Los Alamos National Laboratory employees raise more than $36K for back to school basics

Thanks to the generosity of Los Alamos National Laboratory employees, the 2024 Back to School Drive raised $36,000 to purchase 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies and distribute them to children in need at schools across Northern New Mexico.

"The Back to School Drive is one of the many ways Lab employees support area students," said Kayla Norris, who organized the drive. "With over 20% of New Mexico children living in poverty, we recognize the need to make every student's return to school as positive as possible."

"Thank you to Los Alamos National Laboratory and all the employees for your generous help and support for all the students in our schools," said Joe Robledo, principal of Te Tsu Geh Oweenge School in the Tesuque Pueblo. "It's so amazing to share this and we are so grateful. All of you are truly appreciated."

Where the backpacks go

The following schools and school districts received backpacks and school-supply kits:

• Chama Valley Independent Schools
• Cochiti Elementary and Middle Schools, Peña Blanca
• Cuba Independent School District
• Española Public Schools
• Jemez Mountain Public Schools
• Lazaro Garcia Middle School, Mora
• McCurdy Charter School, Española
• Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools
• Pecos Independent School District
• Peñasco Independent School District
• Pojoaque Valley School District
• Questa Independent School District
• San Diego Riverside Charter School, Jemez Pueblo
• San Ildefonso Day School
• Te Tsu Geh Oweenge School, Tesuque Pueblo
• Taos Municipal Schools

School nurses, teachers and counselors identify backpack recipients based on the students' individual needs and circumstances.

The Laboratory also supports education in the region through programs like the Los Alamos Employees' Scholarship Fund, professional development for area math teachers, hands-on science activities in grades K-12 through the Bradbury Science Museum's Science on Wheels Program, and more than 2,000 volunteer hours to nonprofit and educational organizations each year.

Now in its 15th year, the Back to School Drive is an annual activity of the Laboratory's Community Partnerships Office, which organizes projects benefiting the seven counties surrounding the Laboratory, which are Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, San Miguel, Santa Fe and Taos.

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