The Lion's Roar

Hello McAvinnue Community!

I hope that everyone had a great week and looking forward to a restful weekend as the holiday season is in full effect! Can you believe it? There are only 10 more days of school until the "Holiday Break" and we are looking forward to continuing to maximize our time with learning while having as much fun as possible along the way!

We had a solid turn out for Parent/Teacher Conferences on Thursday, December 5th. Overall, the number of scheduled conferences that were completed on this evening was approximately 35% for each class roster. Through the use of Class Dojo as our main daily communication system, we understand that there is consistent and meaningful contact that is occuring frequently between parents and our teachers. This is so great! However, please consider sitting down with your child's teacher formally during the next scheduled round of conferences in March 2025.

McAvinnue's "Holiday Spirit Week" will begin starting on Monday, December 16th. This will be a great way to have some fun and show your school spirit right before we leave for the Holiday Break. Reminders will be sent out for the theme for each day of McAvinnue's "Holiday Spirit Week...however, you can get an early jump start on each daily theme by viewing the information below. I can't wait for another amazing spirit week opportunity at McAvinnue!

We will also have a "Holiday Door Decorating Contest" over the next 2 weeks of school. Each classroom will work to create an amazing holiday scene at their door. Each door will be voted on and their will be an overall winner that will be announced at our final all school meeting on Friday, December 20th! Stayed tuned for more details...but, you can ask you child for updates for their classroom door put until the big announcement!

We are looking forward to another successful week at the "best school that we all know"!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach directly.

Here are a few items that you need to be aware of. Please mark your calendars for the following events and activities at McAvinnue for the next few weeks:

• Monday, December 9th - McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
• Wednesday, December 11th - Make-Up Picture Day: Student Portraits
• Thursday December 12th - Before & After School Program Last Day: Session 1
• Thursday, December 12th - Grade 4 Field Trip: Lowell High ("The Big Bad" Play)

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Main Office at McAvinnue or send Mr. Domina a message a mdomina@lowell.k12.ma.us.

We will host a Picture Retake Day on Wednesday, December 11th

Students who would like a retake just need to bring in their original package of pictures.

Additionally, students that were absent or who did not order on the original picture day can also purchase photos with a form or call O'Connor Studio's customer support line at (978) 640-6250. Online ordering is not available on retake day.

We anticipate that pictures will be taken in the morning.

If you need a picture order form, please contact or stop by the Main Office at McAvinnue.

The last day for Session 1 of McAvinnue's "Before & After School Program" is Thursday, December 12th. Please make arrangements to be available for your child from this date until the Holiday Break on Friday, December 20th.

Please keep in mind that Session 2 will begin on Monday, January 6, 2025.

Registration for Session 2 for each of the programs is required. Registration forms were sent last week. Registration can also be completed online using the link below.

If you have questions please send message to Mrs. Gervais: mgervais@lowell.k12.ma.us

Back by popular demand...McAvinnue's "Holiday Spirit Week" is returning! We will head into the Holiday Break having some fun while showing our school spirit and McAvinnue Pride! Mark your calendars for Monday, December 16th - Friday, December 20th!

Here is a breakdown of how each day of McAvinnue's "Holiday Spirit Week" will go:

• Monday, December 16th: "Warm & Cozy PJ Day" - Wear your most comfortable pajamas to school!
• Tuesday, December 17th: "Candy Cane Day" - Wear anything red and white to school!
• Wednesday, December 18th: "Festive Holiday Sock Day" - It's time to break out your favorite holiday socks and show them off!
• Thursday, December 19th: "Holiday Bling Day" - Wear your favorite holiday gear to school...hats, socks, sweaters, pants...anything goes as long as it has a holiday theme!
• Friday, December 20th: "Grinch Day" - Do you have Grinch gear? Wear it on this day...or dress as your favorite Grinch character...or simply wear green to school!

Let's show everyone why we have the best school spirit in Lowell! This is going to be an awesome week as we launch into the Holiday Break!

Session 2 for McAvinnue's "Before & After School Programs" begins on January 6th and will run through March 20th. There are limited spots available for each program. Both programs continue to be FREE of charge for all students!

Here are the details for each program which will be the same as Session 1:

• Before School Program: Monday - Thursday @ 8:00 AM - 9:10 AM (Grades 1 - 4)

• After School Program: Grades 1 & 2 - Tuesday @ 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM; Grades 3 & 4 - Thursday @ 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

To register for the programs, please use the link below:

https://forms.gle/fHNWfR9TXdtVWy1m6

STUDENTS WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE NEW SESSION. THERE ARE NO CARRY OVER SPOTS FROM SESSION 1 TO SESSION 2.

Please reach out to Mrs. Gervais at mgervais@lowell.jk12.ma.us if you have any questions.

Electricity was in the air . . and on the desks . . . and the floor at McAvinnue this past Wednesday as students participated in hands-on STEM learning made possible through a partnership with The Acera School of Winchester, a private K-9 STEM focused school for gifted students.

After gaining an understanding of batteries and circuits, as well as what can block the path of energy movement and how to fix it, students had a chance to work building circuits of their own with wires, paper clips, tin foil, and copper tape. The goal? Light the light bulb. Then - make that closed circuit bigger and bigger while still powering that light bulb.

There are a lot of kids in Lowell tonight that have much more appreciation for what is going on inside the wall when they flip on a light switch.

The Acera School has partnered in the past with the Pyne Arts Magnet School and the McAuilffe Elementary School and will be conducting more hands-on experiments at the McAvinnue throughout this school year.

If your students have any medical concerns or diagnosis, please make sure Nurse Danielle is aware. Also, if they have any medical conditions, for example allergies or asthma, that require medications such as Epipens or inhalers here at school, please remember she needs updated paperwork and medication yearly.

Please reach out as soon as possible to get her the necessary paperwork and to arrange drop off of new medications. Nurse Danielle's email address is dralls@lowell.k12.ma.us and she can also be reached by calling (978) 937-2871 ex. 47858. Our fax number is (978) 937-2880.

Drop-Off Logistics

• Arrival begins at 9:10 AM each day. The late bell rings at 9:25 AM.
• Please pull up to the 4th Avenue side of the building when dropping off your child.
• As you approach the 4th Avenue sidewalk, a faculty member will greet and support getting your child safely out of the vehicle.
• This area is a drop off area ONLY. You will not be permitted to park in this location.
• Please be sure to drive all the way down to the end of the sidewalk so we can fit as many vehicles in this location as possible.
• Ensure your child is ready to go and do not get out of the car so we can keep traffic moving.
• Students accessing our CSA program will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.
• Large bus students will enter using the back door located in the rear of the school building.
  
• Small bus and van transportation students will use the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.

Morning Lining Up Locations

• Grade 1, 3, and 4 students will use the Main Door to enter the school building.
• Grade 2 will use the 4th Avenue doorway near the front of the school to enter the building.
• PreK & Kindergarten will use the Early Childhood door to enter the building. This door is located to the right of McAvinnue's Reading Garden and to the left of the Main Door.

Pick-Up Logistics

• Grade 1 will be dismissed out the Main Door.
• Grades 2, 3, and 4 will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the front of the school.
• Kindergarten students will be dismissed out the Early Childhood door. This door is located to the right of McAvinnue's Reading Garden and to the left of the Main Door.
• Students accessing our CSA program will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.
• PreK students will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway. Please contact Ms. Annie for the specific dismissal time.

School bus transportation is provided to students in grades K-4, who live greater than .75 mile from their residence or alternate address to their assigned school. Middle school students (grades 5-8) must live greater than 1.5 miles from their residence or alternate address to their assigned school.

Kindergarten through 4th grade students will receive a printed bus pass via postal mail. These passes were mailed out on August 23rd. You can also look up your student's bus pass information by using their Student ID for the username and date of birth for the password at the link below. This is the same information that students use to log in to their Chromebooks for school.

Please note that Kindergarten and 1st grader students must have an older sibling (4th grade or older) or parent present at the bus stop in the afternoon in order to depart from the school bus. If a parent or older sibling is not present, the student will be brought to the Moody School, located at 158 Rogers Street. A driver’s license or valid identification must be presented to the staff in order to dismiss the student.

You can use the LPSD "Bus Lookup Tool" using the link below. You will need to use you child's LASID or lunch number along with their birthdate to access this helpful system.

There also is a helpful video that you can watch that will walk you through the process.

The Lowell Public Schools Transportation Department has added a live spreadsheet to its webpage that indicates in the AM or PM if a school bus (grades K-8) is running late and by how long.

Check it out today: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5990

Here is information regarding when each grade level and homeroom has weekly Physical Education Class with Ms. Rindo.

Please ensure that your child wears sneakers on their assigned day in the gymnasium so that can fully participate.

We will introduce a new pose this week called "Boat". This "orange" pose will allow us to increase our strength by practicing this challenging pose that focuses on our core and balance. We will practice the "Boat" pose daily during our "Virtual" Morning Announcements during this up and coming week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

You can get an early head start and practice this technique before we launch into another exciting week!

Here are important dates to remember in the month of December:

• Monday, December 9th - McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
• Wednesday, December 11th - Make-Up Picture Day: Student Portraits
• Thursday December 12th - Before & After School Program Last Day: Session 1
• Thursday, December 12th - Grade 4 Field Trip: Lowell High ("The Big Bad" Play)
• Monday, December 16th - Friday, December 20th - McAvinnue's "Holiday Spirit Week"
• Tuesday, December 17th - Kindergarten Field Trip - Acton Discovery Museum (Room 206 & 208)
• Wednesday, December 18th - Kindergarten Field Trip - Acton Discovery Museum (Room 205 & 207)
• Thursday, December 19th - McAvinnue's "Lions Pride" Core Value All School Celebration: December Edition @ 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
• Friday, December 20th - Holiday Break Begins @ 3:30 PM

We’re closing in on the end of the year with some truly incredible ST Math progress!

• Total Puzzles Solved: Over 332,000 puzzles completed as a school!
• Progress: We’re now at 35% completion toward our puzzle goals!

• The energy from the Turkey Tournament carried us forward, and now we have just 2 more weeks of puzzling to finish 2024 strong!

• Help our McAvinnue Lions celebrate the route to 100%! Five students are approaching this milestone.

Let’s keep the momentum going as we head into the holiday season. Every puzzle solved is a step toward deeper learning and building confidence in math. Thank you for all the encouragement, teamwork, and enthusiasm you bring to your classrooms!

Let’s finish 2024 with a bang!

McAvinnue's Site Council is a group of faculty, parents, and community stakeholders who come together to help drive the instructional focus of the McAvinnue Elementary School. We look at student data and make decisions about the school's Quality Improvement Plan and budget.

We need one additional parent to join this important group. The commitment is one, one-hour, meeting each month usually on Zoom. As we hit budget season in February-April, there will be other meetings added.

If you would like to be a part of the team, please fill out the form below. If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Domina at mdomina@lowell.k12.ma.us.

McAvinnue's "Morning Announcements" are back once again for the 2024-2025 academic school year! We are excited to bring these back starting on Monday, September 16th!

Like we had successfully done during previous school years, a new edition of McAvinnue's "Virtual" Morning Announcements will be presented to our students on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. We will continue to use Tuesday and Thursday each week to be used for "Open Circle"....our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that focuses on community building, prosocial decision making, and appropriate responses to daily stressors both within the school and home settings.

This will continue to be a great way to bring our school together each day focusing on the same message to get the energy, commitment, and engage up before we launch into another great day at "the best school we all know".

McAvinnue's Morning Announcements will occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week.

You can check out current and past editions of McAvinnue's Morning Announcements on our YouTube channel using the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7hxiBuRjqjqfASl_RLMleQ

You can check out the latest edition of McAvinnue's Morning Announcements below for last school year!

Sun Santa and Toys for Tots are available to help families. Just click on the following two links which will bring to a quick and easy form to complete and submit. If you need help completing the forms, please let us know!

Click below to access the Sun Santa form:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/CommunityTeamwork1/SunSantaForm

Also, for Toys for Tots...the ast day for registration is November 8th. Please use the scan code below to access the application.

Please see the chart below that will help you decide whether you should send your child to school.

If you have any questions or are not sure whether you should send your child to school, please reach out to the school and ask to speak with Nurse Danielle.

The LPS Student Handbook is a great tool to use to fully understand the expectations of the role of our students as well as the partnership needed for our families to ensure that the school year is a great success.

You can access the district elementary student handbook by clicking the button below. You will find various policies and procedures focusing on attendance, grading, discipline, bus expectations, and more.

Please reach out directly if you have any questions.

As you are aware, attending school is first step each in the learning process for our students. It is critical that our students arrive to school on time each day so that they can access all of the engaging and meaning lessons that have been planned by our teachers and related service providers.

The McAvinnue Attendnace Team will monitor student attendance on a weekly basis and will reach our directly to families when they notice frequent absences, a pattern of absences, or an increased number of consecutive absences within a short period of time.

Please refer to McAvinnue's Student Attendance Booket below that will provide additional information. This booket will be sent home with students in multiple languages. It is important that you review this information for your own awareness and to be fully prepared to support your child with the first step of the learning process...attending school on time.

The handbook is provided in three languages below.

As we reopen for the new school year, Lowell Public Schools Food and Nutrition are "Powering Potential" for students and faculty with innovations in our menus and enhancements to our overall dining operations. When your child dines with us, rest assured that we will be serving delicious, nutritious meals prepared with the utmost attention to safety. We encourage every student to fuel up with breakfast and lunch meals each day so they can be energized and prepared to succeed throughout the day, in and out of the classroom.

Please keep up to date on our program, nutrition education, monthly menus and back to school letters on the LPS Food and Nutrition website.

Any concerns please feel free to email foodservice@lowell.k12.ma.us

We have an online store if you wish to order any McAvinnue gear! It is open 24 hours per day and there is no due date for orders. Anytime you want to order...on any day!

The company is Prep Sportswear and has been reliable with solid product quality from reputable brands.

There is a 30% off deal occuring now on all items! This is a major discount if you are interested in purchasing McAvinnue merchandise.

Like during previous school years, we are also exploring additional local options to purchase McAvinnue gear. Stay tuned for more information in the month of September.

To access our current online store for McAvinnue spirit gear, please click the link below.

How can I update my contact information (phone number/email/address)?

• Go online to the Family Resource Webpage (https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/UpdateContactInfo) and fill out the “contact us” form. Families who don’t have access to the internet can fill out the form in person at the Family Resource Center. If an address change is related to economic factors or housing instability (family moves in with relatives, eviction, hotel/motel, fire or unsheltered, please contact the McKinney Vento Office located at the Family Resource Center in person (151 Merrimack Street), by phone (978-674-4321) or go to the webpage at https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/HomelessAssistance.

How do I update my emergency contacts?

• If you were in the school last year we will send a verification sheet out. if you are new we will send home an emergency form to fill out on the first day of school.

How do I register my child for the new school year?

• All school registrations are completed online using a computer or laptop. You can access the online application by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. If you only have a mobile device and don’t have access to a computer or laptop, you can register in person at the Family Resource Center (151 Merrimack Street). Please call the Family Resource Center if you have any questions (978-674-4321).

What should I do if I need to register my child(ren) and I don’t speak English?

• The Lowell Public Schools is committed to providing translation and interpretation services for families who require assistance in a language other than English. The online registration application and website is translated in Spanish and Portuguese and can be accessed by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. For all other languages, please call Vannak Khin at (978) 328-6782 to arrange services. In-person language interpretation support for registration can be accessed by visiting the Lowell Public Schools at 151 Merrimack Street. Families can also call the Family Resource Center at (978) 674-4321 to make an appointment with a Bilingual Family Liaison.

How old does my child need to be to enroll in preschool or kindergarten?

• A child must turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023, in order to apply for preschool and 5 by September 1 to apply for kindergarten. A family can apply for preschool by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/PreschoolRegistration to fill out an online application or https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/KindergartenRegistration for kindergarten. For registration questions, please call (978) 674-4321.

How do I apply for a transfer for my child to change schools in the new year?

• Per the 2023-2024 School Assignment Policy, all students have the option to request one school transfer per year.
• Families can apply online at https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolTransfer or can come to the Family Resource Center in-person to complete the application. Transfers are assigned on a space availability basis.

Check out the Winter Playground opportunities offered by the Lowell Public Schools. Registration information can be found below.

Check out the registration information for Lowell Recreation Basketball! There are teams for both girls and boys…and all games are in Lowell!

Registration is now open for Girls Lacrosse for Spring 2025 for girls in grades K-8 (new K program this year!).

To register: www.lowellgirlslacrosse.com

The season will run from the middle of February to June!

Lowell Youth Lacrosse Spring 2025 registration is now open for boys in grades 1-8. To register: https://lowellyouthlax.com

Practice session begin in March with game play occuring on Sundays.

Financial aid is available if needed.

Cub Scout Pack 7 is looking for new cubs to join their pack! Tons of fun and learning experiences for all kids in Kindergarten through Grade 5. For more information, visit www.pack7lowell.com

Pack 7 meets at St. Rita's Church directly across from McAvinnue!

Interested in joining the Girl Scouts Of America? Check out the information below for an event on Tuesday, September 17th at 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Pollard Library in Lowell.

To sign up for Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, please use the link below.

gsema.org/jion

The Lowell Public Schools' Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Program holds weekly playgroups for children under 5-years-old and their families.

You can access the registration form below.

Looking for before or after school daycare options for your child? Here is a short list of options and information for your consideration.

Here is a list of daycare options in Lowell:

• Community Team Work (CTI): (978) 454-5100

• Families who are already enrolled in a CTI program...

• Call or text school-age coordinators to request a slot

• Billy 978-995-0028, wma@commteam.org

• Karen 978-729-7216, kshannon@commteam.org

• Families who are not enrolled in a CTI program

• If you’ve filled out a CTI application in the past...

• Contact Karen (978) 729-7216, kshannon@commteam.org to see if where you are on the waitlist (if there is a waitlist)

• If you’ve never filled out a CTI application...

• Fill out an application at 17 Kirk St., 126 Phoenix Ave

• Or call the main CTI number (978) 454-5100 to request an email version of the application.

• YMCA: (978) 454-7825; 1 YMCA Dr in Lowell

• Karen Espinola is the school-age director

• Fill out a application online or at the YMCA to request a slot

• Debbie Doben is the preschool director if your child is preschool age

• Family Childcare: Call programs to see if they have openings near you

• Bethel Family Childcare (978) 458-6577

• Clarendon Family Childcare (978) 454-3026

• Child Development and Learning (CDE) (978) 275-2843

• ACRE Family Childcare (978) 937-5899

• CTI: See above contact information

• Girls Inc: (978) 458-6529, 220; Worthen St. in Lowell

• Accept girls ages 5-14 years old

• Accept Child Care Circuit vouchers, DCF vouchers, and private pay (income-based, sliding scale)

• Call Pam Lerocque (Director of Finance & Administration) to check on openings

• Boys and GIrls Club: (978) 458-4526; 657 Middlesex St in Lowell

• School-age openings for after-school

• Teens who are working with the Department of Children and Families can call BGC or DCF to see if they’re eligible

The Family Leadership Institute provides families with the knowledge and skills to partner with schools and communities to ensure their children achieve their full potential.

Throughout the year, the FLI runs a variety of programs including: survival English classes, family college visits, mental health and financial literacy workshops, and more. For more information about the FLI visit: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5263 or email FLI Director Zoe Dzineku at zdzineku@lowell.k12.ma.us.

Do you need support with food options for your family. No need to worry...there are many local groups that can offer support for you during your time of need.

Click the link below for a list of local food pantries that are willing to help.

You can also reach out to Mrs. De La Luz, McAvinnue's Social Worker, for support navigating these and other options at adelaluz@lowell.k12.ma.us.

Click the link below to see a comprensive list of local vaccination options for your child.

Please keep in mind that certain vaccinations are required for students to participate in learning at all Lowell Public Schools.

If you have any questions regarding vaccination requirements, please contact Nurse Danielle at the school. She will be glad to help you out and provide you with the information that you require or request.

Check out our school website where you can find a wealth of information including school news, calendars, and other events.

Please visit our website at: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/mcavinnue

You can follow McAvinnue on social media at the following sites! We update things daily and this is a great way to stay in touch with all of the amazing things that are happening inside and out of "the best school we all know"!

Click the buttons below to access our social media sites!

McAvinnue Elementary School is a place...where there are high expectations, where students are academically engaged, where instruction is guided by a systematic approach to examine data, where there is a multi-tiered system of support, and where a responsive environment that fosters social emotional connections between faculty and students prevails.

#McAvinnuePride #BeTheDifference #NextLevel

Email: mdomina@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/21
Location: 131 Mammoth Road, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 937-2871
Facebook: facebook.com/McAvinnueElementarySchool/
Twitter: @McAvinnueLPS