In order to move the Lebanon School District forward in a positive direction this year, district teachers and administrators learned about an educational initiative this fall that has been embraced and implemented by schools nationwide.

Known as SEL or Social Emotional Learning, it is believed that students can be better be served with regard to their social and emotional health with the integration of critical life skills that go beyond academics, Lebanon staff agreed.

At an in-service held on October 11, 2019 at the Lebanon High School, staff members enthusiastically supported the idea of formalizing the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. “What we can do does not require us to buy a curriculum,” said Lisa Scolaro, District Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. “SEL is not an initiative. It’s a value system.”

Tim Koumrian, Director of Student Services at LHS, agreed. “It’s a frame of mind,” said Koumrian. “If it isn’t seen as a separate piece, then we’re able to reach each other as human beings in addition to our professional roles. Ultimately, you can progress further with students when we’re more comfortable with each other as adults.”

In a structured but interactive setting, LHS staff gleaned more about SEL, reflecting on the five competencies that underscore the ability to be available to learn and available to teach including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and
responsible decision making.

“In my role of overseeing different groups of students, we forget sometimes that there are many who come from challenging situations,” said Koumrian. “If you don’t address their social-emotional needs, then a lot of what we ask them to do as educators is not going to happen or it will be really difficult or a long time coming. It is an essential part of what we do now.”

Emily Kehoe, LHS Physical Education/Health teacher, emphasized the importance of classroom culture in order to ensure those needs are met.

“I teach my students that they need to treat people like the way they want to be treated”, said Kehoe. “They learn how to laugh in front of each other or that it’s okay to make mistakes. This builds communication skills and self-confidence, and it allows them to become more comfortable with each other.”

Kehoe also teaches a ropes course at LHS (pictured here), giving students a break in the day when they can feel supported no matter what they are doing. “It gives them the opportunity to develop new or different relationships with one another,” said Kehoe. “The ropes course also helps students take responsibility in a class because they are constantly hands-on and active instead of sitting and listening.”

Slinky Traverse – Teams attempt to have the slinky
walk in traditional slinky fashion down a set of
boards/boxes held in place by group members
as they reflect on the SEL competency of
Responsible Decision Making
(Solving Problems, Evaluating).

SEL is not a new concept and allegedly has been around in educational literature for over two decades. But recently, it has gotten a lot more airtime as schools are realizing that peace building or conflict resolution have foundations in the social-emotional learning frameworks and in that research base. “At the elementary school level, we learn how to use the time allotted to build community,” said Denise Matthews, Special Educator at Lebanon’s Hanover Street School. “As you’re introducing a lesson, for example, if it’s a new concept, you need to do so, allowing the students to feel anxious about it. I tell them that it’s okay to feel uncomfortable. I give them permission to feel that way. As a result, I find that they go with the flow, knowing they won’t be chastised or belittled if they struggle.”

Bonnie Robinson, Director of Curriculum at Lebanon High School, related that the world has changed and students now need different skills to adapt to it. “It’s not only about us teaching but their learning,” said Robinson. “They need to internalize self-awareness and self-management.”

Scolaro noted that the five key skills of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making are not innate. “You have to learn them,” said Scolaro. “You need to take turns and take risks. People learn throu

Belayed by two classmates, Dylan Budner
reaches the top of the leap of faith.

gh those experiences. It’s an intentional reminder that they are as important as other skills that make us successful.”

In other words, with regard to academic learning, if students aren’t able to regulate or down-

regulate in a given situation, they’re not able to be available to process the information of what is being taught, Matthews explained. “With younger kids, there are higher levels of anxiety so, by doing community building, it makes for a safe place to be wrong,” said Matthews. “We have to reassure them that that’s okay.”

The October in-service reminded district staff about the importance of incorporating strategies of respect and mindfulness throughout the school environment as well families and the community at large. In fact, staff members became aware last year – and requested the 2019 workshop as a result – that investing in students by teaching social and emotional learning in the classroom does more than improve academic success. In the long-term, employers seek individuals with the very traits that SEL develops: problem-solving, teamwork,
character and tenacity.

“The goal is to have students recognize their own needs so that eventually they can internalize them and the skills that meet them,” said Scolaro. “This has been one of the areas teachers have wanted to talk about. The work had already begun last year but we wanted more time. This isn’t new. It’s just a deepening of the concept to bring an awareness of how important it is.”

Scolaro noted that threading social-emotional learning throughout the district in all areas complements the mission of LHS that strives to cultivate curiosity and collaboration, achieve academic excellence, respect and value diversity, encourage responsible citizenship, and support the needs of every learner.

When the City of Lebanon comes up for discussion in the Granite State there is usually one aspect that everyone can agree upon. Lebanon
and the surrounding communities in the Upper Valley have become rising stars.

Now established as one of the most vibrant cities in the state of New Hampshire, the topic of future growth possibilities often sets off passionate responses. How do you define growth?

Lebanon Mayor Tim McNamara acknowledges there are many views on this issue and the fact that Lebanon City officials have announced plans to introduce a Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) in an 86-acre parcel of undeveloped land that lies west of the Lebanon Airport. Much of that plan could possibly set off a high-tech boom in that region. Already there are more high-tech businesses in the Lebanon area than any other locations in New Hampshire. Could Lebanon become another Silicon Valley where that region serves as a global center for high technology? The Mayor wants full transparency on any future moves.

“The City’s development of infrastructure within the new TIF would be intended to support a variety of development scenarios,” Tim explained. “Manufacturing (such as the existing Novo Nordisk facility), office, research, or software development. The infrastructure that we would develop would include the roadways, sewer and water services, and other features that would facilitate the development of individual building sites by private entities. The types of development found in the Silicon Valley might or might not be appropriate to this site.”

With all that said, Tim took time to answer the question that many residents have harbored for some time. Do you subscribe to the theory that growth in the City of Lebanon is absolutely inevitable?

“I don’t think that growth in and of itself is inevitable. I do believe that addressing this question intelligently requires one to define what “growth” means. Is it population growth, geographic expansion, economic growth, or some combination? Lebanon’s resident population has not increased substantially over the past 20 years or so, but its economy has certainly grown. I firmly believe that what is critically important to the long-term economic health of a community is the continuous evolution of businesses over time.”

Not overlooked in all these ambitious future endeavors would be the growth and stabilization of the Lebanon Airport. Tim has already stated that the new TIF funding hopefully would produce enough tax and lease revenue to cover and pay for deficits concerning the Lebanon Airport which has been operating at a loss for some time. Is the Lebanon Airport a key element in any future development plans?

“I believe that the stability of the airport is important to the area. This does not necessarily mean growth, but rather that we maintain stable and healthy commercial and general aviation enterprises that serve the needs of the area while providing the revenue necessary to make the airport self-supporting.”

Remember the old saying from the ’70s, “Think Globally, Act Locally”? Nothing could be a truer description of Pat McGovern – Lebanon resident, environmental activist, and cofounder of the Canillas Community Garden, the Upper Valley Localvore movement, and numerous community and environmental action blogs.

Years ahead of the current and ever-present climate-change conversation, Pat has been advocating for the proper care and feeding of soil, air, water, trees, plants, and humans for decades. A woman of deep wisdom, broad intellect, and a lifetime of taking right action for people and the planet, Pat has inspired newcomers as well as longtime residents to join her in taking small steps to affect positive change.

“My focus right now is protecting our soil, air, and water from pollution, pesticides, and plastics in particular,” says Pat. How does one take on such a tall order? Pat’s devotion to her work has a strong foundation. As the oldest of six children, she has a strong sense of responsibility to the earth and its inhabitants. Coming of age in the ’60s, Pat was introduced to the writings of Helen and Scott Nearing (Living the Good Life), Donella Meadows (Limits to Growth), and other environmental activists. Her organic vegetable and flower gardening practices date back to the ’70s, and paralleled her concern for the environment. Pat recalls, “I had a growing concern about pollution and a lack of trust in what was in our food and water. It seemed no one was really looking after the welfare of the people and our planet.”

In Lebanon, Pat’s early community activism involved cofounding the Canillas Community Garden at CCBA in 2009, named after Frank and Janet Canillas, who had owned nearby Emerson Gardens. During soil testing for the planned organic gardens, lead was discovered in the soil, and volunteers quickly changed course by building raised beds with clean soil, donated lumber, borrowed equipment, and volunteer labor. This experience was a pivotal point for Pat, and galvanized her commitment to working for cleaner air, water, and soil, both locally and globally. “I have learned to keep asking questions, because we can’t really assume anything. My own growing awareness of natural connections and how amazingly diverse our world is enhances my curiosity and leads to learning more, which leads to deeper engagement.”

Canillas Garden Founders and Garden Girls: Becky Perkins, Pat McGovern, Polly Gould, and Helen Brody

Pat began to explore the damaging effects of chemicals in food production, landscape maintenance, and drinking water, which led to her contributing input to the Natural Resources and Land Use chapters in two versions of the City’s master plan. “I loved that so many people came together to envision what they want for their city, and that the City did not just put the plan on a shelf, but is actually acting on it.”

One of the many bright spots at the Canillas Community Garden is the power of regenerative agriculture to sequester – or store – carbon according to Pat. “Plants and trees have a pivotal role in making our planet healthy and able to sustain life. We have planted oak, maple, arbor vitae, birch, espaliered apple, and magnolia trees. We use organic practices.” The City provides water and shredded unsprayed leaves to mulch the raised beds, and educating gardeners is part of the garden’s mission. “We have guidelines encouraging minimal tillage,
chop-and-drop addition of nutrients to the soil, and mulching to add organic matter and create a better soil sponge.”

Pat considers a large part of her effort to be about raising awareness on issues relating to building a healthy environment. “After Canillas gardener, Suzanne Church, and I presented our pesticide concerns to the Lebanon Conservation Commission in 2017, city manager Shaun Mullholland sent a directive to department heads to put a hold on pesticide purchases until there was a review of the whys
and consideration of alternatives.” This led to more conversations about beneficial insects and other green solutions for landscape
maintenance, including using goats to manage poison ivy in the City’s parks instead of herbicides.

Here’s a snapshot of other healthy community initiatives Pat has been involved in:

Pollinator Habitat

Mascoma River Greenway Pollinator Garden

Food supply researchers have learned that the earth needs more pollinators to maintain a healthy food supply. To build awareness, Pat
and Lebanon Conservation Commission member Sarah Riley sent out the call and gathered a group of volunteers to create a ‘Pollinator
Corridor’ of fruit trees and shrubs, for bees, butterflies, and birds along the Mascoma River Greenway in partnership with Upper Valley Apple Corps, funded by the Robert F. Church Charitable Trust.

No Plastic Pollution Challenge,
Farmer’s Market Waste Reduction,
Refill NOT Landfill

Pat’s blog No Plastic Pollution offers tips for reducing plastic use on a personal level, such as bringing your own containers to the grocery store, reusing travel mugs for take-out coffee, and skipping bottled water. The Lebanon Farmers Market piloted a new waste-reduction effort with compost/recycle/trash bins at exits, and compostable containers. Every April, the Lebanon Solid Waste and Recycling Facility invites residents to make a personal commitment to reuse, refill, and recycle, awarding prizes donated by the Lebanon Co-op.

Upper Valley Localvores

Pat founded the Upper Valley Localvores with a challenge to eat food that’s produced or grown within 100 miles of home. The movement has introduced many Upper Valley residents to local growers and food producers, and supports the local agriculture economy.

Websites & Blogs: LebEnergy, Mascoma River Greenway, Canillas Community Garden, UV Localvore, No Plastic Pollution

For Pat McGovern, a commitment to a healthy community provides an endless source of interesting opportunities. “I try to focus on what’s happening locally… and so much is good news!” So, if you find yourself inspired by Pat’s efforts to “Think Globally, Act Locally,” the options are varied and many, and the benefits to people and the planet are seemingly endless.

Shyrl’s Diner Remains Revered

When all you residents of this region conduct your daily, hectic routines in this super fast-paced world, do you ever think back about the pure joys of returning to Grandma’s for a hearty breakfast or lunch? It is reassuring to know those days are alive and well right here in the Lebanon region.

Shyrl’s Diner is located at 31 Main Street in West Lebanon and has been there for 15 years. In that time, it has become a haven for delicious home-cooked food, friendship, family values, affordable prices and a big warm hug on the way out! Overseeing all that is an energetic 73-year-old grandmother by the name of Shyrl Rafus who has become an established legend in this area. How energetic you ask? How about a lady who comes to work at 3am every morning to start preparing breakfast entrees that keep everyone coming back for more. How do you describe the quality of those entrees she serves up from scratch? This quote from Julia Child covers it. “You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces. Just good food from fresh ingredients!”

In that regard Shyrl has it covered and then some. “I always prepare homemade bread, muffins and doughnuts for the breakfast menu,” she explained. “For lunch we always serve homemade soup every day. We gear our menu to feed the everyday working man. Many of those customers who come for breakfast come back for lunch.”

Shyrl Rafus working behind the counter

The astounding fact about her eating establishment would certainly be the menu prices. Your complete breakfast (with ample portions) will run you somewhere from $3.00 to $7.00. No elite lattes or coffee offerings with fancy names and lofty prices served here. A cup of old fashion coffee will set you back $1.36 and add a homemade doughnut for .75cents. How does she maintain that pricing level? “Everyone keeps telling me I should go up on my prices, but I am here to earn a living and make sure the bills are paid. Cooking for people has always been in my blood I guess. I started back in my 20s and have always worked in the restaurant business.”

Shyrl has a strong link to local popular eating establishments. Her sister Lena Butterfield operated Lena’s Diner in West Hartford, Vt and her other sister, Shirley Boyce was connected to Mr. B’s in Hartford. A niece, Donna Burnham served at the Cross Roads Cafe in White River.

When customers arrive at Shyrl’s Diner (especially in the morning when they open at 5am) they may well have to stand outside and wait patiently to get seating. Space is limited but that doesn’t deter the faithful for enjoying the unique dining experience. A classic example would be devoted customer named Paul Battaini and his friend Frank Tamburrino. “I live in Utah and come back to this area often on business,” Paul explained. “I always come here to eat every time I get back. I would not miss it for the world. This place is simply a treasure! I only wish there was an establishment like this in Utah!”

Devoted customers Frank Tamburrino (left) and Paul Battaini

Frank lives in Canaan, NH and always teams up with Paul to make the trek. “Paul and I are good friends and we would not miss the chance to come to Shyrl’s. This is a very special place.”

What keeps the eating establishment prospering and full of happy customers every day goes beyond the delicious food and low prices. Far beyond! “These people are not just customers they are like members of my family,” Shyrl noted. “Everybody needs a hug and I will make sure they get one!”

Shyrl carries that family theme to the max. Joining her every day to serve those beloved customers are her two granddaughters, Kaleigh Wagar and Stefani Wagar.

Just how long does Shyrl plan to carry on her dedicated work? “Just as long as I can!” she exclaimed with a wide smile.” After all, wasn’t Grandma always there for you?