As school resumes later this month for the 2023-2024 school year, Las Cruces Public Schools has information for parents and reminders about school supply lists, transportation and new school times.
The first day back for kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades is Wednesday, July 19. All other grades return to school on Thursday, July 20. Teachers and other building staff will return to school on July 12. In April, House Bill 130 in the New Mexico legislative session called for a 10-minute increase in the required time students spend in school. The new school day schedules are as follows:
| Elementary school | 8 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. |
| Middle school | 8:55 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. |
| High school | 8:25 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. |
Arrowhead Park Early College High School, Mesilla Valley Leadership Academy and Rio Grande Preparatory Institute’s schedules are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This week, a generalized school supply list was posted on the district’s website, with a disclaimer that needs vary by class, and students should check with their teachers on the first day of class for specific supplies.
All students will receive free breakfast and lunch this school year, after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation in March that ensures all students eat for free, regardless of family income. New Mexico was one of several states that allocated funding to maintain free meals for students after pandemic-related relief lapsed. In LCPS, about 75 percent of students qualified for free or reduced meals pre-pandemic.
For more back-to-school information, please visit www.lcps.net.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: I’ve been calling my student’s school, but there’s no answer. Who can I speak with about my student’s schedule, or any other school-related question?
A: Teachers and other building staff return from summer break on July 12. We will return all phone calls as quickly as possible.
Q: I don’t know where my student’s bus stop is. Where can I find that information?
A: STS New Mexico, the contracted bus service for Las Cruces Public Schools, is undergoing a software upgrade. We anticipate the route locator to be live on our website by July 17. You can find that information by clicking here.
Q: I don’t know if my student needs any immunizations before school starts. How can I find out, and are there any clinics happening before school starts?
A: In New Mexico, all students (unless legally exempted) must meet immunization requirements. This school year, the Department of Health now requires two meningococcal vaccines for incoming 11th graders. Parents can contact their pediatrician for more information, or their school nurse. The district will be part of a vaccination clinic on July 17 and 18 at Organ Mountain High School, 5700 Mesa Grande Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again at the LCPS Operations Center, 505 S. Main Street.
Q: I heard the district is reviewing its lightning safety protocol. How will that impact the school day, and what should I expect as we approach the monsoon season?
A: LCPS reviewed its lightning safety protocol over the summer and determined that for the safety of students and staff, the 10-mile radius will remain. That means if a lightning strike is detected within 10 miles of a school, students and staff will shelter in place. We realize this is inconvenient when storms happen around dismissal time, and we thank you in advance for your patience. Parents are always welcome to pick up their students during a shelter in place; however, walkers and bus riders will be sheltered safely inside schools until the threat of lightning has passed. Read more about our lightning safety protocol here.