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Lowell Parent Newsletter
Sunday, February 21, 2021
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Travel Over Vacation
If you traveled during the break, a reminder that the Massachusetts Travel Order states that in order to return to school in-person, your family must quarantine for 14 days if you travel outside of the state to high-risk states. At this time, all states - with the exception of Hawaii - are considered high-risk states, unless your child(ren) has a negative PCR test. This order applies to day trips outside of the state as well.
If you would like your child to participate in pool testing, please visit this link to fill out the consent form for testing. It is vitally important for as many families as possible to sign up for ongoing testing, especially during the winter months. Please do your part to keep our students and staff safe by signing up for testing. It’s quite easy and isn’t the long nasal swab, but rather the anterior short nasal swab.
In the event that a student needs to quarantine, please notify Nurse Taverna, your child's teacher, and me. Teachers will need 24-hour notice in order to effectively prepare for your child's temporary transition to remote learning. Teachers will provide directions regarding how simulcasting will work during the school day.
A Message From Mrs. Phelan
Welcome Back!
I hope you are rested and rejuvenated!
Over vacation, the Building Committee met to give an update on the elementary school's project. We learned that Lowell will soon begin planning for its renovation project. Our timeline has not been determined or where we'll be temporarily relocated during the renovation period. These details and much more need to be worked out over the coming weeks and months.
What we do know is the Cunniff and Hosmer's building projects will now be completed ahead of schedule. The Cunniff will move into their new building in October 2021, and the Hosmer will move into their new building during February Break 2022.
Now here is an update from Lindsay Mosca, who sits on the Building Committee and has two students who attend Lowell. She will continue to give updates for the New Watertown School Project. I will include Lindsay's updates in our newsletters going forward.
Building for the Future Update: Watertown High School
The School Building Committee met on Feb 3rd to discuss feedback from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA, Watertown's grant partner) on the preferred design option for the new Watertown High School.
Currently, the preferred option involves a new academic building on the Phillips site with significant programming on the current site, connected by a pedestrian bridge. The MSBA has asked for more study regarding efficiency in square footage for the educational programming plan and more on a one-site option, including swing space, cost, and construction implications.
Discussion about design updates and progress on the response to the MBSA feedback will continue at the next School Building Committee meeting on Wednesday, Feb 17th, 6:00 pm. Go to the project website for more information, including the Zoom link for the upcoming meeting. Have a question? Send it to highschoolproject@watertown.k12.ma.us
I will continue to keep you posted as I learn more information.
Stacy
Reminder Regarding Student Schedule Changes Effective March 1st
During the coming week, I will be meeting with faculty members whose service delivery is impacted by this schedule change. Most likely, service delivery times will remain as is. I will provide additional details in next week's newsletter.
Celebrating our Lowell School Fifth Graders!
The years have flown by for the Lowell School 5th Graders who will soon be on to middle school. Each week this year, we look forward to celebrating them here in the Principal's newsletter. Best wishes to all! We are so proud of you!
Congratulations, Kyle!
What are 3 words that describe you?
friendly, energetic, talkative
What’s the best thing about being in 5th grade?
One good thing for me about being in 5th grade is having an awesome teacher.
What’s your favorite Lowell School memory?
Coming to the school one day and see Mr Oates duck taped to the wall!
Congratulations, Mariah!
What is the best thing about being in fifth grade?
My teacher and math.
What are 3 words that describe you?
Funny, kind, crazy (in a good way!)
What are your favorite book, movie, and song?
Book - The New Kid
Movie - Harry Potter
Song - Driver's License
Congratulations, Luke!
What are 3 words that describe you?
Kind, thoughtful, joyful
What is your favorite hobby?
Playing video games
What is your favorite movie?
My favorite movie is Jurassic World.
Congratulations, Daniella!
What is your favorite Lowell School memory?
My favorite memory is playing Jeopardy in Kindergarten on the last day of school.
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is competitive gymnastics.
What is your favorite book?
One of my favorite books is Strange Birds.
Congratulations, Maia!
What is your favorite hobby?
Being with my friends.
What are you looking forward to in middle school?
Making new friends.
What is your favorite Lowell School memory?
Coming to this school.
Congratulations, Mason!
What's the best thing about being in fifth grade?
My funny teacher.
What are 3 words that describe you?
Funny, nice, creative
What is your favorite hobby?
Playing sports
This week at the Lowell
Celebrating Black History Month
Student Voice "Impressions" Showcase
We are very excited to collaborate with you and share the WPS Black History Month Student Voice "Impressions" Showcase. The submission form is open from January 22 - March 1, 2021.
Here is the link to our 2021 WPS Black History Month Student Voice "Expressions" Showcase" that hosts the submission details, some student work examples for inspiration, few guidelines, and the student work submission form.
Kick-off of Student Diversity Council
We are excited to kick off the first-ever Lowell Student Diversity Council! This first meeting will be a meet and greet and introduction to the topic, “What is Diversity?” We will also preview some of the books that we will use to guide the discussion. We look forward to the students participating in this wonderful addition to the Lowell community!
Date: Monday, February 22, 2021
Time: 12:30- 1:00 Grades K-2
1:00-1:30 Grades 3-5
Zoom Link: https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/99035329800
If you have any questions feel free to email Candice.whitmore@watertown.k12.ma.us or carolyn.miller@watertown.k12.ma.us
Parent Diversity Council
- Final Look at Diverse Books
- Update Student Diversity Council
Topic: Lowell Diversity Council
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
Increase in Synchronous Learning Starting March 3rd
Students will log in to their classroom Zoom link at 1:40, and stay through Closing Circle. This will allow for a 90-minute increase in weekly instruction with the teacher.
Instead of alternating days between the two subjects, classes will focus more intensely on one unit at a time (science or social studies).
Students already enrolled in other personalized services during this time will continue with these services unless it is directly communicated to you otherwise.
We ask that you begin to think about your afternoon childcare and schedules and plan accordingly so that students are able to access this additional instruction with their classroom teacher.
PTO Corner
PTO Updates!
Cosmic Yoga Kids Club: Students are invited to sign-up for Cosmic Yoga with Ms. Gerring! Recommended for Grades K-2 but all are welcome. Yoga will be on Thursdays from 3 - 4pm on Zoom. Session 1 will run from February 4 - April 8. Session 2 will run from April 15 - June 17. There will not be meetings on school vacation weeks. This club is FREE with PTO support. Space is limited, and families can sign-up using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0545a5ae28a0f49-cosmic