Dear Lyman T. Johnson Traditional Middle School Families,

Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, I am filled with excitement about the opportunities this new year brings for our students and school community. At LJTMS, we remain committed to maintaining high academic expectations while creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences for every student.

Our mission continues to guide us: we strive to foster a welcoming environment where every student feels respected, valued, and included. We believe that by working together—school and families—we can empower our students to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. Your partnership is essential as we strive to improve academic achievement and ensure that every Jaguar thrives.

This year, we will continue to introduce innovative learning opportunities that challenge and inspire our students. With your support, we can help them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our shared vision. Together, we will make 2026 a year of growth, achievement, and celebration for our students.

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.

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!

To guarantee your copy, please place your order by March 1st. After that date, no extra books will be available for purchase at the end of the year.

How to Order:
Visit www.jostens.com
Or call 1-877-767-5217

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!

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.

- Report Cards: Report cards will be distributed on January 13, 2026.

- 8th Grade Families: Please check in with your student regarding their Journey to Success Defense.

- Course Recovery: Families of students in need of course recovery (students with two U’s in one course) will receive a letter sent home via mail.

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