Lowell Family Newsletter
December 12th, 2021
WELCOME! TO TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER, CLICK ON IT THEN USE THE LINK TO THE RIGHT.
To translate this newsletter, click on it then use the link to the right.
If you are on a computer, open this in a new page. Then to translate this newsletter, click on the link to the right. If you are on a phone, touch the person in the black circle to get the translate button.
________________
Se você estiver em um computador, abra uma nova página. Em seguida, para traduzir esta newsletter, clique no link à direita. Se você estiver em um telefone, toque na pessoa no círculo preto para obter o botão de tradução.
(Portuguese)
___________________
Si está en una computadora, abra esto en una nueva página. Luego, para traducir este boletín, haga clic en el enlace a la derecha. Si está en un teléfono, toque a la persona en el círculo negro para obtener el botón de traducción.
(Spanish)
___________________
إذا كنت تستخدم جهاز كمبيوتر ، فافتح هذا في صفحة جديدة. بعد ذلك ، لترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية ، انقر فوق الارتباط الموجود على اليمين.
إذا كنت تستخدم الهاتف ، فالمس الشخص الموجود في الدائرة السوداء للحصول على زر الترجمة. (Arabic)
____________________
Եթե համակարգիչ եք, բացեք սա նոր էջում: Ապա, այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք աջ հղմանը: Եթե հեռախոսով եք, դիպչեք սև շրջանի անձին ՝ թարգմանության կոճակը ստանալու համար: (Armenian)
____________________________
Если вы работаете на компьютере, откройте это на новой странице. Затем, чтобы перевести этот информационный бюллетень, щелкните ссылку справа. Если вы разговариваете по телефону, коснитесь человека в черном кружке, чтобы получить кнопку перевода. (Russian)
________________________________
Bilgisayar kullanıyorsanız, bunu yeni bir sayfada açın. Ardından, bu bülteni çevirmek için sağdaki bağlantıya tıklayın. Telefonda iseniz, çevir düğmesini almak için siyah daire içindeki kişiye dokunun. (Turkish)
Table of Contents
Thank you from our School Committee
Message from Mrs. Phelan
School Closures Information
Pajama Day is Friday, December 17th
Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council
Parent and Caregiver Climate and Culture Survey
FTO
Buddies at Lowell
Student DIB Meeting Thursday
Book Fair - All This Week!
Ally ship-
Renovation and Relocation Newsletter
Bus Information
PE Newsletter- December
This week's menu
Scenes from Lowell
UpComing Events
Message from Principal Phelan
Dear Lowell
Two weeks until winter break! I can't believe how quickly time is passing this school year. Soon we will be ushering in 2022!
Friday, our School Committee treated the staff to goodies and coffee! It was a big hit! We loaded all the treats onto carts and went classroom to classroom, delivering coffee and pastries. The smiles on the teacher's faces were priceless! We want to send a big hug to our School Committee for thinking of us. Thank you!
This week we have a bunch of fun events planned. We have of Scholastic Book Fair going Monday thru Friday. Thursday, our Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council will finish its Special Tradition Project. Friday is Pajama Day and cookies with a story hosted by Mr. Chen and me.
The week will end with our Buddies book swap and read-aloud. We have lots to look forward to this week.
We're trying to get our students talking more about books. We are currently highlighting the reading adults are doing around the building by posting our book covers outside our classroom or office. The entire staff is participating in this initiative, even Mr. Swift, our doorman. We want our students to ask us about our books and get them excited to read the stories we're reading. We're highlighting many titles from our recent purchase of new and exciting book room books.
December 14th is coming quickly, don't forget to sign up for the bus.
Use this online form to indicate you would like your student(s) to ride the bus to their temporary Lowell school during construction during the 2021-2022 school year. There will be a new form to complete for the 2022-2023 school year bus. There is no charge for the Lowell bus.
Por favor llene este formulario si va a necesitar tranporte the bus en febrero cuando nos mudemos temporalmente a la nueva escuela. Recuerde que es gratuito.
Por favor llene este formulario si va a necesitar tranporte o ônibus en febrero cuando nos mudamos temporalment e para a nova escola. Recuerde que es grátis.
Sincerely,
Stacy
School Closure Information
We live in New England, and whether we love them or hate them, snow days may be just around the corner. As such, please review the information contained in this section regarding school closure protocols.
State law requires 180 days of instruction and also requires that any school closures (“snow days”) be made up before June 30. In the case of inclement weather or school closure for emergency reasons, information about school closures will be:
-Posted on the District’s website (www.watertown.k12.ma.us), the WPS Facebook page (@watertownpublicschools) and the WPS Twitter feed (@watertownschool)
-Emailed to parents and staff from the Superintendent’s office via the District’s messaging service
-Broadcast to the following stations
- WCVB Television (Channel 5)
- WHDH Television (Channel 7)
- NBC Boston (Channel 10 and NECN)
- WFXT Television (Channel 25)
- WBZ Television (Channel 4)
- WBZ Radio (AM 1030)
Some television stations provide a free text alert service notifying of closures and delays (e.g., www.fox25boston.com/weather/closing-login).
We will post on the above locations as soon as the decision is made. On most occurrences, the decision to open, delay, or close school is made between 5:30 and 6:00 AM. It is only on rare occasions that conditions are such that a clear decision can be made the night before. In those cases, we endeavor to make the decision to have it broadcast on the 11:00 PM news. Additionally, the District will call households once a decision has been made about the school cancellation or delay.
Delayed Openings
A delayed opening may be announced to allow the District and/or Department of Public Works to adequately prepare streets, walkways, and parking lots for safe travel. Delayed openings will be for one (1) hour to two (2) hours after the schools’ regular scheduled start times. Before-school programs are cancelled on days with delayed openings. Lunch will be served at the regular time and school will close at the regular time.
Extended Day
Extended Day programs are canceled on days of school closure. On days with delayed openings, before-school Extended Day programs are canceled and after-school Extended Day programs begin as usual.
On occasion, the District may call for an early release or cancel PM and evening activities including after-school Extended Day programs. Please check the aforementioned television and radio stations for notifications of PM closures.
Please DO NOT CALL the School Department, Police Department, or Fire Department for school cancellation information as these lines must remain open for emergency situations.
Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council
This is a photo taken from our third grade Student DIB Meeting on Thursday
Here is a list of the traditions shared by our students:
Armenian/Persian Christmas
Christmas
St. Nicholas Day
Eid
Ramadan
Christmas Eve
Feast of the Seven Fish
Luna New Year
Thanksgiving
Hanukkah
Yom Kippur
Rosh Hashanah
Novena
Saint Nicholas Day took place on Monday, December 6th. Here is one of the special traditions shared during our Student DIB Meeting
SAINT NICHOLAS DAY
On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day recognizes the third-century saint who became an inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus.
St. Nicholas is known for selling all his possessions and giving his money to the poor. Raised as a devout Christian, St. Nicholas dedicated his whole life to serving the sick and suffering.
Legendary stories about St. Nicholas later become part of the inspiration for the modern-day Santa Claus.
Traditionally, families left their shoes by the fires at night so that they could dry. On three separate occasions, Ol’ St. Nicholas provided a dowry for each girl. Legend says he made gold appear in their shoes, drying by the fire.
While St. Nicholas Day is not to be confused with Christmas, some similarities do exist. Traditions include leaving gifts in shoes (or stockings) or the exchange of small gifts. Another tradition suggests leaving treats for good boys and girls. However, the naughty ones receive a twig or chunk of coal.
Message from Nurse Taverna
Could you please send me your child's completed COVID- 2 doses information via email or hard copy? Your child's personal medical information will not be shared with anyone but the school nurse.
Thank you!
Parent and Caregiver Climate and Culture Survey
Over the past several months, the District has engaged in a series of reviews aimed at assessing where we are at as a learning community. These reviews include our Equity Audit and the DMGroup’s budget review.
And now we are asking parents and caregivers to complete a culture and climate survey. The purpose of this focused dive into our current reality is to provide the District with accurate information about what we have accomplished and where we need to go next as we begin the process of our next round of strategy development. Our current improvement strategy will end this year, and we are ready to begin the next round of planning for the coming years. We will be administering this annual school climate and culture survey to all teachers and instructional assistants, students in grades 4-12, and parents. Your participation in this survey is greatly appreciated, especially during these challenging times. Here you will find the link to the survey. The survey window is open now until December 23. If you are an Early Steps parent, please check Hosmer as your school.
What are the 5Essentials and 5Essentials Survey? 5Essentials is an evidence-based system designed to drive improvement in schools nationwide—it reliably measures changes in a school organization through the 5Essentials Survey and provides individualized, actionable Reports for each school. The 5Essentials system is based on more than 20 years of research by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research on five components found to be critical for school success:
Effective Leaders: The principal works with teachers to implement a clear and strategic vision for school success.
Collaborative Teachers: Teachers collaborate to promote professional growth.
Involved Families: The entire school staff builds strong relationships with families and communities to support learning.
Supportive Environment: The school is safe and orderly. Teachers have high expectations for students and support students to realize their goals. Classmates also support one another.
Ambitious Instruction: Classes are academically demanding and engage students by emphasizing the application of knowledge.
The survey requires no more than 10 minutes for parents to complete. The parent/caregiver survey is shorter in length and is a supplement to the 5Es survey that educators and students take. Please fill out one survey for each of your children. The survey is available in English and Spanish. If you need the survey translated, please reach out to the ESL department for translations.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out this very important and informative survey.
FTO Meeting Date Change
The FTO meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday, December 14th, has been moved to Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 6:30pm. Please use the link below to join the Zoom meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82924422571?pwd=Zy9pRklObDBxMW9LMzdFWG1RSTh4Zz09
Buddies At Lowell
Students will meet their buddies for the first time on Friday, December 17th. Students exchange books with each other. Each student will get a copy of One World, One Day. Students will write a note to their buddy on the inside cover. Our older students will read the book to their younger buddies.
We will meet each month before moving to our new locations at Lowell West and the Phillips. We will continue to connect buddies through writing. Buddy partners will become each other's, Pen Pal. They will stay connected through letter writing.
We may be physically apart from one another, but we are still connected.
On-Field Day, we will reunite and participate in a buddy activity. Buddies will stay together over the year and a half we are apart. We hope to bond the two schools with our faculty and students.
Student Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Council
Students DIB Councils will meet during these times.
Just a reminder, students should bring back their interview questionnaire.
Grade 3 9:10-9:40
Grade 4 11:30-12:00
Grade 5 1:30-2:00
Thursday, Dec 16, 2021, 08:30 AM
School Library
The Lowell FTO is excited for the return of our in-person Scholastic Book fair!
Monday, December 13 - Friday, December 17
2:30 - 6:30 PM in the Lowell Library
Students will have a chance to look at the bookfair offerings during the school day but need to return after school with a parent/caregiver/family member to shop. Friends and family are welcome. You can also shop online with direct delivery to your house.
Purchases via cash or card.
Please bring your own bag!
Masks required.
Also, if you're able, please consider purchasing a book from the Lowell Teacher Book Baskets - these are books teachers would like for their classrooms.
Relocation and Renovation Newsletter
Lowell 2021-22 Bus Information Interest Form: Due Tuesday, December 14th
Lowell 2021-22 Bus Registration Form
Yellow school bus transportation will be available to the Lowell Students from shared pickup points throughout Watertown to their temporary school during construction. All students must register by December 14 in order to be guaranteed a seat on a bus. After that date busing will only be available if there is room on the bus.
There is no fee for this bus, but students must register. We are asking families who are interested in having their student ride the bus to complete this form so we can create bus routes based on interest.
Use this online form to indicate you would like your student(s) to ride the bus to their temporary Lowell school during construction during the 2021-2022 school year. There will be a new form to complete for the 2022-2023 school year bus.
Fees
There is no charge for the Lowell bus.
Contact
If you have additional questions, please contact Shannon Dixon at shannon.dixon@watertown.k12.ma.us or call 617-926-7716.
Message from Ms. Donahue & Ms. Loguidice
Hello Lowell Students, Parents and Guardians:
In the month of November, we were very active. For the K-2 classes, we worked on our overhand and underhand throwing skills, as well as various tag and throwing games. For the 3-5 classes, we played several team building games working on cooperating with each other, offensive and defensive strategies, and overhand throwing.
Stay Healthy,
Eileen Donahue eileen.donahue@watertown.k12.ma.us
Tina Loguidice. tina.loguidice@watertown.k12.ma.us
Lunch Menu December 13th - 17th
Who's reading Nacho's Nachos?
Hint...Mrs. Phelan's favorite food!
Let's Get Excited About Reading!
Ask your child if they've taken a closer look around the school to see who is reading what?
Ask them if they know what book their teacher is reading or maybe what Mr. Spano is reading.
Our goal is to get Lowell students and adults excited about reading and talking about books!! We want to encourage kids to learn what other classes are reading and what books faculty and staff love. Do you know why the "someone above" chose to read about Nachos? ASK!!!
Each adult in the building posts their book choice they're reading outside their office or classroom. We will switch out the books often to keep kids excited about the titles they see.
Let's talk about books!
Scenes from Around Lowell
Lenny Spent the Week in Ms.Walsh's First Grade Classroom!
Writer's Workshop in Ms. Zywocinski's Kindergarten
Writers have been labeling and adding more to their stories when they "go back and add more." We have been learning how to offer suggestions to friends when they share their writing during our writer's "show and tell."
Below you can see some work from our "show and tell" about a favorite toy used at home.
Mrs. Burton and Ms. Miller's Student Science Inquiry Project
Up-Coming Events
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, December 13th to Friday, December 17th The Lowell School Book Fair
Lowell - School Council
Thursday, December 16th, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/81702274606
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Council
Thursday, December 16th, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting
https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/86985632231
Anti-Bias Coalition Meeting
Monday, December 20th, 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/82142739210?pwd=MjZZL3JURU5RdUtYc3ZNVHlockVCQT09
FTO Meeting (Rescheduled - New Date Below)
Tuesday, December 21st, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82924422571?pwd=Zy9pRklObDBxMW9LMzdFWG1RSTh4Zz09
James Russell Lowell Elementary School
Main Office ext. 33001
Email: stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://lowell.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: (617) 926-7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary