Family Communicator

Monday, September 2, 2024

• No School - Primary Election Day

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

• No School - Primary Election Day

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

• Return to School - Grades 1-4 + CSA
• First Day Kindergarten and Pre-kindergarten
• Emergency Packets Sent Home With Families

Thursday, September 5, 2024

• Regular School Day

Friday, September 6, 2024

• Regular School Day

Welcome to another school year. Our staff, combined with our veteran teachers and paraprofessionals, will help balance traditions and new ideas for Shaughnessy. We look forward to making Shaughnessy a great place for children to learn and have fun. During the first few weeks of school, we will focus on procedures and expectations for students, staff, and families. Students will practice skills including walking in the hallways, cafeteria etiquette, and recess best practices. We will set up computers, build classroom communities, and practice emergencies. Setting sound routines early, helps students learn throughout the year.

All required paperwork is being sent home on Wednesday. Please review and complete this information. Please make sure we have an email and current phone number to ensure you receive information.

This Weekly Family Communicator will be sent out each Sunday at 4:30 pm to tell families about the upcoming week. On holidays, we will send this out on Fridays. Please review to get the information you need. You can translate it using the button on this screen.

Open House will take place between 5:15-7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 11th for all grades. More details to come, but Kona Ice is scheduled to be here to welcome all of the families back.

Great news! Six water filling stations were installed this summer in addition to our bubblers. We encourage students to bring in reusable water bottles to use, especially in August and September when the building is hot. Please label your water bottles with your child's name.

We are excited about our Roof Construction Project. The project is delayed, but we need to open school and start learning. Here are some precautions that we have taken to make the building and grounds safe for children.

• Almost all construction materials have been placed on the roof to avoid using lifts during the day.
• We have swept the parking lot and perimeter of the school with magnets to remove any unwanted metal.
• We will have full access to the playground, recess yard.
• We will monitor noise, smells, and dust in case it becomes an issue. The construction project managers believe this should not be a problem. Most dust is created when removing the roof, not installing it.

We need a functioning roof before fall and winter to ensure the school is ready for inclement weather.

Please reach out to me directly through email at jmccrevan@lowell.k12.ma.us with any questions or concerns.

We primarily use Class Dojo as a communication application from school. The teachers will be inviting you to join the messaging, so you can be aware of all of the happenings. Please reach out to the teachers with questions.

Here are the arrival dismissal procedures for this year.

https://www.smore.com/n21w8

Hi Shaughnessy Families!

As promised, here is the reminder for your school supply lists for the upcoming school year. You can either click on the PDF attachment to view the lists or you can visit our newly designed website for a translatable list!

Pre-K & Kindergarten
https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5854

First Grade
https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5857

Second Grade
https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5861

Third Grade
https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5864

Fourth Grade
https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5867

CSA classrooms will follow grade level lists.

How can I update my contact information (phone number/email/address)?

Go online to the Family Resource Webpage (https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/UpdateContactInfo) and fill out the “contact us” form. Families who don’t have access to the internet can fill out the form in person at the Family Resource Center. If an address change is related to economic factors or housing instability (family moves in with relatives, eviction, hotel/motel, fire or unsheltered, please contact the McKinney Vento Office located at the Family Resource Center in person (151 Merrimack Street), by phone (978-674-4321) or go to the webpage at https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/HomelessAssistance.

How do I update my emergency contacts?

If you were in the school last year we will send a verification sheet out. if you are new we will send home an emergency form to fill out on the first day of school.

What should I do if my child needs a Chromebook or if my child’s Chromebook needs repairs?

Families should contact their school to coordinate the issuing of a new Chromebook or to schedule repairs. After the school year begins, the district will resume its “tech tent” services and will inform families via email, text, and phone once the services resume.

How do I register my child for the new school year?

All school registrations are completed online using a computer or laptop. You can access the online application by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. If you only have a mobile device and don’t have access to a computer or laptop, you can register in person at the Family Resource Center (151 Merrimack Street). Please call the Family Resource Center if you have any questions (978-674-4321).

What should I do if I need to register my child(ren) and I don’t speak English?

The Lowell Public Schools is committed to providing translation and interpretation services for families who require assistance in a language other than English. The online registration application and website is translated in Spanish and Portuguese and can be accessed by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. For all other languages, please call Vannak Khin at (978) 328-6782 to arrange services. In-person language interpretation support for registration can be accessed by visiting the Lowell Public Schools at 151 Merrimack Street. Families can also call the Family Resource Center at (978) 674-4321 to make an appointment with a Bilingual Family Liaison.

How old does my child need to be to enroll in preschool or kindergarten?

A child must turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2021, in order to apply for preschool and 5 by September 1 to apply for kindergarten. A family can apply for preschool by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/PreschoolRegistration to fill out an online application or https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/KindergartenRegistration for kindergarten. For registration questions, please call (978) 674-4321.

How do I apply for a transfer for my child to change schools in the new year?

Per the 2021-22 School Assignment Policy, all students have the option to request one school transfer per year. Families can apply online by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolTransfer or can come to the Family Resource Center in-person to complete the application. Transfers are assigned on a space availability basis.