Superintendent's Letter

Dear Students, Staff, Families, and Community Members,

We are monitoring the snowstorm that is heading towards New England and its potential impact on the school day tomorrow. There is a possibility of a fully remote day due to inclement weather tomorrow.

Earlier this school year, the Board decided that we will not have two-hour delays or snow days. On those days, instead of a traditional two-hour delay or snow day, all students will be fully remote.

The process is as follows:

· If there is a possibility of a fully remote day due to weather, a notice will go out to staff and families by 1:30 pm the day before. This will ensure that students bring their devices home. This letter serves as notice.

· The actual decision whether it will be a remote learning day or not, will not happen until the following morning with notice going out around 5:30 am. The decision for that day is made in the early morning because the evening forecasts are not always accurate.

Our procedures to make the decision include contacting the Lebanon Police Department and the Public Works Department to get input on Lebanon’s road and sidewalk conditions. We also evaluate if school sidewalks and exits can be cleared in the event of an evacuation.

Please note that Grantham and Plainfield may have different weather conditions and may close or run a two-hour delay. Grantham Middle and High School and Plainfield High School students should follow the Lebanon School District in-school or fully remote notices for inclement weather days.

If school is in session, and if you feel that road conditions are unsafe to send your child to school, you always have the freedom to keep your child home for the day and the absence will be marked as excused. This would include letting a young student that is a less-experienced driver drive to school. Students may also request to participate remotely for classes that are offered to in-person and remote students.

In the event of a power outage when all or part of the City of Lebanon may be without power and students may not be able to access school remotely, students could spend time reading, continuing to work on learning materials they have at home and do the best they can to engage in an educational experience that day.

Also, a clarification regarding the November 2020 staff member absenteeism data. For the month of November, the average number of staff requesting to take a sick or personal day was 31 staff members per school per week.

Thank you,

Dr. Joanne Roberts

If you are interested in being a substitute, or you may know an interested person, please contact Dianne Estes, Director of School and Community Relations at destes@sau88.net. The rate of pay is $105 per day. Lesson plans and schedules are prepared in advance by the teacher, the role of a substitute is to support, monitor, and provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for our children.

Important Links:

School Board Web Page

Previous Superintendent’s Letters

NH Guidance

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

NHDOE K-12 Back to School Guidance

Upcoming School Board Meeting:

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 LMS Gym and via Zoom

Please visit the SAU #88 website for further information.

Link to Board Agendas and Minutes

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

Website: www.sau88.net
Location: 20 Seminary Hill Road, West Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-795-8500