Long Valley Middle School

LVMS Monday Minute

Back to School Edition - Fall 2025

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year!

We are pleased to begin the 2025–2026 school year and look forward to welcoming all students on Tuesday, September 2nd. Families are encouraged to log into the OnCourse Portal to confirm homeroom assignments if they have not already done so. By the end of the week, on August 29th, the OnCourse Portal will allow students access to see their entire schedules. On the first day of school, our teaching professionals will review schedules during our extended AM 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.

Highlights, Dates, & Reminders

Summer Highlights

LVMS NAMED IN TOP 10% OF BEST MIDDLE SCHOOLS: CLICK HERE to read the full article. Congratulations to the LVMS students and staff for their efforts!

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
X @wtschools
Instagram @washingtontownshipschools

THANK YOU LVMS CUSTODIAL / MAINTANENCE STAFF: The Custodial and Maintenance teams have done an AMAZING job preparing LVMS for our students and staff!

Upcoming Dates

AUGUST
8/26-8/28- Teacher Professional Development / Preparation Days

SEPTEMBER
9/1- WTSchools Closed - Labor Day
9/2- WTSchools First Day of 2025-26 SY
9/9- WTS BOE Meeting: 7PM
9/23- WTSchools Closed -Rosh Hashanah
9/25- LVMS Back to School Night: 6PM

OCTOBER
10/2
- WTSchools Closed - Yom Kippur
10/9- Fall Picture Day - More Information to come
10/13- WTSchools Closed for Students - Professional Day

Reminders

SUPERINTENDENT LIND'S WELCOME TO THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR LETTER: CLICK HERE to see Mrs. Lind's Welcome Letter sent on August 22nd.

LVMS WELCOME BACK LETTER: CLICK HERE to see the 2025-26 School Year Welcome Back Letter from Mr. Ippolito and Mr. Mirabella.

LVMS BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT: Mark your calendar! LVMS will host Back to School Night on Thursday, September 25th at 6:00 PM.

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.

WTSchools Mobile App

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!

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2025-2026 Instructional Teams

Teams 25-26

Back to School Information - Fall 2025

Back to School 2025

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 Air Pods)
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

6th Logo

Grade 6

Ms. Kristin Denny

Phone: 908-876-3434 x 2320

Email:
kdenny@wtschools.org

Grade 6 Website

7th Logo

Grade 7

Mrs. Christine Hollman

Phone: 908-876-3434 x 2321

Email: chollman@wtschools.org

Grade 7 Website

8th Logo

Grade 8

Mrs. Jennifer Werneke

Phone: 908-876-3434 x 2337

Email: jwerneke@wtschools.org

Grade 8 Website

2025-26 Important Calendars

Please use the following links to review our important 2024-25 School Year Calendars:

2025-26 WTS School Calendar

  • 180 Day School Calendar

  • Holidays, Days off, etc.

WTS District Calendar

  • District wide events / important dates

LVMS School Calendar

  • 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.

LVMS Parent-Student Handbook

Please take some time to review the updated LVMS Parent-Student Handbook. Here you can find important information about LVMS, as well as review expectations that we have of all of our students. This information will also be reviewed in Homerooms, but also reviewed at Grade Level Meetings held by Mr. Ippolito and Mr. Mirabella in the first week of school.

Building Schedules - 2025-26

Included is our daily Building and Bell Schedule. Please CLICK HERE for our website the following additional information:

  • LVMS Master Schedule

  • LVMS Delayed Opening Schedule

  • LVMS Early Dismissal Schedule

  • LVMS Marking Period / Course Rotation Schedule

LVMS Master Schedule

PickUp Patrol

The entire district will continue to utilize PickUp Patrol this school year! The goal of the program is to assist with our student attendance and reporting safety mechanisms, as well as make this process more convenient for parents to use through a user-friendly mobile app.

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.

LVMS DOES NOT accept phone calls for absences / hand-signed parent notes or emails for early dismissal and walking. Parents/Guardians are expected to enter ALL attendance information exclusively on PickUp Patrol. All Pick up / Walker entrances MUST be submitted by 2:00 PM. Students will be dismissed via the bus if not submitted in PickUp Patrol.

PUP

Student Drop Off / Pick Up Procedures

It is preferred that LVMS students ride buses to/from school since our parking lot is not structured for parent drop-off or pick-up; our buses are the easiest way to ensure timely arrival and dismissal. Of course, we know this is occasionally necessary and information specific to those procedures will be coming to parents soon. Please note that, effective immediately, students will not be permitted to enter the building until 8:30am unless they are participating in a club/program meeting before school begins - the club/program advisor will arrange to meet the students at our main entry on club days and provide supervision before the school day begins.

CLICK HERE FOR DROP OFF / PICK INFORMATION

Once WTS Referendum Projects are fully complete to the exterior of LVMS, these procedures may be modified slightly. This information will be updated and communicated at that time

Student Attendance Reminders

Washington Township BOE Policy 5200 has been updated to reflect the importance of student attendance. A student must be in attendance for 170 or more school days in order to be considered to have successfully completed the instructional program requirements of the grade/course to which the student is assigned. Prolonged or repeated absences, excused or unexcused, from school or from class, deprive the pupil of the classroom experience deemed essential to learning and may result in retention at grade level.

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.

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON ATTENDANCE

School Lunch 2025-2026

Please CLICK HERE to visit the Maschio's Food Service, Inc. 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 CLICK HERE or find the paperwork electronically via MealTime.

ATTENTION INCOMING 6TH GRADE FAMILIES

MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION / REQUIREMENTS

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) under Chapter 14 N.J.A.C. 8:57-4 mandates the following two vaccines:

  • Tdap Vaccine

  • Meningococcal Vaccine

Please CLICK HERE for the Medical Form / Additional Information.

All medical forms should be submitted AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Please send any medical records or ask any questions directly to Mrs. Alicia Hade, 6th Grade Nurse

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Chromebook Reminders!

ALL LVMS STUDENTS - Chromebooks:
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 who are brand new to the district will receive their school-issued device in the first week of the school year. Please see the Chromebook reminders below from our WTS Tech Team.

6 7 Tech Reminders

2025-26 Yearbook Cover Contest

Cover Contest 25-26

Contest Rules:

  1. This design MUST be ORIGINAL ART designed by YOU (cannot be anything you downloaded off the internet, due to copyright issues) and must be SUBMITTED & DESIGNED BY STUDENTS ONLY 2.

  2. You may submit an 8.5 x 11 front cover and 8.5 x 11 back cover on paper or make a copy of the provided Canva template and submit your design digitally.

  3. Must include our “We are Panthers” theme any way you choose BE CREATIVE! You do not need to include the “words,” but the “theme” should be incorporated into your design somehow

  4. Your design MUST include our mascot - the PANTHER in your design

CLICK HERE FOR FULL CONTEST DETAILS

Please submit your designs using the provided template to Ms. Denny via email at Kdenny@wtschools.org. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2025.

Attention 7th Grade Students!

We are excited to introduce a new opportunity at the Long Valley Middle School: the Unified Physical Education (UPE) Program—a class designed to bring students of all abilities together to participate in fun, inclusive, and supportive physical activities. As part of this program, we are inviting students in general education to apply to become Gym Buddies—peer participants who will engage in collaborative games, team-building activities, and fitness challenges alongside students who receive additional learning or support services.

What does a Gym Buddy do?
Gym Buddies help create a welcoming, encouraging environment in PE class. They lead by example, show kindness and patience, and form meaningful connections with peers. This is a great opportunity for students who enjoy helping others, value inclusivity, and want to make a positive impact in our school community.

Who should apply?
We are looking for students who:

  • Show empathy, respect, and responsibility

  • Work well with others and follow directions

  • Are enthusiastic about physical activity and teamwork

  • Want to build leadership and communication skills

Please CLICK HERE for more information / to apply for the Unified PE Program

Fall 2025 Sports

2025 Fall Season - (B/G Soccer, B/G Cross Country, and Field Hockey)

  • Tryout/Practice Start dates - Sept 8th

  • End Date of Overall Season - Nov  5th

Coaches will release specific tryout information in the upcoming days!

Soccer
Boys
Girls

Field Hockey
Girls

Cross Country
Boys & Girls

Fall Sports 25

Check out the LVMS Sports Portal for all schedules / sports team updates.
Questions can be directed to a specific coach or Mr. Mitch Schlesinger, LVMS Athletics Coordinator

At this time, paperwork / physical information can no longer be accepted as the deadline has passed

Click Here for the LVMS Athletics Website

PTA Events & Information

PTA Logo

WELCOME TO THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR!

The LVMS PTA has the mission of supporting all of our children through their time at LVMS. The main goal of the LVMS PTA is to support students and staff through academics, funding assemblies, holding social events, and sponsoring staff members by awarding teacher grants. We invite you to join the PTA to be a voice for your child, to help in any capacity that you can, and enjoy an incredible year! Please visit the LVMS PTA website to become a PTA Member for the 2025-26 School Year: https://lvms.givebacks.com/shop/items/1178676

LVMS PTA Board 2025-26
President - Michael Hild
Vice President - Gee Greco
Treasurer - Joann Paris
Secretary - Meghan Teeling
Fundraising - Jasmine Plaunt

PTA SPONSORED STAFF BREAKFAST

Please consider making a donation in support of the staff breakfast that the PTA is hosting on Wednesday, August 27th. CLICK HERE to make a donation!

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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
X: @WTSchools

LVMS School Day Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:25 PM
LVMS Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

LVMS Principal - Mr. Mark Ippolito
LVMS Asst. Principal - Mr. Michael Mirabella

LVMS Main Office Secretary: Mrs. Stephanie Mathews
LVMS Main Office Secretary: Mrs. Athi Vairavanvelu

We Are Panthers!