Ignacio Ruiz Superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools | Official Website
Ignacio Ruiz Superintendent of Las Cruces Public Schools | Official Website
As the 2023-2024 school year approaches, Las Cruces Public Schools has shared essential information for parents regarding school supplies, transportation, and updated schedules. The new academic year begins on July 19 for kindergarten, sixth, and ninth graders, while all other students return on July 20. Teachers and staff will be back on campus from July 12.
House Bill 130 passed in the New Mexico legislative session in April mandates an additional 10 minutes of classroom time for students. The adjusted daily schedules are as follows: elementary schools will operate from 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m., middle schools from 8:55 a.m. to 3:55 p.m., and high schools from 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy, and Rio Grande Preparatory Institute will have classes from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The district's website now hosts a general school supply list, though specific requirements may vary by class. Students are advised to confirm with their teachers on the first day of class.
In March, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation allowing all students to receive free breakfast and lunch this year, regardless of family income. This move follows the expiration of pandemic-related relief that previously supported free meals.
Parents can visit www.lcps.net for further back-to-school details.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- "I’ve been calling my student’s school, but there’s no answer." Teachers and staff return on July 12; phone calls will be returned promptly thereafter.
- "I don’t know where my student’s bus stop is." STS New Mexico is updating its software; route information should be available online by July 17.
- "I don’t know if my student needs any immunizations before school starts." New Mexico requires certain immunizations; vaccination clinics are scheduled at Organ Mountain High School and LCPS Operations Center on July 17 and 18.
- "I heard the district is reviewing its lightning safety protocol." The existing protocol remains unchanged; students shelter in place if lightning strikes within a ten-mile radius.
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