Volume: 2020-2021 ● Number: 21 ● Lebanon, NH

January 29, 2021

Email: jdentremont@sau88.net
Website: https://lms.sau88.net/
Location: 3 Moulton Avenue, Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-448-3056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMSLebNH/
Twitter: @LMSLebNH

Dear LMS Families,

We have had another good and busy week at LMS.

Our Student Council elections were completed. We would like to thank Mrs. McFarland for leading that process. You can find the names of those elected further down in the Scoop in the Co-Curricular section.

Mr. Masi reports that he is still looking for some students to join the yearbook team. Students that are interested can reach out to Mr. Masi or ask me about in the hallway when they see me. Information is further down in the Scoop.

On Thursday morning, we reviewed COVID protocols building-wide during advisory. Staff members are clear with students of expectations and all students should know at this point the expectation of wearing masks at all times and walking in lines to maximize spacing in hallways with a goal of 3 feet or more.

We explained to students that all of us at LMS and all of our families have different comfort levels with COVID-19. Some of us are isolating ourselves from others and others are not. Some families are wearing masks around other families & friends and others are not. These are some of the choices that are made outside of our school and demonstrate different comfort levels we are all experiencing.

We understand that following protocols at school can be difficult. We all need to all work together and continue to be vigilant. There will be consequences if students are not following protocols. We continue to emphasize that one person may feel safe but another person may not feel the same way. We encourage students to speak up and share with staff members when they are not comfortable or feeling safe.

We appreciate the conversations you are having with your children reinforcing the protocols and expectations. We will continue to emphasize these points in our conversations at LMS.

I also wanted to inform you about LMS Alternative Wednesdays for students who are attending in person which will begin next week. Below is a description of Alternative Wednesdays at LMS.

OBJECTIVE:

On Wednesdays, LMS students may elect to learn remotely. This option is being offered to support students who are in need of a mid-week respite from COVID protocols.

Teams will continue to present curriculum and address the academic and social emotional needs of middle school students. Classes will look like a “typical” day, supporting students’ academic and social/emotional needs.

EXPECTATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE WEDNESDAYS:

• Students, who are in school or elect to learn remotely, will continue to engage with the day’s curriculum.

• Students’ daily class schedules will remain the same.

• Pine Team, 5th grade, may structure remote learning individually for each classroom. If interested, please contact your child's teacher directly.

PARTICIPATION:

• Students are welcome and supported in attending school all five days in person.

• Students who participate in alternative Wednesdays may choose to learn remotely on a week-to-week basis.

• If a student is participating remotely, attendance will be taken in Advisory by 7:45 AM.

• LMS will communicate with families of students who are participating remotely if the model is not supporting the student’s needs.

We will begin Alternative Wednesdays next week on February 3rd where families will have this choice. Whether the choice is made to be remote at home or in person at school, attendance will be taken by 7:45 in advisory to get our school day started like usual.

Thank you for your continued partnership, as we continue to navigate this year as best we can.

Have a nice weekend!

Regards,

John P. D'Entremont, Principal

The PTO has put together a list of Virtual Vacation activities for LMS students, including some live-streaming events with local community partners for which students can pre-register, along with a whole bunch of other fun activities we hope students will enjoy at home during break! Keep an eye out for the Virtual Vacation information that will be sent to you and your students soon!

This has been a good week for the LMS school nurse! I received my 2nd Covid vaccine with minimal side effects, and feel like we are headed in the right direction towards some sense of “normalcy” as Phase 1B opened up to vaccinating the next group of people in NH.

Does this mean I can run out to spend time with missed extended family or travel anywhere I want? Absolutely not! I encourage everyone to receive the vaccine as it becomes available to them, but we as a whole should still be following all the mitigation efforts that NH DHHS and the CDC have outlined with masking, distancing, avoiding large social gatherings and avoiding non essential travel for some time to come.

We reviewed our LMS covid protocols with the students yesterday as we all have a tendency toward “covid fatigue.” Reminders about what we are supposed to be doing to keep each other healthy and safe are always welcome.

Continue to complete your child’s daily health screening in the PikMyKid app. If you are calling your child out absent due to illness, please let the front office know the nature of the illness. Some absences require a follow up call from the nurse for covid testing depending on the illness/symptoms. Please let the nurse know if/when your child has a covid test and the results of that test.

I was amazed this morning at the number of students arriving at school without coats/hats/gloves on this frigid day. There is always the possibility that your child might need to be outside on these very cold days.Please have them prepared! If you need assistance with cold weather items, please let me or our guidance counselors know.

Vaccines

NH DHHS has shared their vaccine allocation plan (always subject to change): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/covid19-vaccine-allocation-plan-summary.pdf

Quarantine Changes Related to COVID-19 Vaccination (1/11/21)

The following people do NOT need to quarantine after an unprotected exposure to a person with COVID-19, or travel outside of new England:

1. A person who is 14 days beyond the second dose of their COVID-19 vaccine (ie 14 days after full vaccination)

2. A person who is within 90 days of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed by PCR or antigen testing.

**People with prior infection should be vaccinated to provide the highest level of protection against COVID-19.

Regardless of prior infection or vaccination status, any person with new or unexplained symptoms of COVID-19 still needs to isolate, speak with their PCP and be evaluated for COVID-19 testing.

Can I receive the Covid-19 vaccine on the same day as my flu shot?

The Covid-19 vaccine should be given alone and at least 14 days after you receive another vaccine(s). This is to limit any potential interaction between the two vaccines that may interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness. The flu vaccine is encouraged for people who have not already received their annual flu vaccine.Timing of the flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine should be discussed with your primary care provider.

NH now giving Covid testing priority to students, teachers, school staff. Hospitals and outpatient practices across the state will now give appointments within 24 hours to school-community members who have Covid symptoms. In the Upper Valley, APD in Lebanon and Keady Family Practice in Claremont are participating in the effort.

I included a helpful visual below for isolation and quarantine timelines for household members when there is a positive person in your household.

The OLD NEWS, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & COVID HOTLINES information has been moved to the OLD NEWS SECTION at the end of the Scoop in case you still need to reference.

Nancy Pageau

npageau@sau88.net

603-727-9817 (direct line)

603-448-3056 (LMS)

Positive Cases - 5

Current Active Cases - 0

Students/Staff Currently Isolated/Quarantined - 5

Number of Students/Staff Tested (since September) - 225*

*Includes students/staff who have been tested multiple times.

Number of Students/Staff with Pending Test Results - 2

NH COVID-19 Schools Dashboard

We are here to help. Whether you have concerns that need to be addressed or just want to check-in with school, we are here for you.

We also can help with winter gear if a student is in need. Please reach out.

Here are some resources about parenting in the pandemic:

• Parenting in a Pandemic: Tips to Keep the Calm at Home
• Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19
• Resources for Helping Kids and Parents Cope Amidst COVID-19

Listen Summer Camp Scholarship

Below is a link with information regarding the Listen Summer Camp Scholarship Program for students ages 6-14. Please read over the eligibility guidelines and if you are interested in having your child apply, please contact either LMS School Counselor, Carolynn Stockwell or Stephanie Allard. We will place you on the LMS referral list.

You will then need to contact Listen Services to make an interview appointment. Camp scholarships are available for both day camps and overnight camps. Interviews start February 15th and scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Please let us know soon if you are interested and feel free to reach out directly with any questions.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sM981mSl1qfswBslR0B1W_hE4DhBTRyu/view?usp=sharing

Carolynn Stockwell, 5/6

cstockwell@sau88.net

Stephanie Allard, 7/8

sallard@sau88.net

Elena VanZandt, Student Assistance Provider

evanzandt@sau88.net

Registration for 2021 Spring Sports is now open on FamilyID. You can find a direct link on the Athletics and Co-Curricular web page located on the LMS website. Please note that there has not been an official decision made on the status of spring sports. Stay tuned for updates.

Please see details on the cover design contest below open to all students. The cover contest ends today, Friday 29th.

We are still looking for students who might be interested in helping with the yearbook. If you are interested, please reach out to Mr. Masi.

If you have any questions about yearbook, please email Mr. Masi: dmasi@sau88.net.

Elections were held last week for our Executive Board and over 60% of the school participated!

Congratulations to all of our 2020-2021 membership:

Birch Team

Birch Team President:

Ian Thibodeau

Birch Team Vice President:

Benji Madory

Birch Team Representative:

Logan Mason

Maple Team

Maple Team President:

Helena Mielcarz

Maple Team Vice President:

Ollie Hermanson

Maple Team Representative:

Samantha Herring

Oak Team

Oak Team President:

Bryant Mutisya

Oak Team Vice President:

Meg Cheevers

Oak Team Representatives:

Charlie Clarke

Summer Davis

Spruce Team

Spruce Team President:

Kalyani Jogdand

Spruce Team Representatives:

Eden Aldrich

Mikko Andres

Shaya Kiridena

Aadish Niroula

Natalie Rickrode

Anna Vecherina

Pine Team

Pine Team Vice President:

Acadia Buck

Pine Team Representatives:

Abigail Chestnut

Sophie DiDomenico

Fallon Meyer

Addison Trussell

Secretary:

Violet Hudson

Co-Treasurers:

Cherry Singh

Charlotte Edmund

Do you have any ideas that the student council could help with? Maybe a local fundraiser? A fun event or spirit day? A suggestion to improve our school? Email

studentcouncilideas@edu.sau88.net with your ideas!

Next Meetings:

Feb. 8th Executive Board Meeting
Feb. 22nd Full Council Meeting

Questions, please contact Mrs. McFarland.

Remote Learners...if you have pictures of your remote learning, send them to lmsspirit@sau88.net. We will include them in the Scoop too!

LMS PTO Virtual Meeting

When: Wed, February 3, 2021 , 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: https://zoom.us/j/94660181992?pwd=UElPek9IanV5YmQ3Wjc5R3hpeDF2Zz09

Meeting ID: 946 6018 1992
Passcode: 965891
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February 1st - LMS T2A Progress Reports

February 3rd - LMS PTO Virtual Meeting 7PM

February 11th - STAR Testing Math All Students

February 12th - STAR Testing Reading All Students

Saturday, January 30th, 9:00 am in the Lebanon Middle School Gym.

Please see 2021 Annual Report link below.

Note: Deliberative Session will be streamed via Zoom. There will be no means of participation via Zoom. In order to participate in the meeting, community members must attend in person at LMS in the gym. Masks are required to be worn at all times.

**Snow Date for this meeting is Monday, February 1st, 6:00 pm

Please click link below to join via Zoom

Zoom Passcode: 705426

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88291729515?pwd=Z0w...

(Please park in rear of building)

Click the button below for the latest newsletters from our Superintendent. Other letters can be found on the District website.

If you have a student returning in person to LMS for the first time this year, please review the video tutorials to understand our processes and procedures while at school. We strongly encourage families to watch these together. Although some of our spaces now look a bit different than in the videos, we will still be using these procedures.

Here is the link to the Lebanon Middle School COVID Procedures. The button below titled LMS COVID Procedures takes you to the module and the LMS website too.

Quarantine and Exposure/Travel Guidance

NH DHHS has updated quarantine guidelines in relation to exposure to COVID and travel. The following guidelines are specific to NH. The CDC, VT, and other state guidelines are different from NH. We will be following these NH guidelines going forward. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions related to this information (npageau@sau88.net).

• A person who is close contact to another person infectious with COVID-19 must stay home and away from public locations for 10 days starting from the last day of exposure to the infectious person.
• A person who has traveled outside of New England must stay home and away from public locations for 10 days starting from the last day of travel outside of New England. An exception exists for travel quarantine only: one can “test out” of the 10 day travel quarantine if they have a negative COVID PCR based test on day 7 or after of their quarantine, and remain without symptoms.
• ***NH DPHS does NOT recommend adopting the “test out” option in the CDC Quarantine Guidance(i.e. quarantine for 7 days and a negative test) for confirmed close contacts to a positive person. Currently, testing resources are not sufficiently available to adopt this approach, and risk of transmission is increased.

In all situations, you are still self monitoring for any symptoms until day 14. If you develop symptoms during this time period you need to test and follow the appropriate quarantine or isolation guidance.

• Isolation guidance for confirmed positive cases (12/3/20): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/self-isolation-covid.pdf
• Quarantine guidance for exposure or travel (12/3/20): https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/cdcs/covid19/documents/self-quarantine-covid.pdf

NH COVID related information can be found on the nh.gov/covid19 website.

Common Questions:

Can I get a rapid COVID test instead of a PCR test?

One can get a rapid test if symptomatic. If one has no symptoms, then a PCR test should be done for accurate results.

Can I come to work/send my kids to school if someone in my house is getting a COVID test and waiting for results?

Yes. As long as you/they are asymptomatic, then you may come to work and the kids may come to school. If the individual in your house tests positive, then you would need to remain home.

How long do I need to stay home if I test positive for COVID?

You will need to remain home in isolation for 10 days since the start of your symptoms, or 10 days from the test collection date if you are asymptomatic. You can return to school on the 11th day.

Someone in my house tests positive for COVID. How long do I need to remain home?

You will remain home for 20 days (10 days for the person who tested positive, and then you are home an additional 10 days for your quarantine after the period of isolation ends).

If I test positive or someone else in my house tests positive, will DHHS contact me?

Because of the increase in positive COVID cases in NH, DHHS has said they will now contact cases related to schools with a “beginning” isolation or quarantine letter/notification. This may take a few days. Please follow the guidance given to you by your school nurse or PCP until such time as you are contacted by DHHS. NH DHHS will no longer be providing a “release from” isolation/quarantine letter. Please reach out to your PCP or myself with any questions related to either quarantine or isolation.

What is the definition of close contact?

Close contact is defined as being less than 6 feet from a positive COVID individual for a cumulative 10 minutes or more during the person’s infectious period. What is the infectious period? It is based on the 2 days before the person becomes symptomatic or 2 days before the test collection date if the person is asymptomatic.

Please continue to be in contact with your school nurse if your child is being tested for COVID-19 either due to symptoms or if they have been exposed to a person determined to have COVID. Please contact the school nurse for any positive test results.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear anytime from 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. All of the following are symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever(over 100.o F) or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

In order for your child to return to school if they exhibit any of the symptoms listed above, they should either get a COVID PCR based test and produce a negative test result, OR choose to quarantine for 10 days since onset and improvement of symptoms.

DHMC Covid hotline (603) 650-1818. Hotline hours: Monday through Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. This is for DHMC patients only (unless you are deemed a close contact to a positive case) and you do not need a referral from your Pediatrician before testing. Appointment only. https://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/patient-education/covid19-testing.html

Alice Peck Day- (603)-442-5665 Hotline hours 8:30am-4:00pm on weekdays. Official State testing site therefore will test anyone regardless if your doctor is at APD or if you do not have a doctor. Do not need a referral. Appointment only. Must live within the Community of Alice Peck Day. https://www.alicepeckday.org/services/covid19communitytesting/

The school day begins at 7:45 - 7:50 AM.

The PikMyKid Check-in Health Screening is required each day. Students who do not complete the check-in before arriving will have to be screened at the door before entering the building. We continue to average 20-30 check-ins daily which is still slowing down the process. Please complete the check-in health screening before leaving home in the morning.

Students will be expected to arrive at the following times, as we stagger our arrival in order to process students into our building:

Bus Riders - 7:22 AM

Band/Chorus Students - 7:22 AM - Please follow directions from Ms. Garnham and Mr. Terry. If your child has a sibling that is not in the band or chorus, please drop them together at the same time.

Car drop offs need to plan to start at 7:30 AM or after. There is no early drop off.

Students should be sitting in a seat on the right side of the vehicle to exit on the sidewalk side. Students should also be prepared to get out before the car stops so they can do so quickly and the car line can keep moving.

If your child has to exit from the left side of the vehicle, please park and we will help them cross the crosswalk.

5th & 7th Grade Car Riders - Begins @ 7:30 AM

6th & 8th Grade Car Riders - Begins @ 7:38 AM

***If you have students in 5th and 8th for example you can choose the earlier or later time.***

Students will be dismissed at the following times:

Please park if your child is not along the curb when you enter the loop to keep the flow of traffic moving.

Bus Riders - 1:55 PM

5th & 7th Grade Car Riders Starting at 2 PM (please try not to arrive before 2PM)

6th & 8th Grade Car Riders 2:08 PM

***If you have students in 5th and 8th for example you can choose the earlier or later time.***

We have changed our School's PikMyKid settings. Parents can no longer change the default pick-up mode of their students. If you have a student who will be picked up by car permanently and not taking the bus for example, you will have to contact the school. To change your child's afternoon plans temporarily, use the calendar feature in order to delegate someone else to pick up for example.

Tutorials are found below in the Scoop.

All students are expected to attend school each day it is in session if they selected to be in school, and must be in Advisory by 7:45am for attendance.

All students arriving to Advisory after 7:45am will be considered late to school.

Parents must complete the PikMyKid App Check-In Health Survey each morning for each student to attend in person learning.

Parents must contact the school office each day their student (in person or fully remote) will be absent or late.

In person learners who have symptoms keeping them from in person learning, will be marked absent and do not need to access their teachers remotely. Our nurse will contact the family to discuss if COVID testing is necessary and what date the student may return to school.

All students who are called out absent for 1 to 2 days, for any reason, will be marked absent and do not need to access their teachers remotely. Student may make up missing work upon their return to school.

In person learners who are absent for 3 or more days due to illness or quarantine may learn remotely at their teachers’ discretion; however, they will continue to be marked absent.

Planned absences for all students must follow our student handbook attendance policy. In this case the student may learn remotely at their teachers’ discretion; however, they will be marked absent.

Extended Absences/Vacations

Parents/Guardians are discouraged from planning family vacations while school is in session. Please make plans that coincide with school vacations and holidays because it is difficult for students to make up classroom learning activities when a child is absent for an extended period of time. Permission is granted by an administrator, and a written request to the main office for a student’s work two weeks in advance is required. It is the student’s responsibility to notify teachers and collect assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to submit the completed assignments upon his/her return to school. Failure to obtain permission and to request work two weeks in advance will result in absences being unexcused.

New Period Attendance – In an effort to improve communications, LMS teachers now have the ability to take class attendance each period via Powerschool for all students. Students will be notified if they are marked absent. Parents will be notified if they have created a parent portal account in Powerschool. This should help parents/guardians monitor attendance for their remote learners.

It is important to note that an in person learner, who is at school, could be marked absent for a class for a variety of reasons (early dismissal, student services, counseling, etc.).

Breakfast and Lunch

Students will be able to purchase breakfast or lunch ahead of time. More details to come soon as to how students will order meals ahead.

• Breakfast $1.75
• Lunch $3.15

Reduced price tentatively for breakfast is $0 and lunch is $.40.

Food service along with everything else looks a little different this year. In the morning, students may not enter the building early to get and eat breakfast. There will be a daily offering with a cereal option for the students to choose from between 7:25 and 7:40. Students, regardless of grade, should enter the front doors of the school in the morning and the students should go directly into the cafeteria and pick up and eat their breakfast. Breakfast will not be available once the school day begins at 7:45. There will not be a breakfast break period this year. Remember that a reduced pay student receives a free breakfast.

At lunch there will be two options available at lunch every day. A daily offering and an option that will be consistent for the week. We are also offering a breakfast and a lunch for remote learning days. A cohort students can order meals for Tuesday and Wednesday at Monday lunch and again on Thursday for Friday. B cohort students can order meals for Wednesday and Thursday at lunch on Tuesday and again on Friday for Monday. The meals will be available for pickup at the end of the day and the student will pick up the meals on the way out at dismissal time.

Just a reminder, Free and Reduced applications must be filled out every year. You can apply on line at https://www.lunchapplication.com/ or you can get the application on the district’s website. Applications are also available at the main office.

Dennis Samuel

Food Service Director

Fresh Picks Café

Each day when your child(ren) come to school, they will be required to complete the health screening before coming to school. This will be through the PikMyKid app (more information to follow).

It is imperative that students do stay home if they are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms (COVID symptoms). Students should not come to school if they are not feeling well or have any of the following symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Students should have a water bottle and can use the bottle filling stations throughout the day.

Every student needs a backpack every day to carry their materials for the day.

Students also need to bring their chromebook to school every day they are in person. Parents/Guardians need to help students remember their device and help make sure it is charged. Students need to be reminded to be careful with their chromebooks to avoid breaking them. If you are having trouble with the Chromebook, email techsupport@sau88.net.

Students need their chromebooks every day they are at school! We continue to encourage students to take care of their machines and very much appreciate your help with this. We want to keep our machines in good working order at all times. We can troubleshoot functioning but we can't just replace due to breakage.

Please help your students with the following:

• Charging chromebooks every night.
• Making sure chromebook and charger get into backpack each night to and from school.
• Cleaning chromebook daily.
• Emphasizing taking care of your machine.
• Remembering passwords.

Need technology help?

Tech Support Hotline number: (603) 790-8501

This phone line will be open from 8am-4pm M-F. After hours, please leave a message and we will return your call.

Tech Support Hotline email: techsupport@sau88.net

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Lebanon Middle School community challenges and supports all learners in a

rigorous, stimulating, and developmentally appropriate environment.

To achieve our mission, we strive to foster curiosity, lifelong learning, and global citizenship while encouraging individual aptitudes, interests, and talents by underscoring our core values of LMS PRIDE:

Leadership

Motivation

Spirit

Perseverance

Respect

Integrity

Dependability

Excellence

John P. D’Entremont, Principal

Kim Ezen, Assistant Principal

Synthia Liska, Student Services Administrator

Brett Franklin, Director of Athletics & Co-Curriculars

Email: jdentremont@sau88.net
Website: lms.sau88.net
Location: 3 Moulton Avenue, Lebanon, NH, USA
Phone: 603-448-3056
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LMSLebNH
Twitter: @LMSLebNH