Superintendent's Letter

Dear Students, Staff, Families, and Community Members,

Although we are experiencing absences of staff, we have not reached the point of having to close down the operation of any school due to a staff shortage. I greatly appreciate the hard work of our administrators, staff members, school nurses, and substitutes who are stepping in and going above and beyond every day to support our students and families.

This week I visited each of our schools. One of the highlights was listening to an MLS kindergartener explain that trees are living things with much detail and enthusiasm, describing how an acorn becomes an oak tree. It is those moments that capture the heart and remind us why we do what we do here in the Lebanon School District.

Newsletter Topics:

• COVID Quarantining Information for 12-15-year-old students to be ‘up-to-date’ on vaccinations
• Equity Survey Timeline
• Substitute positions

COVID Quarantining Information for 12-15-Year-Old Students

For a 12-15-year-old student to be deemed fully vaccinated or ‘up-to-date’, boosters are now required for students that are five (5) months past their second dose of the COVID vaccine.

This is effective immediately and our school nurses will be using this guidance when determining which students need to quarantine when exposed to a household positive individual.

Example:

If a 12-15-year-old student is exposed to a household positive individual and the student:

· is unvaccinated –the student will need to quarantine

· had one (1) dose of COVID vaccine- the student will need to quarantine

· had two (2) doses of COVID vaccine, but are NOT eligible for the booster- the student will NOT need to quarantine

· had two (2) doses of COVID vaccine and ARE eligible for the booster (greater than five months from the student’s second dose) but have NOT had the booster- the student will need to quarantine

· had two (2) doses of COVID vaccine and the booster- the student will not need to quarantine

Boosters are widely available in the community and/or through your primary care provider. For example, the site in the former JC Penny building is offering boosters, every Tues/Thurs for the rest of the month; CCBA is having the NH Vaccine Van this Sunday from 10 am-2 pm for walk-in COVID vaccines and boosters.

If you have a question about this information, timelines for returning to school, or other related matters please contact the school nurse.

Equity Survey Timeline

Thank you to so many of you who provided input on the equity audit. Deo Mwano and his consulting team are finalizing the equity surveys. There will be five different surveys. There will be a survey for students in grades 4-6; one for 7-8th grade students; one for 9-12th grade students, and a staff member and a family survey. The student surveys will be administered during the school day.

In a separate letter, I will be providing links to the student surveys so families have an opportunity to review the questions in advance. Families have the choice to have their child participate and complete the survey in school or to opt out. There will be one week to review the survey questions and make a decision. The separate letter will be sent later today.

Substitute Positions- Teachers, Nurses, and Paraeducators Needed

Substitutes are an essential part of our team supporting our students. For more information please use this link.

Closing

I hope you have a wonderful three-day weekend in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior. We greatly appreciate your patience, understanding, and support. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Dr. Joanne Roberts

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

Upcoming School Board Meeting:

Lebanon School Board Regular Meeting- Wednesday, January 26, 2022, 6:30 pm LMS Cafeteria

Deliberative Session- Saturday, February 5, 2022 9:00 am, Hanover Street School gymnasium

Please visit the SAU #88 website for further information.

Link to Board Agendas and Minutes

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