Superintendent Update

Good morning Lebanon School District Community,

I hope you all have enjoyed a terrific start to the year. These first few days have brought so much positive energy and enthusiasm to all of our schools, and I am so grateful to all our students, families, and staff for ushering in a year that promises to be full of learning and growth for all of us.

The beginning of a new school year also offers an opportunity to recommit to the Lebanon School District Vision of a Learner. This vision, which is embedded into everything we do, is rooted in four pillars and guides us to educate students who are:

1. Effective and Collaborative Communicators
2. Critical and Creative Thinkers
3. Responsible Local and Global Citizens
4. Empathetic and Resilient Individuals

In this second year of our Strategic Plan, we are focusing on highlighting these pillars. In this newsletter, and in communications from all four of our schools throughout this year, we will be celebrating all the ways our students embody this Vision, and how families and staff support our shared pursuit of these goals.

In partnership,

Amy Allen

Superintendent

Celebrating Effective and Collaborative Communicators, Critical and Creative Thinkers, Responsible Local and Global Citizens, and Empathetic and Resilient Individuals

Last month, Victoria Pomeroy, a ninth grader at Lebanon High School, proudly represented the State of New Hampshire at the Patriot Games at SPIRE Academy in Geneva, Ohio!

Held as a signature celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Patriot Games brought together 62 girls and 62 boys representing all 50 states, U.S. territories, Native Tribal communities, and children of military families stationed overseas.

Victoria competed in an impressive range of events:

🏃 55-meter hurdles

🏃 100-meter dash

💪 Flexed-arm hang

⭐ Standing broad jump

🏐 Medicine-ball throw

⚡ Agility shuffle

🏅 Varsity Circuit course

🏅 Operation Endurance

During the closing ceremony, Victoria had the honor of carrying the New Hampshire state flag and participating in this historic national celebration.

We are incredibly proud of Victoria for representing New Hampshire, and the Lebanon School District, with strength, determination, and Granite State pride!

Honoring staff who promote learner-centered approaches, student achievement, innovation, and high levels of student engagement

Two separate staff members sent in shout-outs for District Technology Support Specialist Anthony Zaleski.

In the lead-up to the new school year, one administrator, on behalf of an entire school, wrote: "Anthony has been invaluable as our staff gets ready for school. He literally moves from one person to another fixing all their tech problems. He has both strong tech skills and an understanding of what educators need. He is wonderful to work with and a huge asset to the district."

Another colleague wrote:

"I would like to recognize Anthony for the tremendous dedication and commitment he brings to our schools every day.

Anthony consistently goes above and beyond to support district events, provide teacher technology training, and ensure students have what they need. He is dependable, adaptable, and exceptionally quick to find solutions when unexpected challenges arise. His resourcefulness, competence, and ability to bring humor to any situation make him an invaluable member of our IT team.

Much of his work happens behind the scenes, but it plays an important role in keeping our schools running smoothly. The time, expertise, and energy Anthony brings to his work have a positive impact on our staff and students every day.

Thank you, Anthony, for everything you do to support our schools and the people in them. Your hard work, problem-solving skills, and commitment to helping others make a real difference. We are lucky to have you on our team!"

We certainly are! Thank you, Anthony!

Do you know a student who embodies our Vision of a Learner? Or a staff member who goes above and beyond to support students, families, and colleagues? We want to recognize them! Email Superintendent Amy Allen (aallen@sau88.net) to let her know!

A new school year means new routines, new classrooms, and a fresh start. It can also bring anxiety, stress, or emotional challenges that make it harder to settle in.

Once again this year, Lebanon Middle and High schools are working with our virtual mental health partner, Cartwheel, which can offer:

• Individual teletherapy for students — appointments with a licensed therapist available within days, with no waitlist
• Parent and caregiver guidance — practical support for navigating challenges at home
• Family therapy for transitions, stress, or ongoing challenges
• Psychiatric support, when appropriate
• Care Programs for specific challenges like school avoidance, screens and social media, and intense emotions and behavior challenges

Appointments are virtual, scheduling is flexible, and care is available in multiple languages. For students with Medicaid, care is completely free. Most private insurance plans are also accepted.

Getting started takes just a few minutes. Complete this simple interest form, and someone from Cartwheel will follow up with you.

• Thursday, September 3: LMS Parent/Guardian Orientation Night, 5-7 pm at LMS
• Monday, September 7: Labor Day, No School
• Tuesday, September 8: Picture Day at all schools
• Wednesday, September 9: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at LMS
• Thursday, September 17: College Information Night, 5:30-6:30 pm at LHS
• Thursday, September 24: LHS Open House, 5:30-8 pm
• Saturday, September 26: Mount Leb Fall Festival, 11 am - 1 pm at MLS
• Friday-Saturday, October 2-3: LHS Homecoming Weekend

• Sunday, September 13: West Lebanon Block Party, 1-4 pm in the Kilton Library Parking Lot. Join for an afternoon of community fun as we celebrate the vibrant West Lebanon community! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to honor our shared story, enjoy great food, and mark an exciting milestone for our city. Click here for more information.
• Friday, September 11 and 18: Movie Screen on the Green, 7 pm at Colburn Park. September 11: Zootopia 2 / September 18: Hoppers.
• Saturday, September 19: LebFest, 11 am-3 pm at Colburn Park. LebFest is family-centered, FREE community event for all ages with over 90+ booths of activities, games, crafts, raffles, local vendors, music, food vendors and a mac & cheese competition featuring local restaurants. LebFest celebrates the Upper Valley community as a great place to live and raise a family! Food and drink will be available for purchase.
• Saturday, September 19: The application window opens for the Alex Higgins Memorial Space Camp Scholarship, for New Hampshire students age 9-17. Since 2001, more than 70 New Hampshire children and teens have traveled to U.S. Space Camp & Rocket Center, in Huntsville, AL, for a week of simulated astronaut or pilot training, thanks to the Alex Higgins Memorial Space Camp Scholarship. And three more will get to go in 2027! Would you like to be one of them? Click here for more information.
• Thursday, September 24: Final Lebanon Farmers Market of the season, 4-7 pm at Colburn Park.
• Tuesday, September 29: Dartmouth Health is hosting a free, virtual Vaping and Oral Nicotine Education webinar for parents and caregivers from 6-7 pm. This webinar will provide parents, caregivers, and community members with practical information about vaping and oral nicotine, including: what vaping is and how it works, current youth vaping trends, the risks and dangers of vaping, what vaping products look like, how to support youth who vape or may be at higher risk, including quit resources, evidence-based conversation starters for talking with youth about substance use, and Q&A. Click here to register for free.

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