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.

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves begin to change, October brings with it a renewed sense of energy and purpose here at Lavallette Elementary School. The first month of school has flown by, and it’s been wonderful to see our students fully engaged in learning, exploring new ideas, and supporting one another as part of our close-knit community.

I want to take a moment to thank our dedicated teachers and staff for creating such a positive and inspiring environment. Their hard work ensures that every child feels valued, challenged, and encouraged to reach their full potential. I also extend my gratitude to our parents and families for their ongoing partnership—your involvement truly makes a difference in the success of our students.

October is an exciting month filled with learning opportunities and community events. From classroom projects highlighting fall themes, to Red Ribbon Week activities, to our much-anticipated Halloween festivities, there are plenty of ways for students to showcase their creativity and school spirit.

As we move further into the school year, let’s continue to celebrate our shared commitment to kindness, curiosity, and growth. Together, we are building a learning environment where every child can thrive academically and socially.

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and colorful fall season!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent/teacher conferences will be held on Monday, November 25th from 1:00-3:00 PM and on Tuesday, November 26th from 5:00-7:00 PM. Teachers will be coordinating conference times with parents.  This year, teachers worked with students to create “Personalized Learning Goals,” based upon student assessment data. These goals, which your child helped develop, provide a valuable talking point for parents and teachers during conferences!

Here are some ways to get the most out of your conference:

Before the conference:

●        Make a list of things you’d like to tell the teacher, such as your child’s favorite subjects and activities, difficulties in school, medical needs and any sensitive issues.

●        Make a list of things to ask the teacher about, such as your child’s work habits, attitude, behavior, strengths and weaknesses.

●        Let your child know you are having a conference. Ask if there’s anything you and the teacher should discuss

During the conference:

●        Be on time. Teachers have many conferences, and being late will reduce the time you have together.

●        Listen carefully and take notes about your child’s progress.

●        Be positive. Remember, you and your child’s teacher both want what’s best for your child.

●        Make a plan with the teacher to address any concerns and schedule a time to follow up.

After the conference:

●        Let your child know how the conference went.

●        Start with positive comments. Then, talk about any suggestions the teacher made—and how you plan to help your child carry these out.

 This year, teachers worked with students to create “Personalized Learning Goals,” based upon student assessment data. These goals, which your child helped develop, provide a valuable talking point for parents and teachers during conferences!

 Water Safety Awareness at Lavallette Elementary School

At Lavallette Elementary School, given our geographical location along the beautiful Jersey coastline, we have always prioritized water safety for our students. In addition to our annual spring beach safety assemblies led by the Lavallette Beach Patrol, our students in grades 1-8th began attending water safety instruction lessons annually at the Neptune Aquatics center each year, thanks to the generous support of the Lavallette Police and Fire Departments.

This month, we welcomed the partnership of the ZAC Foundation and the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance in bringing additional water safety awareness into our curriculum for grades K-4, and a Parent University held on October 28th that featured many water safety experts and exhibitors. This event was not just about awareness—it is about empowering our community to make informed choices and build lifelong habits that keep our children safe, not just at the beach and bay, but in pools, bathtubs, hot tubs, and any water-related activities. We plan to bring this event back again in the spring so both parents and students can participate together. Together, we can ensure that every splash, swim, and moment near water is a safe one.

Targeted Assistance Program (TAP) Begins in November

This year we will continue to use federal Title I funds to support identified students who need additional instruction in English language arts and mathematics. Our Targeted Assistance Program (TAP) will begin the week of November 10th on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM on designated days. Parents will receive a letter if their child is being recommended for this program.  

Don’t Miss Family Education Night - “One Community, Many Cultures”

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Family Education Night: “Many Cultures,One Community,” on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 PM at Lavallette Elementary School.

This special evening will celebrate the diverse backgrounds, traditions, and experiences that make our school community so unique. Families will have the opportunity to share their culture through food, customs, crafts, music, dance, or other meaningful traditions that reflect who they are and where they come from.

Whether your family has lived in Lavallette for generations or joined our community more recently, your story is an important part of what makes our school special. We hope you will join us in this celebration of learning, sharing, and connection.

We look forward to an inspiring evening where we come together as one community to honor the many cultures that enrich our school.

New Community Book Club at Lavallette Elementary School - “The Anxious Generation”

Lavallette Elementary School is excited to host a 10-week community book club beginning this December.  The book club will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual sessions and all participants will receive a copy of the book, The Anxious Generation. Join speaker, Jonathan Baressi, as he opens our first book club session on December 2nd, as well as several of our virtual meetings!

The book “The Anxious Generation” is attracting the attention of parents and school district leaders as we continue to navigate more effective ways to support improved student mental health and wellness.  Author John Haidt, a social psychologist and professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University, suggests this book is a “generation-defining investigation into the collapse of youth mental health in an era of smartphones, social media, and big tech.” 

Our community book club will begin with an in person session on Tuesday, December 2nd from 6:00-7:30 in our STEAM Lab.  Registration information will be shared shortly! Bring a friend or another interested family member!

Calling All Parents - Join the “Portrait of A Graduate” Committee!

We need you! Your creativity, imagination, and investment in our students is needed as we embark upon the process of Portrait of a Graduate. This process engages all stakeholders in the school community in developing a comprehensive picture of the 21st century skills that our district believes students should embody and exemplify by 8th grade graduation. More information will be forthcoming about this committee.

November is a Great Month To Teach and Learn With Your Child

Education doesn’t just happen at school—it happens everywhere! And November is a month full of learning opportunities:

★      Nov. 4—King Tut Day. With your child, check out a book or go online to learn more about the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb.

★       Nov. 4—Election Day. Talk to your child about rights, responsibilities and why it is important to vote.

★      Nov. 11—Veterans Day. Talk about the sacrifices military people have made for our freedom. Make cards for a veteran you know or to send to the troops.

★      Nov. 13—World Kindness Day. Encourage your child to perform acts of kindness throughout the day. Discuss how small acts can make a big difference.

★      Nov. 16—International Day of Tolerance. Talk with your child about the importance of behaving respectfully toward people whose beliefs differ from yours.

★      Nov. 17-21—American Education Week. Try to visit the school one day this week to show your support for education.

★      Nov. 23-29—National Family Week. Spend extra time as a family this week. Play games, cook meals and read together!

★      Nov. 27—American Thanksgiving. Have family members make a list of all the people and things they are thankful for.

 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 our 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