“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Melody Beattie

Native American Heritage Month

Tuesday, November 7

Election Day

Friday, November 10

Veterans Day observed - no school for staff and students

Saturday, November 11

Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 14

School Board Meeting

Monday, November 20 - Friday, November 24

Thanksgiving Break - no school for staff and students

Thursday, November 23

Thanksgiving Day

Check out the LAPS Community Events page for information about events and activities in the community for students and families.Or view the Los Alamos County Fall for the Season.

Get your tickets online to guarantee your seat today for Frozen, presented by Los Alamos High School.

Performance dates include Thursday, Nov 9; Friday, Nov. 10; Saturday, Nov. 11; Thursday, Nov. 16; Friday, Nov. 17; and Saturday, Nov. 18. All performances begin at 7 pm in Duane Smith Auditorium.

2023-2024 School Calendar

Multicultural Events Calendar

Please note that these are DRAFT versions and subject to change.

2024-2025 School Calendar DRAFT

2025-2026 School Calendar DRAFT

Remember to exercise your right and vote. Early voting has started and we encourage all registered Los Alamos County voters to vote. Please support the Los Alamos Public Schools General Obligation Bond on this year’s ballot. LAPS uses tax payer money for important repairs and construction projects.

While the school district receives local, state and federal funding for operations, grants and instructional programs, it cannot use these funds for the "bricks and mortar." Only money raised by GO Bonds can be used to build buildings, remodel, furnish schools, and improve school grounds.

The GO Bond is a continuation of the bond which, in the past, has funded major renovations at Aspen Elementary, Barranca Mesa Elementary, Mountain Elementary School, Los Alamos Middle School, Los Alamos High School, and Sullivan Field.

This bond will allow LAPS to reach the goal of raising $30 million for several projects, including completing the construction of Pinon Elementary School and Chamisa Elementary School. The state has awarded LAPS $35 million in supplemental funds for construction of these schools; however, LAPS may only accept these funds IF the bond passes in November.

LAPS will complete other important building upgrades around the district with GO bond funding, including new HVAC systems and building upgrades at LAMS and LAHS, building upgrades of the Aspen Elementary School and Mountain Elementary School gyms, and completion of the Barranca Mesa Elementary School playground and gym. It will also be used for electrical and plumbing upgrades at all school sites and district-wide security updates.

LAPS is committed to providing quality facilities for academic success and engagement for all students and families. Your support is greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

Los Alamos 2023 Voter Guide

Early voting in Los Alamos County is open now through Saturday, Nov. 4.

Early voting is available in the Council Chambers in the Municipal Building and the White Rock Town Hall from 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday.

All absentee and early voting ends at both locations at 6 pm on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Polls are open on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 7) from 7 am to 7 pm.

The LAPS School Board met last Thursday at Los Alamos High School. School Board President Antonio Jaurigue opened the meeting by recognizing the LAHS Astronomy Club and their sponsor, Debbie Grothaus. The club was part of the team which hosted the Solar Eclipse event at the high school on Oct. 14.

The LAHS admin team gave the high school report, highlighting the Topper Virtual Academy. Teacher Melissa Laeser discussed how the academy works, and three students -- Iris Hansel,

Dilynn Arnett and Wyatt Bullion-Braithwaite -- shared their perspective and why TVA works best for them.

The School Board approved the reclassification of Topper Freshman Academy which will integrate TFA into Los Alamos High School. Combining the schools will simplify bookkeeping in PowerSchool and Visions for teachers and administrators. TFA will continue as a program within LAHS for the benefit of 9th graders.

School Board members also heard about the procedures for reviewing the school calendar which will include engaging students in the process.

The next School Board meeting is Tuesday, November 14 at 5:30 pm in the School Boardroom.

There's a lot going on at Barranca Mesa including celebrating Red Ribbon Week, field trips to PEEC, the pumpkin patch and the zoo, and clubs.

For the first time in years, all 15 bus routes are covered with a regular route driver. Staff also includes 8 substitute bus drivers, four bus assistants and two substitute bus assistants.

Assistant Superintendent Carter Payne passed this observation to Assistant Superintendent for Safetey and Operations Mike Johnson and Director of Transportation Keith Rosembaum:

"I saw the most awesome thing today. Bus 160 was parked in front of Duane Smith auditorium, and the driver was outside with the spray bottle and a rag touching up little different spots on the side of the bus. I stopped and chatted for a minute and he told me he was trying a new concoction to see if he could get the water spots off. Someone taking such great pride and their work, and a bus that they don't own made me smile."

Over 43 LAHS students are auditioning for All-State orchestra. Students represent both LAHS orchestras, Symphonic Strings and Concert Orchestra.

Congratulations to the Topper Marching Band for their incredible performances on Saturday at the Zia Marching Fiesta. The band swept all awards in their class and placed 7th overall. This is the band's first top ten finish at Zia in 24 years.

Chamisa Elementary kicked off another year of the kinderbuddies program which connects 6th graders with kindergartners to help with reading and other projects.

There was something for everyone at the Piñon Elementary School Halloween Carnival.

Students in Lori Thompson's Sports Literature classes conducted interviews with veterans recently. Learning interviewing skills and writing articles is part of the curriculum.

Students in the Los Alamos Online Learning Academy are having a busy fall. There was an Adventure Day earlier in the month and clubs have started up, including the A/V Club and Coding Club.

LAOLA also hosted a Halloween party for students at Ashley Pond.

School sites across the district participated in the World Polio Day Purple Pinky Project sponsored by the Los Alamos Rotary Club,

Los Alamos Public Schools were recently recognized for their outstanding maintenance of their facilities. Los Alamos achieved high ratings in all areas.Grounds Manager Orlando Garcia was honored by the state with the Ben Lujan Maintenance Award for Grounds Foreman of the Year.

In addition, Amanda Padilla, Facilities Administrative Specialist, received her Facilities Master Certificate from CES/PSFA. She completed seven different modules over the past two years to graduate from the program.

Cory Styron, Director Of Community Services for Los Alamos County, came to Aspen Elementary to lead a focus group of 2nd and 3rd graders. The county is seeking input from our students to find out what they would like to see in our local parks. Our students felt heard and excited to be a part of this process!

Students in Esther Scmidt's kindergarten class at Mountain Elementary have started New Mexico's Level Up Reading Challenge.

Friday, Oct. 20, the Los Alamos High School NJROTC presented a check for $7,500 to Mission 22 in support of veteran services. These funds were raised during the Sept. 16 ‘til Valhalla 5k event (Link).

“On behalf of Mission 22, I would like to thank the Los Alamos High School NJROTC and the Los Alamos community for their support,” said Mission 22 Ambassador Jeff Brown, who accepted the check. “The ’til Valhalla 5k and Fun Run will benefit Mission 22’s various programs supporting active service members, Veterans, and their family members that are provided at no cost to them. Our mission eliminates the wait times often experienced by Veterans seeking treatment, and provides help when they need it most. If you want to learn more about how you can help our veterans or are a Veteran that may benefit from our programs, please check out Mission22.com.”

“It was an amazing experience for these cadets to organize and host an event in support of such an important cause,” NJROTC Instructor Petty Officer Matt Bohlen said. “We look forward to continuing the event and raising funds in support of Mission 22 for years to come.”

Los Alamos County (LAC) Social Services Division has launched a Vaccine Availability webpage on the County’s website that provides a list compiled by LAC Health Council to help navigate finding vaccines in the county.

Community members can utilize this new resource to find locations providing COVID, RSV, and/or flu vaccines; ages the location is serving, clinic hours and contact information, as well as registration information.

For more information, contact County Social Services at 505.662.8068 or email LACSSD@lacnm.us.

LAHS XC Teams Come Up Short At Home Meet

LAHS Hilltoppers Dominate Del Norte Knights 54-0

Topper Volleyball Wins District Match Over Sundevils

Hilltopper Varsity Boys Soccer 2023 District Champions

Hilltopper Varsity Girls Soccer 2023 District Champions

LAPS: Pumpkin Patch Sales Benefit LAHS/LAMS Choirs

Topper Volleyball Wins District Match Over Pojoaque Elkettes

LAHS XC Competes In Albuquerque Academy Extravaganza

Scenes From Pinon Fall Festival Saturday In White Rock

Hilltopper Varsity Soccer Dominates Moriarty Pintos

LAHS Class Of 2024 Take Senior Photo On Sullivan Field

Hilltoppers JV Team Victorious In 2023 Season Finale

Los Alamos Public Schools is hosting a presentation on Navigating Parent Rights for students who are receiving special education services. This is a great presentation for those who have a student who is receiving special education services at school. Attorney Dawn Vernooy from Walsh Gallegos will present on parent rights under the Individuals with Disability Education Act.

Please see this flyer for more information. We hope you can join us.

It is the time of year when temperatures start getting colder and we may see some snow and ice. LAPS Superintendent Jennifer Guy works closely with the school district team, LANL, and Los Alamos County to monitor the weather and the need for any school delays or closures. It is the district's goal to keep staff, students and families updated and communicate any closures as quickly as possible, typically by 5:30 in the morning.

There are several places that are updated with any announcements about delays or closures including:

• District website: www.laschools.net
• Emails to all parents, staff, and students
• Local media and social media
• School telephone information lines:
  • Aspen Elementary 663-2277
  • Barranca Mesa Elementary 663-2732
  • Chamisa Elementary 663-2472
  • Mountain Elementary 663-2327
  • Pinon Elementary 663-2682
  • LAOLA 663-2403
  • Middle School 663-2375
  • Topper Freshman Academy 663-2512
  • High School 663-2512
  • District Office 663-2223

In the case of Inclement Weather:

• Announcements, usually by 5:30 am, will be sent via the media, district web page, LAPS School Messenger, and information lines.
• In general, if the Lab is on a delay, school opening will be delayed; if the Lab is closed due to weather, our schools will be closed.
• When school is dismissed early or cancelled for the day, all after school programs including athletics (both home and away contests) and activities are cancelled.

If there is a Two-Hour Delayed Start:

Buses will arrive at bus stops two hours later than the usual pickup time.

School start times:

• Elementary schools - 10:30 am
• Mid School - 10:00 am
• High School - 9:50 am
• LAOLA- Regular start time 8:30

Elementary Schools will NOT have school if there is a delay on a Wednesday:

• 3Y Pre-School will be cancelled
• YMCA programs start at noon at all elementary sites
• LAOLA- Regular start time 8:30

LAOLA Specific Weather procedures

2 hour delays. LAOLA does NOT have 2 hour delays. Classes will start on time at 8:30

• 2 hour delays are intended for snow removal, which is not necessary for LAOLA teachers and students to attend classes.

Wednesday 2 hour delays: LAOLA classes will be in session from 8:30-12:15.

• In the event that LAPS closes, LAOLA classes are also canceled.
• If you are unsure of the procedures for the day you can check several places.
• Call LAOLA at 505-663-2403 to hear the weather message, check your email, call the Chamisa Line at 505-663-2472 to hear the weather message

We survived last year's llamas to launch this school year's reading challenge you simply donut want to miss. If you hadn't spotted the library board yet, please enjoy how hungry it makes you as we launch our new reading challenge.

You only have to read 12 books (like a dozen donuts) to complete the challenge. When students complete, they can redeem their cards (like rewards club "buy 10 coffees, get one free" kind of deal) in May for free donuts and other prizes.

Every four books earns you a donut sticker. The sheets this year are bookmarked sized and, also new this year, anyone participating can track their reading online using Google forms with a link located on our website: https://sites.google.com/laschools.net/lams-library/home.

Los Alamos High School counselors are available every Wednesday in the Topper Library during lunch to help students with their college applications, or by appointment.

LAHS juniors and seniors are encouraged to sign up in MaiaLearning for the college(s) you want to meet with. Visits take place in the Topper Library. For more information, contact Jacqueline Nolen at j.nolen@laschools.net.

University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Tuesday, Oct. 31 @10 am

Saturday School is available for Los Alamos High School students as an opportunity to catch up on homework, do past-due assignments, and take tests that they have missed in the prior week, or even work on projects or homework that will be due in the coming week. Learn more and register on the Saturday School website.

Remaining dates this semester:

November 4

December 2

December 9

December 16

To check out the complete Sports Schedule, go to RankOne.

Thursday, November 2

LAHS Volleyball vs. Taos High School, Griffith Gym, 9th Grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm

Friday, November 3

LAHS Boys and Girls Cross Country, District Championships, Pojoaque High School

LAHS Varsity Football vs. Highland High School, Sullivan Field, 7 pm (1st round state tournament)*

*Please note that season passes will not be accepted for this game.

Tuesday, November 7

LAHS Volleyball vs. Moriarty High School, Moriarty High School, 9th Grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm

Thursday, November 9

LAHS Volleyball vs. Pojoaque High School, Griffith Gym, 9th Grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm

The Los Alamos High School Varsity Football Team will host the Highland High School Hornets this Friday at Sullivan Field in the first round of the state tournament.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the game starts at 7 p.m.

The link to purchase tickets in advance for Friday’s game is: 2023 5A Nusenda Credit Union State Football Championships – Highland @ Los Alamos – Football – Nov 3, 2023 (gofan.co)

Ticket prices are determined by the NMAA: $12 for adults; $7 for students (K-12), Senior (65+) and Military. The transaction fee is included in the cost. There will be no cash sales and all sales are through GoFan.

No regular season passes (including student and staff passes) will be accepted.

Los Alamos Public Schools is hiring high school custodians and substitutes. Click here for more information about working for LAPS and all current job openings.

Los Alamos Public Schools is also looking for Building Monitors. Monitors are responsible for the well-being of LAPS buildings when events are taking place after school hours. They are representatives of the school and are responsible to maintain the credibility and respect of LAPS. For more information, go to https://www.laschools.net/departments/human-resources and check out Careers.

The Los Alamos YMCA is looking for referees, time/scorekeepers for the upcoming youth basketball season. For more information, go to www.laymca.org.