– Henry Ford

The kick off to the 2023-2024 school year has been great! Our convocation exercises were highlighted by celebratory recognitions for our Paraeducators and Teachers of the Year along with acknowledgment of staff milestones reached in the district. Natalia Korzhoff gave an inspirational speech and I followed to share our district goals with our teaching team. The next few days were full of professional learning opportunities. Our staff, as always, was eager to grow their practices and best prepare for our learners. Then the moment we were all waiting for, the return of our students! As evidenced in the photos below our students were all smiles and excited to start the year and our staff was there to welcome them with open arms.

The first few weeks did provide some challenges as we all worked through the extreme heat. Thanks to the staff and students for their focus and effort during the heat wave and to our families for being so flexible and understanding when we released early during these days.

I hope you all had a chance to attend our Open House evenings or other events in the district.

Now, almost unbelievably, when we look at the calendar we see the end of September.

As a district we have worked hard to secure funding to provide for our schools, the learners and their families. This year we were successful in acquiring some grant funding. In particular I would like to highlight that we received award letters for the state's Mental Health Specialist's grant and the School Based Diversion Initiative .

With the Mental Health Worker's grant we are now able to have a school counselor in each of our schools. In past years we have had to share staff and split support schedules. This is not what's best for kids. In providing a detailed account of the services needed in our schools to the state we were given funding that will pay for a school counselor in full for two years.

The School Based Diversion Initiative which is spearheaded in our district by Sabena Escott and Amanda Mansfield aims to reduce rate of in-school arrests, expulsions, and out-of-school suspensions. With the funds we have acquired we have provided staff with professional learning opportunities, held parent and community programs as well as purchased vape detectors and anti-vaping curriculum and resources.

We are also eagerly awaiting final news regarding a possible award as part of the Connecticut Safety and Security grant. Once the news becomes official I will share.

As part of our ongoing efforts to give students career pathways that they can put to use immediately after graduating from Lyman we have launched the Certified Nursing Assistant course in our high school. Partnering with Three Rivers Community College and the Eastern Workforce Investment Bureau, we transformed a classroom to give it the look and feel of a hospital or therapy center. Students will be taught by a registered nurse and ultimately will put their learning to the test by practicing at a local rehabilitation center. We are thankful for the support and assistance of the aforementioned organizations to get this program up and running.

Scan this QR Code and be brought to our Lebanon Public Schools webpage!

Tweens and Teens spend many hours per day online chatting and interacting with friends and people who they may not know well and who may put them at risk. To educate parents, teachers and others, the US Attorney’s Office, District of Connecticut, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Families, are offering two FREE OF CHARGE online Internet Safety Trainings. This training will introduce parents, teachers and others to internet and cell phone applications and video game systems being used by the tweens/teens that could potentially put them at risk. Trainings will take place on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, and Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 6 – 7:30 p.m. Registration is required and available via the attached one-page flyer.

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.

For the first time since 2019 families will need to pay for school meals. Below are the costs for this school year that were voted on by the Board of Education after using the state's cost calculator and comparing with other districts:

LES- breakfast-$2.00, lunch-3.25

LMS- breakfast-$2.00, lunch-3.60

LYMAN- breakfast-$2.00, lunch-3.80

The weighted average for lunch puts us at the required $3.55.

Reduced meal cost did not change.

Recently, pursuant to Public Act No. 23-204, $16 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act (2021) funds has been allocated for "Free Meals for Students". These funds are being referred to as the State Transition Assistance for Breakfast and Lunch Expenses (STABLE) funds.

This means all students in Lebanon Public Schools will be provided a free breakfast.

Free lunches will only be provided to students/families who qualify for Free-Reduced Lunch meals.

It is very important for everyone to fill out the application for Free-Reduced Meals.

I know that what was reported may have been confusing so if you have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to me and I will work swiftly to get you a response.

House Bill 6880 raised the Kindergarten starting age from age 5 by January 1, to age 5 by September 1 of a given year.

General Statute 10-15c(a) reads "A student may be admitted early upon a written request by the parent or guardian of such child to the Principal of the school in which such child would be enrolled and following an assessment of such child by such Principal and an appropriate staff member of the school to ensure that admitting such child is developmentally appropriate"

We understand that we have families and students that this will impact. We have already met several times as an administrative team to discuss supporting our community with this change. More information about plans that are in progress will be shared at future preschool screenings, kindergarten orientations, during the registration process and in ongoing Superintendent Updates.

I have taken pride in creating and maintaining the Superintendent Facebook page which now has over 440 followers. I recently set up an Instagram page to provide another platform to share important information and to celebrate our schools.

It is with great excitement that I "Spotlight" our new Assistant Principal at Lyman Memorial High School, Mrs. Sue Mike.

Sue joined us just days before the school year after going through a rigorous interview process. Sue rose to the top of the candidate pool that contained over 90 applicants. Sue went right to work joining in on the New Student Orientation welcome event. She was busy greeting students and families and even helped Mr. Apicelli flip a few burgers.

She introduced herself through a letter to the Lyman community and I have taken pieces of that letter to craft this section of the Superintendent Update.

Mrs. Mike's background includes earning a B.A. in political science from Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, Connecticut. She continued her education and obtained a Master’s degree in Education with a teaching certificate in Social Sciences from Eastern Connecticut State University. She has experience teaching Social Studies at the middle school, grades 6 & 7, and the high school; more specifically Civics, Geography, United Students History, ECE Latino American studies, Sociology and Psychology. She earned her administrative degree at Central Connecticut University and has been an administrator at both the middle and high school levels for the past six (6) years. She is happy to exclaim that "the bottom line is I am a lifelong learner and I LOVE my job!"

Here is an excerpt from her letter that speaks directly to the type of leader she is and what she is looking forward to this year:

Each fall we have the opportunity to start off the new academic year with fresh hopes and the chance to reach new heights as we set goals and strive to reach our full potential. I am no different from each of you. The only way that WE will improve our practice is by working together, having a positive attitude, accepting and reflecting on constructive criticism while feeling respected, heard and valued each and every day. I hope that each of us will be able to help one another be successful in achieving our goals and dreams this 2023-24 academic school year. We are all here to learn together! Please remember that my door is always open and I am here to support you.

Mrs. Mike feels it is our job to help our new and returning students meet our academic and behavioral expectations while recognizing their individuality. She feels it is imperative that we provide equitable support to meet this goal. She says "the relationships and rapport we develop between students, families, and our colleagues are a vital component to this effort and the success of our school community."

Mrs. Mike is excited to add to the spirit of collaboration and teamwork at Lyman as she unites her collaborative and child-centered approach to support staff, students and their families, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for ALL.

Ron Vigue, head softball coach at Lyman Memorial and a veteran coach at the AAU level, will be inducted into the fast pitch wing of the USA Softball of Connecticut Hall of Fame.

The induction dinner and ceremony will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Whitney Farms Golf Course in Monroe, with separate inductions for fast pitch and slow pitch honorees in the Class of 2023.

The fast pitch dinner will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m.

Vigue has been varsity softball coach at Lyman since 2013 and has coached 24 Eastern Connecticut Conference All-Stars and four Class S All-State players.

He has also been a successful volunteer with the Connecticut Bombers AAU travel softball organization, serving as head coach for 15 seasons in both the fall and summer seasons while working with teams from ages 12U through 18U.

Vigue has a 437-201-32 overall record coaching the Bombers, the highlight coming in 2013 when his 18U team won the PONY East Regional national tournament in Sterling, Va., going 11-0 in the prestigious event. The CT Bombers won four other tournaments that season, added one second and one third, and all members of that team went on to play at the collegiate level, including his daughter Emily.

The Bombers also finished second in the 2019 and 2020 national tournaments.

Vigue was a volunteer coach in the Lebanon Little League, has helped organize coaching clinics in Lebanon and Hebron, and has run clinics during the winter for elementary and middle school players.

Congrats Coach

#LebanonPride #BleedBlue

September 19, 2023 was IT Professionals Day. We took time to celebrate our IT Director Jacques Dulac, and district technicians Austin Dion and Jonathan Aguilar for their tireless work to support the use of technology in our schools. Technology developments are moving at warp speed and these teammates are doing their best to keep up.

Our ASTE program and the Lyman school community was excited to welcome our newest animal, Tootsie Pop, an almost 2-year-old miniature horse. Our animal population and our learning spaces in the ASTE program continue to grow and be a point of pride in our district.

The CHET Dream Big! Competition launched on August 1! This Competition is brought to you by the Connecticut State Treasurer’s Office as Trustee of the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET). Dream Big! is open to all Connecticut students in grades K-12.

This year, they will be awarding more than $450,000 in CHET 529 College Savings Plan – Direct Plan account contributions to students in grades K-12 and technology prizes to schools. For the winning students, we will be awarding:

• Three $20,000 prizes
• 24 $6,000 prizes
• 336 $500 prizes

To enter, students are asked to answer a question in the form of a drawing, essay or video. Younger students will be asked to answer a question focused on improving their communities and the lives of others, and older students will be asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned and how it will influence their future. Submissions must be uploaded by 5:00 p.m. on November 6. There is no cost to enter.

For program details and entry process visit:

www.chetdreambig.com

Lebanon Public Schools actively seeks to assist children and families by locating, identifying, and referring children from birth to age 21 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.

Click "buttons" throughout update to view articles & important documents

Families, please feel free to send photos of our students in action so that I can celebrate them in the Superintendent Updates. Thanks for helping share our Lebanon Pride! andrew.gonzalez@lebanonct.org

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.

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

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