Earth Day Is a Day to Recycle, Up-cycle and Reuse
PEEC News:
“Wise Fool” will help make puppets at this year’s Earth Day Festival. Courtesy/PEEC
By Terry Foxx
The community-wide Earth Day Festival on April 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is not only fun for children and adults but also reminds us to recycle, up-cycle, and reuse.
This year we have two student-generated projects for recycling: collecting and contributing aluminum cans and a toy exchange.
Bring aluminum beverage cans to the Earth Day Festival to help the Mountain School Green Team participate in a Read More
School Makeup Day for Students and Staff is April 13
Los Alamos Public School News:
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Gene Schmidt has announced that students and staff will be expected to report to school on April 13.
The day was built into the school calendar as a makeup day in the event of school closures due to snow.
Two school days, Dec. 5 and Dec. 12, 2011 were missed because of bad weather.
To make up for lost instructional time, students in grades K-12 are expected to attend for one half of the day on Friday, April 13.
Morning preschool will be held, but no afternoon preschool.
Instructional staff is asked to prepare a half-day instruction for Read More
Basket Ball Reeling Robot Earns Local Students ‘Top-seeded Rookie Team’ Trophy
A robot makes a basket. Photo by Laura Fraser
By Bonnie Gordon
Team 4153 from Los Alamos High School recently traveled to the regional portion for the FIRST Robotics Competition in Salt Lake.
The Team, named Project Y after the government name for Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project, came home with high honors.
Ben Schilling, left, and Nate Phillips drive the robot. Photo by Laura Fraser
The team and their hoop shooting robot made it through the quarter finals and on to the semi finals, where they weren’t eliminated until the final round.
They finished 14thout of 44, an amazing showing Read More
Prevention Today for a Healthier Tomorrow
FAMILY YMCA News
The Family YMCA is offering free Diabetes Prevention Classes. The class is on Tuesdays from April 3rd through May 8th from 11:00 to 11:45 am. Pre-registration at the Family YMCA is required at least 48 hours prior to the session. Classes will be held at the Y’s Administrative offices located behind the Urgent Care Center on 15th and Trinity
The following topics will be covered:
- What is Type 2 diabetes?
- Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
- What does having pre-diabetes mean?
- What are the risk factors?
- How you can reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
- Making lifestyle changes
Los Alamos Public Schools Citizens Review Committee Formed
LOS ALAMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS News
A Citizens Review Committee was formed to review the status of the school referendum and bond projects. This committee met for the first time on March 21, 2012. As part of their work, the committee will verify whether the school district accomplished what it set out to accomplish in its plans that were presented to the public.
The committee, which serves in an advisory role, will report periodically to the Los Alamos Public Schools Board. The committee will also be asked to provide feedback on completed projects as well as help to determine which future projects Read More
Diabetes Alert Day
THE FAMILY YMCA News
Tuesday, March 27 is Diabetes Alert Day, and the Family YMCA wants residents of Los Alamos and the surrouding areas to be aware of their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes and the preventative steps they can take today to reduce that risk. Currently, nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes and a staggering 79 million people have prediabetes, a condition where blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.
While the nation’s struggle with obesity and type 2 diabetes is well chronicled, the amount of people with prediabetes is a growing Read More
Taiji as Spiritual Practice
TAIJI News
Beginning in April, the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos will offer a series of eight Saturday morning Taiji (T’ai Chi) classes to study the Yang Style 24 Forms. Classes will begin on Saturday, April 7th from 11 AM to noon in Robinson Hall.
No previous experience is necessary. Classes will explore proper body alignment with coordination and flexibility exercises, and breathing techniques to cultivate the flow of Qi, or life energy. The primary focus of the class is to study the 24 Forms of the Taiji routine which can become a daily discipline of spiritual practice. Students Read More
When Was the Last Time You Had a Great Conversation?
LOS ALAMOS PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION News
Great Conversations is an afternoon of appetizers and desserts and an in-depth conversation with a subject area expert. The 3rd Annual Great Conversations will take place on April 22nd from 2:00-4:30 p.m. at Los Alamos High School in the new building. Tickets are $50 per person and can be obtained by filling out a registration form available at http://lapsfoundation.com/greatconversations.shtml
Your completed registration form and payment can be mailed to the Foundation office at 1900 Diamond Drive, Read More
Common Core State Standards Initiative Coming to Local Schools
Los Alamos School Board President Kevin Honnell, left, watches a presentation with other board members and school officials at Thursday’s LAPS work session at Pinon Elementary School. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By Kirsten Laskey
Several principals at Los Alamos Public Schools attended a recent Math MC2 workshop in preparation for the implementation of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, which begins in the school district this fall.
Chamisa Elementary School Principal Debbie Smith, Pinon Elementary School Principal Jill Gonzales and Barranca Elementary Read More
Rotary Club Program and Highlights
LAPS Reading Coordinator Suzanne Lynne will present a program at 11:45 a.m., Tuesday at Central Avenue Grill on Teach Like A Champion, effective teaching methods designed to help all teachers, especially those new to the classroom. Introduction by Karen Hawkins.
Also, March Student of the Month: Nathan Robbins, will join the luncheon meeting with his parents and mentor, Gary Washburn. Introduction by Allison Majure.
LA Cares Collection: Remember to bring donations of canned foods or personal hygiene products as the Rotary Club continues its support this year of LA Cares, the local food Read More
Blade Runner: ‘What might these cyborgs teach us about voter education and preferences?’
SFI News:
Nathan Collins
Blade Runner is the featured film at the Santa Fe Institute’s Science on Screen Series at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe.
The “Science On Screen” series in Santa Fe is a joint collaboration of the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA) and the Santa Fe Institute (SFI).
During each event, visionaries from SFI present some of their favorite films, offering eye-opening perspectives from their own research and the world of science. It’s an idea-rich spin on the movies.
Abstract: Though Ridley Read More
Chamisa Musical “Working On the Hill” a Huge Success!
By Debbie Smith, Principal, Chamisa Elementary
Chamisa third and fourth graders performed a musical revue of Los Alamos history before a packed audience on Thursday, March 15th.
“On the Hill” shows children, moms, scientists, ranch boys, conquistadores, and settlers from the Hill’s history.
Beginning with the first inhabitants, the ancient pueblo people, the program progressed forward in time featuring the conquistadores, the Hispanic settlers, the Santa Fe Trail, and the Ranch School Boys.
General Groves and Robert J. Oppenheimer took the stage with solos, Read More
PEEC’s Star, Planet and Telescope Party Set for Monday
Crescent moon of four days old. Courtesy Photo
For all those adults, kids and families who missed last week’s PEEC Star Party or would like to see more, PEEC astronomers are going to repeat it at 7 p.m. Monday March 26.
One highlight will be the crescent Moon of four days old, which should be pretty spectacular through the telescope.
Venus, Jupiter and Mars will still be there, and the Orion Nebula will be well placed for a great view including its “arms.”
Venus is best seen in twilight because its extreme brightness dazzles the telescope viewer.
It should be quite a sight since Read More
Nanopower: Avoiding Electrolyte Failure in Nanoscale Lithum Batteries
Using a transmission electron microscope, NIST reearchers were able to watch individual nanosized batteries with electrolytes of different thicknesses charge and discharge. The NIST team discovered that there is likely a lower limit to how thin an electrolyte layer can be made before it causes the battery to malfunction. Photo by Talin/NIST
From NIST Tech Beat:
It turns out you can be too thin—especially if you’re a nanoscale battery.
Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the University of Maryland, College Park, and Sandia National Laboratories Read More
PEEC Summer Adventure Programs Open for Registration
Spectacular! The volcanic Jemez Mountains rise up from the high desert like an island in the sky surrounded by a desert sea. The Rio Grande rift splits the Colorado Plateau and a sparkling ribbon of water flows along its path. Northern New Mexico’s rich diversity of ecosystems awaits the curious. This June, PEEC offers children the opportunity to explore this wild and enchanting landscape. Programs are for children entering grades 4-6 (Nature Odyssey) and grades 7-8 (LEAP). Each week is a chance for them to spend their days outdoors, make new friends, Read More
School Board Special Meeting & Work Session Agendas
Los Alamos Public Schools Board is conducting both a Special School Board Meeting and a work session on Thursday, March 22, 2011 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Pinon Elementary School.
The Special Board Meeting is scheduled to approve a charter for the Los Alamos High School Bus Loop Committee.
Immediately following the Special Board Meeting, the work session includes a presentation on bullying by two Pinon students, a presentation by three principals on the Math MC2 workshop and a presentation by the Pinon principal, Jill Gonzales. Read More
Learn the Art of Writing
Author Speaks Series: Rio Grande River’s Past and Future
Call for Artists: Naked
Amy Bjarke
FULLER LODGE ART CENTER News
As the season warms up and life starts bursting forth, Fuller Lodge Art Center challenges you to explore your vulnerabilities.
The Art Center will host an exhibit called Naked between from May 18 – June 23. Strip away the mask, expose the hidden, and pare off the extra frills.
Uncover hidden beauty and help us come face to face with the world around us. All media are welcome. If you have questions, give Ken Nebel a call at 662-1635. Download the application at http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103899759177-299/CFA_Naked_form.pdf Read More
Watch Los Alamos Compete in FIRST Robotics Competition
The team from Los Alamos competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition in Salt Lake City, had a fantastic day yesterday. People at the competetition were shocked to learn they are a rookie team. To watch the matches in real time, click on the link below.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/utah-s-2012-regional-first-robotics-competition
The match schedule is below (Match, Time – all times Mountain Standard):
4 9:51
14 11:01
18 11:29
25 1:38
32 2:34
41 3:46
44 4:07
52 5:03
Read More
