Prepare your child for back to school in Las Cruces

Ernesto Cisneros, Las Cruces Sun-News
·4 min read

That time of year has rolled around ― your child’s first week of school. Are you just as nervous and excited as they are? What better way to support them by staying up to date with events, schedules and more. This brief back to school guide has helpful information to get you and your child started off to a great school year.

First day of school

Las Cruces Public Schools

  • July 19: Kindergarten, 6th, 9th grades

  • July 20: All students.

Other area schools

  • The New America School Las Cruces: July 18

  • Las Montañas Charter High School: 8:30 to 4:05 p.m. July 19

  • La Academia Dolores Huerta: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 20

  • Explore Academy Las Cruces: Aug. 9

  • Raices Del Saber Xinachtli Community School: July 19

  • Desert Springs Christian Academy: Aug. 9

  • Mesilla Valley Christian School: Aug. 16

Upcoming school supply events

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 22: Small Business Owners School Supply Drive will provide 300 school supply bags for grades Kindergarten through fifth grade. Two per family. Event held at Young Park, 1905 East Nevada Ave in Las Cruces.

6 to 7:30 p.m. July 22: Salvation Army Back to School Bash will give first 250 students draw string bags, USBs, school supplies. Haircuts, giveaways, food. Event held at 1590 California Ave. in Las Cruces.

5 to 10 p.m. Aug. 5: Back to School Pop Up Market provides free haircuts, school supply donations, vendors. Event held at 1300 El Paseo Rd., Suite 302 in Las Cruces.

Aug. 4 through Aug. 6: Back to School Tax Free Holiday means the State of New Mexico is suspending its gross receipts tax on school qualifying items. Parents will be able to purchase some school necessities tax free. Clothes must be priced less than $100; desktop, laptops, or tablets priced less than $1,000 and standard classroom supplies priced less than $30. The tax-free weekend ends Aug. 6 at midnight.

Helpful tips

The first day or the first week can be stressful for students. Getting adjusted to a schedule or a routine can be mentally tiring. Their brains can only take in so much information at once before feeling burned out. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say it's good to have a plan.

  • Help your child by ensuring they have enough support at home whether it's by getting a good night's rest or making sure they replenish their body with healthy food choices.

  • Communication is key, don’t overburden them with too many expectations. Talk to them about their day and what they are feeling.

  • Encourage them to do things outside of schoolwork, a balance between studies and hobbies.

  • Encourage them to seek out professional help when needed.

Bus schedules

Parents can find bus schedules and routes for Las Cruces Public Schools on its transportation website and through the school zone locator. LCPS Director of Communication Kelly Jameson said its system has been experiencing some software issues.

“We are still working through things. It is not unusual to have several missed stops, reroutes and scheduling conflicts at the start of the year,” she said.

The district is “still under the directive to have parents call either their child's school, STS or our Transportation Department for routing issues or other concerns,” Jameson said over email.

After school programs

Students Kindergarten through 5th grade are eligible for the City of Las Cruces after school programs. The cost is $100 per semester per child. Registration can be done online or at the following sites.

  • Parks & Recreation Administration Office, 1501 E. Hadley Ave. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Frank O'Brien Papen Community Center, 304 Bell Ave. Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Las Cruces Regional Aquatic Center, 1401 E. Hadley Ave. Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sat, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For further information, contact the Parks and Recreation Administrative Office at 575-541-2550.

Las Cruces Public Schools general supply list

Kindergarten

  • 10 #2 pencils

  • 3 wide ruled composition notebooks

  • 1 box of 8 crayons

  • 2 glue sticks

  • 1 pair of child safe scissors

  • 1 box of Kleenex

  • 1 refillable water bottle

  • 1 backpack (LCPS provided upon registration, contact school for questions)

1st – 5th grades

  • 24 #2 pencils

  • 1 pencil box

  • 2 glue sticks

  • 1 box of 24 crayons

  • 1 box of colored pencils (3rd-5th only)

  • 1 box 8 count washable markers (3rd-5th only)

  • 1 pair of child safe scissors

  • 4 pocket folders with 3-hole punch

  • 1 package of wide-ruled lined paper

  • 4 wide-ruled composition notebooks

  • 1 backpack

  • 1 box of Kleenex

  • 1 refillable water bottle

6th – 5th grades

  • 12 #2 pencils

  • 1 package of blue or black pens

  • 1 package of paper

  • 1 combination lock, for PE only (check with school)

  • 1 backpack

  • 1 refillable water bottle

  • 1 LCPS issued laptop

9th – 12th grades

  • 1 package of blue or black pens

  • 1 package of pencils with erasers (mechanical or standard)

  • 1 refillable water bottle

  • 1 backpack

  • Supply needs may vary, check with individual teachers on the first day of classes for specifics.

Ernesto Cisneros is a UNM NM Local News Fund Fellow covering education. He can be reached at ECisneros@lcsun-news.com Follow him on Twitter at @_ernestcisneros

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Prepare your child for back to school in Las Ctruces