Greetings Lowell,

I hope this message finds you well. I am delighted to share that we had a fantastic first full week back at school. It has been a pleasure getting to know our PreK and kindergarten students better during this time.

Our school routines are starting to really sink in for both our dedicated staff and eager students. We are in the final stages of our beginning-of-the-year benchmark assessments. Based on our initial school-wide data, it seems like our students have come to their new grade levels well-prepared to achieve great things. These initial results provide us with a snapshot of where they are starting from, and we look forward to gaining more insights after our second benchmark assessment in January.

As a special highlight of the week, I wanted to share some pictures of our enthusiastic third graders engaging in Socratic seminars today. Witnessing their thoughtful discussions was truly inspiring.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead, and as always, go Pats!

Warm regards,

Stacy & Tara

With Gratitude,

Principal Phelan & Assistant Principal Rufo

Caregivers Are Invited to Attend Morning Meeting with Your Student

There are numerous benefits to starting each day with a morning meeting in the classroom that make it worth the few extra minutes each morning. It’s important to note that benefits are seen when morning meeting is a regular and consistent part of each day. Come join us and attend the morning meeting with your student. The schedule by grade is below. Please stay and have a cup of coffee with Mrs. Phelan and Mr. Rufo and our SEL team.

Here are a few positive outcomes that morning meeting can support:

• Builds meaningful relationships and establishes the trust (student to student and teacher to student)
• Sets the tone for a positive classroom climate
• Creates a space to highlight and discuss mental health needs
• Promotes the idea that all voices matter and are listened to
• Provides opportunities for teaching social, emotional, and academic skills
• Increases student confidence and self-awareness
• Motivates learners to do their best
• Supports academic learning
• Creates a kinder community

Simply put, morning meetings help all students do their best.

I am so excited to have finally met all of the students (and a few parents) here at Lowell Elementary school. I have a few reminders as the school year begins!

Please remember to fill out the over the counter medication form for your student if you have not done so already, here is the link: 24-25 OTC form.docx

If you need a printed copy sent home with your student again, please email me at: kristen.thibodeau@watertown.k12.ma.us

Please keep that email handy if there is anything you would like to discuss with me regarding your student’s health or medical needs, or feel free to call the Lowell Health Office: 617-923-6475.

For those with allergies/ asthma/ or seizures who require a rescue medication, please drop off (Do not send in your child's backpack) the following:

-The rescue medication (including benadryl for any allergy plan- we do not keep this at school)- CHECK EXPIRATION DATES!

- The emergency action plan in the event of an emergency

For those with daily medications to be given in school, please bring in the following:

- The medication in the original prescription bottle

- A physician Dr. order that outlines the medication, dose, time, and any other instructions for administration

Please also remember to send your students to school with layers. The weather is chilly in the morning and very warm by afternoon! We want to make sure everyone is comfortable! Also, don’t forget to send a water bottle!

Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging to hold gatherings with caregivers at

Watertown Free Public Library

WATERTOWN - The Watertown Public Schools Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and

Belonging is inviting members of the community to a series of caregiver “meet and greets” this

fall.

These informal forums will give families and caregivers an opportunity to meet one another and

will be led by Watertown Public Schools’ Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Director Dr. Ceronne Daly.

“We are so excited to launch this series of meet and greets,” said Dr. Daly. “We are hoping

these sessions will give us an opportunity to connect in an authentic way with our families and

caregivers. It is critical for families and caregivers to know they have access to Watertown

Public Schools and they see the district as partners in the education of their children.”

These gatherings are born out of the Office of DEIB’s goal to plan, execute, and attend events

that engage staff, families, students and the community in the work of DEIB. The office aims to

enable opportunities to build and sustain strong and substantive relationships in the WPS

community.

Two key Watertown Public Schools district priorities will also serve as a guiding principle for

these sessions. These priorities are outlined in the district’s Strategy for Success and include:

Cultivating belonging and social-emotional wellness

Watertown Public Schools recognizes the role that schools play in the social-emotional

development and well-being of students. We are more than just academics. As such, WPS

strives to create learning communities where all students, staff, and families feel a sense of

belonging by creating safe, brave spaces in our schools; by proactively engaging all families;

and by staffing our schools with faculty and staff that represent our families and the global

community.

Creating a learning community that provides authentic, relevant, and engaging

opportunities

Watertown Public Schools create inclusive, safe learning environments where students want to

be in school by providing a wide variety of opportunities for students to explore content,

demonstrate understanding, and tap into their interests; employing culturally responsive

practices; and ensuring we meet all students where they are and provide them the support

they need to thrive. Students will feel the freedom to bring their authentic selves to school by

adopting inclusive curriculum and instructional practices

The meet and greets will be held at the Watertown Free Public Library. The goal of these

sessions is to bring together groups of families who may have some shared experiences.

September 2024 (meet and greets will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.)

● Wednesday September 18, 2024 - Caregivers of Incoming 6th graders

● Tuesday September 24, 2024 - Latino/a Caregivers

● Wednesday September 25 , 2024 - Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Children

October 2024 (meet and greets will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.)

● Tuesday October 1, 2024 - Single Caregivers

● Wednesday October 2, 2024 - Asian-American/Pacific Islander Caregivers

● Thursday October 3 2024 - Black Caregivers

● Wednesday October 16, 2024 - Caregivers of Multi-Racial Children

● Thursday October 17, 2024 - Intergenerational caregivers

● Tuesday October 22, 2024 - Caregivers of Adopted Children

● Wednesday October 23, 2024 - Caregivers Whose First Language is not English &

Caregivers of Newcomers

● Tuesday October 29, 2024 - Caregivers committed to raising Anti Bias Anti Racist

children

Registration is open and will run until 10:00 AM on Monday, September 16th. Please use the catalog link below to view an electronic version of flier. Paper fliers will be distributed to students beginning next week.

Courses for the fall session include:

Thursdays 2:30-3:30 PM

• Artemis Yoga (grades K-2)

• Minecraft Coding and Design Studio (grades K-5)

• Chess Wizards (grades 1-5)

• Stem Fundamentals with Lego materials (grade K-3)

Fridays 2:30-3:30 PM

• Lego Adventures (grades K-2)

• Buildwave | A Hands-On Building Game (grades K-5)

• Karate (grades 1-5)

Use the links below to see the full course catalog and to register online. Please note that there is a max capacity for each course and registration does not guarantee confirmed enrollment. Registration is open until Sunday, February 25th. A lottery will be held for spaces in any course that exceeds its maximum capacity prior to the deadline. Please view the catalog link below for more information.

Lowell CFK Fall ‘24 Catalog

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IPjmQb1u6uSkodBFd1DUVxcb-HgepxOR/view?usp=sharing

Lowell CFK Fall ‘24 Online Registration Form

https://forms.gle/i4LZeqpzTc86PUwq8

Dear Lowell Parents & Guardians,

The Department of Children and Families is seeking to keep Watertown children in their

schools and communities. In order to accomplish this, DCF is looking for Watertown parents

who would consider opening their homes and hearts to a student in need for short-term

care.

Please complete this brief survey if you are interested in opening your home and your

heart to a student in need.

We are so appreciative of your support. We’re hoping that with your help, we can reduce disruption for

children and school communities, mitigate traumatic experiences for children entering care, and reduce

transportation costs to school districts this school year.

If you have any questions you would like to ask before doing so, please reach out to:

Katheryn Butterfield, Area Clinical Manager

Katheryn.butterfield@mass.gov

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.

• 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.

Announcing Watertown's Got Talent, a partnership between Arsenal Yards and the Watertown Community Foundation, is BACK for a third year! Please save-the-date for a fun-filled evening of talent, entertainment & more.

Open to all ages, and Talents must be family-friendly.

When: Thursday, October 10th

Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM

Where: The River Green at Arsenal Yards

Applications are due no later than Friday, September 27th.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Watertown Community Foundation.

For more information and to sign up, visit https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/29144/watertowns-got-talent-2024/

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

tara.rufo@watertown.k12.ma.us

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 Pre-K - 2: Melina Jacovides

melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us

Guidance 3-5: Brian Connors

brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us

School Psychologist: Kelley Starrett

kelley.cochrane@watertown.k12.ma.us

Special Education Team Chair: Greg Roberts

gregory.roberts@watertown.k12.ma.us

LEDP Site Coordinator: Adam Vachon

adam.vachon@watertown.k12.ma.us