– John F. Kennedy

Hello Lebanon Students, Staff and Families,

The 24-25 school year is off to a great start. The beginning of the year is always full of excitement and optimism. This year our efforts will focus on growing learners, cultivating leaders, and creating legacies.

We have three District Goals that will align with our core values; 1. Lebanon Public Schools (LPS) students will become self-directed learners through a curriculum framework and instructional strategies that emphasizes a student centered, inquiry-based approach to learning where students set goals and self-report on their progress, taking ownership for their learning, 2. Lebanon Public Schools (LPS) administrators, educators and students will become lead learners through collaborative systems, structures and practices that engage and empower each person, and 3. Lebanon Public Schools (LPS) will continue to build a culture and climate that fosters personalization where all members are welcomed, supported, and connected through communication and partnerships in 21st century learning environments.

To realize these district goals our schools through the guidance of their Principals, teachers and support staff will be making contributions towards their own goals with a connection to the following Theories of Action; 1. If we develop and implement a personalized, student centered approach to teaching and learning by creating meaningful, articulated curriculum, instruction and assessment that integrates transferable skills of our POG and technology, then our students will be committed to excellence, 2. If we develop structures and systems that support learning, reflection, collaboration, voice, and choice through the development and use of effective, purposeful instructional strategies, then our students will continue to grow academically and socially, and 3. If we create a strong sense of belonging through personalization, cultural awareness, and opportunities for family and community engagement in the learning process with a focus on our POG transferable skills then we will graduate empowered individuals.

To make progress towards these goals and to implement the theories of action will require consistent effort and collaboration and we look forward to working together throughout this year's educational journey!

Best,
Superintendent Gonzalez

Lebanon Elementary School

9/26- Open House 5:30-7:00 pm

10/14-10/18- Parent Teacher Association (PTA)- Book Fair at LES open to the community from 3:30-4:30 pm each day.

10/25- PTA Bingo 6:00-8:00 pm

11/7- STEAM Night-6:00-7:00 pm

Lebanon Middle School

9/25- Lebanon Junior Honors Society Induction- 6:00 pm- Lyman Memorial High School Auditorium

9/27- LMS Panther Den- 7:00-9:00

Lyman Memorial High School

9/26- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Walk- 10:15 am on LMHS Track

9/27- Open Mic Night 6:00 pm- LMHS Auditorium- A night full of food, fun and memories. Donations encouraged with all proceeds going to benefit Lyman Memorial’s Contemporary Ensemble

10/1- Autism Assembly LMHS Auditorium- 8:00 am-9:00 am

10/19- Homecoming 7:00 pm-10:00 pm

10/25- Open Mic Night 6:00 pm (see description above)

In 2023, the Connecticut General Assembly passed updated legislation requiring public schools to supply a range of menstrual products in school restrooms. The intention of the law is to address period poverty, meaning the struggle to purchase period products due to lack of income. The law encompasses elementary, middle, and high schools, with the goal of promoting period equity and dignity for all menstruating students, so that they can fully participate in school life without shame or stigma.

The guiding principles in implementing Connecticut’s menstrual equity law include dignity, privacy, accessibility, and inclusivity. The new requirements were enacted to ensure that all students who menstruate have access to safe and affordable menstrual products. This law is a response to evidence that lack of access to menstrual products can have a negative impact on students’ ability to attend school and participate fully in school life. The intention of the program is to support schools in meeting student needs while working to end period stigma and to support students in caring for their bodies with dignity. Menstrual equity is intended to treat menstruation as we would treat any other health or hygiene issue. Menstrual products should be viewed as normal, available, and stigma-free, just as we might treat soap or toilet paper.

To comply with the requirements of the law, Connecticut public schools serving students in grade 3-12 must install coin-free dispensers to provide free access to a selection of menstrual products in all women’s restrooms, any all-gender restrooms and one men’s restroom per school. Additionally, a one-page flier should be posted in a visible location in every bathroom.

Before implementation elementary and middle school students will be provided with short educational segments about products and dispensers in the classroom setting.

Thank you to our students and families for cooperating with our new cell phone protocols. Our staff has been impressed by our students participation and focus in the classroom. The student to student discourse has also improved. We look forward to sustaining our efforts to promoting distraction free classrooms. Below is an article with strategies that was shared in our schools with teachers that you may find interesting.

If your child is currently in Grades 3-8 or 11th, you should have received their individual Student Report for the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) and/or NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) assessments. Each spring, students in Grades 3-8 participate in Smarter Balanced assessments for English language arts and mathematics.The SBAC and NGSS results are significant for several reasons:

• Student progress and achievement: SBAC results provide valuable insights into individual student performance and academic growth over time. Teachers, parents, and students can use these results to identify areas of strength, areas where additional support may be needed, and to set personalized learning goals.

• Accountability and school improvement: SBAC results allow schools and districts to evaluate their effectiveness in meeting educational standards. This information can be used to drive continuous improvement efforts, inform resource allocation, and guide the development of targeted professional development opportunities for educators.

• Equitable access to education: SBAC results can help identify achievement gaps and inequities among different student groups, allowing schools and districts to address these disparities and ensure that all students have equal opportunities for success.

During the upcoming Board of Education meeting, administrators will highlight key achievements and areas for improvement in student growth and performance. Some notable highlights include:

• Lebanon continues to exceed the state average in all content areas and grades for students performing at or above grade level.

• Grades 6-8 have shown improvement in mathematics and language arts for students performing at or above grade level.

• NGSS scores in both Grade 8 and 11 have improved for students performing at or above grade level.

We appreciate your continued support and partnership in promoting your child's academic success. If you have any questions about your child's SBAC or NGSS results, please don't hesitate to reach out to their teacher, school administration, or me.

This week we celebrated National IT Professionals Day. Here in Lebanon we have two IT Technicians for our district. They are both recently new the LPS family so would like to take the time to introduce them to you with responses from an informal interview I recently had with them.

First is Nicholas Kercado. Nick graduated from Ella T. Grasso Southeastern Technical High School in Groton, CT where he also got certified in the trade of Information Systems Technology. While he attended Grasso Tech he also obtained 3 Microsoft Office Specialist certifications in Microsoft Access, Word, and PowerPoint. He went on to graduate from Mitchell College in New London, CT where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. He also has 2 years of prior experience in the IT field working in New London Public Schools as a Technology Specialist for the district mainly managing Winthrop Elementary School and New London High School.

Nick speaks highly of the welcoming environment of LPS saying " he most enjoys how every staff member has treated me like I am a part of their family. I love how the environment here at LPS is just like one big happy family. I enjoy helping staff and students with new tech issues as they arise throughout the school year, a big part of being in the tech field is always having new issues that come up all the time and not always having an answer right away to fix it. I love having new challenges at work, having to overcome those hurdles and learning as much as I can. I just love learning more and more about IT and growing my skills to become more polished in my career field".

He is very excited about how technology has been able to benefit children, and adults of all learning abilities. He says "I am a very visual and hands on learner and it just amazes me how technology has advanced to the point now where no matter what abilities you may have, there is some form of device/software that can help children learn at their own pace and cater to their specific needs when it comes to learning new material in school".

Next I would like to share some information about Lamar Porter. Lamar has been in the IT field since 2003. He originally started working at Foxwoods Casino as one of their field service technicians but he says "my whole life has been in computers and technology as it is a passion of mine".

He is loving the "togetherness" of this district. He goes on to say "I think we have an all around fantastic team in this district and I am very happy to be a part of it. I also love seeing all the animals daily (definitely a big perk). But the best part of being here is watching how much people have each others backs in many different ways".

Lamar is pleased to see how technological advancements have improved school safety and is also excited to see how virtual and augmented reality is making its way into classroom to enhance student learning experiences. Lamar also spoke passionately about some of his hobbies like archery, fishing, and video games.

On Tuesday, September 17th over 150 high school sport captains from across the Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) across all sports came together to discuss leadership topics at the Fall Sports Captains Workshop.

The students discussed pertinent issues facing teen athletes, including changing/enhancing certain team cultures, goal setting as leaders of their respective teams, and learned about different leadership styles, principles, and behaviors. The students also networked with other athletes from across the ECC and shared some of their own experiences and perspectives.

The Lyman Memorial High School student-athlete representatives who attended were:

TIlden Reinckens - Boys' X-Country

Luci Gardella - Girls' X-Country

Cody Rahmann - Boys' Soccer

Phoebe Carpenter - Girls' Soccer

Erica Arpin - Girls' Volleyball

I am pleased to share some other positive information regarding fall sports participation. We have a total of 95 students at Lebanon Middle School, and 104 students at Lyman Memorial High School that are participating in a fall sport. It is great to see so many of our students taking advantage of the opportunity to be a part of a team and engage in healthy competition.

Lebanon Public Schools actively seeks to assist children and families by locating, identifying, and referring children from birth to age 22 who require special education and related services. If you are concerned about a child's development, you are encouraged to contact Lebanon Elementary School to receive information about Early Childhood Screenings.

If the child is younger than 3 years of age, you may choose instead to contact the Connecticut Birth to Three System at 1-800-505-7000.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact 860-642-5636.

Sabena Escott, MSW sabena.escott@lebanonct.org

Lyman Memorial High School Social Worker and District Family Care Coordinator

With legislation over the summer, a family care coordinator has been added to the growing number of mental health staff that CT recognizes will further support our children and families in the school setting. The family care coordinator role already encompasses what our Lebanon school district mental health teams provide for students and families. Providing students with access to mental health resources within the community and bringing mental health services to students inside of the school has always been a priority in our district. Please reach out if there are any specific mental health topics, community programs, therapeutic referrals or town programs and resources that you would like to know more about. Below are a few programs and resources for students and families.

Lebanon Social Services Office offers a variety of services to Lebanon children, adults, and seniors. Social Services Administrator Shelly Ashcom works with federal, state, and local organizations to provide assistance to Lebanon residents in need. Town of Lebanon Social Services

*The use of the resources/programs in this section are not required by LPS to be used by parents/guardians. They are recommendations only.*

Call or text a trained crisis counselor to talk:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. They’re free and available 24/7:
  Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

• Trevor Project (crisis intervention & suicide prevention for the LGBTQ community): 1-866-488-7386 or Text 678678

• Crisis Text Line: text CTL to 741741

NIMH offers brochures and fact sheets on mental health disorders and related topics for children, adolescents and their families. Printed materials can be ordered free of charge. Brochures and fact sheets in English and Spanish.

Housing and Homeless Services can be accessed through Coordinated Access Networks (CAN). Persons are prioritized for housing services based on an assessment to be completed after calling 211.

Housing and Homeless Services

Lebanon Public Schools is now in the App Store. On your phones, in the "app store" you can search Lebanon Public Schools and you should see our logo. Please install as another way to get notifications and news from our school district.

Scan these QR Codes and be brought to our Lebanon Public Schools webpage or the Superintendent Instagram page!

The Lebanon Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, will prepare students to be contributing members of a diverse global society. We will provide a safe, nurturing, rigorous, and student-centered learning environment.

The school community of Lebanon is committed to the mission of honoring and celebrating the diversity of our students, our community, and our nation. We strive to guide our students to conscious, deliberate, individual and collective actions that cultivate the respect of all races, religions, and social backgrounds. Our school community endeavors to produce graduates who are equipped with a greater understanding of the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Lebanon Board of Education, in compliance with federal and state law, affirms its policy of equal educational opportunity for all students and equal employment opportunity for all persons. It is the policy of the District to promote nondiscrimination and an environment free of harassment and the District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, alienage, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other category protected under state or federal law in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its program or activities. The District also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups and is specifically required by Title IX not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs and activities. The District shall make reasonable accommodations for individuals with identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with federal and state statutes and regulations.

The following person has been designated to handle inquires regarding Title IX sex discrimination policies: Dawn DeLia, Title IX Coordinator, 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT; 860-642-5764

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding other non-discrimination policies: Dawn DeLia, 504/ADA Coordinator, 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT; 860-642-5764

Email: andrew.gonzalez@lebanonct.org
Website: https://www.lebanonct.org/
Location: 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT, USA
Phone: 860-642-5637