Monday Message

I hope you had a lovely weekend. It is parent-teacher conference week at the Lowell.  I always share this brief article summary(see below)  because I think it is a helpful reminder of how to make the most of a parent-teacher conference.

Lowell Parent Survey
The Lowell Site Council has created the first Lowell parent survey in six years! We are thrilled to be able to collect important feedback from all families. Our goal is to collect responses from EVERY family at the Lowell. Details are below.

Where can I find the survey?
The survey can be found here: Lowell Parent Survey and is also on the Lowell website homepage. The survey is also available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian in paper copy form and will be given out at conferences/

When can I complete the survey?
The survey can be completed on your own time by using the link above. Also, the computer lab will be open for parents to use to complete the survey during all parent teacher conferences. There will be many reminders to complete the survey over the next two weeks.

Why should I complete the survey?
Your voice is so important to school improvement and to your childrens' learning.  It only takes ten minutes and will give us insight and data to move forward and improve our school.

Early Release Days
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week are early release days. Dismissal is at 12:15, lunch will be served and there will be LEDP for those enrolled. There will be NO Courses for Kids.

Making the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences
“Parent-teacher conferences can be daunting,” says Marjorie Hancock, Kansas
education professor, parent, and former teacher. She offers parents these ten pointers
for making conferences more successful:
- Arrive on time. This sends the message that the parents care.
- Bring a written list of questions. “A lot of parents get nervous because the
teachers are the professionals and they get back into their car and think ‘Why
didn’t I ask that?’”
- Realize that your child may act differently in school than at home; be open to
the teacher’s descriptions of your child’s behavior in school.
- Don’t be defensive. It’s all about helping your child do better in school.
- Ask the teacher for examples of your child’s work to back up the points the
teacher is making.
- Discuss specific strengths of your child as a learner; build on your child’s
strengths.
- Ask the teacher for specific ways you can help at home.
- Set 2-4 specific goals for your child in the next grading period.
- Share what the teacher reports with your child. Better yet, have your child be
part of the conference.
- Remember that, as a parent, you are the most important person in your child’s
life. Give your child a hug and reassurance after the conference. “The bottom
line is ‘I love you,’” says Hancock. “It’s almost a team approach to success.”

“Getting the Most Out of Parent Conferences” in PEN Weekly NewsBlast, Sept. 30, 2004.
See http://www.click2houston.com/education/3767252/detail.htm

PTO Updates
The Chateau fundraiser for the Lowell is this Wednesday!  The flyer can be found here: http://jrlowellpto.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/4/0/31409341/chateau_2015.pdf

The gift card program has launched, place your holiday gift card order by December 11th at www.shopwithscrip.com. Most major brands are available and it costs you nothing extra to order.
You can pay online or via check made out to Lowell PTO.  PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE CODE: 8L14DL7B26791.  Directions on how to order are located here: http://jrlowellpto.weebly.com/uploads/3/1/4/0/31409341/holiday_pto_giftcard_flyer.jpg