WELCOME TO HAWK COUNTRY

Registration/Supplies
Bus Routes
School Lunch
LAMS PTO

Suzanne Lynne
LAMS Principal

Suzanne Lynne began teaching at LAPS in 1997, and also served as literacy coach for 12 years. Before becoming principal at Chamisa Elementary School, she was the principal at La Tierra Montessori School of the Arts and Sciences, a K-8 school in the Espanola Valley.

Andy Ainsworth
Assistant Principal

Ainsworth has a bachelor’s degree in history from Western New Mexico University, a master’s degree in secondary education from Western New Mexico University, and his Educational Administration Certificate from New Mexico Highlands University. He has taught for a total of nine years, the last seven of which have been in Los Alamos. He received administration experience from a year as dean of students at TFA/LAHS. With his leadership as head coach, the LAHS Varsity Golf team won two consecutive state championships.

Dear LAMS Families:

 Middle school is an exciting time filled with many new, fun and rewarding opportunities.  We are fired up about the possibilities for bringing our talents together to create an exciting atmosphere in which our whole community can learn and grow-staff and students alike.   Our staff has been meeting and coming together this summer with enthusiasm and great ideas that will promote a healthy atmosphere for our students. We are interested in your ideas as well.  As this is our first year together, there is great potential to come together to combine our strengths and talents in order to make our students’ experiences rich, safe and meaningful.  

 Middle school years are a crucial time in child development. Middle school students should be exposed to a variety of meaningful, new and challenging opportunities-both academic and extra-curricular.  We encourage students to get involved in all LAMS has to offer: choose fun and interesting classes, play a sport, or join a club! At the heart of our message to every LAMS student is explore dreams, expand abilities, and make lasting memories.

 Finally, our priorities for this school year are both academic and social/emotional.   We will place a high priority on respect, community, and a culture of success. In just two short years middle school students arrive from elementary school and exit as high school students. We are grateful for the opportunity to support your students as they pursue academic success and discover their unique talents at LAMS. Go Hawks!

Best regards,

Suzanne Lynne                                       
Principal                          

Andy Ainsworth
Assistant Principal

PTO Information:
Please email losalamosmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com for more information on how to get involved!

Counselor Information:
7th grade counselor, Cara Michel, c.michel@laschools.net
8th grade counselor, Jenn Neil, j.neil@laschools.net

Absence Line: Please call 505-663-2376 if your student will be absent.

Attendance Contact Person:  Kathleen Gonzales

Please leave the following information on your message.
1. Guardian’s first and last name  2. Student’s first and last name  3. Date the student will be absent  4. Grade of student  5. Reason why your student will be absent – Examples: Dr. appointment, parent absence, travel, or bereavement

Contact Us:
505-663-2375
(505) 663-2223  •  Hours: M-F 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM

2101 Hawk Drive, Los Alamos, NM 87544

Unexcused Absences Flow Chart

Attendance Policy:

The LAPS attendance policy (School Board Policy 5110.pdf) is based on New Mexico State Law, which is included under School Board Policy 5110R.pdf .  The policy mandates students to attend class and teachers to keep accurate daily attendance records. The sole intent and purpose of this regulation is to attain the highest degree of attendance for each student at LAMS.
According to the New Mexico school law, children are required to attend school until they have reached their seventeenth birthday unless the child has previously graduated from high school.
All students are expected to attend school regularly and to be on time for classes in order to benefit from the instructional program and to develop habits of punctuality, self-discipline, and responsibility. There is a direct relationship between attendance and student success. Students who have good attendance generally achieve high grades, enjoy school more, and are more employable after leaving high school.

LAMS provides several intervention strategies which support regular attendance. These include phone calls or letters to parents, meetings with the counselors, and/or meetings with an administrator and the teachers to form remediation plans.

Tardies:
Attendance Policy Regarding Tardies
An excused tardy is being late due to a medical appt. In this case, a student must have a slip from the doctor. There are also weather conditions and road conditions that are taken into consideration. These need to be approved by the administration and will be examined on a case by case basis.  When weather is a factor, please allow extra time so the student gets to school on time. Students who are late and are riding the bus are considered excused.

More Information on Tardies
1.    All students are expected to arrive at school by 7:53 A.M. Classes begin promptly at 8:00 A.M. Students who arrive at 8:00 am or later will be considered tardy.
2.    It will be the responsibility of each student to be in class and ready to work when the tardy bell rings.
3.    Tardiness is defined as arriving late after the normal starting time or after the tardy bell rings to start the period.
4.    Students will not be penalized for tardies related to school operation such as late bus runs, another teacher detaining a student, etc.
5.    Students who arrive late need to let the school administration know that the parent is aware of the student’s lateness via note.   (A card from the doctor’s office will suffice in case of an early appointment.)
6.    Students are responsible for obtaining a note from a teacher who has detained them and caused them to be tardy to their next class.
7.    Unexcused tardies will be handled by the teams and/or administrators. For persistent tardiness, a parent/team conference will be scheduled to prevent additional tardies. Additional consequences may be assigned.Ditching/Truancy
Truancy is being absent from school without permission. Ditching is leaving school grounds or cutting classes without permission.
These offenses will result in disciplinary action, and parents will be notified. Chronic violators will be referred to the appropriate agency.

The parent/guardian, with proper identification, must sign students out in the office when leaving school. Students must sign in when returning to school.

Students are allowed to be transported from school by older siblings if they are listed on the medical emergency card.

Los Alamos Middle School Bell Schedules

Regular Bell Schedule:
1st Bell: 7:53 am
1st Period 8:00 am – 8:47 am
2nd Period 8:52 am – 9:45 am (Pledge and snack break)
3rd Period 9:50 am – 10:37 am
4th Period 10:42 am – 11:29 am
5th Period: 11:34 am – 12:21 pm
6th Period: 12:26 pm – 1:13 pm
7th Period 1:18 pm – 2:05 pm
8th Period 2:10 pm – 3:00 pm

HAT Wednesday Only Bell Schedule:
(Homework and Academic Time)
1st Bell: 7:53 am
1st Period 8:00 am – 8:42 am
2nd Period 8:47 am – 9:33 am (Pledge and snack break)
3rd Period 9:38 am – 10:20 am 
4th Period 10:25 am – 11:07 am
5th Period 11:12 am – 11:54 am
6th Period 11:59 am – 12:41 pm
7th Period 12:46 pm – 1:28 pm
8th Period 1:33 pm – 2:15 pm
HAT Period: 2:20 pm – 3:00 pm

Two-Hour Delay Schedule
1st Period  10:00 am – 10:33 am 
2nd Period  10:38 am – 11:11 am
3rd Period  11:16 am – 11:49 am
5th Period: 11:54 am – 12:27 pm
6th Period: 12:32 pm – 1:05 pm
4th Period: 1:10 pm – 1:43 pm
7th Period: 1:48 pm – 2:21 pm
8th Period: 2:26 pm – 3:00 pm

Los Alamos Middle School and the Prevention Office is pleased to announce the launch of the Bullying Tip Line.
The reporting can be done anonymously by students, their parents or community members.
Call 663-2380 or email lamstip@laschools.net

LAMS PERSONAL APPEARANCE/DRESS CODE FOR STUDENTS

The School Board recognizes that each student’s mode of dress and grooming is a matter of individual preference. The Board will not interfere with students’ and parents’ decisions regarding appearance except when their choices disrupt the educational process, interfere with the maintenance of a positive teaching/learning climate or violate reasonable standards of health, safety, decency, and respect for others. The purpose of the student dress code is to encourage students to come to school prepared for the instructional program.

The Board prohibits the displaying of apparel, accessories, or the marking of the skin with designs or patterns, which advocate drugs, tobacco, and/or alcohol use, violence, disruptive behavior, disrespect for others, or denotes gang membership.

Two Guidelines to Note:

  1. Students may not wear hats indoors.
  2. Students’ midriffs need to be covered.

Student Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures

Following these procedures will help ensure the safety of students as well as expedite the drop off and pick up process:

PLEASE:

  • Help us keep students safe by staying in a single traffic line in front of the school.
  • Pull up to the front of the drop off lane as much as possible (allowing traffic to stop) before allowing your child to exit the car. Traffic moves in “waves”.
  • Follow directions of the duty staff.
  • Have your student exit the vehicle from the sidewalk side of the drop off lane ONLY.
  • Remain in your car and allow your student to exit on his/her own with their backpack or other items with them. Minimize the need for students to move between vehicles (i.e. to remove items from the trunk / hatch).
  • After drop off or pickup occurs – WHEN SAFE – SLOWLY pull forward with traffic from the drop off lane once your student exits following traffic.
  • Always EXIT LEFT off of the drop off lane towards North Mesa Rd. (No right turns during drop off and pick up times)

In Addition:

  • Do not use the bus loop to drop off students – this lane is reserved for buses only
  • Avoid dropping off in the parking lot. It is not safe for students to walk between moving cars, lanes, etc.
  • Keep traffic moving and refrain from watching your child enter the school.
  • Avoid blocking the crosswalk and follow the direction of crossing guards.
  • Avoid passing other cars on the front driveway (even if there is an opening ahead) There is NO PASSING in the drop off lane.
  • Obey the speed limit – 5 MPH
  • Avoid parking on the drop off lane which is always a NO PARKING ZONE.
  • When picking up students during the school day- please park in the parking lot and come into the office to check students out.

Dear Parents/Guardians:
Should an emergency or disaster situation ever arise in our area while school is in session, we want you to be aware that the schools have made preparations to respond effectively to such situations. In fact, public schools in New Mexico are built to meet stringent construction standards, and they may be safer than your own home in the event of a disaster.

Should we have a major disaster during school hours, your student(s) will be cared for at this school. Los Alamos Public Schools have detailed emergency response plans, which have been formulated to respond to a major catastrophe. While the specific details of these plans cannot be made public, we will provide any information necessary for your emergency planning needs and peace of mind, in case of an emergency. After you have thoughtfully reviewed these process, please sit with your child(ren) and help them to understand that it is necessary for them to follow the directions of any school personnel in times of an emergency drill or actual emergency situation. The safety of all depends on all personnel and students treating drills and emergency directions with serious respect.

Your cooperation is necessary in any emergency:

  1. Do not telephone the school. You can receive updated information through an emergency communication system, provided by the school district and Los Alamos County. Telephone lines may be needed for emergency communication.
  2. In the event of a serious emergency, students will be kept at their schools until they can be picked up by an identified, responsible adult who has been listed as such on a LAPS emergency card, which is required to be completed by parents/guardians at the beginning of each school year. Please be sure you consider the following criteria when you authorize another person to pick up your child at school:
    1. S/He is 18 years of age or older.
    2. S/He is usually home during the day.
    3. S/He could walk to school, if necessary.
    4. S/He is known to your child.
    5. S/He is both aware and able to assume this responsibility.

During an extreme emergency, students will be released at designated reunion sites, to be identified by the Incident Commander and located on school  campuses. Please instruct your student to remain at the school until you or  your designee arrives.

  1. Turn your radio to AM 1610 for emergency announcements. If students are to be kept at school, radio stations will be notified. If electrical service is not affected, information will be relayed via LAPS to the radio and television broadcast media. In addition, information regarding day-to-day school operations will be available by accessing our website, or subscribing to our E-Alerts web-based system. All sites have hotline numbers, which will be updated.
  2. In the event that any emergency takes place during the time that students expect to be transported to or from school:
    1. If students are on the bus at the time, they will be kept on the bus, and the driver will ask for assistance through radio contact with the school and district personnel.
    2. Any child who is home waiting for the bus will not be picked up and remains the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
    3. In any situation, if the student’s bus does not arrive at the stop within fifteen (15) minutes, the student should return home.
    4. In the event that an emergency occurs in the afternoon, the driver will make every attempt to continue delivering the students to their homes. Should road conditions prevent the driver from delivering students to their home or to school in the morning, the students will be delivered to the nearest district site, and that site’s personnel will communicate with home school personnel to inform them of the students’ whereabouts.
  3. In case of a hazardous release event (i.e. chemical spill) near the school area, Shelter-In-Place procedures will be implemented to provide “in place” protection. All students and staff will clear the fields, report to their rooms, and all efforts will be made to prevent outside air from entering the classrooms during the emergency. “Shelter-In-Place” signs will be placed in classroom windows or hung outside classroom doors during a drill or emergency. Students arriving at school during a Shelter-In-Place drill or event should report to the school office or to a previously designated area at the school because classrooms will be inaccessible. When the dangerous incident has subsided, an “all clear” signal will be given.

In the case of a county-wide evacuation, which would include the schools, that evacuation would proceed in accordance with the protocols established in the Los Alamos County Emergency Operations Plan. Please access the County’s website for this county-wide evacuation plan.

Please discuss these matters with your immediate family. Planning ahead will help alleviate concern during emergencies.

2019-2020 Registration Information:
LAMS REGISTRATION DAY & COMPUTER PICKUP, AUGUST 5TH 
LAMS will host a computer and agenda pickup day on Monday, August 5th
8th grade, A-L, 8:30-10am
8th grade, M-Z, 10-11:30am
7th grade, A-L, 12-1:30pm
7th grade, M-Z, 1:30-3:00pm

Fees will be listed in your students PowerSchool page, https://powerschool.laschools.net/public/home.html on August 1st.

Please pay fees online at https://laschools.hotlunch.com/fees/lams/registration.php. Bring a copy of your receipt with you to pick up your student’s computer and agenda.

If you prefer to pay with cash or check, bring your checkbook or cash. The bookkeeper will be available to take your payment on August 5th.

The purpose of any computer utilization is to enhance the educational experience. All students and staff are required to have a signed district Technology Agreement on file. Use of computers is a privilege and not a right. Inappropriate use will result in the cancellation of those privileges. LAHS administration will determine what is inappropriate use and that decision will be final. Inappropriate use will result in the closing of an account at any time or by removal from a computer-based class.

• Ethical Use of Technology Board Policy 6144R

Lockers will be provided upon request. Any student can request a locker. Lockers are the property of LAMS. They may be opened and searched by school administrators and their designees for reasonable suspicion or in an emergency situation. LAMS does not assume responsibility for any lost, stolen, or damaged items that are not secured. Students should keep all lockers locked and not to share lockers or combinations.

Messages during school. Because of the importance of instructional time, classes are not interrupted. Students will be called to the main office by the PA system at the end of the period or taken a note in emergency situations. Parents should only attempt to contact a student via the student’s cell phone before school, during lunch, and after school, not during the instructional school day, even if the student has an unsupervised period on campus.

Student ID’s ARE REQUIRED
  • Student photos will be taken during registration.
  • Hats or sunglasses are not allowed to be worn.  Clothing must not breach the dress code.
  • RETAKES – TBA