Lebanon Public Schools
Superintendent Gonzalez's December 2024 Update
Growing Learners, Cultivating Leaders, Creating Legacies!
Leadership and Learning are indispensable to each other
– John F. Kennedy
Gift of Teaching and Learning
As we approach the winter break I have spent time reflecting on how the gift of teaching and learning is at the heart of our close knit community in Lebanon. It is through the dedication of our teachers, the enthusiasm of our students, the support of families, and the collaboration of countless individuals that our school system thrives. Together, we have built a nurturing environment where every learner is valued, teachers are appreciated, and success is a shared journey. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this collective effort, making our schools places of growth, inspiration, and achievement. Wishing you all a joyous and peaceful holiday season filled with warmth, happiness, and cherished moments.
Holiday Cheer
The Lyman Memorial High School band, choir and contemporary ensemble took a trip to the Lebanon Senior Center to perform for community members. They sang and played some holiday favorites for the audience. I want to thank Katie Ricard and Baird Welch-Collins for leading this group of learners while they gave back to our seniors by spreading some holiday cheer.
Calendar Adjustment
With the one snow day we have had so far, our new last day of school will by June 12, 2025. Stay tuned for more possible updates as we navigate the winter weather.
School Study
The SLAM School Study Subcommittee, consisting of members from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and Board of Education, has been diligently working to develop a comprehensive School Master Plan for Lebanon. This initiative aims to create a strategic roadmap that addresses the curriculum and programmatic needs of students while ensuring the efficient use of resources.
The development of the School Master Plan involves several key steps:
1. Data Collection: Gathering insights to inform planning.
2. Demographic Analysis: Analyzing trends affecting school enrollment.
3. Program Evaluation: Assessing current educational capacity and utilization.
4. Facility Assessment: Evaluating the condition of school buildings and systems.
5. Scenario Planning: Exploring options for future development.
6. Cost Strategies: Identifying financial implications and actionable steps.
7. Documentation: Compiling findings into a comprehensive report.
Information Session
On October 30th, an Information Session was held at Lyman Memorial High School, providing residents the opportunity to review the results of the SLAM school study and engage with SLAM representatives. We apologize for not including this event in our previous publication due to printing schedule constraints. The session offered valuable insights and allowed community members to ask questions about the study.
During the session, SLAM representatives presented two options for the school district: Option 1A—maintaining all schools with the current grade configuration while addressing necessary capital renewal and improvements; and Option 7—reconfiguring grade levels to have Pre-K to 2nd grade at the Elementary School, 3rd to 8th grade at the Middle School, and 9th to 12th grade at the High School.
Both options come with significant costs, and the subcommittee is evaluating the town's fiscally responsible next steps. Current cost estimates are projected at $64-67 million for Option 1 and $83-87 million for Option 7. No decisions have been made yet.
For those who could not attend, meeting minutes and a recording of the session are available for public access. To review the results and learn more about the SLAM School Study, please visit https://www.lebanonct.gov/board-selectmen/minutes/public-information-session-slam-school-study-meeting-minutes or use the QR Code.
The SLAM School Study represents a critical step toward enhancing the educational landscape in Lebanon, ensuring that schools meet the needs of both current and future generations. We encourage community members to stay informed and engaged as this important process continues.
Lebanon Public Schools Spotlight
Connecticut State Department of Education Visits LMHS
On Friday, November 22, 2024 members of the Connecticut State Department of Education visited our Lyman Memorial High School Agriculture Science and Technology Education program. Our students led them on tours of each of our indoor and outdoor facilities. The visitors were thoroughly impressed! Our students did an amazing job sharing highlights and benefits of being an ASTE student in Lebanon
Model United Nations Conference
This past weekend, students participated in a two-day Model United Nations Conference at the University of Hartford run by the CT World Affairs Council. Our students represented the country of Ireland in four different committees including two crisis committees. They debated and discussed major global issues including the illicit trade of conventional arms, the safety of journalists reporting in regions of conflict, the prevention of chemical weapons re-emerging, and a theoretical crisis of nuclear weapons in space in the year 2099. Piper Walker and Samuel Barnes earned Honorable Mention for their work writing and passing a resolution in their crisis committee.
Alice in Wonderland
Lyman Memorial Drama's production of Alice in Wonderland was a huge success. With about 450 tickets sold there was an amazing crowd for both nights of the show. This year between actors, backstage crew, lighting, sound, poets, and costume and makeup contributors there were 35 students involved in the show which totals just over 10% of the entire student body at Lyman Memorial. The Drama department would also like to shout out Alumni Genevieve Gardella for writing all of the music used in this production.
To the crowd supporting our cast and crew on show night, thank you SO much for coming out and truly showing our actors and artists that you care. We are already so excited for our spring and next fall's production and we hope to see even more of you in the crowd enjoying our shows. We truly could not put on the performances that we do without the support of both the school and the Lebanon community as a whole.
Zachary Johnson
Fall Drama Director
Eastern Connecticut Conference Athletics Leadership Conference
Below are the students who represented Lyman at the Winter ECC Athletics Leadership Conference at NFA. 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.
Students:
Jenny Lopez - Girls’ Basketball
Kevin Botticello - Boys’ Basketball
Lucas Judd - Wrestling
Marissa Litwin - Girls’ Indoor Track
Nick Zaprianov - Boys’ Indoor Track
Board of Education Recognition- Fall Sports
Senior Phoebe Carpenter is a 2-time All-State recipient. She had 11 shutouts this season and over 30 in her career. She was voted the number 1 keeper in our division for the last 3 seasons. She was also voted team defensive player of the year and Co-MVP. She was selected to the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association's Sr. Bowl and played in it on November 23rd. She will continue playing at Division 2 Flagler College in Florida next year.
Junior Emily McKelvey is a first time All-State recipient. She led the team and division with 29 goals and 6 assists. She was voted the number 1 player in the division by the league's coaches. In addition, she was the team Co-MVP and was also named the Most Outstanding Player in the ECC tournament for the second year in a row. Emily was also named to the United Soccer Coaches Association's Region I team. That translates into being named All-New England. This is a great honor and she is only the second player in Lyman girls' soccer history to receive this recognition.
Freshman Elisabeth Person- A multiple medal winner this season earning medals at 3 invitationals. She placed 6th at the ECC conference meet and was an ECC all-star. She placed 4th at the class 'S' state meet (the top freshman in the meet) to earn all-state honors. Her best time of 20:29 run at the state meet makes her the 15th best freshman in the state. She placed 70th at the state open meet, (the 8th freshman)
Junior Hazel DeLucia- Undefeated in the regular season and the winner of 2 invitationals. The individual ECC conference champion, in a new course record of 19:16, and an ECC all-star. Was named ECC athlete of the week in October. Was named the ECC runner of the year. She placed 2'nd at the class 'S' state meet to earn all-state honors. She placed 8th at the CT state open meet to qualify for New England's where she placed 16th in 18:41 (the 37th fastest girls time ever run on Wickham's Course)
LMHS Girls Cross Country Team- The girls had a tremendous season. They finished out the regular season 8-0 and were the ECC division III champions as well as the Overall ECC champions for the first time since 2006. At the ECC championship meet sophomore Hannah Bower was the winner of the girls JV race. 4 girls were named ECC all-stars for their performance during the regular season, Junior Hazel DeLucia, Freshman Elisabeth Person, Junior Sylvie Hiltz and Freshman Nora Johnson. The team won multiple invitationals this season including the Stratton Brook Invite, Winding Trails Invite and Harry Geraghty Invite. At the state meet the girls placed 2nd, 4th, 18th, 28th 31st, 35th, and 38th to win 74-79 over Hale Ray securing the girls team's first state title since 2006.
Winter Sports and Athletic Ticketing Policy
It is that time of year where our winter sports will be kicking off. Our first contests of the season are this week.
Starting this season, Lebanon Public Schools will be implementing a new policy for tickets to Lyman Memorial home athletic contests.
All Lebanon Public School students with a school ID will get into games for free! Along with LPS students getting in for free, all faculty, staff and Board of Education members will be allowed into athletic contests free of charge. It is very important for Board of Education members, faculty/staff and students to bring their LPS school ID to the games in order to be let in free.
We are also very excited to be offering season passes for purchase this winter sports season. Purchasing a pass offers spectators a discount for attending games throughout the entire season. Tickets will be purchased digitally on GoFan.co .
The schedule of games is already loaded into GoFan, however, if you still want to purchase tickets when arriving at Lyman Memorial, GoFan can be accessed via their web address or a QR code posted outside the gym. There is also a card reader available for those wishing to pay with a debit/credit card. Tickets can be purchased by sport (girls basketball, boys basketball or wrestling) or for the whole winter season for all sports.
Child Find
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.
District Family Care Coordinator
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.
Supporting Your Child Through the Holiday Season
While the holidays are a time of joy, celebration and togetherness with friends and family, many children are also impacted by feelings of anxiety, stress, sadness and fear of being left out. Thoughts of having to be perfect, not being able to get through planned celebrations within a large or small setting and missing family members that have passed recently, can impact thoughts and feelings. Oftentimes, additional resources to support your child can be helpful. Please feel free to access any of the articles below to further enjoy the holiday season together.
Connecting with Teens Over the Holidays
Simple Strategies to Help Children Cope with Holiday Stress
Parenting Teens Through the Holiday Season
How Holidays Can be Stressful for Children
Tips for Handling Holiday Stress and Grief
Managing Parenting Stress Over the Holidays
Tips to Manage Stress over the Holidays
Lebanon Social Services
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.*
Need Help? In a Crisis? Want to Talk to Somebody?
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.orgTrevor Project (crisis intervention & suicide prevention for the LGBTQ community): 1-866-488-7386 or Text 678678
Crisis Text Line: text CTL to 741741
Housing and Homeless Services Unit
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.
Lebanon Public Schools App
QR CODE
Mission Statement
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement of the Lebanon Public Schools:
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.
Nondiscrimination Statement of the Lebanon Public Schools:
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
Lebanon Public Schools
Email: andrew.gonzalez@lebanonct.org
Website: https://www.lebanonct.org/
Location: 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT, USA
Phone: 860-642-5637