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Lowell Family Newsletter
October 31, 2021
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(Portuguese)
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(Spanish)
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إذا كنت تستخدم الهاتف ، فالمس الشخص الموجود في الدائرة السوداء للحصول على زر الترجمة. (Arabic)
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Եթե համակարգիչ եք, բացեք սա նոր էջում: Ապա, այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք աջ հղմանը: Եթե հեռախոսով եք, դիպչեք սև շրջանի անձին ՝ թարգմանության կոճակը ստանալու համար: (Armenian)
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Table of Contents
November Early Release and No School Dates
Message from Mrs. Phelan
Student Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Council 10/29
Project Literacy
PE Newsletter
Picture Retake Day
Election Day
Principal Coffee
Dr. Galdston's Communication
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Reminder to Wear Layers
Lowell Garden Relocation
We're Hiring
Scenes from Lowell
COVID-19 Updates from Dr. Galdston
Upcoming Events and. important Dates
NOVEMBER - EARLY RELEASE and NO SCHOOL REMINDER
A reminder about upcoming Early Release Days and No School:
- Thursday, November 4th Early Release @ 12:15 (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
- Tuesday, November 9th Early Release @ 12:15 (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
- Thursday, November 11th No School (Veteran's Day Observed)
- Wednesday, November 24th Early Release @ 12:00 (Thanksgiving Observance begins)
- Thursday, November 25th No School (Thanksgiving Observed)
- Friday, November 26th No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Message from Principal Phelan
Greetings Lowell School,
Happy Halloween! It sure looks like the weather is fully cooperating today. I'm also sure all the ghosts and goblins are excited to trick-or-treat tonight! Containing their excitement must be hard today, seeing as it's been two years since they were last able to enjoy this childhood tradition.
Friday, was indeed the highlight of our week at Lowell. We kicked off our student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council. All students were welcome to attend our kick-off meeting. Over 70 students came to the library for a meeting to learn about our purpose. I began asking them why they wanted to join and what they were hoping to get out of the membership. Here are some of the responses we heard.
The (Council) can
-help people that don't belong
-help people that can't make friends
-understand people are different
-be for people that feel they're not normal because there is no such thing as normal because they are unique in their own way
-If someone doesn't feel accepted, make them feel accepted
-help respect other peoples culture
-I want to belong
-Be kind to each other
-Treat others the ways you want to be treated
-What you give to the world you get back
-If you are different, it doesn't make you strange or weird it makes you special
-It doesn't matter what skin color you have, be kind
Because the turnout was so high, we've decided to break the council into four smaller groups.
- Kindergarten through grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5. The adults supporting our students will be Mrs. Phelan, Mr. Chen, Ms. Jacovides, Ms. Cochrane, Mr. MacLellan, Mrs. McCready, Ms. Miller, and Mr. Pettiglio.
We will use the Welcoming Schools curriculum to frame our work going forward. Many students expressed the opportunity to continue our student presentations based on what makes me unique. The biggest takeaway was that many students recognize the need to feel like they belong and provide an environment where everyone feels welcome. It was truly heartwarming and inspiring.
Have a wonderful first week of November!
Stacy
Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council
Project Literacy
"Project Literacy offers free services to adults learning to read, write, or speak English. Many are immigrants who are studying English and learning about American culture and some are native or nearly fluent English speakers who are improving their language skills. Students can improve their job skills, support their children’s education, attend computer class, and prepare for U.S citizenship."
- Walk and Talk
- Fridays, October 1st-December 10th 10:00-11:30AM
- Meet other English language learners from Project Literacy and the Waltham Public Library’s ELL program as we walk along the Charles River for 40-60 minutes. We will alternate starting points between the two programs. Students and tutors welcomed. All levels; no registration.
- Waltham dates: October 1, 15, 29; November 12 (no program Nov 26); December 3. Meet at the Moody Street Bridge on the north side.
- Watertown dates: October 8, 22; November 5, 19; December 10. Main St. entrance of the library.
- Drop-in Conversation
- Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30PM
- Watertown Library, 2nd Floor
- Chat with other English language learners in Project Literacy. All levels welcomed; no registration required.
Newsletter from Ms. Donahue and Ms. Loguidice - PE News
PICTURE RETAKES
Picture retakes will take place on Thursday, November 18th. Please use this link to order online!
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd - Lowell School host voting in the gym.
Vote for Our Future
Principal's Coffee
Title I Program
The Watertown Public School System and its Title I Schoolwide Program, K - 8 are committed to continuously improving the opportunities for parents to be actively involved in their child's learning at home and in school. We have found this general education support to be highly valuable in helping students improve their math and literacy skills. Title I is the largest Federally funded supplemental education program. It does not replace what the school does; instead, Title I gives schools and students additional resources and instruction in math and reading. Title I partially funds our math and reading support and after school tutoring. Our tutors work closely with the classroom teachers to help improve students’ skills in reading and writing.
This district Parent Involvement Plan serves to outline overall expectations for parent involvement activities and programs, establish an environment for parental participation in Watertown's Title I programs at the school level, and identify the support which the Title I program can provide to assist schools in achieving their goals of supporting student learning. The Title I Home/School Compact outlines school, parent/guardian, and student responsibilities.
Principal Coffee Link:
Join Zoom Meeting https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/84997484241
Friday, Nov 5, 2021, 09:00 AM
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Dr. Galdston's latest Communications. Mask mandate has been lifted for outdoors only.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Conferences begin on Tuesday evening. Conferences with teachers will take place via Zoom. Thursday, November 4th is an early-release day. Students can opt to take a grab and go lunch to eat at home. There is Extended Day.
Here is the complete November conference schedule.
Early-Release Days with a 12:15
Thursday, 11/4 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Tuesday, 11/9 from 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Evening Conferences
Tuesday, 11/2 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Monday, 11/8 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
The conference sign-up links will go live on October 25th. Please visit Lowell's Website to sign up for a conference time.
Breakfast Menu November 1-5
Lunch Menu November 1-5
LAYERED CLOTHING AND WATER BOTTLES
The temperature is very tricky to gauge! In the morning it is quite chilly, but as the sun comes up it shines into our room making it quite warm each day. Please remind your child to dress in layers to accommodate our varying temperatures and to also bring in a reusable water bottle so they can drink throughout the day.
LOWELL SCHOOL GARDEN - HELP WANTED!
Below is a message from Judy Fallows, School Garden Coordinator:
We've got to get things moved out of the current garden area before the snow flies! I've put together a signup Genius to gather some help.
JOBS AVAILABLE IN WPS
Are you or do you know someone who may be looking for an opportunity to work in a school system? We have positions open for a school nurse, substitute teachers, instructional assistants, family liaisons, tutors, school nutrition workers, and more! All open positions can be found on our Human Resources webpage.
The Watertown Police Department is also actively seeking crossing guards for our schools. Please see the posting for these positions here.
Scenes from Around Lowell
Lenny Spent the Week in Ms. Antonellis' Room
Lenny picked a great week to visit us! He learned about nonfiction text structures; he did a great job using the table of contents to locate information. He joined students working on Zearn to provide moral support while they practiced area and perimeter in math. He loved our read-aloud. He had a lot to say about our main character. He even got to play a few rounds of Connect Four!
Free Virtual Special Event
Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Free Virtual Special Event
After-School Animal Encounters: Teeming Tidepools
Advance Registration Required.
Tidepools exist where the land meets the ocean and the amazingly resilient creatures that live there manage the challenges of both environments. From swimming and climbing to burrowing, animals in tidepools have adapted many behaviors to live in an ever-changing world. Join human museum staffers Javier and Ryan as they lead you in a 45-minute program with live ocean invertebrates. This event will be fun for the whole family so bring your questions and sense of wonder!
To join the program, you will need to download the free Zoom app in advance. If you already have Zoom, you do not need to download it again. For details on how to improve your Zoom experience, visit the How to Attend an HMSC Program webpage.
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, October 25th Antibias Coalition Meeting 5:30-7:00
Meetings will be held in a hybrid model.
The physical location will be on the 3rd floor of the Phillips Building in room 301.
The recurring zoom link is listed below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/82142739210?pwd=MjZZL3JURU5RdUtYc3ZNVHlockVCQT09
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Council
Thursday, October 28th, ⋅6:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Zoom
https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/86985632231
Monday, November 1st ILT Meeting 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, November 2nd Elementary Conferences 6:00-8:00 pm
Tuesday, November 2nd, Election Day- Don't Forget to Vote!
Wednesday, November 3rd Faculty Meeting 2:45-3:45 pm
Thursday, November 4th Early Release 12:15 Parent-Teacher Conferences 1:00-3:00 pm
Saturday, November 7th Day Light Savings- Set Your Clocks Back One Hour
Monday, November 8th ILT 2:45-3:45 pm
Monday, November 8th Elementary Conferences 5:00-7:00 pm
Tuesday, November 9th Responsive Classroom Team 2:45-3:45 pm
Tuesday, November 9th FTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 pm
Wednesday, November 10th Department Meetings 2:45-3:45 pm
Thursday, November 11th No School Veteran's Day Observed
Monday, November 15th ILT Meeting 2:45-3:45
Wednesday, November 17th Building Based PD 2:45-4:05
Thursday, November 18th Diversity Inclusion and Belonging 7:00-8:00 pm
Monday, November 22nd ILT Meeting 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, November 24th Early Release 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 25th No School Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 26th No School Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 29th ILT Meeting 2:45-3:45 pm
Monday, November 29th AntiBias Coalition Meeting 5:30-7:30
James Russell Lowell Elementary School
Main Office ext. 33001
Email: stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://lowell.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: (617) 926-7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary