BY KURT STEINHAUS
Los Alamos Public Schools Superintendent

I am so proud of everyone at LAPS for the incredible ways that they have been preparing for Hybrid Learning and for exceptional community support. Thank you.   

I am also proud of our Los Alamos Online Learning Academy and Topper Virtual Academy staff for providing remote learning all year long.

In every school, we have completed trainings and posted signs about the three W’s:

1. Washing hands for more than 20 seconds and washing commonly touched surfaces
2. Watching your distance of 6′ or more
3. Wearing masks that fit snugly around the mouth

As part of welcoming students to the “first day of hybrid learning” on Monday Oct. 19, we reviewed safety measures from the CDC. A team of staff members are planning to be in front of our elementary schools greeting students and parents, checking for masks and other safety measures, and answering questions from parents.

We have secondary staff members who have volunteered to help with duties at the elementary sites. Yeah! Our full supply of PPE, includes: Virex spray and rags, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, face shields, adult and child masks, and gowns (for staff with special duties). 

Safety Walkthroughs

Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus and Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Guy, along with school principals and School Resource Officer Chris Ross completed safety walkthroughs at all five elementary sites Friday in anticipation of the Monday transition to hybrid learning.

On Thursday, a state team will be conducting a safety review, including PED and the State Fire Marshall.  

Safety Signs All Over at Every School

Outdoor Learning

Thanks to funding from the County Council, every Los Alamos and White Rock school will receive shade structure to encourage learning outside.

Preparing for Monday Oct. 19

What to do and what to bring to school Monday (GREEN) or Tuesday (GOLD):

• Students should bring:
  • a backpack with their name on it
  • a refillable water bottle
  • 1-2 masks
  • their charged Chromebook
  • all their school supplies
  • morning snack and a packed lunch, unless your children will be ordering the free Chartwells meals.
• Parents will perform a screening using the EAGLE INTELLIGENT HEALTH website or app before leaving for school. Per CDC guidance:
• The CDC does not currently recommend universal symptom screenings (screening all students grades K-12) be conducted by schools.
• Parents or caregivers should be strongly encouraged to monitor their children for signs of infectious illness every day.
• Students who are sick should not attend school in-person.

We have provided all parents with a Daily Home Screening Tool that can be used as a guide for home screening each morning prior to sending kids to school.  

Alternatively, the district has provided parents with access to the Eagle Intelligent Health app that can be used to guide parents through home screenings each morning if this is preferred.

We want to emphasize that children with symptoms should not be sent to school. If a child becomes symptomatic at school, they must be picked up quickly. We also want to assure you that your students will not be penalized for absences due to symptoms or illness! 

Thank you for reviewing this information and helping us to keep our students and staff healthy. We are excited to welcome children to school on Monday!