The Cardinal Connection
Weekly Update for Cardinal O'Connell ELC
January 10, 2025
Hello Cardinal Community,
It is cold here at the Cardinal! Please let us know if you are in need of winter coats for your child. We do not go outside for recess if the "feels like" temperature/wind chill index is 20 degrees or less. Instead we have indoor recess. We want to encourage everyone to come to school even in cold weather! Let us know if you need support!
This week at the Cardinal, we had a visit from Jennifer Myers who captured some video in classrooms as part of the district's curriculum audit process. We are always happy to share the great work that is happening at the Cardinal.
Our school site council met this week to discuss the Cardinal's progress in meeting our Quality Improvement Plan goals. I am grateful for the input of our school site council families, community members and staff. We are all working together for the good of our students at the Cardinal and it is wonderful to be a part of!
Warmly,
Kerry Wilcox
Principal at the Cardinal
PS I hope to see you all at the Preschool/Kindergarten Showcase on January 14th at 5:30 at the McAuliffe School. See below for more information!
Check the district calendar below for more details
January
- 14-Prek/Kindergarten Showcase at McAuliffe Elementary (5:30)
- 20-No school, Martin Luther King, Jr Day
February
- 5-No school at the Cardinal (Ms Lisa T and Ms Jenn S Early release 1:30)
- 17-21 School is closed for Winter Break
- 24-School reopens
Many families get food bags sent home every other week. We want to make sure that you are aware that some times food in the bags is close to the expiration date. If bags are delayed in being sent home after we receive them, it could be even closer so please double check when you receive the bags at home!
When should my child stay home from school?
If your child is not feeling well at school, you might get a call from the office to come pick them up. Please be ready to come get them as soon as you can!
To help your child get better quickly and to stop germs from spreading to other students and teachers, please remember these important health rules from the district:
When Children Must Remain Home
Children must remain home if they have any of the following:
- A contagious illness like chicken pox, flu, or strep throat, until the doctor says it's safe to return or the child has been on antibiotics for 24 hours
- A rash or skin condition not diagnosed by a doctor
- A fever that causes chills, sweating or muscle aches
- Temperature over 100.0° within the past 24 hours
- Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
- Red or pink eyes, or drainage from eyes
- Head lice (live lice)
- Have been notified by the school nurse/health department that immunizations are not up to date (exclusion notice is given after the 3rd warning)
Returning to School
When can a child return to school after an illness? Before returning to school:
- A child must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours
- A child must be symptom-free for 24 hours
- A child with a diagnosis of strep throat, impetigo or conjunctivitis must be on medication for 24 hours before returning to school
- On stormy days, a NO SCHOOL or DELAY OF SCHOOL announcement will be made by the Central Office through the ConnectEd System (a call to home) and posted on the Lowell Public Schools website.
- Announcements will also be publicized on WCAP radio 980 AM and on television (Channels 4, 5, 7 and 25)
- When there is a DELAY OF SCHOOL there is NO half day preschool-both morning and afternoon sessions are canceled.