APS Community Newsletter - December

December may be a short month, but it’s one filled with energy, celebration, and important moments of learning as we wrap up the first semester. Our Be Here theme, “Be Here & Be Bright,” reminds students that showing up, especially during these final weeks, helps them shine their brightest academically and socially. From winter concerts and classroom projects to semester finals and holiday activities, our campuses are bustling with opportunities for students to learn, connect, and succeed. As we head into winter break, we’re proud of the hard work and growth we’ve seen across the district and look forward to finishing the semester on a bright note together.

Dear Alamogordo Public Schools Community,

With the conclusion of the first semester rapidly approaching and the anticipation of the winter break building, I wanted to reach out and acknowledge the extraordinary journey we have shared these past few months.

The first half of the academic year has been defined by incredible progress and vibrant energy across all our schools. Our students have continued to impress us daily with their resilience, curiosity, and boundless talents. Whether it's been the breakthroughs in the classroom, the dedication shown in all co-curricular and extracurricular activities, or the teamwork displayed in athletics, the spirit of achievement in our district is stronger than ever.

The success we celebrate is a direct result of the efforts of our entire community. I want to express my deepest gratitude to our dedicated teachers and support staff, who continuously go above and beyond to provide a safe, positive, and enriching educational experience for every learner. Their professional commitment is the foundation of our students' growth. Furthermore, to our families, your active support, consistent encouragement, and invaluable trust empower our students and complete the vital triangle of education. Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to the many local businesses, community organizations, and tireless volunteers whose partnership sustains our schools and enriches the opportunities available to our students every day. Thank you for your essential partnership.

As the holidays draw near, I encourage every family to embrace this special time for rest, connection, and renewal. May your winter break be filled with moments of laughter, peace, and the chance to create lasting memories with those you hold dear. This pause provides us all with a needed opportunity to recharge for the exciting challenges and opportunities that await us in the New Year.

On behalf of the Alamogordo Public Schools leadership and staff, we extend our warmest wishes for a wonderful December and a safe, restful, and truly joyful holiday season and new year.

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Michael Crabtree, Superintendent

Alamogordo Public Schools

As we head into the final weeks of the semester, we’re excited to share December’s Be Here Alamo attendance theme: “Be Here & Be Bright – Shine Bright by Showing Up.” This month, we are encouraging all students to finish strong, stay focused, and continue building the positive habits that help them shine in school and beyond.

Each school will be using fun activities and classroom tools to highlight the theme and celebrate students who are showing up, engaging, and giving their best each day.

Additional tools and information for families are always available on our Attendance Matters webpage.

https://www.alamogordoschools.org/page/attendance

For more Veterans Day photos and videos, please visit your school's Facebook page.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our families who joined us for Thanksgiving Lunch across our campuses before our Fall Break. Over the course of three days, more than 2,500 parents, guardians, and family members came together to share a meal with their students, and it was truly wonderful to see the smiling faces, meaningful conversations, and joyful memories being made.

We also want to give a very special thank you to the dedicated APS staff who made these events possible. Our Student Nutrition team worked tirelessly to prepare thousands of extra meals, and staff from across the district stepped in to assist with serving, check-in and check-out, greeting families, guiding guests, and helping with set-up and clean-up. Your teamwork and commitment ensured that every campus hosted a welcoming and memorable celebration.

To relive the festivities, we invite you to browse our Thanksgiving Lunches Photo Album on Facebook.

Thank you again for helping make this annual tradition such a meaningful experience for our students and community!

Before the break, we wrapped up another successful Framework for the Future Leadership Academy! Our leadership teams revisited the plans they’ve been developing and identified their next steps, keeping their work centered on what matters most: our students. They also spent time hearing directly from Chaparral Middle School and Alamogordo High School students, who shared feedback on their school experiences. Check out some photos from the session!

A major focus of the session was Relational Learning; leaders collaborated to craft intentional plans for introducing this important element into their school communities. The group is already looking ahead to their next session, ready to come back together to reflect, refine, and continue growing as leaders.

Learn more about the Framework for the Future and the Instructional Roadmap that guides this work as it is implemented throughout our schools.

Dear APS Families,

Alamogordo Public Schools cares deeply about our students, families, and community, and we want to ensure that everyone has access to the support and resources they need during difficult times.

Here are some of the resources available to help:

• APS Mobile Food Pantry: Our next Mobile Food Pantry will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 2:30 pm at the Riner Steinhoff Soccer Complex on First Street. It is open to all APS families. (First Wednesday of each month)

• Tiger Care Center: The Tiger Care Center provides hygiene items, clothing, and emergency food support assistance to students who qualify. For families who may not meet the qualifications, our staff can help connect you with other local resources.

• Otero County Resource Guide: View the full list of Otero County Resources ➜ https://5il.co/2qtcu

• Otero County Food Pantries & Community Meals: Find local food pantries and meal locations ➜ https://5il.co/2qtct

If your family is in need of assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor, principal, or the H.O.P.E. Team at hope@alamogordoschools.org or 575-430-0191. They can help connect you directly to the support available through APS or through our community partners. Learn more about H.O.P.E. and available community resources on our website at: https://www.alamogordoschools.org/page/hope

We are grateful for the strength, compassion, and resilience that make our Alamogordo community so special. We’re all in this together, and help is available if you need it.

Warm Hat & Glove Drive - Helping Keep our Students Warm this Winter!

This winter, every student who receives a warm coat from the Tiger Care Center deserves to stay fully bundled up - and you can help make that happen!

We’re collecting new hats & gloves to pair with every coat we provide to students in need. Your generosity will bring warmth, comfort, and hope to children and teens throughout our community.

📍Drop-off Locations (now through December 19th):

• All APS School Sites

• APS Admin Complex

• First American Bank

Every donation, big or small, makes a powerful difference. Thank you for helping us wrap our students in warmth and care this holiday season. 💛🧣

Donation boxes will be available in Building A of the Administration Complex (1211 Hawaii Ave.) from December 2, 2025 to December 16, 2025. New books and pajamas can be added to these boxes. COPE is also in need of new batteries, pet supplies, pillows, towels, and laundry detergent. Monetary donations can be made out to Center of Protective Environment of Alamogordo.

Find the athletics calendar of events and printable schedules on the APS website.

Need Tickets? All sports Season Passes are available now! Your one-time purchase will give you access to all sports at all levels all year long, or you can purchase individual game tickets on our website or through the Hometown Tickets app.

Don't forget, there is Free admission to all regular-season sporting events for APS staff, APS students, and children five and under!

At this month's Regular Board Meeting, Athletic Director Alan Edmonson recognized the Outstanding Athletes for the 2025 Fall Sports Season.

We invite you to watch the Regular Board Meeting to learn more about each athlete's accomplishments. https://alamogordoschools.granicus.com/player/clip/97?meta_id=6445

Great job, and congratulations to all the outstanding athletes recognized last month.

The next School Board Meeting will be on Wednesday, December 17th, at 6 pm

Find more information on our website.

The Alamogordo Public Schools Chatbot is available 24/7 to answer frequently asked questions. Start chatting now to get your questions answered. You can also call or text Let's Talk! during regular business hours at 575-812-8573.