Leadership Los Alamos Hosts Session #4: Education
NMPED Cabinet Secretary Dr. Kurt Steinhaus and NMHED Cabinet Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez hold a discussion with LLA students on various issues and opportunities in the State. Photo by Kateri Morris
UNMLA Dean of Instruction Dr. Paul Allen shares about the current academic and program initiatives taking place at the local college. Photo by Kateri Morris
By KATERI MORRIS
Leadership Los Alamos
This month, the Leadership Los Alamos (LLA) Class of 2022 met for a session on Education.
UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Dr. Cindy Rooney and Los Alamos Public Schools Interim Superintendent Jennifer Read More
Community Collaboration Brings Adult ESL Classes To Mesa Public Library
Free ESL classes Feb. 2- May 4 Mesa Public Library at 2400 Central Ave. Post file photo
COUNTY News:
Mesa Public Library, in collaboration with Family Strengths Network and the Adult Learning Center at UNM-Los Alamos (UNM-LA), is hosting a series of conversational English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at no cost to the public.
Textbook and all course materials will be provided at no cost. Classes are 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays between Feb. 2 and May 4 downstairs in The Zone at Mesa Public Library.
Drop-ins are welcome and participation in the full series of class offerings is not necessary.
Adult Read More
NSCW: With National School Choice Week Underway, American Families Eye Future Of K-12 Education
NSCW News:
Programs and policies offering school choice opportunities expanded in 19 states in 2021, and parents are exploring these options, with 52 percent of parents saying they have considered a new or different school in the last year.
Millions of teachers, students, and community leaders across the nation are sharing their hopes and needs for the future of K-12 education as the twelfth annual National School Choice Week (Jan. 23-29) kicks off.
Before the Week’s official kick-off, parents in 10 states explored their area’s education options at multi-school fairs School Fair Saturday Read More
More Than 2,000 Teachers Earn National Board Certification; 130,000 Now Teach To Profession’s Highest Standards
NBCT president & CEO Peggy Brookins
NBCT News:
Despite the unprecedented impact of a pandemic, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced today that 2,073 teachers became National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) in the 2020-2021 school year.
Showing their deep commitment to student learning and the teaching profession, these teachers represent 49 states plus the District of Columbia.
With the 5,304 teachers who renewed or maintained their certificate this year, there is now a total of 130,630 teachers from all 50 states who teach to the highest standards in Read More
New Mexican Educators Demand Changes In Classrooms
Hundreds of teachers and education activists protest outside the Roundhouse on Sunday. Courtesy/SFNM
By MICHAEL TASHJI
The Santa Fe New Mexican
About 500 teachers and education activists marched Sunday outside the Roundhouse to demand better pay, smaller class sizes and better classroom results.
Participants carried placards that read, “Teachers Need Good Pay to Stay” and “No Teachers No Future” at the noon rally, organized by the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico and the National Education Association-New Mexico.
Julie Wojtko, a teacher and an advanced education services Read More
State Bar Of New Mexico Offers Free Estate Planning, Probate And Institutional Medicaid Workshop
State Bar of New Mexico News:
ALBUQUERQUE — A free workshop presented by the Legal Resources for the Elderly Program, Estate Planning, Probate and Institutional Medicaid, will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 31, via video and teleconference.
This presentation will cover information regarding debt problems, such as what happens if a person can’t pay their debts, what actions debt collectors can take, and what action a person may take if they are sued for a debt that they owe.
To register, call 505.797.6005 to receive the registration link, or register directly by clicking here.
About The State Read More
Teaching Profession In New Mexico Faces A Crossroads: Will More Pay Result In More Stability?
Joshua Acuña works full time as an educational assistant in Santa Fe Public Schools. He’s working toward getting a teaching degree, but he says his low pay is a major barrier. Courtesy/SFNMJoshua Acuña sees his chosen profession — education — as a calling.
He says he’s not in it for the economic reward, but the 30-year-old is making less than $20,000 as a full-time educational assistant at Santa Fe Public Schools, even after more than a decade in the field.
Acuña went through Santa Fe Public Schools himself and has high hopes of becoming Read More
LAPS School Board Members Sworn In At January Meeting
School Board members and Honorable Judge Elizabeth Allen following their swearing in at the start of the Jan. 11 meeting, from left, Christine Bernstein, Antonio Jaurigue, Allen, Erin Green, Ellen Specter and Melanie Colgan. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The first Los Alamos School Board meeting of 2022 was held Tuesday, Jan. 11. Newly elected board member Antonio Jaurigue, along with re-elected members Melanie Colgan, Erin Green and Ellen Specter, were sworn in by the Honorable Judge Elizabeth Allen.
The board then held elections for officers, resulting in Melanie Colgan being elected president; Read More
LAPS Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy Issues Update On Return To In Person Instruction Monday Jan. 24
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy issued the following letter to parents this morning, updating them on the return to in person instruction scheduled for Monday, Jan. 24:
LAPS Families,
After careful consideration of the costs and benefits associated with returning to school, we have made the decision for all of the Los Alamos Public Schools to return to providing in person instruction on Monday, January 24. We want to emphasize that the health and safety of staff and students continues to be the number one priority.
This was a difficult decision. Read More
Governor Proclaims NM School Choice Week Jan. 23-29
NSCW News:
SANTA FE — Great students and great schools deserve a celebration. That’s the message New Mexico families are bringing to their events for National School Choice Week 2022.
New Mexico schools, organizations, and individuals are planning 175 celebrations for the Week, which will feature more than 26,000 activities nationwide. New Mexicans will participate in the 1ra Feria Virtual Nacional Escolar y de Recursos en Español (First National Virtual School and Resource Fair in Spanish) Friday, Jan. 28.
More than two dozen U.S. landmarks and notable buildings will light up Read More
LAPS Special Virtual School Board Meeting 1 PM Monday
LAPS News:
It has been brought to the attention of the district that the Jan. 15 Los Alamos School Board meeting where the new superintendent was selected was not properly noticed to the public.
An email circulated Jan. 4 announcing the meeting indicated that a possible quorum of board members might be present in the LAPD Board Room from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Jan. 12-16 for superintendent candidates’ interviews.
The notice said no action would be taken.
In addition, there was no agenda for the Jan. 15 meeting sent to local media or available to the public on the LAPS website until Jan. 17.
In order to Read More
Public Can See District Spending On ‘Open Books’ Website … New Transparency Portal Responds To Legislation
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexicans can now access detailed financial information about state-chartered schools, school districts and regional education cooperatives with a few clicks of a computer mouse.
Open Books is the Public Education Department’s new online financial reporting system, launched in response to Senate Bill 96, passed in the regular session in 2020.
The legislation appropriated $3 million for the department to develop an accessible financial reporting system that would allow comparison between schools, districts and regional education cooperatives on measures Read More
Low Teacher Salaries Impact Local Recruitment & Retention
Los Alamos Federation of Teachers President Christine Engelbrecht
By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com
A report published by the Public Education Subcommittee of the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee in August 2021 reveals that Los Alamos teachers received the second lowest salaries from the state from 2017 to 2021.
2021 lowest average teacher salaries:
West Las Vegas: $46,391
Los Alamos: $48,717
Pojoaque: $51,080
Dexter: $51,309
Santa Rosa: $51,547
2017-2021 lowest rates of teacher salary increases:
Los Alamos: -3.1%
West Las Vegas: 1.8%
Carlsbad: Read More
LACF To Host Free Seminar On Trends In Community Philanthropy With National Expert Dr. Laurie Paarlberg Feb. 4
By LINDA DALY
Los Alamos Community Foundation
Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) invites you to join a robust discussion on why philanthropy matters for a healthy community.
Topics include trends and concepts in community philanthropy and the application of these trends within our local context. We will examine collective generosity and illuminate the “why” of philanthropy for Los Alamos as well as look at how other communities promote a culture of philanthropy.
Leading the discussion will be national expert Dr. Laurie Paarlberg, Professor of Philanthropic Studies, Chair on Community Read More
Chart 575: COVID Diagnoses Over 14 Day Period For LAPS
This chart compares the total number of diagnoses over a 14 day period as percentage of the population in Los Alamos Public Schools with the corresponding figures for all of Los Alamos County. Sources: New Mexico Department of Health and Los Alamos Public Schools. Created by Eli Ben-Naim
This chart compares the total number of diagnoses over a 14 day period as percentage of the population for all Los Alamos Public Schools. Source: Los Alamos Public Schools. Created by Eli Ben-Naim Read More
Respect New Mexico Educators Rally At Roundhouse To Highlight Statewide Teacher Vacancy Crisis Jan. 23
AFT News:
SANTA FE — Respect New Mexico Educators will hold a rally noon Sunday, Jan. 23 at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.
The purpose of the rally is to highlight the on-going crisis regarding educator vacancies in New Mexico public schools.
Specifically, this rally will seek to highlight and educate Santa Fe lawmakers and the public about the need for more highly qualified and well-trained educators to enter the profession in addition to the necessity to make significant policy changes to keep veteran educators in our schools and university.
This rally is occurring during an unprecedented time Read More
Rep. Rebecca Dow Introduces Bill To Prohibit Critical Race Theory In School Curriculum
Rep. Rebecca Dow
By ROBERT NOTT
Santa Fe New Mexican
A leading Republican lawmaker and gubernatorial hopeful has introduced a bill to prohibit the state from including critical race theory — a controversial and often-misunderstood concept that is seen by some as a potential electoral wedge issue — in New Mexico’s school curriculum.
Rep. Rebecca Dow of Truth or Consequences said Wednesday the theory is “racist” and is being misrepresented.
“We are a state of diverse cultures, and we should be promoting the thinking of Martin Luther King Jr. — judging people on their character and not Read More
Dr. José Delfin Selected Unanimously For New Superintendent Of Los Alamos Public Schools
New LAPS Superintendent Dr. José Delfin
LAPS News:
In a school board meeting Saturday, Jan. 15, the Los Alamos School Board unanimously voted to hire Dr. José Delfin as the next superintendent for the district.
“On behalf of the LAPS Board, I welcome Dr. Delfin to the district. We look forward to working together,” School Board President Melanie Colgan said.
“I am excited to have Dr. Delfin join LAPS,” Interim Superintendent Jennifer Guy said. “He brings a fresh perspective and great leadership experience to our district. I am looking forward to working with him.”
Last week Dr. Delfin went Read More
Hotline Opens To Report Racism And Bullying In Schools
Deputy Secretary Vickie Bannerman
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — Students, family members and community members may now report school-based incidents of racial bias by calling a hotline maintained by the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) in compliance with 2021 legislation.
The Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression Hotline – 1.505.226.3911 – went live Monday, the federal holiday marking the birth of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Reports also may be submitted by text, email (hotline.bea@gmail.com) or completing a form online at https://forms.gle/
PEEC Nature Center And Century Bank Sponsor 2022 World-Famous Backcountry Film Festival Jan. 21-23
PEEC News:
The Pajarito Plateau’s premier environmental education museum is teaming up with one of New Mexico’s original financial institutions to bring the famous Backcountry Film Festival into Los Alamos living rooms again this year, Jan. 21-23.
The Backcountry Film Festival is produced by the Winter Wildlands Alliance as a celebration of all things snowy, winter and wild. This year’s backcountry skiing and adventure short films aim to inspire audience members across the world through stories about the impact and importance of our planet’s winter wildlands.
The Pajarito Environmental Read More
