Lyme School Friends,

It has been another great two weeks. Our classrooms have been active and our students engaged in so many ways. The set for Newsies, Jr. is almost complete. It is looking amazing! This morning, we had a wonderful quote from Tucker at morning meeting. Students are clearly excited today to be headed out on break.

As we get back from April Break, we will be turning our attention to all the end of year events. We have lots of things to look forward to such as Newsies, the lower school concert, the May Pole, the 8th grade DC Trip, and more. This part of the year always goes by quickly. Please keep your eyes on the important dates section below, as we continue to add times to special events as they are confirmed.

Please do not forget that next year's school calendar is in this newsletter. You can download the PDF for your fridge. You can also print the menu or important dates if needed.

Have a fabulous weekend! The next newsletter will hit your inbox on April 25th!

As always, thank you for your partnership and please reach out if we can be of assistance.

Have a wonderful April Break! If you are travelling, be safe. We look forward to seeing students back on campus on April 21st!

Regards,

John P. D'Entremont, Principal

Dates:

April Vacation - April 14th - 18th, 2025 - SCHOOL CLOSED

7th Grade to HACTC Trip - April 23, 2025
Lyme Pride Day - April 25, 2025

Newsies, Jr. Drama Production - May 2, 2025 @ 6PM, May 3, 2025 @ 1PM & 5PM

8th Grade DC Trip - May 19th - 23rd, 2025

K-5 Lyme School Bands Spring Concert - May 14, 2025 @ 6PM.

Memorial Day School Closed - May 26, 2025

8th Grade Step Up to Hanover High School - May 27, 2025

Maypole Celebration - May 29, 2025 @ 1PM (rain date May 30, 2025 @ 2PM)

Field Day - June 11, 2025

8th Grade Recognition/Graduation - June 11, 2025 @ 4:30PM

Third Trimester Ends - June 11, 2025

Lyme School Families,

My name is Tori Thayer and I am one of the third grade teachers at our school. As part of a study I am working on I will be exploring food equity in our cafeteria. The goal of this study is to assess whether the meals we offer meet the diverse dietary, cultural, and nutritional needs of our students. By gathering feedback, the goal is to identify areas for improvement and ensure that all students feel included and respected in the cafeteria. Although this work is intended for graduate coursework, your input will be invaluable in helping us create a more equitable and welcoming experience in our cafeteria for all students.

As part of this study, we would like to invite you and your student(s) to participate in a brief survey about your experiences with the school cafeteria. The survey is divided into two parts:

• The first 9 questions are for parents to provide their perspectives on food offerings and inclusivity.

• The last 4 questions are for students to share their own experiences, including their satisfaction with food choices and whether these options align with their personal, cultural, or religious dietary preferences.

Your student’s participation in this survey will help us gather important information about food equity and inclusivity in our school environment. Participation is entirely voluntary, but we hope you will take advantage of this opportunity. The survey will be anonymous, meaning no personal information will be linked to responses, and all answers will remain confidential. The information gathered will be used for my coursework and for the purpose of improving our food offerings and promoting inclusivity in our school cafeteria. Simply click the link below and complete the survey with your student.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Tori Thayer, John D’Entremont, Danielle Dindo

Please find the survey here.

As you may have heard, Google has changed its terms of use for schools and others using their third party applications.

As a result, students will no longer be permitted to use YouTube through the Lyme School domain. YouTube will be turned off for students at the start of April Break.

Teachers will still be able to access and have been given strategies to embed videos without advertisements or distractions for students in classrooms. Please contact Principal D'Entremont at jdentremont@lymeschool.org if you have any questions about this shift.

We have some new functionality on our lobby and cafeteria screens for students. The program we were using will no longer be supported. With the upgrades, our screens now look sleeker and have better content. Students can see the weather, the calendar of events, lunch menu, pictures from around school, word of the day, and a variety of other things. Please check them out the next time you stop by school!

With the construction project happening this summer in the K-3 wing, we are starting school a bit later than we typically do. Here is next year's school calendar for your planning.

Feel free to reach out to Chef Dindo if you every have questions or concerns at ddindo@lymeschool.org.

April Menu:

NHAMLE has organized a fundraising competition between schools with the NH Fisher Cats. If our school won, our staff would select someone to go down and represent our school throwing out the first pitch. Either way, a great opportunity for those that like Fisher Cats baseball.

Check out this Tick Check Song to make tick checks more fun with your kids!

Now that the snow has melted, ticks have become more active and it’s important to take preventative measures to protect you and your family from tick borne diseases.

Before spending time outdoors in the woods or fields

• Use a tick repellent with DEET or picaridin

• Wear long sleeves and pants

• Treat outdoor clothing and gear with Permethrin

• Pets can bring ticks into your home, don’t forget to check dogs and cats

Although avoiding areas with high grass and old leaves and staying on maintained trails while hiking is helpful, ticks can be anywhere outdoors. Do a full body tick check every night and remove ticks immediately if found.

If your child has had a tick bite, contact your pediatrician to determine if criteria has been met to take the antibiotic Doxycycline to prevent Lyme Disease.

We are finishing our second year with the EL Education reading program in Grades K–5. Teachers are now confident with the program’s content and skill progressions. The program’s strong writing expectations align well with our use of The Writing Revolution. With repeated exposure to specific genres and built-in scaffolds, students are producing high-quality writing.

As we begin updating our science curriculum, we reviewed the science content embedded in the EL program. We found rich literature in life and earth sciences across all grade levels. However, physical science is not addressed, so it will be a focus of next year’s science pilot. K–5 teachers have selected key physical science topics and identified new materials and tools to support instruction.

Last week during library classes, students in grades K-2 learned about digital citizenship, with a focus on media balance. The week after break, we will discuss how to be safe online. The third grade learned about digitally altered images and AI, including why these online materials may exist and how to identify them.

Over the past few weeks, the fifth graders read books on the theme of athletes and social justice. Students identified leadership qualities of the main character and planned out a book trailer. Students used WeVideo and NoodleTools to complete their projects. Check out the final products here.

This week is National Library Week! We celebrated in grades K-4 by reflecting on this year’s theme: Drawn to the Library. Students created a drawing and/or wrote about what draws them to the library. We shared these with Ms. Judy and her staff and volunteers. We are so grateful for our partnership with CFL!

All students in grades K-8 visited the Commons to check out books prior to break. Happy reading to all!

Upcoming CFL Events for Families:

May 13: 3-5 - After School Movie - Paddington in Peru

May 17: 9-12 - Friends of Lyme Library Used Book Sale

Kindergarten
Kindergartners wrapped up their Feelings Detective unit with the “Little Spot of” book series! We explored a variety of emotions and talked about healthy ways to handle the uncomfortable ones. We also learned about our two “bubbles”: the Thinking Bubble and the Talking Bubble. K-Kids were given different thoughts and had to decide if those should stay in their thinking bubble or go into their talking bubble for others to hear. They considered whether the thought was kind, helpful, true, or important. We’ll continue practicing this skill over the years here— they’re doing a fantastic job!

1st Grade
First graders are rocking our Superflex curriculum! Ask them about the Unthinkabots—sneaky characters that sometimes get into our brains and make it hard to be flexible. We’re also learning about the Thinkables, who team up with us to help us stay calm, thoughtful, and flexible. Chat with your first grader about which Thinkable is their favorite, and which Unthinkabot has shown up for them recently (spoiler: even grown-ups have Unthinkabot moments!).

2nd Grade
Second graders are finishing up their self-control unit, where they've been learning about their Chimp Brain and Professor Brain. They did a marvelous job creating and presenting skits to show how each brain might respond in different situations—depending on which one is in the “driver’s seat.” Up next: the Marshmallow Challenge when we return from break!

3rd Grade
Third graders are diving into the Conflict Spectrum, learning to tell the difference between Disagreements, Rude Moments, Mean Moments, and Bullying/Relational Aggression. We’re helping them understand that just because something feels uncomfortable doesn’t always mean it’s bullying—but it still matters, and it’s important to respond. Students are learning to ask themselves reflective questions like:

• Can I be flexible with a different opinion?

• Did they do it on purpose? Did they apologize? Is it still happening?

• Do I need help from an adult?

• Is this becoming a pattern?

• Is there a difference in power?
  
  

Our final focus is on becoming Upstanders—people who stand up for others and help make Lyme School the kind, supportive place we all love. Thank you to all our families for your support as we guide students in solving problems and navigating conflict.

4th Grade
Fourth graders took on a classic team challenge this week—ZOOM! This year, we leveled it up. Students each had 2–3 pictures from a wordless book (instead of just one) and had to work together—using only their words—to put the story in order. It required a ton of communication, patience, and perseverance, but they rose to the challenge! Even when things felt chaotic, their teamwork shone through. We’re excited to keep these collaborative challenges going as we wrap up the year and celebrate our soon-to-be oldest Lower School students.

5th Grade
Fifth graders are deep into their Career Exploration projects! After taking a career interest inventory, students are researching three different careers based on income, education required, job outlook, work environment, and more. Eventually, they’ll create a one-pager to profile their top choice and share it with peers. The enthusiasm and thoughtful conversations have been inspiring—it’s so exciting to see them imagining their future in the world of work!

Hope everyone has a fabulous April break!

June 6th - HHS Semi-Formal 7-8:30pm The junior class will be hosting a Spring Dance for all incoming 9th graders.
Attire: semi-formal. There will be a $10.00 entrance fee. Complimentary drinks provided and there will be a bake sale.

August 12-14 - HHS BEAR CAMP - Registration information is on this flyer
here is the link to register.

August 13th & 14th: These sessions are open to all incoming 9th-grade students. (Lyme students should attend these as well!)

Reach out with any questions!

Kindergarten

Kindergarten friends have been learning about the many ways that artists mix color. The have heard many stories about various mishaps with the primary colors, and we have mixed and blended with paint and model magic. K friends made color factories, colorful bubble gum machines with primary color model magic, and we practiced mixing endless browns from the primaries for our clay birds and nests.

First Grade

The DONUTS! We have finally finished our adventure with papier mache sculpture. These donuts have fooled many a visitor to the art room, thinking that Ms.G had a bunch of spare donuts lying around. My First Grade friends did a wonderful job making their sculptures look as real as they could.

Second Grade

Grade 2 friends finished up a journey to Ancient Egypt, learning about some of the mythology, architecture, and art. We are still in Africa, but moved to Ghana to learn about weaving and the the adventures of the spider Ananzi.

Third Grade

Third grade has been very patient as we worked through the printmaking process. They began with a cityscape drawing, transferred the drawing to a foam plate (drawing it a second time), made their lines smooth (drawing it a THIRD time), and then printed their plates. We used multiple images to create depth in their city images.

Fourth Grade

This class loves to draw from the imagination. I demonstrated how to draw a city and how artists create depth with line, shape, and value. We looked at the line work in David McCaulay’s books watched the opening credits for the classic cartoon The Jetson’s, and this class let their imaginations fly.

Fifth Grade

Grade 5 had their last visit to the Hood Museum of Art to see the Cara Romero exhibit. We had a wonderful experience with the Images Program this year. I appreciated the many opportunities the students had to reflect and connect to the Art World. In art class, we have been working with isometric drawing and a last clay project.

Middle School Elective

I have not included the latest set photos, because I am hoping for a big reveal…because we are so very close to being DONE! The Set and Stage Crews are winding down in preparation for the cast and ensemble to begin rehearsing with the set. Every day the Crew had a list of tasks and problems to tackle. They consistently worked with grace and humor and attention to detail. I feel grateful for all of them.

Kindergarten and first grade Spanish students gave their first presentations in Spanish class last week. I was so proud and impressed with them! What did they present? Their stuffies! Students shared a stuffed animal with the class and described some of its body parts in Spanish, with sentences such as tiene una cabeza (it has a head) or tiene dos ojos (it has two eyes), and so on. Students have also been enjoying singing along with this song, which describes a child's teddy bear.

In our collaborative unit with Ms. Cushman, first graders are learning about how birds take flight, while also exploring how helicopters generate lift by building their own “bird-copters.” These creative contraptions combine the flapping motion of bird wings with the spinning blades of helicopters, helping students explore the science of flight in a hands-on way. As they cut, color, and assemble their paper bird-copters, the children discover how lift, air resistance, and motion play a role in both natural and mechanical flight. Through play and experimentation, they begin to understand the similarities and differences between how birds and helicopters take to the sky.

Pickleball anyone? This popular sport activity has made its way to Lyme School. Our fifth graders have begun a unit in this fun game that utilizes eye hand coordination, agility, and striking. Students practiced some skill work before utilizing those skills in a game-like structure. This unit will continue until April break.

Staffing:

The Nurse's office is staffed Monday-Friday by a Registered Nurse. Please email

nurse@lymeschool.org and/or call the Main Office 795-2125 if your child is absent from

school due to illness or injury.

Duties include Nursing care, Health Screening, Medication administration, First

Aid, Emergency care, Individualized Health Planning, Health Education, and

collaborative work with families, teachers, special education services, our

guidance counselor and behavioral coach.

Kati Miller RN BSN: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

Matthew Greenway RN BSN: Wednesday/as needed coverage

Celeste McCool RN BSN: Wednesday/as needed coverage

Medication Administration:

If your child requires emergency medications (epipen, inhaler, etc.) to be kept securely

in the Nurse's office, please contact nurse@lymeschool.org to set up a time to deliver

the medication along with an updated allergy or asthma action plan from your child's

Healthcare Provider.

Returning students need an updated allergy or asthma action plan at the start of each

school year.

For daily medication administration, please complete and return the forms below with

your child's Healthcare provider.

All medications need to be dropped off before the first day of school.

Authorization for RX Medication Administration

Medication or Procedure Order Form

COVID-19 Information:

Please review the provided link regarding COVID-19 recommendations from the Center

for Disease Control (CDC) if your child is experiencing respiratory illness symptoms or

has tested positive for COVID-19.

CDC Guidelines

The Lyme School Nurse's office is here to support you and your child and to promote

healthy outcomes for students and staff.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns you or your student may have

regarding the upcoming school year.

We look forward to a new school year and appreciate your cooperation.

Kati Miller RN BSN

Lyme School

As of March, 1 2024 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidance to provide "practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV."

We follow these guidelines. Please review the following links from the CDC for more information and reach out to me with any questions/concerns.

Thank you for your efforts in keeping our Lyme School students, staff, and families healthy.

Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick

Testing and Respiratory Viruses

Masks and Respiratory Viruses Prevention

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

The HACTC is excited to offer our one-week Summer Tech Camp to middle school students again! We hope to see some Lyme School students here at the HACTC for camp this June. We will offer 10 different hands-on activities throughout the week.

Also, new this year: we will also offer a Computer Camp for Girls and Gender Expansive Youth. This camp is limited to the first 12 applicants.

Both camps will be held the same week - June 23-27, 2025 - tech camp in the morning, and computer camp for girls and gender expansive youth in the afternoon.

Some examples of past tech camp activities include: basic welding, changing a car tire, making homemade pasta and sauce, videography, photography, spa sciences, basic first aid/constructing a first aid kit, Cricut creations, Entrepreneur for a Day, Building a Toolbox, Community Service, and more. We will share this year's complete list of camp activities when we get closer to June.

Bussing for the AM tech camp again for schools/towns that send 10 or more students will be provided - we will pick up at Lyme School. No transportation will be provided for the PM computer camp.

Information about camp is posted here on our web site. The camps have separate online applications.

To register for Summer Tech Camp in the mornings, please complete and submit THIS online camp application.

To register for Computer Camp for girls and gender expansive youth in the afternoons, please complete and submit THIS online camp application.

Campers who attended tech camp last year may attend again this year if they are entering 8th or 9th grades in the fall - we offer new activities to participate in each year. Also, girls and gender expansive youth may sign up for both AM and PM camp programs (please be sure to complete both applications!).

If you have any specifics questions about camp - please reach out to Jen!

Jennifer Thygesen

Outreach Coordinator

Hartford Area Career and Technology Center (HACTC)

802-359-4717

thygesenj@hartfordschools.net

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