Dear Lyman T. Johnson Traditional Middle School Families,

As we approach a well-deserved Spring Break, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible energy and spirit our students have shown over the past several weeks. It has been a busy and rewarding time at Lyman T. Johnson Traditional Middle School, and I am consistently impressed by how our students represent our school with pride and excellence.

Two recent highlights truly stand out. First, our Flag Installation Ceremony was a beautiful and somber occasion that marked a new chapter for our campus following our renovations. Seeing our students stand tall as we dedicated our new flag—supported by the JCPS Police Honor Guard—was a proud moment for our entire community. Additionally, I want to give a huge shout-out to the young men of the Alpha Academy for their successful lock-in. These students displayed outstanding leadership and camaraderie, proving once again that LJTMS students are dedicated to personal growth and supporting one another.

When we return from Spring Break, we will be entering the "final stretch" of the school year. Our goal is to finish the year just as strong as we started. We will continue to hold our students to high learning and behavior expectations, ensuring that every minute in the classroom is focused on growth and achievement.

None of our success is possible without you. I am deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our parents and families. Your partnership is the foundation of our school community, and I look forward to working closely with you for the remainder of the year to ensure our students reach their full potential.

I wish all of our students, staff, and families a safe, relaxing, and happy Spring Break. Enjoy the time with your loved ones, and we will see you back on campus, refreshed and ready to work!

Warm Regards,

Dr. Rhonda K. Branch, Principal

Johnson Middle School recently hosted a special Flag Installation Ceremony on Friday, March 6, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. to commemorate the completion of its building renovation. The event featured a unique collaboration, as the JCPS PD Honor Guard and Butler High School JROTC, including several former Johnson students, performed the official raising of the new flag. We invited the media to attend and cover this milestone event for the school community.

Check out the news story here: Flag Raising Ceremony News Story

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. partnered with Lyman T. Johnson Traditional Middle School and Farnsley Middle School to host “Project Alpha,” a mentoring program designed to support middle school boys as they navigate real-life challenges.

During the program, students engaged in meaningful discussions on topics such as respect, relationships, decision-making, and personal responsibility. The experience created a safe and supportive environment where students could ask questions, share their thoughts, and gain valuable insight from positive male role models.

Through mentorship and open dialogue, Project Alpha aims to empower young men with the knowledge, confidence, and life skills needed to make informed choices and build healthy, successful futures.

Check out the news story here: Project Alpha News Story

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.

ORDER THE 2026 YEARBOOK TODAY

Our students have been busy capturing the laughter, learning, and unforgettable moments that make this school year so special. The 2026 Yearbook will be a keepsake full of memories your child will treasure for years to come!

Click Here to Order Yours! 

Don’t wait—secure your child’s piece of Johnson history today! Thank you for supporting our Yearbook Staff and helping us celebrate the incredible moments that make Johnson shine.

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!

We are excited to report that 100% of our 8th-grade students have successfully presented their Journey to Success defense!

This milestone represents months of hard work, reflection, goal setting, and growth. Throughout this process, our scholars have demonstrated confidence, accountability, and a clear vision for their future. They thoughtfully articulated their academic progress, personal development, and plans for high school and beyond.

The Journey to Success defense is more than just a presentation — it is an opportunity for students to take ownership of their story, celebrate their achievements, and identify the next steps toward their goals. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and preparation our students have shown, as well as the support provided by families and staff along the way.

We look forward to celebrating 100% completion soon and continuing to empower our students to walk boldly in their purpose.

Click for more information.

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.

- 8th Grade Week fees are due by April 15. Please ensure payment is submitted on time so your student can participate in all planned activities.

- Progress Reports will be sent home on April 23. Be sure to review your student’s academic progress and follow up with teachers if needed.

- Course Recovery must be completed by May 14. Any student assigned Course Recovery should work diligently to meet this deadline to stay on track for promotion.

Our students will participate in the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) from May 4th to May 8th, an important opportunity to demonstrate their learning and growth from this school year. To help your child be successful, please ensure they get a good night’s sleep, arrive at school on time, and come ready to do their best each day. We also ask that you avoid scheduling appointments during this week if possible, so students can be present for testing. Thank you for your continued support in helping your child succeed.

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