On Thursday, August 8^th, about 3,800 students will arrived at our six Lebanon Community Schools for what I am sure will be a successful start of the 2013-14 school year. At this time of year, we all are reminded that every new start of school affords us another opportunity to begin a school year filled with excitement, anticipation, optimism and enthusiasm. The faculty and staff at LCSC look forward to working closely with you as we work towards providing our students with an outstanding educational learning opportunity in the coming days, weeks, and months. Whether you are a student, parent, business owner, community leader, or resident, you play an important part in the success of our educational programming and we are appreciative of everyone's contributions. Should you have any questions regarding the Lebanon Community School system please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to become involved and stay informed and I encourage your partnership and support as we prepare every Lebanon student for a successful future.

This is a very exciting time to be involved with the Lebanon Community School Corporation. As this new school year begins we will welcome a number of new people, programs, and initiatives and I'd like to take a moment to highlight just a few so you are informed of some of the many initiatives and programs our students will be involved in this year.

Academically Speaking...

• The implementation of the 1 to 1 computer initiative at LHS will start the first day of school. Every student at LHS will enter the 21^st Century Learning environment with the benefit of an Apple Mac Book that will be available for their use 24/7. From the increased access to all of the resources on the web, to allowing each LHS student to supplement their learning with the creative use of technology this new initiative will be one of the most significant influences in every student's academic life.

• The implementation of the Compass Learning program in our elementary and middle schools will be in full swing starting this school year. Compass learning is a web based learning resource that will allow teachers to combine student assessment information into the development of individualized technology based supplemental instruction. With Compass Learning being a web based program students and parents will have access to this resource at home as well. While no technology can ever replace the significance of a good classroom teacher and an involved supportive parent, these new advances in digital based instruction will be a great asset for all of our students.

• The expansion of the community mentor program to Harney Elementary school will begin with the new school year. During the 2012-2013 school year, the implementation of the mentor program at Hattie B. Stokes in conjunction with the Lebanon Boys and Girls Club was a huge success. Caring adults and students in need were paired up for a long term meaningful relationship that benefited the mentor and student alike. I would encourage anyone that is interested in making a difference in the life of child in need to sign up for the mentoring program. It makes a difference that lasts.

• Reading, reading, reading. While learning to read is nothing new in schools, students in Lebanon schools will be involved in a multitude of reading programs and literacy initiatives that will allow them to be lifelong learners in the decades to come. From the formalized reading blocks that all elementary students will participate in to the frequent visits to the media center all students, and parents, will be involved in reading opportunities that will be beneficial and enjoyable.

S.R.O. Program...

• We will be expanding our current School Resource Officer (SRO) program at Lebanon schools. For the last several years LCSC in partnership with the Lebanon Police Department and the Boone County Sheriff's Department have had trained school resource and D.A.R.E. officers in our schools. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year LCSC will take over full responsibility for the SRO program, personnel, and services. For the 2013-2014 school year Lebanon schools will employ two full time individuals to staff our schools and provide security resources and education. During this first year the officers will be involved with students and staff at all schools and will be working directly with the building administrators to insure all schools are maximizing all security practices and protocols. In addition to providing security support, the SRO personnel will be involved with the teachers to assist in the development and presentation of lessons on topics such as anti-bullying, substance abuse issues, drug awareness, personnel safety awareness, and information on civic issues such as the legal system, the judiciary system and other "good citizenship" practices and responsibilities. LCSC also anticipates the Lebanon SRO program will qualify for the state $50,000 grant which will support local SRO programs. While it is disappointing it is necessary to have a local school security and resource program in place, I am encouraged that Lebanon Community Schools is able to provide this necessary service for our students, staff, and parents.

School Construction Update...

• The light at the end of the construction tunnel is getting brighter and brighter. With a summer full of ongoing construction at the high school, the middle school, and several elementary schools we anticipate opening all schools with all projects either completed or with just a few weeks of work left to be finished. The transformation of Lebanon High School continues to be nothing short of incredible. A new cafeteria, new band room, new culinary arts learning labs, a completely remodeled auditorium, a new location for Tiger Town, a student café, a student managed computer repair facility, a new state of the art green house, and new air conditioning in the main gymnasium are all summer projects that will be finished over the next several weeks. I would encourage each of you to stop by and visit the new "LHS" sometime in the next several months. Also a reminder the parking lot located on the west side of the school (the front) is being redesigned with new traffic patterns for both student drop off and pick up areas, and visitor parking areas. Please use caution when driving in the west parking lot until you become familiar with the changes. 

Lebanon Education Foundation...

• The Lebanon Education Foundation (LEF) is made up of community volunteers interested in advancing student programs through monetary contributions and volunteer efforts. This past year the Foundation donated approximately $12,000 for student programs and teacher projects. Visit the LEF website here for more information.

Lebanon Community Schools is an exciting and active school system that provides almost unlimited learning opportunities for our students. LCSC is a great place for learning, and growing. I am excited about the upcoming school year and I would encourage each and every one of you to come join me in discovering why your community schools C.A.R.E.S (Cultivating And Reaching Every Student... Influencing lives through the power of education) about our students.

The Grounds Buildings, which currently resides on the north side of the High School, will soon be moving to a new location. During the past several years discussions have taken place about upgrading the appearance and safety of the grounds area and sports complex. Included in the upgrade is appearance and functionality and the most important factor considered was the safety of our patrons. Patrons will no longer be exposed to fuel tanks, chemical storage areas and stored equipment or supplies belonging to the Grounds Department.  

Once the entire project is completed there will be no reason to leave the complex for restrooms while attending events in the stadium or tennis court areas. The complete project will consist of a new grounds building to be built on the northeast side of the middle school, the removal of the current grounds buildings, a new concession stand with restrooms and a new ticket booth. The current grounds buildings are outdated and have lost functionality with the increase in personnel and grounds equipment. The new facility will allow our personnel a safe environment to perform more repair work on equipment and provide additional storage for equipment during periods of the year it is not used.  

Three of the current buildings will be taken down or moved intact and repurposed - one being moved behind the bleachers for some much needed athletic storage, one being moved to the Service Center to expand its current space and the current ticket booth being moved and used at the soccer complex. The remaining buildings will be removed and discarded.

Phase 1 of the project is scheduled to begin the end of July and be finished by the middle of November. The removal of the buildings will begin in November 2013 and the Concession Stand/Restroom facility will begin in March 2014 with a finish date of the complete project in August 2014.

Additional information will be available once the project is underway.