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.

“January reminds us that even the coldest days are filled with warm learning, bright ideas, and growing minds.”- author Unknown

Dear Lavallette Families, 

As we welcomed the month of January, we also welcomed a fresh start and renewed energy throughout our school. The new year is a wonderful time to reflect on how much our students have grown and to look ahead with excitement and optimism.

Even during the winter months, our classrooms remain full of warmth—curiosity, creativity, and kindness are on display each day as our students continue to learn, explore, and support one another. I am proud of their perseverance and grateful for the dedication of our staff and families who make this growth possible.

Upcoming Family Education Night - “Full STEAM Ahead”

Please join us for our next Family Education Night, “Full STEAM Ahead,” will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 PM at Lavallette Elementary School. 

This fun and engaging event brings families together to explore the exciting worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) through hands-on stations, interactive games, and collaborative problem-solving.  Our teachers and students will be leading the activity centers and more information can be found HERE. , including the registration link which is open until February 20th. Don’t miss the fun!

Central Jersey Intermediate School Wrestling League Blue Division Champions

Congratulations to our Lavallette students who participate on the Antrim School wrestling team! Recently, they officially earned the title of the Central Jersey Intermediate School Wrestling League Blue Division Champions. It was a momentous day in Antrim Athletics history as it marks the 1st time in school history that the team has won a division title!

Don’t Miss Our Guest Speaker at February’s Book Club Session!

Our new book club began this past December, but there's still time to join this 10-week virtual book club. We are excited to have Kathy VanBenthuysan from Converlation, our middle school digital safety curriculum, join us on February 17th (virtual session) as we discuss the ways in which boys and girls engage in different ways with technology, smart phones, and social media. 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.  

Bring a friend or another interested family member!  Register HERE and contact the main office to  pick up your FREE book.  

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!

Journaling As a Resource for Middle Schoolers

It’s not realistic to expect middle schoolers to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives. But it is appropriate for them to pay attention to what they like and what they don’t, what they are good at and what they struggle with. Noticing and thinking about these things now gives your child a head start on preparing for the future. One effective way for middle schoolers to get to know themselves better is to keep a journal. They can write about what they think, as well as what they do. Here are some suggestions for your  child to use the journal to think through answers to questions such as: 

• What are my strengths in school? 

• What are my weaknesses in school? 

• What do I love doing outside school? 

• What am I good at doing outside school? 

• What do I like to learn about or would I like to learn more about? 

• What is something new I want to try this year? 

• What is important to me right now? 

• What is a goal I am working toward right now? 

• Do I prefer to work with others or alone? 

• Am I happier when I am indoors or outdoors? 

• What have I done in my life that I am most proud of? 

Encourage your child to update the journal regularly. The answers are likely to change—and that’s OK. Help your child think more about the things that stay the same. These trends could provide clues to future success.

Brainstorming As a Solution to Cure Students’ Writer’s Block

Writing can feel like a chore to some kids. They find it boring, while others get overwhelmed and frustrated trying to come up with ideas. You can’t force your child to love writing. But you can overcome reluctance to write by practicing brainstorming. Brainstorming is a low-stress way to spark creativity and break through writer’s block. It’s an easy process that teaches essential skills. When students brainstorm by making lists or drawing concept maps, they learn to break down big, complex ideas into smaller, manageable pieces. This not only makes writing less intimidating but also builds a foundation for stronger organizational skills. The next time your child can’t think of what to write about:

• Make lists - Here are a few topics to get your child started: Things I love. My favorite animals, places, toys or food. Things I know a lot about. Scary characters. Things adults say. 

• Imagine - Ask your child some questions that will spark new ways to think about people, events and scenes. “What would it feel like to be a car, a house or a dog? What would life be like if you had four hands?” 

• Use visual images - Have your child look at a picture and write down what it brings to mind. Or, find something in your house and ask what it makes your child think of. 

• Add action to ideas - What will happen next? How quickly will it happen?

(Copyright 2026, 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 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