Monday Message

It has been a positive, normal morning at the Lowell School. As a result of the tragedy in Connecticut, the Crisis Intervention Team convened this morning to review emergency protocols. 

I would like to share some new information and reminders to you.

• All doors at the Lowell are locked at all times.  This now means that our PreK students will now enter with everyone else through the main entrance.  Regardless of weather, students will not be able to wait in the vestibule (between the two sets of doors) before 8:05 am.  Main office doors will be open by staff at 8:05 and closed at 8:20 am.
• Radios (walkie talkies) will accompany classes to recess.
• Teachers will remind students to not let anyone into the building.

When you come to the school:

• Ring the buzzer at the main entrance. When you have been granted access, immediately report to the main office to sign in and receive a visitor badge.
• Only enter and exit through the main office doors.
• Respect that we are being vigilant about security.  You may have to wait to be buzzed in to the building and may be asked to show your identification.
• If you are picking up your child from the nurse, remember to check in with the main office first and sign out when you are leaving.

Thank you for your support during this time.  Please know that this is a time of heightened alert and we are hoping that visitors will be limited to only the most essential visits.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Responding to Tragedy

Lowell Families,

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this message to you.  I, like you, have been devastated by the news of the school shooting that occurred in Connecticut on Friday.  My deepest condolences go out to the Newtown community.

The tragic events in Connecticut have caused our thoughts to turn inward and think about our own community.  The Lowell School remains vigilant in its commitment to safety.  A district wide, comprehensive safety plan is in place and is updated frequently.  As a part of this plan, we work in partnership with local police and fire departments to ensure our schools are safe and secure.  Immediately, we will review these plans and protocols with a new perspective.  Our first priority, as always, remains the safety and welfare of our students and staff.

This is undoubtedly a troubling time for parents of elementary school aged children.  Below you will find some very helpful resources to help you and your children cope with the feelings brought on by this tragedy.

http://lowellguidance.blogspot.com/

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/revisedPDFs/talkingviolence.pdf

We will welcome students Monday morning as they arrive at school and classrooms with warm greetings, smiles and reassuring welcomes to ensure a sense of comfort and security, recognizing that students will be returning to school with varying levels of awareness of the shootings.   We do not plan on having large assemblies but we will be ready to respond to our children in developmentally appropriate ways to ensure them that they are safe at school. 

Our guidance counselor, Mrs Knight, will be available all day and after school if you or your child is in need of support.  And, as always, my door is open to you.

Best,

Elizabeth Kaplan

Monday Message

We have a busy and exciting week ahead of us at the Lowell!

Here is what is happening this week...

Book Fair
Our book fair opens on Monday from 1:30-3pm in the Lowell library! It will be open every day this week at this time and will also be open during the Winter Wonderland event from 6-8 pm on Friday night.  Students and teachers will have the opportunity to create "wish lists".  Students will not be purchasing books alone during the school day, so there is no need to send your student in with any money for purchasing!

Winter Concert
The Lowell School Winter Concert will be this Friday at 1:15 pm in the gym.  Our 4th and 5th grade chorus, band, and strings will be performing!

PTO Meeting
The PTO will meet this Tuesday at 7pm in the Lowell lounge.  Please consider attending, especially if you have never attended a meeting before!

Winter Wonderland
All families are invited to the PTO sponsored Winter Wonderland this Friday night from 6-8pm in the Lowell cafeteria.  It is always a fun evening for families.

Other news...

Hurricane Sandy Fundraiser
Our student led fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Sandy raised $200.00.  Thank you to Alyssa Carroll and her fifth grade classmates for organizing the hat day fundraiser!

Watertown Community Foundation Grant
I am so pleased to announce that the Lowell school has just received a $2500.00 grant from the Watertown Community Foundation.  The grant is to go towards a Lowell School Learning Garden, which will be used by many teachers, students, and community members.  Thank you to our preK teacher Ms Julia Bean, interim elementary curriculum coordinator Alison Donovan, and parent Anna Yoo for putting together and submitting the grant application!

Ethical Gift Giving
It is the time of year, where families often are so generous and show appreciation of teachers by giving them gifts.  The following is a link to the site of the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission.  It details the law around teacher gifts.
http://www.mass.gov/ethics/gifts-to-public-school-teachers-and-staff.html

Monday Message

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.   We had a very successful Caring School Community Buddy Launch event last week.  I will be posting some pictures of the buddies very soon-expect another blog update in the next few days!

Progress Reports

Term 1 progress reports will go home Thursday, December 6th.  The report summarizes your students progress towards grade level standards.  You will have discussed much of what you see on the report at parent-teacher conferences, but if you have questions do not hesitate to contact your student's teacher.

Picture Re-Take Day
Re-takes are this Wednesday, December 5th!