LAPS Newsletter
Week of September 29, 2025
National Hispanic Heritage Month
The national observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting September 15 and ending October 15 of each year. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402 This is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community!This year’s theme is: “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future”.
Everyone is encouraged to wear orange on Wednesday, October 22 in recognition of Unity Day. Unity Day is an annual event occurring during National Bullying Prevention Month that promotes joining together to create healthier communities through kindness, acceptance of difference, and inclusion. It was started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in 2011 and is now celebrated around the world.
Spark Change Award
Pinon Elementary School is the recipient of the 2025 Inaugural Spark Change Award for the highest performing in mathematics for students with disabilities.The Spark Change Awards were launched by the Alumni of the Changemakers Fellowship as an initiative to honor schools that demonstrate improved student outcomes can be achieved for all students.
Sponsored by ConocoPhillips, the awards highlight schools that are either the highest-performing or the fastest-improving in literacy and math for Yazzie Martinez subgroups—economically disadvantaged students, English Learners, Native American students, and students with disabilities. By showcasing these schools, the Spark Change Awards demonstrate that meaningful progress is possible for every New Mexico student, especially the state’s most underserved students.
School Hours
Preschool hours are 8:10 am - 2:40 pm, Monday through Friday.
The PreK3 program is in session Monday through Thursday. The morning session runs from 8:00 am - 11 am, and the afternoon session runs from 11:40 am - 2:40 pm.
School Hours and Schedules
Elementary School hours are 8:10 am - 2:40 pm.Check your school site for daily bell schedules.
School Hours and Schedules
School hours at the middle school are 8:40 am - 3:30 pm. Click below to view the A/B calendar and bell schedule.
Hawk Hangout
Hawk Hangout is a free event held every month during the school year for Middle School Teens. Events are held once a month on Thursday in different locations locally and regionally.
School Hours and Schedules
School hours at the high school are 8:30 am - 3:40 pm. Click below to view the A/B calendar and bell schedule.
Saturday School is open to all Los Alamos Middle School and Los Alamos High School students as an opportunity to catch up on late work, complete missed assignments, take make-up tests and receive help with homework.
All Saturday School sessions for the 2025-2026 school year will be in person in E-wing at LAHS. Sessions run from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm.
To register, email lahssaturdayschool@laschools.net with the student's name and date requested.
Click here for more information.
September is Suicide Prevention Month
When a young person is struggling, they may show signs such as severe emotional pain, feeling trapped, or hopelessness about the future. Recognizing these signs and knowing what to do can make all the difference.
Watch this important video from SAMHSA on warning signs in youth: Warning Signs for Youth (Video)
Compassion and help are within reach. The #988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7/365. No judgment. Just support.
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
Want to learn more?
Take a deeper dive with the 8-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training on Saturday, October 4, 2025, 8:30 am–5:00 pm at Fuller Lodge Arts Council Center. This free, evidence-based training equips you to recognize warning signs, respond with a 5-step action plan, and support youth in need. Register here.
Together, we can nurture hope and protect the well-being of our youth.
For questions or to learn more about what LAPS does to support youth mental health contact Kristine Coblentz - Prevention Program Coordinator - k.coblentz@laschools.net or Sylvia Diehl - Prevention Specialist - s.diehl@laschools.net
Lunch and Learn: Youth Suicide Prevention Webinar
You are invited to join our upcoming Lunch and Learn: Youth Suicide Prevention webinar. Learn about the warning signs, how to respond as a caregiver if your child is struggling, and the resources available in our community.
Date & Time: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 · 12:00–12:45 PM
Location: Virtual via Zoom - Join Here
Add to Calendar
Speakers include:
Caron Inglis, LAHS Counseling Department Lead
Diana Torres, Clinical Director, Los Alamos JJAB
Kristine Coblentz, LAPS Prevention Program Coordinator
We hope you will join us for this important conversation as we work together to support the mental health of our youth.
Upcoming Athletic Events
Los Alamos Middle School
Cross Country
Saturday, October 4 @ Santa Fe Indian School
Friday, October 17 @ State Championship
Friday, October 24 @ Los Alamos Invite, Los Alamos Golf Course (8th graders only)
Football
Wednesday, October 1 vs. Milagro Middle School @ Milagro Middle School, 4 pm
Wednesday, October 8 vs. Santa Fe Indian School @ Santa Fe Indian School, 6 pm
Wednesday, October 15 vs. Pojoaque Middle School @ Los Alamos Middle School, 4 pm
Volleyball
Wednesday, October 1 vs. Taos Middle School @ Los Alamos Middle School Brousseau Gym,
7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm
Monday, October 6 vs. Carlos Vigil Middle School @ Griffith Gym, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm
Wednesday, October 8 vs. Santa Fe Indian School @ Santa Fe Indian School, 7th grade 4 pm,
8th grade 5 pm
Los Alamos High School
Cross Country
Friday, October 3 @ Pat Amato Invite, Denver, CO (Varsity)
Saturday, October 11 @ Los Lunas High School (JV only)
Saturday, October 18 @ Academy Extravaganza, Albuquerque Academy (Varsity)
Friday, October 24 @ Los Alamos Invite, Los Alamos County Golf Course (JV and Varsity)
Friday, October 31 @ District Meet, Los Alamos County Golf Course
Saturday, November 8 @ State Meet, Albuquerque Academy
JV Football
Monday, October 6 vs. Capital High School @ Capital High School, 4 pm
Monday, October 13 vs. Santa Fe High School @ Sullivan Field, 4:30 pm
Monday, October 20 vs. St. Michael's High School @ St. Michael's High School, 4 pm
Varsity Football
Friday, October 3 vs. Belen High School @ Sullivan Field, 7 pm
Friday, October 17 vs. Rio Grande High School @ Sullivan Field, 7 pm
Saturday, October 25 vs. Valley High School @ Milne Stadium, 11 am
Friday, October 31 vs. Miyamura High School @ Miyamura High School, 7 pm
JV Soccer (Boys)
Thursday, October 2 vs. St. Pius High School @ St. Pius High School, 5 pm
Saturday, October 4 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Albuquerque Academy, 11 am
Tuesday, October 7 vs. Moriarty High School @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm
Thursday, October 9 vs. Taos High School @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm
Thursday, October 16 vs. Moriarty High School @ Moriarty High School, 4 pm
Tuesday, October 21 vs. Taos High School @ Taos High School, 4 pm
JV Soccer (Girls)
Thursday, October 2 vs. Santa Fe Prep @ Santa Fe Prep, 3 pm
Saturday, October 4 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Albuquerque Academy, 1 pm
Saturday, October 18 vs. Aztec High School @ Aztec High School, 1 pm
Monday, October 20 vs. Hope Christian High School @ Hope Christian High School, 4 pm
Varsity Soccer (Boys)
Thursday, October 2 vs. St. Pius High School @ St. Pius High School, 3 pm
Saturday, October 4 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Sullivan Field, 3 pm
Tuesday, October 7 vs. Moriarty High School @ Sullivan Field, 6 pm
Thursday, October 9 vs. Taos High School @ Sullivan Field, 6 pm
Tuesday, October 14 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm
Thursday, October 16 vs. Moriarty High School @ Moriarty High School, 6 pm
Tuesday, October 21 vs. Taos High School @ Taos High School, 6 pm
Thursday, October 23 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Pojoaque Valley High School, 4 pm
Varsity Soccer (Girls)
Saturday, October 4 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Sullivan Field, 1 pm
Tuesday, October 7 vs. Moriarty High School @ Moriarty High School, 4 pm
Thursday, October 9 vs. Taos High School @ Taos High School, 4 pm
Tuesday, October 14 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Sullivan Field, 6 pm
Thursday, October 16 vs. Moriarty High School @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm
Saturday, October 18 vs. Aztec High School @ Aztec High School, 11 am
Tuesday, October 21 vs. Taos High School @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm
Thursday, October 23 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Pojoaque Valley High School, 6 pm
Volleyball
Friday, October 3 - Saturday, October 4 @ St. Pius/Albuquerque Academy Invite, Albuquerque Academy, Varsity only
Tuesday, October 7 vs. Espanola Valley High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm,
Varsity 6 pm
Saturday, October 11 vs. St. Pius High School @ St. Pius High School, 9th grade 11 am, JV 12 pm, Varsity 1:30 pm
Tuesday, October 14 vs. Taos High School @ Taos High School, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm,
Varsity 6 pm
Thursday, October 16 vs. Moriarty High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm,
Varsity 6 pm
Saturday, October 18 vs. Hope Christian High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 12 pm, JV 1 pm,
Varsity 2 pm
Tuesday, October 21 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Pojoaque Valley High School,
9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Thursday, October 23 vs. Espanola Valley High School @ Espanola Valley High School,
9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Thursday, October 30 vs. Taos High School @ Griffith Gym, JV 4 pm, Varsity 5 pm
Athletic Hall of Fame
Los Alamos Public Schools will begin accepting nominations for the 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame beginning Wednesday, Oct. 1.
All submissions are due no later than Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
Since its inception in 2014, the Los Alamos High School Hall of Fame has inducted 60 members.
Nominees may be former student-athletes who attended Los Alamos High School and graduated from Los Alamos High School, former coaches or any individual who has made an outstanding contribution to or has had a significant impact on the LAPS athletic program.
Nomination forms are available on the Athletics webpage or at this link: Hall of Fame Nomination Form.
New inductees will be notified by Feb. 1, 2026. The Hall of Fame brunch will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
View a list of past inductees here or click here for more information about the program.
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) is pleased to offer a free breakfast and lunch to all of our students.
LAPS utilizes the Offer Versus Serve (OVS) model pertaining to USDA and NSLP requirements. This model provides students with more of a choice for both breakfast and lunch service.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the school lunch program please send an email to m.johnson@laschools.net.
Hilltopper Girls Soccer Partners With LAYSL For A Day Of Mentorship
LAHS & LAMS Riders Build Course They’ll Race On Oct. 4-5
Los Alamos Hilltoppers Dominate Del Norte Knights 62-12
Hilltopper Volleyball Wins 3-2 Over Capital Jaguars
Hilltopper Girls XC Teams Sweep Rio Rancho Jamboree, Boys 8th Of 23 Teams
Los Alamos Public Schools is hiring for several positions, including Bus Drivers,Teachers, Substitutes and Educational Assistants. Click here for more information about working for LAPS and all current job openings.
LAPS will be at the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce Career Fair on Thursday, October 2. Stop by and find your perfect fit at LAPS!
Teen Movie Night
Hawk Hangout
Skate-A-thon
Grow Your Mind Life Skills
Smart Recovery
Good News Clubs
Fall Art Classes
Community Night
Safos Dance Theatre
Chamber Ensemble
Fall Concert
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Movie on the Mesa
Pancakes & Pj's
NJROTC Car Wash
Topper Softball Camp
Hang @ The Wall
Youth Rec Basketball
Martial Arts
Start Smart
Racquetball & Squash Leagues
Jazz Project
Youth Orchestra
Youth Philharmonic
Youth Mariachi
Children's Chorus
