Thousands Of New Mexico College Students May Now Be Eligible For SNAP Food Benefits Through Coronavirus Relief
Acting HED Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez
HSD News:
SANTA FE — Thousands of New Mexico college students might be eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) and Higher Education Department (HED) announced Monday.
“The pandemic has created many economic challenges particularly for college students and families with limited resources,” Cabinet Secretary David R. Scrase, M.D., said. “Jobs for college students are scarce. College students have either had their hours reduced or Read More
Northern New Mexico College Wins Prestigious Quality New Mexico Award
NNMC President Rick Bailey
NNMC News:
Española — Northern New Mexico College has won the prestigious Adobe Award from Quality New Mexico (QNM).
QNM recognizes organizations for their advancements in strategic planning and direction. QNM was formed in April 1993 to administer the New Mexico Performance Excellence Awards (NMPEA) for the state.
The QNM website states: “The NMPEA program is the sole provider of New Mexico’s multi-leveled “path to performance excellence” aligned with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) program and using the Baldrige Performance Excellence Read More
FSN Hosts Trauma Informed Parenting For Caregivers
FSN News:
Family Strengths Network (FSN) is presenting a 5-week class and discussion led by Ali Harper for individuals who work with or parent children who have experienced trauma:
- April 13-May 11
- Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Held on Zoom
- Registration required here
Children experience trauma from many sources, some are more obvious than others – yet there is oftentimes no way to predict how a child will respond to an event. Two-thirds of children will experience at least one traumatic event by the age of 16, so it’s incredibly important to recognize the signs of traumatic stress and its short- and long-term Read More
Simonich: In Charge Of New Mexico Public Schools While Living In Philadelphia … A Touchy Subject
Education Secretary Ryan Stewart
By MILAN SIMONICH
msimonich@sfnewmexican.com
Living in Philadelphia is a touchy subject if you’re in charge of the public schools in New Mexico.
Ryan Stewart, Cabinet secretary of the Public Education Department, upset more than a few politicians, parents and grandparents last year when he worked remotely from Philadelphia for several months.
Many wondered how he could guide New Mexico’s schools through a pandemic while he resided 1,900 miles away with his wife and son.
Stewart returned to New Mexico in August, but the time he was gone is still an issue for Read More
HB 27 To Outlaw Hazing In New Mexico Passes House
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Post file photo
New Mexico House Democrats News:
- Only six states, including New Mexico, have no laws prohibiting hazing
SANTA FE – Today, the New Mexico House of Representatives took a major step toward outlawing the harmful practice of hazing.
Sponsored by Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton (D-Albuquerque), House Bill 27 makes a crime of hazing, defining the act as intentionally or recklessly putting at risk or causing serious mental or physical injury to a student at a post-secondary institution as an initiation into an official or unofficial student Read More
For Sean And Lyla Lo … Practice Does Make Perfect
Sean and Lyla Lo are fulfilling personal pledge to never miss a single day of piano practice. Courtesy photo
MUSIC News:
Two young piano students in Los Alamos — brother and sister Sean Lo, 11, and his sister Lyla Lo, 9, — are making great advancement and earning well-deserved awards in their chosen study of classical piano by fulfilling a personal pledge to never miss a single day of practicing.
Both students take part in a national “challenge” to continually practice the piano without ever missing a single day of practice.
At the suggestion of their parents Hanju Tsai and Chienchi Lo, as well as Read More
In Light Of Her Death … Los Alamos Public Schools Establishes Karen Trujillo Scholarship To Honor Her Memory
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools is deeply saddened by news of the death of Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Karen Trujillo, who was struck and killed by a vehicle last evening.
LAPS joins the other New Mexico school districts in offering its condolences to her family and the LCPS district as they navigate through this shocking and tragic loss.
“Karen’s impact on education stretches to every corner of our state. She has been a true friend and colleague with the Los Alamos Schools,” LAPS Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus said. “We have reached out to the family to assist in helping them Read More
PED: 24 New Mexico Schools On COVID-19 Watchlist
PED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) reports 24 New Mexico school buildings appeared on the COVID-19 Watchlist in the week ending Friday, Feb. 26, signifying they had at least two Rapid Responses within a 14-day period.
Those school buildings are:
ALAMOGORDO
- Alamogordo High
- New Mexico School for the Blind
ALBUQUERQUE
- Albuquerque High
- APS Student Transportation
- Hoover Middle
- Hope Christian High School
- Jimmy Carter Middle
- Lavaland Elementary
ARTESIA
- Grand Heights Early Childhood
CARLSBAD
- Carlsbad High
- Carlsbad Intermediate
- Desert Willow Elementary
Op-ed: New Mexico Supreme Court Justice David K. Thomson On Judicial Program For Schools
Justice David K. Thomson outlines an educational program the Supreme Court is launching in March to help students learn about the justice system. Courtesy/NMSC
By Justice David K. Thomson
New Mexico Supreme Court
As I drive to work, past the barricades and the fencing surrounding the New Mexico Roundhouse, I think how it informs public perception about our democratic process and understanding of the “rule of law.” Equally important is how the “rule of law” is required to maintain a civil and democratic society.
The “rule of law” is an evasive notion, transformed into a purely aspirational concept. Read More
PEEC’s March Naturalist Kits Available To Explore Animal Tracks & Signs Of Wildlife – Place Orders By 9 P.M. Sunday
Explore local animal tracks and signs of wildlife in PEEC’s March Naturalist Kit. Order by 9 p.m., Sunday at peecnature.org/events, pick up kits March 1 at the Nature Center or have it delivered. Courtesy/PEEC
Explore animal tracks and signs of wildlife in PEEC’s March Naturalist Kit. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
Help your child learn about the natural world while playing outside. Sign up now to receive the Pajarito Environmental Education Center’s (PEEC) Nature Playtime Naturalist Kit for March.
The theme for March’s kit is animal tracks and signs of wildlife and registration closes at 9 p.m. Read More
Male Lyrebirds Create ‘Acoustic Illusion’ To Snare Mates
Male Superb Lyrebird. Photo by Alex Maisey
Cornell Lab of Ornithology News:
ITHACA, NY — Famous for their uncanny ability to imitate other birds and even mechanical devices, researchers find that Australia’s Superb Lyrebird also uses that skill in a totally unexpected way.
Lyrebirds imitate the panicked alarm calls of a mixed-species flock of birds while males are courting and even while mating with a female. These findings are published in the journal Current Biology.
“The male Superb Lyrebird creates a remarkable acoustic illusion,” said Anastasia Dalziell, a Cornell Lab of Ornithology Read More
PED Secretary Addresses Passing Of Karen Trujillo
Superintendent Karen Trujillo
SANTA FE — New Mexico Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart issued the following statement today upon news of the death of Las Cruces Public Schools Superintendent Karen Trujillo in a car accident:
“We are all deeply shocked and devastated by the sudden and tragic loss of Karen Trujillo, the superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools and former secretary of the Public Education Department.
“Karen was a passionate and caring advocate for children and a genuinely warm and vibrant human being.
“We’ve lost a champion for children, and she will be missed Read More
New Mexico Schools: COVID Testing Up, Positivity Down
PED News:
…COVID-19 cases on and off campus continue to decline
SANTA FE — Two weeks after New Mexico schools began expanding in-person learning, the Public Education Department (PED) reports scant evidence of school-based COVID-19 spread.
Both Tuesday and Wednesday this week, only nine school facilities were on the Environment Department’s COVID-19 Watchlist and none appeared on the department’s Closure List.
By comparison, 56 school buildings (the highest number to date) appeared Nov. 25 on the COVID-19 Watchlist.
“This is great news for New Mexico schools. It shows that all Read More
New Mexico Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart Issues Statement On Spring Assessments
Secretary Ryan Stewart
PED News:
SANTA FE – New Mexico Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart issued the following statement today regarding spring assessments:
“The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) has not canceled spring end-of-year assessments. We have a request before the U.S. Department of Education (attached) to waive a requirement that 95 percent of New Mexico students participate in these assessments. Instead, we have asked to test a representative sample of students, which would provide us with the information educators, families and communities need to gauge Read More
P-EBT Food Benefits Extended For 2020-21 School Year
NMPED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico school children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals and who continue in the remote or hybrid learning model for the 2020-2021 school year will share more than $27 million in additional monthly benefits through the Pandemic-Electronic Benefit Transfer program.
The new round of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is enough to feed more than 246,000 vulnerable New Mexico children each month.
In addition, New Mexico households with qualifying children will see an increase in their P-EBT benefits from $5.86 to $6.82 per child per day, the state Read More
LAPS Registration For 2021-22 School Year Opens March 1
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools will open registration at 8 a.m. Monday, March 1 for all students who plan to attend LAPS during the 2021-22 school year.
Registration will be available for:
- New Student Registration, including Preschool for 4-year-old students;
- Returning Student Re-Enrollment for all students who were enrolled in LAPS for the 2020-2021 school year; and
- Open Registration for new out-of-district students. Preschool students are not eligible for open registration. Out-of-district students who attended LAPS during the current school year are considered returning
LAHS Golfer Osden Earns Scholarship To Rogers State
Jessica Osden signs a letter of intent Monday afternoon in the lobby of Los Alamos High School to play golf for Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla. Osden’s parents Yuxi Yu and Daryl Osden witness the signing. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Los Alamos High School Senior Jessica Osden has achieved a life-long goal: to play college golf.
Osden signed to play golf Monday at Rogers State University in Claremore, Okla, and received a $6,500 athletic scholarship.
“I am really excited,” Osden said. “I’ve been wanting Read More
Daren Jones Of Los Alamos Middle School Recognized By NIAAA As Certified Master Athletic Administrator
LAMS Athletic Coordinator Daren Jones
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Middle School Athletic Coordinator Daren Jones has been recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) as a Certified Master Athletic Administrator.
To earn this distinction, Jones has demonstrated exemplary knowledge, contributions and on-going professional development in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. The voluntary certification process includes a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s educational background, experience, NIAAA Leadership Courses Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools Seeking Nominations For Excellence In Student Achievement Awards
LAPS News:
There is still time to submit nominations to the Los Alamos School Board for the 2021 Excellence in Student Achievement Award.
The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 1.
The Excellence in Student Achievement Award program seeks to promote student achievement in school districts and assist local school boards in recognizing school leaders, staff and other individuals who have played an important role in improving student achievement at the local level.
Any LAPS staff member, parent or community member may submit a nomination. This award acknowledges people who have played Read More
State Budget Passes Committee, Moves To Full Vote
Rep. Patricia Lundstrom
HOUSE DEMOCRAT News:
SANTA FE — The state budget House Bill 2 unanimously passed the House Appropriations and Finance Committee chaired by Rep. Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup) Monday with bipartisan support.
The General Appropriations Act of 2021 is a reflection of the legislature’s priorities, making appropriations for economic relief programs and responsibly continuing the state’s investments in education, public safety, health, infrastructure, and long-term economic development. HB 2 appropriates $7.39 billion for Fiscal Year 2022, an increase of 4.6 Read More
