Albuquerque Public Schools
More Than an Open House
Adobe Acres celebrates a new year of belonging.
Adobe Acres Elementary transformed its annual Title I Open House into much more than a traditional school meeting this year. It became a celebration of community, connection and the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Adobe Acres Thunderbirds.
An incredible 435 students, family members, staff and community partners came together for an evening designed not only to welcome families back to school, but also to introduce an initiative focused on strengthening students’ sense of belonging: the Adobe Acres House System.
With the message "Four Houses. One Family.” At the heart of the celebration, families were introduced to the school’s four Houses and learned how the House System will bring students and staff together across grade levels throughout the year. The initiative is designed to create opportunities for students to build relationships, develop leadership, celebrate one another and feel connected to something larger than their individual classroom.
Principal Maria Cordero Lujan shared the vision for the House System with families as Adobe Acres staff brought the excitement to life. Pom-poms and cheers filled the air, staff proudly celebrated their Houses, and students and families got their first glimpse of the energy and school spirit the initiative will bring to campus.
The evening also reflected another important part of what makes a community school special: partnership.
Adobe Acres was joined by community partners, including the Boys & Girls Club of New Mexico and the South Valley Library, along with the school’s PTA, giving families an opportunity to connect directly with resources, organizations and opportunities to become involved in their school community. Bubba’s 33 helped make the evening even more welcoming by providing pizza for families, while the DJ's music added to the celebratory atmosphere.
With such an incredible turnout that the celebration was held outdoors to accommodate everyone, perhaps the most meaningful part of the evening was simply seeing the Adobe Acres community together.
Students celebrated alongside their teachers. Families connected with staff and community partners. School employees cheered together. Throughout the evening, the campus was filled with the kind of energy that comes when a school is not simply a place students attend, but a community where children and families know they belong.
Adobe Acres began the evening with a Title I Open House. It ended with something much bigger—a shared celebration of what the school community is building together.
About APS Community Schools
With almost 70 Community Schools across the district, APS and the ABC Community School Partnership are building a network of schools that serve as community hubs. By weaving together rigorous classroom instruction, expanded learning opportunities, integrated support systems, and the voices of families and students in decision-making, these schools create conditions where every child can learn, grow and thrive.