The Golden Gazette
September 2024
A Message from Our Leaders
Arrival and Dismissal
MORNING DROP OFF:
Morning Drop-Off is going fairly well with the additional staff assisting outside, but we are still experiencing traffic back-up because many families are arriving too early (8:00-8:30)--well before teacher/staff's day begins (8:25). We ask that you please DO NOT come before 8:25, as it will cause major traffic delays and cause safety concerns due to a lack of available supervision at that time. If families need to have their children supervised before 8:30, we are happy to accommodate you in our Morning Extended Day Program. You can access The Extended Program on as needed basis once you have signed up, or you can schedule care for multiple days/weeks if you would like. Please click the following link if interested: Collegiate Charter School of Lowell - Extended Day Program (smartsiteshost.com). Also, please continue to move up to the furthest staff member on the sidewalk to allow for other cars to pull-in and drop-off. Please stay in your vehicle and allow staff to assist to ensure a safe, quick drop-off. Lastly, please turn right when exiting the school on Middlesex St. between 8:25 and 9am to help us prevent gridlock. You can loop back around to Middlesex St. by turning left on Brouillette St, then left on Princeton St. and then left on Wood St. as illustrated by the attached map.
AFTERNOON PICK-UP
Afternoon pick-ups have been ok, but there are a few changes that will make it much faster:
Walking Pick-Up:
First, we are eliminating the separate location for parents who are walking to pick-up their child because it has caused too much confusion. The new location for walking parents to pick-up their child will be the same location as the car pick-up along the sidewalk in front of the building. Walking Students will be standing with their teacher at the correct grade-level cone on the sidewalk, starting with Kindergarten waiting near the high school entrance and then descending all the way to 8th grade standing by the turf. Please be sure to check out with the teacher before taking your child, so they can confirm a safe dismissal
Car Pick-Up:
- PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE write your child's LAST NAME and GRADE LEVEL on a large piece of paper that can be displayed on the right-hand side of your windshield for staff to clearly see who you are picking up. If you are picking-up children from multiple grade levels, please have one sign for each child. Also, please be sure to remain in your car, and staff will bring your student to your vehicle.
- Please pull-up to the proper cone for your child's grade level and wait for staff to bring you your child. Please make sure that your child has checked out with their supervising teacher before leaving. Families should remain in their cars for safety and traffic flow.
- Lastly, please turn right when exiting the school on Middlesex St. between 3:45 and 4:45 to help us prevent gridlock. You can loop back around to Middlesex St. by turning left on Brouillette St, then left on Princeton St. and then left on Wood St. as illustrated by the attached map.
Adam Bakr
Executive Director
abakr@collegiatelowell.org
Upcoming Events π
- 9/2 - No School - Labor Day
- 9/3 - No School - Primary Elections
- 9/9 - MAP Testing Begins for Grades K-10
- 9/10 - Deadline for High School Students Submission to Run for Student Council
- 9/13 - Half Day of School (K-8 @ 12:30 and 9-12 @ 11:30)
- 9/13 - Grandparents Day Event for Gr. K-5 (5:00p - 7:00p) in Cafeteria
- 9/16 - Back to School/Curriculum Night Gr. K-2 5:30p - 6:30p (For Parents Only)
- 9/17 - Back to School/Curriculum Night Gr. 3-5 5:30p - 6:30p (For Parents Only)
- 9/17 - Board of Trustees Meeting @ 5:30
- 9/17 - High School Assembly during Wolf Block - Student Council
- 9/17 - Elections for High School Student Council (5:00 p.m. deadline)
- 9/18 - Back to School/Curriculum Night Gr. 6-8 5:30p - 6:30p (For Parents Only)
- 9/19 - Back to School/Curriculum Night Gr. 9-12 5:30p - 6:30p (For Parents Only)
- 9/19 - Gr. 8 Parent Meeting for Class Trip to Washington D.C. @ 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
- 9/26 - Special Education Parent Advisory Council Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
Picture Day!
Picture day has arrived for our students at Collegiate Charter School of Lowell. For safety reasons and the number of students at Collegiate, picture day will be broken into two days listed below. Please be reminded that all students must take a photo and must be in uniform attire.
- Tuesday, October 8th - Grades KG-5
- Wednesday, October 9th - Grades 6-12
- Seniors Portraits will be taken on Monday, November 18th
- Absentee's date for students set for Friday, December 6th
- Classroom pictures are set for Wednesday, April 30th
Youβll receive an email from O'Connor Studios regarding how to place your order online directly through their website.
Special Education Parent Advisory Council
What is a SEPAC?
A parent organization which collaborates with administrators and educators at Collegiate, and functions in an advisory role relative to special education issues. We also offer support, advice, and resources to any parent navigating the special education process. Our first meeting for the 2024-2025 school year will be September 26th at 6:00 p.m. The meeting is virtual!
Please reach out to Kara Cave to receive the link to join the meeting!
978-458-1137 X 1137 or Kcave@collegiatelowell.org
Gr. 8 is Going Back to Washington D.C.
Learn more about the Grade 8 class trip to Washington D.C. A virtual parent meeting will be held on Thursday, September 19th @ 6:00 to share information and answer parent's questions. Please join using the following link.
Wolves in the Spotlight πΊ
Mr. Bakr
Executive Director
Ms. Connors
Assistant Director
Mrs. Bailey-O'Keefe
Director of DEI
Mrs. Conti
Associate Principal, K-2
Mrs. Ferrazzani
Associate Principal, 3-5
Ms. Gaudreau
Associate Principal, 6-8
Mrs. Quinlan
Associate Principal, 9-12
Ms. Cave
Director of Special Ed, K-5
Ms. Sullivan
Assist. Director of Special Ed, 6-12
Mrs. Caldwell
Director of EL, K-12
Mrs. Meunier
Director of SEL, K-12
Mr. Casson
Nurse Coordinator
Ms. Boyajian
Assistant Principal, K-4
Mrs. McVay
Assistant Principal, 5-8
Mr. Martin
Assistant Principal, 9-12
Seniors of 2025!
Check back in October as we begin to feature a few of our incredible seniors each month through graduation! This year we have 49 seniors working hard to reach their goal of high school graduation on June 5, 2025. Many exciting events and milestones will be coming up quickly. Be sure to check your Parent Square messages and monthly newsletters for all the important information.
Academics π
Guidance Department Updates
Welcome back to CCSL after the summer! We are looking forward to working with you and your students as they move through each year at Collegiate. We are here to help your student gain success in school and beyond.
A couple of things that you may not know. CCSL has four guidance counselors this year. We are all so happy to have joined this amazing community. School counselors take on lots of different roles, you might see us in a high school classroom filled with students, a small group or individually meeting in our office. We consult with families, teachers, social workers and administrators every day to advocate for our students. Our goal is that every student feels supported as they develop emotionally and academically and of course as they plan for their future after Collegiate. Look for lots more communication from us through Parent Square in the coming months.
Contact us anytime, weβd love to hear from you!
Guidance 2024-25
Mr. Robichaud
Ms. Pigeon
Ms. Miller
Ms. Easton
978-458-1399 x1165
Mrs. Meunier
978-458-1399 x1184
More About Our K-5 Math Curriculum - enVision Math
For more information or if you have questions, please contact Nicole Palmer, K-5 Math Curriculum Director @ npalmer@collegiatelowell.org.
enVision Mathematics is a proven-effective math series that is used in math classrooms everywhere. It was specifically designed to implement the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and to foster your childβs success. This curriculum is aided by visual models and personalized learning. It was developed to help children see the math. And the program includes resources to help families see the math as well.
The greatest factors of enVision Math are as follows:
- Problem-based learning
- Family engagement resources
- Embedded Spanish materials
- Common Core State Standards aligned
Within enVision Mathematics, students learn through interactive videos that focus on real-world problems in a fun and engaging way. Students work in their own personal, colorful workbooks, as well as on the online portal to further practice the skills learned during instruction. After students learn the lesson for the day, SAVVAS EnVision has imbedded math games to reinforce the content learned in class. It is a great way for students to become more fluent in their math skills while also creating an engaging environment that promotes studentsβ independent practice and problem-solving skills.
Kindergarten: Savvas - Common Core Family Engagement 2024 (pk12ls.com)
Grade 1: Savvas - Common Core Family Engagement 2024 (pk12ls.com)
Grade 2: Savvas - Common Core Family Engagement 2024 (pk12ls.com)
Grade 3: Savvas - Common Core Family Engagement 2024 (pk12ls.com)
Grade 4: Savvas - Common Core Family Engagement 2024 (pk12ls.com)
Grade 5: Savvas - Common Core Family Engagement 2024 (pk12ls.com)
K-5 STEM Program
By: Dr. Kritika Maheshwari, Gr. K-5 STEM Curriculum Director
Welcome to the new school year! We are excited to embark on another year of learning, discovery, and growth at our school. As the STEM Curriculum Director K-5, I am thrilled to share some exciting updates about our STEM curriculum and recent developments in our school's science program.
Curriculum Highlights:
Our K-5 STEM curriculum continues to provide engaging, hands-on learning experiences for our students. We utilize the Amplify Science curriculum, which aligns with Massachusetts state standards and emphasizes real-world problem-solving. Key features include:
- In-Depth Scientific Exploration: Students engage in more sophisticated scientific questions, using evidence to develop and support their claims. This approach fosters advanced problem-solving skills.
- Digital Simulations: The curriculum includes digital tools and simulations that allow students to explore scientific phenomena virtually, enhancing their understanding of complex concepts.
- Real-World Problem Solving: Students take on roles as scientists and engineers to investigate and solve real-world problems, preparing them for future STEM challenges.
Technology Integration:
Students attend STEM lab sessions twice weekly for half the year, applying classroom concepts through exciting experiments. The other half focuses on developing coding skills and digital literacy using the Tynker curriculum.
Exciting New Developments:
We are thrilled to announce that our school has received a STEM grant from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. This grant will allow us to upgrade and renovate our STEM lab, providing students with state-of-the-art equipment and resources.
Additionally, we've added the "Wolf Gar-Den" to our campusβa community garden that will serve as an outdoor classroom for hands-on life science lessons. Students will have the opportunity to plant, nurture, and study various plant species, enhancing their understanding of biology and ecology. These additions to our curriculum will provide even more opportunities for students to engage in practical, real-world science experiences.
We're excited to see how these enhancements will spark curiosity and foster a deeper love for STEM subjects in our young learners. We look forward to an exciting year of discovery and innovation in our STEM program!
Collegiate Awarded STEM Grant
Over the summer the Collegiate STEM program found that we were to be awarded a generous grant worth over $130,000 from the Massachusetts Life Science Center (MLSC). This funding will benefit our students by providing access to state-of-the-art equipment, resources, and engaging learning experiences.
Dr. Maheshwari, the K-5 STEM Curriculum Director believes that instilling a passion for science at the elementary level is crucial in nurturing future innovators and critical thinkers. Through our hands-on science curriculum, STEM laboratory, and school community garden, affectionately known as 'Wolf's Gar-Den,' our school is deeply committed to fostering curiosity and environmental stewardship among our students. This grant will enable us to enhance our existing STEM programs, particularly by upgrading resources and equipment in our STEM lab. We are immensely grateful for MLSC's support and look forward to utilizing these resources to empower our students and prepare them for success in the STEM fields.
The 6-12 STEM Curriculum Director, Mrs. Bengiovanni is very excited to offer our students the opportunity to experience science in a very hands-on environment so they can explore the possible career opportunities biotechnology can afford them, such as pharmaceutical development, biomedical engineering, food science, and genetic engineering.
Part of the grant will allow us to equip our middle school science rooms with lab tables and sinks to better support the experiential learning program we use for our curriculum, OpenSciEd. This will give the students a much better and safer experience when conducting labs in the classroom. The grant will also allow us to buy supplies to expand the OpenSciEd curriculum into the high school and will pay to provide important professional development to our teachers.
The largest portion of the grant will allow us to purchase biotechnology equipment. This includes basic equipment like micropipetters and gel electrophoresis apparatus to more sophisticated equipment like a spectrophotometer and fluorescent microscope. This equipment will initially be used to run an Introduction to Biotechnology class that will follow the Amgen Biotechnology Experience (ABE) curriculum with the hopes that students will branch out into conducting independent research projects in the years to come. We have also partnered with the PROPEL program at UMASS Lowell, which offers job shadowing and internship opportunities to students in various biotechnology labs on the UML campus.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Maheshwari (K-5 STEM Director) kmaheshwari@collegiatelowell.org
Mrs. Bengiovanni (6-12 STEM Director) ebengiovanni@collegiatelowell.org.
Adding Up with ST Math - Math Enrichment Program
What is ST Math?
ST Math is a visual instructional program that engages students in creative and rigorous problem solving, allowing them to see the math and grow.
Do your children use ST Math? We recommend watching the introduction video and playing a few sample games first. Then check out our parent resources below to learn how you can help guide your student through the program.
Helping your child with math starts with thinking about math in a different way.
Research shows that memorizing all the different ways to solve math problems isn't enough for long-term success. But, by working through challenging problems to build a deep understanding of how math concepts work, all children are capable of succeeding in math.
Here is more information about why ST Math is important and a sample of the program to see how it works. Math Resources for Parents and Families | ST Math
ST Math is a math program that also follows the Common Core State Math Standards of Massachusetts, but with a twist. There are no written instructions on any level. The main character, Jiji the penguin, moves from one side of the screen to the next by the students using their math knowledge to get through each obstacle. Students need to use their own mind and some problem-solving skills along with trial and error to complete each grade-level math objective and get Jiji the Penguin to the next level. This program is great for all types of students. It is engaging, promotes student independence, problem-solving skills for real-world problems, and that we learn from failure (getting the problems wrong). ST Math has a visual feedback system that shows students WHY they get a problem wrong, to help them learn and master the grade level content.
Collegiate is now part of the ST Math grant program. This means that ST Math is now a part of our math curriculum for K-5 students. There are specific blocks throughout the day that are designated for doing ST Math to allow students to keep up with their conceptual understanding. We are now associated with many schools across the state of Massachusetts. We will be participating in Community Competitions with these schools, and between our grade levels, to keep the engagement and excitement while doing ST Math. (insert photos I have sent from Newsletters and separately). Please keep up with the school Newsletters every month to see your studentβs class progress!
Student Life π
Upcoming Student Life Events!
Student Council 2024-2025
High School Students,
It's that time of year: to vote for your 2024-2025 Student Council Members!
What is Student Council? It's a group of students elected by their peers who are helping make decisions about school wide educational policy and student rights, events and fundraising.
Student Council positions available are President (11th or 12th grader), Vice President (any grade), Secretary (any grade) and a Class Representative for each grade level in 9-12th grade. If you'd like more information on each position, please grab an application in the front office.
An assembly will take place on Tuesday, September 17th during Wolf Block followed by voting that ends by 5pm. If you're running for a position, be sure to get your application into Mrs. Bailey by Tuesday, September 10th.
Welcome to Our New Athletic Director - Brian Hendereson
This year Collegiate welcomes a new Athletic Director to the Wolf Den. Mr. Brian Henderson has joined us back in July and has hit the ground running planning for the fall athletics and beyond.
Mr. Henderson joins Collegiate with years of experience as a Physical Education Teacher, Assistant Athletic Director, and owner of a youth soccer camp. He has been a Head Boys Varsity Soccer Coach for the past 5 years, the last 3 in Litchfield, NH where he led the team to win the state championship in 2023 with a 54-7-1 record and winning the 2023 Coach of Year from the Nashua Telegraph! He will be the Assistant Varsity Coach here at Collegiate this season.
He attended Temple University in Philidelphia on a scholarship for Division 1 Temple Men's Soccer where he also was selected to the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team. He just finished his master's degree program at SNHU.
Please join us in giving Mr. Henderson a very warm Collegiate welcome. If you have any questions about Collegiate Athletics, please reach out to Mr. Henderson at bhenderson@collegiatelowell.org.
Join the Newsletter Club
We are looking for high school students who would like to join the Newsletter Club. Members would write articles, interview staff, research topics, and edit the monthly newsletter. The Club would meet in person once per week after school.