Friday, October 2, 2020

Lurgio News for October 2, 2020

 

LURGIO NEWS

October 2, 2020


Dear Lurgio Families,


Today is National Custodial Workers Recognition Day. It is a day to celebrate and appreciate those that work so hard to keep Lurgio functioning properly. This year has been especially challenging for our custodial staff. They have repeatedly moved and rearranged furniture while implementing new sanitation protocols—all on top of their typical building cleaning schedule. They are a fantastic crew and the unsung heroes of Lurgio. Please join me in extending a genuine ‘thank you’ to Dan, Richard, George, Charlie, and Chris for their dedication and diligence. 


Best,


Ed Joyce


Parent Resources


K-8 Hybrid Calendar Daily Health Screening for Students

RAL Hybrid Parent Guide Quarantine Protocols/Flowchart

RAL Remote Parent Guide RAL Welcome & Orientation Video

Bedford Reopening Plan COVID-19 Schools Dashboard 


Important Dates


Oct. 12 (Mon.)

No School - Columbus Day

Nov. 3 (Tues)

No School - Election Day

Nov. 26 - 27 (Thurs - Fri)

No School - Thanksgiving Recess


New News

 

Morning Drop-Off Procedures

Thank you for your help in adapting to our new drop-off procedures. Dropping your student off at school at the side/back entrances prior to 8:45am has really helped streamline foot traffic in the building and allow for better social distancing during arrival.


If your student arrives after 8:45am, they must enter through the front of the building and check in at the main office. The side and back doors will be locked and will not be accessible after 8:45am each day. We appreciate your help with this!


Cleaning Supplies & Clothing

As part of our plan for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, high-touch surfaces (desks, door knobs, handrails, bathrooms) are cleaned frequently. The cleaning solution we use is an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant with the lowest toxicity category. It is gentle enough for daily disinfecting and sanitizing, but on occasion may stain clothing. We try very hard to make sure all liquid has been absorbed by paper towels as part of our cleaning process, but we want students and families to be aware of this risk and plan their clothing choices accordingly.


Destination Imagination - Registration Now Open 

Registration is now open for Destination Imagination.  New and returning students must complete this google form. Registration closes on Friday October 16th, 2020. Destination Imagination is an extracurricular program that requires parent volunteers.  There is no guarantee that your child will be placed on a team, but we work very hard to place every child who registers. Teams may use school facilities for meetings, but must adhere to same safety precautions. The same applies if you decided to hold your meetings outside of the school buildings. For more info on this wonderful extracurricular program offered by our district, please check out www.nh-di.org or contact our coordinator, Marie Russell at bedfordrocksdi@gmail.com.


Reminders


COVID-19 Travel Guidance

Please be advised of the current guidance from the State of NH regarding travel. The CDC has guidance for people traveling within the United States. Because travel increases a person’s chance of getting COVID-19 through close contact with others or contaminated public surfaces, anybody traveling should continue to avoid large gatherings and public areas, keep a distance of at least 6 feet from others, wear a cloth face covering when in public areas, and frequently sanitize their hands. NH residents or out-of-state visitors traveling to/from areas outside of New England (Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or Rhode Island) need to self-quarantine for the first 14 days of any intended stay in NH after travel (starting from the last day of their travel outside New England). This recommendation is irrespective of the mode of transportation for travel (public vs. private transportation).


Also, students cannot test out of quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test. They must complete the entire 14 days. Please take a look at our Quarantining Protocol/Flowchart for more information.

 

In order to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, it is essential that we adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in our Hybrid plan.


BSD Food Service Announcement: 

Food Service has received a formal waiver from the USDA to provide FREE breakfast and lunch to all children ages 2-18 in the community through December 31, 2020. Meals will be offered at each school when students are on site and at the drive through pick-up located at the high school gym entrance for distance & remote learning students. Please continue to pre-order lunch through:  https://www.sendmoneytoschool.com/. Monthly menus can be found on the district Food Service website. Breakfast is available at MIS, RAL & BHS in the morning and at the drive through pick-up service. Please contact Emily Murphy, Director of School Nutrition with any questions,  murphye@bedfordnhk12.net.

 

Breakfast is being offered every morning in the RAL cafeteria from 7:30-9. Students don't miss out! Come down to the cafe and grab a healthy, nutritious breakfast to start your school day!


Masks & Social Distancing

This year, 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.


All students who wish to be involved in band and/or chorus this year should join the appropriate classroom 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 next 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.


Weekly Features


Athletics Corner


Fall Sports


The weekly schedule can be found [HERE] and it will be updated as times or locations change.


BHS Athletic Competitions

There are new procedures for fans attending athletic competitions. All Division I schools have adopted the same procedures. There are three big ideas: no visiting team fans can attend our home games (and vice versa), no student fans can attend, and athletes will be provided a limited number of tickets for household family members. Most of our home competitions will be televised on BCTV. This is better than the NFL, but it will still be something that takes getting used to.


Enrichment Corner

Are you looking for a challenge? Do you have an interest or hobby you would like to explore in more depth? Let Ms. Rockwell, our enrichment coordinator, help! Check out her website below for more information about the enrichment opportunities offered at Lurgio. Just click on the “enrichment opportunities” tab and fill out the application to get started. 

Note: If you are interested in exploring some things on your own, check out the “resources” tab on the website.


National Contests

Interested in doing historical research on a topic of your choosing and getting involved in National History Day? Learn more about National History Day on the website and sign up to learn more.


Is chemistry more your thing? Check out the You Be The Chemist Challenge! 


All information can be found at the Lurgio Enrichment Corner.


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.


Remote Instruction Corner


Google Meet Expectations:

We strive to provide the best possible education and support for our students, while maintaining the privacy within each home. We are respectfully requesting that, if possible, when your child meets in small groups or one-to-one with an educator, that those meetings take place in a public part of your home. We thank you for your consideration as we continue to support students in productive and engaging experiences.


Please find the Google Meet Expectations in the link.


Guidance Department

The Food Pantry at Bedford Presbyterian Church provides our school with free weekend lunch bags for students who are facing hunger or food insecurity. Please contact our Guidance Secretary, Lisa Mullen, for this confidential aid.


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.


Media Center News

Book Raffle! Happy beginning of the school year! This is a reminder for students to continue to place books on hold on the Lurgio Library Website.  Hybrid students will receive their books in their homeroom and remote students will be sent an email when their book is ready.  Then, remote families can pick the books up from the main office.  Those that have checked out a book for fun will be entered into the book raffle!  We will have 10 winners select a new book at the end of September and October.


Missing Library Books

7th and 8th graders have been checking out class textbooks and class novels. At this time, they were notified if they had an overdue book from last year.  Please check in with your student to see if they have any overdue library books.  Students can check their library accounts from home.  Books can be returned to the main office or the Library.  Thank you in advance for your help in keeping our library current. Any questions? Please email Mrs. Detwiler detwilera@sau25.net.



Tech Corner

In an effort to keep kids tech-prepped, all teachers were given the following posters to hang in their classrooms - Chromebook Tech Help, Being Tech Prepped, Bring It, Charge It.


TECH TIP OF THE WEEK: Google Classroom & Google Drive Mobile Apps

Also as your child is completing work for their classes, they may need to take photos and move those photos into their assignments, we strongly encourage students to install both the Google Classroom and Google Drive apps on their mobile devices.  Here is a helpful video that shows students how to use your phone to add photos to Google Drive or Google Classroom Assignments.


Please be sure that your child brings their charged chromebook to school every day they are here at Lurgio.


Book Buzz


This week, our Literacy Team recommends Spanky: A Soldier's Son by S. L. LaNeve:

Spanky McDougal, a spirited middle schooler, must overcome bullies and self-doubt in LaNeve's debut novel. For a middle schooler, Spanky McDougal has a lot on his plate. He just moved to Florida and started a new school where he must contend with bullies and crushes. The hardest part is that his dad is about to be shipped off to war. With his mother unable to cope, Spanky must learn to help her. But he's still a kid, and he's mired in a kid's tribulations. Mack, an overgrown bully, makes Spanky's life miserable; Jazz, a beautiful classmate, captures his heart; and Dar, a dorky know-it-all, is his only real friend. To top it off, Spanky volunteered to help out on the annual camping trip, an ordeal in itself. LaNeve's coming-of-age tale strikes a wonderful confidence-building tone for young readers. Spanky's distinct, honest voice engenders empathy. Best of all, LaNeve doesn't shy away from dealing with complex issues like war, bullying and depression. The compelling Spanky has one major flaw that many kids will completely understand: Every time he has a chance to prove himself, he freezes. He can't stand up to Mack and can't save his teacher when she collapses, even though he knows CPR. But the mysterious and magical substitute teacher Ms. Badu just may have the power to help not only Spanky, but Mack too. The novel comes to a tense conclusion during the camping trip; Spanky might finally get the chance to prove his worth to everyone and himself. LaNeve leaves her young readers with an important message: It's better to talk about your problems and get help than let them overwhelm you. An endearing novel; may inspire young readers to find the hero in themselves.


PTG Corner


Support Our Schools

This year through donations and Fundraisers the PTG intends to help fund…

  • Enhancing outdoor spaces/playground improvements

  • COVID mitigations supplies for teachers/classrooms

  • Virtual programming and events for students, staff and families 

  • Assisting with student needs through guidance and nurse department support

 

We couldn’t do it without your continued support. This year more than ever the PTG will rely on the generosity of our community.To support the PTG you can donate through PayPal by clicking HERE or by check made out to Bedford PTG (turn into your child’s school or mail to PO Box 10077 Bedford, NH). Through our Support Drive, 100% of your donation goes directly to the schools and students of Bedford.


Meadow Farms Gifts, Wraps, and More

Looking for quality gift wrap, everyday gifts, tote bags, and gourmet mixes? Our popular  GIFTS, WRAP, AND MORE  fundraiser is just around the corner. Brochures will be coming home with elementary students at the beginning of October. Online ordering only this year. 40% of sales goes back to our schools and orders ship directly to home! Sale runs from October 9-23.


Looking to Volunteer

The schools and the PTG appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to focus on the safety of staff and students while minimizing volunteers in the buildings at this time. We will communicate volunteer needs as the PTG is made aware of them. Please complete a Volunteer Google Form for each school you have a child attending. To access the form click HERE or you can find them on the PTG website www.bedfordptg.org under PTG Forms. You need to fill this form out in order to hear about volunteer opportunities at the schools or district wide.


Ski, Skate and More Sale Cancelled for 2020

We regret that we will not be able to host this event this year and we look forward to bringing it back in 2021.


Community Events with Administration

A special thank you to our Principals for taking time out of their schedules to share information about the start of the school year and answering the community’s questions at the PTG’s annual Meet Our Principals event. The link is provided below for those who missed it or would like to view it again. Meet the Principals


Stay Connected to PTG

Please visit our PTG WEBSITE, “like” our FACEBOOK PAGE, check us out on Instagram (bedfordPTG) and Twitter (@Bedfordptg) to see all the exciting things happening at our schools. Thank you for your support!