Cariño to Wendy Shipley, Volunteer Coordinator, and Trace Burns, Volunteer Network Assistant!
In honor of Random Acts of Kindness Week, we wanted to share this Cariño from Alyssa Montoya of the Las Cruces Public Schools Bridge Program, which helps young adults with unique abilities prepare for the workforce.
Alyssa and her students have been volunteering at our Senior Centers—Benavidez, East Side, and Munson, serving lunch and making connections with our senior community. She wanted to express her sincere thanks to the City of Las Cruces Volunteer Network for providing this incredible opportunity:
"We are so grateful for the opportunities you have given us. Our students love going to work and look forward to it each and every day."
Thank you to Alyssa, the LCPS Bridge Program, and the Volunteer Network for providing this opportunity and positively impacting our community.
And they’re off! 203 LCPS students, along with 34 dedicated advisors, chaperones, and administrators, are on their way to Albuquerque for the New Mexico Association of Student Councils State Competition at Cibola High School!
Representing schools: APECHS, CHS, LCHS, MHS, OMHS, CRMS, LMS, MVLA, PMS, SMS, VMS, ZMS. Wishing all our teams the best of luck! #Thrive575 #LCPSActivities #LasCrucesPublicSchools
One more round of applause for the next deserving Standing Ovation Award winner.....Kimberly Gomez, Counselor with the Virtual Learning Academy.
This award is extra special because it comes from a former student whose life was forever changed by the unwavering support, kindness, and encouragement of their school counselor. In their nomination, they shared that during some of their toughest times, this counselor was their safe place—a constant source of reassurance and guidance. Even now, though they have moved on to a different school, they still seek out her wisdom and comfort because of the trust and care she has built. It is a testament to the incredible difference one person can make—not just in the moment, but for a lifetime. This counselor shows us that support doesn’t end when a student leaves a school, and that a listening ear and a compassionate heart can change a life.
WOW! Thank you for making such an impact, Kimberly! -LCPS Foundation
You are cordially invited to join in celebrating our selected Las Cruces Public Schools 5th grade elementary students, their parents/guardians, and their elementary music teachers for the 2025 “LC Sings! 5th Grade Honor Choir” performance. The concert will be in the OMHS Performing Arts Center at 2:30pm. The concert is free and open to the public. #thrive575
As we recognize Black History Month, we honor the incredible contributions of African Americans who have shaped our nation's history. Today, we celebrate Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm— the first African American woman in Congress (1968) and the first woman and African American to seek the nomination for president of the United States from one of the two major political parties (1972).
This month, take the time to learn about other monumental figures like her—voices that have made a lasting impact on American history and continue to inspire us today.
Learn more about the life of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/shirley-chisholm
Attention Parents: Early Childhood Program Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year!
It’s that time of year again! Las Cruces Public Schools is now accepting applications for the Early Childhood Programs for the 2025-2026 school year.
This program is a fantastic opportunity for young learners! To be eligible, children must be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2025.
Learn more: https://www.lcps.net/article/2021778
¡Atención padres! Información sobre las inscripciones para el Programa de educación temprana para el año escolar 2025-2026
¡Ha llegado el momento! Las Escuelas Públicas de Las Cruces ya están aceptando solicitudes para los Programas de educación temprana para el año escolar 2025-2026.
Este programa es una oportunidad fantástica para los aprendices pequeños, ya que para ser elegibles, los niños deben tener 3 o 4 años antes del 1 de septiembre de 2025.
Más información: https://www.lcps.net/article/2021778
Congratulations to the students who showcased their talent and determination at the NMAA 2025 State Chess Tournament held at Centennial High School! Your dedication and skill truly shined. A big thank you to LCPS Activities for organizing such a fantastic event.
Get ready to experience the thrill of strategy, skill, and competition as Centennial High School hosts NMAA Chess State Championship, streaming right here on the Las Cruces Public Schools YouTube channel!
Watch as talented students showcase their moves in intense matches that promise to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIDotW3e_PY
🌟 Thrive Thursday Spotlight: Carla Daniels! 🌟
Meet Carla Daniels, a dedicated 2nd-grade dual language teacher at Hermosa Heights Elementary with 15 years of teaching experience!
For Carla, bilingual education is more than just learning a language—it’s about embracing different cultures and instilling pride in students’ identities. She believes that speaking multiple languages opens doors to more opportunities and empowers students for the future.
What keeps her motivated? Her students. Every day, she walks into her classroom knowing it’s a safe space where they can learn, grow, and explore—and she wouldn’t have it any other way!
Help us celebrate Ms. Daniels and the impact she’s making!
Starting next school year, the LCPS bell schedule will accommodate for new scientific research that shows later school times correlate with more sleep, better academic performance, mental and physical health benefits and more efficient bus routes.
There will be no change for elementary bell schedules, but middle school will start 20 minutes later (the first bell is now at 9:15 a.m.) and high school will start 10 minutes later (8:35 a.m.).
Questions? Please contact your school principal.
Don't miss the Second Golden Tortilla Rolling Contest, where locals will compete to roll the best golden tortilla! Enjoy live music, a rapid raffle, and plenty of tortilla rolling fun with some of your favorite folks.
All proceeds benefit the LCPS Foundation's mission to support Las Cruces Public Schools educators!
Join us to cheer on your favorite celeb! https://lcpsf.org/golden-tortilla-rolling-contest/
Join us this Thursday and Friday at Centennial High School for the NMAA 2025 State Chess Tournament. Team play will be in the Performing Arts Lab, and individual play in the cafeteria. Don’t miss out—check the flyer for all the details.
As we recognize Black History Month, we honor the incredible contributions of African Americans who have shaped our nation's history. One such hero is Harriet Tubman, who bravely led hundreds of enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Tubman’s courage, resilience, and dedication to justice make her a symbol of strength and determination in the fight for freedom.
Throughout this month, take time to learn about other monumental figures like her—voices that have made a lasting impact on American history and continue to inspire us today.
Learn more about the life of Harriet Tubman: https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plans/harriet-tubman-and-underground-railroad
This week’s #ThriveThursday spotlight honors Lupe Lujan, a true pillar of LCPS! For over 42 years, she has served in various schools and administrative offices, bringing dedication, kindness, and expertise to every role. Now, as the Office Manager for our Materials Management Department, she continues to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.
And here’s something extra special—she’s celebrating her 85th birthday in March! Her commitment to LCPS is nothing short of inspiring, and we are beyond grateful for her years of service.
Please join us in thanking Lupe for her incredible contributions! Drop your well wishes in the comments below!
Check out this awesome video feature capturing last week’s chess tournament, created by the LCPS Comms Department. Don't miss the NMAA State Chess Tournament happening on Feb. 6th & 7th. #thrive575 #lcpsactivities
Produced by LCPS.TV: https://youtu.be/Wd3AZyue72A?feature=shared
Let’s get kids connected to careers & community!
CommunityShare connects PreK-12 educators with community partners to create real-world learning experiences for your students. 🤝 Find mentors, internship hosts, guest speakers, and more. Bring their skills, knowledge, and experience to your students.
Learn more about how to make the most of CommunityShare's digital matching platform on February 4 at 4 p.m. MT / 6 p.m. ET
Sign up now at bit.ly/orientationcs
#NgageNewMexico #LasCrucesPublicSchools
#ThomasBraniganMemorialLibrary
#EducationInnovation #ConnectShareInspire #CommunityEngagement #CommunityShare
We want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to participate in the budget survey for the 2025-2026 school year for 6th-12th grade students. Complete the survey for a chance to win a $10.00 gift card. The survey will be remain open until Jan. 31.
Friday marked the end of the regular Chess season with the District Championship, hosted at Mayfield High School. Here are the winners:
Middle School: 1st Place = Mesa, 2nd Place = Camino, 3rd Place = MVLA;
High School JV: 1st Place = Centennial, 2nd Place = Organ Mountain, 3rd Place = Arrowhead Park; High School Varsity: 1st Place = Centennial, 2nd Place = Organ Mountain, 3rd Place = Arrowhead Park.
Congratulations to all the players and teams for a fantastic season! Looking forward to hosting the NMAA State Chess Championships in 2 weeks. #thrive575 #lcpsactivities
Introducing Thrive Thursday!
Every Thursday, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible individuals who make our LCPS team thrive!
This week, we’re kicking off Thrive Thursday with a spotlight on staff members -Sean Barham, Matt Dawkins and Carrie Hale—who over the weekend played a critical role in a successful search and rescue mission to locate a pair of hikers lost in the Organ Mountains during dangerous cold temperatures. In addition to their roles with the district, these individuals volunteer their time as part of a local search and rescue team, demonstrating their commitment to making our schools and our community a place where all learners thrive. Their efforts remind us that the spirit of teamwork thrives not only in our schools but also in every corner of our community.
In honor of National School Board Appreciation Month, the Mayfield High School FFA Chapter expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the LCPS Board of Education last night, recognizing their dedication and tireless efforts to ensure every student receives the education they deserve.
