Check out our Wildcat news ... find out about Girls and Boys Soccer and an update about the turf field!

Chinese ECE students zoomed with students from Taiyuan High School.  They spoke Chinese and English, exchanged information and talked about hobbies, sports, family and friends. Through these exchanges they have learned how language functions in social interactions, as well as feel motivated to pronounce words in the right pitches. As a follow up activity, students will practice as pen pals where they will email each other in both Chinese and English about their high school lives and experiences.

The installation of the LOLHS pollinator garden was completed on Saturday, Sept 11 behind the LOLHS Library Media Center. Students weeded, laid out cardboard, and moved 5 yards of mulch to prep the new pollinator garden bed. The worms will now work on breaking everything down. Some planting will take place towards the end of October and will continue in the spring. The TREX bench that was won by the high school last year, as part of the national TREX challenge, will be installed in this location in the next few weeks.

Techo Ticks is hosting 
Newcomer's Meeting 
Monday, September 20th at 6:30 PM
in the LOLHS Auditorium.
All new members
must bring a parent to this first meeting.

It’s time again for the Trex Recycling Challenge at Lyme-Old Lyme Schools. Students may bring clean, dry, and empty plastic film to school where it will be collected and weighed. Trex bins are conveniently located inside all school buildings as well as at Old Lyme Town Hall, Lyme Town Hall, and LYSB. Our goal this year is to collect 5,000 pounds of film and to win a bench for each school building. The Trex Recycling Challenge pits schools against one another in a friendly competition to collect the most plastic for a chance to win Trex benches or other products for schools. Trex Company is a manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing made in-part from recycled plastic film. Plastic film must be clean, dry, empty, and free of food residue. Generally, if film can be stretched, it’s acceptable. Please remove air from pillow-pack bubble wrap. If you see a #2 or #4 recycling symbol on a package, it may be put in a Trex bin. See below for examples of what can and can not be recycled in the Trex Challenge. Participation in the Trex Challenge is a way to promote environmental stewardship, gain awareness of how much plastic is in our lives, and hopefully win a Trex bench for your student’s school. To learn more, visit https://recycle.trex.com/view/educate to have all of your questions answered.

Take a look at some very cool achievements that our students have accomplished outside of school!

​Hoshena Gemme has been wrestling for 6 years. She received four CT wrestling  State Champions and has been competing in  national tournaments. She earned 'All American' title. She is ready to wrestle LOLHS!!!! ​

Newcomers: Join us for  some pizza
(or bring your own lunch)  
FRIDAY Sept. 17 during all 3 lunches.
We hope your student will join members of the Student Advisory Council and myself for some pizza. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet some new people and find out more about our school community. 

Lunch will be held outside, weather permitting, or in the Library Media Center if not. 

​There are so many talented, interesting and remarkable students here at LOLHS and it’s hard to keep track of what everyone is up to. The Parent Advisory Board is looking for your help.  
If your child has done something exciting, interesting or noteworthy, outside of school, and you would like to share it with the LOLHS community please tap the link located below to share the news. We  ask that you submit a few sentences describing the event and hopefully a photo as well.  We will then share your news in upcoming editions of the blog. The link is below and also will be accessible every week over in the right hand margin where you can click anytime to submit your news. 

Directions can be found on the Region 18 website on the Parent page and here: 
​

All forms must be completed by 8/30/21.  They include:

• Student Demographics
• Student Addresses
• Student Contacts
• Health Information
• Health Authorizations
  • Consent to Emergency Treatment
  • Consent to Medical Information
  • Authorization for Sunscreen Use - This Form Requires Upload / Signed Print Out – See Below
  • Authorization to Administer Potassium Iodide (KI) Tablets
  • Authorization for School Nurse to Administer Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen 2021.2022- This Form Requires Upload / Signed Print Out – See Below
• Residence Survey
• Transportation Request Form
• Annual Acknowledgements & Agreements
  • Annual District Policy Notification Acknowledgment
  • District Millstone Power Plant Readiness Plan Acknowledgment
  • Parent / Student Handbook Acknowledgement
  • Students K-12: One-To-One Device Agreement -  This must be completed before Chromebooks are allowed to be brought home.

Authorization for Sunscreen Use: - For a student use/apply sunscreen at school, you must print, sign or upload the form here: Sunscreen Authorization Form .  If you choose to print & sign, please have your student bring it to their school nurse, or drop it off at the main office.
Authorization for School Nurse to Administer Acetaminophen/Ibuprofen:
For a student to receive Acetaminophen or Tylenol at school, you must print, sign or upload the link to the PDF here:
Authorization_for_School_Nurse_to_Administer_Acetaminophen_Ibuprofen_2021-2022.pdf . 
If you choose to print & sign, please have your student bring it to their school nurse, or drop it off at the main office.
If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Noyes at: noyest@region18.org.
Thank you for your prompt attention!

Wildcat Wellness Day is back on the schedule for OCTOBER 20th! This will be our 4th Annual Wellness Day and we are so excited to be able to hold it this year. If you have experience in this field and would like to share your knowledge by offering a workshop / session, we would love it!  Please contact me by phone (860-434-1651 x1002) or by email at   manfredij@region18.org ​

BE ON TIME! Students are expected to be in their classrooms by 7:40 ready to learn. The front doors lock at 7:39. If a student is arriving late to school, they are to sign in at the main office to receive a pass to go to their first period class.   Please review page 17 of the handbook for further clarification.

​Masks:  Mask wearing is non-negotiable. We expect all students to come to school with an appropriate mask. If a student is being resistant we will contact home and ask that the parent /guardian come pick up the student.

Dress Code: Contrary to what your students may tell you, we do have a dress code at LOLHS. We take great pride in the appearance of our students and believe that student attire reflects upon the quality of our school. In an effort to create a positive learning environment, students are expected to come to school dressed in an appropriate manner.  Below are the expectations  found on  pages 26.

• Clothing must NOT be inappropriately revealing, over-sized, or immodestly undersized (e.g. halter-tops, off the shoulder or low-cut tops, spaghetti straps, bare midriffs, short shorts and extremely short skirts – recommended fingertip length).
• Clothing must conceal undergarments at all times. Clothing or accessories that advertise or display tobacco, alcohol, drugs, obscene language, inappropriate slogans or images will not be permitted.
• Attire that promotes violence, racism, harassment, discrimination, or bigotry will not be allowed in school or at school functions.
• Students may not wear sunglasses in school.
• Headphones, ear buds or any other electronic devices may not be worn or utilized as an accessory during the school day, except during lunch or study hall.
• Head coverings, including but not limited to hats, bandannas, hoods, etc. may not be worn inside school buildings upon arrival until dismissal, unless for documented medical reasons. In other words, take of your hats upon entering the building.

2021-22- Back to School and back to normal... as much as possible!

The building will be open and students will be permitted to enter the building prior to 7:20. Club meetings will return to the schedule prior to covid. Many clubs will be meeting before school. Please access the canvas calendar or the "GET INVOLVED" page to find out the schedule and the selection of the co-curricular clubs and activities. 

Schedule: We continue to follow A/B day schedule. Classes will be 85 minutes. This year, though, we are excited to bring back HOMEROOM. Students will meet with their homeroom teacher everyday after the second block. On Wednesday's we continue to hold Advisory or Academic Review on alternating Wednesdays. Here is a link to the daily bell schedule
​
FREE MEALS! We are happy to inform you that our outstanding breakfast and lunch program will be offered FREE again this year! Students are able to access the cafeteria in the morning upon arrival. Lunches as well are all free. Don't forget to pre-order your sandwich... see link in th right margin.
​
Senior Privileges: While last year all students were able to enjoy the early dismissal and late arrival if they had a Study Hall, this year we are "back to normal". This will be reserved for SENIORS ONLY! In order to 'register' for senior privileges and parking passes, it is important that all parents access their PowerSchool Parent Portal for the Back-To-School forms which can be found at Region18.org - Parent Page.  This process is very important for ALL parents to access and review, update and complete! if you have any questions please contact Tammy Noyes at noyest@region18.org or 860-867-6196

Wellness, Balance and SEL: We know that we all had a stressful year last year. Our goal, this year, is to get back to  normal. While expectations are high at Lyme-Old Lyme High School and that stress can overcome our lives quite easily and quickly, especially once the daily grind and routine of school begins: classes, homework, sports, clubs, etc., we continue to focus  on Wellness and Balance... a balance of work and fun.  We continue to maintain our Homework Guidelines and we have scheduled six Homework Free Weekends. They are posted on the Canvas Events Calendar and will be posted on this blog as well. Additionally, we look forward to the 4nd Annual Wildcat Wellness Day (or afternoon) on October 20! If you have something to share connected to "wellness" and would be willing to participate, please email me (manfredij@region18.org). We welcome new presenters and love as much community involvement as possible.

New Comers Club:  All new members to our community will be welcomed in our school. We like to provide you with a 'buddy' to help you with any questions you may have and get to know who things work. You will also be invited to join our 'Lunch Bunch'  which will meet over lunch! The goal of the meetings are simply to connect and see how things are going for you as well as address any questions or needs that may be lingering. Stay tuned for notices of meetings that will be sent to your email, to your Homeroom teacher, and posted on the TVs.

LOLHS Parent/Student Handbook: Our Parent/Student Handbook is digital! Students can find it on the LOLHS Student Canvas Course and parents can access the link on the Region 18 website under the LOLHS - Our School - Scroll down to Handbook for Parents and Students.  (link: Region 18 - LOLHS )

So...  Welcome Back Wildcats!  
It is going to be a fantastic year.  I will continue to inform you of  the LOLHS events, celebrations, and general 'goings on' regularly through this blog.  I look forward to working with you all this year!

​Jeanne

PLEASE JOIN US ON AUGUST 25 @ 5PM FOR OUR ANNUAL NEWCOMERS/ FRESHMAN PICNIC.

​This event will be held outside so please bring your beach chair and/or blanket!



Below find links to the revised letter with the important details, the agenda for the evening, and a suggested supply list to prepare for Back to School!

Picnic Letter
Agenda for evening
Suggested Supplies

 
Dear Parents:
 
Greetings from the nursing department. As we look ahead to the next calendar school year, I would like to forward you a copy of our acetaminophen/ibuprofen authorization form and reacquaint you with our present medication policies. Summer time often affords time to be able to plan ahead and secure physician authorizations for medications needed for the approaching school year.
 
All medications, both over-the-counter and prescription medications given during the school day need to be authorized by a physician and a parent. The authorization should be forwarded to the school, and any prescribed medication needs to be brought in by a responsible adult. The medication must be in the original container with the student’s name, name of medication, and dosage clearly written on the label, and no more than a 90-day supply.   The high school and middle schools do keep a supply of 200mg ibuprofen and 325mg acetaminophen tablets, therefore eliminating the need for parents to supply those medications. Please note that any alternative forms such as liquid or chewable ibuprofen or acetaminophen must be supplied by the parent. Medication authorization forms are available at each of the health offices in all schools, or may be downloaded from the district website at www.region18.org.
 
If you would like your student to be able to receive ibuprofen or acetaminophen during school hours specifically for relief of simple headache, menstrual cramps, or discomfort due to orthodontic treatment (braces),  please complete the enclosed form that has been authorized by Dr. Sikand, our medical advisor, and forward it to your student’s school nursing office. This policy will consist of limiting the administration of three doses of medication within a 30 day period on an as needed basis and does not apply to overnight field trips, extracurricular sports, or extracurricular activities. Should your student require pain relief for any other reason such as chronic headache requiring frequent use of analgesic relief or muscular pain due to illness or injury, an authorization must be obtained from your student’s physician.
 
Please note that due to the changing patterns of illness with the Covid-19 virus, throat lozenges for relief of sore/dry throat must be authorized by the child’s physician for use during the school day.
 
All medications are to be administered by the school nurse (or in her absence a qualified school employee) with the exception of epipens and inhalers which may be kept with the student with authorization from the physician and parent.
 
As a reminder, students attending over-night school field trips who may require medication of any type (controlled or over-the-counter) will require authorization from a physician and a parent. At the high school level, students are permitted to carry non-controlled medications such as ibuprofen, allergy medications, and antibiotics with authorization from the physician, parent, and school nurse. Controlled medications are to be given by an authorized teacher, administrator, or school nurse. At the middle school level only epipens and inhalers are permitted to be carried with the student with proper authorization.
 
As a reminder, the HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability Accountability Privacy Act) Privacy Rule is in effect. This federally regulated law means that our health office staff will be unable to have access to your child’s medical records from their physician without proper authorization from a parent. It is the sole responsibility of the student or parent to submit physical examination forms and health records for mandated requirements.
 
For your convenience, a medication authorization form for the administration of ibuprofen and acetaminophen is provided. This form needs to be renewed annually. If you require any clarification of these medical policies, please contact your child’s school nurse. Samantha Piette is the middle school nurse and may be reached at 860 434-4444 (x2008) or piettes@region18.org. Melissa Seckla is the high school nurse and may be reached at 860 434-4444 (x1004) or secklam@region18.org
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Ellen Maus RN, BSN
Regional School District #18 Nurse Coordinator

The USDA has extended the free meal (breakfast and lunch) program to all students for the 21-22 school year.  That said, we still need to make free/reduced meal applications available to our families, free of charge, if asked.  The updated application in both English and Spanish for 21-22, as well as the Information Sharing Agreement in available below.  If this form is not signed and returned, I’m unable to share a student’s status.  Also attached is an FAQ document that may be helpful should you have questions. 
 
The updated forms will also be added to the district website.
 
Please contact Holly McCalla, Business Manager, with any questions.