Sine Die – House Democrats Achieve Landmark Policy Goals
Speaker Brian Egolf
STATE News:
SANTA FE — The second session of the 55th Legislature ended at noon Thursday, concluding a hybrid virtual and in-person session, in which House Democrats delivered real results for working families across New Mexico.
In this 30-day legislative session, House Democrats shaped and passed the state’s bipartisan budget, which would make historic investments in education, public safety, environment, and economic development. The House also passed crucial bills to make our communities safer, improve our schools, and put more money back into the pockets Read More
Olions Presents Les Misérables School Edition March 10-19
Cooper De Uribe: Filling Teacher Vacancies Is Critical & Comprehensive Bill Passage Is Key
By ALISA COOPER DE URIBE
Teach Plus New Mexico
“I haven’t seen you in what seems like forever!” I said to my friend and colleague, Miriam, who teaches kindergarten.
Her colorful room is filled with art and work in Spanish by her budding bilingual students who often wrap their arms around her leg to say, “I love you, Maestra Miriam,” in two languages.
“I know,” she told me with an exhausted smile, “It’s just a lot to stay on top of.” Miriam is teaching a full group of kindergarteners in a language immersion setting and taking three education classes for her degree. This year in her classroom, Miriam Read More
Scenes From Boys State Swim Dive Championships
The Hilltoppers won the boys state meet team title for the third straight year. Courtesy/Stu Corliss
(Clockwise from top left) Orion Henderson, Duncan Henderson, Ming Lo and Matias Rougier broke the state record for 400 free relay, a very rare feat. Courtesy/Stu Corliss
Senior co-captain Andy Corliss scored in the state 100 breast for the Toppers all five years. Courtesy/Stu Corliss
By STU CORLISS
LAHS Swimming Coach
The Los Alamos Hilltoppers boys swimming and diving team rolled to their 3rd consecutive New Mexico state team title at Albuquerque Academy’s Barney Natatorium Wednesday, Read More
AG Secures Convictions Of Former West Las Vegas Middle School Security Guard Accused Of Crimes Against Student
Attorney General Hector Balderas
AG News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Monday, Attorney General Hector Balderas secures convictions of former Las Vegas security guard, Abran Ulibarri, pled guilty to six crimes related to sexual offenses against a Las Vegas middle school student.
Ulibarri pled guilty to criminal sexual penetration of a minor, three counts of false imprisonment, criminal solicitation to commit tampering with evidence, and bribery of a witness.
Ulibarri used his position of authority to sexually assault a 14-year-old middle school student on campus during school hours several times Read More
Los Alamos School Board Votes To Make Masks Optional In Most Circumstances
LAPS News:
Tonight, in a unanimous vote, the Los Alamos School Board decided to make masks optional in most District settings beginning at once.
Two exceptions to this were part of the motion made by School Board Secretary Antonio Jaurigue. They are that masks must be worn on school buses and in pre-K classrooms since those under five cannot be vaccinated.
More than 375 people attended the Zoom meeting. School Board members had read hundreds of comments on the District website and via email from community members, staff, students and parents weighing in on the issue. Read More
Topper Sports Schedule: Feb. 21 – Feb. 26, 2022
SPORTS News:
The Los Alamos High School Hilltopper Sports Schedule for Monday, Feb. 21 through Saturday, Feb. 26:
Feb. 21 Monday
- Girls Basketball district playoff vs Pojoaque Home 6 p.m. – Broadcast on Daily Post YouTube Channel
Feb. 22, Tuesday
- Boys Basketball district playoff vs TBA Home 6 p.m. – Broadcast on Daily Post YouTube Channel
Feb. 25 Friday
- Baseball vs Sandia Prep Home 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 Saturday
- Hockey vs Telluride Away 12:30 and 5:30 p.m.
Principal Reflects On First 6 Months At Barranca Elementary
Barranca Principal Davine Jones
LAPS News:
Principal Davine Jones has spent just over six months at the helm of Barranca Mesa Elementary School and so far, it is “everything I thought it would be and more,” she said. “I love Los Alamos!”
Jones moved to Los Alamos from California where she had many years of experience as a teacher, principal, and district leader. When asked about her first semester as a Barranca Bobcat, she said, “No matter the obstacles in the way, COVID, remote instruction, inclement weather, loss of power, etc., our Bobcats demonstrate Barranca’s core values of kindness, support Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools Honors Transportation Staff During Bus Driver Appreciation Week
LAPS News:
This week is National Bus Driver Appreciation Week (NBDAW), a time when everyone who rides a bus, including school buses, has a chance to say thank you to bus drivers, bus assistants and those who work behind the scenes in bus transportation.
According to the website, myfourandmore.com, NBDAW was first established in 2007 during National School Bus Safety Week, which has been recognized every year since 1988 on the third Monday of every October for children around America to learn the importance of National School Bus Safety. National Bus Driver Appreciation Week is an extension Read More
Session Ends With Significant Investments In Education
Public Education Secretary Dr. Kurt Steinhaus
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico public education got a historic $3.8 billion boost in the 2022 legislative session that ended today, with funding to cover record teacher pay raises and other initiatives to combat the educator workforce crisis.
The session also concludes with investments to improve instruction in literacy and indigenous languages and to expand the community schools strategy and other evidence-based programs.
“New Mexico is remarkably lucky to have a Legislature that understands the incredible challenges our children face Read More
Los Alamos Cellist Maximus Posada Selected As Alternate For Carnegie Hall National Youth Orchestra For 2022
LAHS sophomore Maximus Posada was recently selected as alternate cellist in Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 National Youth Orchestra for 2022. Courtesy photo
COMMUNITY News:
At only 15 years old, Maximus Posada of Los Alamos is making quite an impact in the classical music community on both the state and national stage.
This Los Alamos High School (LAHS) sophomore is a member of the LAHS Symphonic Strings, the Santa Fe Youth Orchestra, has been selected for the All-State Orchestra two years in a row, and runs his own cello studio giving lessons to younger musicians.
Posada was recently selected as alternate Read More
Opportunity Scholarship Act Passes New Mexico Legislature
NMHED News:
SANTA FE — Legislation providing tuition-free college to tens of thousands of New Mexicans has passed the state legislature and will now go to Gov. Lujan Grisham for signature.
SB140 – The New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Act passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday evening with bipartisan support on a vote of 51-17.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham applauded the final passage of the legislation, which enables any New Mexican who wants to pursue a higher education to do so.
“This administration believes in supporting students from cradle to career, and the Opportunity Scholarship Read More
LAHS Eco Club Students Hold Climate Strike At Pond
In an effort to spread awareness about the necessity of political action for climate change, members of the Eco Club at Los Alamos High School held a ‘Fridays For Future’ strike Friday afternoon at Ashley Pond Park. Fridays For Future is an international movement started by activist Greta Thunberg, 19, a Swedish environmental activist known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
During their strike Friday at the Pond, student speakers from left, Sofia Enriquez, Adalee Witt and Dana Roelofs urge people Read More
Chart 608: COVID Diagnoses For LAPS Feb. 12-18
This chart displays the number of COVID-19 diagnoses by school for the past week. Source: Los Alamos Public Schools. Created by Eli Ben-NaimSpecial Los Alamos School Board Meeting On Mask Mandate To Be Held Virtually Monday Evening
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos School Board will hold a special board meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 21 virtually on Zoom to discuss the mask mandate issue.
This meeting is open to the public.
There will be limited time for public comment during the meeting, please submit comments to the email address: public.comments@laschools.net to ensure your comment is heard.
Find the agenda to this meeting here: Feb. 21, 2022 Special Board Agenda.
Find the link to this meeting here.
Meeting ID: 505 663 2222
Passcode: lapsboard
Los Alamos Public Schools To Continue Following Current Masking Guidelines Until Board Convenes In Special Session
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy in a message sent to parents today addressed the state’s lifting of the indoor mask mandate:
“Today Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham lifted the mask mandate statewide, including in schools whose governing bodies choose to do so.
“The board will convene a special session to consider how this impacts LAPS and make a decision regarding this order early next week.
“Our schools will continue to follow the current masking guidelines until the board makes a decision.”
New Social Studies Standards For Schools Adopted
Deputy Secretary Gwen Perea Warniment
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) has adopted a rule to replace the state’s outdated social studies standards for public schools, concluding a months-long process involving hundreds of New Mexico stakeholders to update what students learn about the changing world.
The rule, which establishes academic content and performance standards for social studies for kindergarten through 12th grade, was adopted Feb. 10, concluding the 17-month rule-making process. The standards will not be implemented in classrooms Read More
UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Dr. Cindy Rooney To Step Down From Leadership Role
While UNM-LA Chancellor Cindy Rooney, in her office Tuesday, is stepping aside as Chancellor in June, she is not retiring, but plans to reduce her work commitment and looks forward to continued service to this university, while also having time to pursue some personal initiatives. Photo by Sarah Jimenez/UNM-LA
By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com
After serving as a leader of UNM-Los Alamos from 2015 to the present, through a period of progress and challenges, Chancellor Cindy Rooney has announced that she will be stepping aside as Chancellor, effective June 30, Read More
Governor’s Priority Bill To Provide Free College To Every New Mexican Passes Legislature
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Post file photo
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday applauded the final passage of Senate Bill 140, the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Act, legislation that will enable any New Mexican who wants to pursue a higher education to do so.
“This administration believes in supporting students from cradle to career, and the Opportunity Scholarship provides the resources for every New Mexican who wants to further their education,” the governor said. “Not only does this program provide opportunities to build brighter futures, it also helps Read More
Preschool Family Math Night At Piñon Elementary Feb. 23
Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Piñon Elementary School will host a Preschool Family Math Night 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23.
This event is open to students and families enrolled in the preschool program at Pinon.
This is the second of four Family Engagement Nights, which are part of the Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) PreK program.
Last fall, students and families attended Literacy Night, which introduced students and their families to classes in art, music, physical education and library, and how these classes can be integrated into literacy. The focus of this second presentation is math, Read More
