Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy has issued the following COVID-19 update:
Los Alamos Public Schools welcomed back students and staff at all school sites this week for the start of the second semester of the school year.
In light of the current situation with COVID, LAPS continues to monitor case counts and absences closely and follow enhanced safety measures including limiting non-essential visitors, providing adequate spacing at lunch, limiting large gatherings and ensuring that students and staff wear masks consistently and correctly. Re-entry plans may be reviewed on the LAPS website.
Yesterday, 234 staff and students participated in COVID testing. Of this number, there are 12 positive cases (ten students and two staff members.) All positive cases will be required to quarantine for ten days before returning to school. We will continue to offer COVID testing to all LAPS staff and students Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at 2075 Trinity Dr. in Suite S. Parents may register their child at https://pmg.app.perseus.id/div/laps. Each family only has to register one time and then can use the same code every time they come for testing.
We also encourage anyone who is eligible for the COVID vaccination or who needs a booster to schedule an appointment to receive one. Boosters are now approved for children ages 12 and older. This is the best line of defense in reducing the risk of contracting COVID. In the meantime, school site personnel will continue to reinforce safety protocols including washing hands frequently, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks indoors. As a reminder to parents, if your child is sick, they should stay home from school. In addition, if anyone in your household tests positive, please notify your school nurse.
LAPS is committed to keeping our community and schools safe and open, and to providing consistent learning opportunities for students. The best way for the schools to support students and families and address concerns is through good communication with the school. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their school principal, teacher, or school counselor with any questions and concerns they may have.
Frequently asked questions:
- Will the school move to remote instruction? LAPS is committed to providing in person instruction for students as long as we can safely do so. We will follow safety plans and state guidelines to help make sure we can keep schools open. We know that most children learn best when they can be in school. We monitor cases and attendance daily. If we have 5% of a school population test positive for COVID in a 14- day period, we will move that school to remote instruction for ten days. We will reassess the number of cases at the end of that time frame. If cases have decreased to below 5% then the students will return to in person learning. If cases remain high, students will stay in a remote model for ten more days and then we will assess the data again.
- May I pick my student up for lunch? Yes. Please work with your child’s principal and teacher on a plan.
- May I move my child to online instruction? LAPS will continue to make accommodations as needed for any health concerns. Parents will need to contact their school principal to discuss options.
- Are sports going to continue? Yes. LAPS will continue to follow NMAA and NMPED guidelines for all sports and activities. If there are changes to the guidelines, parents will be notified immediately. Currently, athletes, fans and participants are required to wear a mask indoors for all sports and activities.
