February Newsletter
Lehighton Area Middle School- 2025-2026
Message from Administration
Dear Families,
They say February is the shortest month, but in a middle school, it often feels like one of the most significant. We are officially past the midpoint of the school year—a time when our students are no longer "just settling in" but are truly hitting their stride.
Celebrating Remarkable Growth
I want to take a moment to share some incredibly proud "Principal moments" from the last few weeks. We recently wrapped up our mid-year MAP and iReady benchmark assessments, and the results are a testament to the hard work happening in our classrooms.
Watching the data come in, it’s clear that our students aren't just showing up—they are leveling up. We’ve seen significant gains in both reading and math across all grade levels. Whether it’s a student finally mastering a complex algebraic concept or another leaping forward in their reading Lexile score, these "aha!" moments are what make our school community thrive.
Growth isn't just about a score; it’s about the grit it takes to get there. Please join us in celebrating your child’s progress. Whether their growth was a giant leap or a steady step forward, it counts.
Keeping the Momentum
Winter can sometimes bring a dip in energy, but we are using these benchmark successes to fuel our academic resilience. This month, we are encouraging students to:
Set Micro-Goals: Use their scores to pick one specific skill to improve before Spring.
Lean into Challenge: Mid-year coursework is designed to be more complex; we’re teaching students to see "the struggle" as the sound of their brain growing.
What’s Happening This Month
Kindness Counts: In honor of Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 9-13)
Winter Sports & Clubs: From the final buzzer of basketball and wrestling seasons to the rehearsals for our spring drama production, our students are showing incredible dedication.
Winter Olympics and Rules Refresher: We will be hosting our annual Winter Olympics for students as well as using our mid-year point to refresh students on rules and expectations.
8th Grade Planning for next year: 8th graders will have opportunities to tour CCTI as well as learn about course selection for high school.
Important Dates
February 13: Snow Make up day: Normal School Day
February 16: No School- President's Day Holiday
February 20: Progress Reports sent via email (Marking Period 3)
Closing Notes:
Middle school is a bridge. Some days it feels sturdy, and some days it feels a little wobbly. Thank you for being the pilings that hold that bridge up from the home front. Your partnership—whether it's checking the parent portal or simply celebrating these mid-year wins—makes all the difference.
Stay warm, stay curious, and let’s make it a great February!
Warmly,
LAMS Admin
Mr. Kacyon's 6th Grade Chorus members attends Songfest!
What's So Cool with Manufacturing?
Mrs. AnnaLeigh Conway and the middle school gifted students were happy to volunteer to decorate the bulletin board outside of the main office for the month of January. The students embraced this opportunity to showcase their experiences with creating their submission to the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” annual competition.
PMEA Band Fest
Mrs. Renee Marciante had the honor of escorting Nora Griffiths and Xander Moser to the PMEA Elementary Band Festival earlier this month. They traveled to JT Lambert Elementary School in East Stroudsburg, where they represented Lehighton among 25 other schools. They learned music for the first time and then performed it later that evening for their families and friends. Congratulations to Nora and Xander for earning this unforgettable opportunity. Bravo!
School Wide PBIS Celebration for Marking Period 2
The second marking period School Wide Positive Behavior Rewards Celebration was held on Thursday, January 22nd. Students had the opportunity to choose what they wanted to do during this celebration from a list of ten different options. Some of the options included cooking, volleyball, guitar, or watching a movie like Lilo & Stitch or Elemental just to name a few. A few of the staff members had the delicious assignment of pushing the Hot Chocolate Cart to each of the celebration locations so that students could enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while participating in their chosen reward.
LASD communicates severe weather delays and school closures in numerous ways. These include email, text and phone. Local news stations also post updates too! If you are not receiving these notifications, please call the school office to update your contact information!
Please note: On 2 hr delays- breakfast is NOT served.
Are you signed up for text messages?
It’s almost incomprehensible that winter is right around the corner. But ready or not, here it comes! You can prepare yourself a bit more for the wintry weather and the interruptions it causes to school by signing up for text messages when school is closed, delayed, or dismissing early.
To sign up, text the letter "Y" to 67587.
(If you are currently receiving texts from LASD, there is no need to do anything more.)
Lost and Found Reminder
Notice anything missing at home? Our lost and found is always full. It is located in the main office. After an extended stay at the lost and found, items are donated to a local organization.
Spring Sports Physical Information (Grade 7 & 8)
Lehigh Valley Health Network has distributed their information for Spring Sports. Students in grades 7th-12th planning on playing a Spring Sport and need a physical can do so by following the information in the link.
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.
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.
Attention 8th Grade Students & Families:
We are beginning to think to Ninth grade already! CCTI opens its doors to a small number of freshman to attend their school each year. On February 4, (snow day Feb 5), interested students will be able to get a tour of the school and some of their shops. Permission slips need to be completed to take this tour (first come first serve). Applications are due no later than February 23rd to the guidance office. There will be no exceptions.
Our staff will review each application and add additional components necessary to ensure it is submitted by the March 1 deadline. Applications can be picked up at the guidance office or printed from their website.
For more information: CLICK HERE or call our guidance office.
- The entire month of February is about heart, and it's not just about celebrating Valentine's day February is also American Heart Month. Every year at this time, the American Heart Association (AHA) works to raise awareness about heart disease by spearheading activities in organizations and communities across the country. This heart health month is a hugely important effort; a quarter of American deaths are due to heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. February is a great time to commit to a healthy lifestyle and make small changes that can lead to a lifetime of heart health.
- 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!
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser
This is the PTO's biggest fundraiser and goes directly to field trips for students. For all fundraiser information, please visit our school website and look under "News".
8th Grade Celebration Fundraiser
It's that time of year when 8th grade parents are organizing an end of year celebration for the 8th graders. The first fundraiser is Krispy Kreme donuts. For all fundraiser information, please visit our school website and look under "News".
