MCAVINNUE'S PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello McAvinnue Community!
I hope that everyone is having a great weekend! From a weather standpoint, it's certainly feels more like Summer on Friday and Saturday...and is a well-deserved change as we move into the final stretch of this school year! The weather this week will start out in the 50's and end in the 50's with some 60 degree days in between . As you know, it is important to tune in to the local news for the most up to date forecast. Things can change quickly and you need to ensure that your child is prepared to adjust with the weather forecast.
We will begin Math MCAS testing for our Grade 3 students on Wednesday and Thursday this week. We are putting the finishing touches on this testing session and ensuring that we fully support all students so that they can do their very best of this important assessment. Overall, our Grade 3 students did extremely during the ELA MCAS testing back in April for their first of many MCAS testing sessions. We are confident that they will do even better on the Math MCAS this week! Stay tuned for results for your child that will be released in October 2025!
Grade 4 will begin their Math MCAS on Tuesday, May 13th. Our Grade 4 Team is working on finalizing all of the student testing accommodations as well as creating small student testing groups. Stay tuned for more details in next weeks edition of McAvinnue's "Lion's Roar" Community Newsletter.
We have some great student events coming up. There are some field trips on the horizon for some grade levels...and multiple exciting events like McAvinnue's "International Night", McAvinnue's "Paw"tastic Field Day, and Grade 4 "Move Up" Graduation. Stay tuned for more information in this weekly newsletter as well updated notices from your child's teacher.
Finally, we will begin "Teacher Appreciation Days" this week. Please see the days below and how we will recognize the hard work and collective efforts that all of our faculty do for our students and families!
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, May 5th- McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
- Wednesday, May 7th - Grade 3 Math MCAS Testing: Session 1
- Thursday, May 8th - Grade 3 Math MCAS Testing: Session 2
- Friday, May 9th - Mother's Day Kindergarten Event @ 10 AM (Cafeteria)
- Monday, May 12th - McAvinnue's "STEM Challenge Month" Begins
- Monday, May 12th - McAvinnue's "Lion's Pride" Core Value All School Celebration: April Edition
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 have scheduled McAvinnue's MCAS dates for this school year. Please see the dates below for both Grade 3 and Grade 4.
Math
- Grade 3 Math - May 7th (Session 1); Math 8th (Session 2)
- Grade 3 Math Make Up Sessions - Math 9th & 12th
- Grade 4 Math - May 13th (Session 1); May 15th (Session 2)
- Grade 3 Math Make Up Sessions - May 16th & 19th
It's important that ALL of our students attend on the days that their grade level is testing. Being rested, on time, and fully prepared is essential for students to "show what they know" and do their very best!
If you have any questions, please reach out directly to your child's teacher for additional information.
We are thrilled to invite you to McAvinnue’s Annual International Night on Thursday, May 22nd at 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. This is a very special evening dedicated to celebrating the amazing cultures and traditions that make up our school community!
As part of the festivities, we are asking families to bring a favorite family dish that reflects their heritage, culture, or family traditions.
Here are a few important details:
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What to Bring: A dish that is meaningful to your family and represents your cultural background. It could be an appetizer, main dish, dessert, or snack — whatever you love to share!
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Serving Size: Please prepare a dish that can serve about 20–25 small portions, so many families have the chance to sample different foods.
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Labeling: If possible, please include a small label with the name of the dish, the country or culture it represents, and any important ingredients (to help those with allergies).
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Allergies: We kindly ask that you list common allergens (such as nuts, dairy, eggs, gluten, etc.) if they are included.
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Drop-off Time: Please bring your dish to the gymnasium at 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM. Tables will be set up for you to display your dish.
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Optional: Feel free to bring a small flag, photo, or short description that tells a little about your dish or your family's story!
This evening is always one of the highlights of our school year — a time to connect, share traditions, and learn from one another. We can't wait to experience the delicious tastes and rich stories that each of you will bring to this beautiful night!
If you are planning to bring a dish, please RSVP by reaching out to Mrs. De La Luz at adelaluz@lowell.k12.ma.us or send back the bottom portion of the flyer that was sent home before Spring Break so we can plan accordingly.
Thank you for helping us make our International Night a meaningful and memorable event!
Allergies? Asthma? Medications? - Please Let Nurse Danielle Know!
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.
Is Your Bus On Time?
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
McAvinnue's Yoga Pose Of The Week: "Flying Bird Breath"
We are bringing back a pose this week from the beginning of the school year called the "Flying Bird Breath".
This pose will allow us to work on remaining calm while increasing our focus by maintaining grace through our own person "center". We will practice the "Flying Bird Breath" 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!
Our ST Math journey continues to soar, and it’s time to recognize the incredible progress we’ve made together! As a school, we’ve surpassed 895,000 puzzles solved and reached 90% overall progress. This is a huge testament to the dedication of our students—and to all of you who support and inspire them every day. Way to go, McAvinnue!
Let's celebrate the puzzles at each grade level, too! Check out the progress below...simply amazing!
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!
Mental Health Student Support
Lowell Public School Families: We are committed to supporting the overall well-being of our students and believe mental health is an important part of overall health. We currently partner with Cartwheel https://www.cartwheel.org/ to support the mental health needs of our students via virtual therapy with licensed clinicians.
Up until now, a student had to be identified and referred for these services by our school team. Now, parents/guardians can express interest directly in mental health services for their child. Just fill out this form https://bit.ly/3QReTok
Our school staff can still refer a student to Cartwheel with parent/guardian consent. To learn more about this mental health program, check out the flyer below.
Here are some signs to look out for to determine if your child might benefit from mental health support:
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
- Declining academic performance
- Withdrawal from friends or activities
- Increased anxiety or stress
- Expressing feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Experiencing transition (related to life, family, peers, school)
- Exposure to a traumatic event
Student Handbook 2024-2025
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.
McAvinnue's School Attendance Information
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.
Breakfast and Lunch Will Be Free for All LPS Students
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
McAvinnue Spirit Gear By Prep Sportswear
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.
General Information
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.
Cub Scout Pack 7 Information
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!
Be A Girl Scout
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.
Local Food Support
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.
Community Vaccination Information
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.
McAvinnue's School Website
Please visit our website at: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/mcavinnue
Follow McAvinnue On Social Media
Click the buttons below to access our social media sites!
Our Vision
#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
