Dear Lurgio Families,
Last year we were excited to begin an advisory program at Lurgio. We had three main goals during our first year of implementation: 1) to help develop more positive connections between peers and adults within school community, 2) increase participation in school events to promote school spirit, culture, and climate, and 3) to support students strengthen social-emotional skills like goal-setting, self-advocacy, and perseverance. Although our in-person time was cut short in March, many advisory groups continued to meet virtually throughout the spring in order to maintain those connections during remote learning.
I can attest that advisory has been a positive experience for students and adults alike. I have been the very proud advisor to an outstanding group of 7th graders (now 8th graders). I am greatly impressed by the interpersonal connections that developed over the course of their 7th grade year and miss seeing them every other day.
Unfortunately, due to the unique nature of our school schedule amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not met in the advisory groups that were established last year. Instead, students spend time with their homeroom cohorts throughout the day. The personal connections and social-emotional skill building are more important than ever at a time when we are not able to connect as we have in the past, which is why we will be continuing this important work during a dedicated time of day, but in the homeroom cohorts.
It is my sincere intention that if our school returns to a typical schedule, we can revert back to our prior advisory groups and wrap up the Lurgio Middle School experience in the same way it started. I know that for myself and my advisees, this would be something to look forward to in the coming months. I thank you and your students in advance for your understanding and flexibility regarding this change.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
Fall Sports
The weekly schedule can be found [HERE] and it will be updated as times or locations change.
Lurgio Lions Apparel/Gear Order
Shop Now: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/
Store Open From: September 11 - September 28, 2020
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 aide.
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.
Attention 7th Grade Parents:
The McKelvie Library is asking that you return any Big Ideas Mathematics textbooks (6th grade textbook with green cover) or any McKelvie Library books. Student emails have been sent, however, we are still missing 37 of these textbooks which need to be issued this year to our current 6th grade students.
We are also missing many McKelvie Library books. Students can check their library account at any time on the Lurgio library website. All McKelvie books can be sent in with your student to the RAL library. Thank you for your help in locating these books!
Be well and thank you, Mrs. Cote (McKelvie Intermediate School Librarian)
Tech Corner
Did you know that there is a Tech Corner Resource Site (https://bit.ly/
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 Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald:
PTG Corner
Support the PTG
Although our funding for programming and enrichment opportunities may look different this year, we will be working directly with the district to focus on what the classroom, teacher/staff, student and school needs are based on the current environment.
We know these may be trying economic times for many people so we ask if you are interested and able, please support the PTG by making a donation via PayPal by clicking HERE or by checks 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.
Looking to Volunteer?
We will have information about volunteering for Bedford Schools in the upcoming weeks. Links to a Volunteer Google Form for each school will be available at that time. You will need to fill this form out in order to hear about volunteer opportunities at the schools or district wide. Currently, some schools are looking to fill open school coordinator level roles.
PTG Volunteer Opportunities
We have many open volunteer positions this year! Specific to Lurgio is, Volunteer Coordinator, Hospitality Coordinator and PTG Support Coordinator. These will be from home, primarily remote roles this year. Please reach out to Chelsea Donahue at cdonahue0407@gmail.com if you are interested!
Meet the Principals Event September 25, 2020
You are invited to watch the Principals from all six schools at our annual "Meet the Principals" event on Friday, September 25th from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. It will be broadcast live on BCTV. This is a great opportunity to hear what each school has in store for the year. Please email questions before Sept. 23 for the Q&A session that follows the presentation to bedfordnhptg@gmail.com.
New Family Welcome
If you recently moved to Bedford or are sending your first child to a Bedford School, you’re welcome to attend Bedford School District’s New Family Welcome hosted by the Bedford PTG on Wed., September 30th, from 4-5 p.m., at the Lurgio Middle School outdoor classroom tents. Representatives from each school will be available to answer questions, provide school and town information, share opportunities on how you can be involved, and welcome you into our community. Please RSVP to thealey1027@gmail.com.
Box Tops Program
Put away the scissors! No More Clipping! Box Tops has changed to fit today's families. The Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. Visit www.btfe.com to learn more and start earning for our schools.
