Laura Lee Newsletter

I can't believe that this week we will be half way through the month of February, and this past week we hit the 100th day of school! Just about 80 more school days to go, but who's counting?! The days are getting longer, and I'm appreciative for the longer daylight time! As we get closer to the month of March, I'm reminded that MCAS testing is right around the corner. I will be sure to let parents and guardians know the testing dates as soon as the testing schedule is finalized.

I have a couple of friendly reminders that will help support our work with your children. First, I've noted students on their cell phones while transitioning into the building in the morning, as well as walking out to the bus. I reminded all students this past Friday, that cell phone usage is not permitted on school grounds, inside or outside the building. It would be helpful if you could remind your child about the cell phone policy. Next week is winter break. Schools will be closed. I hope students are staff are able to use this time off to rest and recharge as we head into the next stretch of our school year. Lastly, the School Committee voted to close school on Tuesday, March 5th, due to this day being a scheduled primary voting day.

In closing, we have had some exciting Fun Friday activities so far this school year. Students have enjoyed the Reptile Nook and Paint Day. The most popular hit so far has been the Fun Friday DJ/Karaoke event! I didn't realize what great dance moves and singing voices many of our students have! We love making memories with our students, memories that will last a lifetime!

Thank you for your support, and thank you for entrusting your child to us! It's an honor to serve the families and students of the Laura Lee!

Best,

Mrs. Peters

February 12 - 16 2024; ACCESS Testing

February 12 - 16, 2024; i-Ready Diagnostic Testing

Wednesday, February 14, 2024; 1:00 pm dismissal

February 19 - 23, 2024; Winter Break - School Closed

Wednesday, February 28, 2024; 1:00 pm dismissal

Tuesday, March 5, 2024; Primary Voting Day - Schools Closed

Wednesday, March 6, 2024; District Early Release 11:00 am dismissal

We have incorporated daily affirmations into our school day. Affirmations are short positive statements. Affirmations become mantras when they are repeated over and over to oneself, out loud or silently. A new affirmation is posted daily throughout the school.

Here are the daily affirmations for this week:

Monday: I choose to focus on my positive qualities.

Tuesday: I embrace my differences and celebrate diversity.

Wednesday: I choose friends who bring out the best in me.

Thursday: I acknowledge and honor my emotions.

Friday: I am in control of my thoughts and emotions.

We are asking families of multilingual learners to please take three minutes to complete the survey below. Information collected is used to help us better support student needs. All submissions will remain anonymous:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5VJe5dBHe4Pbv3HCARUK9tIzsUgHV55Yjmh1zG7OnEGxoRA/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3Sl8n6-sGpe3snJrXBB6hw1_5GUpKTufZu7onsfjSKn-j17AeZbHaaPbk&pli=1

(Sped PAC) is an organization run by parents of children receiving special education services through the Lowell School Department. It was created to share information about special education and promote understanding between parents and the school department.

Below is a link to the SPED PAC newsletter with dates of meetings for the school year 2023-2024. All meetings are on Thursday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm. The meetings are being held remotely.

The Lowell Public Schools has begun a partnership with McLean Hospital.

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  The McLean School Consultation Service is excited to announce our second annual “Leaders in Youth Mental Health Series.”

  For the 2023-2024 academic year, we will be hosting 7 free parent webinars presented by McLean clinical experts. The topics will focus on childhood suicidality/self-harm, childhood irritability, pediatric anxiety disorders and OCD, navigating the mental health system for youth in crisis, supporting non-binary and transgender youth, and partnering with schools for youth services and supports.

  Where can I access the parent webinars?

  All information (topics, dates, zoom links) for the 7 parent webinars can be found here: https://healthcare.partners.org/streaming/Live/McLean/McLean_SCS.html

  Note: You will use this website to access ALL live and recorded webinars throughout the year. Please bookmark it!

  When does the parent series kick-off?

  September is National Suicide Awareness Prevention Month. Next week, Wednesday, September 13th 12-1pm, Dan Dickstein, M.D., FAAP, McLean Hospital Chief and Director of Research of the Nancy and Richard Simches Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry will present “Addressing the National Emergency of Suicide and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Children and Teens.”

  FAQs:

  1. Who can attend?

  All parents of school aged children K-12 and all school staff in your school district are invited to attend. We kindly ask that you do not distribute the website link outside of your school district.

  2. If I can’t make the live webinar, where can I watch the recorded webinar?

  All live and recorded webinars will be hosted on the same website link. The recorded webinars will found on the “On Demand” logo. Please allow up to one week from date of presentation for the recorded version to be uploaded.

  3. Do I need to pre-register?

  No pre-registration is required for the webinars.

  4. Are there Q & A time for each presenter?

  Yes! Each presenter will provide content for roughly 45 minutes with 10-15 minutes for available questions from the chat.

  
  

  
  

Email: paulapeters@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/lauralee
Location: 235 Powell Street, Lowell, MA 01851
Phone: (978)937-7655