Dear Lurgio Families,
It has been a very long five and a half months since students lined the halls of our school. It was invigorating to see everyone back in action within the building over the past two days. I am impressed with how our students are adapting to the changes in their regular routine and how our staff has gone above and beyond to welcome them into their classrooms.
I began this year with opening remarks to teachers on Thursday last week. In my talk I asked everyone to show grace as we reopened Lurgio. This year is different and difficult. From engaging in two entirely new and distinct instructional models to last-minute schedule changes, this year will feel messy and unpredictable at times. I cannot tell you how proud I am of how our staff rose to that request with flexibility and commitment.
The last two days reminded me of how great our kids and our community are. Our students and our families have shown tremendous grace as we plodded along the bumpy road to reopening. This August in particular, I reflect on what a wonderful job it is to serve this wonderful community, and this year that sentiment is felt tenfold. Thank you for your grace and patience.
Have a great weekend!
Best,
Ed Joyce
Important Dates
Masks & Social Distancing
Over the past two days, we have been so impressed by the students' adherence to our mask wearing protocol. They were absolutely fantastic. Thank you for your support of mask wearing at all times when in the building. This is especially important when social distancing is more difficult to achieve. Students are permitted to take mask breaks while eating lunch and at other times designated by their pod teachers.
An area of transmission mitigation that still needs some more work is social distancing. When inside and wearing a mask we are asking students to continue to do their best to maintain social distancing protocols. While this is not always possible, and our students have been doing well, we think that we can improve. Further, we need to remind students that even when we are outside, it is important to wear a mask when less than six feet from another person.
COVID-19 Positive Test Protocols
Please see the following information from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and New Hampshire Department of Education regarding procedures that take place if a member of our school community tests positive for COVID-19.
Band and Chorus Information
Band and chorus will be fully remote until further notice. We will have an informational meeting next Friday, September 4th after school. Time and meeting code will be provided to students before that day through the band and chorus google classrooms. All students who wish to be involved in band and/or chorus this year should join the appropriate classroom before Friday so they have all of the up to date information. Band Google Classroom Join Code: frxiieo Chorus Google Classroom Join Code: dxp7pze Virtual rehearsals will start the following week. We are also in the process of creating the rehearsal schedule for the year. Students and parents will be notified of the schedule as soon as it is finalized.
Supply Lists
Based on the need to limit shared supplies, our general school supply list might look a bit different this year. It is important to note that lockers will not be used in our current hybrid schedule format and students will need to carry important items in their school bags for regular use during the school day. Some items may be left at home and used for distance learning days or brought in to school as needed.
As always, if your family needs assistance in providing school supplies, please contact our Guidance Office and we will make sure that your student has what they need to start the school year.
Cardigan - Incoming 8th Graders
Based on current health considerations, we need to modify the 2020 Cardigan Trip. Typically, our 8th grade students hike and camp on Mount Cardigan for three days and two nights. Because tent-camping is not currently an option given social distancing due to COVID-19 precautions, we will not be able to have an overnight trip this fall.
While we are all disappointed that we cannot provide the full Cardigan trip in 2020, we want to still engage our 8th graders in the outdoor experience and team building that is the hallmark of this great tradition. In order to do this safety, we are planning four separate extended day hikes during the week of October 5 as follows:
8-North - Monday, October 5
8-West - Tuesday, October 6
8-South - Wednesday, October 7
8-East - Thursday, October 8
By staggering the trip and only doing a day hike, we hope to provide students with a safe experience while still keeping the same Cardigan ethos that has been maintained for over forty years.
More details will follow as we approach the beginning of October, but please understand that this plan is fluid. We will make adjustments as appropriate if health considerations become more stringent in the fall.
Outdoor Learning Spaces
We are excited to announce that we are getting ready to set up tents and outdoor classrooms. To get these built for students, we need volunteers to help us with assembly. Please reach out to Mrs. Gauthier (gauthierk@sau25.net) if you are available next week (day/evening) to help. We have heard from a few volunteers, but we would like to have more.
Health Office News
Welcome back Lurgio students and families! We're looking forward to seeing everyone!! As a reminder, incoming 7th graders need to have a documented TDap vaccine prior to the start of the school year. Please submit a physical as well.
If your child requires daily prescription medication, please contact the nurse directly to arrange an appointment for drop off. Health forms can be found at the district website under health services. Please feel free to contact the nurse with any questions or concerns: Evelyn Chessie and Karen Freedman (603) 310-9100 ext. 34415
Athletics Corner
Please see this communication from earlier this month regarding fall athletics at Lurgio Middle School. Information about specific sports sign-ups will be sent to families on Monday, August 31st.
Hybrid Instruction Corner
Hybrid Schedule Calendar
We know that the new hybrid schedule can be confusing at times. In general, students with last names A-K come to school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and alternating Fridays. Students with last names L-Z come to school on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and alternating Fridays. Here is a handy color-coded district calendar for kindergarten through grade 8 to help your family plan in advance.
Distance Learning Days
On Distance Learning Days, hybrid students should be engaged in different types of work assigned by their teachers on their in-person days. Students are not expected to sit in front of a computer screen for 6.5 hours, but they will be expected to complete tasks to create a bridge between their in-person days. Google Classroom is a resource for students to check assignments and tasks when they are working independently. Teachers are not immediately available to answer questions or work synchronously with students because they are instructing students in person every day. Teachers will answer questions via email if and when they are available.
Guidance Corner
It was so nice to see the hybrid students in school and the remote students during the remote principal’s message. We have been contacted by many families looking for helpful strategies to manage teenage stress. We want to share this brief article titled “17 Small, but Significant, Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Worrying”. We love supporting your kids as they challenge themselves academically, while learning to set boundaries and develop healthy coping skills for life’s stressors.
Kitchen News
Please see the Food Service Plan for more information about breakfast and lunch service for the coming school year. Contact Emily Murphy, Director of School Nutrition, with any questions you may have.
Tech Corner
It has been a busy week as the Tech Corner provided mobile services to the students. We have worked hard the past two days to get student chromebooks up and running on our network as well as distributing chromebook loaners to students who are either part of our daily loaner program or who are currently waiting for the shipment on their chromebook. If we didn’t get to a student on Thursday or Friday, we will be checking with all the students again on Monday and Tuesday to check that they are up and running.
If students have technical issues, we are asking that they submit a ticket by visiting: http://bit.ly/BSDTechHelpForm.
Book Buzz
This week, our Literacy Team recommends War Stories by Gordon Korman.
