Superintendent's Letter

Dear Students, Staff, Families, and Community Members,

Wishing you all a Happy New Year. I hope that you all had a wonderful December Break. It is terrific to have our staff and students back in school today. I am writing to inform you about New Hampshire DHHS guidance regarding 10-day self-isolation and a few other topics.

Newsletter Topics:

· New Hampshire DHHS guidance regarding COVID self-isolation

· Social Media Use

· ACCESS Testing

New Hampshire DHHS Guidance- COVID Self-Isolation Time Period

Over the last week, CDC recommended a change to the number of days from 10 days to 5 days for self-isolation after a person tests positive for COVID.

This afternoon in a meeting with school superintendents, New Hampshire Commissioner Frank Edelblut, stated that New Hampshire Schools should follow current New Hampshire DHHS guidance which is to self-isolate for 10 days.

The Commissioner stated that NH DHHS will be fully reviewing the CDC official guidance once it is received. I will let you know if there are any changes to the current guidance after NH DHHS review.

The Lebanon School District will be following current NH DHHS guidance for self-isolation.

Here is the guidance from NH DHHS. If NH DHHS changes this guidance, we plan to follow the new guidance.

Self-Isolation:

You must stay at your home and avoid other people, including those you live with.

You may not go out in public places - not even to the grocery store or to run errands. You may not visit with other people outside of your home, and you may not invite others into your house to visit.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 with your positive test, you must stay at home until:

-At least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first started AND

- At least 24 hours have passed since you had a fever (without using fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen), and your symptoms are improving

If you do NOT have symptoms but have a positive COVID-19 test, you must stay at home until:

- At least 10 days have passed since the date of collection of your positive COVID-19 test, assuming you do not develop symptoms. If you develop symptoms then follow the instructions above.

If you or your child have symptoms of COVID please stay home and contact your physician to get tested for COVID.

When not in school, please remember to wear masks, physically distance, and wash hands often.

DHHS is recommending that any individual who can be vaccinated, should do so.

There will be a Booster Blitz on Saturday, January 8th. One of the locations is in West Lebanon (former JC Penny's).

To register for a COVID-19 booster appointment you must be:

· 16 years or older

· NH resident

· Completed Pfizer or Moderna series on or before 7/8/21, or

· Completed Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) series on or before 11/13/21

To sign up for a booster appointment please use this link.

Social Media Use

We are seeing an increase in the misuse of social media by students. We have become aware of inappropriate use of language, photos, and song lyrics that have been investigated, and in some cases, were found to be instances of bullying. We strive to provide a positive school environment where all students feel welcome and safe. We would appreciate your assistance by discussing with your child how to appropriately use social media, explaining how hurtful social media can be, and limiting time on social media. If you have a concern about your child's use of social media or the impact of social media on your child, please reach out to your school principal. We appreciate your help.

ACCESS Testing

Each year, students in grades 3 through 8 participate in the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment System (NH SAS) and students in grade 11 participate in the College Board School Day SAT and NH SAS science assessment. Students who have the most significant cognitive disabilities are eligible to take the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) Assessment, as designed in their active individualized education program (IEP).

Please see this link for 2021-2022 information including exemption.

If you have any questions related to this assessment administration, please feel free to contact your principal or Lisa Scolaro, District Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment.

In Closing

These are very difficult and challenging times for everyone. We were all hoping that we would be past the pandemic but the reality is that cases are increasing and we need to continue to work together to keep the health and safety of our students, staff, families, and community members a priority. We also know that our schools provide more than an academic experience and we need to do all we can to keep our schools open. Please know that we appreciate your patience, understanding, and support. If you have any questions, 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 Regular Meeting- Wednesday, January 12, 2021, 6:30 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