LAPS teachers Miel Rim, Jessie Dixon, Jen Thayer, and Caitlin Bratton roll up their sleeves to serve pizza to their English Learner families at SALA. Courtesy/LAPS Foundation
LAPS Foundation News:
The spring grant cycle for Los Alamos Public Schools teachers ends Wednesday, April 30, so now is the time to apply!
The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation still has funding available for three grant types:
- Great Ideas;
- Professional Development; and
- Professional Book Group grants.
This year LAPS EL teachers received a Great Ideas Grant to host a free family movie night for students in the English Learners Program, complete with pizza and hand-spun cotton candy from the LAHS Key Club. The Foundation was proud to support the meal portion of the event, helping create a fun and welcoming evening for families.
Teachers Miel Rim, Jessica Dixon, Caitlin Bratton, Jennifer Thayer, and Deanna Judin serve approximately 120 students across six schools. Their goal was to create a relaxed, inclusive space where families and teachers could connect and build relationships that support student success. Events like these help bridge the gap between home and school, giving parents a comfortable way to engage as partners in their child’s education.
“Our goals include increasing parent participation, fostering positive relationships between families and school staff, and building a stronger support network for English learners,” Rim said in her grant application. “With at least one-third of our families identified as low-income, providing a meal helps remove barriers and encourages participation.”
Although the school year is winding down, there’s still time to apply for funding to use this semester or next. The deadline for spring applications is April 30, 2026. All licensed LAPS teachers are encouraged to apply at lapsfoundation.com/educators/apply-for-a-grant/.
LAHS Key Club members expertly spin cotton candy for the eager kids in line. Courtesy/LAPS Foundation
Yum! An EL student enjoys some pizza before the movie starts. Courtesy/LAPS Foundation