LAPS Quorum Notice: Community Information Session On Budget & School Calendar March 20
LAPS News:
Members of the Los Alamos School Board (LAPS) may attend the
Community Information Session on Budget and School Calendar 5-6:30 p.m. Monday, March 20 virtually on Zoom.
This meeting is open to the public.
Find the link to the Zoom meeting here.
A quorum may be present; however, no action will be taken. Read More
2023 Prom Committee Seeks A Little More Help
The 2023 Prom Committee would like to thank those who have purchased off the 2023 Enchanted Forest Prom Wishlist already and also donated money.
We could still use some more help though. There are a few decorations, located at the bottom of the list, that we really need. We also would love your help stocking the Candy Station.
In addition, we have some sponsor opportunities available as well.
Thank you!
Governor Signs Bill Expanding School Learning Hours
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
With just a little over a day to go in the 2023 legislative session, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill into law expanding learning time for students in the state’s public schools.
House Bill 130 will mandate an increase in learning time in public schools to 1,140 hours, plus additional professional development time for teachers, while allowing districts some flexibility in when to add the hours.
“With COVID and parents and so many kids struggling, it’s a challenging environment to make sure kids are getting their focus Read More
Horpedahl: The Ramsey Stage Celebration!
The Duane Smith Auditorium at Los Alamos High School. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
By PAUL HORPEDAHL
LAHS Class of 1975
At 6 p.m. Friday, March 17, a group of LAHS alumni and supporters will gather in the lobby of The Duane Smith auditorium to dedicate the stage in the name of Ross and Lola Ramsey.
We hope the Los Alamos community will join us and members of the Ramsey family (grandchildren and great-grandchildren) before the Olions production of Pippin to honor a name that should be associated with every production that takes place on the stage of this majestic auditorium.
The Ramseys Read More
Celebration Naming The Ross And Lola Ramsey Stage At Duane Smith Auditorium Draws Near
By Jenny McCumber
Executive Director
Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation
As the celebration of the Ross and Lola Ramsey Stage Naming nears, Los Alamos High School alumni near and far continue to give donations and share their memories about the Ramseys and the impact they had on former students.
The campaign to Light up the Stage for the Ramseys is still open for those who would like to donate. This project serves both to honor the memory of the Ramseys and their impact on students who graduated decades ago and also as a current impact for students who are in the Olions program now. The donations so Read More
Dr. Arsenio Romero Confirmed New PED Cabinet Secretary
Dr. Arsenio Romero
PED News:
Ready to “Steer the Ship” of New Mexico’s Education
SANTA FE – Dr. Arsenio Romero is New Mexico’s top education leader. It was made official Wednesday when lawmakers confirmed him as the cabinet secretary for the Public Education Department.
“Sec. Romero has lived the education experience as a student, teacher and leader,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “His expansive resume speaks for itself during this crucial moment as we increase student outcomes and elevate New Mexico education on the national stage. I look forward to seeing his continued innovation and Read More
LAPS: Shower Los Alamos Teachers With Love!
Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Don’t miss the opportunity to fulfill a teacher’s wish!
This spring the LAPS Foundation has sponsored a community-wide campaign to “Shower” Los Alamos teachers with things they need for their classrooms and there are two days left.
Check out all the items teachers need for their students and classrooms. LAPS has already purchased materials for many teachers but there are several left who haven’t quite received the donations they need for their items.
Text showerlove23 to 76278 or go to https://showerlove23.
It’s easy to click on a teacher and donate Read More
Bill Creating School-Based Health Centers Passes House
Bill co-sponsor Rep. Christine Trujillo
DPNM News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 397 Wednesday night, which would support development of school-based health centers in New Mexico public schools by a vote of 40-25.
School-based health centers provide physical and behavioral health services to students on or near school grounds. Among the services these health centers would provide are primary care, preventive care, diagnoses, treatment of chronic conditions, mental health care, crisis intervention, or referrals for additional treatment.
“Whether Read More
Mesalands Community College President Busch Resigns
Gregory T. Busch
Mesalands Community College News:
TUCUMCARI — Mesalands Community College Board Of Trustees has received the resignation of President Gregory T. Busch.
The formal resignation was received March 10 by members of the Mesalands Community College Board of Trustees.
The resignation was sent through legal counsel. Read More
Los Alamos High School Olions: Pippin Opens Thursday
LAHS News:
This week is Pippin’s opening starting Thursday. Performed by the Los Alamos High School Olions, this will be a production the community will not want to miss.
Pippin is a musical originally released in 1972 with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, was also a great contributor to the libretto. Fosse also originally choreographed Pippin, so you will see that the dance in our rendition is inspired by him.
The show premises on a mysterious impromptu performance troupe, led by the Leading Player, to Read More
SFWAF Presents Two-Day Symposium ‘When Ukraine Meets Russia Head-On’ April 13-14
Courtesy/SFWAF
SFWAF News:
The Santa Fe World Affairs Forum (SFWAF) announces its April 13-14 Symposium “When Ukraine Meets Russia Head-On” at the Santa Fe Community College.
When Russia invaded Ukraine Feb. 24, 2022, no one believed that a supposedly weak Ukraine could maintain its independence. As for Vladimir Putin, he expected to topple the Zelenskyy government in a matter of days—or less. And so, flagrantly violating the norms and laws that had promoted world peace and stability for 70 some years, a heavily armored column of Russian troops headed for Kiev. They never got there.
How could Read More
Governor-Backed Bill To Reform Special Education In New Mexico Gets Mixed Reaction
Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero
By MARGARET O’HARA
The Santa Fe New Mexican
Public Education Secretary Arsenio Romero understands it can be difficult for families to navigate special education services for children with disabilities.
He knows because he’s lived it, Romero said. His daughter, now a seventh grader, has autism, and Romero has been advocating to ensure she has access to the accommodations she needs throughout her schooling.
Despite his nearly 30 years in education — as a classroom teacher, principal, superintendent and now the top education official in Read More
Governor, Parents Urge House To Pass HB 285 – The New Mexico Special Education Act
From the Office of the Governor:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today urged the House to vote on and pass House Bill 285, the Special Education Act. The bill has been awaiting a vote on the House floor for nearly a week.
“New Mexico families are tired of hearing what the special education system can’t do for their children, not to mention the courts, which have already mandated that we act now – not tomorrow – to get special education students the resources they need,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “Parents are tired of watching their children suffer, tired of watching educators not getting the Read More
LAHS Track & Field Athletes Make Strong Statement March 10-11 At Fred Loya Invitational In El Paso
Jaiya Daniels won the triple jump by nearly 3’ with a leap of 37’ 3.5”. Daniels was also part of the state qualifying 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams, and ran a state qualifying time in the 200 m. Photo by Blake Wood
Hailey McDowell placed 2nd in the 1600 m, with a state qualifying time of 5:35.2. Photo by Blake Wood
By BLAKE WOOD
Assistant Coach
LAHS Cross Country
The Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Boys and Girls Track & Field teams made a strong statement March 10-11 in their first out-of-state meet of the season, at the Fred Loya Invitational in El Paso, Texas.
The Hilltopper Girls won the Read More
Life After 50: You Just Need One…
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
LARSO
The recent arrest of a man selling fentanyl in our town better be more than a wake-up call. That mixed with two consecutive years of deaths of young adults due to accidental overdose and experimentation has seemed like just another day. Now, we have Xylazine, look it up.
Recently, one of my former leadership students embarked on research using the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency data available at www.youthrisk.org. We have some missing data, but does it matter? Do we know or even pay attention to it? The buzz word was that, “we need to get to the Read More
Rabbi Jack Hosts Lunch-time Hebrew Bible Study Thursday
Rabbi Jack Shlachter of the Los Alamos Jewish Center holding a Torah. Courtesy photo
Los Alamos Jewish Center News:
The community is invited to join Rabbi Jack Shlachter of the Los Alamos Jewish Center noon to 1 p.m. this Thursday, March 16, for his monthly Third Thursday “Lunch-time Learn” discussion about the weekly Torah (Hebrew Bible) portion.
This month’s discussion will be conducted via Zoom.
Rabbi Jack will lead an exploration of a variety of traditional and contemporary Jewish commentaries looking at the last section of the Book of Exodus (35:1-40:38), which describes the construction Read More
Aspen PTO Hosts Spring Fling Carnival Friday March 17
Aspen School News:
The Los Alamos community is invited to join Aspen Elementary School 4:30-7 p.m. Friday, March 17 for a fun night for the family.
This carnival-style event is geared toward elementary aged kids however there are many games suitable for younger and older children.
There will even be a bouncy house and cake walk. Games cost 2-4 tickets, which can be purchased that evening ($10 for 50) or a “play all night” bracelet for $30.
Even The Hillstompers will be making an appearance.
There also will be a silent auction full of generous donations from local companies and beyond. Some items Read More
LAPS Elementary School Music Teachers Host Spring Choir Workshop At Chamisa
Elementary students from across the district performed during the spring choir workshop held Wednesday at Elementary in White Rock. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS Elementary music teachers, from left, Valerie Collins, Barranca Mesa; Nic Montoya Valdez, Piñon; Megan Tholen, Chamisa; Jacob Lucero, Aspen and Galina Austin, Mountain. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools elementary students met at Chamisa Elementary School for the Spring District Elementary Choir Workshop hosted by the LAPS elementary music teachers. Students from all LAPS elementary choir clubs were invited to Read More
LANL: Attention All New Mexico Girls – Apply For Free Summer Physics Camp In Santa Fe!
Women scientists and engineers at Los Alamos National Laboratory teach the free Summer Physics Camp for Young Women. Courtesy/LANL
LANL News:
New Mexico middle- and high-school students who identify as female or non-binary are encouraged to apply for the free, two-week Summer Physics Camp for Young Women, taught primarily by the women scientists and engineers of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), June 5-16.
The application deadline is April 1, 2023.
New this year: After three years of virtual camp during the pandemic, the 2023 camp is in person, held at the New Mexico School for the Arts Read More