North Mesa Options Analysis: Seeking Letters Of Interest
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos Public Schools (LAPS) and Los Alamos County (LAC) have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to pursue options for utilizing approximately 29 acres of school-owned property on North Mesa east of Los Alamos Middle School.
The North Mesa Working Group – a committee of elected officials and staff representing LAPS and LAC – is seeking letters of interest to appoint up to three community members who will assist them in developing a property plan that includes:
- Understanding options for recurring revenue generation and housing, especially for workforce housing,
Rotary Students Garner 2020 Spirit Of The West Award!
Los Alamos Rotary Club students garner the 2020 Spirit of the West Award for their service to the community. Here students are volunteering their time for the ‘Meals Of Hope’ Rotary project in September during which they packaged more than 40,000 servings of rice and beans that was distributed to those in need by LA Cares in Los Alamos and The Food Depot in Santa Fe. Courtesy photo
Richard Ronquillo of Rich Welding, LLC of Mesilla, handcrafted the 2020 Spirit Of The West Award to mark a new year of the 12-year program, as good deeds soar through the community, some nominations were heralded on Dr. Martin Read More
Los Alamos Public Schools On 2-Hour Delay Due To Snow
LAPS News:
All remote classes are on a 2-hour delay and will begin at 10:30 a.m. today at Los Alamos Public Schools.
Afternoon classes for elementary students in the green cohort will be held as scheduled.
In-person morning classes for students in PreK, ILP and IELP are canceled.
Contact your school principal with any questions.
Read More
UNM-Los Alamos On 2-Hour Delay Due To Snowy Weather
UNM-LA News:
UNM-Los Alamos is on a 2-hour delay due to snowy weather conditions.
All activities scheduled before 10 a.m. are canceled. Read More
Chapter BC. P.E.O. Donates Compassion; Fruit To LA Cares
Los Alamos Chapter BC, P.E.O. officers Sue Bombardt, Beth Riker and Diana Little present fruit to LA Cares. P.E.O. International promotes post-high school education for women through grants and scholarships. Linda Burns has served for 23 years as secretary of LA Cares, the food pantry for needy residents of Los Alamos County. Burns also is a Los Alamos Living Treasure and an active member of Chapter BC. Years ago, this P.E.O. chapter made the compassionate decision not to exchange holiday gifts, but rather to contribute to LA Cares. Annually, chapter members brought bags of non-perishable Read More
New Mexico Families, Educators Find The Positive In Education By Celebrating National School Choice Week
NSCW News:
SANTA FE — In the midst of a school year like no other, New Mexico families and educators are gearing up to safely spotlight education options during National School Choice Week 2021.
New Mexicans are hosting 196 virtual or at-home celebrations during the Week.
Taking place annually since 2011, School Choice Week is America’s largest celebration of educational choice.
While typically the Week is packed with large, in-person events, school choice advocates have adapted to this year’s health and safety protocols, opting for drive through scavenger hunts, virtual information Read More
On The Job: ‘Challenge: Tomorrow’ Traveling Trailer Team
On the job Thursday are members of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s ‘Challenge: Tomorrow’ Traveling Trailer Team from the Bradbury Science Museum. The team gathered in a local driveway to mock up the layout of their trailers. From left, Stacy Baker, Jonathan Creel, Jennifer Cline and BSM Director Linda Deck. They are developing two trailers in which to travel to festivals, STEM events and schools and universities around New Mexico. The trailers will carry experiential components that Lab staff will use to help people understand what LANL scientists are working on to make a better tomorrow. Read More
Governor’s ‘Moonshot’ Remains Key Priority As Education Makes Up Almost Half Executive Budget Recommendation
Public Education Secretary Ryan Stewart
STATE News:
SANTA FE — Nearly half of state spending proposed in this week’s Executive Budget Recommendation would go to education, a clear sign that Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s education “moonshot” remains a key priority amid this year’s economic and health crises.
The proposed fiscal year 2022 budget, released Monday by the Department of Finance and Administration, recommends spending $3.3 billion of the $7.3 billion recurring general fund total on public education.
That is a 4 percent increase from FY21 as the state moves aggressively to meet Read More
PED: 10 New Mexico Public Schools On COVID-19 Watchlist
PED News:
SANTA FE – Ten New Mexico public school buildings appeared on the COVID-19 Watchlist in the week ending today, Jan. 15, signifying they had at least two Rapid Responses within a 14-day period.
Schools On COVID-19 Watchlist:
ALBUQUERQUE:
- James Monroe Middle
AZTEC
- Aztec Maintenance
BAYARD
- Cobre High
FRUITLAND
Ojo Amarillo Elementary
HOBBS
- College Lane Elementary
LAS CRUCES
- Las Cruces Public Schools physical plant
LOS ALAMOS
- Los Alamos High
MONTEZUMA
- United World College-USA
ROSWELL
- Goddard High School
- Roswell High School
During that same period, no schools were placed on the Read More
Highlights From First School Board Meeting Of 2021
Newly elected School Board President Melanie Colgan
LAPS News:
The Los Alamos School Board gathered virtually Tuesday evening for its first meeting of the new year Tuesday.
The first order of business at the meeting was to elect board members into officer positions.
After reviewing roles and responsibilities and considering those interested in serving as an officer the board casts its votes.
The following positions were filled:
- Board President Melanie Colgan;
- Board Vice President Ellen Ben-Naim; and
- Board Secretary, Dawn Jalbert.
“I am honored and humbled to have been elected president Read More
First Round Of Vaccines For LAPS Staff Begins Monday
A survey of LAPS employees indicates that 93 percent of staff want to be vaccinated. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
The first round of COVID-19 vaccinations for Los Alamos Public Schools staff begins Monday, Jan. 18.
Staff over age 50 who are working directly with students and are in close contact with students are eligible to be vaccinated in this first round. This includes, for example, elementary staff, middle and high school special education staff, bus drivers running routes, elementary school custodians and secondary coaches.
Just in case there is a reaction to the Pfizer vaccine, EMTs and Read More
LAHS Senior Named To All-National Concert Band
LAHS Senior Griffin Light is the only student selected to perform in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2020 All-National Concert Band Honor Ensemble. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos High School Senior Griffin Light has been selected as a Flute 1 in the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) 2020 All-National Concert Band Honor Ensemble.
Light is the only student selection from New Mexico.
“I’m ecstatic at having been selected, and although there have been moments where I’ve doubted myself and even occasionally considered the possibility that this was Read More
County Library Conversations Series Starts Jan. 21
Mesa Public Library in downtown Los Alamos. Courtesy/LAC
LIBRARY News:
Mindfulness and meditation, public health in Northern New Mexico, crafting during COVID and times of crisis, author Ginger Gaffney reading from her book Half Broke, and the film Coded Bias are the upcoming offerings in Library Conversations at Los Alamos County Library System.
All events are 7 p.m. every other Thursday Jan. 21 through March 18 via zoom HERE:
- Jan. 21: Welcoming a Mindful Future, with Taos area educator Anne-Marie Emanuelli;
- Feb. 4: Their Heart Is To Serve; Compassionate Conversations about Public Health
Century Bank Joins Fun Of Backcountry Film Festival
Century Bank’s Tim Branch hands a Backcountry Film Festival sponsorship to PEEC Executive Director Katie Bruell. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
Century Bank is again sponsoring the Pajarito Environmental Education Center’s (PEEC) showing of the Backcountry Film Festival from the Winter Wildlands Alliance.
The screening is 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, with the streaming link live for 72 hours for ticket-holders.
And exciting news just in! Thanks to Century Bank, ticket holders will receive one free drink from the Pajarito Brewpub and Grill plus a discount code for 15 percent off their food and drink Read More
Los Alamos School Board Elects Melanie Colgan President
Melanie Colgan Screen shot/ladailypost.com
LAPS News:
Melanie Colgan was chosen as the new president of the Los Alamos School Board at the Jan.12 Regular School Board Meeting.
Outgoing President Ellen Ben-Naim passed the virtual gavel to Colgan during the meeting.
Ben-Naim was elected vice president. Dawn Jalbert will retain her position as board secretary. Read More
JJAB Meets Virtually Wednesday Jan. 20
JJAB News:
The next meeting of Los Alamos JJAB is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20.
The meeting will be held via video and the meeting agenda is available at www.losalamosjjab.com.
The public is welcome. For additional information, contact JJAB at info@losalamosjjab.com or 505.709.8125.
Read More
Los Alamos Head Golf Professional Michael Phillips Garners 2021 Top 50 Kids Coach Award For Third Straight Year
Head Golf Professional Michael Phillips demonstrates the proper putting grip to Matthew Slowik, left, and Gabe Mamula during a lesson last July on the practice putting green at Los Alamos County Golf Course. 2021 marks Phillips’ third year in a row winning the Top 50 Kids Coach Award. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
COUNTY News:
Los Alamos Community Services Department congratulates Head Golf Professional Michael Phillips for once again being named as a Masters Kid Coach – 2021 marks the third year in a row that he has won the Top 50 Kids Coach Award.
“I have been fortunate to work with Michael Read More
Fatal Attraction: Bats With White-Nose Syndrome Prefer Suboptimal Habitats Despite Consequences
Bats with white-nose syndrome roosting in the warmest sites have been hit particularly hard, according to a new study by researchers at Virginia Tech. Courtesy/Virginia Tech
A research team uses a swab to measure the fungal loads on each individual bat and a laser thermometer to measure the roosting temperature of the rocks next to each bat. Courtesy//Virginia Tech
By KENDALL DANIELS
Virginia Tech
Since 2006, a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome has caused sharp declines in bat populations across the eastern United States.
The fungus that causes the disease, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, Read More
Los Alamos High School Senior Named Top Scholar
Karin Ebey
LAPS News:
Karin Ebey, a senior at Los Alamos High School, has been named one of the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2021, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.
“I am really excited to be named one of the top 300 finalists,” Ebey said.
Her project title is Climate Change on Crocodilians: Modeling the Effects of Variations in Rainfall on Crocodilians and Their Ecosystems. On Jan. 21, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists and compete for more than $1.8 million in awards Read More
Report Reveals New Mexico Lottery And Opportunity Scholarships Could Support Thousands More Students
A recent report reveals that 15,770 students received tuition and fee assistance since 2019. Courtesy/NMHED
NMHED News:
SANTA FE – A report published by the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) on the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship and preliminary data for the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship reveal that 15,770 students received tuition and fee assistance via these state-funded programs since Fall 2019.
“The demonstrated success of the Lottery Scholarship shows that state aid programs are effective in helping students attain a postsecondary degree,” Acting Higher Education Read More
