LAPS Newsletter

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

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.

The Los Alamos Public Schools is accepting nominations from the community for the 2026 New Mexico School Board Association’s (NMSBA) Excellence in Student Achievement Award. Nominees may include administrators, teachers, staff members, parents, community members or volunteers.

Submit nominations for the New Mexico School Board Association’s 2026 Excellence in Student Achievement Award using the form that can be found at https://forms.gle/c9WXNyT2Uu2Eu1DW9. Deadline is Friday, February 20, 2026.

Monday, March 2

Registration for 2026/2027 school year opens

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

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.

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

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.

Click here to sign up.

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.

Congratulations to cadets in the Los Alamos High School NJROTC who competed against six other schools in the Regional contest in Sahuarita, Arizona earlier this month, earning third place overall.

Los Alamos earned 1st place in personal inspection, 3rd place in unarmed regulation drill, 1st place in mixed colorguard, 3rd place in academics, 1st place in pushups, 3rd place in curlups, 3rd place in the 8x200 sprint, and 3rd place in physical training. Individually, Michelle Lo placed 2nd in female pushups, Thomas West placed 2nd in male curlups, and Bryan Lee placed 3rd in male pushups.

A team from Los Alamos Middle School was named the National Science Bowl 2026 Regional Champions after winning first place at the regional middle school competition held recently at Albuquerque Academy. LAMS 8th graders Bodie Holmes, Alex Hovey, Evan Cunningham, Ilamuhil Sasikumar and Norah Whitton will advance to the National Finals held in May.

Second place was awarded to Team 1 from Desert Ridge Middle School. LAMS Team 2, including 7th graders Liam Colgan, Julian Delorey and Eric Xu, and 8th graders Isaac Light and Leia Lin, placed third in the competition.

The Barranca Mesa Elementary School chess team earned 3rd place at the state chess meet held on Feb. 6 in Albuquerque.

First graders at Chamisa Elementary received books to take home and read.

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.

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.

Preschool Family Engagement Nights with Waterford

4 pm - 6 pm

Tuesday, February 17

Chamisa Elementary

Wednesday, February 18

Mountain Elementary

Thursday, February 19

Piñon Elementary

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

Saturday, February 28

NSCL Meet 4 @ Academy for Technology and the Classics

Find out more information about your school.

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

Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28

Hawktalkers @ State Competition

Saturday, February 28

NSCL Meet 4 @ Academy for Technology and the Classics

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.

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

Saturday, February 21

Saturday School

Friday, February 20, Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22

Olions present "Mean Girls"

Wednesday, February 25

NJROTC Annual Inspection

Friday, February 27, Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1

Olions present "Mean Girls"

Saturday, February 28

NSCL Meet 4 @ Academy for Technology and the Classics

Check out the dates for ACT and SAT weekend testing.

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.

Saturday School FAQs

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

Click here for more information.

Happy February! Here is the line up for Teen Movie Night this month:

• Saturday, February 21 - Dirty Dancing (1987) - A true classic, no one puts this movie in a corner!

• Saturday, February 28 - Warm Bodies - A fun, unconventional romance with a zombie twist.

The High School Fed Challenge is a research and writing competition that aims to encourage students in grades 9–12 to learn more about economics and promote interest in economics as a subject for study and the basis for a career. Previous study of economics is not required—only intellectual curiosity and interest in exploring an economic theme. This year’s theme, Economics of Music, offers the opportunity to explore music through the lens of economics. Registration is now open. The registration deadline is Feb. 17, 2026.

Everything you need to know about the program and rules for participation: 2025–2026 High School Fed Challenge rule book.

The New Mexico High School Summer Enrichment Internship Program is an exciting opportunity that will be offered for the sixth year this summer. The PED has selected Education at Work (E@W) through a competitive bid process to run this year’s program in partnership with County, Pueblo, and Tribal governments. We encourage education leaders to help spread the word to their students about this opportunity for paid summer internships.

To learn more or to join the mailing list for the latest updates, please visit www.nminterns.com.

Kindness Matters — Let’s Celebrate Kindness Month!

Kindness — big or small — can brighten someone’s day and make our community stronger.

What’s your Random Act of Kindness?

Need ideas? Check out lots of simple ways to spread kindness here: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas

— from smiling at someone to helping a neighbor or writing a heartfelt note. Simple acts like these can truly make a difference in someone’s day.

Let’s inspire each other and make kindness the norm!

#KindnessMonth #SpreadKindness #BeKind

During the PreK Waterford event at Aspen Elementary, current PreK students showcased their art! They’ve spent the last two weeks learning about famous artists and creating artwork in a similar style. They are so proud of their gallery wall!

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:

1. Post a photo or short video celebrating a student’s success
2. Use #OperationGraduation
3. Tag your school or district

Please share this campaign flyer and help spread the word!

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

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!

Los Alamos Middle School

Basketball (Boys)

Wednesday, February 18 vs. St. Michael's Middle School @

St. Michael's High School, 7th grade 4 pm, 8th grade 5 pm

Los Alamos High School

Boys Basketball

Tuesday, February 17 vs. Taos High School @ Taos High School, 9th grade 3 pm,

JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm

Friday, February 20 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 3 pm,

JV 4:30 pm, Varsity 6 pm

Girls Basketball

Thursday, February 19 vs. Taos High School @ Griffith Gym, 9th grade 3 pm, JV 4:30 pm,

Varsity 6 pm

Saturday, February 21 vs. Pojoaque Valley High School @ Pojoaque Valley High School,

9th grade 11 am, JV 12:30 pm, Varsity 2 pm

Swimming & Diving

Friday, February 20, State Championships @ Albuquerque Academy

Wrestling

Friday, February 13 and Saturday, February 14, Regional Qualifier @ Tucumcari High School (Boys)

Cheer

Saturday, February 28, NM Spirit and Dance Competition in Bernalillo (Varsity)

Swimming & Diving

Friday, February 20, State Swimming and Diving Championships @ Albuquerque Academy

Baseball

Saturday, February 28 vs. Eldorado High School @ Eldorado High School, Varsity 11 am

Track and Field

Saturday, February 21 vs. El Paso @ Eastwood High School, 3 pm (Varsity)

Saturday, February 28, Wool Bowl @ Roswell High School, 3 pm (Varsity)

RankOne Schedules

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.

Hilltopper Swim And Dive Girls Defend District 2a Title, Boys Take Second

LAPS Seeks Nominations For 2026 NMSBA Excellence In Student Achievement Award

Toppers Win Home Game Against Moriarty Pintos 40-33

Piñon Elementary School Hosts National History Day Contest

Results From 2026 Los Alamos County Science Fair; 52 Students Qualify For Northeastern New Mexico Regional

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.

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.

For more information about events in Los Alamos, check out the Los Alamos County 2025-2026 Winter Activity Guide.

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

The Santa Fe Symphony offers several music programs.