Laura Loy

The Los Alamos High School classes of 1969 and 1979 will be holding their reunions in Los Alamos during homecoming weekend, September 20-22, 2019. Alumni from both classes are encouraged to attend and catch up with friends and classmates. Additionally, the LAHS class of 1989 is issuing a friendly challenge to their fellow classes to help raise money for the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation (LAPSF).

The Class of 1989 held its 30^th reunion in early August 2019 and completed a successful fundraising campaign for the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation. The class raised more than $10,000, which will be invested back into the local schools to help make the best possible educational experience for students here in Los Alamos. See the results at lapsfoundation.com/classof1989/. Dave Lyons and Stephanie Archuleta of the Class of 1989, and both board members of LAPSF, had challenged their classmates to “give back to the schools that gave you your start.”

Lyons said, “Thank you again to the Class of 1989 who responded tremendously to the challenge, and whose generosity will help further improve the quality of education in Los Alamos. Stephanie and I are hoping to make this a Los Alamos tradition for all classes that come home for their reunions.”

Archuleta added, “I think this is a fun way to create some friendly competition amongst the classes, and to have it all benefit the local schools at the same time. I think we all recognize that the Los Alamos schools played a huge role in shaping who we became.”

The LAPS Foundation has created web pages for the classes of 1969 and 1979 so alumni can make their donations to their class and join in the competition. For the Class of 1969, alumni can make donations at lapsfoundation.com/classof1969/. For additional questions on the Class of 1969 reunion, please visit their Facebook page at LAHS ’69 50 Year Class Reunion or email them at  LAHSreunion69@gmail.com.

For the Class of 1979, alumni can make donations at lapsfoundation.com/classof1979/. For additional questions on the class of 1979 reunion, please visit the reunion web page at lahsclassof79.com or email them at lahsclassof79@gmail.com.

Lyons and Archuleta noted, “Reunions are great for catching up with classmates, friends and teachers, and this is a way for everyone to participate, whether they can attend in person or not. We had several folks unable to attend, but who could participate from afar by joining in the fundraising challenge. Thanks to both classes of 1969 and 1979 for joining the competition.”

Fall grants are now open, and over $21,000 is available! Applications for the following grants will be accepted through September 30: Great Ideas, Professional Development and Professional Book Group. Mini grants ($100 each) applications will be accepted until the $1,500 budgeted for the fall has been allocated. The above grants are open to certified LAPS teachers.

New this year – Staff Wellness Grants ($100 each)! Any LAPS employee may apply, and up to 5 individuals may collaborate to request a combined $500 for one project. Applications will be accepted until the $2,000 budgeted for the fall has been allocated.

Learn more and apply for a grant today!

Grant Workshops will be held on Thursday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 17, 4-5pm in the School Board Room. This is a great way to learn what makes a successful grant application. Bring your laptop if you wish to start working on the application.

Once again we have teamed up with Pig + Fig Café to present our signature fundraising event, Taste of Knowledge. It will be held Sunday, August 25 at the Pig + Fig Café in White Rock. This year there will be two events: “An Afternoon in Provence” from 2:00 to 4:00pm, and “An Evening in Paris” from 6:00 to 8:00pm. Tickets are $60 and $95, respectively. To purchase tickets, visit www.tok.givesmart.com.

For “An Afternoon in Provence,” be transported to the beautiful French countryside for an afternoon of delectable food and wine. Attendees can stroll between five stations, each featuring a French dish expertly paired with a French wine. The stations include:
First Station
“Salade Nicoise”
butter lettuce, albacore tuna, olives, eggs, haricot vert, mustard vinaigrette
2017 Chateau Trinquevedel Tavel Rose

Second Station
“Ratatouille”
grilled farmer’s market vegetables, baguette slices, extra virgin olive oil
2015 Domaine de Fontsainte Corbieres Rouge
“Reserve la Demoiselle”

Third Station
Chicken breast braised in tomatoes, garlic, rosemary and olives with sauteed gnocchi
2018 Domaine du Salvant Cheverny Blanc

Fourth Station
Triple creme brie, fresh figs and lavender honey
2016 Chateau Haut Mayne Sauternes

Fifth Station
Mignardises of citron tartlets, petite Rocher truffles and fruit gelees
Bottex Bugey-Cerdon “La Cueille” Sparkling Wine, NV

For “An Evening in Paris,” feel like you are dining in the most romantic city in the world without having to show your passport. The seated five course wine dinner will feature:
Reception Wine
2017 Chateau Trinquevedel Tavel Rose

First Plate
Salad of lobster, asparagus, avocado + baby endive; honey-caviar vinaigrette
2018 Domaine du Salvant Cheverny Blanc

Second Plate
Bisque of artichoke, golden potatoes and black truffles
2017 Chateau Graville-Lacoste Graves Blanc

Third Plate
Steak au poivre – peppercorn crusted filet, haricot vert, potatoes dauphinoise
2017 Charles Joguet Chinon “Cuvée Terroir”

Fourth Plate
Delice de Bourgogne, red fruit compote, brioche toast
2017 Jean Foillard Beaujolais-Villages

Fifth Plate
Assorted petit fours of strawberry, almond, chocolate, caramel, raspberry and mocha
2016 Chateau Haut Mayne Sauternes

Taste of Knowledge is a fundraiser for the Los Alamos Public Schools. Proceeds will benefit teachers, staff, students and facilities. The events will include silent and live auctions, with many exciting prizes generously donated by local businesses.

Last year’s Taste of Knowledge raised $42,000, which enabled us to support 18 Great Ideas grants, 18 professional development and book group grants, and 17 mini grants. These grants spanned all schools in the district and impacted thousands of students. Some of the grants included: a timer for Science Bowl, books for elementary Reader’s Theater, a kit to build a blimp, continuation of a music sectionals program, and virtual reality headsets and software for an innovative new way of learning.

Get your tickets today!

Recently our executive director, Laura Loy, conducted an interview with Jessica Keller, LAHS class of 2004, to learn what she’s up to now.

LL: Tell us what you’ve been doing since graduating LAHS. Where are you now, and what are you doing?
JK: I’m living in Sacramento CA where I’m a lead line cook at a local restaurant called OneSpeed Pizza. My husband and I moved to Sacramento two years ago to experience something other than NM. His family is originally from this area, and we came out here wanting to be closer to the Bay Area. I like it here. I was in Berkeley yesterday! I started out on the culinary path at Santa Fe Community College where I got my culinary degree. After working at a few restaurants, my mentor and teacher from my culinary program, Michelle Chavez, told me about an opportunity in Albuquerque. That was The Supper Truck that Amy Black and I started from the ground up.  I ran it for about 3 years. It was a lot of cold, early mornings!

LL: How did your time at LAHS set you on your career path?
JK: I was a part of Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) for a short while and also took some of the Home Economics classes. I really fell in love with those classes. I mostly felt fortunate that they accepted and fostered the creative side of students. They want you to have a well-rounded education when you leave there.

LL: What’s one fond memory you have of your time at LAHS?
JK: I have all kinds of fond memories. In my freshman or sophomore year, we were studying medieval times and the Renaissance. My English and History teachers were dong collaborative projects. Some friends and I got together with our teachers to start a Renaissance fair. Of the students who participated, some chose art, others clothing, culture etc. I chose food of that time period (I laugh now when I look back!). We made dishes that represented that time period. We had our own Renaissance Fair in the gym. Another great memory was doing the Humanities project as a Junior. The class met every day, and we studied religions and cultures from around the world.

LL: What do you think of the new culinary arts facilities at LAHS?
JK: I have not seen them, but I’ve heard a little bit here and there. Some of my friends who still live in Los Alamos have told me about the new facilities.  The Pro Start program sounds wonderful. I found culinary a little later in life. I hopped into a really great job running my truck. I know that fostering a good kitchen environment – it makes me really excited. A lot of kids start from the ground up and it’s a hard life.

Jessica, present day, with her husband Lowry Nakamura

If you have a suggestion for our next featured alumni, please email us.

Several members of the community approached the LAPS Foundation about setting up a fund for a Larry Baca Memorial Scholarship, to honor their friend and colleague who had such a positive impact on so many in our community. The LAPS Foundation has established such a fund. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior of Los Alamos High School who has participated in track or cross-country.

If you wish to contribute to the scholarship fund, you may do so here.

Larry Baca was a renowned coach in Los Alamos for 30 years and member of the Los Alamos High School Hall of Fame and New Mexico Coaches Hall of Fame. Larry was a tremendous athlete at LAHS participating in baseball, basketball, wrestling, football and track. A role model to youth in our community, Larry’s humility, determination and sportsmanship enabled his track teams to achieve numerous district and state track titles.

Update: The deadline to submit a grant application has been extended to March 3, 2019!

Teachers, mark your calendars! The Spring, 2019 applications for Great Ideas, Professional Development and Professional Book Group grants will be accepted February 1 – March 3, 2019. Certified Los Alamos Public Schools teachers may apply. At least $15,000 is available in total for these grants this spring! Learn more about the grants and apply online.

Attend one of our Grant Workshops to learn what makes for a successful application, and then have a chance to start your application with help from our executive director and board members. There are 2 workshops. The content is the same for both. There is no need to RSVP, you can just show up. Bring your laptop if you wish to work on your application.
Thursday, February 7, 4-5pm in the School Board room
Tuesday, February 26, 4-5pm in the School Board room

This school year we have started offering mini grants! Ten grants (up to $100 each) are available each semester. These grants are intended to allow teachers to quickly implement new ideas in their classrooms. Certified Los Alamos Public Schools teachers may apply. Priority will be given to requests that fit within the LAPS Foundation’s strategic plan. Mini grant applications are now being accepted and there is no deadline to apply, but once the 10 have been allotted for the semester, no more will be available until the next semester. Learn more and apply for a mini grant.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions!

We’re several months into the new school year, and already the Foundation has been able to infuse more than $15,000 into Los Alamos Public Schools since August! We are just the vessel though; it’s our generous supporters like YOU who make it all possible. We have kicked off our annual year-end campaign with a goal of $35,000. Please consider a gift to this campaign, so that together we can continue making a tremendous difference in our schools and community! Donate now

Please join us at a special seminar/reception for our supporters on Thursday, December 6, 5:30-6:30pm in the School Board Room. LAPS Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus will brief us on the current school year, Executive Director Laura Loy will give an update on the Foundation’s impact in the schools, and then local CPA Tony Belletete will give a brief but informational presentation about about the impact of the 2018 tax law changes on charitable giving. Tony will also outline the benefits of the Qualified Charitable Deduction for those interested. Tony and local Edward Jones financial advisor Shelly Wiemann will be on hand after the presentation to answer individual questions.

Refreshments will be provided by Pig + Fig, and there will be time to mingle, enjoy, and allow us to once again say THANK YOU!

Feel free to bring a friend! There is no cost to attend, but please register yourself and your guests so we know you are coming.

In the fall of 2018, at the suggestion of a teacher, the LAPS Foundation began offering mini-grants to teachers. Each grant is up to $100, and teachers can receive a maximum of 1 mini-grant per school year. The Foundation has allocated $1,000 each in the fall and spring semesters to fund these requests, and so far the return on investment as been huge!

Grant Spotlight:
A new ELL teacher for the district was looking to purchase some books that reflected her students’ backgrounds, ethnicity and cultural experiences. Her rationale was that “when students can connect what they read to their own lives, they have more academic success, feel valued, and are more motivated to read. Currently I have students who have cultural connections to Puerto Rico, Mexico, Vietnam and Israel.” The Foundation was able to help her purchase a dozen books for this purpose.

Here is what one 1st grade student said about one of the books: “I liked the book because it was about a coqui and I have seen one. I liked that it is about Puerto Rico because that is where my grandma lives and where I was born. Can I take it home to read to my mom?”

Success!

In the fall of 2018, at the suggestion of a teacher, the LAPS Foundation began offering mini-grants to teachers. Each grant is up to $100, and teachers can receive a maximum of 1 mini-grant per school year. The Foundation has allocated $1,000 each in the fall and spring semesters to fund these requests, and so far the return on investment as been huge!

Grant Spotlight:
One teacher at Barranca Elementary School requested a mere $50 for LEGO bricks to be used with her students for STEM activities and sensory breaks. The Foundation awarded the grant, and the teacher was able to purchase and start using the LEGOs right away. Here is what she had to say about the first project: “Students had to build boats and then we tested them to see how well they did in water. Thanks again for approving my grant! I deeply appreciate it- the LEGOs will be such an asset to my classroom.”