Lebanon Public Schools

– John F. Kennedy

"To accomplish great things we must not only act but also dream,

we must not only plan but also believe"- Anatole France

Hello Lebanon Staff, Students and Families,

As we reflect on the goals set at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, Lebanon Public Schools (LPS) remains deeply committed to the strategic plan that guides our mission of empowering students to become self-directed learners and engaged community members. Our strategic objectives continue to emphasize a student-centered, inquiry-based approach to education, where students take an active role in setting their goals, monitoring their progress, and taking ownership of their learning journey.

In 2025, we renew our efforts to provide students with the skills and mindset to succeed in an ever-evolving world. By focusing on a curriculum framework and instructional strategies that encourage this level of autonomy, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow who will take pride in their education and strive for excellence.

This year, we have worked diligently to implement a personalized, student-centered approach to teaching and learning. The creation of meaningful, articulated curriculum and assessments has allowed us to integrate transferable skills, ensuring that students not only meet academic goals but are also prepared for real-world challenges. Our emphasis on developing transferable skills as outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate (POG) has allowed students to build skills they can carry throughout their lives. By leveraging technology and creating collaborative learning environments, we continue to focus on preparing our students for excellence, equipped to thrive in a dynamic global landscape.

In our commitment to becoming a community of lead learners, we have fostered collaborative systems and practices that engage educators, administrators, and students alike. These efforts have created a culture of continuous learning, where all members of the LPS community are empowered to grow. Collaborative structures promote reflection and support innovation, which in turn helps our students grow academically and socially. Our progress continues to depend on the development of purposeful instructional strategies and systems that foster collaboration, voice, and choice, ensuring that our learners feel supported in every aspect of their growth.

Finally, we recognize that a strong sense of belonging is fundamental to the success of our students. In the year ahead, Lebanon Public Schools will continue to build a culture and climate that fosters personalization, cultural awareness, and meaningful partnerships with families and communities. We are committed to creating a learning environment where every student feels welcomed, supported, and connected to their peers and educators. By cultivating these connections and engaging all members of the school community, we are confident that LPS students will graduate as empowered individuals, ready to succeed both academically and in the broader world. We look forward to another year of progress in pursuit of these goals and the continued success of our students.

Our district was recently notified by the State Department of Education that our application to be a part of an Artificial Intelligence pilot program was accepted.

Thanks go to our middle school Principal, Mr. Johnson for sharing his compelling vision and plans to utilize AI at LMS while completing the application. Lebanon is one of only 7 districts in the state that are being afforded this excellent opportunity.

The primary goal of this pilot program is to measure the impact of AI integration on classroom planning for instruction, teaching and learning, student learning outcomes aligned with identified AI knowledge, skills and dispositions and workforce readiness skills.

We have had one introductory meeting with SDE and will be meeting with them again on January 22nd to learn more about the approved AI Education Tools for the pilot program. We also eagerly await the news on amount of grant funding we will be receiving as part of this pilot program which will range from $50,000 to $100,000!

Happy New Year! The start of a new year is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to reset their classrooms and support students’ academic and social development. Goal setting plays a vital role in this process, empowering students to take ownership of their learning, fostering a growth mindset, and improving academic achievement. It encourages students to develop a long-term vision for their accomplishments while maintaining short-term motivation to stay inspired and work hard along the way.

As educators, we also use this time to reflect on our initiatives, assess the progress made, and envision what we hope our classrooms will look like by June. This year, one key area of focus has been the implementation of the new reading and writing program, Savvas myView, in grades K-4. While this program includes many components, our school has much to celebrate in aligning with the recommended implementation guidelines. For example:

• Grades have established a clear pacing guide.

• Teachers have access to professional development and common planning time.

• Classroom environments are enriched with unit boards and core routines.

Teachers are implementing the program with integrity while also exploring innovative approaches, such as incorporating diverse assessments and writing materials. As we continue through the school year, our instructional focus includes:

• Delving deeper into writing instruction,

• Intentional backward planning, and

• Implementing PBI (a one-week research project).

We look forward to seeing ongoing growth in our students, as well as continued professional growth among our teachers. Through effective instruction grounded in best practices and the science of reading and writing, we are confident in achieving meaningful progress together.

Rita Quiles-Glover, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

With the one snow day we have had so far, our new last day of school will be June 12, 2025. Stay tuned for more possible updates as we navigate the winter weather.

At our January 14th Board of Education meeting the 2025 Graduation date was set for Lyman Memorial High School. This culminating event will take place on Thursday, June 12th. The elementary and middle schools will soon share their dates for promotion exercises.

In other calendar news, please review our 2025-2026 district calendar.

The Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation and Creativity is accepting applications from high school seniors and college freshmen who are innovative and creative problem-solvers. This 4-year scholarship for up to $20,000 is not a traditional scholarship focused on rewarding academic achievement and financial need. If you know a student who has found a distinctive solution to an artistic, scientific, or technical problem, please encourage them to apply!

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025 | 4:30PM TO 7:30PM LOCATION: HARTFORD HEALTHCARE AMPHITHEATER 500 BROAD ST, BRIDGEPORT, CT 06604 ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Meet Admissions Counselors & Representatives from over 195 Colleges, Universities, and Businesses from across the country and abroad!

Earlier this fall several students from our Agriculture Science and Technology Education program attended the Future Farmers of America conference and competed in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our Lebanon learners performed well in the Milk Quality, Farm Business and Marketing Plan competitions.

The Milk Quality team had to analyze a farm scenario and then present a solution to a panel of judges. In addition they had to run tests on milk products to determine the somatic cell count of milk. Lastly, they sampled different milk products and determined the type, its fat content and origin.

The Farm Business Management team took a 300 question accounting test and then analyzed a sample farm's financial data to determine strengths and areas for improvement on the farm.

The Marketing team wrote a plan for a hay business and presented its proposal to judges.

Congratulations to Taylor Ruitto, Addison Cone, Abigail Sears, Matthew Dubicki, Nick Slater, Erin Grossmann, Kaden Sorits, Laurelin Boyer, Brianna Doyle, Jayson Collins and Kaytlyn Howard for proudly representing our district at the FFA National Convention.

Ms. Marino’s 7th and 8th grade WIN period students completed the first of several new murals

planned for this year. The painting shown below is in the foyer at the entrance to the school.

Designed completely by the students, it is a planetary representation of our Choose Love

program themes complete with a timely quote from Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in time for his

birthday which states, “Love is the greatest force in the universe”.

Reminder that our Winter Sports seasons are underway, Our student-athletes would love to see you at their contests.

This season, Lebanon Public Schools is 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.

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.*

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