Superintendent Update: August 2026

Good morning Lebanon School District Community,

Just two weeks from now, our classrooms will be of full learning, our hallways teeming with conversation and laughter, and our schools buzzing with life once again. We are all so excited to welcome everyone back to school for the 2026-27 year!

The first day of school for Kindergarten through 12th Grade is Wednesday, August 26. The first day of Pre-K is Monday, August 31.

Behind the scenes, all of our educators, administrators and support staff have been working hard to ensure that the new school year gets off to a great start. To help with the transition into the new year, all four schools are hosting events in the next two weeks to help you feel welcome and excited for school. Please check out the Important Dates section below for more details, and keep an eye out for communication directly from your school(s).

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy these final few days of summer break. If you have any questions or need any support as the new year approaches, please reach out to your school and we will be happy to help.

In partnership,

Amy Allen

Superintendent

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

Brent Paige (11th Grade) spent part of his summer revitalizing the Ore Hill Camping area in the White Mountains as his Eagle Scout Project. This project benefited the Dartmouth Outing Club and the Appalachian Trail Club, as the area is well used by hikers. As part of the project, Brent led the cleaning out, moving and rebuilding of the fire ring; the building and installation of rustic benches made from wood on the property, the addition of puncheons to prevent erosion, and making the water source off the site more accessible. Wooden signage was installed to mark individual campsites and the area was raked and branches trimmed. Brent provided planning, leadership and recruited volunteers to help including Lebanon students, Bennett, Averon, Damien, Killian, Patrick and Aadish. Well done, Brent, and congratulations!

Do you know a student or staff member who did great things this summer? In the next Superintendent Update, which is only a few weeks away, we want to highlight members of our school community who spent the summer learning and growing! Email Amy Allen (aallen@sau88.net) to let her know!

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

Lebanon School District Director of Academics, Engagement & Opportunity Karen DuBois works tirelessly to help our entire staff continue to learn and grow professionally so we can provide our students with the best possible instruction. This summer, she celebrated a tremendous academic achievement of her own. Karen completed her Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College , one of the most prestigious graduate education programs in the country. In late July, she traveled to Nashville and successfully defended her capstone project, "Innovation, Engagement, and School Change: The Upper Valley Education Design Clinic." We are so grateful to have this sort of expertise and deep care for students in our district. Congratulations, Dr. DuBois!

Registration is now open for fall sports and extracurriculars at LMS and LHS! Click here to get started with the registration process. If you need help with the registration process, please click here, or contact your school's athletics & extracurriculars department for additional support.

The Lebanon School Board invites applications for an interim school board member, following the resignation of a board member.

Applicants must be a resident of Lebanon and at least 18 years of age. Candidates may not hold another incompatible public office or be employed by the Lebanon School District.

Applicants should send a letter of interest to School Board Chair Lil Maughan (lmaughan@sau88.net) and Superintendent Amy Allen (aallen@sau88.net) by 4 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026. Any letters received after this date will not be considered by the Board. The letter of intent must include your name, physical address, telephone number, and email address. Please also describe why you are interested in serving on the Lebanon School Board.

Candidates will be invited to the School Board meeting on September 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at Lebanon Middle School. Candidate letters of interest are public and will be included in the meeting packet. The Board will interview candidates in a public session, followed by a board vote to select the new member. The Lebanon School Board has sole decision-making authority in selecting the best candidate for the position.

The interim board member will serve until the next School District election on March 9, 2027. At that time, Lebanon residents will vote for a candidate to serve the two years remaining on the term.

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.

The district-wide PTO is seeking vendors for the 2nd annual Lebanon Craft Fair. The event is scheduled for November 14-15 from 10 am to 3 pm at Lebanon High School. Visit www.lebanoncraftfair.com to learn more, and register as a vendor. The deadline to apply as a vendor is this Saturday, August 15.

• Wednesday, August 12: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at Lebanon Middle School
• Wednesday, August 19: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pm at LMS
• Monday, August 24: LMS Popsicles on the Playground, 4 pm at LMS
• Tuesday, August 25: Lebanon High School New Student & 9th Grade Orientation, 9:30 am-12 pm
• Tuesday, August 25: Mount Lebanon Kindergarten Kick-Off and Orientations, 11 am-3:15 pm (MLS families, check MLS website for specific your specific time)
• Tuesday, August 25: Hanover Street School-wide Orientation and Ice Cream Social (HSS families, check the HSS website for more details), 1:30-3:15 pm.
• Wednesday, August 26: 1st Day of School, K-12!
• Monday, August 31: First day of Pre-K at Mount Leb!
• 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

• Sunday, August 16: Paws in the Pool at Lebanon Memorial Pool, 10 am-2 pm. Bring your pup with you to celebrate the end of another pool season, complete with dog swimming, snacks, and a raffle. $8 per adult/$4 per dog/$4 per child ages 12-17 (add $2 day of event). Click here for more information, and early registration.
• Wednesday, August 19: Build a Bird of Prey Workshop, 5 pm Sustainability Park, Hanover, hosted by HopStop Family with Hanover Parks & Recreation and VINS. Build a bird with a raptor toolbox filled with touchable artifacts. Through song and dance, discover how raptors hunt and pack a raptor lunchbox to learn what they eat. Free but tickets required. More info and link to register here.
• 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.
• Thursday, September 24: Final Lebanon Farmers Market of the season, 4-7 pm at Colburn Park.

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