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Lowell Parent Newsletter
March 7, 2021
A Message From Mrs. Phelan
Greeting Lowell School,
Our fantastic reading team: Ann Cox, Dganit Toledano, and Lindsay Jacobson, lead by Deb Opar, is very excited to bring you Literacy Week 2021. Here are just a few things you can expect to see this week, Lowell students participating in a Read-A-Thon sponsored by our PTO. Students and their families are invited to attend evening events: Monday evening, the Lowell reading team and I will be hosting a read-aloud followed by activities. Tuesday and Thursday evening, we are sponsoring guest authors/illustrators. On Thursday, March 11th, and Friday, March 12th, students and teachers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite storybook characters. Join us celebrating the joy of reading!
Stay safe and be well,
Stacy
PE Teachers Create Soccer Skills Video
Partner Work is Back!
This week is Literacy Week!
Literacy Week Events
When you dig into a good book, it can take you to so many wonderful places! Over the course of this week, from March 8 - March 12th, we will celebrate reading in our elementary schools. With many events across the week, we hope you can find one (or more) that you can join!
Feel free to visit this website here for information about the week.
Tuesday, March 9th - Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Author / Illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi will be joining our Watertown Elementary School community to share what it takes to write a book! She will talk about the process of writing her own books and then also show us some secrets of being an illustrator. Her books Sam & Eva, Where are My Books? And Purple and Preen exhibit the ways she merges her creative illustrations with an engaging story. Debbie Ohi creates illustrations for her books that inspire creativity and bring her characters to live joyfully and engagingly! She will discuss the process of writing her own fiction books as well as do a live art demonstration.
This event is optional and will be held in webinar format. Students have been selected to serve as panelists and will be able to ask questions and
6:00 - 6:40 (K-2) - Zoom Link Here
6:45 - 7:30 (3-5) - Zoom Link Here
Wednesday, March 10th - Literacy Activity Night
On Wednesday, each elementary school will host a literacy activity night from 6:00 - 7:00. During this event, reading specialists and other special guests will present activities that can be played at home, read aloud, and other games.
Lowell
Thursday, March 11th - Jason Chin
Author / Illustrator Jason Chin will come to share his closely researched non-fiction texts about science and nature. As he describes, “I try to explain Science with imaginative storytelling.” Jason will discuss some of the recent books that have taken him places around the world and provide a brief art demonstration. Jason Chin’s books take us to places worldwide, from the Grand Canyon to coral reefs, Islands, and across the universe. As an author/illustrator for non-fiction books, he carefully researches each of his topics to ensure that every detail is accurate and represented correctly. His images are carefully constructed to reflect his research and each page of his books contains mountains of facts! Jason will explain how he learns about new topics and will also do an artist demonstration!
6:00 - 6:40 (K-2) - Zoom Link Here
6:45 - 7:30 (3-5) - Zoom Link Here
Thursday / Friday - Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character!
On Thursday or Friday, students can come to school dressed as their favorite book characters! Whichever day you come to school that week, you can dress up as your favorite character from any book; if you have the book, bring it to school with you as well! For students in Virtual School, talk with your teacher about which day you should dress up! We can’t wait to see which characters you bring to life.
Dress Up As Your Favorite Story Book Character
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, Jacob!
What are 3 words that describe you?
Gamer, awesome, cool.
What is your favorite movie?
Star Wars Revenge of the Sith
What is your favorite hobby?
Playing video games.
Congratulations, Saoirse!
What are you looking forward to in middle school?
I'm looking forward to different classes and new people.
What is your favorite song?
My favorite song is Always by Isak Danielson.
Tell your classmates something they might not know about you?
I'm vegetarian.
Congratulations, Marshall!
What is your favorite Lowell School memory?
Duct-taping Mr. Oates to the wall!
What is your favorite song?
My favorite song is Copy Cat by Billie Eilish.
What is your favorite hobby?
Basketball.
This week at Lowell Elementary
Student Diversity Council: *new time change
Reminder, we will have Student Diversity Council every Monday!
This week we are talking about.....What makes you Unique!
Date: Monday, March 1, 2021
Time: 12:30- 1:00 Grades 3-5
1:00-1:30 Grades K-2
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
PTO Meeting Tuesday
On Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30PM: Please join us for the upcoming Lowell PTO meeting. Connect to our Zoom link on the PTO website. We'll chat about the Read-a-thon, upcoming events like Teacher Appreciation Week, and leadership for next year.
Zoom Link to Join PTO Meeting:
https://lesley.zoom.us/j/94468998190?pwd=czdIclR6TVI0b09Kek5YT0lLcDBsQT09
Meeting ID: 944 6899 8190
Call in: 1 929 205 6099 Passcode: 247758
Voluntary Student COVID Pooled Testing at the Lowell
If your child is not signed up for testing, please consider signing them up. Click for more information and the sign-up form. Please note, you only need to fill out the signup form once, not each week.
MORE INFO --> here
Free! Covid Testing for students --> SIGN UP HERE
LET'S CHAT
A Message From Rashmi Pimprikar
We look forward to supporting you with your educational technology questions.
Here is a link to the Weekly 03/05 Family Ed-Tech for All Newsletter, LIVE Ed-Tech Support Sessions & WPS Family Ed-Tech Website with resources, just for you.
Do you need help with Ed-Tech? Please complete the WPS Ed-Tech Support Request Form. A member of the WPS Ed-Tech team will reach out to you within a school day.
Few additional resources: 1. Link to Common Sense Media Resources about Race and Racism
3. Link to Typing.com Video Tutorial and Handout
4. Link to EPIC Women's History Month Resources
4. Link to BrainPOP Black History Month Resources
Thank you and have a terrific day,
Rashmi Pimprikar (District Ed-Tech Coordinator), Digital Learning Team and IT Team
PTO Updates!
Get Registered for the Read-a-thon! The PTO will be hosting a Read-a-thon from March 8 - 19th in conjunction with Lowell Literacy Week! During the Literacy Week, there will be Mystery Readers, Author and Illustrator events, a raffle just for registering and prizes for the classes that raise the most! Register by March 8 to be entered into a raffle for a Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Harry Potter gift basket. Register here: https://www.getmovinfundhub.com/register?school_uuid=5e136f1ba125d with the Parent Registration Code: 5e136f1ba125d
Join the Literacy Week Facebook Page! We welcome you to join our Facebook group; J.R. Lowell Elementary Literacy Week 2021.
Starting March 8, this page will connect you to the link for Mystery Readers, announcements about other cool Literacy Week events, and let you share photos of Literacy Spirit Week coming the week of March 15.
Big Thank You to Fit-Z's! For the month of March, Fit-Z's Bar and Grille will have their fireman's boot out to help collect funds for the Lowell School 5th graders and their end of year events! They have a great menu, so check them out at 451 Main Street if you haven't yet!
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 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
Upcoming PTO Meeting on Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30PM: Please join us for the upcoming Lowell PTO meeting. Connect to our Zoom link on the PTO website. We'll chat about the Read-a-thon, upcoming events like Teacher Appreciation Week, and leadership for next year.
Food trucks are coming! Save the Date: Friday, March 26 from 4 - 7PM: The Lowell School PTO will be bringing a couple food trucks to town! You can place orders in advance and everything will be COVID-safe. More information will be forthcoming.