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Lowell News
March 8, 2024
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Observing Ramadan
Ramadan is a spiritual month for Muslims that is marked by special observations such as fasting and nightly prayer. In 2024 Ramadan begins at sundown on March 3rd and continues until sunset April 9th. The end of Ramadan is marked by a celebration called Eid al-Fitr (the Festival of Breaking the Fast), which is one of Islam’s two major holidays. Eid al-Fitr begins with the sighting of the new moon, signalling the end of Ramadan, and is celebrated with communal prayers, feasts, and the giving of charity in the form of food, known as Zakat al-Fitr, ensuring that even the poor can celebrate the breaking of the fast.
During the month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims abstain from all food and drink from dawn to sunset. This religious duty of fasting is known as sawm in Arabic.
We ask teachers and staff to be considerate students in their classes. Students that are fasting may be more subdued than usual and try to refrain from having food around students that are fasting. Also be considerate about having major assessments on April 10th (Eid).
Allow flexibility for students to make up an exam another day if they have multiple tests on one day. Share your support of students observing Ramadan in your classes so students feel comfortable accessing supports and accommodations.
Students are expected to go to PE class but can speak to their teacher individually if they do not feel able to participate in physical activities on any given day during Ramadan.
The Guidance Conference Room (120) will be a space for students observing Ramadan to spend their lunchtime if they prefer to not be in the cafeteria. Or just spend time with others students observing the fast.
Happy Ramadan!
Mrs. Phelan
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
Scenes from Literacy Week
We had a fantastic Literacy Week. Throughout the week, authors visited, special guests read books to students, Mrs. Phelan read a story to every class, and we also enjoyed a phenomenal Literacy Night.
We hope all of our students had a great time enjoying the beauty and power of stories and literacy! Thanks to all who participated and supported during the week to make this event successful. It was beautiful to host it at our renovated school!
Parent/Caregiver Conferences
Sign-ups for parent/caregiver conferences are live now. You can access your child's teacher's page using the following link.
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.
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?
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.
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
Important Dates
- 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 - 12:00 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