look forward to, and a meaningful reason to show up every day.
The start of the school year is the ideal time to get involved. On Jump Start Day, I spoke to incoming freshmen at Albuquerque High and assigned them a special piece of homework: find a club, team, or activity that excites you and join it.
We see this same enthusiasm in our middle schools as well. During a recent visit to Jefferson Middle School, I was thrilled to see dozens of students eager to try out for the volleyball team.
I am a firm believer that extracurricular activities keep students grounded and connected. I know this firsthand: joining elementary school orchestra, Highland High student council, and the softball team shaped who I am today. Those experiences taught me perseverance and teamwork, while laying the foundation for my leadership journey.
I urge you to encourage your students to join a club or team this semester — they will thank you for it!
Finally, thank you to the dedicated staff members who make these opportunities possible: our activities directors, coaches, club advisors, and music directors. Your commitment shapes our students' futures every day.
Best of luck to all of our teams, coaches, and student-athletes as you kick off the season. Have a wonderful weekend!