Friday, September 25, 2020

Lurgio News for September 25, 2020

                         

LURGIO NEWS

September 25, 2020


Dear Lurgio Families,


The calendar may say that autumn is here, but the temperatures feel a bit more like summer lately. The clear skies and good weather have allowed us to use our outdoor learning spaces for mask breaks and socially distanced instruction. Many students and teachers are taking advantage of these outdoor spaces throughout the day as you can see in the images below. I am hoping the conditions continue to be optimal so that these tents can be used for as long as possible this fall. 



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


Sept. 25 (Fri.)

RAL [Virtual] Open House 

Sept. 30 (Wed.)

PTG New to Bedford Welcome (4PM)

Oct. 12 (Mon.)

No School - Columbus Day


New News


RAL [Virtual] Open House

Ordinarily, we would welcome you into our classrooms for an evening of meeting, greeting, and learning about the classes we teach. The presentations shared in the links below contain this very valuable information and give you a chance to take a virtual peek inside your student’s classes and see the friendly faces that greet them here at school. If you have any questions about a specific class, please contact that teacher who will be happy to help you get the answers you need.


Please click here to join Lurgio’s Virtual Open House.


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 for us at our away games), 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.


Reminders


Lurgio Apparel Order Closes Monday!

Find items that I've picked out specifically for Lurgio Middle School. There is also spiritwear available for your family and friends.


Check out the shop details:

    - Shop Now: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/NmnCSDtvgS

    - Store Open From: September 11 - September 28, 2020


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

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


Weekly Features


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/shop/NmnCSDtvgS

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.



Tech Corner

If you have the time, we would appreciate you taking the time to watch our Tech Corner Open House video.  You also may find these three videos helpful as well: PowerSchool 20-21 @ Lurgio, PowerSchool App 20-21 and Google Classroom Overview.


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 Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley:

This is the story of two sisters. Ten-year-old Della has always had her older sister, Suki: When their mom went to prison, Della had Suki. When their mom's boyfriend took them in, Della had Suki. When that same boyfriend did something so awful they had to run fast, Della had Suki. Suki is Della's own wolf--her protector. But who has been protecting Suki? Della might get told off for swearing at school, but she has always known how to keep quiet where it counts. Then Suki tries to kill herself, and Della's world turns so far upside down, it feels like it's shaking her by the ankles. Maybe she's been quiet about the wrong things. Maybe it's time to be loud.


PTG Corner


Support Our Schools

As the district embarks on a very unique school year, the PTG is dedicated to embracing its challenges while continuing to cherish and celebrate past traditions. Due to the uncertainty of this year, the PTG will not be able to host all of its usual events, programs and fundraisers. Although some things may look different this year, the PTG is committed to working directly with the schools to focus on classroom, staff, student and school needs.

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.


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.


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.


Meadow Farms Gifts, Wrap, and More

Bringing you quality gift wrap, unique gifts, home & kitchen items, gourmet food, Kringle Candles and more. 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.


Ski, Skate, and More Sale Cancelled

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


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.