Wednesday, August 26, 2020

New School Year's Eve Announcement

 Dear Lurgio Families,


Tomorrow is the first day of school for our L-Z Hybrid students and our 100% Remote students. Please note, school drop off starts at 8:30 AM and kids should be in their homerooms by 8:50 AM. Our A-K Hybrid students’ first day of school will be on Friday. As our A-K Hybrid kids will not all have their chromebooks, there is no distance learning tomorrow. 


If you or your students haven’t seen it already, please click the link below to see our Fall 2020 Orientation Video:


Ross A. Lurgio • Fall 2020 Orientation Video


Prior to Coming to School:

Per CDC guidelines, students and staff are expected to stay home if they feel ill, display symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.

Parents will be required to complete the following daily health screening for their child prior to traveling to school:

  


AM Arrival Procedures:

Students arriving after 8:30 can be dropped off in the top lot. Our before school program begins at 7:30AM, and students attending the before school program should be dropped off at our gymnasium entrance at the rear of the building, passed the Pod entrances.


PM Dismissal Procedures:

Parent pick up will take place in the upper lot.


School Lunch Program:

As a reminder, if you plan to purchase hot lunch for your child, lunches will need to be pre-ordered. Please click this link for information on pre-ordering your child's hot lunch.


Bus Routes:

Bus routes are online and can be found HERE. Scroll down to  Afternoon and Ross A Lurgio Morning Bus Routes for stop locations and pick-up times.


Chromebooks:

Students should bring their CHARGED chromebook to school with them every day. We will be working with students throughout the day to ensure they have a device and that their device works properly here at Lurgio.


I look forward to a great year.


Sincerely,


Ed


Friday, August 21, 2020

Lurgio News for August 21, 2020

                        

LURGIO NEWS

August 21, 2020


Dear Lurgio Families,


The building has been buzzing this week! Our staff is working diligently to prepare for the new school year. I am not sure that any of us can predict what the school year will bring, but we are excited to have students back in the building and enthusiastic to embark on a new period of academic curiosity and growth.


Whether you have chosen in-person, hybrid learning or a fully remote instructional program, we have developed important Parent Guides to help you support your children. This Hybrid Learning Parent Guide has been available as part of the overall District Reopening Plan that was approved by the School Board on July 27. This Remote Instruction Parent Guide will soon be added to the District Plan document, but we wanted to make sure that it was available to our Remote families as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience as we revised that plan with teacher input this week.


Whatever instructional model your family has chosen, we are eager to be able to once again actively engage with all our Lurgio students. This time of year brings a palpable excitement, both for meeting new seventh grade students and for seeing how much our eighth graders have grown since last spring. In that regard at least, this year is no different. There are some things even a pandemic can’t change!


We look forward to next Thursday!


Be well and stay safe.


Best,


Ed Joyce


Important Dates


Aug 27 (Thurs)

First Day of School for L-Z (2020-2021 School Year)

Aug 28 (Fri)

First Day of School for A-K (2020-2021 School Year)


New News


InfoSnap Registration/Placement

Thank you for filling out your registration information for the 2020-2021 school year via InfoSnap. Typically, doing this would allow you to access the PowerSchool portal and give you the ability to view your student’s schedule and Pod placement. At the moment, PowerSchool information is not available to view because student placement and schedules are not complete. If you were able to see this information due to a glitch, please understand that it is not accurate and will likely change. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we develop schedules that are accurate and meet the needs of both our remote and hybrid students. We will send an email on Monday once the placements are available.


Outdoor Learning Spaces

We are excited to announce that we anticipate the delivery of the tents for our outdoor learning spaces at Lurgio on Monday. To get these ready for students next week, 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.


The nurse will be accepting PRN medications (epi pen, Benadryl, inhalers, lactaid, etc) on Monday, 8/24 and Tuesday, 8/25 from 10:30am-2pm.  I will be outside the main entrance during these times to accept medication under the following circumstances only:


  • Medication is properly labeled with valid expiration dates

  • MD orders are provided for this school year

  • Completed and signed (by MD) Allergy Action Plans and valid MD orders must accompany all Epi pens, or they will not be accepted

  • OTC forms are available online or can be signed at the time of 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


Guidance Corner

Welcome back! Our guidance department is excited to see what this unique year will have to offer. Some of our families have chosen remote as an option for learning this year while others have opted for hybrid. As a guidance team, we are thrilled that families were able to figure out what best worked for them. Regardless of the modality, the guidance team looks forward to supporting all our students and their families.


District leaders, administrators, teachers, counselors, and community members have done a great deal of work in developing a system that works for everyone. It has certainly been a community effort. As a guidance team, it’s encouraging to see how well people can come together for the common good knowing the importance of being supportive of all the various needs of our families and students.


In the beginning, it will take some time to get used to the new routine. These changes often present with some challenges and there may be some hiccups along the way. It’s important to know that many will feel a bit overwhelmed to start, but the guidance department at Lurgio is ready to answer any questions or troubleshoot problems that may arise. Remember that in uncertain times, there will be some uncertainty and it’s important to seek support from people around you as we all navigate this path together. 

We hope you were all able to enjoy your summer and got to spend time with loved ones. We look forward to working with you this year and making new memories along the way. 


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.


Reminders


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.

 

RAL Fall 2020 Athletics

Please see this communication from earlier this week regarding fall athletics at Lurgio Middle School. Information about specific sports sign-ups will be sent to families next week. 


Chromebooks

Due to issues with inventory this year, we do not currently have chromebooks to sell. As of now, we anticipate new chromebooks arriving in October. We apologize for the inconvenience.  To place your name on a waitlist for a chromebook, or to give us your program selection, please complete the following form.


If you purchased your own chromebook, we will contact you early next week with more information to assist you in enrolling the device prior to the start of school.


If you have any chromebook related questions, please feel free to contact Donna Dennis (dennisd@sau25.net).

Friday, August 14, 2020

Lurgio News for August 14, 2020

                         

LURGIO NEWS

August 14, 2020


Dear Lurgio Families,


I hope you and your families have had a safe and relaxing summer. While it’s likely been a different type of summer than many of us are used to, it is hard to believe that the start of school is less than two weeks away. I am writing to give you some information and updates about the start of school.


Over the summer, we typically go through a scheduling and placement process in order to assign students to pods and give them the courses they need. Due to the nature of our hybrid schedule and remote option, we have had to restart this process from scratch, which is why you have not received this information from us yet. We are hoping to complete this process by Monday, August 24th. At that time, you will receive notification from us regarding the best way to view your student’s schedule. We appreciate your patience as we work to develop student schedules that honor your choice of either the Hybrid or Fully Remote learning option.


We have received specific questions regarding hybrid and remote learning options. We are currently developing specific handbooks for each of these options. The information contained in these guides will assist you and your student in navigating the start of school this fall.


Despite the challenges we have faced as a school community since March, I am excited about the start of our fourteenth year at Lurgio Middle School. I am always impressed by the abilities of our innovative and dedicated teaching staff and the enthusiasm and resilience of our students. I am confident that we will be able to succeed this year no matter what comes our way.


Be well and stay safe.


Best,


Ed Joyce


Important Dates


Aug 27 (Thurs)

First Day of School for L-Z (2020-2021 School Year)

Aug 28 (Fri)

First Day of School for A-K (2020-2021 School Year)


Reminders


HELP WANTED: Outdoor Classrooms

We are hoping to utilize outdoor space as much as possible in the coming school year. In order to do this, we are looking to develop outdoor classroom space using tents and portable chairs. If you are interested in donating your time or financial assistance to this cause, we would be appreciative. Please contact Assistant Principal Kristen Gauthier at gauthierk@sau25.net if you would like to join the team or contribute to the cause.


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.

 

RAL Fall 2020 Athletics

We are currently wrapping up the planning process for fall athletics at the middle school level based on state and district-level guidelines. We intend to communicate with families next week regarding the fall season. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we develop our plans.


Chromebooks

Parents that ordered the HP x360 Chromebook have been notified via email.  Those chromebooks will be available for pickup on August 17th or 18th from 8:00am-4:00pm in the Bedford High School Media Center. Due to the high volume of parents picking up devices, we will be conducting a drive up pickup this year. 

This requires that all parents pay in advance to expedite the pickup process.  Please be sure you have paid for your chromebook PRIOR to coming to pick it up (checks payable to the Bedford School District will be taken at the time of pickup).  If you are unable to pickup your child's device on the specified dates, alternative dates will be emailed at a later date. Devices can also be picked up on the first day of school. 


Due to issues with inventory this year, we do not currently have chromebooks to sell. As of now, we anticipate new chromebooks arriving in October. We apologize for the inconvenience. To place your name on a waitlist for a chromebook, or to give us your program selection, please complete the following form.


If you purchased your own chromebook, we will contact you soon with more information to assist you in enrolling the device prior to the start of school.


If you have any chromebook related questions, please feel free to contact Donna Dennis (dennisd@sau25.net).


 




Friday, August 7, 2020

Special Note - Instructional Model Confirmation

 Dear Lurgio Families,

 

On July 28, 2020, a letter was sent to families asking them to communicate their choice for mode of instruction for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Families were asked to fill out a form if they wanted to OPT IN to full remote learning. Students who did not opt for full remote learning will be automatically included in the HYBRID INSTRUCTION MODEL.

 

It has come to our attention that some families were not able to fill out the form or may be facing new circumstances. While the original decision deadline was July 31, 2020, we are trying to be flexible and responsive to the needs of our students and their families.

 

Families who opted into FULL REMOTE LEARNING have received a confirmation email earlier today. If you are choosing for your student to learn remotely and have not received a confirmation email from us, please contact Mr. Fellman and Mrs. Gauthier immediately via email or telephone.

 

We are currently working to finalize student placement and more information will be distributed in the coming weeks regarding the start of the school year. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we adapt to the current situation.

 

We wish you and your family a safe and relaxing end of the summer.

 

Best,

Ed Joyce - Principal

Nate Fellman (fellmann@sau25.net) - Assistant Principal Grade 8

Kristen Gauthier (gauthierk@sau25.net) - Assistant Principal Grade 7