April 2025

Greetings Lavallette School Community,

"Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together, they make this world a beautiful garden." – Unknown

April is the time we embrace the season of renewal, growth, and fresh opportunities. Just as spring breathes new life into the world around us, this time of year is also a season of growth for our students. With the final months of the school year ahead, we celebrate their progress, perseverance, and achievements.

The spring brings exciting events, including field trips for our students, more outdoor learning, and ongoing assemblies focused on our consistent efforts to encourage kindness, mindfulness, and empathy for others. We encourage you to stay engaged in our Parent Universities that help to support your child’s learning, and take advantage of the many opportunities to connect with our school community, whether it’s volunteering in the classroom, supporting our PTO, or participating in our Career Awareness and Exploration program.

Wishing you a wonderful spring filled with learning, joy, and new beginnings!

Voices of Lavallette - New Podcast Premiere

I’m super excited to announce the premiere of our new podcast, Voices of Lavallette, where we will highlight the incredible students, staff, and community members who are the heart of Lavallette Elementary School! Our first episode features our 8th grade class officers sharing their thoughts and experiences as they prepare to graduate this spring and move on to high school. You can find our new podcast on our website, on our social media platforms, and on YouTube. The first episode is HERE. Hope you enjoy it!

Autism Awareness

April is Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the unique talents and perspectives of individuals on the autism spectrum and to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. By raising awareness, we help create a more supportive and compassionate community where all students feel valued. Throughout the month of April, students have learned more about autism, how to embrace differences, and how to work together to build a school environment where every child thrives. This month culminated in the “We All Belong” ceremony, sponsored by our PTO, during which time students read messages of acceptance and kindness.

OBOS School-Wide Activities

This month, students soared to new heights of learning with our One Book One School learning activities. Students in Grades 3-8 enjoyed their trips to both the Buehler Challenger and Science Center and Liberty Science Center which tied in effectively with the school-wide reading of the book Hidden Figures. A big Thank You to our teachers, especially Mrs. Sophie Savage who leads our OBOS initiative, for immersing our students in a wide variety of experiential literacy and STEAM lessons that support an even greater understanding of the book they are collectively reading. Check out the OBOS Rocket Launch Challenge HERE!

Career Awareness and Exploration Event

We were fortunate to partner this month with Kean Ocean, Lavallette First Aid Squad, and JEMSTAR South to host an educational day of emergency response demonstrations, as well as a Medivac helicopter landing and evacuation across the street on the Bayfront. This event is designed to engage our 5th-8th grade students in firsthand learning about emergency medical services, public safety procedures and health education. JEMSTAR is the New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Helicopter Response Program, a joint New Jersey Department of Health/New Jersey State Police program, established to provide rapid emergency transport and care for trauma patients throughout the state.

The Power and Impact of Service for Students

The research abounds on the impact of service for students, beginning in elementary school and beyond. Service projects help students develop empathy, responsibility, and a deeper connection to local, and often global, communities. Through activities like community clean-ups, food drives, or simple acts of kindness, young learners begin to see the impact of their efforts and the value of helping others. Service learning not only strengthens character but also builds essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership—laying the foundation for active, caring citizenship in the future. This year, 7th grade student Mackenzie M. continued her tradition of “Packing for a Purpose.” This time she packed school supplies for local schools in Jamaica and feminine products for the Women’s Center of Jamaica. Ashley Simms, Sandals Foundation representative, took time to meet with Mackenzie and thank her for her contributions!

Lavallette Legacy Wall – Phase 2 Underway

Phase 2 of the Lavallette Legacy Wall will be underway shortly, expanding the wonderful honor wall in our school’s entrance way that pays tribute to our students, graduates, family members, and other special community members. This wall, which is the first thing parents, students, and visitors see as they enter the school, is growing with legacy tiles and allows students or family members to custom design their own 8x8” tile for $75 each. For more information, please click on this link Order Tile or see the Wednesday Folder.

Study Buddies Can Make Studying and Learning Fun

Sometimes, kids learn better if they work with another student. Having a study buddy can be an effective way for students to master challenging material. Study buddies can help each other practice math facts. They can help each other prepare for a class presentation. They can test each other to see what they know—and don’t know. Of course, without a bit of planning, a session with a study buddy can turn into nothing more than social time. Here are some tips to make a study session productive:

Commit to the purpose - Both students should agree that they are getting together to study math or social studies—not to play Mario Kart or other games.
Choose someone responsible - Both students should be focused on learning.
Set a schedule - Arrange a time and a quiet place to meet. Older students may want to meet online via FaceTime or Zoom.
Set goals - The study buddies should decide exactly what material they are going to cover and stick to it!

Service Builds Character and Leadership Skills in Students

The world’s problems can seem overwhelming. It’s vital for kids to learn that every person can make a difference, and that when people work together, the results are amazing! Summer volunteering is an effective way to teach this lesson to your child—all while building confidence, compassion and leadership skills. To get started, talk with your child about:

Interests - How do your child’s interests relate to community needs? An animal lover could look for ways to help an animal rescue group. A young entrepreneur could help with a fundraiser.
Skills - Your child’s abilities and strengths can be gifts to others. Your child might hold a bake sale or read to younger children. Sometimes it’s fun to learn new skills, too, such as how to help with landscaping or home repairs.
Needs - Perhaps your child has noticed a park that needs sprucing up. Or, maybe local families need clothing or food. Go online with your child and search for upcoming community service events in your area. You could even ask your child’s teacher if the school needs help over the summer.
Schedules - Volunteering takes time, and families are busy! Set realistic goals that leave room for other priorities. Depending on your family’s commitments, you and your child might volunteer just a few hours here and there— or decide to take on one large, exciting project!

Lavallette School’s Social Media and Communication Platforms

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 download the Lavallette School mobile app, visit our website at www.lavallettek12.org, and follow Lavallette School on the following social media platforms:

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