I’m not sure if you are all aware but one of our own Brendan Atkins is headed to the World Triathlon Competition in Rotterdam! He participated in the National Triathlon in Omaha, Nebraska this summer and shaved 2 minutes off his personal time! He place 31st… He is headed to Rotterdam for the World Competition next week... September 14-17!
Please join me in wishing him safe travels and loads of luck!
Brendan… YOU ROCK!!!!

I am hoping that you all have had an invigorating and fantastic summer... and ... that you are all ready and eager to come BACK TO SCHOOL! We have spent the summer planning and preparing for your return. Our school looks better than ever, thanks to our hardworking Maintenance Crew and Student Work Crew. They did a fabulous job painting, shining and cleaning floor to ceiling. We also have newly covered couches in the commons. We are ready for opening day, Wednesday, August 30! Please review the schedule below and share with your son /daughter. We will begin with Homeroom and class assemblies. Wednesday will be a D day, followed by an A day on Thursday. The entire calendar year of the rotation days has been posted to the Canvas Calendar under LOLHS: Rotation Days.

Honor Code:
Last year a think-tank made up of students from each grade and faculty met to review our Core Values and Beliefs and develop a Lyme-Old Lyme High School HONOR CODE. We established what we know to be true to our school:

• We are committed to the academic, social and ethical development of each member of our learning community.
• We believe in a culture focused on learning in order to succeed.
• We believe in taking ownership and pride in our actions and choices by demonstrating our Core Values of Accountability, Integrity, Respect, and Perseverance.
• We believe that honesty, responsibility and trust are the pillars of character  that must be fostered and on which an honor code is built.

We will be reviewing and working with this Honor Code throughout the year in classes, in co-curricular activities and in advisory to ensure that students become familiar with it and make it part of our culture.

Lockers: This year we are encouraging all students to use their LOCKERS! Each student is issued a locker with their own combination. We know that in the past, many students chose to carry their books around all day as their lockers were not in a convenient place. Well, this year we made a little change. We moved students' lockers to be in close proximity to their homeroom. Students will be able to plan for their classes and  access their lockers more easily.  We also hope that students will use their lockers to keep all  valuable items during the day. Lockers are not to be shared with other students. 

Technology: We are entering Year 2 of our 1:1 model. All students should come prepared to school with a charged laptop. It is important that you know that our Tech Help Desk located in the Library Media Center will no longer be able to provide loaners to students who do not have their computer with them in school. The Tech Help Desk will have only a few laptop loaners available to students who have a technical issue with their school issued computer.  

New Comers Club: For all new students to our community... I hope to see you all on Monday Evening at our Freshmen/New Comers Picnic beginning at 5 pm at the high school. If you are an upper-classman, please join Mrs. Trost in the Library Media Center at 4 pm to receive your School Issued Laptop and get an orientation to our Learning Management System: Canvas. At the picnic, all new members to our community will be given a Buddy who will meet you on Day 1 of school and "Be Your Buddy" for the first few months of school. You will also be invited to join a Lunch Bunch  which will meet frequently in the beginning of the year. Stay tuned to email and notices of schedule sent via Homeroom.  

Wellness and Balance: We know that 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 want to be involved, but we also know that we can only be stretched so far.  This year our focus is going to be on Wellness and Balance... a balance of work and fun.  We will be working in advisories with digital safety, being present, de-stressing, selecting the "right" course, and building healthy relationships. As part of our action planning, we have implemented, new this year, Homework Guidelines. We also have six Homework Free Weekends planned for this year and scheduled in Canvas. Additionally, we have scheduled several different events including an  Activity Fair in September, Social Media Awareness Assembly in October, a "Wellness Afternoon" in November and our CASFY Survey in December.  Lastly, our bi-monthly Advisories are scheduled to support healthy relationships, create balance in our lives, and foster positive school climate.