LAPS Newsletter
Week of February 23, 2026
In recognition of Black History Month, Los Alamos Public Schools will be hosting performances by African Drummer Akeem Ayanniyi and poet Hakim Bellamy for students at each school site.
Check out this timeline for Black History Month on the Topper Library Activities.
National Read Across America Day
Monday, March 2 is National Read Across America Day. Pick up a good book and join in the fun. Happy reading!
Monday, March 2
Registration for 2026/2027 school year opens
Wednesday, March 4
National History Day 2026 New Mexico Regionals
Sunday, March 8
Daylight Savings Time Begins
Thursday, March 19
LAPS Spring Elementary Choir Workshop
Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20
Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences
No school for elementary students
Friday, March 20
End of 3rd Quarter
Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3
Spring Break
Mountain Elementary 75th Anniversary
This year marks Mountain Elementary School's 75th anniversary. Mark your calendars and join us for an afternoon tea party to celebrate on Saturday, March 7.
Math Kangaroo USA
Piñon Elementary School will be a host site for the Math Kangaroo International Competition on March 19, 2026. This contest is open to students in 1st through 12th grade.
Go here for more information: https://mathkangaroo.org/
Go here for detailed registration directions: Registration Directions
Los Alamos Public Schools will open online registration for the 2026-2027 school year at 8:00 am on Monday, March 2, 2026 for students planning to attend LAPS in the fall. This includes new and returning students, kindergarten and preschool.
Go to www.laschools.net/families-students/registration for more information and to register beginning on March 2 using either a computer or smartphone.
The Los Alamos Middle School will be celebrating Pi Day EARLY this year with a little help from Pi-rates of the Caribbean and a lot of help from volunteers. The date is different from past years as the middle school does not have class on the traditional Pi Day.
Minimal math skills required. All materials and instructions will be provided.
Please consider joining us for the fun and to support LAMS students while they learn about Pi. This beloved tradition is only possible thanks to many volunteers! We hope to see you there.
NOTE: Check in at the front office and bring a photo ID. Please allow a few extra minutes to get your volunteer badge printed.
LANL employees may be eligible for science outreach community service time for this event! To apply for approval, please contact your manager.
The 13th Annual Multicultural Fair — Around the World in White Rock — will be held in the new gym at Piñon Elementary on May 5th from 5:30 pm –7:30 pm.
If you are interested in doing a performance—such as dancing, singing, or playing traditional instruments—please email either S.Rittner@laschools.net or A.Lynch@laschools.net.
Students support the Toppers at the basketball game
Learning about curling
PreK Literacy Night at Chamisa
Los Alamos Public Schools is excited to participate in this year's Literacy NM Summer Program. This program will provide small group specialized reading and math instruction for students who have completed grades K-7. This program will take the place of the traditional summer school or camp that the district has provided in recent years.
All LAPS students who would like to improve their reading and math skills are invited to enroll on the state portal- NM Summer Reading Program Website (https://www.literacy.nm.gov/#).
Families are encouraged to register their children before May 1, 2026. LAPS will not be conducting a separate registration for the summer program.
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.
Crossing Guards Needed
Pinon Elementary School is in need of a crossing guard at Grand Canyon and Sherwood each morning and afternoon. Your assistance ensures that students get safely to and from school.
Shifts are weekday mornings from 7:40 am - 8:10 am and afternoons from 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm. We provide all the stop sign gear! We are looking for volunteers for any and all time slots.
Please email pinonpto@gmail.com for more information.
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.
School Hours
Friday, March 27
Career and Trade Fair
Monday, March 30 - Friday, April 3
Spring Break
Saturday School
Saturday School is open to all 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. Remaining dates are March 7, March 14, April 18, May 2, May 9 and May 16.
To register, email lahssaturdayschool@laschools.net with the student's name and date requested.
Click here for more information.
Movie Nights
Happy February! Here is the line up for Teen Movie Night this month:
Saturday, February 28 - Warm Bodies - A fun, unconventional romance with a zombie twist.
Lifeline: Tools to Save a Life and Build One
In response to Los Alamos students consistently struggling with mental health, peer relationships, and substance abuse, youth at Los Alamos High School has taken the initiative to plan LIFELINE: Tools to Save a Life and Build One, free for high schoolers to attend on March 6th, from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Mesa Public Library. Funded by Anchorum Health Foundation and Los Alamos County, LIFELINE will be hosting a plethora of speaking events and activities, of which attendees can participate to enter a raffle and earn certain prizes to build a Life-Saving Kit including but not limited to Narcan, sunscreen, and cards with suicide prevention resources.
Since LIFELINE is a collaborative event amongst community organizations, services and activities will be provided by the Los Alamos County Library, Social Services Department, and Courts, along with the Los Alamos Community Foundation, JJAB, YMCA, therapists from the LANL Behavioral Health Team,, and others. Activities include ABC Suicide Prevention training taught by Kristine Coblentz, Prevention Specialist, Substance abuse prevention discussion and Narcan training led by Desiree Bustos, CPSW, CYPSS, Behavioral Health Assistant Manager and Harm Reduction Specialist with El Centro Family Health, education on healthy relationships, silent disco, fun activities from the YMCA, and much more.
High schoolers are highly encouraged to attend, as they will be offered the opportunity to enter a raffle for 12 prizes including Prom tickets, local gift card grab bags, National Park passes, and Meow Wolf tickets, free pizza from Vigilante Pizza or chicken sandwiches and tenders from Chicken Scratch along with cotton candy from Key Club.
Sweet Success Challenge—Celebrate Every Step Toward Graduation
The Sweet Success Challenge invites students and families across New Mexico to share moments of progress—big or small—on the journey to graduation. Share a photo or short video of a “sweet success” moment, using a cake, cupcake, or dessert to symbolize reaching a goal.
Sweet success moments may include:
- Finishing a class or assignment
- Credit recovery
- Re-enrolling in school
- Making a graduation plan
No achievement is too small!
How to participate:
- Post a photo or short video celebrating a student’s success
- Use #OperationGraduation
- Tag your school or district
Please share this campaign flyer and help spread the word!
Meetings
The Los Alamos Public Schools Board meets on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday of each month with the exception of April, November and December. All meetings are held in person and live streamed via Zoom beginning at 5:30 pm. Click here for more information about the School Board meetings.
Upcoming Meetings
Thursday, February 26 (Work Session) @ Chamisa Elementary School
Tuesday, March 10 in the School Boardroom
Thursday, March 26 (Work Session) @ Los Alamos High School
Tuesday, April 14 in the School Boardroom
Shower Local Classrooms with Love!
This Valentine’s Day, help make teachers’ classroom wishes come true! The LAPS Foundation’s Shower with Love campaign lets community members donate directly to teachers’ wish lists. From books and supplies to games and learning tools, every donation brings a classroom dream to life.
Donate starting February 14 at showerlove26.givesmart.com or scan the QR code.
Thank you for supporting the amazing teachers and students in our community!
Come On Community! Let’s ‘Shower’ Our Teachers At Los Alamos Public Schools With Love!
Upcoming Athletic Events
Los Alamos Middle School
Cheer
Saturday, March 7, Royal Ram Jam, Cuba, NM
Softball
Thursday, March 5 vs. St. Michael's Middle School @ North Mesa Minor Field, 4 pm
Thursday, March 12 vs. St. Michael's Middle School @ St. Michael's High School, 4 pm
Los Alamos High School
Cheer
Saturday, March 7, Royal Ram Jam, Cuba, NM, JV
Tuesday, March 10, Wednesday, March 11 and Thursday, March 12, Halftime Hoorah at the Pit, Varsity
Saturday, March 21, State Spirit Competition at the Pit
JV Baseball
Monday, March 9 vs. Capital High School @ Capital High School, 5 pm
Varsity Baseball
Saturday, February 28 vs. Eldorado High School @ Eldorado High School, Varsity 11 am
Thursday, March 5, Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, SPX Arguelio Invite @ St. Pius High School
Monday, March 9 vs. Capital High School @ Capital High School, 3 pm
JV Softball
Monday, March 2 vs. Belen High School @ Belen High School, 4 pm
Thursday, March 5 vs. Valencia High School @ Overlook Softball Fields, 4 pm
Thursday, March 12 vs. Capital High School @ Capital High School, 3 pm and 5 pm (doubleheader)
Varsity Softball
Monday, March 2 vs. Belen High School @ Belen High School, 6 pm
Thursday, March 5 vs. Valencia High School @ Overlook Softball Fields, 4 pm
Saturday, March 7 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Overlook Softball Fields, 10 am
Tuesday, March 10 vs. East Mountain High School @ East Mountain High School, 4 pm
Tennis
Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, Early Bird Albuquerque Tournament
Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, Larson Invite, Farmington
Tuesday, March 17, Dual Match @ Albuquerque Academy
JV Track and Field
Friday, February 27, Wool Bowl @ Roswell High School, 3 pm
Varsity Track and Field
Wednesday, March 11 @ Cleveland High School, 3 pm
Wednesday, March 18 @ Rio Rancho High School, 3 pm
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) is pleased to offer a free breakfast and lunch to all of our students. If you have any questions or comments regarding the school lunch program please send an email to m.johnson@laschools.net.
LAHS Students Celebrate American Indian Day At State Capitol
Review: Olion’s ‘Mean Girls’ Is So Fetch!
Toppers Fall To Pojoaque Elks 46-58
Toppers Fall To Elkettes 35-37
Los Alamos Middle School Science Bowl Team Named National Science Bowl 2026 Regional Champions
Los Alamos High School Finishes Top Of New Mexico Tennis Teams Competing In El Paso Tournament
Lady Toppers Defeat Taos Tigers 39-24
LAHS NJROTC Takes 3rd Overall At 2026 Regionals
Los Alamos High School Student Semih Zeytun Named BigFuture Ambassador For 2026 Spring Cohort
Join. the LAPS Team
Looking for a new career? Check out Los Alamos Public Schools. We're looking for Educational Assistants at all school sites, as well as several other opportunities. Click here for more information about working for LAPS and all current job openings.
Wanted: Football Coaches
The Los Alamos Middle School football program is looking for a head coach (https://laschools.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5518448) and an assistant coach (https://laschools.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5518451). Click on the links for more information.
Afternoon Tea Party
Mean Girls
PEEC Summer Camps
Grief Support
Drop-In Tutoring
Constitution Essay Contest
Airlock 5
Community Night
Summer Physics Camp
Grow Your Mind Life Skills
Exploring the Possibilities
Good News Clubs
Winter Rock Festival
Girls Lacrosse
Rugby
Hang @ The Wall
Y Earth Service Corps
Martial Arts
Start Smart
Fencing
YCC
Youth Soccer
