Lowell News
March 1, 2024
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Lowell School Community,
As many of you are aware, Mr. Kraus, our interim Assistant Principal, will be leaving our school in June to take on a new role as the head of a school in Chile. He has been a valuable support to students, staff, and families during his time here.
We are now in the process of searching for our next Assistant Principal. Just as spring brings new beginnings, we are excited to invite stakeholders to join the search committee. If you are interested in being part of this important process, please let us know.
Your involvement will be crucial in finding the right candidate to continue the great work Mr. Kraus has done. Thank you for your support and dedication to our school community. please see the link below for more information.
I am excited to inform you that next week is Literacy Week at our school! This week is always a highlight for us, filled with engaging author visits and a variety of fun activities for our students.
We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating Literacy Week and be a part of the exciting events we have planned. Your participation will make this week even more special for our school community.
With Tremendous Gratitude,
Stacy
Boys & Girls Club is CLOSED Wednesday, March 6th, 2024
Lowell Street Playground Meeting
We will have a presentation and a follow-up Playground Meeting on March 14th at 7:00 PM
in the Lowell Learning Commons.
Please take a moment to fill out the survey. You may also use the QR code below.
http://tinyurl.com/LowellStPlay or https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PBCFX3G
MCAS Dates
All students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be taking MCAS on the following dates. Please plan ahead to ensure that students are in school and ready.
Grades 3, 4 and 5 - ELA Test
- Tuesday, April 9th
- Thursday, April 11th
Grades 3, 4 and 5 - MATH Test
- Tuesday, May 7th
- Thursday, May 9th
Grade 5 only - SCIENCE Test
- Tuesday, May 14th
- Thursday, May 16th
All test sessions begin at 8:40 am.
Please make sure your child is at school on time. Students who arrive late may not be able to participate in the test session with their class. They will take that test session on a make-up test day.
A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast will positively impact your child’s test experience.
Encourage your child to take their time and do their best.
2nd Grade Research and Writing Celebration
2nd Grade students did a fantastic job working on their research and writing about continents. They celebrated their hard work with a presentation to families where they shared all their knowledge! Congratulations, 2nd Grade! Well done!
MusicFest 2024: Friday, March 15th
MusicFest is a lively and eclectic evening of music with performances on multiple stages, hosted by our very own Friends of Watertown Music! This year's MusicFest will take place on:
Friday, March 15, 2024 from 5:30 - 8:30 at WMS
What makes MusicFest so great is the participation of a variety of performers. We often have professional ensembles and students from local conservatories along with
high school bands, student ensembles and individual performers.
We need volunteers to help MusicFest run smoothly. Can you give an hour or two of your time?
The Wonderous World of Art
What are your students doing in Spanish this month?
What's happening in PE Class? Read to find out!
Read all about what students have been doing in Spanish Class!
Seeking Guest Readers Literacy Week!
We are excited to announce that the Lowell School will celebrate Literacy Week from March 4th to 8th. As part of our efforts to promote the joy of reading and storytelling, we invite families to participate by reading a story to your child's class.
If you are available to come in and read a story, please contact your child's teacher to arrange a time when you can come in.
Families Members are Welcome!
2024 April Vacation Week Program Registration Opens on Thursday, March 7th!
Online registration for Watertown Community Education's 2024 April Vacation Program - Gamers Week, being held at the Hosmer Elementary School, opens at 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 7th! Spaces are limited, please register early. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click the link to the 2024 April Vacation Week Program Smore Flyer for full details including cost, dates, daily sub-themes, and to access the online Google Form registration link https://www.smore.com/n/76u8bg.
Watertown Community Education
2024 April Vacation Adventure GAMERS WEEK
April 16-19, 2024
Card & Board Games Day Tuesday, 4/16/24
Classic Arcade Games Day Wednesday, 4/17/24
Minecraft Day Thursday, 4/18/24
Car Video Games Day Friday, 4/19/24
Each day includes themed activities in areas such as Art, STEM, Movement, or Games. Each day also includes outdoor play, two snacks and lunch (families pack food for their students - food is not provided), and free choice/play opportunities.
Location: Hosmer School (Current K-5 students from all three elementary schools are able to attend this program being held at the Hosmer School)
Dates: Tuesday, April 16 – Friday, April 19, 2024
(Please note there are no programs available on Monday, April 15, 2024)
Hours: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (Early drop off is available from 7:15 am–8:30 am)
Cost: $320.00 for the 4-day week or $80.00/day
(add $20.00/day for early drop off option - limited spots available)
Online registration for our April Vacation Adventure Program begins at 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 7, 2024. Spaces are limited, please register early.
Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. REGISTRATION FORM LINK: https://forms.gle/Ub3TZMJr7pUTHgNf7 REGISTRATION FORM QR CODE
REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 7:00 PM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2024
GENERAL INFORMATION
Registration begins at 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 7, 2024. All registrations must be completed online. An individual registration form must be completed for each student you are
registering. Please use this link https://forms.gle/Ub3TZMJr7pUTHgNf7 or scan the QR code to register. Registrations will be accepted on a first come/first serve basis. Program capacity is based on confirmed staffing. Please note that since registrations are for individual days, it is possible that some days will reach capacity before others.
PAYMENT
Families of registered students will either be emailed a space offer & invoice OR emailed a notice that they are being placed on the waitlist
. The invoice will include instructions on how and where to submit payment. Payment will be due within
5 school days of the invoice being sent.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR PAYMENT BEFORE RECEIVING YOUR INVOICE. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR PAYMENT INTO SCHOOL WITH YOUR STUDENT.
FULL PROGRAM DETAILS
Please view the 2024 April Vacation Program – Full Program Details Google Doc to read our full program policies and procedures. These include policies regarding payment, refund and cancellation requests, students conduct expectations, nurse, medication, illness policies, drop- off/pickup instructions, what to pack with your students, and more.
To access the 2024 April Vacation Program – Full Program Details enter
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xyGIrZTVuyn7KWRr5k7x4KOFOcbjIykxmgaj7RtVCJQ/edit ?usp=sharing into your web browser or click the QR code below
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, please email or call Debi Cornelius or Jeff Bodner at debora.cornelius@watertown.k12.ma.us or 857-241-8499 or Jeff Bodner at jeffrey.bodner@watertown.k12.ma.us or 857-241-8499.
Watertown Community Fridge
As February break approaches, please know there is food available for families at the Watertown Community Fridge. If you are not in need of meals and looking to give back to your community, this could be a great place to bring extra food you may have.
Watertown Community Fridge (WCF) is a shared resource, collectively maintained by the community and for the community. Watertown Community Fridge is one of many of its kind, offering options and alternatives to formal food sharing channels. We operate on the principle of “Take what you need, give what you can.”
Find out how to donate food & volunteer by clicking the link below.
Coming Next Fall, Free PreK/Preschool
Watertown Public Schools is pleased to announce that PreKindergarten and Preschool classes will be tuition-free for children who turn 4 by August 31, 2024. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year have already begun, and we are excited to be able to offer up to 40 additional spaces for Watertown children in our prekindergarten and preschool classrooms.
Kindergarten Information Night
When: Wednesday, March 6th 6:30-7:30
Where: Lowell School in the Learning Commons
We invite families of children entering Kindergarten in September 2024 to join us at Lowell School. Come learn about our school, Community Education, and the registration process. All are welcome! Please note that students must be five years old by September 1st to be eligible for enrollment.
Community Events
YardArt 2024:
YardArt is a uniquely Watertown event that celebrates creativity during the entire month of April! Everyone can participate, including families and individuals, by making art for their front yards, porches, or windows. For more information, go to https://www.mosesianarts.org/YardArt
Thanks so much. Let me know if you have any questions.
Community Kingian Training:
A free course on Kingian Nonviolence principles and actions is being offered on March 2 + 9 at the Watertown Police Department Community Room. Use the QR code below or the link bit.ly/kingian2024 for more information and to register.
Announcement: Parents’ Recreational Softball League, Season 3 (Spring 2024)!
We are currently in the process of organizing season 3 (Spring 2024) of the Watertown Parents Softball
League. Seasons 1 and 2 were super fun, and we are expecting season 3 to be even better! For those
who haven’t played before, the Watertown Parents Softball League is a recreational softball league for
parents of kids in the Watertown schools. It is very relaxed and social and open to players of all skill
levels. If we get enough players signed up, teams will be school-based to give parents a fun opportunity
to socialize and build community with other parents at their kid’s school.
If you might be interested in participating, please fill out the Google Doc below.
For additional information please contact Jesse Fenichel at jfenichel@gmail.com
Spring 24 Courses For Kids Registration Deadline is this Sunday, 2/25!
Spring 2024 Courses For Kids Registration Is Now Open!
Registration is open and will run until Sunday, February 25, 2024. Please use the catalog link below to view an electronic version of flier. Paper fliers will be distributed to students beginning next week.
Courses for the fall session include:
Thursdays 2:30-3:30 PM
Artemis Yoga (grades K-2)
Minecraft Coding and Design Studio (grades K-5)
Chess Wizards (grades 1-5)
Coding and Game Design wit Scratch, Python, and JavaScript (grades 2-5)
Fridays 2:30-3:30 PM
Buildwave | A Hands-On Building Game (grades K-5)
Karate (grades 1-5)
Lego Challenges (grades 3-5)
Board Games in Spanish (grades 3-5)
Use the links below to see the full course catalog and to register online. Please note that there is a max capacity for each course and registration does not guarantee confirmed enrollment. Registration is open until Sunday, February 25th. A lottery will be held for spaces in any course that exceeds its maximum capacity prior to the deadline. Please view the catalog link below for more information.
Lowell CFK Spring ‘24 Catalog
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jShFJbsE7j1tG6IcmOWYM9YPGB_wKpRY/view?usp=sharing
Lowell CFK Spring ‘24 Online Registration Form
Important Dates
- Wednesday, March 6th - Kindergarten Information Night - 6:30 - 7:30
- Thursday, March 7th - Literacy Night
- Tuesday, March 12th- FTO
- Thursday, March 14th - 12:15 Dismissal - Parent Teacher Conferences - 1:00 - 2:30
- Tuesday, March 19th - 12:15 Dismissal - Parent Teacher Conferences - 1:00 - 2:30
- Thursday, March 21st - Parent Teacher Conferences - 4:30 - 6:30
- Friday, March 22nd - Classroom Smores go home
- Thursday, March 28st - Parent Teacher Conferences - 5:00 - 7:00
- Friday, March 29th - 12:15 Dismissal
- Tuesday, April 9th - ELA MCAS
- Wednesday, April 10th - 12:15 Dismissal
- Thursday, April 11th - ELA MCAS
- Thursday, April 11th - Diversity Council - Joint Meeting - In Person at Hosmer
- Monday, April 15th - Friday, April 19th - No School - April Vacation
Contact Us
J.R. Lowell Elementary School
123 Lowell Ave.
Watertown, Ma 02472
Phone: 1-617-926-7770
Principal- Stacy Phelan
stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Assistant Principal- Benjamin Kraus
benjamin.krausfriedmann@watertown.k12.ma
Administrative Assistant- Kara Flynn
kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us
Receptionist- Jim Swift
james.swift@watertown.k12.ma.us
Nurse- Kathy Taverna
katherine.taverna@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance Melina Jacovides k-2
melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance Brian Connors 3-5
brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us
Special Education Team Chair- Greg Roberts, ext. 37171
gregory.roberts@watertown.k12.ma.us
LEDP Site Coordinator- Adam Vachon
Lowell Elementary School Principal