– John F. Kennedy

Hello Lebanon Staff, Students and Families,

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I want to use the introduction to this November Superintendent Update to say thank you for making Lebanon such an amazing school district. I appreciate the hard work and dedication of our staff, the commitment to excellence displayed by our students and the unwavering support of our families. I am grateful for the strong sense of community and pride we have in Lebanon.

Recently the Connecticut State Department of Education released performance data and associated Accountability Index ratings for district review.

Lebanon Public Schools showed growth from the 22-23 to 23-24 school years in 14 of the 20 indicators with 6 of the 20 being the highest performing since the COVID pandemic years.

Our English Language Arts performance for all students and those categorized as high needs both improved. More importantly the academic growth for each of the aforementioned groups was the highest it has been in 3 years.This was important to see as we were piloting new reading programs in some classes at the elementary school while also implementing new phonics resources. We can also attribute this to the careful use of the iReady diagnostic tool and other assessment strategies being utilized in the district.

Math and Science performance for all students also ticked up from the 22-23 school year. Please keep in mind that we recently implemented a new math program in grades K-8 and many times there is a dip in performance. Our district did not dip and in fact improved which we hope bodes well for the future.

Chronic Absenteeism for all students dropped significantly which reflects our district focus on creating a sense of belonging and enhancing our outreach and support efforts for those struggling to get to school regularly and on-time.

Our index ratings were the highest they have been since 21-22 for the percentage of students taking College and Career Readiness courses, being On Track for Graduation, and Post Secondary Entrance. Additionally, the Access to Arts rating improved significantly.

Our district was above the state average in all but two categories (percent of students passing College and Career Readiness Courses and the 6-year Graduation percentage for high needs students).

This year, based on our analysis of this same type of data from last year, we have placed an emphasis on mathematics. We have reorganized staff and structures to be able to provide targeted math instruction and interventions. Furthermore, we are strategically using student performance information from our district data warehousing system, iON, and engaging our students in interim-assessments curated by the State Department of Education. Most importantly, we have made it a priority to use a more inclusive approach to providing special education instruction and support while improving our students' time with non-disabled peers. By increasing the time our special education students have access to high quality Tier 1 instruction we are optimistic that the performance and growth of our high needs population will increase.

On October 30th SLAM (the architecture firm with integrated construction services, landscape architecture, structural and civil engineering, and interior design services who conducted the study) presented the final report from its extensive school study to our community. The presentation was extremely informative. I have linked summary reports for your review. The School Study Committee had another meeting on November 20th to discuss next steps. As further information becomes available I will make sure to share with you all.

LES and LMS both provided a special breakfast followed by a touching tribute during an assembly for our Veterans. In each building we had numerous Veterans who came to take part in the ceremonies and share their experiences with our learners. We are extremely grateful for their service and appreciate their attendance at these events.

At a recent trip to Camp Ingersoll, Lyman students participated in Team Building Experiences and some High Ropes courses. This has traditionally been a trip that the freshmen have taken on PSAT day, but this year seniors went too since they did not get the opportunity to go their freshman year.

The purpose of the program at Camp Ingersoll is to provide team building experience focusing on support, trust, teamwork, communication, interdependence, and fun. The students participated in structured games and partner/group trust and problem-solving activities as well as low ropes initiatives. The high ropes experience is designed to provide an opportunity for students to get out of their comfort zones and improve self-esteem by realizing they can do more than they thought they could

In another trip to the Yellow Farmhouse Education Center the students started their morning off with a tour of the farm where they learned about soil nutrients, composting, zero waste and seasonal harvesting. All students then participated in a farm chore and harvest. They picked various greens to make a salad, learned about edible flowers and tied bundles of herbs. They spent the afternoon inside the yellow farmhouse preparing lunch. Students made salad with roasted butternut squash with feta over farro grains, and for dessert, apple crisp. All from scratch! All ingredients were from the farm or from other local farms nearby.

Our girls cross country team at Lyman had quite the season. They captured the regular season championship, then followed that up with winning the overall Eastern Connecticut Conference Championship. They kept up their winning ways by taking home the Class S State Championship where Hazel DeLucia and Elisabeth Person earned All-State honors, and just this past weekend Hazel garnered all New-England Honors (during the season she was also recognized as ECC Athlete of the Week, ECC Runner of the Year, and an All-State performer). Congratulations to Coach Chantal Fields, who was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Year, Coach George Gray and all the student-athletes for representing our school in such a positive way.

Our boys and girls soccer teams were the ECC Division IV regular season champions, and the girls team took home the ECC Division II Tournament Championship with Emily McKelvey being named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

This week we had the pleasure of having our produce supplier visit our cafeterias. Sardilla is our produce company supplying us locally grown apples and cider. Three events were held at each of the schools in the district. The events were in conjunction with the CT Farm to School Month initiative. All produce for these events were procured within 50 miles of the district. Also, we had Lebanon farms participate in the events and want give special thanks to Sweet Acre Farm and West Green Farm!

On Monday, November 4 and Wednesday, November 6 eighteen students from Lyman Memorial’s music department traveled to Coventry High School for the 41st annual Charter Oak Music Festival. Charter Oak is a nomination-based festival for schools in the Eastern Region Conference. After two days of rehearsal working with guest conductors the students perform a concert with 8 surrounding schools. Congratulations to this group of young musicians on a fantastic concert!

On Friday, November 1st several students from our Agricultural Science and Technology Education program traveled to UConn to compete in a Career and Development Experience. Members of our Livestock Judging, Milk Quality and Horse Evaluation teams all won and earned themselves an opportunity to compete at the National Future Farmers of America Convention next fall.

Congratulations to Taylor Lawrence, William Wildes, Aly Satowski, Ella Allen, Ava Padewski, Austyn Ross, Nora Johnson, Jaidin Ladouceur and Morgan Hayes

The National Honor Society empowers and equips students with the knowledge and skills to be transformative leaders in our school, community, and beyond. We are extremely proud to celebrate the newest members of the Wheelock Chapter of the National Honor Society. #LebanonPride #LifelongLearners

Transition Planning:

Transition planning is the process to prepare students with disabilities for life after high school. Transition planning and services are an important part of the IEP process beginning at the annual review following a student’s 13th birthday and all IEPs until exiting special education services.

The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has been working to update transition guidelines. The new documents will align with recent changes in legislation. The Transition Bill of Rights for Parents of Students Receiving Special Education Services has been updated/revised. This resource is now posted on the CSDE Website and our district’s website in English and Spanish.

• Direct Link: Transition Bill of Rights for Parents of Students Receiving Special Education Services

Recent information shared by the CSDE:

Connecticut General Statute (CGS) § 10-74s requires the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to make a plain-language online resource for students eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) age 14 and older, and their parents.

In response to this requirement, the CSDE developed a plain-language online resource for students eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) age 14 and older, and their parents. This resource provides information related to alternatives to guardianship and conservatorship, including supported decision-making, powers of attorney, advance directives, and other decision-making alternatives for eligible students who turn age 18.

Direct Link: Understanding Decision-Making Options

CGS § 10-76d(a)(10)(F)(ii) requires that Districts provide information to students and parents about decision-making supports. Pursuant to CGS § 10-74n and 10-76ll, the updated Transition Bill of Rights (Right #12 bullet 5) will serve as the requisite notice for each local or regional board of education to annually distribute at PPTs for students in grades six to twelve.

If you have any questions regarding transition, please contact Dawn DeLia, Director of Pupil Services and Transition Coordinator at dawn.delia@lebanonct.org or 860-642-5764.

Extended School Year (ESY): ESY for 2025 will be held from July 8, 2025 through July 31, 2025.

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.*

The holidays can be a stressful and challenging time for many adults and teens. It can impact mental health due to feelings of pressure, anxiety, and feeling overwhelmed. Teens may also face end-of-semester stress, a packed social calendar or the loss of a loved one. Teens who are struggling with mental health may have a hard time asking for help. Here are some tips and resources for supporting your own and your teens' mental health during the holidays:

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