LOLHS Environmental Club  spent some time trail clearing on Saturday with the Old Lyme Open Space committee at the Ames Property. 

Clubs and Co-curricular activities have begun in full force. New clubs have been added and meeting times have been adjusted. 
You can check out the revised schedule (link) of all clubs currently running.  Also access the  Get Involved website link with all club/ organization updated information and schedule.

On Wednesday, September 16th, the class of 2021 gathered for their senior photo. All followed the direction of their advisors, Mrs. Fried and Mrs Trost, to create their physically distanced class photo... A big event considering our current state of affairs.  Take a look at the footage! 
                          Well done WILDCATS!!!

Watch this episode of WLYM ... "The best news source for all things WILDCAT!"

Students joined in on the fun to play kickball on Thursday afternoon. Unified Sports welcomes anyone to join in ... Some fun things to look forward to with Unified in October

• hiking and crabbing at Bluff Point (first week of October)
• High Hopes event (mid October)
• World-wide bocce invitational
• Mile Challenge (record what each partner/athlete walks in the month of October)

If anyone wants to sign up, here is the link:  https://www.familyid.com/programs/2020-2021-high-school-unified-sports-registration

Welcome all to the 2020-2021 school year. Since the hiatus in March due to COVID-19 we have come back with some changes to the school environment and in the way students and staff interact. Our hope is that you will find the information in this communication helpful as a guidance tool regarding some of the changes in policies and procedures.
 
It has been scientifically proven that facemasks, handwashing, and physical distancing are the  most important mitigating strategies known to combat COVID-19. As previously communicated, all students and staff (with rare exception) are expected to wear a facemask during the school day. There will be mask breaks scheduled for students. The structure of the breaks may look different from class to class, depending on the scheduling nature of classes. We want to remind parents and students that cloth masks should be washed regularly. Consider sending in a backup mask with your student to have if needed. The nurses have disposable masks in the health offices that can be used if needed, but your student may prefer one that they are more comfortable with. 
 
Remember to schedule a flu vaccine this year for your child. Once the vaccine has been given, it takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to become fully effective. With many flu symptoms being similar to symptoms of COVID-19, it is important to have as much protection as possible to fight these viruses. A suggestion is to call your child’s primary care physician to see how they are handling giving flu vaccine this year and make an appointment. It is not too early.
 
Due to COVID-19 restrictions we are asking that no food be sent in to school this year to be shared for parties and celebrations. Teachers and staff have resources for alternative activities to create some special time that can be enjoyed by all.
 
The CT State Department of Education, the CT Department of Public Health (DPH), and our local Ledge Light Health District are working continuously to keep our school district aware of the latest health information regarding COVID-19. We also work closely with our school medical advisor Dr. Vijay Sikand on all health matters as they pertain to students and staff.
 
The following guidance is information we would like parents to review and follow. Please understand that this guidance may be subject to change.
Guidelines and Procedures Regarding COVID-19

• Use the Region 18 Daily Symptom Screening Checklist before your child comes to school, including checking your child’s temperature every morning.
• If your child has any  of the symptoms on the Region 18 Daily Symptom Screening Checklist, please contact your child’s physician for further guidance.
• If your child has any key symptoms of COVID-19 such as:

• Fever above 100.4 degrees/chills
• Uncontrolled new cough
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell

 Contact your child’s physician for further guidance regarding the illness and if COVID-19 testing is warranted.

• Call your child’s school nurse and let her know your child’s symptoms and when they began.
• If your child is tested for COVID-19 let her know the date and provide her with a copy of the test result (positive or negative).
• If you need help finding a location to have a COVID-19 test done, your child’s physician office may be of assistance. The following website also offers information on testing sites: 211 CT - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Informatio
  

This site allows a search by zip code to find a testing site. It also allows the user to search by sites that take children, perform asymptomatic testing, and sites that allow testing without an appointment.

• If your child’s physician determines the key symptoms are not due to COVID-19, your child may return to school:

• After 24 hours fever free without use of a fever reducing medication and
• If his/her symptom(s) are improving and
• With a note from your child’s physician indicating an alternative diagnosis for the symptoms.

• Notes from your child’s physician may be submitted to me by email or fax.
  

If your child has any nonspecific signs and symptoms of COVID-19 such as 

• Muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Congestion
• Runny nose

Please contact your child’s physician for further guidance. The physician will determine whether a doctor visit is indicated.

• For nonspecific signs and symptoms of COVID-19 your child may return to school once he/she is symptom free for 24 hours (without use of any fever reducing medication).

 
Be sure to contact the main office at your child’s school to report any absence.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email.
 
Melissa Seckla RN
secklam@region18.org
Phone: 860-434-1651 x1004
Fax: 860-434-4430
LOLHS
 

Take a look at how, although we could not have the dog teams available for first day, we had a great stand in!

Clubs and Co-curricular activities will commence Monday Sept. 14. Please access the link found above or on the Region 18 website for schedule and organization information

Lyme-Old Lyme Public Schools has updated our daily self-screen tool to align with the most recent guidance from our health department. 
​It can be found here:
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1599682418/region18/hyivzecytjybb0ygfh3y/Daily_Health_Screening_Tool_for_Students_and_Staff.pdf
 

​The USDA recently approved the extension of free meals (lunch and applicable breakfast) through December 31, 2020.  The district will begin participation in this program beginning Monday September 14, 2020.  This is for all students currently enrolled in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools.

Our traditional music history curriculum is being re-vamped this fall and revolves completely around the ground-breaking Hip-Hop musical that has taken the world by storm.  We will get to know the musical and explore Rap, Hip-Hop, Musical Theater, and other music styles that influenced the creation of this quintessentially American show!
 
If you are looking for an elective during period 2 this fall, ask you School Counselor about Music History today!  ​This course is available to both remote and in-person learners.

I'm not sure if you remember a blog post about a certain senior project... Will Bartlett's. He had decided to convert a Model T gas engine to an electric one. Will had been working on this project through our COVID closure and just last week, I  received an email from Will sharing the completion of this project! Take a look.

Week One was a great success! We began each day with an Advisory period beginning with a Welcome Address from Mr. Wygonik with a comprehensive review of what our New Normal looks like followed by days with virtual class meetings and a Welcome Advisory.  You could feel the energy in the building and excitement of being back in school. Students have been really wonderful and understanding the need to stay vigilant  in order to stay in school. Keeping masks on, following the one-way hallways, sitting forward during lunches, and distancing themselves are all part of this new normal. While we did really well during our first week, we must keep this up and not let our guard down.

Student Attire: These first few days of school, I have had several conversations with some students regarding proper attire.  LOLHS dress code guidelines, which can be referred to in the Parent/ Student Handbook under 'Student Attire', seem to have been forgotten - understandably as we have been out of school for the past 7 months.  I know that after having the freedom of summer and our Covid closure come to a screeching halt, it can sometimes be confusing as to what is considered appropriate dress for the classrooms and the halls of LOLHS.  

We take great pride in the appearance of our students and believe that student dress reflects upon the quality of our school.  In order to help create a positive and professional learning environment we ask the following:

• Clothing must NOT be inappropriately revealing, oversized, 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) and ... must conceal undergarments at all times. 
• Masks: Our mask guidance is based on the CDC face covering guidelines but is more stringent in that all masks must cover the nose, mouth, and chin area. Bandannas, gators, balaclavas, buffs, masks with one-way valves or vents, or any other face covering that does not meet the administration’s determination of appropriateness are prohibited. Students or staff who arrive without the proper mask will be provided one for use that day and will be expected to return the following school day with an approved mask.

I am hoping that together we can help guide our students in their wardrobe choices (and masks). Thank you in advance for your awareness and support  as we confront the never ending challenge of balancing  teen fashion and the professional, academic environment at Lyme-Old Lyme High School

Student Release Privilege: If your student has period 1, 5, 4 and/or 8, they are able to arrive late or get dismissed early. If this is something you would like to register for, please be sure to access the Family ID link HERE to complete the registration. This begins Tuesday September 8.

Just a reminder... Chartwells continues to support our school in creating ways to keep lunch safe and yummy! You are welcome to Pre-Order your sandwich and have it ready for you at the beginning of your lunch! Select the image below to take you to the link. This link is also found on the Region 18 website - HighSchool - Student Life - scroll down to the Lunch Menus and Sandwich Order tab. This link can also be found right here on the LOLHS Wildcat News page in the right margin at the top... just look for the sandwich!

The Science department had some fun putting together some slides to review with all classes the new safety protocols both in the class and in labs. Take a look!