The Monday Minute
Summer Edition: Back to School Edition 2023
Welcome to the 2023-24 School Year!
We are very excited to kick off a new school year and look forward to welcoming all of our students back on Thursday, August 31st. If you have not already done so, please check your OnCourse Portal for your homeroom placement. On the first day of school, students will receive and review their entire schedule in Homeroom.
To highlight a few items of note, this Monday Minute contains information on School Supply Lists, Team/House Lists, Counselor Information, PickUp Patrol, and Drop Off / Dismissal Information.
Please also don't forget to join us at our first PTA Meeting of the year, scheduled for Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 PM (zoom information included below). We are very grateful to have a supportive PTA and are encouraging all of our families and staff members to consider becoming a member for the 23-24 school year or making a financial donation to support our school community.
Summer Highlights
We Are PANTHERS: Please CLICK HERE see information from Mr. Ippolito on our Portrait of a Panther project that was a major part of our 2022-23 School Year. We are excited to launch "We Are PANTHERS" in September.
WTSCHOOLS APP / SOCIAL MEDIA : Don't miss any LVMS information! Download the WTSchools Mobile App from the Android or Apple App Store. You can also follow us on the following social media platforms:
Facebook @longvalleyms1
Twitter @wtschools
Instagram @washingtontownshipschools
SUMMER PROJECTS UPDATE: A BIG Thank You to our Custodial and Maintenance Staff. The buildings are looking great and we are ready to welcome our students and staff for the 2023-24 School Year!
Upcoming Dates
AUGUST
8/28-WTS Full Staff Professional Development
8/29- WTS BOE Meeting 7:30 PM
8/31- First Day of School for Students
SEPTEMBER
9/4 - SCHOOL CLOSED: Labor Day
9/6- LVMS PTA Meeting: 7:00 PM
9/12- WTS BOE Meeting 7:30 PM
9/21- Fall Picture Day (more information to come)
9/25- SCHOOL CLOSED: Yom Kippur
9/27- LVMS Back to School Night - Grade 6: 6:30 PM
9/28- LVMS Back to School Night - Grades 7 & 8: 6:30 PM
OCTOBER
10/2- Fall Picture Day Makeups (Tentative)
Reminders
DR. TURNAMIAN'S WELCOME TO THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR: Please CLICK HERE for Dr. Turnamian's 2023-24 School Year letter that was sent on August 18th.
LVMS WELCOME BACK LETTER: Please see the August 18th Welcome Back Letter that was sent electronically and posted to our district website and app from Mr. Ippolito.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: Back to School Night is schedule for September 27th for 6th Grade and September 28th for 7th and 8th Grades at 6:30 PM each night.
CHROMEBOOK REMINDER: On the first day of school, it is expected that all students will arrive at LVMS with their fully charged Chromebook. If your student is experiencing technical difficulties with their device please email helpdesk@wtschools.org. 6-8 students that are brand new to the district will receive their school issued device in the first week of the school year.
WTS Mobile App and Social Media
DON'T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD THE WTSCHOOLS MOBILE APP! THIS WILL BE A MAIN METHOD OF COMMUNICATING IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO LVMS FAMILIES THIS YEAR!
App Information:
- Instructional Video
- Download for Android https://bit.ly/3rvTCE7
- Download for iPhone https://apple.co/38OJZtO
**Don't forget to enable push notifications for quicker updates!**
**Be sure to scroll through the LVMS Section of the App to get a look at our "Live Feed". We have been highlighting some great events from this past school year already. We hope to continue to utilize the new App during the 2023-24 school year to increase our communication with our families, highlight all of the different events, and most importantly, showcase our great students and staff!**
2023-24 LVMS Teams
ATTENTION INCOMING 6TH GRADE FAMILIES!
MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION / REQUIREMENTS
- Tdap Vaccine
- Meningococcal Vaccine
Please CLICK HERE for the Medical Form / Additional Information.
Please send any medical records or ask any questions directly to Mrs. Alicia Hade, 6th Grade Nurse
Back to School Information
Recommended School Supplies
The following supplies are recommended / suggested for all LVMS students. Teachers will share class specific material requests with students upon the start of classes (these requests will be minimal). Therefore it may be best to wait to buy supplies once classes begin. All students should plan to come to school on the first day with their charged Chromebook (new students will be issued Chromebooks in the first week of school)
Binders / Organizational Materials
Two large binders (approx. 2”) OR Four smaller binders (approx. 1” )
Tabbed dividers
Two pocket folders
Homework planner
Generic Supplies
Pencil Case (one to insert in binder) or Pencil Box
Pens and pencils
Erasers
Earbuds/ corded headphones (not wireless or AirPod)
Dry erase markers
Colored pencils
Highlighters
Scotch tape
Glue sticks
Scissors
Calculator: Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS (recommended for grade 7 only)
Refillable Water Bottle
It is recommended that students put their name on all items and replenish as needed.
Important Reminders for September!
LVMS SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Please reach out to your grade level counselor with any specific questions! They are here to support all of our students as they transition into a new grade level and navigate middle school.
GRADE 6
GRADE 7
GRADE 8
2023-24 Important Calendars
- 180 Day School Calendar
- Holidays, Days off, etc.
- District wide events / important dates
- LVMS specific events / important dates
Throughout the year the LVMS School Calendar on the website / app is the best resource for all student events, programs, etc. and will be updated regularly. This can be downloaded as a PDF or syncing directly to a personal calendar if needed.
Student Handbook
Building Schedules: 2023-24 Updates!
- LVMS Master Schedule
- LVMS Delayed Opening Schedule
- LVMS Early Dismissal Schedule
- LVMS Marking Period / Course Rotation Schedule
PickUp Patrol
All LVMS families should log into their PickUp Patrol account to verify pick up / drop of plans. Any new families will receive an email directly from PickUp Patrol with account information. LVMS will utilize PickUp Patrol in the following ways:
Reporting Student Absence from school (sick, doctors appointment, etc.)
Reporting a student coming to school late
Requesting to pick up a student early from school
Giving permission for a student to walk home after school or NOT take the bus.
STUDENT DROP OFF / PICK UP PROCEDURES
Student Attendance Reminders
Included are the list of Excused / Unexcused Absences as outlined by District Policy 5200:
Excused Absence
1. Requirements of a student’s individual health care plan
2. A death in the student’s family
3. Quarantine or isolation as determined by school health personnel
4. Observance of the student’s religion on a day approved for that purpose by the New Jersey State Board of Education
5. Requirements of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
6. Participation in “Take your Child to Work Day”
7. The student’s required attendance in court
8. Interviews with an admissions officer of an educational institution.
Unexcused Absence
1. Family or Personal travel
2. Other daytime activities unrelated to the school program.
School Lunch
Please CLICK HERE to visit the WTS Sodexo Website. Here you can find all information on meals offered at LVMS. Parents are HIGHLY encouraged to register for and create a MealTime Account for their student. Through MealTime families can add money to a student lunch account online and monitor student spending virtually. This method is preferred as it is a cashless option. If you require information on free and reduced lunch programs, please visit the Sodexo Website where it will direct you to the appropriate forms. Any questions regarding school lunches can be directed HERE.
Fall 2023 Athletics
Soccer (7th/8th Graders)
Boys - Mr. Petrucelli
Girls - Mr. Demarest
Field Hockey (7th/8th Graders)
Girls - Ms. Kozimor / Mrs. LeViere
Cross Country (6-8 Graders)
Boys & Girls - Ms. Erbe
Check out the LVMS Sports Portal for all schedules / sports team updates.
Any questions can be directed to individual coaches or to Mr. Mitch Schlesinger, LVMS Sports Coordinator
PTA Events & Information
LVMS PTA is gearing up for a fantastic 2023-24 school year! Join the LVMS PTA! The PTA is now accepting Annual Family & Staff Membership registrations! We hope to have all of our families and staff join the PTA to support educational initiatives, student assemblies, and help in continuing to build upon our great community! PTA Teacher / Staff Membership: $15 CLICK HERE to Join the LVMS PTA for the 2023-24 School Year! First PTA Meeting of the 2023-24 School Year: The first PTA Meeting of the School Year will be on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm in the LVMS Library, as well as via Zoom. Zoom Meeting ID: 495 775 0399 Passcode: LVMSPTA
Membership Benefits
Long Valley Middle School
Website: www.wtschools.org
Location: 51 West Mill Road, Long Valley, NJ, USA
Phone: 908-876-3434
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/longvalleyms1
Twitter: @WTSchools