Greetings Lavallette School Community!
STEAM Lessons at the Beach
As the weather warms up, students get to enjoy our local environment as part of their learning experiences. Mr. Oliver recently planned a fun scavenger hunt for invasive species and a beach clean up for students in K-4. Mr. Walls regularly takes our 5-8th grade Science classes up to the beach for ongoing lessons in erosion and conservation.
State Testing
NJSLA testing begins next month for students in grades 3-8. Students are assessed in English Language Arts and Math, and students in grades 5 and 8 are also assessed in Science. We ask parents to be mindful of their child’s attendance and to ensure that students are well rested and have a good breakfast before coming to school on those days so they can truly “Show What You Know”!
Students enjoyed the “Show What You Know” pep rally on April 23rd, where students in K-2 cheered on students in grades 3-8 prior to state testing.
Summer STEAM Camp and Montessori Weeks of Wonder
Lavallette School is planning to once again offer a FREE five-week summer program this year beginning July 8th. Last year’s program was a big success and students reported they had great fun in this project-based learning environment. The program is scheduled to run Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 AM-12:30 PM, and will have an engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) focus. Parents may send their child(ren) for all weeks, or select only certain weeks. The program is being funded through federal ARP ESSER dollars, and this is the last summer these grant funds are offered. For more information, please contact the main office. Registration closes on May 24th.
There will also be a tuition-based 2 week Montessori summer camp, “Weeks of Wonder,” offered for enrolled preschool 3-5 year olds. The camp is scheduled to run August 5-8th and August 12th -15th from 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM. The cost of that program is $500 per child for both weeks, or $265 per child for one week. Registration is currently open and space is limited, so please contact the main office if you are interested.
Students Explore Ocean County College/Kean University
Students in our 5th-8th grade ACES reading group recently enjoyed a day exploring the campus of Ocean County College/Kean University, while also participating in a poetry performance of The Iliad, which they are currently reading. In addition to writing and performing their original poetry, students enjoyed lunch in the college student center, a show in the planetarium, and a tour of the campus facilities.
Modified School Calendar
We’ve been fortunate to have had a mild winter and to only have used one of our reserved emergency closure days. At the May board meeting, we will modify the 2023-24 school calendar, which means our last day of school will be June 12th. Please note the following important dates:
● Field Day - May 23rd at 11:00 AM
● Kindergarten Graduation - June 6th at 11:00 AM
● 8th Grade Award Night - June 5th at 6:30 PM
● Class of 2024 Commencement - June 11th at 7:00 PM (Rain Date - June 12th)
Scholastic Book Fair
Thank you to all the parents, grandparents, and community volunteers who helped out with this year’s Scholastic Book Fair. The extra hands made lighter work and we had a very successful event this year. Teachers are very grateful for the books parents purchased for the classroom libraries, in addition to the dozens of new books given to us from Scholastic.
Legacy Wall - Great Idea for Your Graduate!
Looking for a great way to honor your 8th grade graduate? Consider purchasing a custom tile for the Lavallette School Legacy Wall! Students can custom design their own tile or parents can design it for them. Please contact Mrs. Christin King for ordering information at cking@lavallettek12.org.
Parent Corner
Reflecting and Setting New Goals
It’s almost the end of another school year. Students have navigated learning challenges, read new books and mastered new skills. Now is the perfect time to sit down and talk about everything your child has learned this year.
During your discussion:
Take a look back - What was your child’s favorite school project this year? How did your child manage to overcome obstacles? What goals did your child accomplish? Help your child recognize personal growth. “You worked very hard to master division this year. You can do challenging things when you have a positive attitude and put in the time and effort!”
Take a look forward - What is your child looking forward to this summer? What seems exciting about next year? Is there a subject or an area your child would like to improve in? Are there books your child would like to read? Is there an extracurricular activity your child would like to try? Together, make a list of things your elementary schooler hopes to accomplish in the months to come.
Set summer learning goals - Talk about how learning doesn’t stop at the end of the school year. One of the great things about the summer is that it offers the opportunity to learn new things. Together, think about something your child would like to learn during the summer. It could be a new sport, a new language, or an artistic skill. Then, help your child make a detailed plan to achieve the learning goal.
Middle School Reading Success
In middle and high school, the reading material is more complex and contains advanced vocabulary. Having a broad vocabulary will give your child an advantage. To focus on building vocabulary over the summer months, encourage your child to:
Read every day - Middle schoolers should read a variety of materials— novels, short stories, news articles, magazines and websites. The more reading material children take in, the more words they will encounter. Encourage your child to look up unfamiliar words and learn their meanings.
Talk - Introduce new words when you have conversations with your child. “I am excited to start my new job tomorrow, but I am also apprehensive.” This is a great exercise for everyone in the family.
Practice - Reading and hearing all these new words may not mean much if your child doesn’t use them. Challenge your child to use one or two new words a day.
“One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.” — Evelyn Waug
Lavallette School’s Social Media
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 the following social media platforms: Instagram, Twitter, 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
Leadership Achievement Values Aspirations
#LAVAproud
Lavallette Elementary School
Mission Statement
In partnership with our community, Lavallette School District is committed to providing and preserving a safe and personalized environment where each student embraces learning and strives for excellence.