Message from Admin

Happy May, Families!

We have officially entered what I like to call the "May-hem" of the school year. This is that unique time when the weather finally invites us outside, yet the calendar insists we stay busier than ever inside. Between spring performances, field trips, and final projects, our hallways are buzzing with an energy that only the home stretch can provide.

Teacher Appreciation Week

Next week marks Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4-8). If you have a moment, I encourage you to send a quick note of thanks to a staff member who has made a difference for your child this year. A little bit of gratitude goes a long way in fueling our team through these final weeks!

A Note on Transitions: For our families with students moving on to high school next year, we know this is a bittersweet time. We are working hard to ensure they feel prepared, confident, and celebrated as they prepare for their next big adventure.

Looking Ahead this Month

Please take a moment to note important events and dates as the month quickly flies by!

Keystone Testing (select 8th graders): May 18 & 19

Chorus Concert: May 19

Snow Make Up Day: May 22

Memorial Day Holiday: May 25 (no school)

Art Show & Band Concert: May 27

Tribe Pride Day (field day): May 29 (rain date: June 1)

Thank you for your continued partnership. We couldn't do this without your support. Let’s make this final month the best one yet!

Warmly,

LASD Admin

School-wide PBIS Celebration

On Thursday, April 2, 2026 the middle school held a School Wide PBIS celebration. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students competed against staff members in a battle of the minds for bragging rights. Questions were broken down into 3 rounds. Round One was the Generation Gap where staff had to answer questions about student culture, GenZ and Alpha trends then students had to answer questions about 80s, 90s, and 00s nostalgia. Round Two was Academic Potpourri with questions about school subjects. Round Three was The “Finish The” Lightning Rounds where participants had to finish the line from a song or movie. The oohs and ahhs could be heard in the hallway with everyone cheering on the teams. In the end it was The Final Round “The Brain Buster” that determined the winner. The score was close entering the Final Round but in the end it was the strategy of wagering points that determined the winner. Staff won! Great job by all the students and staff brave enough to go up on stage.

6th Sense Competition

Congratulations to the LAMS 6th Sense team for their second place finish in this year's competition. Our LAMS team did an awesome job in the first two days of competition heading into the finals undefeated. The final evening of competition was a nail biter coming down to an extra round of competition between Lehighton and Palmerton with Lehighton coming in 2nd place. Mrs. Lusch and Miss Grasso are extremely proud of Payton Dutt, Jake Kistner, Ani Kratzer, Henry Mahoney, Jerome Scarpati, and Alex Svetz not just for how well they competed, but for how well they behaved and represented LAMS overall. Great Job!!!!

PSSA Pa-Looza

On Friday, April 17th, the Middle School held a PSSA Palooza. Students attended an assembly to have some fun before the PSSA testing began. Students and staff participated in fun activities like Pictionary, Relay Races and the Totem Pole of Triumph just to name a few. The activities were related to PSSA terminology, testing rules and positive testing helpful hints. The assembly ended with a video of Derek Redmond, a British sprinter who competed in the 1992 Summer Olympics. The video shows Mr. Redmond finishing his 400 meter race despite the fact that he tore his right hamstring. He refused to quit, instead he hobbled to the finish line, his father Jim Redmond broke through security to help his son cross the finish line. This moment of courage and perseverance is an iconic example of not giving up and always trying your best. Students left the assembly with good testing energy and positive mind sets.

Breakfast & Lunch Menus can be accessed via our school website: https://lehighton.nutrislice.com/menu/lehighton-middle

All students can receive FREE breakfast and lunch daily. NEW: Students arriving late to school (before 8:30 am) can get a grab and go Breakfast to head to class with.

After-school meals began Monday, September 8th. (This is great for the athletes who have practice or game after school, and even for students who would like something to eat before going home.) Please note that if your child takes Bus Transportation home, they can't eat on the bus.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Supporting Our Middle School Students Together

Middle school is a time of growth, change, and new challenges. As students navigate friendships, academics, and self-discovery, their mental health is just as important as their physical health. Supporting a middle schooler’s mental health doesn’t require perfection—it’s about consistency, awareness, and creating a home environment where they feel safe being themselves. At this age, emotions can be intense and sometimes unpredictable, so small, steady habits make a big difference.

What Families Can Do at Home:

Start with connection - make time each day to check in, even briefly. Encourage open, honest conversations and try to listen without judgment.
Maintain routines (sleep, meals, homework) - these matter more than they might admit and help to regulate mood and reduce stress.
Promoting healthy habits like physical activity, creative hobbies, journaling, or spending time outdoors can all help students process emotions.
Pay attention to screen time, but don’t treat it as the enemy. Work together to set reasonable limits.

Why It Matters:
When students feel supported, heard, and understood, they are better able to manage stress, build resilience, and succeed both in and out of school.

Remember:
Asking for help is normal and okay. Let’s work together to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and supported. Whether it’s talking to you, a teacher, or a school counselor, knowing they have trusted adults to turn to can make all the difference.

If you have questions and/or concerns about your child’s well-being, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Guidance department.

Returning student information for the upcoming school year is now available! This process replaces the Student Emergency Forms sent home at the beginning of each school year. You will use Power school Parent Portal to access Power school registration. Visit https://powerschool.lehighton.org. For more information please see your email from LASD on 8/26/25.
Please review our student handbook and keep handy throughout the school year.
Check your email frequently for communication from the school or your child's teachers.
If you have questions about a specific class, please email or contact the specific teacher. Homeroom teachers are great for general info, but won't know class specific answers.

Drop Off & Pick Up Reminders

Attention families: Please review our drop off and pick up procedures

Drop off: 8th grade or breakfast students can be dropped off in the main lot. Please watch for staff crossing to enter the building. 6 & 7th grade students are to be dropped off in the north lot. Doors open at 7:15 AM and close at 7:26 am.

Pick up : Families picking up their child should get them from the south lot. Please get in line to pick them. Parking in the lot and asking your child to cross to your car is a safety concern. No parent should pick up their student in the main lot when walkers are called.

We appreciate your attention to these procedures to ensure safety for all students and staff!

Carbon County Kid Zone Event

This free event features giveaways, including bicycles, food, and activities aimed at promoting health and safety for children. There is no charge for the event and there is nothing for sale. Partnerships with local emergency Departments, health networks, and community centered organizations makes for a fun and informative day for all involved. The age range is for elementary to young teens.

For a full description from last year, click on this link for the Times News article on http://bit.ly/4cU9CYK.

Free Hotline for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Now Available

In September, the Department of Aging announced the expansion of a free legal service and referral resource to support grandparents raising grandchildren across the Commonwealth. The PA Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Legal Line is a first-of-its-kind phone service staffed by attorneys at SeniorLAW Center who will offer legal information, advice and referrals as well as services for older caregivers who need support in custody or other legal areas involving kinship care.

By calling SeniorLAW Center at 1-877-727-7529, older caregivers can receive free advice and counsel on a variety of civil matters, including custody and dependency; support in representing themselves in family court, such as help with preparing necessary documents; information on kinship caregivers, support groups, and other resources. A grant from the Department of Aging has enabled this service to expand from serving the Philadelphia region, to now serving all 67 counties in the Commonwealth.