SCHOOL INFO:
Upcoming Board Meeting: 1/27 at 7pm
Documents:
https://www.windhamcentral.
Lead Letter:
January 30, 2020
Dear Parents, Guardians and our Staff:
The State of Vermont passed a new law in 2019 that requires all schools and child care providers to test their drinking water for lead. Samples of water from every tap at L&G that is reasonably expected to be used for drinking or cooking were collected and sent to the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory for analysis. At L&G, we’ve been testing our water for the past 20 years. For these past tests, the threshold was based on the older standards. The new legislation dropped the designated threshold from 15 parts per billion (pbb) to 4 pbb. Faucets and fixtures that previously were compliant, no longer are.
Results for Leland & Gray Union Middle/High School:
- Many of the taps had a lead level AT OR ABOVE the 4 parts per billion (ppb) action level.
- Our water bottle refill stations (A, B and C levels) all came back UNDER this level and remain safe according to the new state threshold.
We take our responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for the children and staff seriously. Any tap that tested at or above 4 ppb (parts per billion) was immediately taken out of service for drinking or cooking. These areas will be labeled as such. We are working on fixes to permanently lower levels of lead in the water.
Lead exposure poses a special risk to children because they absorb lead into their systems more easily than adults do. Lead can slow down growth, impair development and learning, and can cause behavior problems. While the major source of lead poisoning in Vermont children is paint, lead in plumbing pipes and fixtures can add to a person’s overall exposure. Drinking water in schools and homes may contain lead from old pipes, plumbing fixtures (such as fountains and faucets), or the solder that joins pipe sections together.
More Information:
- For questions about the water testing process, or about the law and its requirements, please dial 2-1-1.
- You can view school and child care results, remediation and any follow-up testing at leadresults.vermont.gov. (NOTE: If your child’s preschool or after school program is located at a school, the results will be listed under the school’s name.) For more information visit: healthvermont.gov/school-drinking-water.
If you have questions or concerns about our facility and the actions we are taking, please contact me.
If you want to test your home drinking water for lead, contact the Health Department Laboratory to order a $12 first draw lead test kit by calling 802-338-4736 or 800-660-9997 (toll free in Vermont).
Sincerely,
Bob Thibault
Principal
School Calendar:
Late Bus:
The Late Bus Schedule can be found here.
Stratton Winter Activity Change:
Wednesday February 5th the Skiing group that goes to Stratton will be dropping off and picking up at the Sun Bowl. This is a different location than normal. Please be aware of the change.
Harlem Rockets @ L&G 2/29 @ 6PM:
Hoops for Hope:
Save the Date: Hoops for Hope games are Feb 20th and 21st.
Blood Drive:
Who ?: YOU
What ?: Blood Drive
When ?: Thursday, March 12th, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where ?: at L+G, in Dutton Gym.
Why?: According to the World Health Organization (WHO) “Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma — which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions.”
Log on to Schedule Your Blood Donation With The Red Cross to set up an account and make an appointment.
Students: You must be at least 16 years old, complete a “Parental Consent…” form, and must meet the following guidelines: Form: Parental Consent for Blood Donation
ALL Donors must bring a photo ID with proof of birthdate.
The need is great...Save a life!
COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Community service is now a graduation requirement starting with the Class of 2019. All information can be found here: https://sites.google.com/lelandandgray.org/communityservice
Please e-mail any community service opportunities to Terry Davison Berger <tdavison-berger@lelandandgray.org>
Moore Free Library:
The Moore Free Library in Newfane has recently received grants from the United Way of Windham County, the Cosby-Gannett Fund, the Vermont Community Foundation, RISE VT, and the Children's Literacy Foundation. These grants are all targeted towards increasing family programming and youth engagement at the library.
With the funding, the Moore Free Library will be expanding its hours and family offerings. Starting February 1st, the library will host Family Fun Fridays every Friday evening. Coloring and board games will be available from 5-6 PM and at 6 PM, a family movie will be shown in the Crowell Gallery. Popcorn and snacks will be provided. On Saturdays, there will be a weekly activity geared towards kids/families from 1:00 - 2:00 PM.
This grant funding is also supporting a week of Story Time Yoga during school vacation week (February 17 - 22). From 10:30 -- 11:30 AM each day that week, families and caregivers of children of all ages are invited to hear a story and learn some gentle yoga moves related to the story, led by Newfane Village Yoga and Kidding Around Yoga certified teacher, Courtney Perkins. After Story Time Yoga, families are invited to gather at the Newfane Congregational Church for a community luncheon.
The Moore Free Library also offers a weekly story time on Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:00 AM, which is an opportunity for young children and their caregivers to get to know each other and listen to stories read aloud. All of these events are free and open to all families and caregivers of children.
Effective February 1, 2020, the Moore Free Library's hours will be as follows: Tuesday 1-5 PM, Wednesday 2-6 PM, Thursday 1-5 PM (with story time 10:30 - 11 AM), Friday 2-8 PM, Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM. The library will continue to be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
This grant funding will allow the library to offer expanded hours and activities for seven months, as a pilot program. If family engagement and youth attendance increases during this pilot period, the library hopes to secure ongoing funding to make these changes permanent.
The Moore Free Library is located at 23 West Street, Newfane, VT 05345. Moorefreelibrary.org, (802) 365-7948, moorefreelibrary@gmail.com
Community Service Opportunities- Gerda's Equine Rescue:
Gerda's Equine Rescue in West Townshend is looking for volunteers! Horse lovers and non-horse lovers wanted!
We have activities from yard maintenance, cleaning, barn work, even filing in the office. Possibly for the right person assistance with video, photography and our website, or even volunteering for events.
If interested, please contact Kathy Anderson at kathy.gerdasequinerescue@gmail.com or see Terry in Room A-13.
BEEC Counselors in Training:
Community Service Opportunity:
The West River Community project is looking for some volunteer help also at the West Townshend Country Store. We need Friday night help with pizza, Thrift shop help ,cafe help and Farmers market help!
For more information, please contact Susan Grabowski at susan.e.grabowski@gmail.com
COMMUNITY:
Summer Program Opportunity:
Adventure Academy: Connecting Mind and Movement in Middle Schoolers
A week long program for middle school students focused on athletics and the importance of Executive Function (organization, time management, planning, study skills, and more).
Monday, June 22 – Friday, June 26, 2020, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Landmark College in Putney.
A week long program for middle school students focused on athletics and the importance of Executive Function (organization, time management, planning, study skills, and more).
Monday, June 22 – Friday, June 26, 2020, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Landmark College in Putney.
Nature Explorers Winter Camp:
Mentor a Child:
