
This photograph from the 1941 Las Cruces Union High School Yearbook captures a generation of student-athletes who helped lay the foundation for school pride in the Mesilla Valley.
In 1941, C.S. Conlee served as the Las Cruces Superintendent of Schools, J.L. Gill was the Principal, and Mel Ritchey led the football team as head coach.
Among the players pictured is Rudy Camunez (#77), whose name now lives on through the LCPS Field of Dreams Walk of Fame - a reminder that the impact of our students lasts far beyond their school years.
These faces, uniforms, and moments tell a story bigger than a season. They remind us that LCPS has always been about more than classrooms. It’s been about belonging, perseverance, and generations connected by school spirit.
If this photo brings back a memory, or if you recognize a name, we invite you to share your story.
This is Las Cruces Public Schools, then and now.

Esta será una distribución tipo drive-thru, y los alimentos estarán disponibles por orden de llegada para las primeras 75 familias. Las familias suelen comenzar a formarse un par de horas antes de la hora programada, por lo que les recomendamos amablemente llegar antes de las 9:00 a.m.
Un agradecimiento especial a Roadrunner Food Bank y a todos nuestros increíbles voluntarios que hacen esto posible. ¡Esperamos poder servir a nuestra comunidad!

This will be a drive-thru distribution and food will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 75 families.
Families often begin lining up a couple of hours before the scheduled start time, so we kindly encourage you to plan to arrive before 9:00 a.m.
Special thanks to Roadrunner Food Bank and all of our amazing volunteers who make it all possible. We look forward to serving our community!

Livestreamed exclusively on LCPS.TV: https://youtube.com/live/Ngl_SyNP6gM?feature=share



Distinguished Senior Scholarship & National Qualifier: Mia Berkson
1st Place – Lights & Sound: Mina Duran, Reylene Lucero
1st Place – Hair, Makeup & Costumes: Isabella Gonzalez, Marc Elfein, Isabella Rebalo, Peyton Eishelman
1st Place – Backstage Crew: Hailey Martin, Ariana
2nd Place – Stage Management: Alize Torres
Spirit Award: OMHS Theatre









Seniors, it’s time to start applying for scholarships! The FirstLight Community Foundation Scholarship supports graduating high school seniors in El Paso, Fort Bliss, and Dona Ana County, as well as dependents of FirstLight FCU employees.
Recipients are selected based on extracurricular involvement, GPA, and a video submission. Personality and creativity are encouraged, share what makes you, you!
*Deadline to apply: Friday, March 20, 2026, 10:59 PM
Scan the QR Code on flyer or click the link to learn more: https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/program/FirstLightCommunityFoundationScholarship2026

Attention LCPS families! You’re invited to join us at MacArthur Community Elementary School for a family-friendly workshop focused on building healthy sleep habits for children.
This is a family event, all are welcome. Join us on at MacArthur, 655 N Fourth St., Thursday, Jan. 29, in the cafeteria from 5:30pm-7:30pm, where we’ll be learning the importance of sleep through a routine building activity.
Dinner will be provided along with a token of appreciation.
Better rest helps students arrive at school focused, engaged, and ready to thrive. See the flyer to learn more.
For any questions contact: Julie Estrada @ (575) 386-5131 or jestrada@aitkids.com
¡Operación: Éxito con el Sueño!
¡Atención familias de LCPS! Están invitados a acompañarnos en la Escuela Primaria Comunitaria MacArthur para un taller familiar enfocado en la creación de hábitos de sueño saludables para los niños.
Este es un evento familiar, todos son bienvenidos. Acompáñennos en MacArthur, 655 N Fourth St., el jueves 29 de enero, en la cafetería, de 5:30 p. m. a 7:30 p. m., donde aprenderemos sobre la importancia del sueño mediante una actividad para desarrollar rutinas.
Se ofrecerá cena, así como un pequeño obsequio de agradecimiento.
Un mejor descanso ayuda a que los estudiantes lleguen a la escuela concentrados, comprometidos y listos para prosperar. Consulte el volante para obtener más información.
Para cualquier pregunta, comuníquese con: Julie Estrada al (575) 386-5131 or jestrada@aitkids.com


• Shout out to our Student Advisor, Alexa of Organ Mountain High School, for her outstanding leadership and her work with the Las Cruces Public Schools Board of Education as a student representative for our high schools at LCPS!
• Thank you to Aiden from Tombaugh Elementary for leading the Pledge of Allegiance and the Salute to the State Flag in both English and Spanish during the School Board of Education meeting this week.
• Thank you to the Centennial Chamber Choir, under the direction of Jenna Batista, for their wonderful performance Tuesday night of a Canadian folk song from Quebec, arranged by Donald Patriquin.
• Congratulations to Karin Hite, Principal of Sonoma Elementary, on being recognized as the 2025 National Education Association New Mexico Administrator of the Year. This honor reflects decades of leadership, dedication, and heart. Principal Hite was proudly nominated by Irma Valdespino, President of CSEC-LC. Thank you for more than 30 years of service. Your leadership continues to inspire the staff, students, and families you serve.
• We’d like to wish a happy retirement to Cynthia Donnelly, Chief of Human Resources at Las Cruces Public Schools, and thank her for her dedication and leadership from 2020–2026. Jesse Perrio, who has stepped in to lead HR on an interim basis, shared that since joining the team five years ago, Cindy has been his colleague, role model, leader, and greatest supporter.
This game will be livestreamed exclusively on LCPS.TV: https://youtube.com/live/7ZQ_-Q8yPVw?feature=share
Get your tickets today!

Organ Mountain High School is proud to partner with Parents Reaching Out to provide free family education and support for students with disabilities and their families.
These sessions are part of OMHS’s Spring 2026 Transition Initiative to help families understand services, supports, and post-school pathways. All families in the area are welcome, including middle and elementary school families who want to begin preparing early.
The next session will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 6pm-7pm at Organ Mountain High School.
You can register here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/q6yxwkz or scan the QR Code on the flyer.
If you have questions or would like to share ideas for future sessions, please contact Sarah Mata-Espinosa (smataespinosa@lcps.net) or Rachel Polk (rpolk@lcps.net).

You’re invited to Impact 2026, a FREE educator conference happening February 21, 2026, at Arrowhead Park Early College High School.
From PreK–12 and across all content areas, Impact 2026 brings educators together to share real classroom practices, collaborate, and elevate instruction rooted in Challenge, Support, and Equity.
Impact26 highlights sessions that center on:
• Practical strategies that challenge students academically
• Systems of support that meet diverse learner needs
• Equity-centered approaches that uplift every student and community
Together, we can amplify what works, strengthen our practice, and create a lasting impact for LCPS students and their families.
Click here to learn more and reserve your free ticket:
https://impact26amplifyingbestpract.sched.com/about

The LCPS food distribution will be starting at 9am today in front of the LCPS Family Support Center at the Dr. Karen M. Trujillo Administration Complex
La distribución de alimentos de LCPS comenzará hoy a las 9 a. m. frente al Centro de Apoyo Familiar de LCPS, en el Complejo Administrativo Dra. Karen M. Trujillo.


Hear what music gets them hyped before a meet, their strongest strokes, and the goals they’re chasing.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7CHAZBUQpA

Her advice: “Remember why you started and work hard even when nobody is watching.”

Congratulations to Sammy Abeyta, our LCPS Athlete of the Week! He’s a junior and Captain of the wrestling team at OMHS with a 3.6 GPA. Sammy leads with consistency, values his coaches, and puts team success first.
His advice: “Don’t get too high on the highs or too low in the lows, forward momentum is always the goal.”

UPDATE: Las Cruces Public Schools will host another food distribution on Friday, Dec. 19, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Nutrition Services warehouse next to the Field of Dreams, 2101 Tashiro Drive. Children do not need to be present to receive food boxes. Additional information will be posted soon.


LCPS is proud to congratulate Shawna Bailey, Director of Health Services, on receiving the New Mexico Alliance for School-Based Health Care Award.
Thank you, Shawna, for your leadership and dedication to keeping our students and staff healthy.
Visual Arts Teacher: Tara Martinez
Award presented by Picture Frame Factory Outlet & Gallery, Greg Groves, owner
