Superintendent's Letter
October 29, 2020
Thursday, October 29, 2020 Update
Dear Students, Parents, Staff, and the Lebanon Community,
This letter contains a summary of recent discussions so please take the time to read through each section carefully.
Transition to Five Day In-Person or Fully Remote Model
On Monday, October 26th, we transitioned to the Five Day In-Person and Fully Remote Models. I am appreciative of your support as we navigate through each day and for the incredible efforts of administrators and staff to provide a safe and positive learning experience for all of our students.
Lebanon School Board Decision Regarding Two-Hour Delays and Snow Days
Last evening, 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.
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.
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 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 and Plainfield Middle and High School students should follow the Lebanon School District in-school or fully remote schedule for inclement weather days.
Please be very deliberate before allowing a young driver to leave for school in inclement weather. We are concerned for their safety. When school is in session, 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.
Parents should encourage their children to wear the type of clothing that will not only keep them warm and enable them to see where they are going, but permit them to be seen. For example, white clothing is difficult to see in the snow. If the weather is inclement, your child should be dressed for the occasion and leave a few minutes earlier than the normal starting time to reach the school bus stop or school safely in time.
Other Possible Reasons for School Closings This Year
Beyond weather-related closings, there may be closings due to lack of school staff.
The following is a list of other potential reasons:
- Positive COVID case: If there is a positive COVID case, we will collaborate with DHHS and School Physician, Dr. Greer, to assess the situation and inform you as soon as possible regarding contact tracing, quarantining, and next steps. We may close all schools, one school, a class, or individuals may be asked to quarantine depending upon the circumstances.
- Lack of Staff: This could be due to quarantining or several staff members who call in sick on a particular day. If many staff members call in sick, the School Principal will inform me that morning, and if substitutes cannot be located and there is no other possible way to provide staff coverage, a SchoolMessenger notice by phone and email will be sent to Middle and High School families by 6:30 am and to Hanover Street and Mount Lebanon families by 7:00 am.
Waiver for DHMC To Expedite COVID 19 Testing
I am working with DHMC and our school nurses to review the waiver and determine how best to communicate between our organizations so the COVID testing process can be as quick and smooth as possible for our families. Further information will be sent next week.
Updated Bus Schedule for Five Day In-Person Model
Based on actual ridership this week, an updated bus route schedule will be sent out tomorrow, Friday. The updated routes and bus stops will start Monday, November 2nd.
Bus Drivers Needed
We also wanted to inform you that we need bus drivers. If a bus driver calls in sick or needs to quarantine, we do not have a replacement. This means that a bus route will not run that day. Parents would be able to drop students off and pick them up after school, but there would not be any bus pick up or drop off that day. We encourage families to consider possible carpooling options in advance.
We will continue to advertise the need for bus drivers including radio spots and we are reaching out to staff to ask if they might be interested in being trained to be a bus driver. If you or anyone you may know is interested in learning more about training to be a bus driver please contact our Transportation Coordinator, Paula Harthan, at pharthan@sau88.net.
If there are any questions or you need further information, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you,
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