Dear Lyman T. Johnson Traditional Middle School Families,

As we enter this holiday season, it’s a wonderful time to reflect on the blessings we’ve received and the progress we’ve made together. I want to share some important updates and celebrations from LJTMS.

First, you may be aware that our school has been identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI). While this designation means we have work to do, I am proud to report that our recent academic scores show improvement and stability across every category and subgroup. This is a testament to the hard work of our students, staff, and families. Still, we need your partnership to keep moving forward.

As part of the CSI process, please take a few minutes to complete our Family Survey at the link below. Your feedback is invaluable as we strive to make Johnson even better:

https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/295484/22592

Our Fall Festival was a huge success—full of laughter, music, and fun for the entire community. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a memorable event!

In December, we’re excited to see forty students ready to present their learning through Journey to Success defenses. These experiences build confidence, critical thinking, and communication skills—key components of student growth.

Finally, I encourage every family to join our PTSA. Your involvement makes a lasting impact, and together, we can ensure every Jaguar thrives.

Thank you for your continued support. Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season filled with peace and reflection.

Warm regards,

Dr. Branch
Principal, Lyman T. Johnson Traditional Middle School

Below are the details of the dismissal plan, along with a linked YouTube video.

Dismissal from School:

2:10 PM - Bus Riders will be dismissed

Buses will be parked on Jaguar Drive, which is in front of the school's main entrance. Car riders WILL NOT be allowed to park on Jaguar Drive BEFORE dismissal.

2:15 PM - Buses exit, Car Riders and Walkers Dismissed

Buses exit the school onto Wilson Ave.

After buses exit, car riders will be allowed to enter Jaguar Drive at Wilson Ave and pick up their student at the main school entrance. Car riders will exit onto Ormsby Ave.

Walkers will exit through the walker gate facing Wilson Ave. This gate will be locked at 2:20 PM

Click here for more information

This year, our curriculum includes High-Quality Instructional Resources (HQIR) to support strong teaching and learning across all subjects. In addition, we are transitioning to Standards-Based Grade Reporting.

Student performance will be reported on the following scale:

4 – Meeting Mastery

3 – Approaching

2 – Developing

1 – Beginning

Each team will communicate with families through a newsletter outlining how students can earn their desired rating. This approach allows families to see how students are progressing toward mastery of grade-level standards and provides more detailed feedback on learning.

As winter approaches, we want to ensure that all Johnson Traditional Middle School families are prepared in case of inclement weather. JCPS plans to continue with Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) when weather conditions prevent in-person learning.

While there are no plans for NTI at this time, we encourage you to review the LJTMS NTI Plan, so you’re ready if the need arises. During NTI days, teachers and staff will be available to support students through Google Classroom and email.

Technology Readiness

If you haven’t already, please complete the NTI Technology Survey. Most students currently have a device, but this helps us confirm everyone is prepared.

Device Care Tips

To ensure devices remain in good condition and ready for NTI, please remind your child to:

- Store the backpack in a low-traffic area to avoid accidental damage.

- Keep food and drinks away from the device.

- Charge the device fully before NTI sessions begin.

Thank you for helping us keep learning uninterrupted, no matter the weather!

Journey to Success is a developmental framework that defines Jefferson County Public Schools’ (JCPS) shift to transformational, student-driven learning. Created to empower students to explore their interests, showcase their learning, and develop the skills they need to thrive, Journey to Success builds upon the JCPS Backpack of Success Skills, which launched in 2018.

Click for more information.

Student-led conferences are now complete! Our 8th-grade students are beginning their defense preparations, a meaningful process that encourages them to reflect on their middle school experience, showcase their growth, and prepare to present their achievements later this year.

Here are the Journey to Success Skills:

- Prepared and Resilient Learner - Acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to adapt and thrive in life.

- Productive Collaborator - Promoting teamwork and collaboration to achieve common goals.

- Emerging Innovator - Encouraging creativity and problem-solving to drive innovation.

- Effective Communicator - Building strong communication skills that are vital to success.

- Globally & Culturally Competent Citizen - Fostering an understanding and appreciation of different cultures and perspectives.

Legacy Pathways

Our Legacy Pathways continue to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for future success. This year, we are proud to offer engaging opportunities in:

- Design and Modeling – Students explore the world of engineering and innovation by applying problem-solving skills, creating prototypes, and learning the foundations of design.

- Health Sciences – Students are introduced to the medical field, gaining knowledge of healthcare practices, teamwork, and career pathways in the health industry.

- Career choices – Students explore their interests, strengths, and future goals while learning about different career paths and the skills needed to succeed in them.

These pathways allow students to connect their classroom learning to real-world applications while building skills that will benefit them in high school, college, and beyond.

Musical & Visual Arts Opportunities

We are proud to offer a wide variety of opportunities for students to explore and showcase their creativity through the arts.

- Musical Arts – Students may choose to participate in Band, Orchestra, or Choir, building their skills in performance, collaboration, and musical expression.

- Visual Arts – Students develop their artistic talents through drawing, painting, and other creative media while learning to think critically and express ideas visually.

Our arts programs provide students with meaningful ways to grow their talents, build confidence, and experience the joy of creative expression. We are proud to offer a wide variety of opportunities for students to explore and showcase their creativity through the arts.

- The second grading period ends on 12/19 

(Please encourage your student to submit all assignments, which include missing assignments)

- Magnet Application window closes on 12/19

-Complete the Family Survey in input on school improvement: https://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/295484/22592

As a reminder, we no longer accept paper copies of sports physicals. All physicals must be uploaded directly to Final Forms in order for students to participate in practices and games. In addition, if a student does not have a physical in Final Forms, they will not be eligible to practice or play.

You can find the link to Final Forms and additional athletic information on our school website:
https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/o/ljtms/page/athletics

Spirit Wear

We have spirit wear for sale and there is more to come. Please reach out to Mr. Founder, if interested at che.founder@jefferson.kyschools.us.

You can also order spirit wear during from our flash store: https://www.four15store.com/johnson.html