Supervisory Unit #88 - Office of the Superintendent 20 Seminary Hill West Lebanon, NH 03784 Telephone: 603-790-8500 Fax: 603-790-8310 www.sau88.net Dr. Joanne Roberts, Interim Superintendent Christine Downing, District Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Synthia Liska, Interim Director of Special Services Tim Ball, Business Administrator

November 11, 2014 Dear Lebanon Community Members, Our clocks may have been set back, but at SAU 88, we continue to move forward. October was an exciting month. Here are some highlights of work accomplished, and what we will be focusing on in November. Budget:  Bi-monthly SAU 88 SAULT meetings (SAU Leadership Team which consists of SAU office and building administrators). The first meeting in October was centered on zero-based budgeting methods. Rather than assuming the District will spend a certain amount on items such as classroom supplies, textbooks, software, or furniture year after year, each administrator has specified the need and cost for each item, in each account. We are carefully reviewing and building the 20152016 budget line by line.  Tim Ball, Business Administrator, Christine Downing, District Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, the principals and I have been meeting with Board representatives sharing the results of our efforts to review proposed budgets. Surveys:  The second SAULT meeting of the month was focused on reviewing the results of the Faculty and Paraprofessional Survey that is included with this letter and discussions regarding the Marzano evaluation model. The purpose of the Faculty and Paraprofessional survey is to gain a better understanding of the strengths and opportunities for growth specific to curriculum, instruction, assessment, professional learning, student services, facilities, business and human resources, transportation and various services. The survey was administered to faculty and paraprofessionals over a two week period.  A second survey, that will be open to all Lebanon Community members, will be administered in November. A link to this survey will be sent via SchoolReach.  I am in the process of developing a survey for elementary (third and fourth grade), middle school and high school students. I have met with high school and middle school council members and greatly appreciated their feedback and suggestions.

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The data from the surveys (Faculty/Paraprofessional; Community and Students) will be used, in conjunction with other resources, to begin to develop a cohesive and meaningful SAU #88 strategic plan.

Communications:  Dianne Estes, Director of School and Community Relations, held two Community Chats on CATV. Tim Ball, Christine Downing and I participated in the first chat. Dana Arey, Peter Merritt and I attended the second chat. The chats are one way of introducing new administrators to the community and provide an opportunity for you to get to know a little bit about us and why we think the Lebanon School District is such a wonderful place for our administrators, faculty, and support staff to work, and for our students to learn. Here are the links! http://vimeo.com/109235680 and http://vimeo.com/109235682 Special Education:  Please welcome Synthia Liska as the Interim Director of Special Services. Synthia will being working part-time at the SAU while remaining as a part-time administrator at the middle school. She has already hit the ground running developing a survey for special educators, reviewing grants, attending West Central Special Education Directors meetings, and assisting to develop the 20152016 budget. Technology:  Director of Technology, Peter Merritt is developing a multi-year SAU 88 Technology Plan which will assist us to critically examine the current level of technology use and equipment (software and hardware) in each building; determine actual faculty and student needs and systemically and strategically plan for future purchases and leases. The plan will ensure that we are considering the multitude of aspects involved with integrating technology in a meaningful and thoughtful way. Facilities:  Dana Arey, Director of Facilities, Tim Ball and I have met with the Finance and Facilities Committee to discuss space issues we are encountering at both elementary schools due to rising student enrollment. The Committee is considering potential solutions. Events:  The bonfire was held on October 9th. It was an amazing event! A huge THANK YOU to the Lebanon Police and Fire Departments, and to all the folks behind the scenes, who against all odds, made it happen this year. A special thanks to Dianne Grant and Cindy McCarthy whose tireless efforts did not go unnoticed. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside and meet so many students in our senior class. I am incredibly proud of the way you all worked together and made the evening memorable. May this tradition continue!

Spending time with our teachers and students-This month I participated in the Walking School Bus Kick Off Day at HSS. I have observed middle school students engaged in determining the number of angles they can create given a specific geometric shape. Students in English were using software to create timelines involving character and plot, and science students were determining biological classifications. At the high school, I was asked to be on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Panel where I had the opportunity to listen to freshmen students debate the topic of Human Rights. I was incredibly impressed with the presentations-from the research, to the organization and flow, the ability of our students to speak to and support their opinions, their ability to actively listen and respond articulately and thoughtfully to differing points of view. Every year Spanish II students from the high school create stories including the illustrations and read them out loud to first graders at Hanover Street School. I sat at a table with two first graders who thought it was “so cool” that high school students were reading and talking to them. From the expressions on both the high school and elementary school students’ faces it was a truly, meaningful experience. October 31st-Halloween-pumpkin songs, goblin songs, masks and parades—even a few SAU office staff members dressed up to celebrate! November is a month of remembrance and gratitude. As we celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, I hope that you are able to spend time with family and friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lebanon School District and if there are ways in which I can further help to provide guidance, support or to improve our school system, please do not hesitate to let me know. Sincerely, Dr. Joanne Roberts