Dear Lurgio Families,
Superintendent Fournier issued an update today regarding the Bedford School District’s plan for reopening. Given that we are on a trajectory to begin bringing all hybrid students into the building on Friday, February 12, I thought it would be important to share with you the changes that students will likely see in the coming weeks.
There is a more thorough outline in the first New News item below, but the bottom line is that the biggest change will be that our six-foot distancing mitigation measure will be reduced to three feet. If the data remains GREEN when the district metrics team meets on Wednesday, February, 3, the three-foot standard will begin for all lunches on Monday, February 8. This is because the classroom desks that are currently serving as individual lunch tables for students will need to be returned to classrooms to prepare for full attendance on Friday. Students will eat lunch with a maximum of four students per lunch table.
We will continue to maintain six feet of distance during classes and in hallways Mondays through Thursdays, and we will reduce that distance to three feet at all times when all hybrid students are present on Fridays. We will continue to follow guidance from DHHS regarding positive cases, contact tracing, and quarantine. Because this guidance maintains six feet of distance as the standard for contact tracing, there is an increased risk that more students will need to quarantine based on close contact during lunches or on Fridays.
We will continue to enforce strict mask-wearing measures in order to attempt to mitigate the spread of any potential contagion. If all goes well during this period of full-attendance on Fridays, we can expect further reopening of schools in the coming months. I sincerely hope that we are at the beginning of a return to increased normalcy.
My 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
Lurgio Athletics Weekly Schedule
Important Dates
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].
Lurgio Goes Tubing at McIntyre
Looking for some outdoor fun? RAL students have the opportunity to go tubing at McIntyre Ski Area on Saturday 2/13, from 9-11 am. Forms and money are due back to homeroom teachers (or to the office) by 2/5 if you want to attend. There are a limited number of spots available. Click HERE for information and waivers.
BHS Course Registration
The BHS course registration portal will open 8th graders and their parents on February 2nd and close on February 15th. There is no first come, first served order; no one gets priority based on when they put information into the portal. Take your time. Make changes right up until February 15 if you need to. The registration portal is contained within PowerSchool. Please watch this video to see how it works. The Course Selection Information Night and this Program of Studies link are also useful tools when registering for classes.
Lurgio Mask Order
We are currently accepting orders for Lurgio face masks! If your student wishes to order a Lurgio face mask, see this FLYER for details. Use this LINK to order.
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 this winter. This is also a way for students to get in some social time with their peers while practicing safe social distancing.
The next sessions offered will be February 10-11; more information on those will come out in next week's Lurgio News.
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.
Lion’s Den
Be sure to check out the great work in the first issue of the Lion’s Den.
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.
Athletics Corner
Indoor Athletic Events
Home basketball games are not open to spectators during the 2020-2021 season, with the exception of (2) household family members from each player. Families will sit socially distanced on the bleachers, 6 feet apart, and masks should be worn at all times.
Students, staff, and athletes who are members of other teams (including basketball) are not permitted to attend games. A staff member will be at the door checking in spectators no earlier than 15 minutes before the start of the game. Spectators are asked to leave immediately after the game, especially when there is another game afterwards.
There will be no spectators permitted at any away games this season.
Specific information was sent out to basketball families regarding all of our modifications this season.
Book Buzz
We discussed strategies for keeping stress free now that we are nearing a year into the pandemic with Whitney Stewart's book Mindfulness and Meditation.
Gary Paulsen has a new book called Gone to the Woods and it is a memoir.
Gary Schmidt has a new book called Just Like That.
Alan Gratz has a new novel called Ground Zero.
PTG Corner
Principal Winter Reading Night
Dress in your PJ’s, settle down with a snack in the comfort of your home, then tune in to BCTV (channel 23) to hear our principals read you a story! This is sure to be a fun-filled family event. Please click HERE for details.
Color Blast Fun Run/Walk
We're bringing the Color Blast Fun Run/Walk to your front door! Just because things are a little different this year doesn't mean we can't have any fun. Join us for a virtual Color Blast Fun Run/Walk over the week of May 22. We will miss throwing color at you, but we'll make sure you have enough color to throw at your family :) Stay tuned for more details.
Stay Connected to the PTG
Please visit our PTG WEBSITE and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) to see all the exciting things happening in our schools. Thank you for your support!
