Newsletters for SY 2026 - 2027
Weeks of 19th and 26th
Desert Warrior Store -
Santa Teresa Spirit Gear!
Show your school pride and shop the latest Santa Teresa High School gear online.
👕 Hoodies, t-shirts, and more!
👉 Shop here or scan the QR code on the flyer
Please help up us show our Desert Warrior pride! 🖤💙
Quick Links🔗
Front Office Contact Info
STHS Calendar of Events
Community Meetings with STHS Admin
Parking Permit Google Form
STHS Instructional Staff Directory 📅
Gadsden Student Handbook
We encourage anyone in our community that observed a Desert Warrior (Staff or Student) to fill out the the Positive Shout-Out Google Form. Remember if you see something GOOD, say something GOOD. #kindness #positivity
Blood Drive - NJROTC
Vitalant shared the results, and our STHS community delivered! With a goal of 86 units, we collected 95 units of blood; our best result since before COVID! Thank you to every donor, volunteer, and organizer who helped make this blood drive a success. Your generosity brings hope to patients and families in need. Way to make a difference, Desert Warriors.
Congratulations to our Desert Warriors pictured here who earned College Board recognition for their achievements in Advanced Placement (AP)! These honors reflect our students’ hard work, perseverance, and success with college-level learning. We are proud of these students and grateful to the teachers and families who support their success. Congratulations, Desert Warriors!
AP Seminar and Research Certificate:
-Jasmine Cid De Leon
-Matthew Gonzalez
-Yaneisi V. Lozano-Villa
-Sophie B. Mejia
-Ysabella L. Moraga
-Hector Portillo
-Jenery Ramirez Parada
-Amberlee A. Rodriguez
-Leah M. Vasquez
AP Scholar: Scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
-Sylvia Aguirre, Tribe of 2026
-Ximena Balderas
-Allison Cabral
-Osvaldo Chavarria, Tribe of 2026
-Jasmine Cid de Leon
-Andres De La Cruz, Tribe of 2026
-Noah De Santiago, Tribe of 2026
-Mark Favila, Tribe of 2026
- Priscilla Gallardo, Tribe of 2026
- Jeremiah Garcia
-Matthew D. Gonzalez
-Abigail Jensen, Tribe of 2026
-Leonardo Lopez
-Yaneisi V. Lozano-Villa
-Daniella M. Macias, Tribe of 2026
-Ysabella L. Moraga
-Igancio Pinon, Tribe of 2026
-Kiana Portillo
-Brissa Rada, Tribe of 2026
-Jenery Ramirez Parada
-Victor A. Ramirez
-Roman R. Ramos
-Nadia Rico, Tribe of 2026
-Jacob M. Rivera
-Amberlee A. Rodriguez
-Joshiah D. Rodriguez, Tribe of 2026
-Paulina Rodriguez, Tribe of 2026
-Letizia A. Ruiz
-Gael A. Soltero
AP Capstone Diploma: Scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research, plus four additional AP Exams.
-James Berning, Tribe of 2026
-Saul Hernandez
Build My Future
AP Scholars
We are proud to celebrate all of our Desert Warriors who earned a 3 or higher on an AP Exam during the 2025–2026 school year! More than 250 Desert Warriors challenged themselves by taking one or more of the 300+ AP Exams administered, with over 150 students earning a score of 3 or higher! Way to represent, Desert Warriors.
A huge shoutout to our AP teachers for their dedication, high expectations, and commitment to preparing our students to rise to the challenge.
Coach Durkes
A Desert Warrior wants Coach Durkes to know the following: I’m glad to have you here as our Defensive Coordinator! Thank you for everything you do for our team and for pushing us to be better. I’m proud to have you as one of our coaches.
Attendance Challenge - STHS
Congratulations to our Desert Warriors for showing up and helping STHS earn recognition in the District Attendance Challenge. One of our favorite things we learned when students were asked why they come to school was a simple answer: to be with their friends. That makes this recognition even more meaningful. We are proud of every Warrior who showed up, not only for themselves, but because you may be the reason another Desert Warrior showed up too.
STHS Athletic
Let’s fill the stands and show our Desert Warrior spirit and pride by supporting our student-athletes at all in-district athletic events! For only $10 + $2.50 online fee, you can purchase a year pass for GISD home athletic events. The ACCESS Code is your School ID. If you plan on attending at least three games at STHS, CHS, or GHS, the pass practically pays for itself. Come out, cheer loud, wear your BLACK • WHITE • TURQUOISE, and support our Desert Warriors all year long! BLACK, WHITE, TURQUOISE, LOYAL FOREVER.
Let’s fill the stands and show our Desert Warrior spirit and pride by supporting our student-athletes at all GISD athletic events! Community members can purchase a year pass for only $75 + a $5.75 online fee for GISD home athletic events. If you plan on attending more than 10 games at either STHS, CHS, or GHS, the pass practically pays for itself. Works great for multi-sport athlete parent/guardian or family member. Come out, cheer loud, wear your BLACK • WHITE • TURQUOISE, and support our Desert Warriors all year long!
Desert Warriors of the Month
Tribe of 2027
Class of 2028
Class of 2029
Class of 2030
For Your Information 📰
Virtual Day - Nov 2nd
STHS will hold a synchronous Virtual Day on Monday, November 2, 2026. Students will learn from home, logging in to Google Classroom and joining live classes through Google Meet while following our regular bell schedule, from 8:55 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including their assigned lunch.
Attendance will be taken in every class throughout the entire day. Students must log in on time, participate, and remain connected for each full class period. This is a regular instructional day, and every class matters.
This practice day will help us prepare for a real event that requires learning from home. During the coming week, teachers will review how to access Google Classroom and use Google Meet. Office staff, counselors, and administration will be on campus. Thank you for helping us make this a successful day of learning.
PSAT/SAT Oct 15th and 20th
STHS will administer the PSAT to 9th graders and the SAT to 12th graders on October 15, followed by the PSAT/NMSQT for 10th and 11th graders on October 20. Students should arrive on time with a fully charged Chromebook and be prepared for approximately 3½ hours of testing; cell phones, smartwatches, and smart glasses are strictly prohibited during the test. Staff and families, please help our Desert Warriors prepare by encouraging a good night’s rest and reinforcing these testing expectations.
College Fair
Tribe of 2027 your next chapter starts here! Join us for STHS’s annual College Fair on Monday, October 19, 2026, from 9:00–10:00 AM in the main Desert Warrior Gym, where more than 35 colleges and universities will share information about admissions, scholarships, financial aid, housing, and athletics. This event is for seniors only; report to first period and wait for Administration’s intercom announcement releasing you to the gym.
Yearbook - Senior Dedications
Senior Parents! If you are interested in purchasing a senior dedication in the yearbook for your senior please sign up on the form link provided! Spaces are limited and the deadline to reserve a dedication is October 30th. If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Meyer through her email at mcarroyo@gisd.k12.nm.us. Please see the flyer for pricing and package details!
Student SEL & Well-Being Survey
During the week of October 21, STHS community will complete the Student SEL & Well-Being Survey. The survey gives our community an opportunity to share their perspectives on self-management, self-efficacy, sense of belonging, school climate, and school safety. The results will help us better understand everyone's experiences and identify areas where we can strengthen supports and improve our school environment. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey, after selecting your child's school from the drop down menu:
Halloween Contest
Calling all Desert Warriors! Get ready to show off your creativity and Halloween spirit at the STHS Halloween Costume Contest on Friday, October 30, during 7th period in the cafeteria. Students interested in participating must sign up in Room 601 before school by October 29 and follow the school dress code and contest guidelines. Admission is just $2, so come support your fellow Desert Warriors and enjoy the fun.
Red Ribbon and Bullying Prevention Spirit Week
Join us October 23–31 as STHS recognizes Red Ribbon and Bullying Prevention Week with the theme “Drug Free, Bully Free, Happy as Can Be!” Students and staff are encouraged to participate in our spirit days October 26–30, outlined in the attached flyer. Together, let’s stand up against bullying, support one another, and make healthy choices that protect our futures.
AP Exam Payment
Attention AP students and families: AP exam payments open October 19 through MySchoolBucks at $10 per exam. Please use your school credentials to submit payment by November 6 to avoid a $40 late fee per exam. Scan the QR code on the attached flyer to access MySchoolBucks and make your payment.
Every Minute Counts
Since the beginning of the school year, approximately 60 students have been picked up early on Fridays. Every minute of classroom instruction supports your child’s learning, grades, and attendance. Please help us protect this valuable time by scheduling appointments and pickups outside school hours whenever possible. When early pickup is necessary, please follow these cutoff times:
- Regular Schedule Days: Students must be picked up before 3:30 p.m.
- Early Release Schedule: Students must be picked up before 1:30 p.m.
Students will not be released for early pickup after these cutoff times. Just as we do at the start of the school day, we need all hands on deck during dismissal to ensure the safe and orderly departure of our 1,200 Desert Warriors. Thank you for respecting these cutoff times and partnering with us to keep our students safe, learning, and finishing each school day strong.
Share your Sewing Skills
The Santa Teresa Community Center is looking for an enthusiastic volunteer sewing instructor who is bilingual in English and Spanish. If you have sewing experience, enjoy working with people of all ages, and would love to teach others, this is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference.
Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Contact Alejandra Parra at (575) 262-1478 or Zachariah Myre at (575) 202-8667. Help bring creativity, learning, and new skills to our community!
Perfect Attendance @ STHS
At Santa Teresa High School, we are committed to improving our attendance data from last year because we know that students learn best when they are present every day. However, we can’t do this alone, we need the support of our parents and guardians to ensure students are showing up, on time, and ready to learn. Your partnership is essential in reinforcing the importance of daily attendance. Together, we can make a difference because #EveryDayCounts.
Congratulations to our August and September winners. Thank you for showing up every day, ready to learn. Winners, please stop by the Attendance Office to pick up your prize!
Showing up for Others
Every day at Santa Teresa High School is an opportunity to learn, connect, grow, and make a difference. When you miss school, you miss more than an assignment, you miss instruction, conversations, experiences, and time with the people who make STHS special. Remember, when we asked our students why they come to school, one of the top reasons was simple: to see their friends.
So, Desert Warrior... BE THE REASON ANOTHER WARRIOR SHOWS UP.
Desert Warriors, we need you here!
- SHOW UP — Every school day matters.
- BE ON TIME — Start your day ready to learn.
- STAY ENGAGED — Your education opens doors.
- BE THE REASON — Your presence matters to your teachers, teammates, friends, and school community.
Social Emotional Newsletter
Resiliency
Desert Warriors, a tough day doesn’t have to write your whole story! Check out this flyer to discover ways to bounce back, manage stress, and connect with people who support you. Watch “8 Things Resilient People Do” and choose one strategy to try this week.
No Judgement, Just Help
At Santa Teresa High School, we care deeply about the well-being of our students, staff, and families.
If you or someone you know needs support for mental health, emotional distress, or a difficult moment, help is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
📞 Call or Text 988 | 💬 Chat at 988lifeline.org
Changing the Narrative on Suicide
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind students, staff, families, and communities that help is available. By listening without judgment, showing compassion, and encouraging connection, we can all play a role in prevention.
Desert Warriors - The Warrior Lounge
We are excited to introduce The Warrior Lounge, a dedicated space for our Desert Warriors to relax, recharge, and connect during lunch. This space is designed to promote a positive school culture by giving students a place to take a break, enjoy a snack, have meaningful conversations, and collaborate with peers. Special Thank you to Ms. Cobos and Mr. Bobadilla for making this happen.
Mental Health Local Resources @ Dona Ana
We are sharing a Mental Health Local Resources Guide for Doña Ana County that includes crisis support, counseling services, youth and family resources, substance abuse support, veteran services, LGBTQ+ support, and other community-based programs available to families and individuals in need.
No one should feel alone when facing challenges. We encourage our Desert Warrior families and community members to review and save this resource guide so support is always within reach.
Community Events 👪
Santa Teresa Community Center
Santa Teresa Community Center Staff
- Parent Liason Mr. Zachariah Myre zjmyre@gisd.k12.nm.us and Ms. Alejandra Parra alparra@gisd.k12.nm.us
- Community Engagement Coordinator, Genevieve Melendez, gmelendez@gisd.k12.nm.us
💡 Reminders
1. Need Access to Parent Vue ❓
If you do not have a Parent Vue account yet, please reach out to Ms. Monique Gonzales at 575-589-5350 or mggonzales@gisd.k12.nm.us For students, they can access Student Vue using their Google District Account.