The LAMS PTO recently purchased hand sanitizer for Los Alamos Middle School classrooms. Courtesy photo

By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN

When the Los Alamos Middle School PTO identifies a need in their school community, they try to help fill the gap. Whether the need is books for the library, new pads for the gym or teacher appreciation events, they lend a hand, the funds and most importantly the coordination to see it through.

“It’s amazing how much personal money our teachers and staff use to supply items that I feel either we, as an organization or parents, can and should help provide,” LAMS PTO President Kelly Benner said.

When many classrooms were without hand sanitizer, the PTO stepped up in an instant to supply an item that when in demand, can circumvent a great deal of issues.

“It is completely wonderful to know that I have a group a parents willing to help my staff and me with almost anything that we ask for help with,” Principal Rex Kilburn said. “It really is a good feeling.”

While the PTO may have rocked and rolled in the past, their new 501-c-3, non-profit status will help them accomplish even more in the future. Their annual “no sale,” fundraiser was designed to help individual classrooms with purchases that contribute to a well rounded learning environment. The fundraiser is underway and will continue for several weeks, as some families need a breather from back to school spending. Last year, the organization partnered with Casa Mesita and local Orthodontist, Dr. Devan Vest to raise more than $6,000 to cover the variety of expenses that arise throughout the year. The team meets with Kilburn monthly and has garnered the ability to address issues that arise on the fly.

Kilburn is rolling in good feelings as new programs take the school to new heights with a variety of experiences. Recently Los Alamos Middle School Hawktalkers Speech and Debate Team Coach Sherri Bublitz and her crew of communicators approached the Los Alamos School Board with a funding request, to travel to area tournaments. It appears that the efforts of her award winning crew did not go unnoticed by the board.

“I am very pleased that the school board decided to support our speech and debate teachers and students by providing funding that will allow them to compete in all of the scheduled competitions this year,” Kilburn said. “It really makes me feel good to know that such a new elective has become so popular and has such vast support from the parents and the school board.”