Computer Science For All
Elementary students in Baltimore, Md with U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith. White House photo
President Obama with students at a recent ‘Hour of Code’ event. White House photo
By MEGAN SMITH
U.S. Chief Technology Officer
Growing up in Buffalo, New York, I was lucky to have teachers in my local public school who found creative and exciting ways to introduce me to all of the STEM (science, tech, engineering and math) disciplines. Hands-on experiences with innovative technology built my confidence and skills for the future and helped me understand that STEM, especially Read More
House Passes Bill To Improve Student Reading
STATE News:
SANTA FE – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Monica Youngblood to improve student reading passed the House of Representatives Friday evening by a bipartisan 35-27 vote.
The bill, HB 67, would provide early identification of struggling readers, make intensive reading intervention and instruction available to these students, and end the practice of promoting students who cannot demonstrate basic reading skills by the end of third grade.
“Advancing students through the system without giving them reading skills they need to succeed is setting them up for future failure,” Read More
Mountain Elementary Art Room Gets Makeover
Mountain was able to replace the sinks and counter top to create beautiful new work areas for the students to enjoy. Courtesy photo
Another view of the newly remoodeled art room at Mountain Elementary School. Courtesy photoLAPS News:
The Mountain Elementary School art room recently received a much needed update thanks to the Mountain PTA, the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation and the school district HB 33 Referendum funds.
“We are so thankful to the LAPS Foundation and the PTA for helping us with this project,” Principal Jennifer Guy said. “The new space turned Read More
Moon Was Produced By Head-on Collision Between Earth And A Forming Planet
Paul Warren, Edward Young (holding sample of a rock from the moon) and Issaku Kohl. Photo by Christelle Snow/UCLA
UCLA News:
- UCLA-led research reconstructs massive crash, which took place 4.5 billion years ago
The moon was formed by a violent, head-on collision between the early Earth and a “planetary embryo” called Theia approximately 100 million years after the Earth formed, UCLA geochemists and colleagues report.
Scientists had already known about this high-speed crash, which occurred almost 4.5 billion years ago, but many thought the Earth collided with Theia (pronounced THAY-eh) Read More
Aspen’s 5th-6th Grade Music Program Captures Crowd
Thursday’s 5th and 6th grade music program at Aspen Elementary School drew enthusiastic applause. The program, called The 70’s Show, culminated in the song YMCA … all the littles joined in … it was Epic! Courtesy photo Read More
Los Alamos Middle School WEB Crew Receives Fidel Gutierrez Lifetime Fund Award
Los Alamos Middle School Principal Mike Johnson and Assistant Principal Anna Vargas-Gutierrez pose with the 2015-2016 members of WEB Crew. The 8th grade leaders were one the recent recipients of the Fidel Gutierrez Lifetime Fund Award for their dedication as mentors to the 7th grade class and new students at LAMS. Photo by Bernadette Lauritzen
The Los Alamos Middle School WEB Crew program is only halfway through the school year and accomplishing some pretty great things as they return from winter break.
The program began in 2014 with the assistance of Los Read More
AFTNM On New Public Education Regulations
AFTNM News:
SANTA FE – American Federation of Teachers New Mexico President Stephanie Ly released the following statement:
“For years, AFT New Mexico has attempted, in good faith, to work with this Governor, Secretary Skandera, and the Public Education Department to curb some of its most egregious abuses of the regulatory process, especially when evaluating our educators in New Mexico.
“The Public Education Department’s NMTEACH system is riddled with flaws and errors, a fact the Secretary, her top staff, and the Department lawyers refused to acknowledge or remedy until the Read More
Los Alamos County Clerk And LAPS Superintendent Canvass 2016 Special Election Results
At the Municipal Building Friday, from left, LAPS Superintendent Dr. Kurt Steinhaus, Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover and Elections Manager Gloria Maestas. Courtesy/LAC
COUNTY News:
The Los Alamos County Clerk’s Office has completed the required canvass process to certify and finalize the 2016 Special Los Alamos Public Schools All Mail Election results.
The Canvass Board met at 3 p.m. Friday in the Municipal Building. The board consisted of LAPS Superintendent Dr. Kurt Steinhaus and County Clerk Sharon Stover.
During the canvass process, the board reviewed and verified Read More
Legislation Allowing Adjunct Teachers Passes House
STATE News:
SANTA FE – House Bill 145, a bill that would allow adjunct teachers, passed the House with bipartisan support on a 37-25 vote.
The bill would allow New Mexicans with at least a bachelor degree to teach part-time without having to go back to school and get a teaching degree. The proposal would help bring much-needed expertise back to the classroom and make it easier for dedicated professionals to invest in New Mexico students.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Conrad James.
“I’m encouraged that this bill passed with bipartisan support in the House,” James said. “I urge the Senate to pass this Read More
It’s Not Just About The Contest: Los Alamos XQ Super School Team Wants To Redesign Education
Members of the Los Alamos Team, Los Alamos High School Drama Teacher David Daniel and Mountain Elementary School Teacher Michele Altherr present the team’s work at a Jan. 20 meeting of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
Members of the JJAB Board learn about the XQ Super School project during the January meeting. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comXQ Super School is a movement started by Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Steve Jobs. The purpose is to create a vision of education in the Read More
LAPS Science Fair Results
From left, Senior Division – Overall Grand Award Winner, EliseAnne Koskelo; and Junior Division – Overall Grand Award Winner, Amaya Coblentz. Courtesy photo
Grand Award Winners, from left, Senior Division Life Sciences – Grand Award Winner (Team Project), Alex Ionkov and Priyanka Velappan; Senior Division Physical Sciences – Grand Award Winner, EliseAnne Koskelo; Junior Division Life Sciences – Grand Award Winner Eliza Evans; Junior Division and Physical Sciences – Grand Award Winner, Amaya Coblentz.Sleep Center Presentation To Topper Students Feb. 5
Dr. Michael Baten of the Christus St. Vincent Sleep Center will give a free presentation to Los Alamos High School students during lunch Friday, Feb. 5 in the Speech Theater. Direct questions to the LAPS Prevention Office at 505.663.3252. Courtesy photo Read More
Thirty Five Local Musicians Performing In Sunday’s Music Marathon At UNM-LA For Scholarships
UNM-LA News:
Thirty Five local musicians will perform at the 6th Annual Music Marathon 2-8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31 in the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos Student Center in Building 2.
The benefit concert will raise money for scholarships for students attending UNM-LA. Since the concert lasts six hours, the audience is welcome to come and go.
Music Marathon Schedule
2-3 p.m.
- Jamie Philp
- Bonnie Kiang
- Ted Vives
- Robin Gurule
- Richard Hanneman
3-4 p.m.
- Pajarito String Band – Ian Fleming, Mark Schraad, Evelyn Wohlbier, Lorelei Wohlbier, John Wohlbier
- QuartettoEnergico –
Williams: School Funding And Taxes
By MATT WILLIAMSAs vice president of the LAPS School Board I would like to present some of my very simple ideas about our taxes and how they fund our schools. If there are any errors in this writeup there are mine and mine alone, I also do not speak for the School Board. I hope the readers find this information useful.
I typically think of these taxes in three main categories:
- Operational;
- House Bill 33 (Referendum); and
- Capital Reinvestment.
There are other peripheral categories, but these are the main ones. Here is a general description of these three categories:
Operational: This is Read More
LAPS Elementary Schools Top Niche’s New Mexico School Ratings For 2016
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus congratulates students, parents, teachers, principals, staff and volunteers from all five elementary schools in Los Alamos for achieving top rakings by Niche.
Aspen Elementary School earned the distinction of highest ranked elementary school in New Mexico. Closely following Aspen was Barranca Mesa, Mountain, Chamisa and Pinon Elementary Schools earning rankings of 2nd through 5th place respectively.
What makes Niche rankings unique?
Niche believes that the quality of a school or district should be measured, Read More
Sea Monsters At Nature Center Saturday & Sunday
For more information, click National School Choice Week Raising Awareness
STATE News:The events in New Mexico, which are independently planned and independently funded, include everything from information sessions and open houses at schools to rallies, policy discussions, and movie screenings organized by community groups. On Thursday, Jan. 28, hundreds of supporters will rally for school choice at the capitol.
Café Scientifique Launching Two-Part Series About Mars
TSCN News:LAPS: Mental Health Design Team Community Presentations Feb. 1 & Feb. 3
LAPS News:
Los Alamos Public Schools’ Mental Health Design Team will be hosting two community presentations to engage the community in dialog around the Healthy School and Community Initiative.
The presentations will include an overview of the team’s work in the Fall of 2015 and short and long term recommendations for a path forward. The presentations and recommendations are intended to engage the schools and community in active collaboration around the issues of mental health and the impact on students and the community.
“A healthy community is not one without problems. Read More
Letter To The Editor: Thanks For Energetically Supporting Los Alamos Values
By JODY BENSONOut of about 11,080 mail-out ballots sent for the vote for/against the mill levy supporting the schools, more than half returned their ballot to pass the levy at more than two to one. Thank you!
Where else in America is there such an involved electorate? And beyond “involved electorate,” in supporting the mill levy, our voters understand that it is education that teaches us to value our own power in and responsibility to a democracy.
Thank you, voters. Yay. You know what your getting—technology upgrades, better ADA access, restroom and roof repairs… Oh, and remember
