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LMA July Newsletter

LMA July Newsletter

"Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren’t so different. We saw the same sunset.”


-S.E. Hinton

Administrators' Message

Good morning,


We hope this newsletter finds you well as we are halfway through summer break and our ESY! Summer months (July & August) are truly a time for all students and staff to relax, slow down from the regular schedule and allow us all to 'recharge our batteries'. While we are slowing down from our regular academic schedule, we are increasing student engagement at LMA during our Extended School Year (ESY) program. I am proud to see so many students attending on a regular basis, with a high motivation to continue high engagement activities. This years ESY program theme is 'Careers" and students have been learning about different careers and professions each week. Please enjoy our July newsletter regardless of where you are, or where the sun is setting.


Reed & John

Upcoming LMA Events

August 2024 Important Dates

August 1 - Field Trip (Chili's Restaurant)

August 9 - Last day of ESY

The YMCA presents Wellness Wednesdays

Somerset County 4-H Fair

LMA Student of the Month - July 2024

Jordyn M.

LMA is proud to announce our July Student of the Month as Jordyn M. Starting with the LMA 1571 campus this past Spring, Jordyn has made great strides, academic progress and has been a great student leader while at LMA. Jordyn has been attending this year's ESY program, and has shown hard work often volunteering time to help with the weekly LMA BBQs, and looking for ways to improve the school community. We are honored to have Jordyn as our Student of the Month for July!

LMA Staff Spotlight

Welcome Back Ms. Miller!

No stranger to LMA, Ms. Miller has returned to The Mill for her second consecutive ESY program. Fortunately for LMA she won't be packing up her materials on August 9, but will be here in September as our Social Studies teacher for the 2024-2025 school year. LMA is fortunate to have such a dedicated professional re-join the team for the entire year. Bringing with her a well-rounded experience including working with students multiple disabilities at Westlake for 5 years, and connecting with at-risk high school students at Hillcrest Academy North for 3 years; we are happy to have her re-join us to truly enhance The Mill experience for all students and staff.

Classroom Spotlights

Ms. Miller's class puts careers in focus in the classroom.

ELA students started off the ESY program by completing a “Career Interests Survey.” Students listed interests, skills, and work attributes that are important to them and analyzed their answers to create a list of careers across many subjects that they may want to pursue in the future. Students’ answers ranged from lawyer to cosmetology to video game designer and much more. Each week, students have then learned about one board career choice that follows along with the weekly ESY themes. Students so far have learned about Nurses and Chefs. Students read informational text about the careers, answered comprehension questions, participated in discussions, and researched more information about the sub categories of Nurses and Chefs. Students have had discussions about the many different places a nurse can work and how a restaurant chef has to have more than just good cooking skills to be in charge of the kitchen.

Mr. Acosta continues to lead the career exploration charge!

Students had the opportunity recently to visit Chili’s in Clark. At the restaurant, the general manager gave the students a tour, highlighted some of the jobs there, and listened to one or two staff members talk about their path from entry-level employee to manager. Additionally, in class, we had the opportunity to learn about various jobs in the medical field that do not require an advanced degree. It was exciting to learn there are jobs in the medical field that pay more than minimum wage.

Mrs. Matusz connects the classroom to the LMA Garden

Students participated in weeding, replanting, and caring for the various flower and vegetable plants in our garden. They gave back to the environment by disposing of the weeds and organic material into wooded areas of the property. Student JM stated, “It was fun to go out into the garden and plant. We took care of the apple tree and weeded the garden. I loved to get to go outside. We plan to go out every week and maintain the garden. I love gardening”.

Clinical Corner

As we are half way through the summer and with the new school year on the horizon, it’s important to consider these tips for the upcoming school year:

  1. Develop a healthy sleep routine with school hours in mind.

  • School aged children should receive 9-12 hours of sleep per night

  1. Establish healthy eating habits

-Incorporate more vegetables, protein, and fruits into your diet

-Stay hydrated

-Limit junk food intake

  1. Communicate appropriately with your family/friends or school staff about your thoughts on returning to school

  • Communicate openly and respectfully

  • Respect others’ boundaries

  • Practice active listening

  1. Consider implementing healthy coping strategies to reduce any stress or anxieties about returning to school.

  • For example, exercising, going for a walk, meditating, and participating in hobbies.

  1. Start setting productive academic and personal goals. Break down large goals into smaller, more manageable tasks.

  • Set out SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound)

LMA 'The Mill' Apparel

LMA is happy to unveil the new LMA 'The Mill' T-shirt. All staff, and students who earned student of the month this past school year received a new shirt. We hope next school year we can sell the shirts at the school as a fundraiser. For now, if you would like your own The Mill T-shirt, you can order directly from Custom Ink below.

LMA in July

Costco Trip

Notes from a student:


My favorite part of the Costco trip was when we got to go shopping with the teachers and our ‘Mill’ staff. The Costco trip was like we were going shopping for our own house. Costco was big, and we were picking food and snacks out for the school store. The drive wasn’t bad, it felt long though. I learned how to budget, making a list for things you need, making sure the date on the food was good for us to buy. The Costco trip we learned how to deal with money when you have 6 shopping carts filled with food and drinks.

LMA gets their hands dirty with Automotive Maintenance 101

LMA students got their hands dirty learning about auto mechanics with Mr. Lopreiato leading the group showing students the basics of a car engine, and how to perform basic tune up services such as air filter changes & changing the oil on your car. Students created a step by step guide for changing a vehicle's oil to learn more about the process, and to save money from a dealership performing the service. Lastly, students we're able to discuss the pros and cons of performing work on your car compared to a shop or dealership doing it.

How to perform an oil on a gas engine car or truck in 13 steps.


  1. Gather Materials (oil, filter, gloves, jack and socket wrench), check owner’s manual for exact oil type and filter type

  2. Pop the hood (latch inside and latch outside by emblem)

  3. Find the oil cap under hood (turn left) to remove, and remove the oil dipstick.

  4. Under the car, find the oil drain plug

  5. Get an oil drain pan (to drain old oil into)

  6. Loosen drain plug with socket wrench, then take off plug by hand and drain oil.

  7. Find the oil filter. Twist off the old oil filter, twist on new oil filter. Don’t forget to put a little oil on the rubber gasket.

  8. Install oil plug, tighten with socket wrench

  9. Put new oil in with a funnel.

  10. Put the oil cap and dipstick back on.

  11. Check the oil level.

  12. Close the oil hood.

  13. Take old oil to auto parts stores to properly recycle.

The Mill in July was filled with action!

Power washing the garden
Gym club in full swing
Honda oil change
Fun day at YESTERcades in Westfield
Students working hard in Gym club
LMA learning how to properly store and dispose of used motor oil

LMA Continues to expand with additional Group Therapy sessions

During the summer ESY program, we focused on implementing individualized therapeutic interventions. Throughout our daily groups students have been working on identifying their emotions and coping skills and practicing individual development . In addition, the students started participating in pull out groups such as a Girls/social skills group and art therapy. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the girls in the girls/social skills group are learning about appropriate social skills, recognizing social cues, processing your emotions, and setting boundaries with others. On Mondays and Fridays, the students have been able to do canvas painting, leaf imprinting, rock painting to facilitate their creative expression.


“The girls group has helped me express myself with the other girls by allowing us to have a safe space where we can trust each other.” - AC


“Creative Expressions Group has helped me put my emotions into my artwork and has also helped me interact with others.” - JV

Upcoming Community Events in Union, Essex and Middlesex county all summer long!

Spend your summer evenings with us and enjoy free live music in one of our beautiful parks during our annual Music-in-the-Park Series. All you need is your favorite lawn chair and your love of the arts.

Please contact Erin Carroll at 732-745-8188 for more information or with any questions.

Music-in-the-Park will be hosting a series of free concerts on these dates:

Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, South Amboy, NJ
Wednesdays 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
June 26-August 30

June 26 New Jersey Symphony Orchestra **7:30PM to 9:30PM**

Thompson Park, Jamesburg, NJ
Wednesdays 2 pm-3:30 pm
July 10-August 28

Spring Lake Park, South Plainfield, NJ
Sundays 6 pm-7:30 pm
July 7-August 25


Medwick Park, Cateret, NJ
Thursdays 6:30 pm-8 pm
August 1-August 15


https://www.middlesexcountynj.gov/find-programs-and-resources/parks-and-recreation/music-in-the-park

The Union County Board of County Commissioners would like to announce the arrival of two free summer programs for families – the Family Fun and Flix series, beginning on July 16th and running through August 20th at Warinanco Park in Roselle, and the Summer Arts Concert Series, beginning on July 20th and held in various Union County parks.

“Music and movies are the perfect ingredients for family fun, especially in the summer,” said Union County Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. “I urge all Union County residents to take advantage of these free summer events that create laughter, memories, and endless entertainment for the whole family.”

All Family Fun and Flix showings will begin at dusk, with festivities to begin at 7:30pm, and an ice cream truck on site for attendees who wish to purchase a snack. Participants are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs. All movies will be shown on a weather-permitting basis. The schedule for the Family Fun and Flix night is listed below:

  • Tuesday, July 16 – Wish
  • Tuesday, July 23 – Migration
  • Tuesday, July 30 – Elemental
  • Tuesday, August 13 – Trolls Band Together
  • Tuesday, August 20 – The Little Mermaid (2023)

The Summer Arts Concert Series includes various musical acts in either Oak Ridge Park in Clark, or Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. The schedule is listed below:


  • Saturday, July 20 – The Little Mermen: A Disney-tribute concert at Oak Ridge Park from 12:00pm-4:00pm, and will include other acts and family fun activities.
  • Wednesday, July 24 – The Pink Floyd Project: A 10-piece Pink Floyd tribute with a light show, beginning at 7:30pm, with a yoga class before the concert at 6:30pm.
  • Wednesday, August 7 – 5 Against 1: A Pearl Jam Tribute band at Echo Lake Park starting at 7:30pm, with a yoga class before the concert at 6:30pm.
  • Saturday, August 17 – Taylor Nation: The premier Taylor Swift sing-along tribute band at Oak Ridge Park from 12:00pm-4:00pm, and will include other acts and family fun activities.


https://ucnj.org/department-of-economic-development/office-of-lgbtq-services/

Community Resources

School in the Community

  1. Weekly BBQs on Fridays with students and staff help support the event.

  2. Field trips to Costco in Union & Yestercades in Westfield

About Us

Contact Information:

Phone: (908)-233-7581

Address: 1571 Lamberts Mill Road, Westfield, NJ, 07090

Website: https://ucesc.org/schools/lamberts_mill_academy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ucesc_lma/?hl=en


Lamberts Mill Academy is a school within the Union County Educational Services Commission. We are an out of district public school for students with psychiatric disabilities. We continue to partner with RWJ Trinitas Regional Medical Center to provide clinical services for our students. Our school community prides itself on our relationships with all stakeholders: students, staff, parents, families and community partnerships. Being a public school, we adhere to all NJDOE assessment and curriculum mandates. Our professional learning community strives to increase student achievement and improve classroom instruction to provide students with the most effective educational, social and emotional learning environment possible.

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