BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Los Alamos Public Schools Supt. Kurt Steinhaus announced mid-afternoon Friday that all students will be learning from home beginning Monday, Nov. 16.

Steinhaus said only selected staff will be present on LAPS campuses. He said he was to meet with principals at 3:30 p.m. and that information about schedules will be sent to families as soon as possible.

The school board voted Tuesday evening to return to remote learning effective Nov. 30, however, when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced early Friday afternoon that the state will be in shelter in place mode for two weeks effective Monday. The order did not include schools, but the governor said school districts could make their own decisions.

Steinhaus told the Los Alamos Reporter that said the decision to move to remote learning was made to keep students and staff as safe as possible. In an email to parents and families, he thanked them for their patience and understanding and noted that the district is much better prepared than it was in March for a quick transition to remote learning.

As of 12:15 p.m. Friday, LAPS was reporting 16 student COVID-19 cases and 4 staff cases as follows:

Students: Aspen Elementary 2, Barranca Elementary 1, Chamisa Elementary 1, Los Alamos Middle School 4, Los Alamos High School/Topper Freshman Academy 8.

Staff: Los Alamos Middle School 1, Central Office 2, Facilities 1.