Thank you for trusting us with your most precious gifts. We take great pride in working alongside you to provide the best possible educational experience for all our Lebanon learners.

I recently came across a piece put together by Paige Whalen and DeAndre Pickett, program associate managers of GivingPoint, an organization that seeks to unleash the passion and energy of young people to create unprecedented level of civic change to create caring hearts and entrepreneurial minds, that discusses overcoming adversity.

I thought back to my convocation speech this summer that contained a segment on this very topic. I discussed with our teaching team the challenges we have faced in recent years and the anticipation of the challenges that may lie ahead. We made a commitment to smile through adversity and focus on what we can control, our attitude and effort.

This reading was timely as we reflect on the great start to the year we have had and goals we have set for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year. There will be obstacles that present themselves but remember, we're all in this together and we will persevere while pursuing excellence.

Challenges are an inevitable part of life. Chances are you’re facing an obstacle right now. From academic struggles to business issues and even personal expectations, everyone encounters roadblocks. What is vital to one’s growth as an individual, however, is learning to navigate and ultimately overcome those moments of adversity. In fact, it is often said that success is measured by the obstacles you work through.

Be Honest: You know who you are better than anyone, which means you know where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Acknowledging those skills and areas for growth will allow you to better prepare not only your attitude but the team of people supporting you.

Be Prepared : While it’s virtually impossible to truly anticipate what obstacles may arise, you can have multiple back-up plans ready to go. Anticipating different scenarios will provide you with not only peace of mind but a potential course of action should your preparations go awry.

Ask for Help: Every great leader knows that success is not achieved alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help from a friend, teacher or leader in your community. Everyone approaches adversity on their journey differently, and sometimes a new perspective can redefine a challenge altogether. So, accepting support and advice will only increase your odds of succeeding.

Embrace the Challenge: Countless individuals’ paths to greatness are born from a challenging situation. In the end, challenges are simply roadblocks. It’s not always easy, but there is an alternate route. Make an effort to view those moments of adversity, not as obstacles, but as opportunities.

Unity Day is a day to wear and share orange, sending a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying.

From the Curriculum Office, Rita Quiles-Glover, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

On Friday, October 7, teachers participated in planned personalized professional development centered around district goals. Professional development allowed for collaborative team discussions led by colleagues and/or outside consultants and included topics such as math programming, curriculum writing, science, social emotional learning and school climate, as well as time to analyze student data. Here was a brief breakdown of the specific curriculum learning specific to each building:

• LES - I-Ready math and diagnostic analysis; STEM units, Preschool Readiness grant specific PD requirements (science and assessment), Curriculum writing

• LMS -I-Ready mathematic, Choose Love (SEL programming), Inclusive Systems (climate), Data diving, and Curriculum writing

• LMHS - Curriculum development across disciplines, Choose Love (SEL programming), Inclusive Systems (climate)

From Dawn DeLia, Director of Pupil Services

We are working on the district-wide implementation of DESSA (Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) as our social-emotional screening tool. Last year, we were accepted to participate in a state-funded two year program. As part of the program, our teachers will be using the DESSA rating tool. It asks teachers to rate how often a student has demonstrated specific social and emotional skills in the last month.

Sample DESSA questions include:

• How often did the child keep trying when unsuccessful?

• How often did the child offer to help somebody?

• How often did the child get things done in a timely fashion?

The purpose of the DESSA is to identify which social and emotional skills a child has already learned and what skills he or she may still need to develop. Parents will soon receive a notification through ThrillShare explaining more about DESSA. Our first rating window runs from October 24 - November 4

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.

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.

Sabena Escott, MSW sabena.escott@lebanonct.org

Lyman Memorial High School Social Worker and District Family Care Coordinator

The 2022-2023 school year is off to a great start! 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.

This week the Child Mind Institute offers tips on parenting tweens — kids who are about 9 to 12 years old. Articles include, how to help kids who are too hard on themselves, how to support your child who may be socially struggling, supporting your child with social media and self doubt and much more! childmind.org

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.*

This month we are happy to spotlight June Dunn, Special Education Teacher at Lebanon Elementary School. June is an outstanding team player! She has worked with students of all ages and needs and confronts challenges with a strong work ethic and positive attitude.

June is in her 15th year of teaching at LES. June is a lifelong learner who is excited about this year because she has the chance to teach 4th grade writing and math which are new experiences for her. In her continued pursuit to grow her skillset and add tools to teaching repertoire, June will be taking a course in sign language offered by a colleague in our district. June enjoys living and working in Lebanon community. She commented on how much she appreciates being able to develop relationships with her learners both in and out of school. These relationships are important to her as they allow her to better know and understand her students and make sure they are available for learning. During her time at LES June has served as the LES PTA teacher representative, been a grade level team leader and was recognized as the Teacher of the Year in 2017-2018.

June has enjoyed many special moments in her teaching career but especially enjoys watching learners grow over the years and when they have those moments where it just "clicks". For example seeing a former 1st grader who may have struggled to read who is now in 4th grade exclaiming they LOVE to read!

The students in Honors and CP Anatomy completed their first dissection by performing an autopsy on a dill pickle. This gave them an opportunity to practice using dissecting materials and the correct anatomical terms. Here is the lab set up:

Police responded to a call overnight to find a grisly crime scene. A clash in the fridge between the Vlasic and the Claussen pickle families left carnage everywhere. As a team of medical examiners, the students needed to determine the cause of death of the pickles. The final autopsy report included internal and external observations, abnormalities and a cause of death using appropriate anatomical terms to describe what and where the wounds were. Cause of death possibilities: brain tumor, stabbing, heart attack, drowning, strangling, parasites, choking and gunshot wounds.

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.

https://covid-19-test-to-treat-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/

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

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