Lavallette School Home

 

The New Year is off to a wonderful start here at Lavallette Elementary School! Students in grades K-8 have begun taking their mid-year benchmarks in English Language Arts and Mathematics to help teachers analyze student growth since the beginning of the year and to make instructional decisions to better support our students’ needs.

 

Thank you to everyone who attended the Parent University on January 18th, which was focused on helping parents understand how to use the iReady parent reports to support their child at home. The parent reports will be sent home by mid-February and the Parent University slide presentation can be found on our website.

   

Thank you to everyone who participated in the strategic planning weekend last fall and for those parents who attended the January board meeting where the draft action plans were presented to the Lavallette Board of Education.  The board will spend the next month reviewing the recommended action steps in each of the four goal areas of Student Excellence, Communications, Finance and Facilities, and Community Engagement, before finalizing and adopting the plan at the February meeting.  This is an exciting time for growth and change in our school community with a student-centered focus on developing an outstanding learning environment that meets the unique needs of all students, while leveraging the support, talent, and resources of our parents, families, and extended school community members! There are numerous committees that will be developed as a result of the strategic plan, so if you are interested in getting involved, please contact the main office.

 

Session I of our Afterschool Academy will end on February 3, 2023. Session II will run from February 6, 2023 through May 19, 2023.  You must complete a new registration form if you would like to enroll your child for Session II. Kindergarten students are welcome to enroll for Session II, as well.

 

Parent University - Digital Safety and Responsibility - “Screenagers” Documentary
Our next Parent University is scheduled for February 15th at 5:15 PM and will be focused on “Digital Safety and Responsibility.” The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will be sharing a presentation on keeping your child safe on the Internet, followed by a screening of the documentary, “Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age.”  This documentary is appropriate for students in grades 4-8 only, together with their parents.  Pizza will be served and there will be an opportunity for Q&A.  Please join us for this very important event!  Please RSVP to the email you received.

 

After a long, pandemic-related hiatus, I am pleased to announce the return of our spring musical! Auditions were held and play practices have begun for the production of Annie Jr.  Performances are scheduled for March 8 and 9th.

 

At the January meeting, the Lavallette Board of Education modified the entrance age for preschool enrollment to include students who attain the age of 3 years old by December 1st, rather than October 1st.  

 

Enrollment for the 2023-24 school year will begin in mid-February and will be open to currently enrolled families, and residents of Lavallette and Seaside Park first, before opening general registration.  If you or someone you know is interested in our preschool program, please have them contact the main office at their earliest convenience as there is limited availability.

 

When you visit the school, you’ll notice that we’ve broken through the entry wall as you come into the main hallway, so that our STEAM Lab is more visible.  The area around the window will become our new Legacy Wall, which will eventually display 300 custom tiles designed by our students.  In an effort to make this opportunity more affordable to families and to reach our goal, we have reduced the price of the 8x8 tile to $50 (originally $75).  If you have already purchased a tile, you will be contacted regarding the price reduction and refund.  Parents can find information about this fundraiser on our district website.  Proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward continued enhancements to the STEAM Lab, as we explore other innovative learning opportunities for our students.  Students, parents, and other family members are invited to design a tile, as well.  

 
Parent Corner - THIS FIVE-STEP PROCESS CAN HELP YOUR CHILD SOLVE PROBLEMS
“I don’t have enough time to finish my project.” “I don’t think my teacher likes me.” These are typical problems late elementary and middle school students must solve. While it may be tempting to try and solve problems for your child, it’s far better to help your child sharpen problem-solving skills and find solutions independently. 

 

Share this five-step method: 

1.) Define the problem. Before a problem can be solved, your child needs to be specific about what it is. 
2.) Brainstorm solutions. Once the problem is defined, have your child list possible solutions. During this step, don’t let your child get bogged down in analyzing each idea. Your child should simply list every possible solution. 
3.) Evaluate the options. Now that there are several potential solutions, your child needs to weigh the pros and cons of each. Which solution seems especially strong? 
4.) Make a plan of action. Your child should choose the “best” solution and devise a plan to carry it out. Let your child follow the plan independently, but offer support and guidance when necessary. 
5.) Reassess the situation. How is the plan working? Is it helping your child solve the problem or reach the goal? If yes, wonderful! If not, suggest that your child go back to the “evaluating” step and try another solution.

 

We have so many wonderful things happening here at Lavallette Elementary School and our staff is committed to highlighting all of these exciting learning activities and school community events. We invite you to follow Lavallette school on our social media platforms: twitter, instagram, and facebook.     

 

Thank you to each and every one of our parents for your ongoing support and partnership in your child’s education at Lavallette Elementary School!

 

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Lisa J. Gleason

Superintendent/Principal