Mesilla Park Elementary School

Happy Cinco de Mayo! The fifth day in May, known as Cinco de Mayo, is a day that celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over France during the Battle of Puebla in 1862. A year before the Battle of Puebla, Mexican President Benito Juarez suspended payment of all foreign debts. In retaliation, France invaded Mexico. Although a better-equipped French army outnumbered Mexican troops, Mexican soldiers in the town of Puebla prevailed victorious. It is important to remember that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, a popular misconception, but a day that commemorates a single battle fought during the Franco-Mexican War. The Battle of Puebla on May 5, represented a great symbolic victory for the Mexican government and reinforced the resistance movement. Over time, the day evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage celebrated particularly in Mexico and the United States. In celebration of this national holiday, traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, and other festive events. To learn more about the history behind Cinco de Mayo, visit https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/cinco-de-mayo.

(Updated) The Class of 2022 Senior Walks at Elementary Schools! The goal of a Senior Walk is to give each senior a unique opportunity to physically walk back through the school that they attended (or may not have) during their elementary years. Seniors will be able to see former teachers, classmates, administrators that played a vital role in their elementary years. It will allow them to recall fond memories that they had within the school walls. Even more so, it will allow elementary students to see what their future has in store for them, have something to look forward to, and a chance to celebrate and cheer on the Seniors. Any Senior at any High School may attend these events; you do NOT have to have been a former student. Please plan to arrive 10-15 early to be lined up. You are more than welcome to participate in more than one walk to celebrate your accomplishments with elementary children. Seniors, please wear your Cap and Gown. Please see Ms. Saige at Organ Mountain High School for more information msaige@lcps.net - 575-527-9430.

The Class of 2022 Senior Walks at Elementary Schools The goal of a Senior Walk is to give each senior a unique opportunity to physically walk back through the school that they attended (or may not have) during their elementary years. Seniors will be able to see former teachers, classmates, administrators that played a vital role in their elementary years. It will allow them to recall fond memories that they had within the school walls. Even more so, it will allow elementary students to see what their future has in store for them, have something to look forward to, and a chance to celebrate and cheer on the Seniors. Any Senior at any High School may attend these events; you do NOT have to have been a former student. Please plan to arrive 10-15 early to be lined up. You are more than welcome to participate in more than one walk to celebrate your accomplishments with elementary children. Seniors, please wear your Cap and Gown. Please see Ms. Saige at Organ Mountain High School for more information msaige@lcps.net - 575-527-9430.

Las Cruces Public Schools is working with the New Mexico Public Education Department to host a Job Fair on May 6, from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. Please email Cindy Donnelly to schedule an interview cdonnelly@lcps.net

Registration is now open for Advanced Pre-K! The Las Cruces Public Schools Advanced Pre-K classroom is designed to serve students who do not meet the age requirements to start kindergarten and exhibit characteristics of advanced learning, as measured by screenings. The program is a collaboration between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Las Cruces Public School (LCPS) and serves as a lab school for NMSU early childhood programs. The program is a collaboration between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and Las Cruces Public School (LCPS) and serves as a lab school for NMSU early childhood programs. Six slots in the program are reserved for children of NMSU students and staff. Registration: https://forms.gle/RMux1u7pY2ubVGDL9 Learn more: https://www.lcps.net/page/advanced-prek

Did you know that the late LCPS Superintendent, Dr. Karen Trujillo, was a poet? In order to honor her legacy, there will be an award ceremony for the best poem held on May 12, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. in the Commons area at Organ Mountain High School, located at 5700 Mesa Grande Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88011. The top three student winners will be reading aloud their winning poems. Ben Trujillo from the Dr. Karen M Trujillo Memorial Foundation will be there to hand the students their cash prizes. A jury of five area English teachers chose the following winners: $500 First Place goes to Mariana Tablon for her poem “Self-Sabotage”, $250 Second Place goes to Delilah Garcia for her poem “Overwhelmed”, and $100 Third Place goes to Melaina Mittel for her poem “The Lies Are Before the Foothill.” For questions, please contact Tim Staley, area poet and educator, who oversaw this inaugural contest.

The City of Las Cruces Parks & Recreation Department is gearing up for the summer months and would like to extend an invitation to students in grades, K-5 to join us for our Summer Recreation Program. A six-week Program will begin on Tuesday, May 31 for students that are currently enrolled in grades K-5, and end on Wednesday, July 13. Register here at: www.las-cruces.org/play Important details are listed below: ● Program time is 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday ● Dates: Tuesday, May 31 – Wednesday, July 13 ● No Program Monday, June 20 or Monday, July 4 ● Programming will be held at: Camino Real, Picacho, & Sierra Middle schools ● Breakfast and Lunch will be provided at no cost for all participants

We are go for launch! Join us at the @mesillavalleymall from 1-7 for the art exhibit "Across Space" and from 5.30 for the career event "making contact". Both locations are on the north side of the mall (near Barnes and Noble). #lcspacefestival #lascruces #goforlaunch #mesillavalleymall #acrossspace #spaceart #makingcontact #careernight #newmexico #makingspaceforeveryone

You're invited to the Celebration of Excellence Dinner on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Farm & Ranch Museum. Cocktail hour is at 6:00 p.m. the dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m. Table sponsorships & individual tickets on sale now: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/las-cruces-public-schools-foundation/celebration-of-excellence-dinner-sponsorships before April 13. Silent Auction, Live Music, DJ & Fun Teacher & Educational Support Personnel of the Year Awards More information: https://5il.co/186fd

The Organ Mountain High School Knights of the Stage presents: A Chorus Line - High School Edition. Doors will open April 7th & 8th at 6:15 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:00 p.m. There will be another showing on April 9th, doors will open at 12:15 p.m. and the show will begin at 1:00 p.m. Presale tickets are $5.00 (Only 150 tickets per show are available. Tickets at the door will be $10)

Las Cruces Public Schools will be conducting a Bus Driver Job Fair on April 7th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the new Operations Building, located at 505 S. Main St., Suite 357. The flyer with the information about this job fair is attached to this message. Please share with anyone you know who is interested in joining our Exemplary LCPS Team as a Bus Driver! Anyone interested in an interview for a Bus Driver position needs to send Mr. Van Wamel an e-mail at van.wamel@dsbussouth.com. This is a great job opportunity for our LCPS community, college students, retirees, and parents of school aged children. *Free Onsite CDL Training and Examination

Las Pequeñas Bibliotecas y Despensas del Condado de Doña Ana (DACLLP) están organizando un Evento Comunitario de Construcción Masiva de Pequeñas Bibliotecas y Despensas el sábado 30 de abril. Estamos ofreciendo a individuos, organizaciones y negocios locales la oportunidad de adquirir una unidad por una donación de $40.00 o más. Para ser elegible para esta beca, debe ser voluntario un mínimo de dos horas en nuestro evento Mass Build Community y ayudar con el ensamblaje de las unidades. La elegibilidad para la beca también se determinará según las áreas de necesidad. Tendremos un número limitado de herramientas disponibles en el evento. Le recomendamos que traiga sus propias herramientas. Como administrador de Little Library & Pantry, usted será el cuidador principal de su unidad y se encargará del mantenimiento básico, como mantener la biblioteca limpia y acogedora. El trabajo del DACLLP está financiado por donaciones y voluntarios de la comunidad. Sus contribuciones se utilizarán para comprar materiales para la construcción y el apoyo de la misión del DACLLP. Para obtener más información, visite: https://tinyurl.com/ysx9wrrx

The Doña Ana County Little Libraries & Pantries (DACLLP) is organizing a Little Libraries & Pantries Mass Build Community Event on Saturday, April 30th. They are offering individuals, organizations and local businesses the opportunity to acquire a unit for a donation of $40.00 or more. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must volunteer a minimum of two hours at our Mass Build Community event and help with the assembly of the units. Scholarship eligibility will also be determined by areas of need. The goal is to share the wealth with other communities outside DAC. If you live outside DAC we encourage you to apply and join us at the event. They will have a limited number of tools available at the event. We highly encourage you to bring your own tools. As a Little Library & Pantry steward, you will be the primary caretaker for your unit, take care of basic maintenance, like keeping the library clean and inviting. The work of the DACLLP is funded by donations & community volunteers. Your contributions will be used to purchase materials for the build and support the mission of the DACLLP. For more information, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ysx9wrrx

The newly adopted instructional calendar for the 2022-2023 school year is now available in English and Spanish. The balanced calendar option was adopted on March 15, 2022 by the LCPS Board of Education. Click the link below to view the official instructional calendar for the 2022-2023 school year: https://www.lcps.net/page/calendars-handbooks-school-hours

Booker T. Washington Community Elementary School has partnered with the Amador Health Center and Western Sky Community Care to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for ages 5-11yrs old. The clinic will be held Friday, March 11 from 4-6p.m. snack bags will given out courtesy of WSCC.

The City of Las Cruces will be working with the United Way of Southwest New Mexico in hosting a financial literacy program. The program will teach residents about their finances, how to save, budgeting, fixing their credit and other topics. The English cohort starts on Tuesday March 8th and the Spanish cohort starts on Wednesday March 9th. For more information please contact Amanda Morales with United Way at 575-524-7561 or at impact@uwswnm.org.

Celebrate Dr. Seuss / Celebre al Dr. Seuss

There will be an opportunity for children 5-11 to receive a Pfizer vaccine on February 25, from 1:00pm-4:00pm at Alameda Elementary Community School, located at 1325 N Alameda Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88005. Walk-ins are welcome and snack bags will be provided. Parents and guardians must register their child by visiting: www.vaccinenm.org. Español: Habrá una oportunidad para que los niños de 5 a 11 años reciban una vacuna de Pfizer el 25 de febrero, de 1:00 p. m. a 4:00 p. Se proporcionarán bolsas de bienvenida y refrigerios. Los padres y tutores deben registrar a su hijo visitando: www.vaccinenm.org

District Lifts Mask Mandate : Following orders from the governor, Las Cruces Public Schools has lifted the indoor mask mandate for students and staff. Effective immediately, masks will be optional while district officials evaluate current COVID-safe practices. Please click the link for more information in English and Spanish: https://www.lcps.net/article/661646