District News
A Message from the Superintendent
Greetings Lebanon Parents, Caregivers, and Community,
This is the third edition of our new electronic newsletter called The District Digest. You can expect to find this e-newsletter in your inbox once a month. As we approach our holiday break, I am thankful for the great things that are happening in Lebanon City Schools! I am thankful for our caring staff members who provide so much more for our students and community than educational instruction.
Around the holidays we all become more aware of families who are in need of support. The staff at Lebanon City Schools see that need daily and it is my pleasure to have a front row seat to see the way they care for their students every single day. Our students are growing academically daily in our buildings but more importantly they are being cared for by staff that know and value each of them. We also have great programs and community partners that have provided toys, shoes, clothes, and basic needs this holiday season as well. Thank you for reaching out to the district to offer your support and generosity!
I am thankful to lead a school district and live in a community that passionately looks for ways to serve and care for others. This is such an excellent example of our mission: Building Community.
Onward Lebanon,
Isaac W. Seevers
Holiday Happenings In the Schools
Themed Days at Bowman
Snow globe Artwork
This snow globe artwork was created by art students in Mrs. Steedly's class at Lebanon High School.
Holiday Concerts
Lebanon High School's Choirs travelled to Bowman Primary and Donovan Elementary last week to perform for the younger students and they LOVED IT! Click here to watch video recordings of recent band, choir, and orchestra concerts, and click here to view a recording of LHS's Cantare Carol Sing performance from last week.
Classroom Spotlight: Author's Chair
In Mrs. Bickford's second grade class at Bowman Primary School, students spend the year studying how author's write. Students practice writing by penning their own stories based on their memories, experiences, expertise, and interests. To celebrate their writing, multiple times a week students may sign up to sit in the Author's Chair to share their story with their classmates. After a student reads out loud to the class, others can give a compliment and ask a question about the student's writing.
Upcoming Calendar of Events
- Thursday, December 22 - Last Day of Second Quarter
- Friday, December 23 - No School, start of Winter Break
- Thursday, January 5 - First Day Back to School for Students
- Monday, January 16 - No School, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Grant Received to Fund Safety Upgrades
Lebanon City Schools has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Ohio Facilities Construction Committee for safety upgrades at Bowman Primary and Donovan Elementary. The safety grant will fund the installation of security system upgrades, fencing around playground areas, and installation of a protective 3M film on exterior doors and entryways.
To apply for the grant, the district conducted an extensive safety assessment of all of our school buildings, and law enforcement completed an Ohio Schools Safety Center (OSSC) Security and Vulnerability Assessment (SVA). The results helped our District Safety Team identify a baseline of safety measures.
Ohio lawmakers designated $5 million in additional state funding to be used for this School Safety Grant program in 2022. School districts were eligible to apply for a competitive grant of up to $100,000 for each eligible school building for security improvements. Lebanon Schools applied for the grant in all eligible buildings and are excited to receive state funds to increase safety and security measures in our buildings. These grant funds will help offset the cost of safety and security improvements and will provide savings to our district operating budget.
“The safety and security of our district facilities, and more importantly our students, is of the utmost importance to a quality educational experience,” said Lebanon Director of Business Scott Butler. “I have witnessed this first hand as an administrator in Lebanon City Schools for more than 20 years, but also as a parent of three past and present Lebanon students. We are extremely grateful for this grant opportunity and are committed to seeking additional grant opportunities in the future to further improve our district.”
Second School Resource Officer Hired
Beginning January 4, 2023, Lebanon City Schools will increase the number of School Resource Officers: Officer Tim Cooper will join Officer Dan Fry as our second School Resource Officer working in our buildings.
The School Resource Officer program is a partnership between the City of Lebanon and the District to provide law enforcement education, to maintain a peaceful campus environment, and to take appropriate action regarding on-campus or school-related criminal activity. The cost of the School Resource Officer program is split evenly between the City and the District. We are thankful for this partnership and excited for the increased presence and security in our school buildings.
Officer Cooper has been serving our Lebanon community since 2008. He earned his Master Criminal Investigator certification and is currently finishing an intensive supervisor training course. For the last five years he worked as a criminal investigator. Michael McCutchan, Lebanon Police Captain, shared that Officer Cooper has continually demonstrated the necessary skills, abilities, and knowledge needed to be successful within his assignment as a patrol officer and criminal investigator. Officer Cooper has Captain McCutchan's full endorsement for the SRO assignment.
The added security of an SRO being available and visible on our campuses creates a safer environment for staff and students and allows for more prompt response in an emergency situation.
“The safety and security of our students is our number one priority for our District,” said Isaac Seevers, Lebanon City Schools Superintendent. “We are thankful for the partnership with the Lebanon City Council and Police Department. Officer Fry and Officer Cooper have the right personality to build relationships and improve the culture and community in our facilities. We are thankful for this program and their service to our staff, students, and community.”
Securely: New Internet Monitoring App
Parents received an introductory email last week from Securly, our internet safety partner. With Securly, parents are able to monitor their child's internet activity while in school and safeguard their child's online activity when devices come home. Internet can be paused, offline time can be scheduled, and parents can receive push notifications for flagged activities and see a live feed of their child's internet activity.
Securly has an app - go to the App store or Play store on a mobile device and search for 'Securly Home" - install the app then click "Get Started" and enter your email address, then click the "Get Instant Access" button.
If you have any questions about Securly, please contact Technology Coordinator Casey Greene: greene.casey@lebanonschools.org.
If you did not receive the Securly welcome email last week and you should have, please reach out to your student's school to make sure we have your correct email address.
Onward Lebanon: Athletics Update
Onward Lebanon is our monthly TV program designed to provide insight into our district, our students, our people, and our programs. In this latest episode, Superintendent Isaac Seevers talks with Athletic Director Keith Pantling as Lebanon High School transitions from Fall to Winter Sports. Plus, Colton Hartman, a Senior at Lebanon High School, talks about the recruiting process for a Power 5 Division I college prospect. Check it out!
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction January 14
Congratulations to this year's Athletic Hall of Fame inductees:
- Steve Poitinger - Coach - Soccer/Track & Field
- Bob Harville '79 - Football, Track, Wrestling
- Eddie Noble '86 - Wrestling
- Zach Burns '95 - Football, Baseball
- Derek Hellmann '08 - Basketball
- Bethany Campbell '10 - Golf, Softball
- Hayley Stegemiller '12 - Basketball, Track
These seven deserving individuals will be formally inducted at a special brunch at Shaker Run Golf Club on Saturday, January 14. They'll participate in a Meet and Greet in the Lebanon High School Media Center on Friday evening, January 13, prior to being introduced during half time of the boys basketball game. Click here for all of the details.
Call to Action: Broadband Access Survey
The State of Ohio is working to make sure every Ohioan has access to high-speed internet. Your help is needed: check the reported availability of internet at your home address by going to this website: broadbandmap.fcc.gov. If the provider information should be updated, submit a challenge to dispute the information presented. A step-by-step video guide can be found here. Complete the internet access assessment by January 13, 2023.
Consider Giving the Gift of READING!
Research shows that students who read at least 20 minutes each day are exposed to 1.8 million vocabulary words a year, wow! Reading is considered brain food - reading activates and exercises many areas of the brain, whether students are reading or being read to. Reading improves listening skills, too, and improves academic performance. Consider giving the gift of reading this holiday season!
Head over to our website to see our lists of book suggestions by grade/age level:
Mental Health Matters: Tips for Winter Break
Holidays and school breaks can be difficult for some students and families. MindPeace has created the following resources for teens and for parents and caregivers:
- Thriving Through Winter Break - tips for parents
- Thriving Through Winter Break - tips for teens
We're Hiring Substitutes
We are hiring substitute workers for the following positions: special education assistants, custodians, cafeteria workers, and nurses.
Email: planicka.wendy@lebanonschools.org Office: 513.934-5880