Superintendent's Letter

Dear Students, Staff, Families, and Community Members,

This is a very busy time in our school district. Not only are we planning our end-of-year events but we are planning for next fall as well. I am looking forward to the upcoming events and celebrating the incredible efforts of our staff and students.

Here is an update from the SAU and Lebanon School Board this week:

Lebanon School District Spring Assessment Data

At the May 12th School Board meeting, Lisa Scolaro, District Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment provided an update on district-wide assessments which included the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA Grades 1-4), Renaissance STAR (Grades 5-12), and Individual Reading Level Assessment which is a component of the ARC reading program. (IRLA Grades K-6). A few of the slides from the presentation are located below this letter.

The assessments show improvement in student academic achievement levels when comparing the fall to the spring. We are pleased with the results as the assessment data is one of the ways we monitor student progress.

We appreciate all the hard work and efforts of our administrators, staff, students, and families who partnered together during this challenging time to help achieve these results.

Lebanon School Board Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the May 26th School Board Meeting, the School Board approved a statement put forward by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

The Lebanon School District values diversity, social equity, and inclusion with the

goal of building a sense of belonging for all individuals in our District. We are

committed to identifying and removing barriers in order to foster an environment of respect

and acceptance for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender

identity, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. All

staff and students will have access to the opportunities, resources, and support they

need to attain their full potential.

This statement will be posted on our SAU website, school websites, and future handbooks.

As part of the next Three Year Strategic plan, we will continue our focus on School Culture and Community. The Strategic Plan (2022-2025) survey will be sent to families next week.

Our Administrative Team thanks you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey!

Lebanon High School 2021 Commencement Ceremony

Graduation will take place on Thursday, June 10, 2021, on the Lebanon High School Football Field. We are looking forward to celebrating the personal and academic achievements of our graduating senior class. We are so proud of all of you!

Vaccination Update for Children 12 Years and Older -A Message from the Upper Valley Health Network

The US Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the use of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for individuals aged 12 and older. The Governor of the State of New Hampshire has announced that parents can register their children for vaccines effective immediately stating the following:

“Together with your local school district, we encourage you to take this opportunity to protect your child, your family, and your community from COVID-19 infection and illness by getting your child vaccinated.”

There are several convenient locations within the Upper Valley to receive the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, which is the only vaccine currently approved for individuals aged 12 and older. These include:

· Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, which is holding Saturday vaccine clinics through the end of June;

· State-operated Fixed Site at the former JCPenney building in West Lebanon;

· Walgreen’s Pharmacy; and

· Walmart Pharmacy

The Upper Valley Public Health Region is pleased to provide the following instructions for parents to register their children ages 12 and older for COVID-19 vaccination.

To register:

· Access the State of NH Online Registration System at https://www.vaccines.nh.gov/ or call NH211 to request assistance with registration by telephone.

· Follow the instructions to register your child for vaccination.

· When given the option to select a location and date, look for the sites listed above for the most convenient opportunities for the vaccine.

· Registration for individuals aged 12 to 17 does require Parental Consent. The consent form is built into the online system and can be completed during registration.

School and Community Safety

We are balancing the safety of individuals who have been fully vaccinated and those who have not, specifically our children. In order to keep the health and safety of our staff and students a priority, we will continue to require wearing masks, physical distancing, and hand sanitizing for the rest of the school year. With a few weeks left of the school year, we ask for your support in keeping these mitigating layers in place.

Over the summer, we hope that vaccine research studies will continue, and there will be a safe vaccination available for our younger children. We will also be reviewing CDC and NH DHHS guidance in developing protocols and will announce those before school starting in the fall.

Suicide Prevention Information

At the High School today, there were conversations about mental health and sharing of resources with students. Erika Mulhearn, LHS Student Assistance Provider, stated, "It is a great strength of our school community that we notice and actively take steps to care about one another. We are here to help."

There are preventative actions individuals can take if they are having thoughts of suicide or know others who are or might be.

We hope you find these resources to be helpful:

Lynn Lyons - Teen Depression and Anxiety

Signs of Depression during Coronavirus

Information on Teen Depression

Four Things You Can Do To Support Your Teens Mental Health

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

On Tuesday, June 1st, there will be a NAMI Connect Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training from 4-6 pm via Zoom. This training is for any adult 18+. The focus of the training is for adults to learn to recognize risk factors, protective factors, and warning signs for suicide in persons at risk and gain an increased comfort level in knowing how to connect with a person at risk. Enrollment is limited to 75 participants. Register here.

Summer Meals

For those in need, we are working with the Hartford Community Coalition and the Upper Valley Public Health Network to provide meals to children 18 and under this summer. More information will be sent out before the end of the school year.

Summer 2021 Programming

Summer Programs for eligible PreK-12 students who receive Special Education, Title I, and ELL services including LHS students who are recovering credit toward graduation are being finalized. Families of children invited to participate in these programs have been contacted and we are looking forward to offering these programs in-person this summer.

In Closing:

This Memorial Day, as we honor the men and women who served in the military and we unofficially begin the summer season, I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy the long weekend.

Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Dr. Joanne Roberts

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

Upcoming School Board Meeting:

Lebanon School Board Retreat Wednesday, June 9, 2021, 5:30 pm LMS Cafeteria

Please visit the SAU #88 website for further information.

Link to Board Agendas and Minutes

Website: www.sau88.net
Location: 20 Seminary Hill Road, West Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-795-8500