Lyme School Friends,

Happy end of May and welcome June! This is really our last comprehensive newsletter. The next two newsletters will have important end of year information and celebrations.

This morning, we conducted a Shelter in Place Drill at the beginning of our day. This was something we wanted to do a number of weeks ago. Today's drill was an opportunity for classroom teachers to discuss with their students why we might Shelter in Place ie a chemical spill outside or extreme weather. We then debriefed our drill during our morning meeting as a whole school. We always conduct drills at our school in order to be prepared for any emergency. This year, aside from this drill, we have also conducted a number of fire drills, reverse evacuations indoors from recess, and bus evacuation drills.

Our 8th graders have returned from Washington, DC and our lower schools have conducted the May Pole Celebration. It has been a busy and exciting few weeks. We now look ahead to our field days, graduation, and the official close of the 2023-2024 school year with the ringing of the bell by the current 7th graders.

Our 8th grade graduation will be on June 13th at 4:30 PM in the gymnasium. We are looking forward to celebrating this class as they depart our school to their various high schools. This morning, we celebrated the Lyme Class of 2020 as they returned for the alumni breakfast and morning meeting. It was exciting for many members of the staff to see how much those high school seniors have grown.

Even though the year is almost over, the PTO still has a lot going on including a student art show and silent auction June 2nd, a walk/bike to school day June 5th, and a last day of school pizza potluck at Post Pond on June 14th. More details can be found in the PTO section.

As for updates for 2024-2025, we thought we would repeat these items for everyone:

• The 24-25 school calendar was approved and is attached below.
• Staff have already begun work on any schedule tweaks as well as student placement for split classes. Families of 2nd and 6th graders, please complete this form to provide input into our class list decisions by Monday, June 3rd.
• Our 3rd grade teachers for next year will be Ms. Gautreau and Mrs. Thayer while Ms. Gannon will remain the 2nd grade teacher.
• Ms. Chandler will be moving to the elementary K-5 Spanish position for next year.
• We have hired a new Kindergarten teacher as well as a middle school Spanish teacher for next year and will share more details about them in a future newsletter.
• We have hired a new chef who will be taking over the food service program for next year.

We have a quick turnaround and the next newsletter will hit your inbox on June 7th with any final week reminders and information!

Have a spectacular weekend!

Regards,

John P. D'Entremont, Principal

Dates:

May 31st - 8th graders invited to HHS Dance

June 2nd - Student Art Show (see PTO section)

June 5th - Bike/Walk to School (See PTO section - Rain Date is June 6th)

June 13th - MS Field Day

June 13th - 8th Grade Graduation @ 4:30PM

June 14th - K-5 Field Day

June 14th - PTO Post Pond Potluck

If you are having trouble, please reach out to Amanda Perry or John D'Entremont.

So far, you should have:

1. Gotten yourself logged in.
2. Received an emergency alert.
3. Double checked your contact information.
4. Completed ALMA Start Registration for this year.
5. Been given instructions to opt in to the Directory. [To opt in to the directory, you can click on the link for “my info” or get there through your profile icon in the top-right corner. You can toggle your visibility in the directory.]
6. Received preliminary information about the standards based report cards.
7. Received a first trimester report card via email on December 4th.
8. Received a second trimester report card via email on March 20th.

The Lyme School Apparel Store has a variety of apparel and accessories all customizable with a variety of school logos. The Lyme School PTO earns 12% of all sales. Thank you for supporting our school and go Lions! #LYMESCHOOLROCKS

Did you know that frogs and toads use their lungs to help them hear calls from their own species? In the final lesson of our Four Winds program, students learned this and other fascinating facts about adaptations of frogs and toads. After listening to frog calls and creating a mini field guide to local amphibians, students visited a local frog pond with nets and buckets to catch (and release) frogs, toads, and tadpoles. The goal of Four Winds is to educate children in natural science through hands-on lessons that inspire wonder and learning. I think everyone present at the frog pond to see the excitement and engagement of the children would agree that the Four Winds mission was accomplished. We are always looking for parent and community volunteers who will share a lesson created by Four Winds with our K-4 students. The only requirement is a love of learning about the natural sciences and sharing that learning with kids. If you are interested, please contact Adrienne Flower at aflower80@gmail.com.

One of the most special Lyme School traditions is our alumni breakfast. Each year, the senior class, who also attended Lyme School are invited back to share food, laughs, memories, and their future plans with the staff.

This year’s class, who had to make an unfortunate exit in 2020 due to COVID made their way back to their old stomping grounds and enjoyed one another’s company as well as being able to read letters they had written to themselves in Ms. Collins’ class in eighth grade. They even attended our all school morning meeting, where we could celebrate them as an entire school.

We wish you all well, class of 2024! We are so very grateful for our time with you.

Kati Miller RN BSN: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

Matthew Greenway RN BSN: alternating Weds and coverage as needed

Celeste McCool RN BSN: alternating Weds and coverage as needed

As we welcome the warmer spring weather, it is important to remember that increased exposure to ticks and tick borne illnesses has begun.

Making tick checks a part of your child's nightly routine is a great way to help prevent tick borne illnesses including Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and Powassan virus disease.

The best way to prevent tick borne illnesses is by preventing tick bites:

Protect yourself by wearing protective clothing, use insect repellent and try to avoid wooded/brushy areas or tall grass if possible. Check your pets for ticks.

Check yourself for attached ticks every day. Make it a part of your nightly routine.

Remove attached ticks right away using tweezers. Pull in an upwards motion, grasping the tick as close to the skin as possible. Clean the area with soap and water.

Watch for symptoms including fever, rash, headache, joint pain, fatigue or muscle aches for 30 days after a tick bite and contact Healthcare Provider.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (antibiotic given within 72 hours of tick removal) can help prevent Lyme disease if determined necessary by Healthcare Provider.

As of March, 1 2024 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidance to provide "practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV."

We follow these guidelines. Please review the following links from the CDC for more information and reach out to me with any questions/concerns.

Thank you for your efforts in keeping our Lyme School students, staff, and families healthy.

Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick

Testing and Respiratory Viruses

Masks and Respiratory Viruses Prevention

In today's digital age, cell phones have become an integral part of our lives. You may be wondering if your child is ready for a cell phone, or perhaps they already have one. While these devices offer numerous benefits like information access and connection, they also present challenges, particularly regarding their impact on child's well-being and development. As parents and caregivers, it's essential to navigate this territory thoughtfully, balancing the advantages of technology with the need for healthy boundaries. Here are some suggestions for creating cell phone guidelines for your child if you feel they are ready for a cell phone:

1. Establish Clear Rules and Boundaries: Set clear expectations regarding when and how the cell phone should be used. Establish designated times for phone use, such as after homework is complete or during specified breaks. Encourage face-to-face interactions during family meals and limit phone usage during bedtime to ensure quality sleep. It is a good idea to keep their phone charging overnight outside their room. You can also buy a cheap alarm clock if they are currently using the one on the phone.

2. Promote Mindful Usage: Encourage your child to use their phone mindfully, focusing on the present moment rather than constantly checking notifications. Help them recognize the signs of excessive phone use, such as neglecting other activities/priorities or experiencing anxiety when separated from their device. Encourage breaks from screens and outdoor activities to promote physical activity and socialization.

3. Model Healthy Behavior: Children often emulate the behavior of their caregiver, so it's essential to model healthy cell phone usage yourself. Avoid excessive phone use in front of your child, especially during family time. Instead, prioritize face-to-face interactions and engage in activities that don't involve screens. Sometimes placing your phone in another room or out of sight helps to remind us to be present. I need to work on this too!

4. Encourage Open Communication: Create an environment where your child feels comfortable discussing their experiences with cell phones. Encourage open dialogue about the challenges they face, such as cyberbullying or feeling pressured to be constantly connected. Provide guidance and support without judgment, helping them develop strategies to navigate digital interactions safely. You can always be in touch with us here at school if you have concerns about student phone usage and how to best support your child.

5. Monitor Content and Apps: Stay informed about the apps and content your child is accessing on their phone. Familiarize yourself with privacy settings and parental controls to limit access to inappropriate content and ensure their safety online. Encourage your child to critically evaluate the information they encounter and discuss any concerns or questions they may have. Remind them about blocking/reporting features if they are involved in unsafe/unhealthy relationships.

6. Prioritize Mental Health: Recognize the impact of excessive screen time on mental health and well-being. Encourage activities that promote relaxation and stress relief, such as mindfulness exercises, hobbies, or spending time outdoors. Monitor your child's mood and behavior, and seek professional help if you notice signs of depression, anxiety, or addiction related to cell phone use. You can always reach out if you are noticing changes in your child that are concerning.

7. Keep Personal Information Private: Remind your children that they should never give out personal information like their address, phone number, information about their family, passwords, etc. They should be aware that people online might not be who they say they are. It is ok to block/report anyone who is exhibiting strange behavior - they should always communicate with you when something uncomfortable is happening in their digital world. Remember there is still a lot of brain development left for these kids (until 25 years old), so it is expected that they aren’t ready for free reign of the internet in their pocket.

By implementing boundaries and guidelines, you can empower your child to develop healthy habits and responsible digital citizenship. Remember that navigating technology in adolescence is a journey, and it's essential to adapt your approach as your child grows and their needs/maturity changes. Together, we can support our students in harnessing the benefits of technology while minimizing its negative effects. If you have any concerns about or want more information about healthy device use, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Below are some resources to check out!

Common Sense Media - Articles

Cellphones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

What is the Right Time to Give your Child a Cell Phone?

Preparing Your Child for their First Cell Phone

Safety Rules for Cell Phone Use

Have a great weekend! Remember to unplug, look up, and be present!

~Mrs. Stanton

Transitioning from a school routine to a summer routine can be worrisome for some children. Children may worry about separating from their teachers and missing friends over the summer. The change in their schedules and routines can feel overwhelming for some children. Here are some things you can do to help your child’s transition from school to summer vacation.

Acknowledge Emotions - Children do not always communicate their feelings. Behavior changes might signal that the child is having some worries or feelings about the shift from school to summer. Validate their feelings, listen to their concerns, remind them of their past experiences transitioning to summer, and share your experiences from your childhood.

Maintain a Schedule - Children do better when they have a predictable routine. Create a schedule for bedtime, wake-up time, meal times, and activities that you may have planned. Schedules help kids feel more secure because they know what to expect.

Talk About the Schedule - Going over the schedule each day will help children transition from one activity to another. Talk about what their day may look like and feel like. Talk about things that may or may not happen. Some children like to have visual schedules. Some children like to erase their schedules as activities have been completed.

Stick to Behavioral Expectations - Children benefit from and feel safer when they know exactly what is expected. Giving children age-appropriate jobs/chores that they can take ownership of helps children learn responsibility. Provide positive feedback and reinforcement when the job/chore is done.

Balance Structure with Flexibility - Providing children with structure and predictable routines is important. It is also important to include spontaneous activities and unstructured playtime. Children need opportunities to decide how they want to spend some of their time. Some children might like to read a book and others might enjoy building a fort or going for a hike. Spontaneous outings and unscheduled activities help children learn how to be flexible and “go with the flow.”

Adapted from: https://childmind.org/article/strategies-for-a-successful-summer-break/

May 31, 2024

As we near the end of the school year, many research and inquiry projects are being finalized across K-8. Our youngest students have completed their units learning about trees and the importance of trees in the classroom. They each created a Buncee to share their learning. View the Kindergarten Buncee Board here.

Summer Reading information is now available. This will also be posted on the school website. In the slides there is information for K-8, including lists of recommended titles from various organizations. Next week, Ms. Judy will be coming to speak to all students about the CFL Summer Reading Program!

As we approach the end of the school year, be on the lookout for overdue book notices. Please help students look for books around the house and return anything you find. Books can be returned at school or Converse Free Library, regardless of where they were checked out from and if they are checked out under a school or family account. We will transition to checking books out to family accounts for these final two weeks of school. If you do not have a family account at the Converse Free Library, please reach out.

June is Pride Month. We will be highlighting books related to celebrating Pride Month, with the messaging of love is love and all are welcome and affirmed here. There are two collections students and families can browse from:

Youth Pride Books

YA Pride Books

Family-related Converse Free Library upcoming programing, from Ms. Judy’s newsletter:

Thursday, June 27, 2-3 p.m. Whales & Seals with the UNH Marine Docents (ideal for children entering grades K-3). From the promotional materials: We will address the following questions: How do marine mammals stay warm? How big are they? How do they eat? We will explore these questions with hands-on activities such as "blubber gloves," "feeding frenzy," and "measuring a whale."

All students in Grades 3-8 have completed the annual state tests. All results should be available for all of the tests by mid-June. The writing portion of the tests was hand-scored this year as New Hampshire is recalibrating their computerized scoring of writing with human input.

Next week, we will send home in a letter an access code and directions explaining how parents can access their student(s) results through the Family Portal, a secure website managed by the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System.

Students in the lower school are beginning their final event in the Design Lab summer olympics by designing and building their own mini-mini-golf ("micro-golf"??) course. This hands-on activity encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration as students design unique holes, construct obstacles, and apply principles of geometry and physics. Throughout this project, they are not only honing their design and engineering skills but also reinforcing the value of teamwork and perseverance. They are doing a great job designing fun and challenging golf courses.

May 2024

In Kindergarten, we read the book The Curious Garden, about some very brave plants that bring beauty to a forgotten place. Ks learned some simple flower shapes and drew their own gardens.

In 1st Grade, we missed an Art class due to the holiday. They finished up their printed robots!

2nd Grade students learned how light and dark values can make paintings come to life. They are thinking like impressionists these days.

3rd Grade students learned about the Bot Joy Art project, in which the artist Gary Hirsch invites folks to create “Joy Bots” (little robots that give needed love or courage) and spread them to people in their community. We talked about how Art can have different purposes.

4th Grade students have been working on a clay coral reef project, sculpting a variety of corals on a small rock armature. They also learned about how artists use their work to bring awareness to an issue.

5th Grade students are getting close to finishing their animal adaptations project, just in time for their presentations!

6A students are working on building drawing skills. We go through some “tricks” to simplify visual information (close one eye!) and focus on what is happening in our shoulders, getting the brain and the body to work together. We are drawing shoes, but that is just an excuse to think about how drawing works.

Sculpture Elective was quiet last week without our 8th graders. This week, I shared the artist Nick Cave and a puppeteer from Star Wars as inspiration. We talked about how sculptors are inspired by the world and connect and respond through Art. Many cool things are happening as students deal with the only creative constraint: It must be 3D!

Students in the lower school recently spent some time in PE making (good) choices about what activities they like to do. From climbing the traverse wall, to aiming for a target with a bean bag, creating structures with discs, or getting all twisted up with friends in a game of Twister , students have been able to decide what activities best suit them depending on their interests.

Team Tournament play is back for round two this year. With cooperative weather and our eighth graders back from their trip to DC, two teams battled for the soccer championship with team two coming out victorious with a 2-0 over team one.

Congratulations to all teams for a well played series!!

Grades 7 and 8 welcomed Dr. Bill Hudenko as a guest speaker this week. To culminate National Mental Health Awareness Month, Mrs. Stanton and I invited Dr. Hudenko to come in to speak to this group to help them learn about the brain, various aspects of psychology, and what stress and anxiety are. He discussed ways of managing stress when it becomes too much and leads to mental health issues such as depression.

We are always so grateful for our community resources and could not be more thankful for Dr. Hudenko’s time.

Congratulations to all K-5 classes on their Maypole Performance yesterday! We celebrated our 35th year of the Maypole and had a beautiful day and a great turn out. Thank you to all the community members who helped with the performance including members of the Well Kept Men, the Suite Notes recorder group, and of course, Mrs. Helen Skelly. Thank you to everyone who sent in flowers for our baskets!

Special acknowledgement to the 5th grade who wove our beautiful Maypole.

Happy Friday, Lyme Families-

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Maypole celebration yesterday!

Summer is almost here, but the PTO still has a few more events to end the school year with a splash:

A HUGE thank you to all the students who have contributed artwork to our Student Art Show & Silent Auction, scheduled for Sunday, June 2nd from 3-5 PM. We have 60+ submissions! This event will transform our school hallway into a dynamic pop-up art gallery, showcasing the creativity and skill of our student artists.

Event Details: This art show is more than just a display; it's an opportunity for our students to engage with the community through their art. It’s also a chance for the students to not only showcase their talents but also to earn their first commissions. For every piece sold, the student artist will receive a $10 commission (each piece will be sold for a minimum of $20), with additional proceeds going to support our wonderful Artist-in-Residence (AIR) Program.

As a reminder the AIR Program brings professional artists into our school to work directly with our K-8 students. This program offers a deep dive into visual, musical, or movement experiences, providing hands-on engagement for all grades. The AIR Committee arranges for an artist in these fields to visit and work with students (often for an entire week), offering invaluable creative experiences and fostering a love for the arts in our young learners. Past artists have included a mosaicist, an African drummer, a muralist, and many more, bringing expertise and inspiration from outside the school to enrich our students' education. This program is entirely funded through the efforts of the PTO!

The art show will also feature a silent auction with art-related items such as a family membership to the AVA Gallery, a gift card to TipTop Pottery, as well as pieces from Matt Brown, Trina Hyman, Mark Sunderwirth, Lisa Binder and Georgia Kahn from Two Rivers Workshop, Kim Meredith, and the Lyme School’s 2024/2025 Artist-In-Residence, Jay Ryan!

Walk/Bike to School Day- WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5th (rain date: Thursday, June 6th)

The weather is looking great so far!

Again, a few safety reminders:

• Helmets are required
• Wear bright colors
• Bike in single file
• If you are driving, please be mindful of the families on the road

Parents, if you are interested in being a neighborhood organizer for this event, please email us at pto@lymeschool.org

Refreshments will be served at the school entrance starting at 7:30 am. If you can help by providing refreshments, please sign up here or feel free to change your slot. (To the families who brought food the day before the original date, thank you! The teachers were able to appreciate your contributions during Teacher Appreciation week).

The Last-Day-of-School Pizza Potluck @ Post Pond on FRIDAY, JUNE 14th

Get ready for a fun school-wide potluck event to end the school year at Post Pond! After stopping by the library to sign up for the summer reading program, head over to the Pond for a Last-Day-of-School Celebration! As you know, it’s the perfect setting for everyone to unwind, socialize, and enjoy a delicious array of pizzas and other tasty contributions. Chip in for pizza and/or bring a side dish/dessert/drinks to share! Let’s come together to celebrate the end of the school year, share some laughs, and kick-start summer. We can’t wait to see everyone there!

IMPORTANT UPDATE! Due to so many other fun activities scheduled these last few weeks of school (including the school-wide field day!), we made the decision to CANCEL the Lyme School Roar + Run- (scheduled for SUNDAY, JUNE 9th). We're hoping to bring it back next year, so if you' like to help us plan, please email us at pto@lymeschool.org. Thanks for understanding!

Lastly, our final PTO meeting of the school year will be on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5th at 7pm via Zoom and in-person (venue TBD)!

If you're interested in joining this inspiring team of parents and teachers who plan all the amazing community-building PTO events/projects (e.g. The Giving Tree, the School Directory, the Solstice Celebration, the Teacher/Staff Appreciation events/projects, and many more!) and raise funds for school projects/events (e.g. The Artist-In-Residence Program, The School Gardens, The Ga-Ga Ball pit, and special field trips like the middle school trip to see "A Christmas Carol" at Northern Stage), please consider joining us at our LAST meeting of the school year. We'll also be electing/re-electing the PTO officers for next year (it's a 1-year term so ALL positions are up for election!), so if you'd like to be even more involved, we highly encourage you to run/attend to vote. As you know, teamwork makes the dream work! If you want to make a difference, have a passion for event planning/want to lead an event or if you are just interested in learning more about what we do, again, please join us!

Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you at the Student Art Show on Sunday!

Cheers,

Fauve Dela Cruz

Chair, The Lyme School PTO

pto@lymeschool.org

OUR VALUES

● Fairness ● Acceptance of Others ● Integrity ● Responsibility

● Perseverance ● Individuality ● Compassion ● Courage

John P. D'Entremont, Principal

Elise Foxall, Academic Director

Geoff Tomlinson, Student Services Director