The Golden Gazette

• 11/1 - Quarter 1 Ends
• 11/2 - SAT Exam (see your Guidance Counselor for info)
• 11/3 - Daylight Savings Ends (turn clocks back 1 hour)
• 11/4-11/8 - Homecoming Spirt Week (High School Only)
• 11/5 - Election Day, Staff PD - NO SCHOOL
• 11/7 - MassHire Visit Seniors for Career Development
• 11/7 - High School Flag Football Homecoming Game @ 2:20p
• 11/8 - Homecoming Dance 7:00p - 10:00p (Gr. 9-12 - $20/ticket)
• 11/11 - Veteran's Day - NO SCHOOL
• 11/14 - MassHire Visit Seniors for Career Development
• 11/18 - Senior Portraits (Seniors Only, must pre-schedule time)
• 11/19 - Monthly Board of Trustees Meeting @ 5:30p in Rm. 1223
• 11/20 - NEW Enrollment Open House 5:00 - 6:30p
• 11/22 - Monthly SEPAC Meeting @ 6:00p held virtually via TEAMS
• 11/27 - Early Release (K-8 @ 12:30p, 9-12 @ 11:30a)
• 11/28 - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
• 11/29 - Thanksgiving Break - NO SCHOOL
• **Quarter 1 Report Cards will be mailed home before the Thanksgiving Break!

Planning ahead:

• 12/1 - Deadline for Work Study Applications (SENIORS ONLY)
• 12/6 - Retakes of School Pictures if student was absent in October
• 12/7 - SAT Exam (see your Guidance Counselor for info)
• 12/12 - First @ Home Varsity Basketball Games - 5:00p and 7:00p)
• 12/13 - Early Release (K-8 @ 12:30p, 9-12 @ 11:30a)
• 12/13 - Parent Teacher Conferences
• 12/13 - Holiday Show by Theater Club @ 6:30p
• 12/14 - Holiday Show by Theater Club @ 12:00p
• 12/20 - Early Release (K-8 @ 12:30p, 9-12 @ 11:30a)
• 12/20 - Deadline to start paying for Prom tickets
• 12/23 - Winter Break Begins (School resumes on 1/2/25)

College Visits for Seniors: (See your Guidance Counselor for more Info!)

• 11/7 - Merrimack College
• 11/14 - Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

SENIORS! It is your time to shine! On Monday, November 18th you will be able to sign-up to get your official senior portraits taken. You must sign-up using the following link. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Pam.

https://sh1.sendinblue.com/3g90n6gubglpfe.html?t=1729531395988

Open Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year begins October 1, 2024. Applications to enroll your student are available on the school's website - www.collegiatelowell.org. Applications will be accepted through February 2025. A lottery, if needed, will be held in March 2025. More details to come. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sokolski @ ssokolski@collegiatelowell.org or 978-458-1399 x1130.

**If you have a sibling of a currently enrolled student, you must complete an application for that new student.

Recently information was shared with all Seniors about the planned senior activities later this school year, including the senior dues needed to participate in these activities. Seniors were notified that senior dues would be $200 and would include their prom ticket (5/30), senior week field trips (6/2-6/4), their cap and gown for graduation (6/5), their yearbook, and their class of 2025 senior hoodie.

Various payment arrangements are available to spread out the cost of these activities. Students can begin payments today and pay a little each week/month or pay in full when ready. Cash and credit card accepted. Students should see Mrs. Sokolski or Mr. Cameron to make payment.

**Payments for prom tickets ($50) must be started by 12/20/24 (start of winter break).

**Payments for ALL activities must be made by 4/1/25.

The Junior/Senior prom will be on Friday, May 30th @ 6:00 p.m. at Lenzi's in Dracut. Tickets are $50 per person. You must start payment for your ticket(s) by Friday, December 20th - BEFORE you leave for Winter Break. Payment arrangements are available. We accept cash, credit and Apple Pay. We will NOT be selling last minute tickets this year!

Senior Spotlight articles brought to you by Beatriz De Oliveira Valerio ('25) and Lara Vieira ('25)

Anna Barbosa is the senior class representative, always striving to represent all her fellow class members. A phenomenal student and very diligent worker, Anna also likes to take time to read and wind down with coloring books. Although she is not a part of the Wolves sports teams, Anna is looking forward to the upcoming basketball season. A very supportive friend, she stated that she “can’t wait to see [her] friends play to win!” Anna plans to attend college and attain her bachelor’s degree. When asked to describe the class as a song, she said “Lost” by Frank Ocean very prominently represents the Class of 2025 as they prepare themselves for the next chapters of their lives.

Nana is a very enthusiastic senior and soccer player. Nana hopes to pursue college and attain a computer engineering degree or possibly an accounting degree. When asked to choose a highlight from this year's soccer season, Nana recalled the adrenaline and excitement he felt as he scored goals and diligently helped his team win their games. He looks forward to potentially playing in college. Nana described the soon-graduating Class of 2025 as a “High School Musical” movie. Even with its highs and lows, at the end of the day, the Class of 2025 can say that they are trying their best to live the full high school experience.

Ella Vo started at the CCSL in first grade, this makes her one of the founding students of CCSL. Ella comes from a Vietnamese background; she has always loved to dance and did it consistently for six years. She aspires to attend college for digital marketing and public relations. Ella has previously participated in the cheer team and hopes to rejoin this upcoming winter season. What she most enjoyed in the past was the new friendships that flourished along with the many memories she made as a cheerleader.

Vattana Briggs, mainly known as “V” was born in Thailand but raised in America. Vattana is a very active person, his hobbies include taking jogs, occasional workouts, and playing football. This, however, does not mean he does not enjoy taking time to play video games as well. In his near future Vattana is looking forward to focusing on his academics as well as more seriously focusing on his football career. When asked to choose a movie that represents his senior class Vattana stated that “Mac & Devin Go to High School” best describes the Class of 2025. Vattana has come a long way since his freshman year, and we wish him the best of luck as he embarks in this new journey towards his dreams.

Carlos Tavares, also known as “Cadu” is 18 years old and one of the staring soccer players this past soccer season. Carlos has many hobbies that vary from video games to playing soccer and other forms of physical activity. This years soccer team has worked very hard. Carlos recalls their biggest accomplishment was “reaching playoffs and being able to surpass [their] limits with each game, giving our best.” He hopes to gain a scholarship for soccer and gain his degree so in the near future he is able to better support his family. Carlos believes that Class of 2025 can be best represented by the song “Parado no Bailao.” A song that has stuck with the class since its surge during the Soccer World Cup in 2022.

Lady Faith, is a star student with a very unique sense of humor, always making those around her laugh. Her hobbies include horseback riding and, in the past, even fencing. She was a very important player in the past volleyball season. When asked to pick an important memory from the season she stated that it was “the concussion the JV team gave me.” Although a very negative occurrence, Lady did not fail to see the best of the situation and choosing it as her core memory. A song she believes very well describes the graduating Class of 2025 is “The Colors Song” more specifically the line “We need to find fruit that is orange” she reflected that to her “we do not need to find orange, we are orange.” very powerful words.

By: Neissa G. ('26)

Q1: What plans do you have in store for November regarding events?

We have our movie night to kick off November on the 1st. We also have our spirit week starting on the 4th which ends with a football game where they announce the homecoming court for homecoming which is on the 8th. We also might have a football tournament the week leading up to Thanksgiving.

Q2: In what way do you think you can make our school better as vice president?

I believe that I can include everyone because everyone has something to offer even though they don’t always have the voice to do so. As vice president I will become the portal for them to openly voice their opinion.

Q3: As vice president what do you think the students should know about you?

I want them to know that I'm a calm and patient leader that is always looking for better solutions and making sure to put the students first for they want. If it is a crazy request an alternative can be made. In addition, I am also experienced in student life, so the events and planning come naturally.

Q4: Can you share any specific goals you have for your term?

My goal is to create a safe environment for people to speak up. I also want to create events based on students’ needs and what they are yet to see. Overall, the goal is to revive the school spirit for students.

Q5: What qualities do you think are essential for a successful student leader?

As a successful student leader, it is essential to be on top of yourself and take accountability for your actions and decisions. It is also important to be patient and have problem solving skills as well as maturity. As a student leader you should not be afraid to speak up and must have confidence so that people don’t doubt you.

Do you know just how many languages our students speak? Over 20 different languages including Portuguese, Spanish, Khmer, Haitian Creole, Gujarati, Swahili, Twi, Vietnamese, Bantu, Greek, Kikuyu, Ibo, Tai, Edo, Somali, Tamil, HIndu, and Lao! Nearly 40% of our students speak multiple languages.

Collegiate continues to grow and with it, our student diversity. Our EL students' families represent many countries including Brazil, Ireland, England, Cambodia, Germany, Vietnam, Haiti, India and so many more. If you have ever entered the main entrance of Collegiate and look up, the atrium displays all the flags representing the countries that our students have come from. Here at Collegiate we celebrate all our students and welcome the diversity in languages and backgrounds.

On October 16th, about 140 CCSL sophomores and juniors took part in the PSAT (The Preliminary SAT or “Practice SAT”). Students came in ready to give their best effort and will be rewarded by an experience in high stakes testing that will help them when it comes time to take the full SAT during Spring of their Junior year. Taking the PSAT in a classroom, with other students, under strict time limits with a proctor present is the closest you’ll get to taking the real tests. Hopefully, this practice will help students who participated feel less nervous when they take the SAT which can lead to improved scores.

A little about the PSAT:

• Three-hour test given during the Fall each year to high school sophomores and juniors
• Three multiple-choice tests: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math
• Can lead to more money for college - the highest performers on this exam are eligible to earn scholarships for college
• Your scores on the PSAT are not reported directly to colleges
• When you sign up for the PSAT, you may opt to have limited personal information shared with colleges and scholarship providers. Be prepared to get lots of mail, email, and invitations to apply. While this can be overwhelming, it also provides an opportunity to learn about various schools, programs, and scholarships that you might not have considered
• More resources: The Parents Guide to PSAT/NMSQT – College Board Blog

By: Dr. Katy Angelone, K-5 Social Studies Curriculum Director

Last week our first graders learned about voting in their Social Studies classes. A very tough election was held and students learned about the importance of casting their vote. The candidates - Oreos and Chocolate Chip Cookies! Each student took the time to weigh the pros and cons of each candidate before casting their ballot. Which cookie is the best? The winner - OREOS!

Pictured: Ms. Kandrotas' 1B class showing their excitement after casting their ballot.

By: Ms. Jaritza Hidalgo, K-12 World Language Curriculum Director

We are so proud to celebrate our amazing 2nd graders who earned their "Super Estrellas" medals for their outstanding effort and dedication in Spanish class! Their enthusiasm for learning, creativity, and teamwork have truly shone through, and these medals are a testament to their hard work. Keep reaching for the stars, super estrellas! Your commitment to learning a new language is inspiring, and we can’t wait to see all the wonderful things you will achieve in the future! Also, an awesome job by our K-2 Spanish Teacher, Ms. Attia! We look forward to seeing the next Super Estrellas this year!

Earlier in October, students in grades 6-8 ventured out on a field trip to Kimball Farms in Haverhill. It was a fun day, but also included adventures in team building and teamwork. All this in an effort to continue to enforce positive behavior amongst the middle school team. Everyone had a fun time and was a great way to celebrate the start of a new school year.

By: Dr. Kritika Maheshwari, Curriculum Director, STEM K-5

Our first-grade students embarked on an aquatic adventure without leaving the school grounds, thanks to a special in-house field trip organized in collaboration with the Mass Audubon MetroWest Sanctuaries Outreach Program. The program, titled "Life in the Water," brought the wonders of wetland ecosystems directly to our young learners

Guided by a knowledgeable Mass Audubon Field Teacher, students became “mini scientists,” learning to use scientific tools to examine various samples of aquatic life taken from our sanctuary wetlands. The interactive session was a hands-on opportunity for the students to engage deeply with nature, sparking curiosity and excitement about biology and ecosystems.

One of the highlights was a live freshwater turtle in its enclosure, allowing students to observe firsthand how these fascinating reptiles move and interact with their environment. The turtle quickly became a class favorite, captivating students as it roamed its space.

This immersive learning experience aligns perfectly with several key learning standards for first-grade students. It supports their understanding of how animals and plants obtain food, how living things change over time, and the relationships between organisms and their environments. By bringing the field trip to the school, Mass Audubon has allowed our students to explore these concepts in a tangible and engaging way.

We are looking for student journalists to write for the school newsletter. Come be a part of sharing the important news and information with the Collegiate family. There are many topics to choose from. If you are a talented photographer, sign-up to be the newsletter photographer. See Mr. Cameron to sign-up today!

By. Sahara N. ('26)

Get Ready to Dance the Night Away!

The homecoming dance is almost here, and we can’t wait for an amazing night! This year’s theme is Old Hollywood, so get ready to step into a world of glamour and fun!

Delicious Food

Get ready to munch on some awesome food!

Exciting Halftime Awards

During halftime, Homecoming Queen, King, Princesses and Princes will be announced! You can nominate someone for just 50 cents per nomination. Let’s cheer for our friends!

Stunning Decorations

The gym will be decked out in gold, white, black, silver, and red to match the theme. Plus, don’t forget to stop by the photo booth to capture those memorable moments with crowns, sashes, and a red carpet!

Let’s Celebrate!

The homecoming dance is going to be an unforgettable night filled with laughter, friends, and great memories. Grab your friends, dress up, and get ready to shine at the most exciting event of the year!

When and Where

• Date: November 8th, 2024
• Time: 7 PM to 10 PM
• Location: Middle School Gym

Ticket Info

Tickets are just $20 and will be sold every day at lunch. Don’t miss out on the chance to join the celebration!

Join in the excitement with Spirit Week leading up to the dance:

• Monday: White Lies
• Tuesday: No School
• Wednesday: Dress as Your Type
• Thursday: Color Wars
• Friday: PJ Day

EL Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) is a reoccurring meeting to hear from and communicate with parents of English Learners (ELs) regarding matters that impact the ELs in the district. Through this committee we aim to enhance communication with EL parents and ultimately help EL students be more successful and involved in their educational experience at CCSL. We are eager for input from EL parents on matters of school improvement and ways to strengthen family-school relationships. These meetings will be virtual, and you’ll need a link to join. When singing up, please indicate if you will require a language translator for the ELPAC meeting.

We meet the 4th Wednesday of the month at 8:15a – 9:15a

Contact Sarah Yang, syang@collegiatelowell.org, if interested and/or for more information.

What is a SEPAC?

A parent organization that collaborates with administrators and educators at Collegiate and functions in an advisory role relative to special education issues. We also offer support, advice, and resources to any parent navigating the special education process.

The SEPAC is a great place to get answers about your child’s needs, as well as tips on how to best advocate for and meet those needs.

Please Join Us. Membership is free and open to all!

• Gain Support
• Meet other families.
• Attend workshops to help parents become informed about special education topics.

November 22, 2024 - 6:00 P.M. Virtual

Please reach out to Kara Cave if you have any questions or would like the link to attend the meeting! 978-458-1137 X 1137 or Kcave@collegiatelowell.org

If you have any questions about the below information or need to notify the school nurse(s) about any medical information, please reach out.

Nurse Vilela

• rvilela@collegiatelowell.org
• 978-458-1399 x1429

Nurse Kyla

• ktrail@collegiatelowell.org
• 978-458-1399 x1143

Nurse Mackenzie

• mrome@collegiatelowell.org
• 978-458-1399 x1406

The nurses would kindly request if your child has been to the doctor and has been diagnosed with an illness, please call your child’s school nurse to let them know so we may better care for and assess them upon their return to school.

As we enter the cold and flu season, please keep in mind the following guidelines for keeping your child home for illness. If your child is experiencing any of the following, please keep them home from school.

• The student has a temperature of 100.4. The student may return to school after having a normal temperature (98.6) for 24 hours while not taking any fever reducing medications (ex. Tylenol or Motrin).
• The student requires medication to make them feel well enough to attend school.
• Antibiotics are prescribed. The student may return to school after taking the antibiotics for a minimum of 24 hours and without a temperature over 100 degrees F for 24 hours while not taking any fever reducing medications.
• They seem tired, pale, with little appetite, and generally “not him/herself”.
• The student is vomiting. The student may return to school 24 hours after symptoms resolve, and is able to tolerate a normal diet.
• The student has diarrhea. The student may return to school 24 hours after symptoms resolve, and is able to tolerate a normal diet.
• The student has an undiagnosed rash. A rash may be indicative of many things, frequently of illnesses that are contagious. Therefore, a student will be excluded from school until a physician evaluates and determines the nature and contagiousness of the rash. A note is required from the physician upon return to school.
• The student has severe cold symptoms, a persistent cough, a runny nose that they cannot manage by themselves and/or contain with tissues, or other symptoms that would interfere with effective school participation.
• The student is diagnosed with a communicable disease. (For example, head lice, chicken pox (Varicella), impetigo, scabies, and pertussis). Please contact your school nurse before sending your child back to school.

SBIRT Screening is starting the second week in November for students in grades 7 and 9. SBIRT stands for Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment. SBIRT is used to screen for alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, and other drug use. This health screening is required by Massachusetts law. More information has been sent out to the parents of students in these grades on Parent Square.

Physical Examination Requirements:

If you have not yet submitted your child’s physical this year (done within 2024) and they are in K, 4th, 7th, 10th grade, or a new student, please do so as soon as possible. The physical form must include a complete list of vaccinations and be signed by a licensed provider (NOT a summary of your visit).

Please Note: Even if your child is in a grade other than those listed above, we still MAY NEED a physical to be submitted, if we have not received one within the last year or two. If you have an appointment scheduled soon, please contact us with the date of that appointment.

Vaccination requirements (after 6th grade):

• 7th grade, 1st dose of Meningococcal Conjugate MENACWY and a dose of TDAP
• 11th grade, 2nd dose of Meningococcal Conjugate MENACWY

If your child has received these doses, but you have not sent in an updated vaccination record, please do so, as soon as possible.

If your child requires medications such as epi-pens, inhalers, or any other medication to be administered during the school day, and you have not yet provided the medication, please do so immediately.

We also need a new updated doctor’s order and parental consent form each year. Completed forms must be on file with the nurse’s office before medication can be administered. Medication must be delivered to school by a parent/guardian in a labeled pharmacy container.

Back by popular demand, we are excited to reintroduce Collegiate Charter School of Lowell’s (CCSL) Adult ESL English class. This course is designed to enrich our community and help improve participants’ English language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a fun, interactive atmosphere.

This program is free! Class meets Wednesdays 5-7 pm in room 1125. You may participate in one, two, three, or four 6-week sessions.

2024-2025 Session Dates:

• Session 2 - Beginner and Intermediate: January 8 – February 12
• Session 3 - Beginner and Intermediate: February 26 – April 2
• Session 4 - Beginner and Intermediate: April 30 – June 4

Parents, grandparents, and other adult family of our district’s K-12 EL population are welcome to participate. Childcare is available during class times. To arrange childcare, please email: adultesl@collegiatelowell.org with the age(s) of your child(ren) who will need care. Please communicate childcare needs in advance of the start of your session. Parking is available in the high school lot at the far end of the building. Enter the building through the side entrance there. Follow the hallway to room 1125, the first classroom on the left past the gym. We look forward to welcoming you to class.

We are excited to introduce a 6-week Adult ESL Digital Literacy class for the families of our CCSL community. This class will empower participants with basic technology skills essential for navigating computers, websites, and useful apps. You will learn about the school’s communication tools like Parent Square, newsletter, and email, and understand the educational programs CCSL students use. Additionally, this class provides crucial digital job search and interview skills, ensuring participants are well-equipped for both school-related and professional digital interactions.

This program is free! You may participate in one, two, or three 6-week sessions. Class meets Tuesday 5-7pm in room 1125.

2024-2025 Session Dates:

• Session 1: January 7 – February 11
• Session 2: February 25 – April 1
• Session 3: April 29 – June 3

Parents, grandparents, and other adult family of our district’s K-12 EL population are welcome to participate. Childcare is available during class times. To arrange childcare, please email: adultesl@collegiatelowell.org with the age(s) of your child(ren) who will need care. Please communicate childcare needs in advance of the start of your session. Parking is available in the high school lot at the far end of the building. Enter the building through the side entrance there. Follow the hallway to room 1125, the first classroom on the left past the gym. We look forward to welcoming you to class.