Lebanon Public Schools

– Henry Ford

Hello Lebanon Students, Staff, and Families,

Here we are at the end of another successful school year. In the next few weeks we will celebrate our learners in a variety of ways. This is an exciting time of year! We are so proud of the efforts of our students.

This will be the last Superintendent Update of the 2023-2024 school year. Thanks for taking the time to read these newsletters. It is my pleasure to share important information with you while highlighting all the great things that take place across our district.

You will receive a summer update in addition to the back to school mailings from the schools. Please note that this year all back to school communications will be coming to you electronically. If this is an issue for you please reach out to your school Principal to make different arrangements.

LES

• June 4 - LES Theater Group Performance 3:30 p.m.

• June 6- PBIS Assembly 2:15pm

• June 10- Science Center Assembly 9am and 10am

• June 10- Moving Up Ceremony 6-7pm

• June 13 LES Honors Flag Day 9am, Last day of school, early dismissal

LMS

• June 3 - Incoming 5th Grade Parent’s Night

• June 4 - 8th grade trip

• June 5- 6th grade trip to Dodd Stadium

• June 5 & 6 - 4th Grade Visits

• June 7 - Field Day @ Odetah Campground and Resort

• June 12 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

LMHS

• June 2- Baccalaureate Service First Congregational Church 6:30pm

• June 5- Senior Walk- LES- 11:40am-12:45pm

• June 5- Awards Night 6:30pm

• June 6- Pops Concert 7:00pm

• June 11- The Price of Healing Play by Emma Melia 6:00pm

• June 13- Graduation 6:00pm

It's just around the corner! Reminder...at the April Board of Education meeting the Lyman Memorial High School graduation date was set for Thursday, June 13th. Lebanon Middle School will have its promotion exercises on Wednesday, June 12th and Lebanon Elementary School will hold its Moving Up ceremony on Monday, June 10th. Please expect more details from each school soon.

On May 16th, at the Lebanon Budget Referendum, the town budget passed. Thank you for all who exercised their right to vote. Thank you for all the support during the construction and presentation of the Board of Education budget.

At our most recent LPS 2030 Strategic Planning Committee meeting we spent time discussing strategies to support improvement in our identified areas of growth. The committee was divided up into school-based teams made up of staff, families and community stakeholders to focus the conversation at a building specific level. Our final work session is June 4th. At this gathering we will begin constructing action plans and agreeing upon desired outcomes for our strategic plan goals. The plan will be revealed before the start of the next school year.

This month 445 students had perfect attendance. June is a short month, let's finish strong and boost this number up!

New Reading Program for Lebanon Elementary School

In response to low literacy rates among the state's third-graders, Connecticut passed Right to Read legislation in 2021. This legislation requires school districts to use a literacy curriculum predicated on the Science of Reading, a research-based approach to teaching children to read. Lebanon Elementary School has chosen the MyView Literacy Program by Savvas as their reading program beginning in the Fall of 2024. This program was approved by the state as it meets legislative expectations and scored as ‘Meets Expectations’ by credible and comprehensive literacy review processes.

In the Spring of 2023, LES began the review process of available reading programs for adoption per state requirements. A big thank you to the reading pilot team from LES - Kamila Nowak, Heather Lyon, Melissa Orlando, Jan Gervais, Deb Ieni and Stephanie DeLucia who participated in professional development, planned and honed their practice with navigating two reading programs, collaborated, took diligent notes in the process and observed. After careful review and piloting of 2 programs, the MyView Literacy program effectively adhered to our goals and beliefs about what is best for the students of Lebanon. This evidence-based K-4 program provides explicit systematic daily instruction to boost student achievement while creating strong readers and writers. Grounded in the Science of Reading, the Savvas reading program offers several benefits that enhance literacy instruction and support student achievement. Here are some key advantages:

Comprehensive Curriculum:

• Aligned with Standards: The Savvas reading program is designed to meet state and national standards, ensuring that students are learning the necessary skills and knowledge.

• Integrated Components: The program includes a balanced approach to literacy with components for phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing.

Engaging Content:

• Diverse Texts: Savvas provides a wide range of high-interest texts that cater to diverse student interests and reading levels.

• Culturally Relevant Materials: The program includes materials that reflect diverse cultures and perspectives, promoting inclusivity and engagement.

Personalized Learning:

• Adaptive Technology: The program often incorporates digital tools that adapt to individual student needs, providing personalized practice and feedback.

• Differentiated Instruction: Savvas supports differentiated instruction, allowing teachers to tailor lessons to meet the varying needs of their students.

Professional Development:

• Teacher Support: Savvas offers extensive professional development and resources to help teachers effectively implement the program.

• Instructional Strategies: Teachers receive training on evidence-based instructional strategies that can improve student outcomes.

Assessment and Data:

• Formative and Summative Assessments: The program includes various assessment tools to monitor student progress and inform instruction.

• Data-Driven Instruction: Teachers can use assessment data to identify areas of need and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly.

Engaging Digital Resources:

• Interactive Tools: Savvas includes digital resources that engage students through interactive activities and multimedia content.

• Home Access: Many digital components can be accessed from home, allowing for extended learning opportunities and parental involvement.

Support for All Learners:

• Intervention Resources: The program provides resources for students who need additional support, including interventions for struggling readers.

• Advanced Materials: There are also materials available for advanced learners to ensure they are challenged and continue to grow.

Enhanced Collaboration:

• Teacher Collaboration: The program encourages collaboration among teachers through shared resources and professional learning communities.

• Parent Involvement: Savvas promotes parental involvement by providing resources and tips for supporting reading at home.

Research-Based Approach:

• Proven Effectiveness: Savvas reading programs are grounded in research and have been shown to be effective in improving literacy outcomes.

• Continuous Improvement: The program is regularly updated based on the latest educational research and feedback from educators.

Extended School Year (ESY):

Preparations for our Extended School Year (ESY) are underway. The purpose of ESY is to prevent regression. Recommendations are made through the PPT process. If a student has an annual in the Fall, the special education teacher may contact parents to make an amendment in the spring to add ESY services.

ESY will be from July 2 - July 25 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays with no classes on July 4th. The program runs from 8:30 - 11:30. All classes will be at Lebanon Elementary School. Parents or guardians of students scheduled for ESY should have received an email requesting information about transportation. ESY days and teacher placements will be received the first week in June. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s case manager or the Pupil Services Office at 860-642-5636.

Public Notice: Lebanon Public Schools’ Department of Pupil Services wishes to inform all past students that exited special education services or graduated between 2013 and 2018 that we will be destroying special education records according to state guidelines in August of 2024. If you would like a copy of your records, please contact us at 860-642-5636 or email dawn.delia@lebanonct.org prior to July 31, 2024.

All five of our Invention Convention Semi-finalists were selected to participate in the Connecticut Invention Convention Finals. This event will be held at UConn on June 8th. Inventors from all over Connecticut, from Kindergarten through High School, will be in attendance to showcase their inventions.

Our five finalists are:

Asher Shanks with The Corn Crib

Ethan Castillo-London with the Goggle Stayer 2000

Silas Constant with Tape Buddies: We Stick Together!

Jai Polineni with The Auto Clothesline 360

Avery Merrill with The Drop Stopper

We are so proud of our inventors. They worked so hard through the invention process. We are thrilled they will be representing LES at UConn!

Lyman Memorial High School held its annual student art show, Mayfest, in celebration of student achievement, creativity, and the arts. Lyman student art from the school’s visual art courses, along with projects from classes throughout the school were on display for the week. An Open House for family, friends, and the community was held during the event with an amazing Cabaret performance. The high school hosted visits from both middle and elementary school students with Lyman students taking tours of the gallery as well. It was a wonderful week for students to proudly show off their artistic talents, innovative creativity, and self-expression through the arts. Thanks to Mr. Covino for his leadership and for providing this write up.

Thank you to Mrs. Shuman for leading our musicians to produce amazing performances once again. To highlight their work she put together this write up for the May edition of the Superintendent Update which I was happy to share!

We had a busy couple of weeks in the music department at LES! All of our third graders participated in an exciting field trip to the Garde Theater in New London. The program was called Orchestra Swings, and it’s a curriculum put out by Carnegie Hall. Students spent about three months studying swing and jazz music and preparing pieces with their recorders and voices. At the Garde, they were able to sing and play the pieces along with professional musicians from the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and a guest jazz quintet! The next day, our students performed a concert at LES with those pieces and some additions. It was a very exciting and enriching experience for our third graders!

The following week, our third and fourth grade chorus members and 4th grade band members performed a concert at LES. It was great to be able to show off the work that they’ve put in this year. Our chorus performed songs that were all somehow connected to a living thing; Clever Chameleon, All the Pretty Little Horses, Skip! Skip! Shoo, Fly, Shoo! and The Bullfrog. The band performed in their very first concert and wowed the crowd with Band Rock, Surprise Symphony and Donkey Round.

On April 26, 2024 LMS Music and Arts students collaborated to put together an Art Show/Spring Concert. There were six groups performing: 5/6 Band, 7/8 Band. Jazz Band, Show Chorus, 5/6 Chorus and 7/8 Chorus. Out of the 19 pieces performed, 17 were suggested by students. The 5/6 Band played several folk tunes from around the world. The 7/8 Band played two pieces "Amazing Grace" and "Sakura", both to be performed at Great East this year. Every member of the Jazz Band took turns improvising over "Beat it" by Michael Jackson. During intermission, parents and students got to see a wide stylistic variety of student artwork on display. The choirs sang music by artists like Michael Jackson, Ruth B, Journey, Katy Perry, Survivor, and Backstreet Boys.

Over 80 students participated in the musical portion, with several students participating in multiple groups.

Thank you Mr. Smith and Congratulations to LMS Music students!

On Friday, April 26th, Lyman students involved in our Model UN club participated in an after school conference at Glastonbury High School. Our students have been selected to represent several nations dealing with both the War in Ukraine and other international challenges

Despite the rainy weather, we had a successful AG expo! Our students worked hard, had beautiful displays and were excited to show off their SAE! Thank you to those that came and talked with our students and got to see what their SAE project is all about.The results are in for the best presenter, best display and judges choice awards. The winners will get a $10 Dunkin gift card for their hardwork and dedication. Congratulations to our winners! If you have any feedback, positive or constructive, please let us know so that we can continue to improve for next year.

Best Presenter: Ella Caplet

Best Display: Aiden Charland

Judges Choice: Kaytlyn Howard

Honorable mentions:

Alyssa Szemreylo

Elijah Wolf

Pyper Mclver

Erin Grossmann

Scot Bliven

Noah Perkins

Gracie Cormier

Talia Dunphy

It was a team effort! It is one of the days that the Ag students look forward to each year! They put so much work and pride into their displays, it shows and is amazing to see.

Lebanon Public Schools actively seeks to assist children and families by locating, identifying, and referring children from birth to age 22 who require special education and related services. If you are concerned about a child's development, you are encouraged to contact Lebanon Elementary School to receive information about Early Childhood Screenings.

If the child is younger than 3 years of age, you may choose instead to contact the Connecticut Birth to Three System at 1-800-505-7000.

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact 860-642-5636.

The LMS Greenhouse has been transformed thanks to the Gardening Club. Special shout out to Leila Davis, Sadie Reinckens, Lillian Huntington, Allison Shea, Jasmine Rondinone and Kaylee Mosimann for working so hard to restore this greenhouse. Recently they held successful plant sales. Vicktrie Hilario has dedicated her time to work with our learners and had help from Jen Landry. Mrs. Hilario is excited for the future of garden clubs in Lebanon!

The students had a great day learning about the Quinebaug Fish Hatchery. We toured the facility and learned from start to finish how they raise different types of trout. We started with hatching and sorting the eggs and finished with the fish they release into lakes and rivers for fishers to catch. Students were able to ask questions regarding different career paths and which colleges would best support that career path

Students at Lebanon Elementary School enjoyed a story telling experience with author Robert Rivest at a recent school assembly.

Robert Rivest is the creator and founder of Wellbeing Laughter and The Rivest Method of Joyful Living. He is an internationally admired performer, teacher and public speaker. Robert is a talented mindfulness & stress relief educator, an engaging corporate wellness presenter, a comic mime artist and a gifted laughter yoga master trainer. Since 1990 Robert Rivest has given over 8,000 presentations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and across the United States. His mission is to use mindfulness, laughter and the performing arts to bring greater health, happiness, and joy to individuals and organizations around the world.

With some of the money left over from the anniversary celebration, the Anniversary Committee purchased a stone bench. The bench is located by the front school courtyard to be used for any who wish. It is engraved “Lyman Centennial 1922 2022”.The bench was purchased from Getty Granite (Salem). It was engraved and placed by Dominick & Sons Monument Works (Colchester).

Thank you to Glen Coutu for site preparation. The district grounds crew will seed the area.

The remaining monies have been set aside for a scholarship to be given each year. The first George W. Lyman Centennial Scholarship will be awarded at graduation in June. This scholarship honors the man who gave money to the Town of Lebanon in order for the children of the town to have a high school within its own borders. Through this scholarship, George W. Lyman’s legacy will continue to be celebrated.

Thank you again to all who helped make Lyman’s centennial a true milestone. And a HUGE thank you to the committee who continued to work until this spring finishing up the last details.

We Want You!

The Lyman Bulldogs Booster Club, Inc. is a non-profit organization, composed of dedicated volunteers. Our focus is to support Lyman athletes by promoting school spirit, sponsoring activities and events to enhance their sports programs. Throughout the school year, The Booster Club raises money and returns ALL of these funds directly to Lyman athletes, teams and their fans.

Did you know the Booster Club…

• Supports youth sporting events during varsity games

• Sponsors coaches to attend athletic award ceremonies

• Recognizes senior athletes at their senior nights

• Sponsors two $500 scholarships for Lyman seniors annually.

• Helps offset the cost of fan buses to promote school spirit at semi-final and final play-off games.

• Assists with Senior Project fundraisers that take place during sporting events and other special events throughout the year.

• Sells a variety of Lyman apparel with clothing for all ages at all athletic events

• Funds the athletic banners in the Lyman gym

• Operates concessions during all home soccer, volleyball and basketball games, plus Lyman and LMS track meets.

• And so much more….

In order to continue to support Lyman athletics, your help is needed- Join us today!

The Booster Club meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

See a current member for more information or email us at: lymanboosterclub.lebanonct@gmail.com

Sabena Escott, MSW sabena.escott@lebanonct.org

Lyman Memorial High School Social Worker and District Family Care Coordinator

With legislation over the summer, a family care coordinator has been added to the growing number of mental health staff that CT recognizes will further support our children and families in the school setting. The family care coordinator role already encompasses what our Lebanon school district mental health teams provide for students and families. Providing students with access to mental health resources within the community and bringing mental health services to students inside of the school has always been a priority in our district. Please reach out if there are any specific mental health topics, community programs, therapeutic referrals or town programs and resources that you would like to know more about. Below are a few programs and resources for students and families.

The Lebanon School District is excited to announce a new resource for any family that sends a child to a school in the Lebanon district, as well as the agencies/businesses/staff in those towns. Through our middle and high school School Based Diversion Initiative grant, we are excited to offer for free, the Peace at Home Parenting program through June 30, 2024. In partnership with Colchester, this community parenting, education and support program, utilizes an online subscription which provides a series of monthly workshops for parents/guardians, including, parenting children and teens, parent self-care, understanding developmental milestones, sibling communication, balancing children’s academics and after school activities, and many more. Classes are designed to cover age ranges from birth to young adults, so there is something for everyone!

All of these classes are FREE! Once registered, you can join any monthly live interactive class and attend recorded 10 Minute Videos through your smart phone, tablet or computer. During live online interactive classes you will be able to ask questions, get practical, evidence-based solutions and receive handouts with important learning points. There is even access to over 150 on-demand videos, monthly Q&A and private Facebook group resources.

Working together, our hope is that students continue to thrive at home and come to school more resilient and ready to learn!

Lebanon Social Services Office offers a variety of services to Lebanon children, adults, and seniors. Social Services Administrator Shelly Ashcom works with federal, state, and local organizations to provide assistance to Lebanon residents in need. Town of Lebanon Social Services

*The use of the resources/programs in this section are not required by LPS to be used by parents/guardians. They are recommendations only.*

Call or text a trained crisis counselor to talk:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. They’re free and available 24/7:
  Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

• Trevor Project (crisis intervention & suicide prevention for the LGBTQ community): 1-866-488-7386 or Text 678678

• Crisis Text Line: text CTL to 741741

NIMH offers brochures and fact sheets on mental health disorders and related topics for children, adolescents and their families. Printed materials can be ordered free of charge. Brochures and fact sheets in English and Spanish.

Housing and Homeless Services can be accessed through Coordinated Access Networks (CAN). Persons are prioritized for housing services based on an assessment to be completed after calling 211.

Housing and Homeless Services

Legislative Mandate: Public Act 23-167 Section 10 (Effective July 1, 2023)

(a) Not later than March 15, 2024, each local and regional board of education shall submit the increasing educator diversity plan described in subsection (a) of section 10-220 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to the Commissioner of Education for review and approval.

(b) The Commissioner of Education shall review each increasing educator diversity plan submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall implement the increasing educator diversity plan approved by the commissioner.

This plan was submitted to CSDE in a timely manner and we are awaiting feedback.

Lebanon Public Schools is now in the App Store. On your phones, in the "app store" you can search Lebanon Public Schools and you should see our logo. Please install as another way to get notifications and news from our school district.

Scan these QR Codes and be brought to our Lebanon Public Schools webpage or the Superintendent Instagram page!

The Lebanon Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, will prepare students to be contributing members of a diverse global society. We will provide a safe, nurturing, rigorous, and student-centered learning environment.

The school community of Lebanon is committed to the mission of honoring and celebrating the diversity of our students, our community, and our nation. We strive to guide our students to conscious, deliberate, individual and collective actions that cultivate the respect of all races, religions, and social backgrounds. Our school community endeavors to produce graduates who are equipped with a greater understanding of the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Lebanon Board of Education, in compliance with federal and state law, affirms its policy of equal educational opportunity for all students and equal employment opportunity for all persons. It is the policy of the District to promote nondiscrimination and an environment free of harassment and the District does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, alienage, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other category protected under state or federal law in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its program or activities. The District also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups and is specifically required by Title IX not to discriminate on the basis of sex in its programs and activities. The District shall make reasonable accommodations for individuals with identified physical and mental impairments that constitute disabilities, consistent with federal and state statutes and regulations.

The following person has been designated to handle inquires regarding Title IX sex discrimination policies: Dawn DeLia, Title IX Coordinator, 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT; 860-642-5764

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding other non-discrimination policies: Dawn DeLia, 504/ADA Coordinator, 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT; 860-642-5764

Email: andrew.gonzalez@lebanonct.org
Website: https://www.lebanonct.org/
Location: 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT, USA
Phone: 860-642-5637