Volume: 2020-2021 ● Number: 35 ● Lebanon, NH

May 28, 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

LMS Friends,

What an amazing weather week, huh? It has been fantastic to see so many groups outside for classes, eating, breaks, and recess! We are making good use of the tents on campus and are definitely enjoying the sunshine.

The Student Council organized a virtual talent show for LMS students. All students can participate, and the Council members will be compiling entries into a video for viewing by the end of the year. This is one of the exciting ways we will finish our unprecedented school year.

Recently, administrators, counselors, and others met with incoming 5th grade and 7th grade families. These virtual programs in the evening were a resounding success! It has been a thrill to connect with these new families to our community and welcome them. We look forward to the arrival of our new LMS students in August.

It is a bittersweet time of year because as we welcome these new students and families we also have to start the process of saying goodbye to our 8th graders who will be moving on. The next two weeks, the 8th graders will become a focus as we look to them to say their positive so longs to our community for what lies ahead. As the ninth class to leave LMS, they will leave their own mark on this place and certainly in a year that will not be forgotten.

Have a wonderful long weekend and we will see our students back here on June 1st after the holiday.

Enjoy the Scoop!

Regards,

John P. D'Entremont, Principal

LMS students over 12 are eligible for the pfizer vaccine. To register your child, please go to the state vaccination site. If you have questions, you can contact Nurse Pageau.

We will be collecting all of our chromebooks for cleaning and updating:

• In person students will turn in their chromebooks on June 11th before dismissal.

• Fully Remote students, should plan to drop off their chromebooks on June 14th after 12:30PM.

We will send out additional details as we get closer to these dates.

We updated you in last week's Scoop about the upcoming 8th Grade Social Event on June 11th from 6:00-7:30 PM.

Some helpful reminders:

• This is a casual event and students should wear normal, school appropriate dress.
• Students will be seated 6 feet apart at their own tables (similar to snack and lunch).
• Students will be receiving a sandwich meal which they selected through a survey last week. We will view the 8th grade slideshow together.
• We are going to attempt some appropriately distanced line dancing.

All 8th graders are welcome to attend even students who are fully remote this year. For those who will not attend or choose not to attend, we will also live stream the slideshow that evening over zoom.

Please be in touch with Mrs. Ezen (kezen@sau88.org) if you have any questions.

This section includes updates about next year each week. Understand that all of this is subject to change, but we want to ensure you have the most up to date plans for next year as things continue to fall into place for 2021-2022.

Update # 3 - May 28, 2021

We are planning not to do daily health screenings in the morning for next year.

LMS will continue to use PikMyKid for dismissal in the afternoons. This has been a helpful tool for families to change student after school plans during the school day.

We are planning on continuing with our physical distancing of 3 feet for students next year in classrooms with assigned seating, but we will not continue with the strict cohorts of this year.

We are planning on 6 feet for eating lunches and breaks at LMS like we are adhering to right now.

Update # 2 - May 21, 2021

We have nothing new to report this week.

Update # 1 - May 14, 2021

The Superintendent is planning for a five-day, in-person model for the fall. The District will not be offering a fully remote option. This may change based on the level of Covid transmission in the fall. The District will continue to follow DoE and DHHS guidance.

Next year, we are planning to not have cohorts. The student experience for each grade level is described below.

• For our 5th graders rising to 6th grade, it will feel different as they will no longer follow the strict elementary classroom with little change between rooms. The students will shift rooms frequently and will also have different students in different classes.

• For our 6th graders rising to 7th grade, these students have experienced cohorts for years through elementary school and even this year. Next year will be a transition for these students as they move on to the 7th/8th grade teams. Students will move from class to class and have different students in their classes. Students will mix with 8th graders for advisory and essentials arts classes.

• For our 7th graders rising to 8th grade, we will be shifting back to three 7th/8th grade teams. This means that students will be replaced on teams. It will feel similar to their 6th grade experience before COVID with different students in their classes and moving to different classrooms. It will also mean that 7th and 8th graders will mix for advisory and their essential arts classes.

We do not anticipate placements being done before the end of this year. We will be informing students and families of their team and advisory assignments over the summer. We appreciate your patience as we continue to prepare for the future.

This shift away from cohorts next year will allow us all to get a fresh start, build our relationships in our new advisories and on our teams, and set the tone for a great 2021-2022 school year.

Please give our office a call or email Ruth Keane (rkeane@sau88.net) if you are moving out of the District. This is especially important if you will be moving at the conclusion of this year. Thank You.

May 28 USA Day

June 4 Wacky Hair Day

June 7 Tacky Tourist/ Beach

June 8 Meme Day- Dress like your favorite meme!

June 9 Team Colors Day 5th- Green 6th- Red 7- Yellow 8- Blue

June 10 Advisory Matching Day

June 11 LMS Spirit Day

We have noticed ticks up on the field several weeks ago and alerted facilities. The field is widely used and has been sprayed. We are consistently reminding staff and students to do tick checks when they reenter the building.

We hope you have a wonderful long weekend!

Nancy Pageau

npageau@sau88.net

603-727-9817 (direct line)

603-448-3056 (LMS)

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.

Positive Cases - 12

Current Active Cases - 0

Students/Staff Currently Isolated/Quarantined - 1

Number of Students/Staff Tested (since September) - 397*

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

Number of Students/Staff with Pending Test Results - 2

Carolynn Stockwell, 5/6

cstockwell@sau88.net

Stephanie Allard, 7/8

sallard@sau88.net

Elena VanZandt, Student Assistance Provider

evanzandt@sau88.net

The school year has not yet ended, yet a lot of us are already starting to look toward next year. Slowly we are making our way out of the pandemic and life is returning to normal. One of the biggest changes for many students will be a return to all in-person learning next fall. While most people seem to be pretty excited about this, I know there are some students and parents who are a bit nervous as they anticipate the shift back after a year of mostly self-isolation. I thought it might be helpful to hear from a few students who just returned back to school within the last couple of months. What was it like to make the transition in real time?

For this story I interviewed Julianna Elvira, James Barkley and Jacob Cloutier. Julianna and James had been 5th grade students in Ms.Glassmith’s remote classroom. Julianna returned to in person learning in May joining Ms. Tewksbury’s class, and James returned back in April, joining Ms. Hilliard’s class. Jacob Cloutier is a 7th grade student who returned in January. Jacob had been learning virtually along with in-person classmates up until his return. Here’s what these students had to say about their reasons for returning and what the transition was like for them.

I asked the students, “What made you and your family decide to have you return to in person learning”?

Julianna: “My parents and grandparents were able to get vaccinated. It felt like it was now safe enough for me to return.”

James: “Things felt safer. I was bored online and I really wanted to be at school with my friends.

Jacob: “I had decided to do remote learning because I have asthma and was worried about Covid. As well, I was worried about the safety protocols and wearing a mask all day, I thought it would be too stressful. I did okay with remote learning at first, but then my grades started to slide. My mom and I decided that I should return to in-person learning.”

Before you returned did you have any worries?

Julianna: “I was kind of scared. I wasn’t sure who my teachers would be or if it would be hard fitting back in.”

James: “I was a little worried I wouldn’t fit in when I returned.”

Jacob: “I wasn’t that worried, maybe a little that I wouldn’t be able to find my classes and what it would be like to be in school with all the safety protocols and social distancing.”

What was the most difficult part of transitioning back?

Julianna: “It was a little hard getting up early to be in person at school.”

James: “It was a little hard to get adjusted to what they were doing in my new class (school work). But after a few days I felt like I was in sync with everything.”

Jacob: “Maybe just getting used to the difference in attending with the protocols in place. It is definitely different than before the pandemic. But it really hasn’t been that hard.”

What has been the best part of returning to in-person learning?

Julianna: “It has been exciting to see my friends again. And it is a lot easier to stay focused at school, I got distracted a lot at home.”

James: “ As I said, everyone was super nice and it felt so good to be back.”

Jacob: “Definitely seeing my friends has been the best part. Also, learning to play gaga ball, which I never learned last year. I have enjoyed meeting my new teachers in person, and I feel more connected now.”

Do you have any advice for kids who will be returning in the fall?

Julianna: “It is not as difficult as you think it will be. It might be hard to get up in the morning, but soon it will feel natural. If you are nervous, just know it will be okay.”

James: “Do not worry if you feel like people won’t talk to you. It was pretty easy to make the shift and everyone made me feel welcome.”

Jacob: “Don’t be worried. Your friends have been here and they will help you make the adjustment. Yes, it is a big change, especially with the Covid protocols, but you will do fine and soon it will feel normal.”

There you have it! It is very normal to worry about the unknown, but please rest assured we are focused on helping everyone feel comfortable when we return next fall. It will be so great to all be together again!

The Listen Center still has many camper scholarships available for any child who qualifies. In addition, families can self-refer at this time. If you are interested in your son/daughter attending camp this summer please call LISTEN to make an appointment. With many different options available you are able to register your child for the camp of their choice.

Please see website if interested in the Every Kid Outdoors Annual 4th Grade Pass. 5th graders missed out on this opportunity, so they are eligible through August 31st!

Fall 2021 Athletic Sign-Ups Now Open for LMS!

Sign-ups are now open for 7th and 8th graders who are interested in playing LMS Football, Field Hockey or Golf in the Fall of 2021! Click HERE to register via FamilyID.

Lebanon Recreation Department Sports Sign- Ups!

The fantastic folks at the Lebanon Recreation Department have many offerings for 5th and 6th graders including soccer, field hockey, flag football, tackle football and cheerleading. More info can be found HERE

LHS Athletics Sign-Ups Open for rising 9th Graders!

Any current LMS 8th grader who is interested in playing a fall sport at Lebanon High School you can sign up now via FamilyID. Click HERE.

8th graders do not need to purchase. All 8th graders will get a yearbook this year.

Yearbook sales are now in person. Students can inquire in the office about purchasing a yearbook.

If you have any questions or want to help with the yearbook, please email Mr. Masi: dmasi@sau88.net.

Student Council is hosting a virtual talent show. Submissions can be sent to talentshow@edu.sau88.net.

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

When: Wed, June 2 , 7:00pm - 8:00pm

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

Meeting ID: 946 6018 1992
Passcode: 965891

Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

May 28th - LMS Library Books due back to LMS

June 2nd - LMS PTO Meeting 7PM

June 11th - 8th Grade Evening Celebration 6PM

School Board Retreat

When: Wed, June 9 , 6:30pm - 10:30pm

Location: Lebanon Middle School, 3 Moulton Ave, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA

School Board Meeting

When: Wed, June 23 , 6:30pm - 10:30pm

Location: Lebanon Middle School, 3 Moulton Ave, Lebanon, NH 03766, USA

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.

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

Revised NH DHHS Guidance Related to Travel from Scoop 3.26.21

Domestic travel within the U.S. no longer requires quarantine upon return to NH (regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status), this includes domestic travel to U.S. territories.

People who travel internationally or on a cruise ship are still required to quarantine upon arrival to NH, unless diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 90 days or fully vaccinated against COVID-19(2 weeks after their last vaccine dose).

Everyone who chooses to travel, regardless of vaccination status or prior immunity, should wear a well-fitted, multi-layered face mask, physically distance (i.e., maintain at least 6 feet from other people), avoid large groups and gatherings, frequently sanitize hands, and self-monitor for symptoms.

The number of positive Covid-19 cases continue to be substantial and any travel increases the risk of transmission. The CDC recommends delaying travel and staying home to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. We strongly recommend that families and staff who must travel seek testing for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection 3-5 days after travel, per CDC guidance on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic (applies for both domestic and international travel).

For any covid symptoms, at any time, you should stay home and get a PCR based covid test.

Revised NH DHHS Guidance Related to Quarantining from Scoop 3.26.21

NH DHHS will not recommend quarantine for students or staff if a COVID-19 exposure occurs in the classroom setting where students and staff are seated and spaced at least 3 feet apart with consistent and correct face mask use.

NH DHHS will continue to recommend quarantine for persons within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for a cumulative time of 10 minutes or longer during the person’s infectious period, regardless of mask use, in settings where it is challenging to determine the level of interaction between students and/or staff.

*** If a student or staff member tests positive we will follow the above guidance as part of our contact tracing procedures. Please continue to keep your school nurse informed if your child has had a covid test and/or is waiting for results.

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

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).

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 after 2:05 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.

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.

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. [On Alternative Wednesdays, students should show up remotely at 7:45 to advisory for attendance. No call to the school is necessary.]

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