Dear Lurgio Families,
Today marks the first day since March 13, 2020 that we have had (almost) all of our students in the building. Planning for this school year and reopening has involved many moving parts working together toward a common goal. I want to thank all Lurgio families for the flexibility during this time. Adapting to new schedules, including drop-off and pick-up plans, isn’t always easy. I want to thank you for helping your student to develop healthy routines for both in-school and distance learning days. Our families who have chosen a remote modality are also supporting their students academically, socially, and emotionally during a time when in-person instruction may not be an option for them.
Lurgio students have truly risen to the challenge by jumping on board with our mitigation strategies on a daily basis. I know that middle schoolers may not enjoy wearing a mask all day, sitting at assigned tables at lunch, or trying to socially distance themselves from peers in the hallways. However, our students try their hardest to keep themselves and each other safe at school by adhering to these protocols each day.
I also want to extend my gratitude to our teachers, paraprofessionals, and school staff members who have worked tirelessly to reorganize classroom furniture, curricular plans, and even dining hall procedures. I have seen shining examples of what true teamwork looks like over the past year, but in particular during these last few weeks in preparation for this change in the school calendar. I am proud to work side by side with these educators as we work to give students the best possible middle school experience--even in times of adversity.
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
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
Coed Volleyball
Looking for a fun way to stay active in the month of March? Coed volleyball might be for you! Please fill out this FORM if you are interested in learning more about coed volleyball at Lurgio. More information about registration will be sent out prior to February vacation.
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].
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 January 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.
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.
February 17th: A Walk in the Forest with a Professional
February l8th: A Walk in the Forest with a Professional
In addition, Joppa Hill is looking for parent volunteers to run a field trip. Have a love for the outdoors? Have a skill/career in environmental science? We would love to hear from you! Please contact Amy Rockwell at rockwella@bedfordnhk12.net.
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.
Weekly Schedule
As always, check out our weekly schedule for information about athletics practices and competitions.
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!
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
PTG Corner
Love Your School - This Valentine’s Day
Last call for the “Love Your School” support drive donations. Anyone who donates by February 14th will be entered for a chance to win a $50 BVI or $50 T-Bones gift card. To donate via PayPal, click HERE. Even though our “Love your school” event is ending, the Bedford PTG accepts donations all year long. We appreciate your continued support.
