Superintendent's Letter
October 30, 2020
Thursday, October 30, 2020 Update
Dear Students, Parents, Staff, and the Lebanon Community,
I had a wonderful time visiting our schools this week. Our administrators and staff members are doing an exceptional job of supporting our students, and our students are doing an amazing job of remaining open-minded about the changes we have had to put in place this school year, whether they are learning in-person or remote. Some highlights of my visits were the sounds of laughter, eager engagement in activities, creative expression in so many different ways, and the sharing of thoughts and ideas.
Below please find the updated bus schedule for the Five Day In-Person Model, information from our school nurses, and a K-12 Math curriculum update.
Updated Bus Schedule for Five Day In-Person Model
Please use this link for the updated routes and bus stops. This new schedule will start on Monday, November 2nd.
Important Information From Our School Nurses
The Lebanon School Nurses are following the NH Department of Health and Human Services COVID Guidelines (subject to change).
If a student develops any ONE of the symptoms below that are NEW or UNEXPLAINED, then testing is recommended and the student should stay home:
Fever over 100.0 F
Chills
Cough
Shortness of breath; difficulty breathing
Sore throat
Nasal congestion; runny nose
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Nausea/vomiting
Diarrhea
If the test is negative, the student may return to school as long as she/he is fever free for 24 hours without the use of medications, and symptoms have improved. Even if a student has a NEGATIVE PCR TEST and still shows any symptoms above, it is recommended that the student remains home until symptoms have improved.
If No Test is Performed: The student may return to school after 10 days since the onset of symptoms AND when symptoms improve AND when fever-free for 24 hours with the use of no medication.
If the test is Positive: They may return to school after 10 days since the onset of symptoms AND when symptoms improve AND when fever-free for 24 hours with the use of no medication. NH DHHS will follow any positive result and send an email to the individual stating when the individual has met and completed the 10-day isolation requirements.
If the student is found to be a close contact of a person who tests positive for COVID, the student needs to be quarantined for 14 days from the last contact with that person. A student cannot opt-out of the 14 days quarantine by testing negative.
If a member of the student’s household (who lives in the same house) tests positive, the student starts the 14-day quarantine the day after the end of the 10 day isolation period (quarantine for a total of 24 days).
Travel outside of New England requires a 14-day quarantine, and a student may not test out of this process.
Because of COVID, we have to have a new perspective on sickness . . . Err on the side of caution and stay home.
But also please consider . . .
Does your child normally have allergies?
Does your child get migraines?
Did your child eat something strange last night that caused an upset stomach?
Did your child go on a long hike and have sore muscles?
K-12 Math Curriculum Update
Since the fall of 2018 teachers in grades K-12 have collaboratively worked to revise the district's math curriculum. All teachers, K-12, of mathematics helped draft and then approve a new vision statement that has been used to guide decisions. A smaller group of approximately 17 teachers developed student-centered "I can statements" and revised existing units or wrote new ones based on teacher feedback, evaluation of student assessment data, and best practices in mathematics instruction. We look forward to launching the new curriculum units at the start of the next school year.
Thank you to Lisa Scolaro, District Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, and to all the teachers who participated on the Math Committee for your contributions and hard work!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Dr. Joanne Roberts
Important Links:
COVID-19 Resources:
Upper Valley Strong-Updated Links and Information
Upper Valley Strong is a group of organizations who come together in times of emergency to help our communities.
UV Strong’s purpose is to connect people in need to services, coordinate resources, and share expertise. In response to COVID-19, UV Strong is focused on issues including child care, housing, support for seniors, food access, and transportation.
We are your neighbors helping neighbors. At our core, we support agencies you already know, such as the Upper Valley Haven, LISTEN, and many more. We know that by working together, we will achieve more than we ever could alone.
- Food Shelves & Community Meals: https://uvstrong.org/resources/food-access/#food-resources
- Afterschool Programs: https://uvstrong.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Afterschool-Programs-Flyer-96.pdf
- Community Flu Clinics: https://uvstrong.org/upper-valley-flu-clinics-fall-2020/
- Link to UV Strong website: https://uvstrong.org/
- Upper Valley strong on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uvstrong.org
Links to further information:
City of Lebanon https://lebanonnh.gov/1350/COVID-19
DHMC https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/patient-education/coronavirus.html
DHHS NH Department of Health and Human Services
CDC School Guidance
Lebanon School Board Information
Upcoming School Board Meeting:
Wednesday, November 11, 2020 LMS Gym and via Zoom
Please visit the SAU #88 website for further information.
Lebanon School District Mission Statement
The Lebanon School District, in partnership with the community, is committed to providing a challenging, positive and safe learning environment that CARES:
- Cultivates curiosity and collaboration
- Achieves academic excellence
- Respects and values diversity
- Encourages responsible citizenship
- Supports the needs of every learner
SAU #88 Lebanon School District
Website: www.sau88.net
Location: 20 Seminary Hill Road, West Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-795-8500