The Pulse of the Pride

Lyme School Friends,

It has been a fantastic start to the school year! Both our students and staff are glad to be back!

The classrooms are vibrant and active all around the building. Some remarked about our construction project, "it looks like a brand new school." The project was clearly well received and students and staff are enjoying the newly renovated spaces.

It was great to see so many of you during Information Night yesterday. Thank you for attending and learning about what your students are learning about this year. It looks to be another fun-filled and action-packed school year.

Thank you for your partnership and please reach out if you have questions.

Regards,

John P. D'Entremont, Principal

Dates:

• MS Hike - September 18, 2025 (rain date October 9th)

• Advisory Breakfast - September 17, 2025

• MS Activity Night - September 26, 2025

• Artist in Residence September 22 - October, 3, 2025

• School Picture Day - September 30, 2025 (rain date October 1st)

• Open House - October 2, 2025 4 - 5:30 PM

• Blisters for Books - October 10, 2025

• School Closed - October 13, 2025

• Band Field Trip - October 16, 2025

• Lion's Cup - October 17, 2025

Please complete the free and reduced lunch application. Even if you are unsure if you qualify, it is important that you complete the application. Lyme School receives grant funding for those that do qualify. Please reach out to the SAU office if you have any questions.

This is notice to parents/legal guardians of your rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) about directory information.

If you do not want your directory information disclosed, please notify the Principal in writing.

Notice from a parent that any or all directory information shall not be released is only valid for that school year and must be re-issued each school year.

The district calendar had a slight change approved by the School Board at their August meeting. The last day of school will be June 18th and NOT June 19th. The revised calendar is attached.

Please remember that our school day starts at 8AM sharp. Please drive carefully in the morning and afternoon around our school. If you are unloading your children on the street, please make sure they exit the vehicle curb side. We prefer no parking in front of school in the morning. If you need to park, please park across the street or further down route 10 if you must leave your car in the morning.

Dismissal is 3PM (2PM on Thursdays). If you are going to make dismissal changes, we kindly request that you call our office by 2:30 PM, so we can ensure to get the message to your child.

Picture Day Details

• Date: Tuesday, September 30th (Rain Date October 1st)

• Location: Planned for outdoors.

You can order photos online:

Order Photos Here

Ms. Marley Dube revealing her "Green Goddess" mural in the Lebanon Downtown Tunnel.

According to Ms. Dube...“Green Goddess” represents these seasons and the beauty each of them have to offer. This mural is inspired by the natural world and a Mother Earth figure. She portrays strength, rebirth, and growth. The ability to restart, refocus, reset. She serves as a reminder that we are surrounded by natural beauty and we are on Earth for a brief moment in time.

Great work, Ms. Dube

Congratulations to Ms. Emily Cushman! She completed her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in August.

Mrs. Tori Thayer met up with Mr. Nate Damren in Alaska over the summer. Mr. Damren took Mrs. Thayer fishing.

Dr. D'Entremont asked the staff to send him post cards over the summer and the staff did not disappoint. The display is in the lobby and hopefully you have a chance to see all the places the staff visited over the summer.

Welcome back, Lyme Families!

I hope you had a wonderful summer and are ready for another year of fun and learning 🙂. I had a lovely time on the trails, bike paths, and summits of New Hampshire and Vermont with my family! We also had a lot of ice cream!

For those of you who are new to Lyme School, my name is Mrs. Stanton, and I’m the school counselor here!

Each week I get to spend time with your students during Kindergarten–5th grade “Stanton Time” (our Social Emotional Learning classes) and co-teach Adolescent Health with Mrs. Damren (PE/Health Educator) for grades 5–8. I also wear a few other hats - I am a middle school advisor (woop woop, Toxic Foxes!), coordinate the high school choice and transition process for 8th graders, and co-advise our Student Advisory Leadership Team (SALT) with Dr. D and Mrs. Thayer.

Beyond the classroom, I work with students in small groups to build specific skills, and I meet one-on-one with kids as needed. My role is to support both students and families, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We also have a strong Student Support Team at Lyme - including the school counselor, principal, student services director, nurse, teachers, and student success coordinator - who meet regularly to make sure we’re providing the best support possible.

I’d love to share my Lyme School Counseling Website where you’ll find:

• Information about me and how to get in touch

• Family and student resources (technology use, mental health, crisis lines, tutoring, financial/food support, navigating family changes, and more)

• An overview of our K–8 Social Emotional Learning curriculum

• Information on the High School Choice process

• 
  

If there’s a resource you’d like to see added, please let me know!

I’m excited to spend time with your students and look forward to a fantastic 2025–26 school year.

Wishing you a great weekend,
Mrs. Stanton

Dear Families,

Welcome to a new school year! Whether you are returning or joining our school community for the first time, I’m so glad you’re here. I’m excited to partner with you and your student(s) for a wonderful year of growth and learning.

My name is Ms. Connie, and I serve as the Student Success Coordinator. My role is focused on helping students thrive—academically, behaviorally, and socially-emotionally. I work with students to build important skills that support their success both inside and outside the classroom.

Students may visit my room for many different reasons. Some come for a short break to reset, while others work on focus, flexibility, friendships, or problem-solving skills. My space is designed to be calm, supportive, and welcoming to all students.

It’s important for families and students to know that asking for help is never a sign of trouble—it’s an opportunity to learn new strategies and navigate challenges in a positive way. While many small concerns are addressed here at school, there may be times when a larger issue arises. In those cases, either the classroom teacher or I will connect with families directly.

My goal is to help every child feel safe, supported, and successful. If you ever have questions or would like to learn more about the support I provide, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Warmly,
Ms. Connie
Student Success Coordinator

September 12, 2025

Welcome back to returning families and welcome to new families! For those who do not know me, my name is Becky Wetterhahn and I am the Library Media Specialist at Lyme School. This is my eighteenth year in education and my fifth year teaching at Lyme School. I am a Lyme School parent of two third graders and I also have a three year old who started pre-school this year. I’m excited for a year full of learning and books!

It is great to have the Library Commons filled with K-5 library classes and grades 6-8 visiting for book check-outs for independent reading. All grades have been (re)introduced to the layout and new features in the Commons, the process for book check-out and return, and library expectations.

As many of you know, the school and town share a collection which is housed mainly across the street from the school. We have a collection of books here in the Library Commons, ranging from early readers and young adult categories to graphic novels, non-fiction, and a wide range of picture books. We have our own school library catalog, which grades 2-8 can access.

Books are automatically checked out for two weeks and students should return them as soon as they are finished so they can choose new ones and other students can access books that were checked out. At the start of the year, we try to stick with 1-2 books checked out at a time each week until everyone gets in the routine of returning and checking out books.

Books can be returned at school or at Converse Free Library. (You are also welcome to return books that are checked out from CFL at school.) You do not need to wait until the day of Library class to return - any day/time is fine. There is a book drop in the lobby at school, in addition to library bins in most classrooms, as well as outside of CFL.

Most K-5 library classes will meet in the Lyme School Commons, and about once a month we will have a "field trip" across the street to the Converse Free Library!

Our technology program at Lyme School is based on technology competencies that span grades K-8. Our middle school students are up and running on their 1:1 Chromebooks, which are used daily in their classes. We have discussed Chromebook expectations in all grades, and we will revisit the importance of safely using technology for learning throughout the year in integrated units and during digital citizenship lessons.

Throughout the year, I will highlight student learning and continue to share the happenings in regards to the library media program. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time with questions or resources.

Finally, please review the Tech Tools Opt-Out Letter 25-26.

If you have any questions about library or media at Lyme School, please feel free to reach out.

Have a great weekend!

Ms. Wetterhahn

Library Media Specialist

bwetterhahn@lymeschool.org

Upcoming CFL Events:

Tuesday, September 16, 3-5 p.m. After School Movie: Lilo and Stitch

Friday, October 10 9:15-11:15 Blisters for Books - more info coming soon

Dear Lyme Families,

I am so glad to have all the students back in the Art room! We are starting up the school year with scavenger hunts (because I like to change up the art room a bit every year) and art messy mats (because we are messy). Art mats are inspired by different artists or art movements…Peter Reynold’s Dots (k), Auguste Herbin’s Plastique Alphabet (1), Henri Matisse’s paper cuts (2), Roy Lichtenstein's dots(3), Illuminated Letters (4), and Graffiti and Street Art(5).

Last week, middle school students signed up for their electives. This week, I have 16 students starting art sketchbooks. We will meet three times a week until early October and work on developing creative confidence and a sketchbook habit that feels just right.

Art meets on the same day every week…this is great for remembering to wear “play” clothing on Art days!

K-3: Art meets once a week (Friday K, Monday 1, Tuesday 2, Wednesday 3)

4&5: Art meets twice a week (4M Mon/Tues, 5 & 4S Wed/Fri)

Middle School: Elective meets M-W, and grade 7 on Fridays this month.

EXCITING THINGS COMING UP:

The 5th-grade students will again be participating in the Hood Museum of Art’s Images Program. This is such a wonderful resource in our community, and I am looking forward to exploring the museum with such a curious and engaged group of students.

“Images is a program offered for regional elementary school students in grades 4 through 6 that brings groups to the museum four times during the year. Each visit includes time in the galleries, where students learn from and discuss original works of art with a professional museum educator. Afterward, in the studio, students complete a hands-on art project that relates to what they looked at and learned in the galleries.”

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns.

I can be reached at egirdwood@lymeschool.org.

Hope to see you all soon!

Emily Girdwood

(“Ms.G”)

Art Community Notes:

AVA Fall Schedule of classes

Hood Birthday Block Party

It’s been an exciting start to the year in the Design Lab! Over the past two weeks, students have been learning new routines and jumping right into hands-on projects. Their first challenge was to work collaboratively in small groups to design and build bridges. The goal was to create the longest span possible using a variety of materials, but the real emphasis was on teamwork. Students practiced listening to one another, sharing ideas, and finding compromises when their ideas differed. It’s been wonderful to see their creativity and problem-solving skills shine as they learned that building together is just as important as the final product.

The first classes of Spanish of the year were designed to teach students the expectations and class norms. First through fifth graders are quite familiar with my expectations:

1. mira (look)

2. escucha (listen)

3. respeta (respect - the room, each other, the teacher, etc)

These expectations are things students must individually do in order to actually learn and acquire Spanish.

The beginning of this year we spent a lot of time talking about class norms. These are the things necessary to ensure that everyone in the class has the same opportunity to learn Spanish. These norms are not always easy to follow but it is something we will work on improving all year:

1. el respeto (respect again- because it is that important!)

2. la comunidad (community)

3. en español (staying in Spanish)

What better way to practice these than with a game of 'Keepie Uppie'?! The goal was to keep the balloon (or balloons) in the air as long as possible and ensure students were following ALL the class norms. They had to respect peoples' personal space as well as the classroom space (el respeto). They had to work together to ensure everyone was included and that people were around to get the balloon if it went in an unexpected direction (la comunidad). Also, each time Señora Chandler heard English, we would stop, problem solve and try again - giving students chunks of time to successfully stay en español. Students had a lot of fun playing, working together, and learning!

The first week of school had middle schoolers getting right back into their routines and PE was no exception!

During their PE special on Friday, eighth graders were heavily engaged in a game of soccer. The warm temps did not sway their efforts and their skill level and fitness level did not falter during the summer months away from school.

As always, the work ethic that our middle school students put into all facets of their learning remains strong and impressive.

Our lower school students had a great welcome back into PE. They were eager to get moving and demonstrated their commitment to being physically active and engaged in their learning. We are off to a fabulous start and I am looking forward to a marvelous year ahead with our students!

We've had a great welcome back in the music room! Our biggest news is at the beginning of the week a representative from Ellis Music came in to talk to our 5th graders about Beginner Band. All of their instrument choices were demonstrated and students got to ask questions.

Happy Friday!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Back-to-School Ice Cream Social & Potluck and to those who stopped by the BooHoo/WooHoo Breakfast! We’re so grateful for all the delicious food, the great conversations, and the chance to welcome new families to our wonderful school community. A special thank you as well to the board members, staff, and our new superintendent, Mary Beth Banios, for joining us at the Ice Cream Social- it was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces together.

Our first PTO meeting of the year will be on Monday, September 15th at 7:30 PM. If you’re curious about what we do to support the Lyme School community- or are thinking about getting more involved- we’d love for you to join us! For more information and the Google Meets link, please email us at pto@lymeschool.org.

Have a great weekend!

Cheers,

Lyme School PTO

pto@lymeschool.org

THE LYME SCHOOL PTO MISSION STATEMENT:

To support the school community through engaged involvement and raise funds for programs that enrich the student experience in a way that remains fun and sustainable for all involved

lymeschool.org/page/lyme-school-pto

The Association of Middle Level Education (AMLE) is proud to announce the launch of middleschool.org. This resource hub offers parenting articles, explainer videos on key middle school concepts like advisory and teaming, and career exploration activities for home or school use.

We will be highlighting different aspects of the site over the course of this school year. Feel free to explore on your own too!

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

-2-month Exploratory for students interested in playing violin

After-school weekly small-group classes for Grades 1 and 2:

- starting October 13: Monday and Wednesday options

Ellis Music Company in Bethel, VT offers a two-month instrument rental with no-penalty return if a student does not wish to continue. (See ellismusic.com)

From October 13 to December 17 we will get acquainted with:

- the parts of the violin and bow

- how to hold instrument and bow; rest position and playing

position

- introduction to first violin rhythm clapping and playing

- how to practice at home (where learning happens)

January 2026 through May: weekly lessons continue.

This is the eighth year of the violin program at Lyme School.

For more information, please contact:

djeantyler@gmail.com

Damaris Tyler

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