Op-Ed: Help Our Teachers!
By MORRIE PONGRATZ
Secretary
Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation
When my wife Cheryl and I moved here 50 years ago we were attracted by the excellent reputation of the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS). We were disappointed to find that resources for teachers in Los Alamos were lagging what we had experienced at Benjamin Tasker Junior High in Bowie, Maryland where Cheryl was chair of the science department (I even taught earth science there for a while).
For example, Cheryl took a significant cut in pay to teach at LAPS. Currently the average teacher salary in Prince George’s County is $60,500 Read More
Topper Girls Basketball Wins 2023 District Championship!
Topper Girls win district title by defeating the Moriarty Pintos in a game played Saturday night in Griffith Gymnasium. The Toppers struggled in the first half but pulled their game together the second half to win 56-52. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
GG Romero finds an opening in the strong Pinto defense to score. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
By MIKE COTE
Sports
Los Alamos Daily Post
One Los Alamos basketball team will be headed to the 2022-23 postseason, but the other will be staying at home.
The Los Alamos Hilltopper girls basketball team was awarded a No. 6 seed in the Class 4A Read More
Topper Boys Close Out Season With Loss To Taos Tigers
Josiah Fresquez finds the going tough as he drives through the strong Tiger defense all night but managed to score 12 points for the game. The Toppers lost the contest 53-57. The game was played Friday night in the high school gymnaium in Taos and broadcast on the Daily Post YouTube channel. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Ethan Mondragon brings the ball down court in the first quarter, he scored 3 points in the game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Niko Garcia finds a rare opening in the constant defense of the Tigers to get a shot off. He scored 13 points in the game. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More
This Week In Sports: Feb. 28 – March 4, 2023
This Week In Sports:
Los Alamos High School Hilltopper games are covered by the Los Alamos Daily Post sports team of Gene Mortensen (Voice of the Hilltoppers), Mike Cote, John McHale and Nate Limback.
The Los Alamos High School Hilltopper Sports Schedule for Tuesday, Feb. 28 through Saturday, March 4:
Feb. 28 Tuesday
- Softball vs Manzano Away – 3:30 p.m.
March 2 Thursday
- Baseball vs Silver at St. Pius Away – 3:30 p.m.
March 3 Friday
- Baseball vs TBA at St. Pius Away – TBA
- Girls Basketball State 1st Round Playoffs vs Valley Home – 6 p.m. – Broadcast on Daily Post YouTube Channel
March 4 Saturday
- Softball
New Mexico High School Students To Compete In ProStart Culinary & Management Competition
Courtesy/HIEF
NMRA News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The Hospitality Industry Education Foundation (HIEF) and New Mexico Restaurant Association (NMRA) will host the 20th Annual New Mexico ProStart Invitational in Albuquerque today Feb. 27, at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown, at 2600 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.
More than 75 top New Mexico High School students from across the state including Los Alamos demonstrate their mastery of Culinary and Management skills in a fast-paced competition to win their share of $1,000,000 in scholarships. The best time to film the competition is around Read More
SFCC Veterans Resource Center Hosts Red Cross Effective Communication Resiliency Workshop Feb. 28
SFCC News:
Santa Fe Community College’s (SFCC) Veterans Resource Center hosts Red Cross Effective Communication Resiliency Workshop for Veterans and their families, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Red Cross supports military and veteran families with free and confidential workshops. Whether you or a family member have recently entered the military, or you are a long-time veteran, navigating the many transitions connected with military and veteran service can be hard.
Reconnection workshops aim to ease the stress that comes with these changes.
Free event. Call 505.262.6162 to reserve a seat. Read More
SFWAF: Forward To The Past With Prof. Jay West Feb. 28
Odesa Opera House, 1979 by PHK. Jan. 25, the UN’s Cultural Agency, UNESCO declared the historic center of Odesa a World Heritage Site, describing it as ‘the duty of all humanity’ to protect it and added it to the list of world heritage sites in danger. Courtesy/SFWAF
SFWAF News:
In this free web series for Santa Fe World Affairs Forum (SFWAF) members and friends, historian Dr. James L. West explores the troubled relationship between Ukraine and Russia from earliest times to the present war.
Join SFWAF 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays beginning Feb. 14 for dynamic discussions leading up the Santa Fe Read More
Op-Ed: New Mexico Bill Poised To Make Meaningful Special Education Changes
Contributors to this Op-Ed:
Joel Davis, NM Developmental Disability Council Chair & parent, Katie Stone, NMDD Council Vice-chair & parent, Jennifer D. Sanchez, CFPSW NMDD Council Secretary & parent, Valentín Anaya, NMDD Council Treasurer, & parent, John Arango NMDD Council Past Chair & parent
By NMDD Council Members:
HB 285, the Special Education Act, begins the process of transformation long overdue in special education and will ultimately improve the outcomes for disabled students statewide. It’s about time.
- Only 64% of students receiving special education
Los Alamos Public Schools 2023 Excellence In Student Achievement Award Deadline For Nominations Is March 3
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) would like to remind the community that the deadline to submit nominations for the New Mexico School Board Association’s (NMSBA) 2023 Excellence in Student Achievement Award is Friday, March 3, 2023.
Nominations for this award may be submitted using the form here.
The NMSBA Excellence in Student Achievement Award recognizes school leaders, staff and other individuals who have played an important role in improving student achievement. Read More
LAHS: Details On District Championship Games Feb. 24-25
SPORTS News:
Los Alamos High School will host the Girls District Championship game at 6 p.m. (gates will open at 4:30 p.m.) Saturday, Feb. 25 in Griffith Gymnasium.
The Lady Toppers will take on the Moriarty Pintos.
For the district tournament, there will be no cash sales and all sales are through GoFan. Passes will not be accepted for either game.
The link to purchase tickets for Saturday’s game is here.
Concessions will be available. Only cash is accepted for concession sales.
The LAHS Boys Basketball team will play in the Boys District Championship game 6 p.m. today at Taos.
Tickets are available Read More
Kristin Kosiewicz Memorial Scholarship Deadline Nears
The winners of the 2022 Kristin Kosiewicz Memorial Scholarship from left, Stan Kosiewicz (Kristin’s father), Camille Romero, Brianna Nieto and Amy Anderson (stepmother). Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Champions of Youth Ambitions (C’YA)
Stan Kosiewicz and Amy Anderson hope to raise awareness to the dangers of substance abuse and prevent others from experiencing tragedy with the Kristin Kosiewicz Memorial Scholarship.
The family celebrated the work of local students with their first scholarship in 2022. Again this year they remind the community that even young people with Read More
This Week In Sports Update: Feb. 24-25, 2023
This Week in Sports Update:
Los Alamos High School Hilltopper games are covered by the Los Alamos Daily Post sports team of Gene Mortensen (Voice of the Hilltoppers), Mike Cote, John McHale and Nate Limback.
The LAHS updated Sports Schedule for today, Feb. 24 through Saturday, Feb. 25:
Feb. 24 today
- Boys basketball vs Taos Away – 6 p.m. – Broadcast on Daily Post Youtube Channel
Feb. 25 Saturday
- Baseball vs Del Norte Away – 10 a.m.
- Baseball vs Del Norte Away 12 p.m.
- Girls Basketball District Championship vs Moriarty Home – 6 p.m. – Broadcast on Daily Post Youtube
Los Alamos Hilltoppers Swim Teams Bring Home Treasure Chest Full Of Medals From 2023 State Championship!
The Topper 2023 Swim Team at the State Championship. Courtesy Photo
By SANDY HURLOCKER & COACH CHRIS WETTELAND
LAHS SPORTS
Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Boys and girls swim teams take 3rd and fourth place at NMAA State Championships, and bring home a treasure chest full of medals in the process
Twenty-eight high school teams from all corners of New Mexico brought nearly 400 competitors to vie for top honors at the State Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 17 and 18 at Albuquerque Academy, with champions declared in 18 individual events, and six relays.
At the end of the weekend, the Los Read More
Nathan: Better Board Practices Lead To Better Schools
By FRED NATHAN
Executive Director
Think New Mexico
School boards are an often undervalued piece of the puzzle in improving New Mexico’s public schools.
They play a critically important role in setting the tone, culture, and expectations for the schools they oversee.
Last year, Think New Mexico published a report titled: A Roadmap for Rethinking Public Education in New Mexico, which proposed a sweeping ten-point plan with 30 separate legislative recommendations to improve the performance of New Mexico’s public schools. One of those planks highlighted research demonstrating that local Read More
LAPS Celebrates School Bus Driver Appreciation Week
Courtey/LAPS
LAPS News:
As part of National School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) would like to take this opportunity to thank its transportation staff.
LAPS employs 13 route drivers with one open route that is filled daily by substitute drivers, and four assistants, as well as 11 substitute bus drivers. Keith Rosenbaum is the Director of Transportation. Chris Smith is the Transportation Specialist and Matt Romero is the mechanic in the transportation department.
Bus drivers include, Diana Bequette, Aubrey Brown, David Coleman, Lauren Fields, Malia Goddard, Read More
Local Coach Bob Scott Speaks To Students In Lori Thompson’s English Literature/Sports Classes At LAHS
Local Coach Bob Scott speaking today with students in teacher Lori Thompson’s English Literature/Sports classes at Los Alamos High School. Coach Scott spoke about his athletic background, teaching and coaching experiences, sports and health, and his philosophy of coaching. He shared lots of great stories, spoke about former students he coached and fielded questions from the students. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
Local Coach Bob Scott speaking today with students and answering questions in teacher Lori Thompson’s English Literature/Sports classes at Los Alamos High School. Read More
Northern New Mexico College President Hector Balderas Will Preside Over Men’s Basketball Signing Event
NNMC News:
ESPAÑOLA — Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) will host a Men’s Basketball Recruiting Event March 4.
The highlight of this event will be a Scholarship Signing Ceremony chaired by NNMC President Héctor Balderas at 11 a.m. in the NNMC Event Center.
The prospective student athletes will visit Northern’s campus to meet coaching staff and other Northern staff who can facilitate the admissions and registration process.
Recruits scheduled for attendance include:
- Dimitri Clerc, 6’10, Phoenix, Ariz.
- Emmanuel Gatkek, 6’8, Austin, Texas
- Koak Kok, 6’7, Albany, N.Y.
House OKs New High School Graduation Requirements
Rep. Andrés Romero
By ROBERT NOTT
The Santa Fe New Mexican
A bill updating New Mexico’s high school graduation requirements for the first time in over 15 years has made its way halfway through the legislative marathon.
The state House of Representatives voted 64-3 to approve House Bill 126 Wednesday. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Andrés Romero, D-Albuquerque, told members of the House it is designed to keep students invested in high school and give them more options for classes that may speak to their post-school career needs.
“We need to reengage,” said Romero, an Albuquerque Read More
Feb. 14 School Board Meeting Recap
Members of the Los Alamos High School Jazz Band, Ravijit Khalsa, piano; Finley Inglis, bass; Kevin Erives-Bojorquez, drums; Remy Patterson tenor saxophone and Matthew Patchet, alto saxophone, performed at the beginning of the School Board meeting held on Valentine’s Day. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The LAPS School Board met Tuesday, Feb. 14 in the School Boardroom.
Members of the Los Alamos High School Jazz Band performed at the start of the meeting.
President Antonio Jaurigue read a statement recognizing and celebrating Black History Month.
School Board recognized LAPS School Counselors Read More
Legislative Re-Cap: High School Graduation Redesign Clears New Mexico House, Two AFT NM Bills Tabled
AFT NM News:
We are now in the sixth week of the Legislative session and bills are beginning to make their way out of the New Mexico House or Senate to the other legislative chamber. What does this look like in real life?
Generally, a bill will receive 1-3 committee hearings in the legislative chamber where the bill is introduced.
Once a bill passes those committees, it will be heard by the full chamber where it was introduced. If that chamber’s majority votes “yes” on the legislation, it will then be sent to the other legislative chamber for consideration in committees and then by the full chamber before Read More
