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.

“Kindness is the true spirit of the season.” - author Unknown

 Throughout the month of December, I am reminded of what makes Lavallette Elementary School such a special place - our strong sense of community, our shared commitment to our children, and the kindness that shines through in even the smallest moments of each school day. This time of year encourages reflection and gratitude, and I am deeply thankful for the partnership we share with our families.

 In the spirit of the season, I am inspired by the words of author Hamilton Wright Mabie, who wrote, “Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” This gentle reminder reflects the generosity, warmth, and goodwill that define this time of year and that our students and families bring to our school community.

 As we move through the final weeks of 2025, I encourage everyone to take time to enjoy meaningful moments with loved ones, celebrate our students’ accomplishments, and extend kindness throughout our community. On behalf of everyone at Lavallette Elementary School, I wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with peace, joy, and good health.

One Book One School Brings in South Pacific Island Dancer Assembly

The South Pacific Island Dancers assemblies brought the One Book One School project to life by deepening students’ cultural and geographical understanding. Through vibrant performances and engaging storytelling, students and teachers alike learned about traditional dances, their history, and their meaning, which further enriched our shared reading journey.

Holiday Extravaganza Showcases Students’ Talents

The holiday season is upon us and our Holiday Extravaganza was a joyful celebration of student talent and creativity! Our PreK-8th grade students lit up the stage with impressive musical and vocal performances that captured the spirit of the season. From cheerful melodies and holiday carols, to choreographed songs and dances, our young performers showcased their hard work and artistry. Thank you to our dedicated staff, families, and students for making this year’s event such a memorable and heartwarming success! A big Thank You to Mr. Clements, our music teacher, and Mrs. Falana, our preschool teacher, for their guidance and direction this year!

Star Students of the First Marking Period

Grayson C., Noah C., Anthony T., Oliver H., Riley R., Alek A., Otto S., Anthony B., Marlee B.

Congratulations Mrs. Christin King - 2025-26 Teacher of the Year

We recently honored Mrs. Christin King as the 2025-26 Lavallette School District Teacher of the Year.  Christin was selected based upon a variety of criteria, including voting from parents and staff, as well as a review of her contributions to the school community and leadership characteristics.  She will be recognized at the county award celebration in May 2026, and at our January board meeting we will present Christin with her “golden apple” award.

There’s Still Time to Join Our New Community Book Club at Lavallette Elementary School - “The Anxious Generation” - Get Your FREE Book!

Our new book club began on December 2nd but there's still time to join this 10-week virtual book club. All participants will receive a free copy of the book, The Anxious Generation, which highlights the challenges facing parents as children engage with smart phones and social media. Guest speakers will lead several sessions, including Jonathan Barresi, a former Parent University speaker and school administrator who works with parents in using the framework in the book, as well as Dr. Susan Polkowski, licensed psychologist and Director of Counseling Services at Georgian Court University.  Bring a friend or another interested family member!  Register HERE and contact the main office to  pick up your FREE book.

 Sign Ups Have Begun to Join the “Portrait of A Graduate” Committee!

Our Portrait of A Graduate process begins after our holiday break, and we invite parents and community members to partner with us in developing a comprehensive picture of the 21st century skills that our district believes students should embody and exemplify by 8th grade graduation.  Committee meetings with teachers and school community members will be held on the dates below. Attendance is encouraged for all sessions, but you are welcome to attend as many sessions as possible.

 2/18/2026 - 3:00-4:00 PM Introduction/It Starts With the Mission

3/6/2026 - 1:00- 3:00 PM - Decoding #LAVA

3/20/2026 - 1:00-3:00 PM - Developing Student Competencies

3/18/2026 - 3:00-4:00 PM - Teaching Through the Lens of the Portrait

4/15/2026 - 3:00-4:00 PM - Finalizing POG for board presentation

5/20/2026 - 3:00-4:00 PM - Internal Presentation to Team in advance of BOE presentation

Please use this FORM if you would like to join this very creative and important process!

Montessori Preschool Openings for 2026-27 School Year

Our Montessori Preschool continues to be at maximum enrollment this year, with a waiting list of students prepared to enroll for the 2026-27 school year.  If you or someone you know is interested in enrolling for the 2026-27 school year, now is the time to contact the main office and be placed on the pending registration list. 

A new study, recently released by the University of Virginia, found that students graduating from a Montessori preschool program found stronger outcomes by the end of kindergarten in reading ability, executive functioning, short term memory, and social understanding.  Please contact the main office if you would like more information about our preschool program.

Supporting Your Child in Making Studying a Habit

Whose name would you remember more easily - someone you spent a little time with once, or someone you see regularly? Of course, it’s the person you see often. Studying works the same way. It’s better to study something repeatedly over time than to cram before a test. The keys to helping make studying a daily habit are:

●        Organization - teach your child to use assignment notebooks and calendars to schedule study time and keep track of test dates. Making daily to-do lists works well for studying, too.

●        Participation - expect your child to listen in class and take notes. Your child should not be afraid to ask the teacher questions. Most likely, there are other students in the class with the same questions.

●        Dedication - designate a quiet, comfortable spot for working and make sure studying is part of your child’s daily routine. If there are no assignments, encourage your child to read ahead or tackle some sample problems.

●        Review - your child should spend a short time reviewing lessons each day. Encourage your child to fill in missing information in notes while it is still fresh in mind.

●        Alternation - have your child review one subject for a short time, then switch to another one before returning to the first.

The Six Step Process For Students To Tackle Any Test

While there are specific ways to approach specific kinds of tests, there are some general strategies that can help students do their best on most tests. Encourage your child to:

1. Read the instructions twice to ensure understanding.

2. Underline direction words such as compare, list, describe, define and summarize.

3. Skim all the questions quickly before starting, and decide how much time to spend on each question.

4. Read each question carefully. Then, your middle schooler should think about the answer before reading any choices provided.

5. Skip a question if unsure of the answer. If the test format allows, your child should answer the “easy” questions first. Then, your child can come back to the others.

6. Allow time to go back and check answers. Do they make sense?

(Copyright 2025, The Parent Institute)

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