Committee Finds State School Report Card System Deeply Flawed
LANL statistician Dr. Dave Higndon reports to the Los Alamos School Board on the findings of the School Report Card Committee, which he chaired. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comDr. Dave Higndon, chair of a Los Alamos School District committee that spent months studying the New Mexico School Report Card grading system, gave the committee’s report at Tuesday’s School Board Meeting.
Higndon is a statistician at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The committee included a number of other technical professionals.
Gov. Susana Martinez Read More
Listening Post To Help LAHS Students Cope With Testing Stress
LAPS News:
The Hilltoppers will attempt to add the fine art of listening to their repertoire with the addition of The Listening Post, slated to begin in March at Los Alamos High School
The Listening Post idea is to offer students a place to stop by for a snack or a piece of advice throughout the testing period timeframe.
“Our plan is to have helpers available with snacks, suggestions on how to get a good night of sleep or ways to de-stress before the test,” said Los Alamos Public Schools Prevention Specialist Bernadette Lauritzen. “We hope to have donations of healthy pre-packaged items that we can Read More
Letter to the Editor: The School Board Has Blundered
By ANN REVELLEThe School Board has blundered. This is a poor way to run a school district.
If the School Board wants to see changes and a smooth transition to a new superintendent then they need to make a one-year agreement with Dr. Schmidt and initiate a broad search for a new superintendent with a year to plan the transition.
If in this confusion they can not do that then they need to bring back someone formerly on the admin team to serve as an interim superintendent while they do a careful search for a new superintendent.
Dr. Schmidt has been a good leader for the Los Alamos Public Schools. Read More
Student Performances Celebrate Music in the Schools Month
Cruella corrects her minions, Jasper and Horace, in a scene from Atomic City Children’s Theater’s production of ‘101 Dalmations’ during a performance at Tuesday’s school board meeting. More than 600 Los Alamos students have participated in the school theater program since it was founded, program director Daren Savage said. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
Members of the Atomic City Children’s Theater cast of ‘Aladdin’ perform at the Los Alamos School Board Meeting Tuesday. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comNew Mexico Teacher of the Year Carolyn Torres of Los Alamos Showered With Gifts
New Mexico Teacher of the Year Carolyn Torres, left, was honored by the Los Alamos School Board Tuesday. Chamisa Principal Debbie Smith presented Torres with flowers and gifts and expressed her pride in Torres who teaches third grade at Chamisa. ‘Teach with passion and share your expertise. It makes a difference,’ Torres said. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
Buddy Espinosa of Beaver Toyota presented Carolyn Torres with keys to a 2014 Toyota at Tuesday’s School Board Meeting. The company is giving Torres a 24-month lease on the vehicle to honor LAHS; LAMS State Science Bowl Winners Honored
Members of the Los Alamos High School and Los Alamos Middle School Science Bowl teams and their advisors, Naomi Unger (LAMS), left, and Kathy Boerigter (LAHS), were honored at Tuesday’s School Board Meeting, for their first place wins in the N.M. Science Bowl competitions. The teams will travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the nationals. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comLetter to the Editor: School Board Urged To Extend Superintendent’s Contract
By RICHARD HANNEMANNI find the circumstances of the resignation of Dr. Schmidt and comment by the LAPS Board members to be disconcerting.
Dr. Schmidt has guided LAPS through rather stormy seas these past five years with astute understanding, skill, and reasoned balance — surely qualities of leadership that have been, are, and remain essential.
Beyond this, he has been a “hands on” and participatory superintendent — he doesn’t simply sit in his office giving direction, he is in the schools with the teachers and, most importantly, the kids. How many Read More
State Entomologist Discusses Saltceder Beetle Control
Saltceder beetle. Courtesy/PEEC
State Entomologist Carol A. Sutherland
PEEC News:
Have you ever heard of the saltceder plant and the saltceder beetle? The fascinating history of these unique species, the beetle’s introduction into the U.S. and its eventual migration into New Mexico are the subject of an upcoming presentation.
Dr. Carol A. Sutherland, an extension entomologist at New Mexico State University and state entomologist for the N.M. Department of Agriculture, will give the presentation at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 at the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC). Read More
Letter to the Editor: Comment on Recent News Reports
Comment on Recent News Reports
The following comments represent my opinion, as the president of the Los Alamos School Board, and are not an official statement of the Los Alamos Public School Board (the Board).
It is important to emphasize two important points in light of recent news reports. First, the LAPS Board does not vote nor does it take any action in executive session. All votes are in open session and on items on the agenda. There has not been any vote on Dr. Schmidt’s contract. Any reports of individual Board member support or opposition on ANY LAPS subject Read More
School Board Divided 3-2 To Retain Superintendent
Superintendent Dr. Gene SchmidtThe Los Alamos School Board is divided 3-2 to retain Superintendent Dr. Gene Schmidt. Board Vice President Judy Bjarke-McKenzie, Secretary Matthew Williams and member Kevin Honnell do not favor extending Schmidt’s contract for another year.
The School Board convened its fourth and final closed door session Thursday, Feb. 27 in the Chamisa Elementary conference room to discuss the evaluation of Schmidt. Monday, Schmidt announced his intent to resign effective June 30.
School Board President Jim Hall Read More
DECA Competition Win and New Job Fuel Kaylen Pocaterra’s Interest in Business Career
Kaylen Pocaterra shows off her DECA Competition medals outside the State Farm office of Abe Dispennette, where she recently began working part time. Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.comThis year, Los Alamos High School Junior Kaylen Pocaterra discovered a new passion when she enrolled in a marketing class and joined DECA. DECA is an organization for high school and college students, that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the Read More
Take PEEC Trip to Area Known for Cretaceous Age Shark Teeth
Rachel Bowman shows off Cretaceous Period shark teeth she found on the last PEEC trip to Shark’s Tooth Ridge. Courtesy/PEEC
PEEC News:
The last time the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) offered a trip led by local geologist Patrick Rowe to Shark’s Tooth Ridge, the trip filled up with a waiting list.
Rowe is an active member of the Los Alamos Geological Society. He regularly leads field trips for the Society and for PEEC.
Back by popular demand, PEEC is again offering the trip to this aptly-named site near Cabezon, where participants of all ages can expect to find samples of Read More
LAHS National History Day Competitors Head to State
LAHS National History Day award winners from left, Dallin Stokes, Anne Scripsick, Devon Conradson, James O’Brien, Breanna Sehorn, Eric Paige, Alex Csanadi, Sopahn Kellogg, Hongjoo Kim, Katie Delgado, Kim Pestovich, Sarah Criscuolo, Kaylen Pocaterra, Grace Kim, Elise Koskelo and Alex Chavarria. Courtesy photoLAHS News:
Los Alamos High School students competed in the Regional Finals of National History Day (NHD) in Farmington Friday. The students placed first, second or third in their categories. Now they advance to the State Finals April 25 in Albuquerque.
The NHD theme this Read More
Reading Across America at Chamisa With Superintendent and School Board Members
LAPS Superintendent Dr. Gene Schmidt and his wife Wendy Schmidt read to students today at Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock as Dr. Seuss characters Thing One and Thing Two. Second grade teacher Megan Lee looks on at right. Courtesy photo
LAPS Board President Jim Hall reading to students at Chamisa today. Courtesy photo
Board President Jim Hall becomes The Lorax while reading to students at Chamisa today. Courtesy photo
LAPS School Board Vice President Judy Bjarke-McKenzie reads to students at Chamisa Elementary School today. Courtesy photo Read More
Answers Sought For Superintendent’s Resignation
Questions linger as to why LAPS Superintendent Gene Schmidt announced his retirement following Thursday’s closed door school board meeting. From left, School Board Vice President Judy Bjarke-McKenzie, President Jim Hall, Secretary Matthew Williams and board members Kevin Honnell and David Foster. Courtesy/LAPS
This morning’s news of the resignation of Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Gene Schmidt has sent shockwaves through the community. In his letter, Schmidt provided no reason for his sudden resignation. Read More
Breaking News: LAPS Superintendent Resigns!
BREAKING News:
The Los Alamos Daily Post just received a letter from Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent Gene Schmidt announcing his resignation.
See Schmidt’s letter below and check back at ladailypost.com for more on this developing story.
NJROTC Hosts Pasta Fundraiser March 13
Courtesy photo
NJROTC News:
The Los Alamos High School NJROTC Unit will host a pasta fundraising dinner 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Canyon Road.
The $10 ticket includes pasta, bread, salad, dessert and a drink. The cadets will be making and serving the meal and tickets are available at the door. Read More
Hawk Hangout Brings Breakfast to LAMS
LAMS News:
Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS), with the help of Summit Foods, will be in the breakfast business during of the month of March.
LAMS Principal Rex Kilburn worked with students to create the Hawk Hangout, which will hold an inaugural event at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 6 in the cafeteria, and if successful, will continue Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month. Hawk Hangout also will feature music and hands on opportunities for youth to start their day on a creative note.
Students will have the opportunity to assist in a variety of youth development projects and win prizes later in Read More
Mandatory Meeting for Students Going to Washington, D.C. Over Spring Break
Los Alamos Middle School students visiting Washington, D.C. over spring break in 2013. Courtesy photo
D.C. TRIP News:
There will be a mandatory meeting at 3 p.m. Friday, March 7 in the Los Alamos Middle School Media Center for students going on the anual Washington, D.C. trip over spring break.
Students may still sign up for this educational trip to the nation’s capitol. The trip is open to all LAMS 8th grade and home school students.
Contact Roberta Cocking at 505.670.0679 with questions or for more information about the trip. Read More
Save the Date – Junior Achievement New Mexico Business Hall of Fame Laureates
