LAPS Newsletter
Week of September 22, 2025
School Board Work Session
Thursday, September 25
Piñon Elementary School
5:30 pm
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”.
Homecoming King and Queen
Congratulations to seniors Frank Sheppard and Penelope Barry-Hoffman who were named Homecoming king and queen during halftime of the Homecoming football game. The Hilltoppers beat the Capital Jaguars 41-7 and remain unbeaten this season.
Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Help Find That Tune
The Los Alamos High School Music Department needs your help in tracking down sheet music, recordings, etc. of the LAHS School Song.
The title of the school song is Our Alma Mater, Praises Now We Sing. These are the lyrics:
From mountains high will come our spirit bold. Soon we will dream of golden days gone by; our love will never fade for L. A. HIGH and when we leave our dear old hilltop high, oh, let us cheer for all the green and gold. We’re stronger than giants; we’ll march to victory. With such an alliance for L. A. HIGH.
The LAHS choir would like to perform the school song in the future, but does not currently have access to the tune, only these lyrics.
If anyone can help, please contact Jason Rutledge at j.rutledge@laschools.net.
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.
Daniels Scholarship Program
From now until Oct. 17, graduating high school seniors in New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming are encouraged to apply for the Daniels Scholarship which provides up to the full cost of attendance colleges and universities across the country.
The Daniels Scholarship Program, one of the most comprehensive and generous in the country, provides the opportunity for motivated students to attend any accredited nonprofit college or university in the United States as follows:
- Scholars who choose one of 22 partners schools receive funding to cover tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies and other educational expenses.
- Students choosing to attend colleges other than the Daniels Scholarship’s partner schools are eligible to receive up to $100,000 over four years for schools outside the four-state region of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, and up to $30,000 over four years at non-partner institutions within it.
Selection criteria for the Daniels Scholarship include strength of character, leadership potential, commitment to serving their community, academic performance or promise, well-rounded personality and emotional maturity and stability.
In addition to funding, Daniels Scholars receive networking opportunities, unique and exclusive educational experiences, leadership development opportunities, and career development. With over 3,500 Daniels Scholar Alumni now graduated and in the workforce, the Daniels Scholarship has had a profound impact on thousands of aspiring college students and their families.
Applications for the scholarship close at 4 p.m. MST, Oct. 17, and finalists will be notified in January. The first step typically takes less than an hour to complete. Following a personal interview process, scholarship recipients are announced in late March.
The online application and additional information on the Daniels Scholarship are available at danielsfund.org/scholarships.
Temporary Parking Lot, Drop-off & Pick-Up Area
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) is pleased to announce the opening of a temporary parking lot for Los Alamos High School (LAHS) students at the corner of Diamond Drive and Sandia Drive, directly across from the Duane Smith Auditorium parking lot.
The new lot expands student parking capacity and provide parents with a safe and convenient drop-off and pick-up lane. Signs are posted to direct traffic flow. Parking passes will be required for students who wish to use the lot. All access will be from Sandia Drive only.
To ensure safety, the lot is fenced, and is monitored by LAHS administration and security personnel. This addition responds directly to feedback from students and parents, who identified the need for a safer parent drop-off and pick-up location and more student parking options closer to campus at the start of the school year.
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
Thursday, September 25 vs. St. Pius Middle School @ Los Alamos Middle School Brousseau Gym,
7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm
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, September 29 vs. Taos High School @ Taos High School, 4 pm
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
Thursday, September 25 vs. Del Norte High School @ Milne Stadium, Albuquerque 7 pm
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, September 25 vs. Monte Del Sol @ Monte Del Sol, 4 pm
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)
Saturday, September 27 vs. Bosque Prep @ Bosque High School, 12 pm
Thursday, October 2 vs. St. Pius High School @ St. Pius High School, 3 pm
Saturday, October 4 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Sullivan Field, 11 am
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, September 27 vs. Bosque Prep @ Bosque High School, 10 am
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, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm
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.
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
Girls Pre-Comp Soccer
Safos Dance Theatre
Community Night
Lucky Ducky Day
Washington, DC Trip
Chamber Ensemble
Fall Concert
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Movie on the Mesa
Waffle Breakfast
NJROTC Car Wash
Pancakes and PJs
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
