Lebanon Public Schools
Superintendent Gonzalez's Update July 2022
“Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.”- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
I hope you are all enjoying the early parts of summer! My June Superintendent Update went out prior to many of our special end of year celebrations taking place. Please enjoy a wrap up from the 2021-2022 school year and some important information to prepare you for the start of another exciting year in Lebanon Public Schools.
Words to our Graduating Class of 2022!
Here are the words I shared at our graduation exercises on June 17, 2022.
A motto we have used this year has been Perseverance, Pride and Pursuit of Excellence. Our staff has worn shirts with this tag line on them, I have used it in presentations and in communications. But the students of the Class of 2022 brought it to life each day!
The pride was on display before the school year even started as seniors painted their parking spots. And the display of Lyman pride continued throughout the year, from our dominating volleyball team capturing another state championship with the support of the best student section cheering them on, go Bleed Blue! To our drama club putting on some of the most amazing performances I have seen in 2 from Poe and High School Musical, to the Band and Pops concerts, and the many climate boosting activities that were led by our seniors including a badminton tournament, a respectful day of silence and other themed days to bring everyone together. Our students have represented Lyman in a stellar manner in the classroom, on the fields of play, on the stage, and in all they do.
The list of examples of our students demonstrating Perseverance, Pride and the Pursuit Excellence is endless. No other graduating class has had to navigate through so many obstacles and you did so with grace and confidence. I am proud of each and every one of you.
As you get ready to embark on the next chapter of your life, I am confident you will continue to be responsible citizens who respect diverse people, cultures and viewpoints while contributing to the betterment of the community.
Strive to be effective communicators and engaged collaborators who listen to and value the contributions of others, accept feedback and adapt ideas. Be leaders who bring out the best in others and inspire them to be great in whatever they want to do.
I challenge you to be critical thinkers who ask thought provoking questions and seek out accurate information to answer those questions.
Never shy away from challenges. Be innovative problem solvers and look for creative and flexible solutions to any problems you may face.
And last, be lifelong learners. Take every opportunity to build your knowledge and skill. Try new things, have a growth mindset, strive for excellence in all you do.
Once again, congratulations and best wishes to you all in the future!
Important Dates
Back to School Mailings will be sent to families on August 5th
August 23- New Staff Orientation
August 23- Freshman Orientation at Lyman 10:00-1:00
August 24-26 Professional Learning- NO SCHOOL
August 25- Volleyball, Boys & Girls Soccer and Boys & Girls Cross Country practices start at Lyman
August 29- First Day of School for all students
September 2- Schools Closed
September 5- Schools Closed- Labor Day
CT Summer at the Museum
Lunch Price Letter
As we welcome students back for the 2022-23 school year, we want to remind you about the benefit of school meals, which continue to be some of the healthiest meal options for students. Our mealtimes feature kid-approved foods and are an important part of the learning day.
Thanks to nationwide waivers for federally funded meal programs, school meals were free to all students through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, these waivers have expired, and schools must return to charging for breakfast and lunch. Free or reduced-priced meals are only available to students who qualify for these benefits, but all students, regardless of family situations, are encouraged to dine in the cafeteria together.
For the 2022-23 school year, here is a breakdown of costs:
Breakfast: $1.50
LES Lunch: $2.90
LMS Lunch: $3.10
LMHS Lunch: $3.20.
Reminder that you can go to https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome to add money to your child's account.
Our goal is to continue supporting all students and families by ensuring those who need free meals at school continue to receive them – especially while understanding that the pandemic has created new hardships for many families, including those who have never previously relied on school meals. We also understand that many households have not submitted a meal application in a few years. We encourage all families, regardless of income, to complete and submit a short, confidential school meal application prior to the start of the school year to ensure that there are no gaps in meal benefits for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
Parents or guardians are encouraged to visit our webpage to access the form or if you would rather you are welcome to stop by any of our school offices. It will also be sent home as part of our summer mailing in early August. It’s an easy and confidential way to ensure your child stays well-nourished at school.
For families with multiple students in the district, only one household application is needed. If qualified, meal benefits will apply for the entire school year. Should your household financial circumstances change at any time, please be aware that applications can also be submitted throughout the year.
For families receiving other benefits, such as SNAP or TANF, you may receive notification that your student(s) is/are automatically eligible for free meals and do not need to submit an application.
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Superintendent, Andrew Gonzalez at andrew.gonzalez@lebanonct.org or call 860-642-7795. Carlos VeraCruz DIRECTOR OF DINING SERVICES can be reached at 860-642-3524 or Carlos.veracruz@COMPASS-USA.COM
Chartwells Newsletter
Budget 2022-2023 *UPDATE
At its Special Meeting on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 the Board of Finance voted to move forward to the second referendum an adjusted Board of Education budget which now has an increase of 2.5%. This is up from the 1.13% originally proposed. The 2.5% will allow us to maintain our current levels of staffing, programming in our schools, and move forward our supply requests.
At the June 21st referendum the 2.5% increase to the education budget was approved. Thank you to all those who supported this process. We are all in this together. I will make sure these funds are handled with the utmost care and that we use this increase to provide the best possible educational experiences for all learners in Lebanon!
Annual Report
New School Year, New Goals, Same Commitment to Excellence
Curriculum Corner
July Curriculum Corner Report
By: Rita Quiles-Glover
Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
The 2021-22 school year has ended for students, but professional learning continues for many classroom teachers and instructional assistants! Supported by a special education grant, a number of our staff members have attended a 2 day Safety Care Training: an evidence-based incident prevention and management training to help staff provide person-centered interventions to address challenging behaviors and encourage safer and more collaborative behavior. Along with behavioral workshops, LPS staff have also worked on creating inquiry-based science instruction. Preschool teachers and instructional assistants attended training with the science center and middle level science teachers and special education staff attended Open Sci-Ed training at the Connecticut Science Center. This training supports high quality NGSS-designed units, where educators carefully design experiences that enable students to learn, practice, and reflect. To support our English Language Learners, LES Instructional Coach Stephanie DeLucia, attended SIOP training in which teachers increased their knowledge of research-based sheltered instruction to support the language and content learning needs of English learners. Curriculum writing with EastConn Consultants continues in both language arts and mathematics with Jennifer Wales (sixth grade math teacher) and Instructional Coaches (Erica Strong and Stephanie DeLucia). Finally, May Kiselica, Lyman Teacher for Family and Consumer Sciences and Mark Doyle, Business Education teacher at Lyman, wrote new curriculum units for their department.
The Connecticut State Department of Education recently released a rollout of a new Science of Reading Masterclass that will provide professional learning for educators in the area of phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. After applying, Lebanon has been chosen as a potential district for cohort 2 participation! We will hear more from the state but this will further build the capacity of our elementary staff in statewide professional learning and coaching opportunities that align with research and systematic instructional practices centered on early literacy.
News from Pupil Services
Happy Summer! Many of our students are busy attending the Extended School Year program. They are practicing important educational skills in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
CT-SEDS (Connecticut Special Education Data System) has arrived. Future IEPs will be developed using the new system. We are busy preparing for that change. To assist parents with the transition, the state has provided a tutorial. You can view it with the following link:
https://ct.ieptraining.org/individualized-education-program-a-guide-for-parents-families/
We will also be providing an information session at the beginning of the school year through the Special Education Parent Group. We look forward to providing additional meaningful, informational topics throughout the year. To reach the most parents, please complete the link below in regards to the best meeting days and times and topics of interest.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Child Find
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.
Don't Forget
Lebanon Pride
Senior Walk
Spring All-State Athletes
Rylee Benway was selected as an All-State Class S player for softball. Rylee helped lead the team to 17 victories and a trip to the state tournament quarterfinals.
Flag Day
It was a beautiful day to celebrate the flag of our nation. It was great to see all the red, white, and blue around the circle of Lebanon Elementary School in honor of flag day. We were pleased to have State Senator, Cathy Osten, and the Lebanon American Legion Post 180: Harold Nelson, Glenn Stygar, and Jerry Cross join us for this special ceremony. Students from our fourth grade classes shared facts about flag day and the whole school joined to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the National Anthem. The presentation concluded with Ms. Shuman, LES Music teacher leading our students in the singing of Grand Old Flag.
Lyman's 100th Year Celebration!
LYMAN 100th ANNIVERSARY- September 9-11, 2022
The Lyman 100th Anniversary Committee has been planning our celebration and All-Class Reunion to be held the weekend of September 9-11, 2022 at Lyman Memorial High School.
The tentative schedule can be found on-line and in print at various locations around town. The schedule includes Lyman sporting events, a student/alumni concert & variety show, opening ceremony, a dance, tours of the Middle and High Schools and a Lebanon Historical Society exhibit. There will be much more during the weekend, as well as time to reunite with classmates, old friends, and teachers. We are looking for participants for the Music Show and if any class would like to plan a mini reunion, please refer to the schedule for more details.
Exciting news: We are now accepting donations through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lyman100years (answer: “Donation”). Donations will be used for anniversary celebration supplies, advertising and publicity, signage, merchandise, activities for the Lyman school population, 2023 graduation recognitions, etc. If you would like to donate there are several levels, and you can still pay by check. More information is included in the schedule and a separate donation form, available in various locations and on-line. The schedule and a donation form can be found here as pdfs.
Please follow us on Facebook at Lyman-Memorial-High-School-100-Year-Anniversary or find us at www.lebanonct.org/o/lmhs/page/lyman-100. For more information, or to have your email and name added to the list please email LymanMHS100years@gmail.com. Please check these pages for updated schedules and more information as we proceed towards September.
Please spread the word to your alumni family, friends, and classmates. We look forward to having our Lyman alumni family back in Lebanon for this celebration weekend.
Event registration will be available by May 1.
How many people can say they attended their high school’s centennial celebration? You don’t want to miss it!
REGISTRATION FOR THE 100th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IS NOW AVAILABLE
WHY REGISTER?
With thousands of Lyman alumni and their families eligible to attend our celebration, the committee would like to know in advance how many will join us.
Registering prior to the date will help with planning, food, merchandise ordering, venue capacity, etc.
There is a $10.00 non-refundable per person fee; current K-12 students are free. This fee covers celebration expenses.
Please click on the google forms link and complete the registration form:
Printed copies are also available in various locations around Lebanon or by request from lymnamhs100years@gmail.com.
Payment can be made by check through the mail to the address on the form or through PayPal, https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lyman100years (answer: “Registration”)
You will not be considered registered until payment is received. Registration deadline is August 21, 2022.
Please continue to follow us on Facebook: Lyman-Memorial-High-School-100-Year-Anniversary or through the Lyman Memorial High School page: www.lebanonct.org/o/lmhs/page/lyman-100 for updates.
Lebanon Covid-19 Dashboard
COVID-19 Medications
COVID-19 medications are now available through your doctor, local pharmacies, and health clinics.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, do not wait to get treated.
You must take oral COVID-19 medication within 5 days of your first COVID-19 symptoms.
Use the tool below to find a location that is right for you.
CT WiZ
If you have individuals looking for their vaccination record, they can now access the information by themselves.
The link is below for patients and legal guardians to access official immunization records for themselves and their children using the CT WiZ Public Portal.
https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Immunizations/CT-WiZ-Access-My-Immunization-Record
American Rescue Plan for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief
The American Rescue Plan for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Funds (ARP ESSER) have been allocated to create programming that is not only innovative but allows our students to thrive in a safe, nurturing, rigorous and student-centered learning environment.
Lebanon Public Schools is projected to receive $347,039 ESSER II funds and $770,405 ESSER III funds that are to be used by June 2023.
Our team has developed a plan to apply these significant funds to support students who have experienced injuries of trauma as a result of necessary changes in the learning environment during the 2020-21 academic year.
Our plan addresses the following priorities:
■ Providing academic support to address learning loss and accelerate recovery
■ Partnering with families and the community
■ Ensuring our schools’ safety and well-being
■ Integrating Technology to support the success of all learners
Being responsive to the needs of the district and the students whom we serve, this plan will be reviewed and revised at regular intervals and updated materials will be posted on our district's website, shared with Board of Education as well as with our families by sharing at the building level through newsletters and other sources of communication.
As a result of a needs assessment and the collaborative conversations between administration, staff and Board of Education members, Lebanon Public Schools has hired a Math Interventionist and Literacy Coach to work at Lebanon Middle School. We have also contracted with Eastconn, our Regional Education Service Center, to provide K-12 Math support for our educators. Lyman will have a supported study hall to keep students on track. Our district added a Social worker to support our students social and emotional well-being. We also have invested in new educational platforms to support targeted instruction for our learners and teachers have been actively engaged in curriculum development this summer. Most recently the district posted, and has begun interviewing to fill positions that we feel will meet the priorities above. These positions include; a grade 4 & 5 teacher, a 7-12 Math position that will bring a concentrated focus to this subject and support 6th grade. These were initial steps towards addressing the needs of our district. Further communication will be sent to all stakeholders to engage in meaningful consultation for suggestions on educational areas to support.
If you have any feedback or suggestions on how we can grow our district through creative use of these funds, please reach out to me directly.
Keep Our School Zones Safe
Also, please remember that it is never okay to drive by/pass any school bus with flashing red lights.
Mission Statement
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement of the Lebanon Public Schools:
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.
Nondiscrimination Statement of the Lebanon Public Schools:
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
Lebanon Public Schools
Email: andrew.gonzalez@lebanonct.org
Website: https://www.lebanonct.org/
Location: 891 Exeter Road, Lebanon, CT, USA
Phone: 860-642-5637