Dear Lurgio Families,
Next week is our annual Winter (February) Vacation. I hope our students, staff, and their families are able to find some time to rest, relax, and recharge over the coming days. This may be a different “vacation” for many of us, but it is much needed nonetheless.
Please be sure to check the Travel Guidance Reminder under New News below. It is important that the school is notified if your student travels outside of New England so that we can work with you to establish a return-to-school date. You can contact our school nurse, Evelyn Chessie, at chessiee@sau25.net and our attendance line at ralattendance@bedfordnhk12.net
If you are choosing to travel outside of New England, we will be unable to provide concurrent learning opportunities during elective travel quarantine. Instead, your student should utilize Google Classroom and communicate with teachers via email to plan for missed instruction or assignments in the same way they would if they were absent during a typical school year. We appreciate your cooperation in adhering to these guidelines in order to keep our school community safe.
Be well,
Ed
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
Lurgio Athletics Weekly Schedule
Important Dates
Winter Vacation Travel Guidance Reminder
The Bedford School District continues to follow guidance set by the CDC and NH DPHS and does NOT recommend travel outside the New England states--ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, and CT.
For those who choose to travel outside New England, a 10 day quarantine is required for travel. 10 days begins on the first full day in NH:
Return to NH date + 10 days = quarantine end date, ending at midnight.
(see below for exceptions to quarantine).
-Contact your school nurse (Ms. Chessie: chessiee@sau25.net) with your travel plans so that a return-to-school date may be determined for your student.
-Documentation of positive test results within the previous 90 days prior to your student’s return to NH must be resubmitted if a quarantine waiver is being requested.
NH DHHS Exceptions to Travel Quarantine (1/11/2021)
The following people do NOT need to quarantine after high-risk travel:
1. Persons who are 14 days beyond the second dose of their COVID-19 vaccine (i.e., 14 days after full vaccination).
2. Persons who are within 90 days of a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection that was diagnosed by PCR or antigen testing (if a person had a previous infection that was more than 90 days prior, then they are still subject to travel quarantine). Such persons, however, still need to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 daily, practice social distancing, avoid social and other group gatherings, always wear a face mask when around other people, and practice good hand hygiene at all times.
If at any time post travel you become symptomatic or ill, please continue to follow Covid precautions, contact your PCP and test for COVID per protocol.
Spring Sports at Lurgio
With the winter sports season behind us, we have already started planning for spring sports at Lurgio. During the spring season, we typically offer softball, baseball, golf, coed track & field, and tennis. At this point, we intend to participate in interscholastic competition within the Tri-County League and will continue to adhere to safety and mitigation measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In order for students to participate, they will need to have a recent physical exam on file with the school nurse as well as an ImPACT concussion baseline test (baseball/softball only). Practices start at the end of March/beginning of April and more information will be sent to all families after February break.
Lion’s Den
Be sure to check out the January/February issue of the Lion’s Den.
8th Grade Families: BHS In Writing Summer Enrichment
Once again, Bedford High School is offering rising 9th grade students (current 8th graders) the opportunity to complete their In Writing coursework over the summer. Please see the Summer Opportunities website for more information. Lurgio Guidance Counselors can help students select this course as they register for the 2021-2022 school year.
-In Writing Enrichment (8:00am - 12:00pm): June 28, 29, 30, July 1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29
-In Writing HYBRID Enrichment (8:00am - 12:00pm): June 28, 29, 30, July 1
Lurgio Phase 2 Reopening
Below is a short summary of the changes that will take place during Phase 2 and beyond:
-Physical distancing will be reduced to three feet in hallways and classrooms on Fridays.
-Physical distancing in the dining hall will be three feet every school day Monday through Friday.
-Distance learning will no longer occur on Fridays when all hybrid students are present in the school building.
-Fully remote students will still receive remote classes on Fridays.
-We will not be able to accommodate changing modes of instruction (Hybrid to Remote or -Remote to Hybrid) during Phase 2 and beyond.
-From Monday through Thursday, school will operate on an alternating schedule in order to accommodate approximately 50% capacity with six-foot distancing in classes and hallways and three-foot distancing at lunches.
-On Fridays, school will operate at roughly 80% in-person capacity, with the remaining 20% of students enrolled in the fully remote option.
-All hybrid students, regardless of last name, are expected to attend in-person on Fridays.
-Students will sit four to a table at our circular dining hall tables with installed plexiglass dividers, which provides three feet of space between students during lunches.
-All students are permitted to utilize bus transportation, but it is possible that some families may make alternate plans so that the number of bus riders is reduced.
-Students will spread out among seats on the bus as much as possible in order to encourage physical distancing.
A complete outline of the Lurgio Middle School safety plan can be found [HERE].
School Attendance
This is just a reminder that parents can email their student’s school attendance to ralattendance@bedfordnhk12.net
Distance Learning Day Opportunities @ Joppa Hill
In an effort to identify ways in which our students can engage in educational extension activities during the distance learning days, we have partnered with the Joppa Hill Educational Farm to offer some outdoor learning opportunities. To learn more about upcoming field trips and to sign up, visit the Lurgio Enrichment Corner.
Wednesday & Thursday, March 3rd and 4th: MIndfulness in Nature
Sigmund Brouwer Story Ninja Classes Continue
Sigmund Brouwer’s weekly Story Ninja classes continued this week. He will continue to offer two online classes per week for our students. To access the schedule and learn about how to please see the student packet or the RAL StoryNinjaWritingClass webpage.
Yearbook
Photo Contest
Thank you to everyone who submitted photos for our last contest!
Our contest continues with new themes: students doing their favorite winter activity and students in their remote/distance learning spaces! To submit pictures: email photos to lurgioyearbook@sau25.net OR upload via google form https://bit.ly/ralphotos2021.
Thank you for helping us fill the yearbook with student candids!
Weekly Meetings
We are still looking for members to join the Yearbook Club! We will meet with interested students on Fridays in the Media Center from 8:00-8:30 on their in person day. We are looking for students that are interested in photography and want to help create content for the 2020-2021 Lurgio yearbook. Students will attend meetings on their in-school day. Remote students should contact Mrs. Dennis dennisd@sau25.net or Mrs. Manley manleyj@sau25.net if they are interested in attending virtually.
Intramural Sports
Intramural sports will be held on Wednesdays for A-K students and Thursdays for L-Z students. Participants will engage in a variety of activities and sports from 3:15 to 4:00 on these days. Intramurals will primarily be held outside. It is important that students dress warm and wear a mask while attending. If you have any questions please feel free to email Mr. Gookin at gooking@sau25.net. Students attending will meet Mr. Gookin in the RAL cafeteria at 3:15. Any Lurgio student (remote or hybrid) is welcome to join.
Concurrent Learning
The Bedford School District continues to adapt our practices to support the needs of learners. As you are aware, the state of New Hampshire has seen increased positive COVID-19 cases. As a result we have had more students who have been required to quarantine and are unable to attend school in person. To support these students, our K-8 schools will offer synchronous opportunities for students to connect with their teachers. For some, this will be in the form of concurrent learning.
Concurrent learning occurs when students who are receiving instruction in the classroom are joined by their peers who are in a virtual setting. This is more difficult for the teacher to navigate; however, they have been offered training opportunities in order to assist quarantined students who would otherwise not have direct access to their teachers while at home. Please find the expectations for students and parents in THIS document.
Feel free to contact your building leaders and teachers with any questions.
RAL Co-curriculars Update
Are you looking to get involved in something here at Lurgio? Then be sure to listen to the daily announcements (print version), check out the Lurgio News, and check the RAL Extracurriculars Calendar.
Band and Chorus Information
The Band and Chorus are continuing to hold their rehearsals virtually through Google Meet.
Band Schedule
Concert Band meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 4:30-5:00 p.m.
Jazz Band meets Friday from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Chorus Schedule
Students can check the Chorus Google Classroom for their assigned Group):
On A-K in person (L-Z Remote) Days:
10:25 - 11:10 - Group 1
11:10 - 11:55 - Group 2
12:40 - 1:25 - Group 3
1:25 - 2:10 - Group 4
2:10 - 2:55 - Group 5
On L-Z in person (A-K Remote) Days:
1:25 - 2:10 - Group 6
3:00 - 3:45 - Group 7
The Band and Chorus have a combined (optional) Friday Fun Meet every Friday afternoon from 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
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.
All information can be found at the Lurgio Enrichment Corner
Guidance Corner
10 Effective Study Skills for Middle Schoolers
The Lurgio Guidance Department reached out to parents, asking for their most successful ideas at supporting their hybrid and remote students academically. Click here to access a short video highlighting study skills ideas for your student.
Weekend Lunch Bags
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.
In this video created by Mayo Clinic, teens describe common signs that a teen is considering suicide and provide encouragement for communicating directly and immediately for support and safety. It also Includes suggestions for what to say to a teen who may be at risk for suicide and ways to keep them safe. Things can get better.
Tech Corner
Students are reminded to come to the Tech Corner in the back of the Media Center if they are having issues with their chromebooks when they are in school. Any technical issues that occur outside of the school day or during a student’s remote/distance day should complete a BSD Help Desk Ticket.
Book Buzz
We were lucky to have the California Cartoonist, Khalid Birdsong, visit our drop in Booked for Breakfast club. Beaming in from Palo Alto, California, Mr. Birdsong shared details about how he got interested in comics, what inspires him, and how he makes time for his passion while still doing his "day" job. Check out his online comic Fried Chicken and Sushi and other comics on the website Go Comics. His books will also be available for check out in March.
Want to take a trip to Argentina and be immersed in soccer? Definitely try Furia by Yamile Mendez for incredible pace, internal and external tension.
Maybe you want to travel to Thailand? You need to meet Pong in Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat.
If you are interested in meeting other students who love to read and learning about new Young Adult books and authors, join us for the drop in club Booked for Breakfast. We meet every Wednesday and Thursday in the library & virtually at 8:00AM. Join the the Booked for Breakfast google Classroom, classroom code: slbpvn7
Library Corner
Calling all 7th and 8th grade students! We are looking for your creativity and insight!
Enter our Writing Contest to earn raffle tickets for amazing prizes including:
Airpods, a Kindle Paperwhite, Headphones and more! Submissions are due by March 12!
Writing Contest Rules
-Use the theme "Expect the Unexpected at School" (on site and at home) to share your experiences from March until now.
-The winning short story (1-2 pages) entry will be submitted to the yearbook and the winner will get a free yearbook!
-You can also submit: a Comic (1-2 pages), Poem (1-2 pages) Personal Narrative (1-2 pages) for raffle tickets
Good Luck and Happy writing!
Please email Mrs. Detwiler with any questions, detwilera@sau25.net
