New Mexico Higher Education Department Hires New Director Of Adult Education Amber Gallup Rodriguez
Amber Gallup Rodriguez
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) has announced that Amber Gallup Rodriguez will serve as director of the agency’s Adult Education Division.
The Adult Education Division oversees 24 programs statewide authorized to provide instructional and testing services for New Mexicans seeking to attain a High School Equivalency credential or HSE.
These programs also support New Mexican adults to strengthen core literacy, numeracy, and digital skills, learn English as a Second Language (ESL) and civics, and prepare for college or
PED Seeks Waiver To Pause Spring Student Assessment
Public Education Secretary
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — The Public Education Department will request a waiver that would allow schools and districts to skip high-stakes student assessments again this spring, shifting instead to optional testing to benchmark academic achievement and identify any gaps in learning.
The U.S. Department of Education waived the end-of-year assessment requirement for all 50 states last spring amid abrupt school closures and a shift to remote learning. New Mexico will join other states, including Michigan, New York, Oregon and Washington, in asking for a new waiver Read More
LAPS Hosting COVID Vaccine Presentation For Staff Feb. 10
LAPS News:
All LAPS staff are invited to a presentation on “COVID Vaccines and How They Work” starting at 3 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10.
Dr. Sandy Farmer of Pfizer Pharmaceutical will be the featured speaker.
Staff will be sent the Zoom link prior to the presentation.
Farmer’s presentation will focus on:
- how immunity works
- background on and evolution of vaccines
- technology foundation for the top COVID vaccines
- why now for such innovation in vaccines
- how mRNA vaccines work and why is this such a powerful platform
- brief background on Phase 3 vaccine clinical trials and how COVID-19 Phase 3 trials compare
LAHS Students Win 2nd Place In State One Act Competition
Los Alamos High School students Kaisa Drew and Samuel Wolfsberg perform the one act, ‘House Manager’, garnering 2nd place in the State One Act Competition held virtually in January. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Three members of the Los Alamos High School Olions garnered second place in the Sparta division of the 2021 New Mexico Activities Association State High School One-Act Production Competition.
Senior Kaisa Drew and Junior Samuel Wolfsberg performed “House Manager” by Greg Vovos. In this comedy about theatre and life, a house manager has trouble closing up the theatre for the day when a Read More
Senate Bill 171 To Give New Mexico School Boards Authority To Decide When To Reopen Classrooms Stalls In Committee
Sen. Gay Kernan
By DANIEL J. CHACÓN
SFNM
A bill that would give local school boards in New Mexico the authority to decide when students could return to the classroom amid a state-issued public health emergency order stalled Monday in the Senate Education Committee after a 4-4 vote.
But the proposed legislation, which garnered the support of one Democrat on the committee, hasn’t been expelled.
“Let’s just leave it there for a while and see if [committee members] go back and read some of the information that’s been sent,” one of the primary sponsors, Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, Read More
LAPS Teachers, Nurse And Librarian Honored With Multiple Nominations For 2020 Community Asset Awards
Los Alamos Middle School math teacher Christina Wadlington nominated for the 2020 Community Asset Awards for always having the ‘show up’ mentality. Courtesy Photo
Los Alamos Middle School Nurse Minsung Chae with her husband and sons. Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
C’YA
The Los Alamos Middle School does the community proud with multiple nominations for the 2020 Community Asset Awards.
We begin with Christina Wadlington, math teacher, department chair, and student council leader. She was nominated for always having the show up mentality. She is committed to Read More
With Bipartisan Support Reforms To New Mexico’s Medical School Licensure Now Headed To House Floor
House Democratic Majority Whip Rep. Doreen Gallegos
New Mexico House Democrats News:
SANTA FE — Legislation bringing needed reforms to New Mexico’s medical school licensure passed the House Education Committee Friday with bipartisan support and will now head to the House floor.
Sponsored by House Democratic Majority Whip, Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces), House Bill 23 establishes standards for out-of-state medical schools that encourage these institutions to partner with New Mexico schools and hospitals.
It also prevents out-of-state schools from cannibalizing residencies Read More
SB 135 Creating Opportunities For New Mexico Students
NMHED News:
Northern New Mexico College student Evelyn Juarez sat down with leaders at the New Mexico Higher Education Department to talk about the challenges college students face, and the importance of state financial aid programs like the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship.
Click here to watch Evelyn share her story.
“Since I was very young, my parents instilled in me the importance of obtaining education, a college degree, even though neither one of them ever got to college,” Juarez said. According to a 2020 Lumina Foundation report, just 47 percent of New Mexicans have attained education Read More
Education Committee Passes House Bill 175 Aimed At Keeping School Funding Steady Despite Enrollment Drops
Rep. G. Andrés Romero
By DILLON MULLAN
SFNM
Enrollment has dropped in New Mexico’s public schools during the coronavirus pandemic, partly because many families have opted to home-school their children.
So state legislators are moving to maintain funding at pre-pandemic levels, typically based on the previous year’s head count.
The House Education Committee on Saturday unanimously passed House Bill 175, which would ensure no district or charter school receives less funding for next school year than this one.
“If all things remain equal, and we aren’t held harmless, we’re going to have Read More
32 New Mexico Public Schools On COVID-19 Watchlist
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — Thirty-two New Mexico public school buildings appeared on the COVID-19 Watchlist in the week ending Friday, Feb. 5, signifying they had at least two Rapid Responses within a 14-day period.
School Buildings on COVID-19 Watchlist:
ALBUQUERQUE:
- Albuquerque High
- Cleveland Middle
- Eldorado High
- Hope Christian Elementary
- Susie Rayos Marmon Elementary
- Volcano Vista High
ANTHONY
- Gadsden High
ARTESIA
- Artesia Public Schools Warehouse
- Grand Heights Early Childhood
BELEN
- Central Elementary
BLOOMFIELD
- Bloomfield Early Childhood Center
- Central Primary
DORA
- Dora Elementary
Los Alamos Public Schools Celebrates Its 15 Counselors
Barranca Counselor Alyssa Romero distributes donated school supplies to students in need. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
National School Counseling Week 2021, “School Counselors: All in for All Students,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), is being celebrated this week.
National School Counseling Week 2021 focuses public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within United States’ school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do.
National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school Read More
Bernstein: My Position
By CHRISTINE BERNSTEIN
Vice President
Los Alamos School Board
As we near the next school board meeting, I find myself reflecting on the current news from our Governor about starting back to school.
The last time this was on the table there were a lot of discussions and assumptions made as to how I might vote, about my recusal, about where I stand. I was accused of making a decision to benefit myself, I was asked to resign and to quit my business. No one asked me what I thought, what I believed or what I would actually do. No one tried to talk to me, only tell me what to do. Actually, I am wrong, one person actually Read More
New Mexico Higher Education Department And Lawmakers Seek To Expand Scholarships For Aspiring Educators
Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department and lawmakers are seeking to expand financial aid programs aimed at supporting New Mexicans pursuing degrees leading to teacher licensure.
A total of $6 million is recommended to sustain and expand three existing programs including:
- Grow Your Own Teachers Scholarship;
- Teacher Preparation and Affordability Scholarship; and
- Teacher Loan Repayment Program.
“Improving educational outcomes for all New Mexicans is vital, and we must work together to support aspiring educators
LAPS: Installation Of Outdoor Shade Structures Gets Underway At School Sites This Week
Installation of outdoor learning shade structures began this week at school sites in the district. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The installation of outdoor learning shade structures at school sites in the district began this week with holes being drilled for poles at Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock.
Piñon Elementary School in White Rock will be next, followed by Aspen, Barranca and Mountain elementary schools in Los Alamos and Los Alamos Middle School and Los Alamos High School.
“We want to thank Los Alamos County for funding this project,” Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus said. “The Read More
Science On Tap: Space Detective Talks Tools Of Her Trade
LANL Scientist Suzanne Nowicki leads the virtual talk in Science on Tap 5:30-7 p.m. Feb 8. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
How did the Mars Odyssey orbiter identify the elements present on Mars? How do scientists understand not only what planet’s environment is like now, but also what it was in the ancient past? The answer is by detecting gamma rays.
Suzanne Nowicki, a manager in the Space Science and Applications group at Los Alamos National Laboratory, leads the virtual conversation “Exploring Our Solar System through Gamma Ray and Neutron Detection”, the latest in the Science on Tap conversation Read More
NMAA Board Adopts Sports Calendar To Allow Schools To Return To Athletics And Activities Beginning Feb. 22
NMAA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) Board of Directors adopted a new sports calendar at its special meeting this morning that will allow for schools to return to athletics and activities Feb. 22.
Schools must still adhere to various requirements set forth by the Public Education Department and Governor’s Office in order to move forward with full participation in NMAA sanctioned competitions.
The NMAA will begin its season Feb. 22 with football, volleyball and cross country and March 1 with soccer.
The full sports calendar is available here: https://www.nmact.org/file/2020-2021_Sports_Calendar.pdf Read More
Opportunity Scholarship Act Introduced To Ensure College Affordability For More Students In New Mexico
Acting Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez
New Mexico Higher Education Department News:
SANTA FE — Lawmakers are seeking to permanently establish the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship and create a fund to make college education affordable for more New Mexicans during the 2021 legislative session, key priorities of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.
The Opportunity Scholarship, which was created and initially funded during the 2020 session, provided $10 million toward tuition and fee assistance for eligible New Mexico students pursuing two-year degrees at any public or
Revamped New Mexico High School Graduation Requirements Pass Committee With Bipartisan Support
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
STATE News:
- HB 83 creates space for career technical education and capstone courses
SANTA FE – Today, new legislation that adjusts New Mexico’s high school graduation requirements to allow for more customized career prep in an individual’s education passed the House Education Committee with bipartisan support.
Sponsored by Rep. G. Andres Romero (D-Albuquerque), House Bill 83 increases the flexibility of career technical education (CTE) courses to satisfy certain core subject units and allows a capstone course (often known as a senior thesis Read More
Northern New Mexico College Launches Online Course Focused On Cannabis Industry
NNMC News:
- First-of-its-kind curriculum developed by local New Mexico company
ESPANÓLA – Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) is launching a new online course that focuses on preparing professionals to be successful in the cannabis industry.
Admissions are open for the Cannabis Establishment Technician course, which starts March 22.
“Northern is proud to offer this new course to help support one of the most exciting and fastest growing industries in New Mexico and the country,” NNMC President Dr. Rick Bailey said. “We’re empowering students and current professionals to chart their own Read More
Scenes From Los Alamos Elks Donating Toys To Little Forest
Elks Lodge 2083 in Los Alamos delivers toys this morning to Little Forest Playschool at 3880 Villa St. From left, Elks Exalted Ruler Kirk Hollis, Troy Calloway Robert Pease and his wife Elks Youth Coordinator April Pease. The local Elks Lodge is focusing on health and wellness activities for the community. They asked the state Elks Lodge organization for a grant for this purpose and received about $800. Local Elks members contacted Little Forest, Ponderosa Montessori and The Arc to learn what they would like to receive for their students. Little Forest asked for bikes and outdoor balls, Arc asked Read More
