Anatole France

2022 was a great year in Lebanon Public Schools and as we turn to calendar into 2023 I am equally excited to see what the future holds for our staff and students. I urge all our learners to take to heart the words from the quote above by setting ambitious goals then acting the resolutions you have set. Dream vividly about the best possible outcomes. Be thoughtful in your planning and detailed with your action steps. Most importantly believe in yourself as you pursue excellence!

In my role as Superintendent I try to live this credo. We all need to chip in to make our schools great. Whenever the opportunity presents itself we should offer to help. Each task that is completed by our team members in the Lebanon Public Schools is important. Reagan Reid and Hazel DeLucia exemplified this during a lunch wave at Lyman Memorial High School. Our custodial staff were called to support a situation during the time that they typically clean the cafeteria and prepare for the next wave to enter. Hazel and Reagan realized this and did not hesitate to grab items to help get the job done. They literally began sweeping the floor. Thanks to Hazel and Reagan for this kind gesture and thanks to all those who do similar acts on a daily basis.

Lebanon Middle School teacher and Lebanon Education Association Co-President, Jeannette Picard entered a raffle with the Connecticut Education Association and won a free basketball clinic that will be run by the Connecticut Sun's professional basketball team! The clinic was held at LMS on January 6th exclusively for our middle school learners. This was a special treat, thanks Mrs. Picard.

After the first budget input session and since the last Superintendent Update we have continued to work to develop a fiscally responsible budget that provides the best for our students, staff and schools.

To reduce costs we have explored various options. Listed below are ways that we were able to reduce the initial projection from an increase of 7.2%.

• Staff reorganization- reduction of one teacher- $58,649

• Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Plan- $103,109

• Change of carrier for insurance- $143,345

• Transportation costs & services- one less bus in new contract- $72,771

• Changes in Special Education Tuition and Transportation- $424,580 **This figure is a moving target and subject to change

From the Curriculum Office, Rita Quiles-Glover, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment- January 2023

If you have a child in grades K-8, they have most likely have shared that they have taken the I-Ready diagnostic assessment. Here are some helpful questions and answers for parents to help support these mid-year assessments that allow your child’s teacher to provide targeted instruction.

• What is the Diagnostic?

The Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions for each student. As a student answers correctly, the questions get more difficult. As a student answers incorrectly, the questions get easier. This adaptability allows the Diagnostic to identify the strengths and target areas for each student in reading and math.

• Why is my child taking it?

The purpose of the Diagnostic is not to give your child a grade, but instead to determine how best to support their learning. It will help your child’s teacher(s) determine their needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the year.

• How is my child doing in specific learning areas?

Students have different strengths and target areas. It is important to understand how your child performed in more specific learning areas, which are called domains. The E domain table shows how your student did in those specific domains and helps teachers know where to build on strengths and focus their support.

• How is my child progressing over time?

The goal is also for your child to progress in their learning. After your child has taken more than one Diagnostic in the school year, you will see results for each Diagnostic, allowing you to see the overall progress your child has made and progress in each domain. The report gives you a snapshot of your child's performance.

• What if my child is performing below grade level?

This situation can happen, and teachers and schools have many strategies and programs to help accelerate your child’s learning. Having this information can help you, your child, and their teachers have the right conversations to make the needed progress.

• What does it mean if my student scored lower on the second Diagnostic than the first?

A lower score does not mean your child did not learn or lost skills. Scores can be affected by things like stress, distraction, taking the Diagnostic in a different place, and receiving help. This can be particularly common when students are learning in different environments and under unique circumstances. Teachers take this into account and use the data from the Diagnostic as one of many tools to understand your child’s unique needs and progress.

• How can I support my child?

• Discuss these results with your child. You should receive them by the end of February.

• Celebrate strengths and progress and collaborate with them on planning how they will reach their goals.

• Reach out to the teacher. Ask your child's teacher for additional insight into progress and to get ideas and resources to support your student's learning at home.

• If your child uses i-Ready Personalized Instruction, review their progress on the student dashboard and provide time at home to work on it.

DESSA: The second rating window for DESSA has been moved to February 6 - February 16. Parents will receive a Thrillshare message prior to this date.

CT-SEDS: As a reminder, all new IEPs will be created through CT-SEDS. At the end of each IEP, there is a list of resources for parents. These resources are available on our website:

https://www.lebanonct.org/page/special-education-documents

If you would like paper copies mailed to you, please contact Kimberly Calande, Administrative Assistant in Pupil Services. kimberly.calande@lebanonct.org or 860-642-5636

SBAC Testing Accommodations: In preparation for state testing, special education teachers have been reviewing IEPs to ensure that students receive the accommodations indicated. Accommodations are embedded and non embedded universal tools, designated supports, and accommodations based on a student’s learning needs and eligibility. The need for designated supports is determined through the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) or 504 process. Accommodations provided to a student during statewide testing must be accommodations also provided during classroom instruction and other assessments given throughout the school year. All PPT and 504 meetings should consider the need for accommodations for students entering grade 3 and beyond.

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.

Dear Lebanon Families,

In August, Lebanon Public Schools received funding to help continue free meals for students for a portion of this year. As a reminder, SMART funds require participating School Food Authorities to provide free breakfast and/or lunch meals to all students in schools that are approved to participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program in School Year 2022-23. As a requirement of the funding, our school district must notify families 30 days prior to these funds running out. This serves as a notification that the SMART funds will continue to cover our district meals until Nov 30th.

Fortunately this does not mean we move right back to paid lunches.

Lebanon Public Schools has decided to utilize our school lunch fund surplus to help continue free meals for the students. As of today, we are uncertain how long the surplus can sustain covering meal costs. Our plan is to address the situation each month and keep families notified of changes. Similar to the required SMART funds timeline , we will notify families 30 days before meals will be expected to be paid.

Please continue to watch for communications about our School Lunch Program as the year progresses.

Parents/guardians are also encouraged to continue to fill out eligibility applications, as the requirements for free and reduced meals have changed recently.

2022-23 Application for Free and Reduced-price School Meals or Free Milk

Best,

Andy

A student choice taste testing event was held at Lebanon Middle school on Wednesday, January 11th during all four lunch waves. The students were very excited to taste a sample of the Nashville Chicken Sandwich and the Beef Patty Melt.

We served 448 samples of both items combined, with many students coming back for seconds.

The results were as follows:
Total votes-199
Nashville Chicken Sandwich -148
Beef Patty Melt-51

The students at LMS will be excited to see the Nashville Chicken Sandwich added to their regular menu in the next couple of weeks

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

We recently recognized students who attended the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education annual conference. I am excited to see how they use their new learning to affect change in our schools #InnovativeProblemSolvers #StudentVoice

The conference focused on providing elementary school students an opportunity to develop skills needed to be effective leaders. Students were chosen based on both observations of our school-wide positive behavior expectations and performance on third grade SBAC and fourth grade iReady assessments.

Congrats go to...

Lillian Huntington

Montgomery Ramer

Reagan Merritt

Mia Bundy

Charlotte Rogers

Ethan Wengloski

Lyman Memorial High School recently started a teacher/staff member recognition program the day of every athletic contest called "I Choose You". Student athletes will give a teacher or staff member their game jersey on a hanger (wrestling will give a pennant with their weight class) when they arrive at school the day of the contest as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for helping them, working with them, inspiring them, motivating them, going above and beyond for them.

The aim is to strengthen the relationships between teachers/staff and students and prioritize the importance of academics and recognition for those who have made important contributions in the lives of our students.

Teachers/staff display the jersey or pennant in their classroom or workspace and encourage others to go to the game, event or match that day or that weekend.

Lyman Memorial is proud to recognize all the teachers and staff who make a difference in the lives of all our students each and every day and this recognition is even more special because it is coming from the student that was positively impacted by the teacher or staff member.

The Lebanon Middle School Wrestling team placed 2nd in a field of 12 teams, with 6 individual champions at the East Haven Invite on December 28th. This is their highest placement in program history!

As I was walking the halls of the elementary school I came across this bulletin full of student work. The title of each piece of work is "Our Class is a Family". The students highlighted ways they can show their classroom family that they care. I have included a few examples for you to enjoy. It was a great reminder to me that we are a #closeknit community and that we can show each other we care with small and simple gestures of kindness.

LMS students worked with Ms. Picard to make 18 casserole trays, 15 long garlic bread loaves, multiple bags of salad fixings, and 30 bags of cookies to donate to the Covenant Soup Kitchen. They will finish up the project on Saturday, when they meet at the soup kitchen to serve food to the clients there. Carlos Veracruz, Big Y, and Stop & Shop, were all very helpful with donations of the various ingredients #Lebanonpride #Responsiblecitizens

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 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.*

Regular attendance is vital for student success. When students attend regularly they the best chance to achieve academically and thrive. Every day a student is in school is an opportunity to learn, build relationships and access supports. We look forward to partnering with you to make sure our learners are present and prepared to grow each day. We understand that students are more likely to attend school when they feel safe, connected and supported. We will continue to work hard to motivate students to attend by fostering a belief among students that they can achieve at high levels .

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.

We are in the midst of what experts are calling the "Tripledemic". We have seen many cases of respiratory viruses and the flu in our schools. We have increased the frequency of touch surface cleaning and continue to encourage our learners to practice good hand hygiene to help prevent illness. Our nursing staff has been diligent in their attempts to spot signs of sickness and stop the spread in our classrooms. We ask for your continued cooperation in monitoring your students health and not sending them to school with signs of COVID-19 or a fever. Our district recently sent home self-test kits for families to help with earlier identification of COVID-19 and to set us up for a safe return to school after the holiday break.

Please remember you can see our COVID-19 data that is updated in real time at https://www.lebanonct.org/ There is a "button" on the main page that links directly to our dashboard.

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/

The link below is 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