LAPS Newsletter

Homecoming 2025

Friday, September 19

Early Dismissal:

• Elementary Schools: 12 pm
• Los Alamos Middle School: 12:45 pm
• Los Alamos High School: 1 pm

Parade 2:30 pm

Football Game 7 pm

School Board Work Session

Thursday, September 25

Piñon Elementary School

5:30 pm

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”.

Constitution Day is Wednesday, September 17. Each year, schools across the country take time to recognize the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787 and reflect on the rights and responsibilities it provides.

Parent/Teacher Conferences (elementary schools)

Wednesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 9

No school for elementary students

Conferences will be scheduled by school sites

LAPS Elementary Fall Choir Workshop

Wednesday, October 8

Fall Break

October 10 - October 13

No school for staff and students

LAMS Band Hummingbird Retreat

Friday, October 17 - Saturday, October 18

LAMS Orchestra Hummingbird Retreat

Friday, October 24 - Saturday, October 25

Homecoming 2025 will be celebrated September 15 - 20 and will include Spirit Days at school sites, several athletic contests for middle and high school athletes, and a host of other activities.

The Homecoming Parade is scheduled for 2:30 pm on Friday, September 19. This year's theme is Whisker Wipeout! Homecoming Parade applications are due by Tuesday, September 16.

The Hilltoppers will host Capital High School for the Homecoming football game on Friday, September 19. Game time is 7 pm.

This year's Homecoming dance will be on Saturday, September 20. The theme is "A Night on the Bayou".

Check out school spirit days at each school site.

Monday, Sept. 15 – Pajama Day
Tuesday, Sept. 16 – Country vs. Country Club
Wednesday, Sept. 17 – USA
Thursday, Sept. 18 – Game Day (Class Wars)

• Seniors: Jumanji
• Juniors: Minecraft
• Sophomores: Pokémon
• Freshmen: Mario Bros

Friday, Sept. 19 – Green & Gold

The Music Department needs help! We are attempting to track down sheet music, recordings, etc. of the LAHS School Song.

Here is the text listed:

School Song: Our Alma Mater, Praises now we sing.
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

If anyone can help, please contact Jason Rutledge at j.rutledge@laschools.net.

Thank you!

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.

Aspen Elementary: Thursday, October 2

Barranca Mesa Elementary: Wednesday, October 1

Chamisa Elementary: Wednesday, October 1

Mountain Elementary: Thursday, October 2

Piñon Elementary: Tuesday, September 23

Elementary School hours are 8:10 am - 2:40 pm.Check your school site for daily bell schedules.

Aspen Elementary: Thursday, October 2

Barranca Mesa Elementary: Wednesday, October 1

Chamisa Elementary: Wednesday, October 1

Mountain Elementary: Thursday, October 2

Piñon Elementary: Tuesday, September 23

Find out more information about your school.

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 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.

Ten Los Alamos High School seniors have been named 2026 National Merit Semifinalists. Pictured are (back, left to right, Assistant Superintendent Carter Payne, James Thomas, Henry Gans, James Ito, Jasper Carpenter and Principal Eric Ziegler; (front, left to right) Assistant Principal Stan Maschal, Assistant Principal Suzanne Montoya, Alyssa Sun, Anya Seet, Emily Xu, John Kang, Galina Nelson, and Assistant Principal Ryan Finn. (Not pictured, Helena Welch).

School hours at the high school are 8:30 am - 3:40 pm. Click below to view the A/B calendar and bell schedule.

Seniors are invited to attend College App Help Sessions during the month of September. Hosted by School Counseling department, sessions are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday during W.I.N., and during lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Los Alamos High School seniors are reminded that yearbook pictures and bios are due by Nov. 1.

Check out the dates for ACT and SAT weekend testing.

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.

Saturday School FAQs

To register, email lahssaturdayschool@laschools.net with the student's name and date requested.

Click here for more information.

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

Most school campuses are open to the public after hours at 4 p.m. We ask that anyone using our campuses after school hours help in keeping them clean. If you bring your pets onsite, please clean up after them. Thank you!

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.

September Meetings

Thursday, September 25 (Work Session)

Los Alamos Middle School

Cross Country

Saturday, September 20 @ Rio Rancho Jamboree, Rio Rancho High School

Football

Wednesday, September 10 vs. Ortiz Middle School@ Los Alamos Middle School, 4 pm

Wednesday, September 17 vs. St. Michael's Middle School @ St. Michael's High School, 4 pm

Wednesday, September 24 vs. Carlos Vigil Middle School @ Los Alamos Middle School, 4 pm

Volleyball

Monday, September 8 vs. Pojoaque Middle School @ Pojoaque Middle School, 7th grade 4 pm,

8th grade 5 pm

Wednesday, September 10 vs. Taos Middle School @ Taos High School, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm

Tuesday, September 16 vs. Carlos Vigil Middle School @ Carlos Vigil Middle School, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm

Thursday, September 25 vs. St. Pius Middle School @ Los Alamos Middle School Brousseau Gym, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm

Los Alamos High School

Cross Country

Saturday, September 6 @ Joe Vigil Invite, Alamosa, CO

Saturday, September 13 @ UNM Invite, UNM North Golf Course, Albuquerque

Saturday, September 20 @ Rio Rancho Jamboree, Rio Rancho High School

JV Football

Monday, September 8 vs. Robertson High School @ Robertson High School, 4 pm

Monday, September 22 vs. Bernalillo High School @ Sullivan Field, 4:30 pm

Monday, September 29 vs. Taos High School @ Taos High School, 4 pm

Varsity Football

Friday, September 12 vs. Highland High School @ Milne Stadium, Albuquerque, 7 pm

Friday, September 19 vs. Capital High School @ Sullivan Field, 7 pm (Homecoming)

Thursday, September 25 vs. Del Norte High School @ Milne Stadium, Albuquerque 7 pm

JV Soccer (Boys)

Tuesday, September 16 vs. Rio Rancho High School @ Sullivan Field, 3 pm

Saturday, September 20 vs. Goddard High School @ Sullivan Field, 12 pm

Monday, September 22 vs. Monte Del Sol @ Monte Del Sol, 5 pm

JV Soccer (Girls)

Monday, September 8 vs. Rio Rancho High School @ Rio Rancho High School, Rio Rancho JV Soccer Tournament, 6 pm

Monday, September 15 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Rio Rancho High School, Rio Rancho JV Soccer Tournament, 4 pm

Tuesday, September 16 vs. Rio Rancho High School @ Rio Rancho High School, 4 pm

Thursday, September 18 vs. Santa Fe High School @ Sullivan Field, 6 pm

Monday, September 22 vs. Santa Fe High School @ Santa Fe High School, 3 pm

Tuesday, September 23 vs. Hope Christian @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm

Thursday, September 25 vs. Monte Del Sol @ Monte Del Sol, 4 pm

Varsity Soccer (Boys)

Monday, September 8 vs. St. Michael's High School @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm

Thursday, September 11 @ Academy Tournament. Albuquerque Academy

Friday, September 12 @ Academy Tournament. Albuquerque Academy

Saturday, September 13 @ Academy Tournament. Albuquerque Academy

Tuesday, September 16 vs. Rio Rancho High School @ Sullivan Field, 5 pm

Saturday, September 20 vs. Goddard High School @ Sullivan Field, 2 pm

Saturday, September 27 vs. Bosque Prep @ Bosque High School, 12 pm

Varsity Soccer (Girls)

Thursday, September 11 @ Academy Tournament. Albuquerque Academy

Friday, September 12 @ Academy Tournament. Albuquerque Academy

Saturday, September 13 @ Academy Tournament. Albuquerque Academy

Tuesday, September 16 vs. Rio Rancho High School @ Rio Rancho High School, 6 pm

Thursday, September 18 vs. St. Pius High School @ Sullivan Field, 4 pm

Monday, September 22 vs. Santa Fe High School @ Santa Fe High School, 5 pm

Saturday, September 27 vs. Bosque Prep @ Bosque High School, 10 am

Volleyball

Tuesday, September 9 vs. Albuquerque Academy @ Albuquerque Academy, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm

Friday, September 12, Goddard Tournament @ Goddard High School, Varsity

Saturday, September 13 Goddard Tournament @ Goddard High School, Varsity

Tuesday, September 16 vs. Santa Fe Prep @ Santa Fe Prep, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm

Tuesday, September 23 vs. Capital High School @ Capital High School, 9th grade 4 pm, JV 5 pm, Varsity 6 pm

Season passes and all tickets for fall athletic events are on sale now. They may be purchased in advance or with a debit/credit card at the gate. Cash will not be accepted at the gate. Click here to purchase tickets or season passes.

All season passes include entry to all middle school games as well as high school regular season games. Passes are good for admission to all regular season home games but will not be accepted for any postseason events. The cost for a season pass is $85 for an individual, $50 for a student (K-6), military or senior citizen (65+) or $175 for a family of four.

If you have any questions, contact: the LAHS Athletics department at 505-663-2531 or email the Athletics Department at:

• LAHS Athletic Director: Guy Meyer, g.meyer@laschools.net
• LAHS Assistant Athletic Director: Doug Weiss, d.weiss@laschools.net

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 Hilltoppers Swat Highland Hornets 13-0

Demolition Underway Of Old Chamisa Elementary School

LAPS Announces Temporary Student Parking Lot For LAHS

Ten LAHS Seniors Named Semifinalists In 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program

Get Ready For Homecoming 2025

Toppers Topple Elks 58-20

LAHS NJROTC Seeks Community Support For 3rd Annual ‘Til Valhalla Run

Toppers And Huskies Play To A Tie

Hilltoppers Take 3rd In 2025 Cernicek Memorial Tournament

Toppers Win First Match In 2025 Cernicek Tournament

Los Alamos Hilltoppers Football Beats Taos Tigers 42-13

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.

he Los Alamos Music Teachers Association opens the invitation for serious music students to compete in the annual District Honors Auditions held by the Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico.

The Northeast-I District Competition, which is open to all students in Santa Fe, Taos, Los Alamos, Espanola, and Las Vegas and surrounding areas, will be held Saturday, Oct. 18 at UNM-Los Alamos.

The first-place winners of each age category will compete at the state finals, which will be held in Albuquerque Saturday Nov. 8. Annually, the honors auditions have seen students of the highest calibre prepare recital-ready pieces for esteemed judges who will write helpful feedback.

The competition is open to all instruments and voice types, and there are age categories for pre-college to collegiate students. Non-member teachers can still enter and are welcome to submit students for an extra fee. All information about the 2025 honors auditions can be found on https://lamta.weebly.com/honors-audition.html LAMTA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and the local affiliation of the Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico, and the Music Teachers National Association.

Kristine Coblentz and Jennifer McNeel, YMHFA-certified trainers, will facilitate Youth Mental Health First Aid Training on Saturday, October 4. This training is designed for adults to help recognize the signs and symptoms of a youth in a mental health or substance use crisis.

The Los Alamos YMCA offers several programs for youth and teens.

The Santa Fe Symphony offers several music programs.

Check out these upcoming events to support our students.

Check out the Fall 2025 Activity Guide published by Los Alamos County.