Lowell Families,

🌟 Welcome back, everyone! The big day is finally here - the first day of school in person! We've been eagerly waiting for this, and we're so excited to have you all back with us. Are you feeling the excitement bubbling up inside you too?

📚 The first week or two of school might feel a bit busy and hectic. Adjusting to new classes, meeting your teachers, reuniting with friends, and getting back into the routine of school life can be a lot to handle. Make sure to talk to your child and ask them how they're feeling. Our teachers and staff are also getting used to being back in school, so it's okay to check in on them too!

🤝 If you need any help, our fantastic guidance team is here for you. You can reach out to Brian Connors if your child is in grades 3-5 or Melina Jacovides if they are in kindergarten through grade 2.

😴 I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight, thinking about how our students will be returning to school tomorrow. I can hardly wait to see all of your friendly faces in the morning. Remember, the information shared on Friday still stands, so feel free to revisit it if needed.

📰 Check out our Equity Corner newsletter for some exciting updates. Watertown is buzzing with so many wonderful things happening; you won't want to miss it!

Looking forward to a fantastic day ahead! See you soon, bright and early tomorrow morning! 🌈📚🌟

On September 3rd, we invite all students to gather at their designated meeting spots (dismissal points), where they will also be dismissed at the end of the day. You will have the opportunity to personally greet your child's new teacher and establish that vital connection from the get-go. Your child's teacher will be easily identifiable by holding a sign with their name.

Please refer to the following details to locate your child's meeting spot:

- Grade 1: Entrance through door #3 located near the tot playground

- Grade 2: Entrance through door #6 at the top of the Orchard St. Hill

- Grade 3: Entrance through door #6 at the top of the Orchard St. Hill

- Grade 4: Entrance through door #7 near Carlton Terrace

- Grade 5: Entrance through door #7 near Carlton Terrace

For families with PreK and Kindergarten students, please note that Tuesday will serve as a visiting day only. Kindergarten and PreK will use door #2 for entry and exiting. My last newsletter listed door #3.

With Gratitude,

Principal Phelan & Assistant Principal Rufo

We use two entrances for student arrival. The entrance on Lowell Avenue is for grades 3 - 5, and the entrance on George Street is for grades Pre-K - 2. The following restrictions with corresponding signs will be placed around the property.

Lowell Ave Student Entrance grades 3-5

• Lowell Avenue will become a one-way during school hours, beginning at Carroll Street and ending at the intersection of Lowell Ave and George Street. A permanent sign has been placed on Carroll Street. Read, DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION EXCEPT RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

• No parking signage will be posted along Lowell Ave (this area runs along the school property). The school has 23 designated parking spots along the ballfield on Lowell Ave.

• Staff parking is permitted to park along York Ave along the ballfield during school hours.

• No parking radius of 20 feet beginning at the intersection of Lowell Ave and York Ave along York Ave.

Restrictions:

• No parking radius of 20 feet beginning at the intersection of George St and Lowell Ave along Lowell Ave.

• No parking, George St, West from Lowell Ave for 77 feet heading south down George St (this area runs along the school property).

• DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION EXCEPT RESIDENTS AND STAFF, beginning at the intersection of Lowell Ave and George St heading north.

• No parking signage radius of 20 feet beginning at the intersection of Lowell Ave and George on the west side heading north.

• Do not enter signage will be placed at the intersection where George St meets Fuller St. Read, DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION.

• No parking signage will be posted on Wolcott Road from 50 feet on the north side running east along Fuller Road.

• No parking signage will be posted on Wolcott Road from 50 feet along Fuller Road's east side

• No parking signage will be posted along the new peninsula No Parking on the west side of Fuller St 66 feet around the peninsula down the south side of George St.

George Street k-2 Entrance k-2

• No parking signage along the west side of George (this area runs along the school property). Read, NO PARKING DROP OFF AND PICK UP ONLY 8:00-8:30 AM & 2:15-2:45 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION beginning 77 feet south of Lowell Ave to point 177 feet south of Lowell Ave.

• George Street will become a one-way during school hours with an exception for residents. Read, DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION EXCEPT RESIDENTS.

As we prepare to return to the neighborhood next week, we are filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. We are eager to reconnect with our friends and neighbors and resume our daily routines in this vibrant and dynamic community. We are confident that, with your help, we can work together to plan a safe and successful reentry.

Arrival and Dismissal Grades 1-5:

Day 1

• Students in grades 1 - 5 will line up outside on the Orchard Street side of the building Grade 1 Door #3, Grade 2 & 3 Door #6, and Grade 4 & 5 Door #7. Student should begin to line up between 8:05 AM and 8:20 AM. You will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher at that time briefly. Students will be dismissed at the end of the school day at 2:30 PM to the same location they lined up for arrival.

• There will be no Drop-and-Go on day 1.

Day 2

• Starting on day 2, students in grades 3-5 will enter the building through the Lowell Avenue entrance which is door #1.

• If you use the Drop-and-Go line, we ask you to stay in your car at all times and Do Not pass the car in front of you. This is for safety of our staff and students. On days of inclement weather the line may get long and slow. Don't worry we will hold attendance on those days and not mark students late.

• If your child needs your assistance getting out of the car, please park your car, help your child with their backpacks, etc., and walk your child up to the door instead of using the Drop-and-Go.

• During the drop-off period of 8:05 to 8:20 AM, we have over 425 students entering the building. All community members must follow the protocol for using Drop-and-Go Line.

• Parents/guardians must check in at the office and receive a visitor badge before entering the building. Parents are not allowed to accompany their children to their classrooms. Please be assured that appropriate supervision is provided once students enter through the school doors.

• Doors lock promptly at 8:20. Students who arrive after 8:20 must enter through the main entrance and be signed in at the office with their parents.

• Please note: If your child needs to arrive at school before 8:00 am, he/she/they need to be attending the before-school programs to ensure safety and supervision.

Day 1 - Kindergarten and PreK: Visiting Day by Appointment September 3rd

Day 2 - Kindergarten and PreK: Half Day September 4th Students Release at 12:00

Day 3 - Kindergarten and PreK: First Full Day September 5th

Beginning Day 2 Wednesday, September 4th

• Prek through Grade 2 will enter the building through the George Street entrance which is door #2. The door opens at 8:05 am. Student may not be left unattended before 8:05. The George St. door will close at 8:20. Students are marked tardy after 8:20 am.

• ALL Students arriving late must enter the building at door #1 the Lowell Ave Entrance. Parent must accompany their child to the main office.

• If you use the Drop-and-Go line, we ask you to stay in your car at all times and Do Not pass the car in front of you. This is for safety of our staff and students. On days of inclement weather the line may get long and slow. Don't worry we will hold attendance on those days and not mark students late.

• If your child needs your assistance getting out of the car, please park your car, help your child with their backpacks, etc., and walk your child up to the door instead of using the Drop-and-Go.

• During the drop-off period of 8:05 to 8:20 AM, we have over 425 students entering the building. All community members must follow the protocol for using Drop-and-Go Line.

• Parents/guardians must check in at the office and receive a visitor badge before entering the building. Parents are not allowed to accompany their children to their classrooms. Please be assured that appropriate supervision is provided once students enter through the school doors.

• Doors lock promptly at 8:20. Students who arrive after 8:20 must enter through the main entrance and be signed in at the office with their parents.

• Please note: If your child needs to arrive at school before 8:00 am, he/she/they need to be attending the before-school programs to ensure safety and supervision.

• Day 1 (Visiting Day by Appointment) Tuesday, September 3rd: students and families enter through the George St. door #2 by appointment.

• Day 2- (Early Release at 12:00) Thursday, September 4th: arrival begins at 8:05 - 8:20 AM. After 8:20 AM, students must enter the entrance on Lowell Ave. Students will exit door #2 near the kindergarten playground on George Street. Pick-up time is 12:00 PM (no lunch service and no extended day).

• Day 3- (First Full Day) Friday, September 5th: 8:15 AM – 2:30 PM (full day, lunch is served, Extended Day for those students signed up).

Arrival through door #2 George Street beginning at 8:05 AM.

Dismissal from door #2 George Street at 2:30 PM.

Arrival procedures:

Walkers & Bikers Arrival

• Students will enter the building at their assigned door. Grades 3-5 enter door #1 on Lowell Street. Students in grades K-2 will enter through door #2 on George Street.

Drop-and-go Arrival

• Vehicles will enter Lowell Street and follow the drop-and-go line on Lowell Street and George Street.

• Adult(s) are asked to remain in the vehicle and pull up to the sidewalk where school personnel will be waiting. Grades 3-5 will be dropped off at the Lowell St. entrance of the building, and students in grades kindergarten through 2 will be dropped off at the George St. entrance.

• Please have your child(ren) ready to exit the vehicle when you pull up to the sidewalk.

• Cars must remain in the line and cannot pass other vehicles. Please do not make a U-turn or deviate from the drop-off line as a safety measure.

• Students are not allowed on the playground before school unless supervised by an adult.

Dismissal Procedure for Parent Pick-up:

• Students being picked up by a parent will be dismissed from the following exits:

• Kindergarten: George Street exit (door #2)

• Grade 1: George Street side near little playground (door #3)

• Grade 2 & 3: Top of Orchard Street Hill (door #6)

• Grade 4 & 5: Charlton Street exit (door #7)

• We DO NOT offer vehicle pick up for families at dismissal time.

• Please be mindful and respectful of our neighbors. Do not block driveways. Please do not double park on streets surrounding the building. Please comply if a neighbor asks you to move to access their driveway. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation!

Dismissal Procedures for LEDP, Bus, and Van:

Dismissal time is 2:30 p.m., and Early Release day at 12:15 p.m. Students will be dismissed to designated areas or their after-school program.

• Students taking a van or bus will be escorted to the main entrance located on Lowell Street at the end of the school day and supervised until the bus arrives.

• Extended Day students will be taken to the cafeteria or meeting spot identified by the LEDP coordinator, where an Extended Day staff member will greet them.

Attendance is the most important aspect of educating our students. When students are not here, they do not have access to instruction. To focus attention on the importance of attendance the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act or No Child Left Behind, specifically mentions attendance, reflecting the increasing awareness that attendance is a key indicator for assessing school and student success.

Massachusetts state law (M.G.L 76 Sections 2 and 4: School Attendance) requires parents/caregivers to have their children attend school.

At Watertown Public Schools, we pride ourselves in maintaining a very high attendance rate throughout the year. Understandably, there will be times when our students will need to take time away from school for a variety of excused reasons. The following procedure is in place to ensure good attendance, support our families, and follow state and federal laws.

EXCUSED Absences

We expect regular and punctual attendance in all classes. Grades reflect attendance, effort, classroom participation, and academic progress. We recognize that occasional absences are unavoidable. EXCUSED absences are those reported to the office through the use of the school-specific google excused absence attendance form; otherwise, any absence will be considered unexcused. .

• Short-term illness (three consecutive days or fewer) reported to the school using the attendance google form

• Extended illness (four or more consecutive days) requires a doctor’s note with a return date, submitted to the school nurse

• Death of a student’s family member

• Court appearances

• Religious observances and holidays

• The Principal may decide to excuse an absence that does not fit within the above categories. The parent/guardian must contact the principal to discuss these circumstances.

Parent call-ins and/or notes from home are required for an excused absence. All notes to excuse an absence must be turned in within two school days of a student’s return. Any questions/concerns should be addressed to the Assistant Principals’ Office.

Students with more than three excused absences in a quarter may be asked to produce formal

documentation to excuse further absences that quarter.

Students who are absent for any reason may not participate in any extra-curricular school activities, Extended Day, or events on the day of the absence, including games and dances, unless excused by the administration.

UNEXCUSED absences:

• Cutting class (not being where you are scheduled to be)

• Family vacation

• Work

• Any absence of four or more consecutive days that are not documented by a doctor’s note

Excessive absence notification and intervention

Resulting Actions:

• After 3 days of unexcused absences with no contact with the school from the parent, the Assistant Principal will be notified and will reach out to the parent/guardian.

• After 5 days of unexcused absences a letter of concern will be sent to parents/caregivers.

• At 10 absences (excused or unexcused) or suspected truancy, a letter and support meeting will be scheduled with parents/guardian, guidance, and administration to create an Attendance Plan, which clearly outlines the school, parent and student obligations to improve the problem.

• At 15 absences (excused or unexcused) - guidance, administration, community outreach coordinator, and Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) warning; review AIP

• At 20 absences (excused or unexcused) - If absenteeism continues, further action will be taken, up to and including petitioning the Juvenile Courts with a Child Requiring Assistance, (CRA)

• In appropriate cases, the school may report to DCF.

Please refer to School Committee Policy JH Policy Manual for additional information regarding school absences.

If your child will be absent for an extended period due to illness or an injury, please contact Nurse Taverna at 617-926-7770.

I will keep an Attendance Form at the top of my newsletter weekly for your use. We will also place it on our school website and district website.

Parents in grades 3-5 are asked to fill out the permission to walk home from school. This form will grant your child permission to walk home from school or the bus stop. This is only allowed for grades 3-5. If you have a child in grades kindergarten - Grade 2 and would like them to walk home with your older sibling please add

School Site Council (SSC)

Reach out to Principal Stacy Phelan at stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us with any questions or to express interest in joining next year. We meet six times throughout the year for an hour. We are currently looking for new members.

Parent Teacher Organization (FTO)

Reach out to the FTO President Kelly Linehan at kellylinehan@gmail.com or lowellelementarypto@gmail.com with any questions or to express interest in joining next year. You can sign up as a room parent or support an event. New members allow welcome

Diversity Council

Reach out to one of our Equity Facilitators Kathy Burton or Sandra Quesada. You can reach them via email at Kathy Burton at katherine.burton@watertown.k12.ma.us or Sandra Quesada (Native Spanish Speaker) sandra.quesada@watertown.k12.ma.us with any questions or to express interest in joining next year. Attend and help plan meetings. We meet once a month for an hour.

No need to buy school supplies. During Covid, the District began providing all materials for students and we have made the decision (across the three elementary schools) to continue with this practice. We hope that this makes things easier for all of our families and students!

Students will need a backpack and water bottle.

• Thursday, August 31st, 4 pm - Third Grade Students are Welcome to Visit Lowell West
• Tuesday, September 3rd - First Day of School (Grades 1-5); Kindergarten Visits by Appointment
• Wednesday, September 4th - KINDERGARTEN Early Dismissal at 12:15
• Thursday, September 5th - KINDERGARTEN FIRST FULL DAY
• Wednesday, September 10th - FTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 in person at Lowell School
• Friday, September 20th - Movie Night 6:00-8:00 pm Lowell Cafeteria
• Wednesday, September 25th - EARLY DISMISSAL, 12:15 pm (Professional Development for Staff)
• Tuesday, October 1st Back to School Night 6:00-7:30 pm
• Tuesday, October 8th - FTO Meeting 6:30-7:30 over Zoom
• Monday, October 14th - NO SCHOOL - Indigenous Peoples Day Observed
• Tuesday, October 22nd Day Adult & Teacher Conferences 1:00-2:30 pm
• Thursday, October 24th - Night Adult & Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:00 pm
• Friday, October 25th - Trunk or Treat 6:00-7:30 pm
• Tuesday, October 29th - Night Adult & Teacher Conferences 4:30-6:30 pm
• Friday, November 1st - Day Adult & Teacher Conferences 1:00-2:30 pm
• Tuesday, November 5th - No School (Election Day & Teacher's Professional Development)
• 
  

Other events will be added as the dates become finalized. We will be adding Parent Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Council to this list shortly. We are trying to coordinate with the other schools.

The number of food allergies in young children has increased significantly over the past few years. The school has established specific protocols to create a safe, allergy sensitive environment for children with life-threatening allergies. There are children in the classes listed below who have severe food allergies. We need your help in making their classrooms allergy-sensitive environment for children.

Since there is no cure for most food allergies, the best way to keep students safe is through avoidance. For SNACK as well as Prek and Kindergarten lunch, please do not send any peanut butter or foods containing any PEANUT products, or ANY TYPE OF NUTS. Students will be eating snack and Prek and Kindergarten lunch in the classroom which is our primary learning environment.

Students in grades 1-5 will eat lunch in the cafeteria where we have designated allergy-sensitive tables for children with food allergies. We do not serve peanut products to the cafeteria for lunch.

We are taking many steps to keep everyone safe and healthy:

• Washing before and after snack.
• Washing before lunch.
• Washing down the tables after snack and at the end of the day.
• We also have a "No sharing/snack" rule.

Please talk to your child about not sharing food in school. We will keep stressing this information in school. If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me or your classroom teacher, send a note, or call the school nurse 617-926-7770. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with this very serious matter.

Special Note: Kindergarten Student DO NOT visit the cafeteria until they become first graders.

Additionally: Teachers will provide parents with a list of allergies for their classroom. We ask parents not to send these items into school for Snack and Lunch.

Contact Us

J.R. Lowell Elementary School

123 Lowell Ave.

Watertown, Ma 02472

Phone: 1-617-926-7770

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary

Website: https://watertownjrlowell.ss19.sharpschool.com/

Principal- Stacy Phelan

stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us

Assistant Principal- Tara Rufo

Administrative Assistant- Kara Flynn

kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us

Receptionist- Jim Swift

james.swift@watertown.k12.ma.us

Nurse- Kristen Thibodeau

kristen.thibodeau@watertown.k12.ma.us

Guidance Melina Jacovides k-2

melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us

Guidance Brian Connors 3-5

brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us

Special Education Team Chair- Greg Roberts, ext. 37171

gregory.roberts@watertown.k12.ma.us

LEDP Site Coordinator- Adam Vachon

adam.vachon@watertown.k12.ma.us