

The Cardinal Connection
Weekly Update for Cardinal O'Connell ELC
January 31, 2025
Hello Cardinal Community,
It is time for us to begin thinking about registering for Kindergarten! If you child's birthday is on or before September 1, 2020 (turning 5 years old on or before September 1, 2025) they are entering Kindergarten in the 2025-26 school year! Even though you registered your child for preschool at the Cardinal, you must register your child again for kindergarten. The process opens on February 3rd. You can register online or in person at Family Resource Center (151 Merrimack Street) beginning at that time. We will also have a representative from the FRC visiting the Cardinal in March. More details are coming on that visit. Please see attached fliers for more information. If you have any questions, please let me know. If your child is not turning 5 years old until after September 5 and attends the Cardinal, there is nothing you need to do at this time.
As we look forward to February, we are calling attention to ATTENDANCE! We know that good attendance in preschool sets our students up for success for their elementary school years and beyond. In the coming weeks, we will be sending you information about attendance and how we can support your child and your family to keep good attendance habits.
There are LOTS of events for preschoolers in the city coming up. Please be sure to SCROLL down through the end of this newsletter.
Have a wonderful week!
Warmly,
Kerry Wilcox
Principal at the Cardinal
Important Dates at the Cardinal
Check the district calendar below for more details
February
- 5-No school at the Cardinal (Full day Ms Lisa T Ms Jenn S Early release 1:30)
- 17-21 School is closed for Winter Break
- 24-School reopens
No School February 5
PreK/K Lottery Information-click below to see information in multiple languages
Ways to Connect!
Did you know you can follow us here on Class Dojo (your child's teacher can help you connect!), on Facebook and on our website? Check us out: https://www.facebook.com/lpsdcardinal and https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/cardinal
Read Together Grow Together
Read Together Grow Together: Register with QR Code above
Thursday, Feb 6, 2025, 06:00 PM
Greater Lowell Family YMCA, Ymca Drive, Lowell, MA, USA
Workshop Opportunity
Workshop for Families with Young Children: Register with QR Code above
Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025, 05:30 PM
Cowan Center, Lowell, MA, USA
Kids Week and Winter Fest
Winter Playgroups
Student Wellness/Sickness
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
In case of bad weather
- 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.
Helpful links
Get in touch!
Cardinal O'Connell Early Learning Center
21 Carter Street
Lowell, MA 01852
(978)446-7000
Principal: Kerry Wilcox kwilcox@lowell.k12.ma.us
Social Worker: Jennifer Williams jennifer.williams@lowell.k12.ma.us
Administrative Assistant: Laurie Carney lauriecarney@lowell.k12.ma.us