The Weekly Update

The Lawrence Township Public Schools (LTPS) will continue to administer the NJSLA (New Jersey Student Learning Assessment), the state-adopted computer-based standardized assessment. All students in grades 3-9 will be tested in English and Language Arts (ELA), and all students in grades 3-8 will be tested in Mathematics, and students enrolled in Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II will take content-specific assessments, as well as the Grade 8 Science Assessment.

For the 2025-2026 school year, testing will take place on the following days:

Tuesday, May 12 (Writing)

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Math)

Tuesday and Wednesday, May 26 and 27 (Science-8th Grade Only)

Testing will generally be completed by 11:00 am.

Important Reminders:

- Students must bring their fully-charged laptop

- Get a good night sleep

- Eat a nutritious breakfast

- Students must bring their fully-charged laptop

Students are well-prepared and should put forth their best effort.

For more information, please contact your child's school counselor.

May 2026

Dear Eighth Grade Parents/Guardians,

End of year activity reminders

8th Grade Farewell Ceremony Ticket Information

The Farewell Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Rider University in the Alumni Gym. Each student will be recognized for successfully completing eighth grade. Students are encouraged to dress appropriately in business attire for the ceremony.

Each eighth grader will receive three (3) tickets to the ceremony. If you do not need all three of the tickets you have been given, please return any unused tickets via your student to the Main Office.

Starting on May 11, 2026, parents may request up to three (3) additional tickets in writing (mcoleman@ltps.org); requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. We will not accept requests prior to May 11th. Students will receive all of their tickets on June 16, 2026.

All questions can be referred to Mary Beth Coleman (main office secretary) at (609) 671-5525 or by email at mcoleman@ltps.org.

A map of the Rider University campus is attached for your reference. The Alumni Gym is identified on the map. Please plan accordingly, as parking is located behind the Student Recreation Center, and there will be a short walk into the building to find seating.

8th Grade Trip

Black Bear Lake in Millstone, NJ on Thursday, June 18th.

· Only eighth-grade LMS students may attend.

· Bus will depart at 8 am and return to school at 3:00 pm

· Trip will cost $65 per student

· Final payment and permission slip were due by May 1st

Reach out to Jill Testa at jtesta@ltps.org. if you have questions.

8th Grade Dance/Celebration

The Eighth Grade Dance/Celebration will be held on Friday, June 5, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the Lawrence High School Commons.

• Only eighth-grade Lawrence Middle School students may attend.
• Formal attire is not required; the school dress code will be enforced.
• Students must be picked up promptly at 10:00 p.m. from the Commons by an adult. Parent/Guardians must park and come into the LHS Commons. Students are not permitted to walk home.

During the celebration, students will enjoy a variety of activities, including dancing, a Mobile Game Theater, an interactive photo booth, and will receive a Class of 2030 T-shirt. The event will be catered with a selection of hot and cold appetizers, desserts, and drinks.

• Tickets are $45 per student.
• Money and permission slips are due by May 29th .
• Payment must be made by check or money order payable to Lawrence Middle School.

If your child would like a Class of 2030 T-shirt but does not plan to attend the dance, they may see Ms. Testa to place an order ($5.00).

Important Reminders

• Students must attend school for at least four (4) hours on both June 5th and June 17th to be eligible to attend the Farewell Ceremony and the Dance.
• Please note: Inappropriate behavior between now and the end of the school year may result in a student losing the privilege of participating in the end-of-year activities.

We are looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our eighth graders at these exciting events!

Sincerely,

Mindy Milavsky, Ed.D.

Principal

Eighth grade students learned about the LMS Ambassador Program on WLMS this past Friday.

The LMS Cardinal Ambassador Program is a small group of 8th-grade students dedicated to the positive promotion of Lawrence Middle School. The Cardinal Ambassadors work on a volunteer basis to serve as a liaison between the current community and prospective students.

Cardinal Ambassadors are visible at many campus events held for prospective students and families. Students will have the unique opportunity to develop and receive training in communication, public relations, marketing and interpersonal skills.

If current 7th grade students are interested in applying, they should go to https://forms.gle/JfqRCVQ3haDMEedp6 to see the requirements and expectations.

They will have to create a 3 minute WeVideo that would answer these questions (no more than 3 minutes please) in order to be considered for the position.

1) What qualities do you possess that would make you a good Cardinal Ambassador?

2) What makes you proud of being an LMS Cardinal?

3) Why do you want to be a Cardinal Ambassador?

4) What else would you like us to know about you?

5) If you were giving a tour of LMS, which three places would show on your tour and why?

Last day to submit the video is May 22 at 2:30pm.

The LMS School Musical is fast-approaching. The performance dates for Dare to Dream, Jr. are:

Saturday, May 16 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm

Sunday, May 17 at 1:00 pm

Tickets may be purchased online using the link below:

https://forms.gle/dAyeaJ8ZtXD3T4q78

Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Only cash will be accepted. Tickets are $10 each.

The cast and crew have been working extremely hard. We hope you will plan to attend the performance(s). Questions? Contact Ms. Baill, LMS Musical Director, bbaill@ltps.org.

Thank you for your support.

Teachers enjoyed a week long celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week which recognized their efforts, skills, dedication and compassion. THANK YOU to our wonderful LMS/LHS PTO who kicked off the week with a hydration table, loaded with waters, teas, coffee and treats. Additionally, raffles were drawn throughout the entire day, awarding our staff with various prizes, including gift cards and many other thoughtful items. All of these items were donated by the PTO community. Thank you!!

Additionally, staff enjoyed daily pick-me-ups provided by Administration. The highlight of the week was breakfast cooked by Dr Wasserleben and Dr. Milavsky!

It was a great week and an opportunity to recognize the hard work our faculty does each day. All of us at LMS and it's community send a huge shout-out to our team! Thank You!!

If you aren't aware, please note that school is in session on Friday, May 22 and Tuesday, May 26. All three Emergency Closing days were used this winter forcing us to be in school on these selected days.

If your student has misplaced an item, there is a VERY GOOD chance that it is on the Lost and Found table. The table is outside of the Main Office. Students pass it when they enter the building in the morning, and those that exit through Door #1, see these items again at dismissal. Please encourage them to stop and look. As we have done in the past, leftover items will be donated at the end of the year.

Some items on the table include water bottles, hoodies including high-end brands like North Face, Nike and Columbia. There are assorted tee shirts, sweats and a number of notebooks, pencil cases and lunch products. More valuable items including costume jewelry, earbuds and glasses are held in the Main Office.

Please, please, please ask your child to stop and look - the item they are missing has probably been on the table the entire time! Thank you.

Here is the current House Point totals, as of May 6, 2026:

Phoenix - 2,274

Draco - 2,229

Orion - 2,222

There are still many opportunities left in the school year to earn house points. However, participation is the only way to earn the points. Our next House Relay is May 15. Points will be awarded for each student wearing their House shirt.