The School Board during its Jan. 25 meeting recognized LAHS junior Michael Bane on being awarded the Cadet Wings scholarship. Bane also recently received the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award and earned the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant. School Board President Antonio Jaurigue holds the microphone. Courtesy/LAPS

Aspen Principal Liz Janusz and Assistant Principal Shannon Trujillo present programs put in place to address the district’s goals of academic success, social emotional well-being and civic responsibility. Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

The Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Board met Thursday, Jan. 25 at Aspen Elementary School. 

The meeting started with the School Board recognizing Los Alamos High School junior Michael Bane on being awarded the Cadet Wings scholarship, a highly competitive merit-based scholarship through the Civil Air Patrol. He also recently received the Brigadier General Billy Mitchell Award and earned the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant.

The School Board also recognized the district’s music teachers and the LAPS music program on being recognized as the New Mexico Music Educators Association District of Distinction.

Aspen Elementary School Principal Liz Janusz and Assistant Principal Shannon Trujillo gave a presentation on the school, sharing with board members several of the programs put in place to address the district’s goals of academic success, social emotional well-being and civic responsibility.

They shared that Aspen’s goals for the school year include:

• 100% of teachers will read aloud to their classes at least once a week. These readalouds will strengthen vocabulary, deepen understanding, and demonstrate critical reading skills.
• 100% of teachers will facilitate a number talk with their class once a month in order to help strengthen our student numbers and operations in base 10 skills.
• Every classroom will set, and agree upon, community agreements to guide behavior, interaction, and resolve conflicts.

• Through the weekly read alouds, students will be exposed to a diverse collection of books and characters. Teachers will lead discussions about acceptance, empathy, and understanding.

Superintendent Jennifer Guy led a discussion on current school attendance zones and potential rezoning, particularly in White Rock. More discussions with school board members and the community will be scheduled over the next several months.

“We are committed to doing this transparently and gently,” she said.

The district is in the early planning stages of this process and will share more information in the near future.

The School Board unanimously approved the mutual termination agreement between LAPS and Frijoles Canyon Trading Company LLC (KRSN) effective Jan. 31, 2024 for the land occupied by the radio tower near Los Alamos Middle School. The lease agreement between LAPS and LA Commnet becomes effective Feb. 1, 2024. KRSN went off the air in August 2020, and is selling the radio antenna to LACommnet.

School Board President Antonio Jaurigue discussed the New Mexico School Boards Association Excellence in Student Achievement Award and the process for collecting nominations and selecting the recipient.

The next School Board meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 in the School Boardroom.