The Pulse of the Pride
April 5, 2024
Lyme School Friends,
I wanted to start off this newsletter by thanking you all for your patience. It has been an interesting last couple of days this April. This morning was a series of unfortunate events with fiber wires down, generators failing, trees and wires down all of which combined, resulted in closing school for the day. We will be debriefing communications with Lyme Emergency folks in order to determine steps forward in the future on weather days like today. Please know that student and staff safety are always a top priority.
The last two weeks have been another busy two weeks. Students have been active and engaged in classrooms. It has been fun to observe our middle schoolers working on their performance, set design, and stage crew for the upcoming spring musical, "Madagascar". I think it is going to be a good one! In the lower school, we have been completing our math screeners which is another checkpoint and opportunity to determine student growth. It is always cool to listen to our lower school teachers talk in meetings about student success and how they are using the data they collect to drive their work.
It is hard to believe that it is already April and two thirds of our year is completed. The third term can go by fast as there will be a lot to do and celebrate. We will be having the drama show soon, music events, and field days. All are listed below. Let's hope for warmer weather and no snow when we return from the break.
In the teaching and learning section below, we are asking families to complete a survey. These surveys are to gather feedback on parent/guardian and teacher conferences and our communications. We thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to provide this feedback. Links and directions are in Ms. Foxall's section below. THANK YOU!
If you are traveling for the break, please be safe. We will see everyone back at school on Monday, April 15th.
The next newsletter will hit your inbox on April 19th one week after we return from the April Break!
Regards,
John P. D'Entremont, Principal
News, Dates, Information, & Announcements
Important Dates
Dates:
April 8th - 12th - April Break - School Closed
April 18th - 7th Grade Parents/Guardians Meeting 6PM
May 1st - K-5 Spring Concert 5PM
May 3rd & 4th - Drama Production of Madagascar - A Musical Adventure
May 20th - 24th - 8th Grade Trip to Washington DC
May 27th - School Closed
May 30th - Maypole Celebration 1:15 PM (Rain Date 5/31 @ 2PM)
7th Grade Parent/Guardian Meeting
7th Grade Parents/Guardians,
Dr. D'Entremont would like to invite you to meet with him on April 18th at 6PM in the gym to discuss next year (8th Grade) and your collective desires around your children's end of year celebration and trip.
The agenda will be:
Class Trip Discussion & Fundraising
Parent Group Leader(s)
Graduation
Other?
Although it seems like it is far off, it really is not. Google meet link included for those that might not be able to make it in person.
7th Grade Families
Thursday, April 18 · 18:00 – 18:40
Time zone: America/New_York
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/yqy-atzp-iis
Or dial: (US) +1 929-252-0940 PIN: 621 159 567#
ALMA - Latest Updates
If you are having trouble, please reach out to Amanda Perry or John D'Entremont.
So far, you should have:
- Gotten yourself logged in.
- Received an emergency alert.
- Double checked your contact information.
- Completed ALMA Start Registration for this year.
- Been given instructions to opt in to the Directory. [To opt in to the directory, you can click on the link for “my info” or get there through your profile icon in the top-right corner. You can toggle your visibility in the directory.]
- Received preliminary information about the standards based report cards.
- Received a first trimester report card via email on December 4th.
- Received a second trimester report card via email on March 20th.
Second trimester report cards were published and emailed on March 20th. We did have a bit of a glitch and not all report cards ended up emailed at the same time. That was fixed. We also had an issue with not all standards getting to the report card specifically with Design Lab. That also was fixed. Report cards are published to the ALMA portal and you can see them by logging in any time. Please let us know if you have questions.
Incoming Kindergarteners?
If you have an incoming Kindergartner for next school year, please reach out to Amanda Perry in the office. Your child must turn 5 by September 30, 2024 to be eligible.
Lyme School Apparel Store
The Lyme School Apparel Store has a variety of apparel and accessories all customizable with a variety of school logos. The Lyme School PTO earns 12% of all sales. Thank you for supporting our school and go Lions! #LYMESCHOOLROCKS
Enjoy the Solar Eclipse!
This 2024 Solar Eclipse Webpage provides a list of resources, educational materials and events for teachers and parents regarding this rare and exciting learning opportunity on April 8.
We sent solar eclipse glasses home!
Please know that Judy Russell has informed us that the library also has some glasses if someone else in your household needs a pair!
Summer Program
For any parents interested in summer school programming with a focus on academics (reading, writing, math), please complete the attached Google Form. The plan is to run summer programming from July 8th-August 1st, 4 days a week (Monday - Thursday) from 8:00 AM - noon.
The district has Title 1 Grant money available which allows us to open programming to more students who qualify based on district-level and statewide testing results. The school team will be meeting this Tuesday (March 12th) to compile the list and we will send a letter to parents/guardians by the end of the week.
Whether your child has an IEP, 504 plan, receives intervention or you simply believe they would benefit from summer programming, please complete the form attached and I will reach out to you within a week to discuss the programming and answer any questions you may have.
For any students who require special education services during the summer (like Speech and Occupational Therapy, individual academic work), case managers will schedule meetings to discuss these needs and the team will set up sessions as needed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call at your convenience (gtomlinson@lymeschool.org, 603-795-2125 ext. 106).
News from the Health Office
Kati Miller RN BSN: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri
Matthew Greenway RN BSN: alternating Weds and coverage as needed
Celeste McCool RN BSN: alternating Weds and coverage as needed
Have a safe and healthy April Break from the Health Office Team!
Please stay healthy and hydrated and get lots of sleep so students can return to school healthy.
We look forward to seeing students back on April 15th.
As of March, 1 2024 The Center for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidance to provide "practical recommendations and information to help people lower risk from a range of common respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV."
These recommendations are Core Prevention Strategies that we can all take to protect one another and help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses. These strategies focus on the following:
1. Staying home and away from others if you have respiratory virus symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose and headache.
2. Normal activities can be resumed if your symptoms are getting better for at least 24 hours AND you have not had a fever (or using fever-reducing medication) for at least 24 hours.
3. When symptoms have improved, taking added precautions (good hand hygiene, masking and testing if you will be around other people indoors) over the next 5 days can help reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
We follow these guidelines. Please review the following links from the CDC for more information and reach out to me with any questions/concerns.
Thank you for your efforts in keeping our Lyme School students, staff, and families healthy.
Counselor Stanton's Corner and Student Success
Early on in my graduate program, we learned that the term “Guidance Counselor” was outdated and not comprehensive. “School Counselor” was now the encouraged and accepted title. I didn’t really think much of it, but then learning more about the history of this profession, it made a lot of sense- it’s akin to shifting from “Gym Teacher” to “Physical Education Teacher”. I know Ms. Damren gets it! I don’t fault people for continuing to use the term “Guidance Counselor” as it’s been around longer and is far more familiar to people, but I wanted to take the opportunity to educate and advocate for using a title that more accurately reflects this role in schools. Hopefully, our flexible brains will allow for the adoption of School Counselor into our nomenclature.
Here is a great article that explains why the name change occurred as the role has taken on a far more comprehensive approach to student success.
Here are some results from a research study that studied how the name of the profession influences perceptions of competence.
Hope everyone has a fantastic April break! Enjoy the ECLIPSE (with your special glasses!) We will see you the following week 🙂
With Gusto,
Mrs. Stanton
Neuroth's Library and Media News
From the world of data privacy, please see this letter regarding our new partnership with The Education Cooperative: TEC info for parents
The fourth grade finished their “Wildlife Warriors” podcast show and you can listen to the episodes here.
If you are headed away (or having a staycation) you may be interested in some books! If you are traveling and prefer audiobooks, students can access SORA any time, anywhere, using their school email account. (Here is a one minute screencast on how to log into SORA.) If your student needs a reminder of how to access the Lyme School Library catalog, they can watch this screencast.
Also, MANY new paper titles have been added to the collection and are available for check out from the Library Commons or Converse Free Library now or after break!
Ms. Judy’s lists from CFL catalog:
Spring Holidays & Celebrations
April is National Poetry Month
New Biography and Nonfiction - Junior
Family related Converse Free Library Programing, from Ms. Judy’s newsletter:
SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 11 a.m. Solar Eclipse Story Time with Miss Judy. Stories, rhymes, and science! Best for ages 3-7, but siblings are welcome. No need to pre-register.
MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2-4 p.m. Solar Eclipse "Viewing" at the Library.
TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 3-5 p.m. After School Movie: Migrations (PG, 2023; 1h, 35m)
Happy reading!
Teaching and Learning by Mrs. Foxall
Seeking Parent/Guardian Feedback on Our Communication
At Lyme School, we are committed to fostering strong partnerships between home and school to ensure the success of our students. One vital aspect of this partnership is effective communication. Our goal is to keep you well informed through principal and teacher newsletters, emails, conferences, and report cards. We would like to hear your thoughts on our communication methods and look forward to your suggestions for improvement.
If you have a K-5 and a middle school student, please complete both the lower school and middle school survey as there are some differences between these surveys.
Please complete the Lower School Survey if you have a student in Grades K-5. If you have multiple students in grades K-5, please just complete the survey once.
Here is the Middle School Survey if you have a student in Grades 6-8. If you have multiple students in the middle school, please just complete the survey once.
Thank you for providing feedback to us!
The Specials Spotlight
PE News
Students in the lower grades have continued their work with eye- hand coordination. As the students build upon this skill, the manipulative skill of tossing and catching has been introduced. The use of colorful scarves allowed students to toss a scarf into the air and having it come down slow to enable a catch to be made more readily. The catch is made with an “ alligator mouth” which involves a clenching with the hands to ensure more success. Students then bring the scarf into their bodies so that the catch is secure.
The skill cues of “ eyes up, alligator, in” helps reinforce the skills of tossing and catching and helps students remember the skill pattern.
Art Update
March 2024
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I made it to Minneapolis, MN! I am spending a few days this week at the National Art Education Association (NAEA) Conference with thousands of educators from around the country. The 2024 NAEA National Convention is a comprehensive opportunity for all educators engaged in the visual arts, design, and media arts to experience exemplary models of best practices and methodologies supported by research. Our keynote speaker yesterday was the artist and educator Lynda Barry. She had these amazing words for us:
“Imagination is the soul’s immune system.”
There have been so many opportunities to think deeply about how and why we do this very important thing. I am grateful for rooms full of art educators who bring their perspectives and experiences to the conversation.
See you all after Break!
Madagascar - A Musical Adventure
Show dates: Friday May 3rd and Saturday May 4th
We can't wait to perform for you.
Photos from Around the Lyme School Community
The next Board Meeting is April 18th at 7PM.
Community News
Upper Valley High School Trails Corps
The Upper Valley High School Trails Corps is happening this Summer for high school age students (14-18)! Participants will join the UVTA staff on local trails to learn about trail building, conservation and trail stewardship by working with professional trail builders.
If you're looking for an awesome, educational-outdoor opportunity for the Summer (that also looks great on a college application) this is the program for them!
Click HERE to learn more about the program and apply!
Visit uvtrails.org to learn more about the Upper Valley Trails Alliance.
New England School of the Arts
Registration for New England School of the Arts summer camp is open! They will be running 6 unique, 1 week performance focused camps for grades K-4 and 5-8 at their homebase in Lebanon, NH. Camp starts July 1st and runs through August 9th. Learn more here: https://www.nesarts.org/about-summer-camp
OUR VALUES
● Fairness ● Acceptance of Others ● Integrity ● Responsibility
● Perseverance ● Individuality ● Compassion ● Courage
John P. D'Entremont, Principal
Elise Foxall, Academic Director
Geoff Tomlinson, Student Services Director