Lowell Parent Newsletter
May 16, 2021
Message from Mrs. Phelan
Greetings,
Just a reminder, much of the country and even the state have announced new standards for mask-wearing inside and outside. At this time, we are not changing our social distance or mask policies. Please continue to send your child to school wearing a mask, and if you're on school ground, you are required to wear a mask.
This week Pooled testing will take place on Wednesday. We changed the day to avoid conflicting with the MCAS test. The good news, the last two weeks, we have had no new cases of COVID. We hope this trend continues.
Wednesday teachers will be taking part in Professional Learning Time. We will continue our Equity work. This week we'll focus on Interrupting Biased Comments in the Classroom and Challenging Biased Language.
This week we will administer the Math MCAS to in-person students on Tuesday and Remote students on Friday.
With Gratitude,
Stacy
Resources for Teachers and Parents
Cradles to Crayons
Last week at the Lowell
Student Diversity Council Presentation: Autism Awareness by JD Kubilus
The Lowell Leopard was spotted.....
This week Lennie was so busy in the library! We shelved book returns, sorted through and cataloged new books, and distributed MCAS packets to teachers.
We visited classrooms to learn about what makes computers... computers, wrote book reviews, and read books aloud including a book written by an actual wolf. Lennie's favorite visitors were kids from our virtual classroom who came to school for MCAS testing. Everyone got so tall!
5th grade Human Impact Panel
The 5th graders across the district took part in a Human Impact Panel discussion on Friday, May 14th. This event served as a capstone to our unit on reducing human impact on the Earth’s resources and environment. A huge thanks to the panelist for sharing their expertise, and to Elizabeth Kaplan, the WPS K-8 Math/Science Coordinator, for organizing the panel. Below is the list of panelists and their closing words to our students.
- Laurel Schwab, Environmental Planner for Watertown: "Look out for Watertown Resilient signs and activities this summer. Become involved with Watertown Resilient and share your ideas and concerns."
- Janet Buck - Architect, Stormwater Advisory Committee, Watertown Planning Board: "Think about future jobs that will help our environment. Get outside, enjoy the outdoors, and love it!"
- Giulia - High School Senior: "Change starts with young people . . get involved with clubs and organizations that help our environment and that put pressure on corporations to do the right thing."
- Vincent Coljee - Physicist & chemist who is very involved in Watertown environmental committees and organizations: "Do not stop asking these questions, have your voices be heard! It is important to think what you can do but it is also important to ask what we (adults) can do. Get involved and have fun doing that."
- Quinton Zondervan: Cambridge City Council member, climate activist, part of Cambridge Green New Deal: "Insist that all schools in Watertown, including the high school, are built to be net zero."
This Week at the Lowell
Students Leaving District
We are in the process of assigning class placement for the Fall 2021. If you are planning to move out of Watertown or the Lowell district, please send an email to Melina Jacovides, Guidance Counselor at melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us. If you prefer sending a letter via USPS, please send your letter to the attention of Kara Flynn, J.R. Lowell School, 175 Orchard St. Watertown, MA 02472. Please state that you will be moving at the end of this school year and not returning to the Lowell School, and include your new location.
Ms. Jacovides will send your child’s records after your child is enrolled in their new school, and she has received the records request form from that school.
MCAS
Our school will administer the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) ELA and Math Test to all third, fourth and fifth-grade students. Grade five students also take an additional assessment in Science and Technology/Engineering. The actual tests are scheduled to take place:
This week students will take the Math Test, on Tuesday, May 18th and Friday, May 21th for virtual students.
All test are taken on chrome books. Students are very comfortable and familiar with this type of testing environment. Their teachers will be with them every step of the way from class prep, practice test and on the day of testing. Each session lasts approximately one hour. However, they are given as much time as they need. We do not want them to be overly anxious, but we do wish each understands it is important to try their best and demonstrate their highest ability.
You can help at home by making sure your child:
Comes to school by 8:15am
Gets plenty of sleep each night
Eats a nourishing breakfast each morning
Knows you believe he/she will do his/her best on the test
Wear comfortable clothes on the day of the test
Students are allowed to bring and chew gum during the test
Your care and concern are greatly appreciated. Please call us with any questions or concerns. Here’s a link with more hints on helping your child prepare for MCAS.
Lowell PTO Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/93221078144
Meeting ID: 932 2107 8144
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Meeting ID: 932 2107 8144
Find your local number: https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/u/acDgeuampV
Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 06:30 PM
Virtual
How to Talk to Kids About Race, Culture, and Racism
How to Talk to Kids About Race, Culture, and Racism
A presentation by: Dr. Kalise Wornum
Thursday, May 20, 2021, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Via Zoom: https://bit.ly/3xRTwIF
Please join us for this important presentation:
Thursday, May 20, 2021, 06:30 PM
Virtual
How to Talk to KIds about Race, Culture and Racism with Dr. Kalise Wornum
Dr. Kalise Wornum is an Educational Consultant at KW Diversity Inc. Earlier in her career, she served
As the METCO Director in the Wellesley Public Schools. As part of the equity work in WPS, Dr. Wornum has col-
elaborated with the WPS Leadership Team in providing resources and training to become Culturally Proficient
Leaders. This work moves WPS towards achieving its mission of preparing all students for life by engaging them
in a challenging and meaningful education within an inclusive, diverse community.
Upcoming Dates:
PTO Meeting: Tuesday, May 18th at 6:30 PM
MATH MCAS for In-Person Tuesday, May 18th
Parent Diversity Council Meeting, Thursday, May 20th
MATH MCAS WVS for Remote Students Friday, May 21st
SCIENCE MCAS WVS for Remote StudentsMonday, May 24th
SCIENCE MCAS 5th In-Person Students Tuesday, May 25th
Memorial Day : No School May 31st
Kindergarten Screening: Friday, June 4th by appointment
NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN JUNE 4TH- INCOMING K SCREENING DAY
Parent Teacher Conferences
The ESL Team will be booking interpreters for conferences and calling families directly.
Conferences will be held on Zoom.
Thursday, 6/10 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Tuesday, 6/15 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Weds. 6/16 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Sign-up Genius will be open on June 1st.
NO SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN ONLY JUNE 4TH
PTO Corner
PTO Update
Thank You for the generous donations of goodies, gift cards, and photos for Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! We were very happy to be able to provide our staff, teachers, and school leaders with special events to show our great appreciation for their hard and important work during this especially challenging year.
JOIN THE PTO! We have many leadership and volunteer positions available next year including President (or Co-Presidents), Vice President, and other event coordination positions. The PTO is a fantastic way to be more involved in the school and build friendships with other parents and families. We are open to everyone! Please email lowellelementarypto@gmail.com to learn more.
DATE CHANGE: Next PTO Meeting: Tuesday, May 18th at 6:30PM. We are moving the May PTO Meeting to Tuesday, May 18th at 6:30PM. This will be our last PTO Meeting of the year.
WATERTOWN ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY EFFICIENCY COMMITTEE (WE3C): Would you like to be involved in local sustainability efforts? Watertown’s Environment and Energy Efficiency committee, WE3C, is looking to develop a network of parents and teachers. Contact Ellen Menounos, Lowell School parent, ellenmenounos@gmail.com. Find out more about the committee’s work on the Resilient Watertown website. http://resilient.watertown-ma.gov
SUPPORT WHS 2021 GRADS: Please consider buying a sign to support the class of 2021 as we raise funds for their senior send-off activities. This sign supports all Watertown Public Schools in what has been a very difficult year. All orders will be through Graphic Connections online store, and you’ll get an email from them when it’s ready to be picked up. Parents, grandparents, friends and relatives can all participate! Thanks for considering supporting the class of 2021 and Watertown Public Schools. Signs are $20 and include a metal yard stake, order here by May 12. https://graphicconnectionswatertown.itemorder.com/
Contact Us at
Email: Stacy.Phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://lowell.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 175 Orchard Street
Phone: (617) 926-7770