Education - Los Alamos Daily Post

Don Taylor Photographs LAHS Class Of 2020

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 4, 2019

Los Alamos photographer Don Taylor takes a photograph of the Los Alamos High School Class of 2020 gathered Wednesday morning on Sullivan Field. The is the 10th consecutive year that Taylor has donated his time and talent to provide a special photograph to the senior class for their yearbook. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com Read More

Letter To The Editor: Bernstein Addresses Voters

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 3, 2019

By CHRISTINE BERNSTEIN

Dist. 3 School Board Candidate (Aspen)

Only a few more days left until the election!

I have had a great time walking around town and talking to people! I have learned so much about our town and the people in it. It has been a pleasure speaking with so many of you.

I have been invited into homes, sat with people, been given pears and other items. This is one kind and generous place.

I am still walking and knocking, but if I have not made it to your door, please feel free to let me know and I will stop by and introduce myself!

I can be reached at electchrisbernstien@gmail.com or at Read More

LAPS Going Green With LED Lights

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 2, 2019

Courtesy/LAPS

Courtesy/LAPS

LAPS News:

In a continued effort to introduce environmentally conscious practices, the Los Alamos Public Schools purposefully replace all fluorescent light bulbs with LED lights.

LED bulbs are considered “green” because they are more energy efficient and have a longer life than typical fluorescent bulbs, which makes them cost-efficient in the long run.

The lights in Aspen Elementary’s gym were the first to be replaced. There has also been complete exterior retrofitting to LED at Los Alamos Middle School, Mesa Complex

NMMSH: Free Science Saturday Program Nov. 9

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 2, 2019

NMMSH News:

ALAMOGORDO ― Bring your magnifying glasses, flashlights, and even sunglasses to Trip the Light Fantastic—literally—at Science Saturday at 10 a.m., Nov. 9 in the Tombaugh Education Building at the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

“Our Education Department can’t wait to show off their new optics bench for Science Saturday. Attendees will get to play with the basics of light, cameras, and projectors,” Museum Director Chris Orwoll said. The optics bench, a donation from Explora! in Albuquerque, will be set up in the front classroom of the Tombaugh Building

Madeline Williamson Named Teacher Of The Year

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 2, 2019

Los Alamos piano teacher Madeline J. Williamson named 2019 Teacher of the Year. Courtesy photo

MUSIC News:

Madeline J. Williamson, Los Alamos piano teacher, has been named the 2019 Teacher of the Year by the Professional Music Teachers of New Mexico (PTMNM).

She will receive the award at the organization’s state conference Nov. 8, during the banquet to be held at The Marriott Albuquerque, 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE starting at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Williamson is an outstanding piano teacher, an active member of the Los Alamos Piano Teachers (LAMT), of the Music Teachers National Association

SFCC Receives $3 Million Five-Year Grant

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on November 1, 2019

SFCC News:

SANTA FE ― Santa Fe Community College announces that it is one of 43 institutions across the country to receive a $3 million five-year, U.S. Department of Education Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program (DHSI) grant.

SFCC’s Title V DHSI Project, Minority Academic Pathways to Success (MAPS), seeks to build systemic institutional capacity to implement the Guided Pathways model – a transformational approach that removes barriers Hispanic and low-income students face in achieving post-secondary success.

Project objectives include

Aspen Elementary School Serves Up Something New: Zero Waste Lunches

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

From left, Aspen Elementary School Cafeteria Manager Patrick Jaramillo, Principal Michele Altherr and Director of Dining Services for Chartwell K12 Laurence Peña stand in front of the many thank you letters students have written in appreciation of Aspen’s zero waste lunch program. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

BY KIRSTEN LASKEY

Los Alamos Daily Post

kirsten@ladailypost.com

Students in Los Alamos Public Schools’ Eco Clubs came up with a great idea last year; to institute a zero-waste school lunch program.

The idea gathered more momentum to be implemented Read More

Scenes From LAPS Leaders Breakfast Thursday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

Los Alamos National Laboratory Director Thom Mason, left, and Los Alamos Fire Chief Troy Hughes were among those attending the Leaders Breakfast hosted by Los Alamos Public Schools this morning at UNM-Los Alamos. The event updated community leaders on the most recent developments at LAPS and solicited input from the guests on how to reach the District’s goals. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com

Community leaders divided into small groups to discuss three questions posed by LAPS staff: How can we foster civility in our schools and our community? How can we best address

New Mexico English Learners, Students With Disabilities Gain Ground

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

NMPED News:

SANTA FE ― New Mexico students learning English and those with disabilities showed improvement in an otherwise flat report card issued Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Education.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the nation’s report card, was based on tests administered between January and March. Overall, New Mexico’s 2019 data show little variation from the previous NAEP assessment data from 2017.

2019 results show that:

24 percent of 4th graders scored proficient or above in reading
24 percent of 8th graders scored proficient

Northern NM Kids Count Conference Nov. 5

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

NMVC News:

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Voices for Children’s 2nd annual Northern New Mexico Kids Count Conference is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Santa Fe Community College.

Tickets are $35 via https://www.nmvoices.org/kcc and include continental breakfast and buffet lunch

This year’s theme is Childhood Well-Being in Northern New Mexico: Trauma & Resilience – From Symptoms to Systems Change.

Local speakers will include CYFD Secretary Brian Blalock. The keynote will be given by Dr. Marilyn Bruguier Zimmerman, who is the co-principal investigator

Xi Nu Chapter Hosts 32nd Annual Craft Fair Saturday

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

This quilt created by Xi Nu lifetime member and professional quilter Alice Garcia will be raffled at the craft fair Saturday at Crossroads Bible Church. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

The Xi Nu Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will host its 32nd annual craft fair this weekend.

Four of the local Beta Sigma Phi chapters will be represented at the event, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Crossroads Bible Church, 97 East Road.

The event includes more than 35 vendors with their wares on display. There are new and returning vendors with art and crafters displaying jewelry, quilts, sewing, woodworking items, Read More

UNM-Los Alamos Advisory Board Meeting Nov. 4

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

UNM-LA News:

The UNM-Los Alamos Advisory Board meets 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in the Lecture Hall in Building 2 on the campus of UNM-Los Alamos, 4000 University Dr.

Agenda items include annual approval of the UNM-Los Alamos By-Laws; a report on Academic Program Initiatives and administrative reports on ongoing UNM-LA operations.

The meeting is open to the public.

Letter To The Editor: Morris Pongratz Would Be Wonderful Addition To School Board

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 31, 2019

Miriam Wallstrom and Sydne Ashford attend the Espanola Foster Children’s Christmas party, a Key Club event sponsored by Kiwanis. Courtesy photo

By MIRIAM WALLSTROM

Los Alamos

Morrie Pongratz would be a wonderful addition to the Los Alamos School Board. I was honored to have the opportunity to work with Morrie for four years during my time in the Los Alamos High School Key Club.

As a timid first-year member, I felt more welcome in the club after interacting with Morrie’s warm and spirited personality. Each meeting, I noticed him in the back of the room, taking scrupulous notes and Read More

LAHS Key Club Celebrates 70 Years

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

Los Alamos High School Key Club Oct. 24 celebrating the 70th anniversary of the club’s founding, from left, Dimitri Lopez, Andrew Watson, Audrey Nolen, Victoria Nisoli, Isaac Ronning, Shena Han and Noah Lyons. Photo by Don Casperson

By VICTORIA NISOLI

LAHS Key Club President

On Oct. 24, the Los Alamos High School Key Club celebrated the 70th anniversary of the club’s founding.

The members gathered together to eat cake and share the impact the club has on their lives:

“To me, Key Club means being part of an amazing whole whose benevolence improves not only the community, but the nation as Read More

Letter To The Editor: Janecky Endorses Baker

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

By LOUISE A. JANECKY (LOUI)

Los Alamos

District 4 Voters,

I am writing this letter to ask that you first and foremost vote in the current election.

I am also writing to ask that you support Julia Baker for our LAPS District School board seat. She is the candidate most able to serve you well.

I held this seat and served as your school board member (secretary, vice president and president) in the past. I know how much work it takes to be an effective school board member. School board members attend multiple meetings a month (not just school board meetings and work sessions, but they also attend joint meetings

Letter To The Editor: Hargraves Endorses Bernstein

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

By BILL HARGRAVES

School Board Member

Los Alamos Public Schools

I am a member of the LAPS School Board and I endorse Christine Bernstein for the LAPS School Board (District 3 Aspen).

Christine has been an active, in-the-classroom teacher for over 20 years, including several years in Los Alamos Public Schools, giving her an expertise in areas that distinguish her from her opponent. If elected, Christine would be the only Board member also actively teaching students.

As a teacher, she has the knowledge and the skills to work effectively with other Board members, lead committees, and make real

Los Alamos Branch Of AAUW Meets Nov. 7

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 30, 2019

AAUW News:

The Los Alamos Branch of the American Association of University Women is having its fall meeting 7:15-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at White Rock Branch Library on Longview Drive and N.M. 4.

New Mexico Commissioner for Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard will present a talk on the challenges and opportunities she faces as land commissioner.

The meeting is open to the public.

LAHS Students Trick Or Treat For A Cause!

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 29, 2019

By EMILY HOLMES

LAHS Student

This Halloween, Los Alamos High School students are Trick or Treating for a cause!

We need help from our local community to make it a success. Instead of asking for candy, many Toppers will be asking for canned and non-perishable goods that will be donated to LA Cares. Participating high schoolers will simply ask for donations.

If your family would like to participate but will be out trick-or-treating with family or friends, please leave your donations by the front door with a note attached.

Toppers are excited to kick-off November as our Month of Giving by helping Read More

Bradbury Science Museum Volunteer Information Session: 2020 STEM Education Docent Program Nov. 14

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 29, 2019

BSM News:

The Bradbury Science Museum (BSM) is partnering with the Bradbury Science Museum Association (BSMA) to recruit volunteers for its 2020 STEM Education Docent program.

People with a passion for science or education, who enjoy working with school-aged children and adolescents and can pass a background check, may find the docent program a great fit.

Come to an information session at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Bradbury Science Museum, 1350 Main St. in Los Alamos.

Docents will get training to work with students in grades 4-12, learn science content and facilitation techniques Read More

Scenes From Hilltoppers Marching Band Performance

Submitted by Carol A. Clark on October 29, 2019

The Los Alamos Hilltoppers Marching Band performing to the delight of fans in attendance of the football game played Friday night at Sullivan Field. The 100+ member band is under the direction of Zane Meek. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com