The Middle Scoop
All the news around the LMS Community.
Lebanon Middle School
Volume: 2020-2021 ● Number: 18 ● Lebanon, NH
January 9, 2021
Email: jdentremont@sau88.net
Website: https://lms.sau88.net/
Location: 3 Moulton Avenue, Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-448-3056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMSLebNH/
Twitter: @LMSLebNH
Week 14 of 2020-2021
Dear LMS Families,
Thank you for your patience as it took me a bit longer this week to get the Middle Scoop out.
Happy New Year to you all!
We had a good week at LMS, as we got back into our Hybrid learning. Students and staff were active and engaged. It was great to catch up with students and hear about their break from school and the things they enjoyed.
I continue to be impressed by our student attendance and how well many of our students have been doing despite the shifts and changes. Thank you to families for your great communication to the office and nurse around attendance, appointments, etc. Let's keep it up as we work in partnership to educate our students. If you do have a concern, please reach out to the appropriate teacher or counselor or just call the office and they will direct you to the appropriate person.
This week's Scoop has a number of updates as well as pictures. I continue to encourage remote learners to share work/pictures by sending them to lmsspirit@sau88.net. We continue to share photos and news on social media and will continue to do so.
Have a great rest of the weekend!
Regards,
John P. D'Entremont, Principal
News, Information & Announcements
PowerSchool Parent Portal
Did you know you can create a parent account that will automatically notify you by email regarding your child's grades, attendance, etc. daily, weekly or monthly.
Want to create an account - Email Ruth Keane (rkeane@sau88.net) for a letter of instructions. Do you have an account but are having trouble with it - Email Ruth Keane (rkeane@sau88.net)
School Photos
Bus Riders
Congratulations, Ms. Gagne & Family
February Break STEM Camp at Hypertherm
News from the Health Office
Update by Nancy Pageau
Welcome 2021! You couldn’t get here fast enough!
This first week back to school has gone well with ill students remaining home, monitoring symptoms and getting a covid test when appropriate. Those who have traveled out of New England are following quarantine travel guidance. We appreciate all that families are doing to keep us healthy and safe and able to remain in school in person! Reminding you to complete the pikmykid health screening before your child comes to school. Your children appreciate being able to enter the building right away, rather than being out in the cold waiting to have their screening done.
I am still waiting on some 7th grade immunization records. If you were contacted by me a looong time ago about this, please continue to get those records in along with any updated health physicals.
Be well,
Nancy Pageau
603-727-9817 (direct line)
603-448-3056 (LMS)
OLD NEWS, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & COVID HOTLINES:
Quarantine and Exposure/Travel Guidance
NH DHHS has updated quarantine guidelines in relation to exposure to COVID and travel. The following guidelines are specific to NH. The CDC, VT, and other state guidelines are different from NH. We will be following these NH guidelines going forward. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions related to this information (npageau@sau88.net).
- A person who is close contact to another person infectious with COVID-19 must stay home and away from public locations for 10 days starting from the last day of exposure to the infectious person.
- A person who has traveled outside of New England must stay home and away from public locations for 10 days starting from the last day of travel outside of New England. An exception exists for travel quarantine only: one can “test out” of the 10 day travel quarantine if they have a negative COVID PCR based test on day 7 or after of their quarantine, and remain without symptoms.
- ***NH DPHS does NOT recommend adopting the “test out” option in the CDC Quarantine Guidance(i.e. quarantine for 7 days and a negative test) for confirmed close contacts to a positive person. Currently, testing resources are not sufficiently available to adopt this approach, and risk of transmission is increased.
In all situations, you are still self monitoring for any symptoms until day 14. If you develop symptoms during this time period you need to test and follow the appropriate quarantine or isolation guidance.
- Isolation guidance for confirmed positive cases (12/3/20): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/self-isolation-covid.pdf
- Quarantine guidance for exposure or travel (12/3/20): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/self-quarantine-covid.pdf
NH COVID related information can be found on the nh.gov/covid19 website.
Common Questions:
Can I get a rapid COVID test instead of a PCR test?
One can get a rapid test if symptomatic. If one has no symptoms, then a PCR test should be done for accurate results.
Can I come to work/send my kids to school if someone in my house is getting a COVID test and waiting for results?
Yes. As long as you/they are asymptomatic, then you may come to work and the kids may come to school. If the individual in your house tests positive, then you would need to remain home.
How long do I need to stay home if I test positive for COVID?
You will need to remain home in isolation for 10 days since the start of your symptoms, or 10 days from the test collection date if you are asymptomatic. You can return to school on the 11th day.
Someone in my house tests positive for COVID. How long do I need to remain home?
You will remain home for 20 days (10 days for the person who tested positive, and then you are home an additional 10 days for your quarantine after the period of isolation ends).
If I test positive or someone else in my house tests positive, will DHHS contact me?
Because of the increase in positive COVID cases in NH, DHHS has said they will now contact cases related to schools with a “beginning” isolation or quarantine letter/notification. This may take a few days. Please follow the guidance given to you by your school nurse or PCP until such time as you are contacted by DHHS. NH DHHS will no longer be providing a “release from” isolation/quarantine letter. Please reach out to your PCP or myself with any questions related to either quarantine or isolation.
What is the definition of close contact?
Close contact is defined as being less than 6 feet from a positive COVID individual for a cumulative 10 minutes or more during the person’s infectious period. What is the infectious period? It is based on the 2 days before the person becomes symptomatic or 2 days before the test collection date if the person is asymptomatic.
Please continue to be in contact with your school nurse if your child is being tested for COVID-19 either due to symptoms or if they have been exposed to a person determined to have COVID. Please contact the school nurse for any positive test results.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear anytime from 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. All of the following are symptoms of COVID-19:
Fever(over 100.o F) or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
In order for your child to return to school if they exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, they should either get a COVID PCR based test and produce a negative test result, OR choose to quarantine for 10 days since onset and improvement of symptoms.
DHMC Covid hotline (603) 650-1818. Hotline hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. This is for DHMC patients only (unless you are deemed a close contact to a positive case) and you do not need a referral from your Pediatrician before testing. Appointment only. https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/patient-education/covid19-testing.html
Alice Peck Day- (603)-442-5665 Hotline hours 8:30am-4:00pm on weekdays. Official State testing site therefore will test anyone regardless if your doctor is at APD or if you do not have a doctor. Do not need a referral. Appointment only. Must live within the Community of Alice Peck Day. https://www.alicepeckday.org/services/covid19communitytesting/
LMS COVID-19 DASHBOARD last updated 1.8.21
Positive Cases - 3
Current Active Cases - 0
Students/Staff Currently Isolated/Quarantined - 12
Number of Students/Staff Tested (since September) - 195*
*Includes students/staff who have been tested multiple times.
Number of Students/Staff with Pending Test Results - 2
News from the School Counselors
Please Don't Hesitate to Reach Out
We are here to help. Whether you have concerns that need to be addressed or just want to check-in with school, we are here for you.
We also can help with winter gear if a student is in need. Please reach out.
Here are some resources about parenting in the pandemic:
- Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home
- Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19
- Resources for Helping Kids and Parents Cope Amidst COVID-19
Carolynn Stockwell, 5/6
Stephanie Allard, 7/8
Elena VanZandt, Student Assistance Provider
News from the Library Media Center
Athletics & Co-Curriculars Information
Intramural Basketball Update for 7th & 8th Grade Basketball Players
There will be “Skills and Drills” workouts at LMS beginning Monday January 19th through February 5th. Girls sessions will be held from 2:15 pm - 3:45 pm while the Boys sessions will run from 4 pm - 5:30 pm. If you have already signed up for basketball this past fall via Family ID and have an updated physical on file with the School Nurse you are good to participate. There will be extra COVID protocols including that all players must wear masks while participating.
Any questions can be related to Athletic Director Brett Franklin at bfranklin@sau88.net. Mr. Franklin will be in touch with those that have signed up directly with additional details.
Drama Program Update
There have been a number of conversations with Amye Mason our Drama Director, our former Co-Curricular Director Justin Campfield, and our current Co-Curricular Director Brett Franklin. After much thought and consideration, we have determined we will not move forward with our drama program this year. We would rather emerge with a show when we can as a program rather than have to turn students away and not be able to do it well. We will all be disappointed by this decision yet look to the future and emerge stronger as an LMS drama program.
Join the Yearbook Team!!!
If you are interested, you need to fill out this form by January 11th.
Please see details on the cover design contest below open to all students. Covers are due by January 29th.
If you have any questions about yearbook, please email Mr. Masi: dmasi@sau88.net.
Student Council Update
Reminder to those who completed the Membership Form and would like to run for an elected position (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) there is a mandatory meeting Monday, January 11th at 2:30 pm via Google Meets to review the campaign process. The link will be shared with all of those who indicated interest on the 11th. The next full council meeting will be held Monday, January 25th time to be announced. Please make sure that you have completed your Family ID registration prior to these meetings!
Questions, please contact Mrs. McFarland.
Pictures from Around LMS
New Display in 6th Grade by Mrs. McFarland
We have hung this flag at the entrance of the 6th grade hallway. Nice job demonstrating our LMS PRIDE core values 6th graders (now 7th graders) and thank you Dr. Koff for presenting us with this flag.
Remote Learners? Got Pics?
5th Grade Remote Class with Ms. Glassmith
News from the LMS PTO
Resources for February Break
The PTO is looking to put together a list of free and fun virtual resources for students for the upcoming February break. If you have a resource that you have used or know of that would appeal to middle schoolers, please let us know at lmspto@sau88.net. Or, if you would like to provide a zoom class or activity that our middle schoolers can attend, we are also looking for local virtual programming during that week, February 15-19. We hope having local talent or presentations will help students feel connected to their community during a time of so much unavoidable social distance! Again, please contact us at the email address above if you are interested in participating or have any ideas about who we might approach!
Next Meeting
LMS PTO Virtual Meeting
When: Wed, February 3, 2021 , 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: https://zoom.us/j/94660181992?pwd=UElPek9IanV5YmQ3Wjc5R3hpeDF2Zz09
Meeting ID: 946 6018 1992
Passcode: 965891
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,94660181992#,,,,,,0#,,965891# US (New York)
+13017158592,,94660181992#,,,,,,0#,,965891# US (Germantown)
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 946 6018 1992
Passcode: 965891
Upcoming Events
Important Dates
December 21st - January 3rd - school closed for winter break
January 18th - No School
January 25th - Last Day of T2A Classes
January 26th - First Day of T2B Classes (we change essential arts classes)
FROM THE DISTRICT CALENDAR:
Elementary Early Release Day - Grades K-4, Wednesday, January 13
iPad Support for Families, Wednesday, January 13, 2:00 pm
Chromebook Support Session for Families, Wednesday, January 13. 2:30 pm
School Board Meeting, Wednesday, January 13, 6:30 in-person at LMS Gym and on zoom
All Schools Closed, MLK, Jr. Day, Monday, January 18
Tentative End to Hybrid Learning, Tuesday, January 19
School Board News
Next School Board Meeting
When: Wed, January 13, 2021 , 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Location: Lebanon Middle School, 3 Moulton Ave, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA
Do you want to become more active in your school district?
Please consider becoming a School District Officer.
Openings include:
School Board Member, three, three-year term
District Clerk, one, one-year term
District Moderator, one, one-year term
District Treasurer, one, one-year term
For more information regarding requirements, please contact April Sanborn, School District Clerk @ amsnd@comcast.net. The filing period will begin at 9:00 am, Tuesday, January 26, and will end at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, February 9. All Declaration of Candidacy forms should be delivered to City Hall located at 51 North Park Street. Their new office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Superintendent News
Latest Superintendent Letters and Newsletters
Click the button below for the latest newsletters from our Superintendent. Other letters can be found on the District website.
Community News
CCBA Grade 5 & 6 Basketball Program
Lebanon Upper Valley Lions Club Snow Sculpture Contest
Upper Valley Circus Camp
We are thrilled to announce that registration for UVCC 2021 Summer Session begins on February 1st!
Keep your eyes open for an email when registration links will be live and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date.
We have a few changes to our UVCC policies for 2021 that include a new COVID-19 Policy, Daily COVID Symptom Checker and most importantly a UVCC Circus Swag Bag!
We are hoping to provide each and every camper with a Swag Bag that includes personal juggling equipment and hopefully reduce the need for shared hand skills and help to eliminate some cross contamination.
As always reach out with any questions you may have and we look forward to (FINALLY) seeing you down the road…
Meg Tenney
Upper Valley Circus Camp, LLC
603.398.2059
Symposium Academy
The Symposium Academy is an academic initiative founded on the belief that students succeed only when able to seize opportunities to apply their learning to real world scenarios. To that end, Symposium Academy offers experience-based courses in the arts, sciences, literature, and physical wellbeing, which are structured to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and pragmatic thinking. Students leave our programs armed with the tools to continue discovering their passions and how to create and seize opportunities for themselves in the future.
Mentorship from Local Professionals
Over the course of this free class, students will entertain ideas from literature and speakers who will introduce them to new ways of thinking, with a focus on entrepreneurship.
Travelling Musician - Intro to Ukulele
The most successful students will have a strengthened foundation in music theory, song creation, and ensemble playing with a desire to share their music with others.
It All began with Alif - Intro to Arabic
The most successful students will gain the ability to recognize Arabic letters and sounds, and leave with an appreciation of how the Arabic language intersects with art, science, and history.
Absolutely Shocking - Robotics and Programming
The most successful students will learn underlying principles of electronics and engineering, which they will use to build robots of their own, culminating in a competition.
Debate Team - Core concepts and Current Events
The most successful students will leave this class with more confidence in speaking, and the skills to construct and conduct meaningful arguments, as well as experience performing under pressure as a team.
Geneious! - Applied Genetics
The most successful students will learn to apply college-level biology and molecular genetics concepts to approachable but challenging experiments and discussions.
Survey Link: https://www.symposium.academy/class-interest-survey
2020 issue of Kid Stuff
2020 issue of Kid Stuff: https://issuu.com/kearsarge/docs/kid_stuff_winter_2020
Articles inside include:
· Inside Art: Three local arts
organizations Artistree Community Arts Center, Library Arts Center,
· Childrens Art Center share craft projects and art ideas for all ages.
· Family Travel this Holiday Season -
Safety advice from Lebanon-based Global Rescue
· Holiday Safety Tips from the Experts
· Read EVERYTHING with Your Children
· Eight Ways to Connect with Grandparents During the Pandemic
· Let’s Talk Mental Health by West Central Behavioral Health
Please feel free to share the link - and these
educational articles - with your staff and
students as you see fit. Thank you, and happy holidays!
Laura Jean Whitcomb
Editor/Publisher
info@kearsargemagazine.com
Old News & Announcements Below [Updated for 5 Day in Person]
Lebanon Middle School COVID Procedures
If you have a student returning in person to LMS for the first time this year, please review the video tutorials to understand our processes and procedures while at school. We strongly encourage families to watch these together. Although some of our spaces now look a bit different than in the videos, we will still be using these procedures.
Here is the link to the Lebanon Middle School COVID Procedures. The button below titled LMS COVID Procedures takes you to the module and the LMS website too.
Arrival Schedule Updates
The school day begins at 7:45 - 7:50 AM.
The PikMyKid Check-in Health Screening is required each day. Students who do not complete the check-in before arriving will have to be screened at the door before entering the building. We continue to average 20-30 check-ins daily which is still slowing down the process. Please complete the check-in health screening before leaving home in the morning.
Students will be expected to arrive at the following times, as we stagger our arrival in order to process students into our building:
Bus Riders - 7:22 AM
Band/Chorus Students - 7:22 AM - Please follow directions from Ms. Garnham and Mr. Terry. If your child has a sibling that is not in the band or chorus, please drop them together at the same time.
Car drop offs need to plan to start at 7:30 AM or after. There is no early drop off.
Students should be sitting in a seat on the right side of the vehicle to exit on the sidewalk side. Students should also be prepared to get out before the car stops so they can do so quickly and the car line can keep moving.
If your child has to exit from the left side of the vehicle, please park and we will help them cross the crosswalk.
5th & 7th Grade Car Riders - Begins @ 7:30 AM
6th & 8th Grade Car Riders - Begins @ 7:38 AM
***If you have students in 5th and 8th for example you can choose the earlier or later time.***
Our 5 Day - Daily Bell Schedule
Dismissal Schedule & PikMyKid Updates
Students will be dismissed at the following times:
Please park if your child is not along the curb when you enter the loop to keep the flow of traffic moving.
Bus Riders - 1:55 PM
5th & 7th Grade Car Riders Starting at 2 PM (please try not to arrive before 2PM)
6th & 8th Grade Car Riders 2:08 PM
***If you have students in 5th and 8th for example you can choose the earlier or later time.***
We have changed our School's PikMyKid settings. Parents can no longer change the default pick-up mode of their students. If you have a student who will be picked up by car permanently and not taking the bus for example, you will have to contact the school. To change your child's afternoon plans temporarily, use the calendar feature in order to delegate someone else to pick up for example.
Tutorials are found below in the Scoop.
Attendance as of Monday, October 26th
All students are expected to attend school each day it is in session if they selected to be in school, and must be in Advisory by 7:45am for attendance.
All students arriving to Advisory after 7:45am will be considered late to school.
Parents must complete the PikMyKid App Check-In Health Survey each morning for each student to attend in person learning.
Parents must contact the school office each day their student (in person or fully remote) will be absent or late.
In person learners who have symptoms keeping them from in person learning, will be marked absent and do not need to access their teachers remotely. Our nurse will contact the family to discuss if COVID testing is necessary and what date the student may return to school.
All students who are called out absent for 1 to 2 days, for any reason, will be marked absent and do not need to access their teachers remotely. Student may make up missing work upon their return to school.
In person learners who are absent for 3 or more days due to illness or quarantine may learn remotely at their teachers’ discretion; however, they will continue to be marked absent.
Planned absences for all students must follow our student handbook attendance policy. In this case the student may learn remotely at their teachers’ discretion; however, they will be marked absent.
Extended Absences/Vacations
Parents/Guardians are discouraged from planning family vacations while school is in session. Please make plans that coincide with school vacations and holidays because it is difficult for students to make up classroom learning activities when a child is absent for an extended period of time. Permission is granted by an administrator, and a written request to the main office for a student’s work two weeks in advance is required. It is the student’s responsibility to notify teachers and collect assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the completed assignments upon his/her return to school. Failure to obtain permission and to request work two weeks in advance will result in absences being unexcused.
New Period Attendance – In an effort to improve communications, LMS teachers now have the ability to take class attendance each period via Powerschool for all students. Students will be notified if they are marked absent. Parents will be notified if they have created a parent portal account in Powerschool. This should help parents/guardians monitor attendance for their remote learners.
It is important to note that an in person learner, who is at school, could be marked absent for a class for a variety of reasons (early dismissal, student services, counseling, etc.).
Breakfast & Lunch Information Updated 10.24.20
Breakfast and Lunch
Students will be able to purchase breakfast or lunch ahead of time. More details to come soon as to how students will order meals ahead.
- Breakfast $1.75
- Lunch $3.15
Reduced price tentatively for breakfast is $0 and lunch is $.40.
Food service along with everything else looks a little different this year. In the morning, students may not enter the building early to get and eat breakfast. There will be a daily offering with a cereal option for the students to choose from between 7:25 and 7:40. Students, regardless of grade, should enter the front doors of the school in the morning and the students should go directly into the cafeteria and pick up and eat their breakfast. Breakfast will not be available once the school day begins at 7:45. There will not be a breakfast break period this year. Remember that a reduced pay student receives a free breakfast.
At lunch there will be two options available at lunch every day. A daily offering and an option that will be consistent for the week. We are also offering a breakfast and a lunch for remote learning days. A cohort students can order meals for Tuesday and Wednesday at Monday lunch and again on Thursday for Friday. B cohort students can order meals for Wednesday and Thursday at lunch on Tuesday and again on Friday for Monday. The meals will be available for pickup at the end of the day and the student will pick up the meals on the way out at dismissal time.
Just a reminder, Free and Reduced applications must be filled out every year. You can apply on line at https://www.lunchapplication.com/ or you can get the application on the district’s website. Applications are also available at the main office.
Dennis Samuel
Food Service Director
Fresh Picks Café
PikMyKid Tutorial Videos
Health Screenings
It is imperative that students do stay home if they are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms (COVID symptoms). Students should not come to school if they are not feeling well or have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Water Bottles & Backpacks & Chromebooks Reminders
Students should have a water bottle and can use the bottle filling stations throughout the day.
Every student needs a backpack every day to carry their materials for the day.
Students also need to bring their chromebook to school every day they are in person. Parents/Guardians need to help students remember their device and help make sure it is charged. Students need to be reminded to be careful with their chromebooks to avoid breaking them. If you are having trouble with the Chromebook, email techsupport@sau88.net.
Chromebooks
Please help your students with the following:
- Charging chromebooks every night.
- Making sure chromebook and charger get into backpack each night to and from school.
- Cleaning chromebook daily.
- Emphasizing taking care of your machine.
- Remembering passwords.
Need technology help?
Tech Support Hotline number: (603) 790-8501
This phone line will be open from 8am-4pm M-F. After hours, please leave a message and we will return your call.
Tech Support Hotline email: techsupport@sau88.net
Lebanon Middle School
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Lebanon Middle School community challenges and supports all learners in a
rigorous, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate environment.
To achieve our mission, we strive to foster curiosity, lifelong learning, and global citizenship while encouraging individual aptitudes, interests, and talents by underscoring our core values of LMS PRIDE:
Leadership
Motivation
Spirit
Perseverance
Respect
Integrity
Dependability
Excellence
John P. D’Entremont, Principal
Kim Ezen, Assistant Principal
Synthia Liska, Student Services Administrator
Brett Franklin, Director of Athletics & Co-Curriculars
Email: jdentremont@sau88.net
Website: lms.sau88.net
Location: 3 Moulton Avenue, Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-448-3056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMSLebNH
Twitter: @LMSLebNH