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Lowell's Parent Newsletter
Lowell Elementary School 10/18/2020
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Principal Corner
Greetings from Mrs. Phelan
Thank you for attending our Open House on Tuesday evening. It was wonderful seeing all of you on zoom. This week Lowell has the honor of hosting Monday night's School Committee Meeting where I will briefly discuss how Lowell is preparing for hybrid learning beginning on October 27th. The evening's spotlight will be given to our fifth-grade team, who will be featured during the Teaching and Learning Showcase.
Tuesday night the PTO is hosting a meeting on zoom. You can find the link below. Wednesday, afternoon teachers will gather as a full faculty for professional learning time focused on Educator Evaluation.
I want to share an update on in-person learning. As of this week, I am proud to announce we will be hosting 81 students for in-person learning. Eighteen students attend school five days a week, ten attend four days a week, and 53 two days a week. I want to express my gratitude to the staff for encouraging our families to send their students to school for in-person learning. These students are considered high-needs students for various reasons. Having them come into school for instruction is critical for their success. We are also offering in-person technology instruction for students struggling to attend class remotely. Many of these students are English language learners who have little to no experience using technology. The ESL team, along with our Library Media teacher, will be working with these students on Mondays over the next few weeks.
We have gradually brought students into school over the past four weeks, each week expanding the number of students. Our phased-in approach has been a huge success because of our dedicated staff. I am excited to welcome the rest of our students next week. We've missed you and can't wait to see you all soon.
Stay healthy and be well,
Stacy
Lowell host School Committee on Monday Night
The fifth-grade team is presenting during the Teaching and Learning Showcase.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION VIA ZOOM AT https://bit.ly/34S1YtL
Monday, Oct 19, 2020, 07:00 PM
Via Zoom
Message from our Fine Arts Coordinator Richard Saunders
Returning Band and Percussion Students Survey- Please Complete!
Please complete the attached survey for returning band and percussion students (5th graders).
The deadline for responding will be Friday, October 23rd.
Returning string students should email Ms. Byhan: macullen.byham@watertown.k12.ma.us
Weekly Highlights
Upcoming Events
Join us for Morning Announcements!
Announcement Schedule:
- Greeting
- Pledge of Allegiance
- Lowell School Pledge
- Thought for the Day
- Updates or Highlights.
Please see the zoom invite below.
Topic: Morning Announcement Zoom Meeting
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
Join Zoom Meeting
Road to Re-Entry Family Handbook
Arrival/Recess & Breaks/Dismissals
Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival
Students in grades 1-5 will enter through the Lowell Avenue entrance between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m.
Kindergarten students and Ms. Zywocinski/ Johnson first grade class, will enter through the kinder doors #3 located near the Orchard Street hill.
Drop-and-Go is for grades 1-5. will begin at 8:00 am, on Lowell Avenue, please pull your car down to the second crosswalk, make sure that you are not stopped on the crosswalk, and continue on your way as soon as your child has safely exited your vehicle and stepped onto the sidewalk.
This year kindergarten and Ms. Zywocinski/ Johnson's first-grade class will be entering the building at the George St. entrance near the little playground.
If your child needs your assistance getting out of the car, please park your car, help your child with his/her backpacks, etc., and walk your child to the entrance instead of using the Drop-and-Go line.
During the drop off period of 8:00 to 8:15 AM, we have over 200 students entering the building. It is important that all community members follow the protocol for using Drop-and-Go.
Walking to school:
Crossing Guards are located at several major intersections in town. They are on duty for 30 minutes before school starts and for 30 minutes after dismissal time. Locations are determined by the School Department in consultation with the Police Department.
Biking to school:
Bike racks are available on the school grounds. All bikes must remain locked at bike racks during school hours. All children must wear helmets when riding a bicycle
Drop and Go Zones:
• The Drop and Go Zone located on Lowell Street for students in grades 1-5. Kindergarten and Ms. Zywocinski's first grade will enter the George Street entrance near the little playground.
• These areas are designated for Drop off and Go only. No parking or live parking is allowed in this area. Teachers are on duty to assist and direct students into the school.
Parking:
On-street parking is limited around the school, so we encourage families to use the Drop and Go zone. Please do not park in or block our school neighbor’s driveways.
Handicapped Accessible parking spaces are located and appropriately marked in the following area:
• On Lowell Street across from the main doors.
Dismissal Procedures:
Dismissal time is 12:15 p.m.
Teachers will escort students being picked up to the doors and dismiss students to a parent or guardian.
Kindergarten and Ms. Zywocinski’s/Johnson 1st grade students will be dismissed at door #3 located near the Orchard Street Hill.
Students in grades 1-5 will be dismissed through center doors facing Orchard Street adjacent to the Lowell Community Garden. (Door#6)
We will not use the Carlton Street door this school year.
If Extended day is in-session, extended day students will be escorted to the gym to meet after school staff.
What can be brought to school:
To maintain a safe environment, students will only be allowed to bring essential items into school.
Backpack
Home/ School Communication folder
Chromebook
Homework
Reusable water bottle. All bubblers in the school have been converted to bottle fillers.
Snack in packaging that can be thrown away
More information will be provided by your teacher in this Friday's newsletter.
Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunch
Breakfast and Lunches will come at the end of the day before students leave school:
Students must pre-order student lunches at the start of the school day.
Lunches will be delivered to the classroom prior to dismissal for the day.
Students will take their breakfast and lunches home with them.
Recess and Mask Break
Students will have an opportunity to have a recess at break time.
Students must keep their masks on at all times while playing.
Students may not bring in recess equipment from home.
Close supervision will be provided by designated staff members.
Teachers and Staff will be given advice on what type of activities are allowed during recess.
No contact sports/activities are permitted.
Mask breaks will occur throughout the day. Breaks should occur when students can be six feet apart and ideally outside or at least with the windows open.
Students will be taught proper mask protocols, prior to taking mask breaks.
Students should be seated outside before eating and should keep their masks with them at that time. Teachers and staff will ensure students maintain social distance.
Students should not take off their mask prior to being in the designated break area.
Masks should not be placed on the floor/ground.
Students will wash their hands before and after mask breaks, snack and recess.
Weather permitting, mask and snack breaks will take place outdoors. For as long as tents remain on the grounds, we will assign specific tents to each grade level. Students will wash hands before snack and after snack. They will eat their snack outdoors unless weather doesn’t permit. If they eat in their classroom they will sanitize their desk before and after eating. Classroom teachers will practice routines for sanitizing hands and desks, removing masks, and eating snack.
Update from Nurse Taverna
Reminder:
Epi-Pens and Asthma Inhalers with signed MD orders and parent permission forms need to be turned in on the first-day students return to school in person.
Nurse Taverna will set up a station under our tent to collect forms, Epi-pens, medications, and doctor's orders. Parents are asked to bring these items on the first day of school.
Thanks,
Nurse Taverna
Technology Corner
We look forward to supporting you with your educational technology questions.
Please visit the WPS Family Ed-Tech for ALL websites for weekly 10/19 Family Ed-Tech for All Newsletter, Live support sessions, Resources, Tutorials & tips that are curated and created, especially for you.
Please complete the WPS Ed-Tech Support Request Form if you need support with Ed-Tech. A Member of the WPS Ed-Tech team will reach out to you asap.
Visit our WPS STEM Week 2020 Website that hosts Academic STEM offerings for different grade levels to choose from, along with additional resources. We look forward to seeing you actively engaged in STEM Learning. This year's MA STEM Week theme is to SEE YOURSELF IN STEM. Please use this form to submit an image, short video (less than 1 minute), or animation of yourself engaging in STEM. Please contact District Ed-Tech Coordinator at (rashmi.pimprikar@watertown.k12.ma.us) for more information.
Following are Links to the WPS Seesaw Resources
- WPS Family Guide to Seesaw in English | Famly Guide to Seesaw in Spanish
- WPS Seesaw Resources Hub for SeeSaw training resources, family guides, and additional tips.
Thank you,
Rashmi Pimprikar (District Ed-Tech Coordinator) & George Skuse (District IT Manager)
Need Tech Help Please Fill Out This Form
Adjust the volume on your Chromebook You can change your microphone, speaker, or other volume through quick settings.
PTO Corner
PTO Updates:
October 20 @ 6:30PM: PTO Meeting: Hope you can join us. Log-in details and agenda are on the PTO website: http://jrlowellpto.weebly.com/
October 23 from 3 – 5 PM: Virtual Movie Night Goodie Bags: Stop by the Lowell School, where the kids usually enter, to pick up a goodie bag, so you can enjoy a fun family movie night at home.
Thanksgiving Pie Fundraiser: Help support the 5th graders with their end-of-year events like graduation and the yearbook! Please purchase a pie and sell some to friends and family. Orders and payments are due November 4. More info in the attached flyer.
Parent Resources
Hispanic Heritage Month
Please see resources below.
https://www.parents.com/latina/how-to-celebrate-hispanic-heritage-month-with-kids/
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/
Visit Lowell's Virtual Calming Room
We are operating in uncharted territory right now that nobody could have possible imagined or prepared for. Your JR Lowell Student Support Team wants you to know that your feelings are valid, no matter what they are. You might feel scared, confused, overwhelmed, angry, alone, grateful, or completely calm. You might feel many things at once, like being upset that an event was cancelled, but happy that you can wear pajamas all day. Your feelings are normal; the situation is not. Don't forget to breathe.
This Virtual Calming Room is a place for students and families to find tools and strategies for managing emotions and feelings. We are here to support you!
-Student Support Team
https://sites.google.com/watertown.k12.ma.us/jrlowellvirtualcalmingroom/home
Drop in Zoom TIme
Tuesday-Friday
1 - 1:45pm Drop In Time...optional time to spend time with
Ms. Matthews. Ms. Cavaretta, or Ms. Breen
1:45 - 2:25PM Drop Everything And Read...Includes read alouds with Ms. Matthews, Ms.Cavaretta, or Ms.Breen,(Both live stories and pre-recorded stories)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81154152472?pwd=S1lSamd5UmE5ZFdlZW9aYTBWM3g5QT09 - Ms. Mathews Zoom Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88504183541?pwd=Yzk4RTVqYTRVU1VrVXFsalpmdkQ5Zz09- Ms. Breen's Zoom Link
The Lowell Leopard was spotted in Ms. Walker and Ms. Sudbay's 5th grade Class
Contact Us at
Email: Stacy.Phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://lowell.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 175 Orchard Street
Phone: (617) 926-7770