– John F. Kennedy

Hello Lebanon Students, Staff, and Families,

We are just a few days away from kicking off the 24-25 school year. A lot of information has been shared with you all in advance of your return to school. This particular Superintendent Update is very similar to the Summer update sent earlier this month. This communication is intended to provide you with a reminder and another opportunity to review the important information in advance of the start of school.

Please pay special attention to the bus information and MyView sections as well as the update on cell phones in schools. Also make sure to enjoy the student and staff spotlights.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out. You can reach me any time at andrew.gonzalez@lebanonct.org or 860-642-5633.

Best,
Superintendent Gonzalez

• August 26 & 27- Professional Learning- Staff only- NO SCHOOL
• August 28- First Day of School for all students (half day)
• September 2- Schools Closed- Labor Day
• September 10- Board of Education Meeting- 7:30- LMHS Library

Please double check the list for any possible revisions.

If you have any questions or concerns about times please contact M & J directly at 860-423-9552.

Please review the Zonar MyView Parent User Guide provided below. We are sharing this a few days before the start of school so you can become familiar with the site and set up your account.

The access code for your MyView is LPS1234

The student number is located under the "enrollment" forms (student information) in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. There is a tutorial on how to access forms under the parents section of our webpage- https://www.lebanonct.org/documents/technology----district-page/parent-portal-directions/680791

Please be aware that if you set up your account prior to the first day of school that you may get notifications because the buses will be out in the town doing test runs.

This platform is only accessible for students/families using Lebanon buses through M & J.

Dear families,

For the 2024-2025 school year, Lebanon Public Schools will return to charging students for school breakfasts and lunches.

Breakfast: $2.00

Lunch: $3.25 at LES; $3.60 at LMS; $3.80 at LMHS

Additional items such as snacks, juice, water, are available for purchase a la carte.

Please note:

• MyPaymentsPlus allows funds to be deposited to a students cafeteria account. Please see the flyer below for additional information to access this feature. Students may also bring in cash or checks to deposit to their account.

• Linked below is the application for Free/Reduced meals based on income, along with an important FAQ document for additional information and information regarding Husky Insurance. The State Direct Certification list should be released soon and those who automatically qualify will be notified accordingly. For specific questions regarding your child's free/reduced lunch status, please reach out to Chelsea Williams at chelsea.williams@lebanonct.org or 860-642-5637.

  
  Free/Reduced Application
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Access Health CT

I am sure many of you have heard that Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker are urging local school districts in Connecticut to consider implementing recommendations contained in a position statement and policy guidance document regarding the use of personal technology, such as smartphones and similar devices, in K-12 public schools that was adopted 8-21-24 by the Connecticut State Board of Education.

Here in Lebanon we already have a policy Use of Private Technology Devices by Students. Please make sure you review this policy with your students and expect further communication from building Principals regarding the implementation of age appropriate protocols in each of our schools.

While the timing of this action, one week before the opening of school, may make it tricky for some schools to react, I feel we are in a good place to respond appropriately. I also agree with the sentiment shared by the Governor and the Commissioner in that

“removing the distraction caused by smartphone use during the school day and fostering a healthy balance with the positive use of technology, we create schools and classrooms that maximize peer-to-peer and student-to-educator interaction, develop social skills in interpersonal communication, and positively impact academic growth and success, all while supporting student mental health.”

Here are some ways that you can partner with us to support the implementation of and adherence to the district policy & school protocols:

• Families and Caregivers:

− Promote student engagement in learning by being mindful of communicating with students via cell phone during the school day and encourage children to use planning and problem solving skills, coping strategies, and in-school support to help foster independence.

− Support school initiatives to create technology-free spaces that allow students to fully participate in their education while encouraging in-person connections with peers and adults.

− Model a healthy relationship with social media and screen time at home and reduce the use of technology as a tool for occupying young children.

− Consider using age-appropriate parental controls on smartphones to encourage the development of healthy relationships with technology.

− Establish open lines of communication with children and have regular conversations regarding the safe and responsible use of technology.

• Students:

− Request to participate in opportunities to provide feedback in the development of the district policy and grade-band specific policies, as appropriate.

− Follow the district Personal Technology Use in Schools policy and the student Code of Conduct.

− Engage in lessons and classroom discussions related to social and emotional learning, digital citizenship, media literacy, and the responsible use of technology.

− Encourage peers to use technology and social media appropriately, including being aware of and limiting the frequency with which they check their cell phones.

− Report concerning and inappropriate cell phone use and online behavior by peers to a principal, teacher, school counselor, psychologist, social worker, or any trusted adult in the school building

If you would like to share your feelings on the topic please do not hesitate to reach out. I would look forward to a conversation whether on the phone or in my office over a cup of coffee.

Proud Lyman Memorial High School alum Jeff Stober graduated from VMI with a BS in Chemistry and then Marine Officer Candidate School is now a 2nd Lt in the Marines

We are excited to announce that Hailynn Kane is the new CNA course instructor for Lyman! She is very excited to be back at Lyman, but this time as a teacher. She attended Lyman as a student and graduated in 2019. She chose Lyman because of the ASTE program with her long term plan to become a veterinarian. In sharing her story she told me that "during my junior year, I had a change of heart and decided I wanted to become a nurse instead. While I ended up going a different direction than a career in Ag, the program was still beneficial in promoting growth and leadership in my future career".

After graduation, Hailynn attended Husson University in Bangor, Maine where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing in May of 2023. She says, "going into the nursing program I knew I wanted to be a pediatric nurse". Not long after graduating she landed a job in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (or the PICU) where she has been since. She talks about how the position allows her to work with children as young as newborns all the way up to young adults in their twenties with varying medical conditions and illnesses.

Detailing how she ended up back at Lyman she exclaims, "when I saw on the LMHS facebook page that a CNA instructor was needed I reached out to help! I am very excited to be back at Lyman teaching this course and sharing my passion with students! I can't wait to start and meet everyone!"

It is my pleasure to spotlight Mrs. Megan Grogan who is starting her 18th year at Lyman Memorial High School as a teacher in our Agriculture Science and Technology Education program.

At the August 13, 2024 Board of Education meeting Mrs. Grogan was honored by our Lebanon

American Legion Post 180 for her efforts in the classroom and our community.

In 2013 she started a special project with her students and it has continued every March since. Her horticulture students plant and grow 450 red "Valor" geranium plugs in the high school greenhouse. This specific variety is offered by JP Bartlett Greenhouse in Sudbury, MA and the profits of this variety are donated by Bartlett to an organization that benefits service member group of their choice. The weekend before Memorial Day, members of the American Legion will place an American flag at each veterans grave site. The week before Memorial Day, Mrs. Grogan and her students, with members of Lebanon's American Legion plant a geranium at each veterans gravesite throughout the 8 cemeteries in Lebanon.

In speaking with her she shared that she "really enjoys this project because it gives my students an understanding of Memorial Day and its history as cross curricular content". She went on to tell me about the interactions with the Legion and the community, "I have had members of the American Legion come into my class to talk about the history behind Memorial Day and their service experience. It also allows my students to be a part of something bigger and be involved in the community as a part of a project that is bigger than traditional classwork".

Mrs. Grogan ended our conversation by commenting on the the support that the Ag science department gets in the school and community with her ideas to make the high school program visible and active in the community.

Thanks for all you do Mrs. Grogan and have a great year!

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.

The Lebanon School District is excited to announce a new resource for any family that sends a child to a school in the Lebanon district, as well as the agencies/businesses/staff in those towns. Through our middle and high school School Based Diversion Initiative grant, we are excited to offer for free, the Peace at Home Parenting program through June 30, 2024. In partnership with Colchester, this community parenting, education and support program, utilizes an online subscription which provides a series of monthly workshops for parents/guardians, including, parenting children and teens, parent self-care, understanding developmental milestones, sibling communication, balancing children’s academics and after school activities, and many more. Classes are designed to cover age ranges from birth to young adults, so there is something for everyone!

All of these classes are FREE! Once registered, you can join any monthly live interactive class and attend recorded 10 Minute Videos through your smart phone, tablet or computer. During live online interactive classes you will be able to ask questions, get practical, evidence-based solutions and receive handouts with important learning points. There is even access to over 150 on-demand videos, monthly Q&A and private Facebook group resources.

Working together, our hope is that students continue to thrive at home and come to school more resilient and ready to learn!

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