Santa Fe Standard

Students across the Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) district engaged in the Great American Clean Up 2025, demonstrating environmental responsibility by picking up trash and cleaning their school campuses. Participants from various schools, including Amy Biehl Community School and Tesuque Elementary, focused on improving their surroundings, emphasizing the role of youth in environmental stewardship.

A notable event took place at Chaparral Elementary, where a larger clean-up effort was organized. The school invited the community on April 12th, drawing more than 100 participants, including students, parents, teachers, and local volunteers, for a day of service. Principal Erica Martinez-Maestas remarked, “We have community members, families, kids doing a whole variety of things, from trash pick up, landscaping work, to building garden beds. We work very hard to engage our families, and we have awesome staff and community members — today is a testament to the work of our beautiful community.”

Families from nearby E.J. Martinez Elementary also joined the clean-up efforts at Chaparral Elementary, showcasing a collaborative spirit. The successful clean-up across the district highlights the positive impact of community involvement, resulting in cleaner, greener spaces for students and the broader community.