The “Slam Junk” paper mosaic created by Middle School art students took first place in the 7th-12th grade category at the recent Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival.  The mosaic was made using torn pieces from recycled magazines.

Now in its 11th year, the Festival works in cooperation with Keep Santa Fe Beautiful to support New Mexico Recycling Awareness Month and America Recycles.  In addition to the student recycled art exhibition, the Festival also features an art market and a fashion and costume contest.

Members of Prep’s student council on Tuesday presented a check for $1,000 to Fine Art for Children and Teens (F.A.C.T.) in memory of the four teens who died in a car accident over the summer: Kate Klein, Alyssa Trouw, Rose Simmons and Julian Martinez.  Klein and Trouw were students at Prep.  The money was raised through a raffle in which students, faculty and parents bought chances for everything from jewelry to meditation walks to homemade waffles.

According to Prep senior and student council president Grace Penzell, “We chose F.A.C.T. to receive the money because our friends cared about the world and the people around them.  We wanted to support something local and focused on youth to make sure our friends are remembered.” The money will be used to fund scholarships, said Anna Marie Tutera Manriquez, interim executive director of F.A.C.T., as she accepted the check.

Prep students have been raising money for charitable causes since Hurricane Katrina.  Every year since, students have chosen a different charity or organization that supports youth programs as the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts.  In addition to Katrina victims and F.A.C.T., the students have also donated money to the Santa Fe Youth Shelters and the Jensen Brown Memorial Fund.

Thanks to the efforts of a new Teen Action Program (TAP) group, members of the Prep community can now recycle their old computer systems using an EPA-certified recycler who guarantees the equipment won’t end up in the landfill or in a foreign country.  There are modest fees ($15 - $25) associated with recycling the equipment properly, and Prep will be passing along these fees “at cost.”

To recycle, drop off used equipment in front of the Prep library during TAP time (Thursdays from 1:30 to 3) from now through the end of the school year.  Students will be on hand to collect the equipment and payments by check or cash.  In the event of a snow day or snow delay, there will be no recycling.  For details, open the pdf or contact project coordinator, .

On Friday, November 13th, Prep will open its doors to prospective students and their families for our annual Admissions Open House.  Beginning at 2 pm, visitors will have the opportunity to meet teachers and current students sit in on classes, experiment in the science lab, participate in a performing arts session and check out the Apple computer lab. 

Throughout the afternoon, staff members, teachers, coaches and parents will be on hand in the Commons to explain tuition assistance, talk about clubs and activities, answer questions about Prep’s no-cut sports programs, and provide highlights from our award-winning service learning program.

This is the only open house scheduled for the 2010-2011 admissions season and is open to students entering grades 7 through 12.  Contact , Director of Admissions, with questions.