LAPS Newsletter
October 26 - November 1, 2026
Sunday, November 1: Daylight Savings Time Ends (clocks will "fall back" one hour)
Sunday, November 1: All Saints' Day
Monday, November 2: Dio de los Muertos
Monday, November 2 - Friday, November 6: National School Psychology Week
Tuesday, November 3: Election Day (no school for staff and students)
Tuesday, November 10: School Board Meeting @ Mountain Elementary School
Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day (no school for staff and students)
Friday, November 13: World Kindness Day
Monday, November 16 - Friday, November 20: American Education Week
Friday, November 20: National Substitute Teacher Appreciation Day
Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27: Thanksgiving Break (no school for staff and students)
Inclement Weather
Fall is in the air! This means that we may start seeing some winter weather soon. During inclement weather, I will work closely with our school district team, LANL, and Los Alamos County to monitor the weather and the need for any school delays or closures. We will keep you updated and communicate any closures as quickly as possible typically by 5:30 in the morning.
There are several places that we will update 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:
- Elementary Schools:
- Aspen Elementary: (505) 663-2277
- Barranca Mesa Elementary: (505) 663-2732
- Chamisa Elementary: (505) 663-2472
- Mountain Elementary: (505) 663-2327
- Piñon Elementary: (505) 663-2682
- Los Alamos Middle School: (505) 663-2375
- Los Alamos High School: (505) 663-2512
- District Office (505) 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 we have a Two-Hour Delayed Start:
Buses will arrive at bus stops two hours later than the usual pickup time.
School start times during a 2 hour delay:
- Elementary schools - 10:10 am (including PreK 4Y)
- Mid School - 10:40 am
- High School - 10:30 am
If there is a 2-hour delay. morning 3Y Pre-School will be cancelled; afternoon 3Y will be on a regular schedule. School will be dismissed at the usual time on Fridays.
We will always send you more information regarding inclement weather as soon as possible. We understand that all families have different needs when it comes to weather. Please always prioritize your family's needs and safety as you make the decisions that best suit your situation when we have inclement weather.
Distinguished Principal
Aspen Elementary Principal Liz Janusz represented News Mexico at the 2026 National Distinguished Principal Awards program in Washington, DC.She was selected as the New Mexico Elementary Principal of the Year last spring.
School Hours
PreK 4 and Elementary School hours are 8:10 am - 2:40 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:10 am - 1:40 pm on Friday. 3Y PreK morning session runs from 8:00 am - 11 am, and the afternoon session runs from 11:40 am - 2:40 pm, Monday through Thursday. There is no 3Y Preschool on Friday.
Book Fairs
October 30 - November 6: Mountain Elementary
November 16 - November 20: Aspen Elementary
School Hours
Middle School hours are 8:40 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:40 am - 2:30 pm on Friday.
School Hours
High School hours are 8:30 am - 3:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 am - 2:30 pm on Friday.
Dual Credit Parent Info Night
Topper Revue Auditions
Attention Seniors: Do you have a great sense of Humor? Come try out as an Emcee for Topper Revue! This is the school talent show, and the proceeds go to pay for Prom. Emcee Auditions are on Thursday, November 12, during PowerHour and after school in the Black Box Theater. All talents are accepted. Please bring a 1-minute monologue and come try out!
Can you sing? Dance? Play an instrument? or have another amazing talent? Please come try out for Topper Revue 2027! Topper Revue is the school talent show, and the proceeds go to pay for Prom. All talents are accepted; please come try out.
Act Auditions are on Thursday, December 3, during PowerHour and after school in the Black Box Theater. The auditions continue on Friday, December 4, from 2:30-4:00 PM in the band room and on Thursday, December 10, during PowerHour in the Black Box Theater.
Hope to see you there!
Teen Movie Night
The next Teen Movie Night will be Saturday, November 14th. The movie will be the new release of Godzilla Minus Zero.The movie trailer and additional details are available at www.losalamosjjab.com.
The SALA lobby is open 7:30 - 11:00 pm for high school teens to hangout. The free movie starts at 8:30 pm. First 25 teens get a free small popcorn and drink.
Family Portal General Information
Families and guardians can access their students’ reports online.
- View MSSA, iMSSA, and ASR test results (BOY iMSSA results will be posted to the Family Portal on October 9th)
- View results across multiple years to track changes in performance over time
- Identify bright spots and areas for improvement to guide conversations with teachers
- Mobile-device friendly
Family Portal Link to Get Started: https://nmparentportal.emetric.net/login
Family Portal Training Slides: Click Here
Softball Skills Development Camp
Piñon Turkey Trot
Pumpkin Patch
Calling all Chess Players
The Taos Knighthawks are hosting a Chess Tourney on Tuestday, Nov 3 at Taos High School (Little Gym). This tournament is non-rated (no USCF Membership needed).
Tournament Details:
Check-in goes from 9:00 am - 9:30 am.
Five Rounds 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Awards will be presented at 3:00 pm
Swiss Pairings G20
Six sections(may change based on entries) :
- K-12 Ch
- K-6 Ch
- K-3 Ch
- K-12 Reserve
- K-6 Reserve
- K-3 Reserve
Reserve Sections for newer players or "B" Teams and below.
Medals will be awarded to the top "3" in all sections.
Pre-registration - $10 (On-site registration 9:00 am - 9:30 am: $20)
If you are interested in participating, please send name, grade, school, section, estimated rating or school ranking to Dennis Hedges at dhedges@taosnet.com.
Haunted Bash
Space Between Open House
Halloweekend
The Nutcracker
Board Members
Current members of the LAPS School Board include President Sondra Wyman (District 5); Vice President Lauren Coupland (District 3); Secretary Melanie Colgan (District 4); Elisa Baker (District 1) and Antonio Jaurigue (District 2)
eSports Coaches
Secret City eSports is looking for a new Head Coach, as well as Assistant Coaches for a number of video game titles. Please consider being a coach if you are a gamer and would like to work with students.
Coaches are needed for these game titles: Overwatch 2, Splatoon 3, Marvel Rivals, MarioKart 8, Rocket League, Fortnite: Elimination Wars, Brawlhalla, and Tetris Effect Connected.
If you don't know how to play, but would like to help out, we are still needing Volunteer Coaches on Wednesdays from 4 pm - 7 pm. Please reach out to Libbi Lovejoy at l.lovejoy@laschools.net if you are interested, or have any questions.
