Lebanon Public Schools
Superintendent Gonzalez's April 2023 Update
“Continuous effort– not strength or intelligence– is the key to unlocking our potential.
Effort and Attention to Detail as Powerful Drivers of Achievement
In this Education Gadfly article, Eva Moskowitz, leader of a charter school network in New York City, says that during the pandemic, students’ “effort muscle” atrophied. As schools have reopened, she’s noticed that kids are putting less effort into re-reading and double-checking. Moskowitz and her colleagues came to that conclusion when they noticed that up to 70 percent of students’ errors on classwork, homework, and tests were the result of carelessness and lack of attention to detail.
Many teachers don’t realize what’s happening, believing instead that when students perform poorly in the classroom, it’s because of knowledge gaps and limited understanding. This leads to a lot of reteaching, which is frustrating for teachers when students don’t put in any effort because they find it boring (they already know it) – creating an unfortunate cycle, says Moskowitz: “Students come to expect re-teaching and don’t exert themselves when they learn things the first time.”
A key post-Covid priority, she believes, is “rebuilding students’ effort capacities,” which requires a mindset shift among teachers. An example: reviewing students’ homework, a teacher notices that many students got a two-step fractions problem wrong. The usual response is to re-teach the fractions concept, but looking more closely at students’ errors reveals that students impulsively answered the first part (correctly) and didn’t take the time to see what the question was asking in the second part. With this understanding, the teacher’s strategy the next day would be to affirm what students did correctly (You know how to do this!) and teach them how to read more closely and understand the whole question before jumping to solve it.
Helping students apply this level of attention to detail and careful problem-solving is
going to be hard work, says Moskowitz: “Teachers must live and breathe the expectation that scholars can get right what they already know how to do, and be absolutely consistent in holding them accountable. The formula sounds simple, but it is challenging.” An underlying problem may be teachers’ low expectations, but when teachers “go for it,” students rise to the occasion, teachers’ beliefs change, and achievement soars.
“Going for it,” says Moskowitz, “means not only having routines for double-checking and re-doing careless work, but also asking students to rethink and try again in classroom discussions when they don’t respond to the question asked, don’t use evidence and reasoning, or repeat exactly what their peers said instead of building on an idea. In such classrooms, students’ behavior shifts quickly and dramatically. They rise to meet the expectation and become focused and highly engaged. They come prepared because they know their lesson moves fast and builds on what they’ve already learned.”
IMPORTANT INFORMATION- Budget 23-24
The Board of Finance Budget Public Hearing will be held on Monday, April 17th at 7:00 in the Lyman Memorial High School Auditorium. This will be an in-person meeting only.
The Board of Education presented a 4.61% increase to the budget.
After careful consideration and balancing the objectives of the Board Education and the needs of the community, The Board of Finance voted on a 4.32% increase to Board of Education budget.
This percentage is very supportive towards our continued commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, rigorous and student centered learning environment.
The Board of Education appreciates the support and collaboration from the Board of Finance and all the Lebanon community members as we work in partnership to prepare students to be contributing members of a diverse global society.
Lebanon Public Schools Spotlight
Jennifer Maddocks
She has been a part of the PTO for 9 years and is a past President. She loves that in her role as secretary and member of the PTO she can be a connection between home and school. She started the PTO Facebook page and helps construct the middle school newsletter. She is proud that these platforms provide valuable information to families and community members and also give them a place to ask questions.
Mrs. Maddocks looks forward continuing to celebrate our learners as they head into the home stretch of the school year and she eagerly awaits the opportunity to connect with a new group of learners who will be moving up from LES. That is something she most enjoys about her job is supporting the transition to middle school then watching the students grow into confident learners ready for high school.
LES PTA
The LES PTA has monthly meetings the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30. The PTA's goal this year is to enhance student experience at LES and bring the community back after the pandemic.
They have organized over 11 family events this school year and have organized appreciation days for LES staff!
In this Superintendent Update I would like to spotlight a few of its members.
Rachael Archer and Carrie Schwartz team up to lead the LES PTA this year. Rachael is a parent to a 5th and 2nd grader while Carrie has a 1st grader and a PK learner.
Rachael has spent 6 years as an officer of the PTA and supported the school in this capacity for 7 years total. Carrie watched her mother support schools as a PTA member and was inspired to do the same. She has served as Vice President of our Lebanon Elementary PTA for two years now.
Rachael loves the community atmosphere and how family and friends alike work together to give back to our schools. Carrie appreciates how involved the teachers are and is grateful for their support.
The PTA is proud of how we have all come back together after COVID with a strong return to in person events. They are happy to see how many new families are joining in on the PTA efforts.
Rachael and Carrie look forward to continuing to support our schools through more fundraising, more fun events and doing everything they can to make LES the best school it can be!
Samantha Singleton
Sam taught Global Studies for 6 years at Lyman. She then served as a part-time Assistant Principal while continuing to teach for two years. Now she is in her second year as full-time Assistant Principal.
Sam loves that she knows every person in the building. She enjoys building relationships with staff and students and it is these connections that mean the most to her in work. She is proud of the focus the district has made on supporting student and staff mental health. She looks forward to connecting students and families to the supports they need.
She is looking forward to once again celebrating "life events" with students as they get ready for prom, awards ceremonies and graduation. These are special memory making moments that she feels lucky to be a part of.
Calendar Updates
Graduation for LMHS will be held the evening of the 13th.
The moving up ceremony for LES will be the night of the 12th.
LMS promotion will be on Friday, June 9th.
Please be on the lookout for more detailed information from each of the schools.
In the May Superintendent Update we will provide a more detailed overview of end of year events across the district.
District & Building Goals 2022-2023
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.
School Day Preschool Survey
A School Day Preschool class would follow the elementary school schedule starting at 8:35 and dismissing at 3:10 daily. There would be a tuition (on a sliding scale) for this program. This classroom would be filled with 4-year old learners from Lebanon.
*This survey does not indicate a plan to add this type of program
Don't Forget
Lebanon Pride
What's Right with Schools!
CAS and Invention Convention
At the April 4, 2023 Board of Education meeting we celebrated learners from the elementary school.
First we recognized students who attended the Connecticut Association of Schools Arts Festival. The ceremony recognizes elementary students who demonstrate outstanding citizenship, cooperative skills, and outstanding artistic ability in performing or visual arts. Along with talent in the performing or visual arts, the students also follow the school's expected behaviors, contribute positively to our school community and act as role models to other students.
We then celebrated students for their creative creations as part of the LES Invention Convention. These students have been nominated to compete at the state level.
Instructional Assistant Appreciation Day
The first Wednesday of April is a special day to celebrate our Instructional Assistants! It is the day when we make an effort to say thank you and show our appreciation.
No words can truly articulate what these staff members mean to our district. These team members provide assistance in so many ways. They support all of our students and staff. IAs often know our students best! Each year, the demands increase and our Paraeducators follow through with grace and perseverance.
On behalf of the Lebanon Board of Education, thank you for all you do!
Music Newsletter
Emotion Into Art
On Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023, Emotion Into Art™ will be coming to Lyman! This program consists of choreographed speed painting that comes with an inspirational speaking performance. It is a nationally recognized show with the goal of inspiring students to follow their dreams. The performances by Tom Varano entertain and capture the students’ attention, while instilling a message of hope and encouragement into their lives.
Our shows at LMHS will consist of four paintings which will be created live and set to powerful music. In between each painting, an inspirational message, ranging from a variety of topics, is covered. One of the paintings from each show is donated to the school as a reminder of Tom’s amazing performance and powerful message. Our chosen themes for LMHS will be based on topics related to having courage, working through anxiety, race, education, following your dreams, living life with passion and overcoming adversity.
Through the SBDI grant, on May 3rd, 2023, we will be having two performances for Lyman students and one for LMS students. All performances will be held in the LMHS auditorium. We will have our 9th and 10th graders attend from 7:30am to 9am and then 11th and 12th graders will attend from 9:30am to 11am.
For more Information and to watch a video that shares great insight into the program, go to:
Family Care Coordinator Corner
Sabena Escott, MSW sabena.escott@lebanonct.org
Lyman Memorial High School Social Worker and District Family Care Coordinator
With recent 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
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.*
Attendance
Research shows that when students are chronically absent- missing more than 10% of the school year, or 18 days over an entire year- they are less likely to read proficiently by 3rd grade, achieve in middle school and graduate from high school.
What Can I Do to Prevent My Child from Using E-cigarettes or to Help Them Stop? (CDC)
E-Cigarettes/Vapes Quick Facts
Fact Sheet for Parents Download the PDF
Get the Talk With Your Teen About E-cigarettes tip sheet for parents. Start the conversation early with children about why e-cigarettes are harmful for them.
Encourage your child to learn the facts and get tips for quitting tobacco products at Teen.smokefree.gov
NEED HELP? IN A CRISIS? WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOW?
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.orgTrevor Project (crisis intervention & suicide prevention for the LGBTQ community): 1-866-488-7386 or Text 678678
Crisis Text Line: text CTL to 741741
Depression and Mood Disorders
Depression is a common mental health condition that causes someone to be in a sad or irritable mood for an unusually long period of time. It’s normal for children to feel down when bad things happen, but a child with depression doesn’t feel better if things change. There are different types of symptoms with depression and mood disorders. Understanding how depression is diagnosed and treated, the impact that social media has on depression and strategies parents can use to help their child, are critical to supporting children and teens. Click here for more information
Housing and Homeless Services Unit
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.
Stay Healthy
Lebanon Covid-19 Dashboard
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