Antonio Jaurigue
White Rock
When I arrived in Los Alamos 9 years ago, I was pretty quickly approached by my son’s teachers asking me if I could volunteer in their classes. I was fortunate enough to be on shiftwork (if you can call that fortunate), which allowed me some days midweek where I could help. It wasn’t long before it became a habit for me to go help with an assignment or two for an hour a week. I was also encouraged and motivated by all of the other parent volunteers I saw. Not just in the classroom, but throughout the entire school. I’ve seen our community mobilize for fundraisers, different activities, or games that the schools put on.
I loved volunteering, helping, and just interacting with the wonderful people in our schools so much that I decided to help represent my district on the schoolboard. Since being elected to represent District 2 on the School Board, I have been able to see that the support for our school district dwarfs my experience. Parents are active advocates for their children, the staff is continuously doing their best to protect and teach the students, while consistently finding innovative ways to strive to reach 100% of them. The community members without current students still demonstrate interest in helping our district by donating to local organizations like the LAPS Foundation and supporting the local fundraisers like the community yard sales, chocolate sales, or Fun Runs put on by PTO.
I’m writing this now because this election season, there is another way to demonstrate how seriously our community supports our school district and the institution of education. The General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) is on the ballot this year and approving it will authorize the future sale of $30 million dollars of bonds for our district. This means that the district can safely complete the full rebuild of Chamisa Elementary and Piñon Elementary schools. These two schools are now the oldest schools in the district and the cost of maintenance is quickly outpacing the available funding. With roof leaks, inadequate climate control, and various plumbing and structural issues, the rebuilds are not something that can be delayed further.
Some key points to consider:
- Although past bonds have allowed for the purchase and support of other student needs and academic materials such as Chromebooks for every student, the GO Bond is specifically limited to brick-and-mortar type projects. The new builds previously mentioned, classroom renovations, emergency repairs, future school building projects/improvement, landscaping or playground equipment, or even air conditioning (which some classrooms desperately need replaced) are just a few examples.
- Voting to continue this bond will NOT result in a tax increase for the residents of Los Alamos. The community has been gracious in their support and continuation of the bond for the last couple of decades. This has helped to maintain facilities when the state budget has not been able to meet the demands.
- Despite getting excellent scores on the state’s assessment of our maintenance record and the condition of our facilities, they are reaching the age where maintenance is costing more and more.
Early voting begins October 10th with election day on November 7th. This election, look for the GO Bond on your ballot, either in person at your polling location, or by your requested mail-in ballot, and continue to support our district by voting in support of the bond. This will ensure the continued success of our district and help in reaching our goal of 100% student success.
Congratulations to Helena Welch, Anna Simakov, Annaiysiya Mata, McKenzie Gerlicher, Cara Gattiker, Adrien (Erica) Heidlage, Luke Creel, Hiro Mertes, Emily Reed, Joseph Snyder, Aditya Visawanathan, Ciara Colgan, Shilo Bartram, AB Bohlen, William Nettleton, Julianne Fadner, Matthea Fung, Aida Saleh, Kepler Smith, Django Salas, Sierra Esquibel, Sammy Carroll, Lilia Keller-Moore, Alanna Anderson, Charles Austin, Jared Muzzie and Emmitt Tibbitts.
Thank you to orchestra teachers Jeremy Bleich and Michelle Rosette for all that you do for our students.
Homecoming Helpers
BIG, BIG kudos to Matt Kretz, Stephanie Hailey and the Student Leadership/Student Council students for all their effort into making this a wonderful Homecoming Week. Matt Kretz and Colleen Swavely would also like to thank three wonderful teachers who truly are 'givers' for staying late and helping clean up after the Homecoming Dance. "Thank you to Stephanie Abney, Brandi Hultz and Kimberly Engelking for giving more of themselves than just chaperoning!"
Unity Day
Los Alamos Public Schools continues to celebrate Unity Day every year as one way to raise awareness and prevent bullying in our schools and community by promoting kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center, this campaign is held during the month of October and connects communities around the world.
Unity Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 18th this year. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to show your support. Unity Day tshirts can be ordered at this link: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/shop/unityday-shirt.asp
COVID-19 Vaccines
Minsung Chae
LAMS School Nurse
On Sept. 12, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control announced approval of a new COVID-19 vaccine booster. Vaccination remains the most effective defense against COVID-19-related hospitalization, death and the lingering effects of Long COVID. If you have not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past two months, consider getting an updated dose to safeguard yourself this fall and winter
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter. Updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna will be available as shipments start arriving in New Mexico the week of Sept. 11. Everyone is eligible for and should get the flu vaccine, especially adults 65 and older and pregnant people in their first and second trimesters, according to the CDC. Co-infections of COVID-19 and the flu can be severe. Vaccination is your best protection from respiratory viruses, and it’s important to get the flu vaccine before the height of flu season. Getting your vaccine in September or October is highly recommended. Flu and RSV vaccines are readily available at healthcare providers and pharmacies throughout the state. If you need assistance with scheduling, contact the DOH Call Center at 1-855-600-3453; its hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The LAPS Transportation Department has recorded 47 stop arm violations since the first day of school. There were four in one day on Aug.29, and three each on Sept. 7, Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. Drivers are urged to exercise caution when it comes to school buses, bus stops and the students who ride those buses. Obey the law and keep our students safe!
Here is a list of the school bus safety rules:
- First, drive slowly and look for children waiting at the bus stop, walking or riding their bicycles to school.
- Second, know what the flashing lights indicate. A red flashing light with the extended stop arm means traffic is required to stop, even in both directions of a two-lane road. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, so proceed with caution.
- Be careful when pulling up to a bus stop because children might be running out to the bus.
- Finally, follow all school zone speed limits, look for students in crosswalks and never pass a bus on the outside of a turn.
Senior Parent Night
Senior Parents of current Los Alamos High School seniors are invited to attend a virtual senior parent meeting on Monday, October 2nd at 6pm hosted by the LAHS counselors. LAHS Counselor Cindy. Black will be facilitating and hopes to share her wealth of knowledge on supporting your student as they start to consider their post-secondary plans.
Please join us using the link below (Zoom Meeting).
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79586486698?pwd=MPfraMrzLIPBLBjeAJFaqQ2uOQCaLB.1
Meeting ID: 795 8648 6698
Passcode: 080551
Bring any questions you might have, as all of the LAHS counselors will be represented.
If you are unable to attend, we will be recording the presentation and uploading it into the Class of 2024 Google Classroom.
Register to Vote
Students who are 18 are eligible to vote in the upcoming election in November. Go to www.NMVote.org for more information.
Poetry Out Loud Contest
Poetry Out Loud (POL) is looking for this year’s competitors! POL is a national arts education program dedicated to helping students engage with poetry and hone public speaking skills.
It’s made possible through a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation, and state arts agencies across the country.
The program wraps up in poetry recitation competitions, first locally and then at the national level. Earlier this year, Rutenda Musharu from Montezuma represented New Mexico in the national competition in Washington, D.C. for the 2022-2023 competition.
“Through Poetry Out Loud, students discover great poetry while also learning about themselves, world history, contemporary life, and the power of words. Through their participation in the program, they have the opportunity to build important public speaking skills, increase self-confidence, and build appreciation for different world views and styles of expression,” NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD said. “We are grateful for the work of New Mexico Arts in making this opportunity available to students throughout New Mexico.”
In our state, POL is managed by New Mexico Arts (NMA) and is an opportunity to connect students and educators with national resources for the arts, foster a deeper connection with the written word, and strengthen community ties throughout New Mexico.
POL is available to schools as well as non-school organizations, like school clubs, libraries, and non-profit organizations. Schools and organizations will have access to free curriculum materials, including a poetry anthology, a comprehensive teacher’s guide, and more, through PoetryOutLoud.org.
Once they have registered, participating schools and organizations are invited to hold classroom and school contests from September to December 2023. Winners of these local contest will then advance to a state competition Sunday, March 3, 2024.
State champions will advance to the national finals, which are scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., April 30–May 2, 2024, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed.
How to get involved in Poetry Out Loud
High schools and organizations should contact NMA by November 3. NMA will ensure participants are included in the official program. Participants not in the official program may conduct their own contests using the online resources. For more information, contact Kevin Lenkner (New Mexico Arts) at 505.412.5791 or visit. (For media inquiries, contact Brandon Brown at 505.412.3559 or brandon.brown@dca.nm.gov.)
Poetry Out Loud awards
Each state champion will receive $200 and will advance to the national championship, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed, including a $20,000 award for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion. The school or organization representing the state champions will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for their school or organization. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded and travel arrangements for the Poetry Out Loud National Finals. For further information on Poetry Out Loud, visit PoetryOutLoud.org.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts is the independent federal agency whose funding and support gives Americans the opportunity to participate in the arts, exercise their imaginations, and develop their creative capacities. Through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector, the Arts Endowment supports arts learning, affirms and celebrates America’s rich and diverse cultural heritage, and extends its work to promote equal access to the arts in every community across America. Visit arts.gov to learn more.
About the Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation recognizes the power of words to transform lives. We work to amplify poetry and celebrate poets by fostering spaces for all to create, experience, and share poetry. Follow the Poetry Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter), and Poetry magazine at @PoetryMagazine.
About New Mexico Arts
New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, is the state arts agency. New Mexico Arts administers the state’s One Percent for Public Art program, awards grants to nonprofit organizations for arts and cultural programs in their communities across the state, and provides technical assistance and educational opportunities for organizations, artists, and arts educators throughout New Mexico.
To check out the complete Sports Schedule, go to RankOne.
Monday, October 2
LAMS Volleyball vs. Taos Middle School, LAMS Gym, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm
LAHS Girls Soccer vs. Eldorado High School, APS Soccer Complex, JV 5 pm
LAHS JV Football vs. Taos High School, Taos High School, 4:30 pm
Tuesday, October 3
LAMS Volleyball vs. Santa Fe Indian School, LAMS Gym, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm
LAHS Boys and Girls Golf, Angel Fire Resort Golf Course
Wednesday, October 4
LAMS Football vs. Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe Indian School, 6 pm
LAHS Volleyball vs. St. Pius High School, St. Pius High School, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Thursday, October 5
LAHS Boys and Girls Golf, Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe
LAHS Girls Soccer vs. Santa Fe High School, Santa Fe High School, JV 3:30 pm
Friday, October 6
LAHS Volleyball vs. Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque Academy, 9th grade 4:30 pm, JV 5:30 pm, Varsity 6:30 pm
LAHS Cross Country, Pat Amato Invite, Northglenn, CO, JV and Varsity
Saturday, October 7
LAMS Cross Country, Santa Fe Indian School, 8 am
LAMS Volleyball, LAMS Tournament
LAHS Boys Soccer vs. Albuquerque Academy, Sullivan Field, Varsity 1 pm
LAHS Girls Soccer vs. Albuquerque Academy, Sullivan Field, Varsity 11 am
LAHS Cross Country, John Grimley Invite, Santa Fe Indian School, C-Team
Monday, October 9
LAHS Boys and Girls Golf, Taos Country Club
Tuesday, October 10
LAHS Boys Soccer vs. Moriarty High School, Sullivan Field, JV 4 pm, Varsity 6 pm
LAHS Girls Soccer vs. Moriarty High School, Moriarty High School, Varsity 4 pm
LAHS Volleyball vs. Espanola High School, Griffith Gym, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm
LAHS JV Football vs. Capital High School, Capital High School, 4 pm
Wednesday, October 11
LAMS Football vs. Milagro Middle School, Santa Fe High School, 5:15 pm
LAHS Boys and Girls Golf, Los Altos Golf Course
Thursday, October 12
LAHS Boys Soccer vs. Taos High School, Sullivan Field, JV 4 pm, Varsity 6 pm
LAHS Girls Soccer vs. Taos High School, Taos High School, JV 4 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Friday, October 13 (First Responders Night)
LAHS Varsity Football vs. Manzano High School, Sullivan Field, 7 pm
Saturday, October 14
LAHS Girls Soccer vs. Aztec High School, Aztec High School, JV 2 pm, Varsity 12 pm
LAHS Volleyball vs. Santa Fe High School, Griffith Gym, 9th grade 10 am, JV 11 am, Varsity 12 pm
