LAPS Newsletter
Week of January 26, 2026
Wednesday, January 28
District Spelling Bee
Los Alamos High School Speech Theater
5 pm
Thursday, January 29
Special Presentation featuring Dr. Ben Springer
Barranca Mesa Elementary School
5:30 pm
Friday, January 30 and Saturday, January 31
District Science Fair
Piñon Elementary School
Great Kindness Challenge
The 2026 Great Kindness Challenge takes place January 26 - 30. Click here to view a checklist of kind acts.
Monday, February 2
Future Topper Day
No School for LAHS students
Monday, February 2
Future Hawk Day
Hawk Sampler
No School for LAMS students
Tuesday, February 10
School Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 11
Ride the Bus Day
Monday, February 16
Presidents' Day
No School for Staff and Students
Thursday, February 26
School Board Work Session
Chamisa Elementary School
Thursday, February 26 - Tuesday, March 24
All-Schools Student Art Show
Mesa Public Library Step-Up Gallery
Opening Reception on Thursday, February 26 from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
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 invites the public to a special presentation featuring Ben Springer, co-author of Optimistic Teaming: Coordination Strategies for Tough Student Situations, on Thursday, January 29 starting at 5:30 pm at Barranca Mesa Elementary School.
Dr. Springer is an award-winning and nationally certified school psychologist. He is also the author of several books, and has served in schools as an autism specialist, school psychologist, behavior specialist, and Director of Special Education. In 2017, Dr. Springer founded Totem PD, a professional development company for educators and mental health practitioners with Dr. Ben Belnap.
Dr. Springer’s first book, Happy Kids Don’t Punch You in the Face, focused on strategies to address aggressive behaviors in school. The District has subscribed to his web-based application, Totem PD, since 2019. Now in his new book, Optimistic Teaming, Dr. Springer focuses on addressing challenging behaviors through a team approach. Through Optimistic Teaming, he shares practical strategies that help teams stay focused on solutions, even when situations feel overwhelming.
We are excited to invite you to participate in our 13th Annual Multicultural Fair — Around the World in White Rock. This year’s fair will be held in the new gym at Piñon Elementary on May 5th from 5:30 pm –7:30 pm.
We warmly invite you to create a cultural display representing your country or culture. Displays may be interactive and can include food, crafts, games, trivia, artifacts, and/or photographic elements. One or two people will need to be present at the display during the fair, and we will have helpers available to provide breaks as needed.
If you are interested in doing a performance—such as dancing, singing, or playing traditional instruments—we would absolutely love to make that happen! Your participation truly helps bring this celebration of cultures to life.
Please email us to let us know your intentions or if you have any questions. We would be happy to help in any way we can. Thank you in advance for your interest. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Creatively, Your Co-Coordinators
Stephanie Rittner
Piñon Art Teacher
505-662-2694
Andrea Lynch
Chamisa Art Teacher
505-663-2470
As part of their transportation theme, Aspen Elementary's PreK students and their families participated in a "Drive-In Movie" at SALA Event Center last week. Together with PreK staff they watched Paw Patrol: The Movie while enjoying snacks provided by LAPS PreK.
Staff were all amazed by the creativity of the families with the various vehicles they made - cars, trucks, rocket ships, boats, monster trucks, and more! PreK staff want to thank SALA for working with us to host this fun event and our families for participating after school hours and creating incredible modes of transportation.
Storyteller Cris Velarde answers questions from students after his presentation.
Students listen intently to a story during the assembly.
Native American Student Support Jovita Mowrer, Mountain Native American Club Sponsor Elizabeth Ziomek and Principal Megan Lee pose for. photo with Storyteller Cris Velarde.
Aspen Elementary 4th graders learned about measuring angles and then used that new knowledge to program robots.
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.
Jazz Band Performances
On Wednesday, January 28, the Los Alamos Middle School Jazz Band will be touring all elementary school sites to perform.
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.
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.
LAMS One Circle
One Circle groups provide a structured environment for kids to engage with each other and an adult facilitator, based on the topics that meet their needs: boundaries, body image, gender and cultural stereotypes, relationships, and more.
School Hours
Dual Credit Info Night
UNMLA will host an information night for parents to discuss dual credit options on Wednesday, January 28 in the Los Alamos High School Topper Library starting at 5:30 pm.
Teen Movie Nights in January
January 31: Jumanji (1995 original) - Free Italian Soda for First 50 Teens
2026 Governor’s Awards For Excellence In The Arts
New Mexico Arts is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
New Mexico’s vibrant arts scene will be showcased by the New Mexico Arts Commission and the New Mexico Arts Division, who are seeking nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
Nominations are open through 5 p.m., Feb. 23, 2026. It’s easy to nominate individuals and arts organizations in New Mexico using an online form. Self-nominations and nominations by immediate family or members of the same household will not be accepted. Selected nominees will be recognized by the Governor at the annual award ceremony in the fall, and their work will be featured in an exhibition at the Governor’s Gallery in the Roundhouse State Capitol building.
LAPS Foundation Five to Thrive
Wouldn’t it be great if everyone in our community joined the effort to provide extra resources to LAPS? We would like to increase our recurring monthly giving so that we can provide funding to every single teacher at LAPS. We need 450 people to sign up for only $5 a month in recurring giving in order to have money for every teacher at LAPS to receive a mini-grant. Will you help us make an impact on ALL LAPS teachers?
Click here for more information.
Upcoming Athletic Events
Los Alamos Middle School
Basketball (Boys)
Monday, January 26 vs. Milagro Middle School @ Milagro Middle School, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm
Friday, January 30 vs. Carlos Vigil Middle School @ Los Alamos Middle School Brousseau Gym, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm
Wednesday, February 4 vs. Pecos Middle School @ Pecos Middle School, 7th grade 4 pm,
8th grade 5 pm
Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7, Taos Tournament @ Taos High School
Los Alamos High School
Boys Basketball
Thursday, January 29 vs. Espanola Valley High School @ Espanola Valley High School,
9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Saturday, January 31 vs. Taos High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 11 am, JV 12:30 pm,
Varsity 2 pm
Tuesday, February 3 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Pojoaque Valley High School,
9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Friday, February 8 vs. Moriarty High School @ Moriarty High School, 9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Thursday, February 12 vs. Hope Christian High School @ Hope Christian High School,
9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm
Saturday, February 14 vs. Espanola Valley High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 11 am,
JV 12:30 pm, Varsity 2 pm
Girls Basketball
Tuesday, January 27 vs. Espanola Valley High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Friday, January 30 vs. Taos HIgh School @ Taos High School, 9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm,
Varsity 6 pm
Thursday, February 5 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Saturday, February 7 vs. Moriarty High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 11 am, JV 12:30 pm, Varsity 2 pm
Friday, February 13 vs. Espanola High School @ Espanola High School, 9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm
Swimming & Diving
Thursday, January 29, Griffin Invite @ Genoveva Chavez Community Center Pool
Friday, February 6, District 2 Championship @ Farmington Aquatic Center
Wrestling
Wednesday, February 4, District Duals @ Espanola Valley High School
Friday, February 6, Regionals @ Cleveland High School (Girls)
Saturday, February 7, Donn Fishburn Freshmen and Sophomore Tournament @ Rio Rancho High School (Boys)
Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14, Regional Qualifier @ Tucumcari High School (Boys)
Cheer
Saturday, January 31, NMSU Spirit Competition, New Mexico State University, JV and Varsity
Saturday, February 7, Spirit of Hope Competition in Albuquerque, Middle School, JV and Varsity
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.
Start the New Year with a New Job
Start 2026 working for 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.
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Girl Scouts
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Ski Racing Club
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Good News Clubs
Winter Rock Festival
Girls Lacrosse
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Hang @ The Wall
Cheerleading
Martial Arts
Start Smart
Fencing
YCC
Women's Self Defense
Jazz Project
Youth Orchestra
Youth Philharmonic
Youth Mariachi
Children's Chorus
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