Lowell Newsletter February 2025

February 11: Collaborative Conversation with Principal Franzone (Virtual), 6pm

February 13: First Grade Field Trip to the Planetarium

February 14: Read Your Heart Out

February 21: No School - Staff Only Day

February 25: Black History Month Celebration at Goodman Community Center, 5:30pm-7pm

February 28: NO Goodman Afterschool Program

March 07: Movie Night, 6:30pm

March 24-28: No School - Spring Break

March 31: School Resumes

Join us on February 11th from 6pm-7pm to talk about school priorities and working together! This meeting will be virtual: https://meet.google.com/uqg-txst-ezz.

We are inviting Black and African-American families of Lowell students to come read to classrooms for our Read Your Heart Out event on February 14th!! If you're interested in reading to a class, please sign up here or contact our Family Liaison, Shanta Hood, at 608-204-6601. We would love to celebrate this day with you!

Learn more about RYHO here!

February 17-21, 2025 has been declared Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition Week. The official proclamation is available here. This recognition week is a time to recognize and thank the many school crossing guards whose commitment makes a difference in the lives of children in Wisconsin’s schools. Recognition week is always observed during the coldest of winter months, when our crossing guards need it most. Lowell's Crossing Guard is Jennifer Sandor.

Beginning Friday, January 31st, families can view their students’ report cards by logging into the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you forgot your username or password, you can request a new password here. Report cards will also be sent home in backpacks on Monday, February 3rd.

How to view report cards in Parent Portal

Elementary Report Card Reference Guide

We want to re-emphasize the message that Dr. Gothard shared earlier this school-year to reiterate our commitment as a community at Lowell to providing a safe and welcoming school for all of our students.

Dr. Gothard wrote:

We know that the current presidential election has caused concern, fear and uncertainty among many of our students, their families and other community members. We want you to know that we are committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe and supportive for all.

All students and families, regardless of race, faith, national origin, immigration status, political views, sexual orientation and gender identity belong to our community. You are important and valued.

Below are resources that may be helpful:

• Immigrant students and families

• Mental health and well-being

• Student services

If you have questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your school or through Let’s Talk.

In partnership,

Joe Gothard, Ed. D.

Superintendent

The district plans to continue to update the linked resources as applicable. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Lowell staff with questions or concerns.

It's important to keep your student's emergency contacts up-to-date with the school district. Here are some ways to do so:

1. Update your contacts in the Infinite Campus Portal.
2. Send an email to enrollment@madison.k12.wi.us with the names and phone numbers of your contacts.
3. Complete this form.

As we approach the second half of the school year, we want to take a moment to share some important reminders about school traffic safety.

• Do not drop off children in the lane of moving traffic. Stopping in active lanes is extremely dangerous for children and disrupts the flow of traffic. This is also a moving violation.
• Always pull curbside to a legal parking area or designated drop-off zone. This ensures a safe place for children to exit the vehicle. Have children exit on the curbside whenever possible. If snowbanks are an issue, it is acceptable to leave enough space to open a door safely.
• Avoid stopping or parking in designated school bus zones or areas marked “No Stopping, Standing, or Parking.” These restrictions are in place to maintain visibility at crosswalks and keep all pedestrians safe.
• SLOW DOWN in school zones and remain attentive. Always follow posted speed limits, especially during winter when road conditions may be icy or slippery.
• Observe and obey the directions of the Crossing Guards: Every driver approaching a school crossing which is controlled by an adult school crossing guard must follow the directions of the school crossing guard. If directed to stop, you must stop the vehicle not less than 10 feet from the crosswalk and remain stopped until the children AND the crossing guard have returned to the curb. Failure to stop or remain stopped at that time could result in the issuance of a traffic citation.

For additional information, these and other traffic safety tips are posted on the crossing guard website or you can view the TRAFFIC SAFETY NOTICE.

We will always consider indoor recess when the wind chill dips below ten degrees, and will absolutely keep students in if the windchill is 10 below. We take all of the following into account as we make these decisions:

• temperature and wind chill,

• length of recess time,

• appropriate outdoor clothing.

We always keep student safety at the forefront while remembering that young children need to run and play in the fresh air! Please make sure to send outdoor gear (coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and waterproof gloves/mittens) every day. If your student needs any of these supplies, they can usually borrow them from the school.

MMSD Winter Weather Information

4K and 5K online enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year begins on February 24. Elementary school staff are available in-person, by phone, or email beginning March 3, 2025, from 2:00-6:00 PM.

More information about early learning and 4K is available on the MMSD website: https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/early-learning/4k.

School doors are locked and intercom systems are used throughout the school district to help ensure the safety of our students during the school day. When visiting Lowell, please follow the steps below:

• Come to the main entrance on Maple Avenue and press the buzzer to the left of the door.

• Office staff will ask for your name and the reason for your visit. Please state your name, your student’s name (if applicable), and your purpose for being at the school.

• After entering the building, proceed directly to the Main Office and check in using Visitor Aware.

• Though we recognize many of you, we still need everyone to follow these procedures, every time they visit Lowell.

More information about Visitor Aware:

• Visitor Aware FAQ may be found here.

• If you have not previously registered in the office, you may pre-register here.

Thank you for following our safety procedures!

The LCO (Lowell Community Organization) is a group of parents, teachers and caregivers whose mission is to make Lowell Elementary a fun and welcoming place for every family.

Connect with us!

Search “Lowell Elementary Community” on Facebook.

Email board.lco@gmail.com or text 206-719-7020 to join the LCO email list.

2024-25 LCO Board:

Entering an absence request is quick and easy, and can be done using your desktop computer or the Parent Portal app on your mobile device. Follow these simple steps:

1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.

2. Select More from the Navigation area.

3. Select Absence Requests.

4. Fill in the required information, including the date and reason for the absence.

5. Submit your request.

For a quick look at what steps to take, check out our quick guide graphic. For more detailed instructions, visit this Absence Request Guide.

(You may also continue to request absences by calling the Lowell attendance line at 608-204-6602.)

Lowell bus routes can be found here.

To learn which bus stop your child will be picked up and dropped off at:

1. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal
2. Click "More" on the left sidebar
3. Click "Transportation"

Get the FirstView transportation app!

FirstView provides location data via GPS tracking, and sends notification alerts when a student’s bus is getting close. It can be used to track all of the students in a household/associated with a caregiver account. It’s the easiest and fastest way to get answers to questions like, “When will the bus show up?” and “How can I see when my child will be picked up or dropped off?”

More information can be found here.

Madison East Area Resources: Food, Housing, Mental Health, Utilities, Internet

2024-25 School Year Calendars

MMSD Enrollment

MMSD Family Newsletters