Sunday, February 22, 2015

Monday Message 2/23

Good Morning Lowell Families,

Welcome back!  Hopefully we can have a more regular school schedule, without so many cancelled days.  This week we will try to settle back into our routines.  We will have a whole school assembly on Tuesday focussed on perseverance and, a buddy activity on Thursday where students will work on a challenge to practice perseverance.

Early Release Reminder:
Wednesday, February 25th is an early release day.  Students will be dismissed at 12:15.

School Site- Council:
The Lowell School Site-Council will meet this Tuesday, February 24th at 7:00 in the Lowell Library.  We will begin to work on the goals for next year's school improvement plan.

PTO:
The PTO is sponsoring a BINGO night on Thursday, February 26th.  This is a great family event.  See you there!

Zumbathon: On Sunday, March 15th the Lowell School will host a Zumbathon!  Please check out the flyer.  This is a great event for families to be healthy and support the Lowell School.  

Have a great week!

Ms. Donovan

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Monday Message 2/9

Good Morning Lowell Families,

We are facing another storm that could disrupt the start to our school week.  Please tune in to local news for updates on school cancelations or delayed openings.

School Calendar Updates:

The district has had to make some adjustments to the schedule for spring conferences.  The parent and teacher conferences that were originally scheduled for March have been moved to April.  Use the following link for an updated school calendar: 2014-2015 Revised School Calendar.  Elementary report cards will be sent home on Thursday, March 26.

PTO

The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00 PM.

Tardies and Absences:

The snow storms have made for many disruptions to the school calendar.  Teachers are trying to keep students immersed in the daily routines despite all of the snow days.  Teachers are trying to maximize every moment of instruction in these short weeks.  For these reasons it is important for students to be in school and to arrive on time.  Students can arrive at school starting at 8:05.  School begins at 8:15.  Any student arriving after 8:20 are marked tardy.  I will be contacting families if students have excessive absences or tardies.

Ms. Knight's Guidance Blog:

The Lowell School Guidance counsellor, Ms. Knight, has a blog that she updates with information about education, child development and parenting.  Her latest post is about successful relationships.  Please check out the guidance blog at the following link: Lowell Guidance Blog.

PARCC

In the 2014-2015 school year the students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take the new PARCC test instead of the MCAS test that students have taken in past years.  On Friday, March 6th there will be a parent coffee for parents in grades 3, 4, and 5 to get an overview of the PARCC testing.  PARCC testing will occur during two weeks in March and two weeks in May.

Have a great week!

Ms. Donovan

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Tuesday Message 2/3

Good Morning Lowell Families,

Mr. MacLeod and Mr. Murgo have been working tirelessly to clear the snow from the Lowell School.  We should be in good shape tomorrow morning but, we will need your cooperation in the "Drop and Go" line.  Please pull ALL the way up as far as you can before letting children out of the car.  Do NOT stop on Lowell Ave just after the turn from York Street, this causes traffic to back up.  The roads are narrow.  Please do not park in ways that prevent traffic from flowing on the side streets.

International Night
Thank you to the PTO and all of the families and volunteers that helped to make International Night a success.  Friday evening was a wonderful celebration of the rich diversity in the Lowell community.  Students enjoyed learning about the different countries represented in the school.  The food that families brought to share was delicious.  It was wonderful to enjoy a meal with parents, students and teachers.  The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00 PM.

Caring School Community Buddies
Last Thursday, our students met for CSC buddy time.  There were many wonderful projects going on.  Ms. Peca and Mr. Pinsoneault's class read "Thank You Mr. Falker" and, learned about how the author Patricia Pollaco persevered though learning challenges.  Ms. Morrison and Ms. Park's classes a story and created this bulletin board for the cafeteria displaying the goals that each student wants to persevere and achieve.


Integrity
Our core value that we will focus on for the month of February is Integrity.  C.S. Lewis describes integrity as, "Integrity is doing the right thing; even when you think no one is watching."  Along with our other core values of cooperation, kindness, and perseverance, teachers will be trying to recognize students that are acting with integrity.  

Hopefully we are done with snow for a while.  See everyone at school tomorrow.  Have a great week!

Ms. Donovan





Monday, January 26, 2015

Monday Message 1/26

Good Morning Lowell Families,

The forecast is calling for lots of snow this week.  Please check local news outlets for updates on school closings or delays. 

As of 9:00 AM on Monday- Courses for Kids for Monday afternoon have been cancelled and Boys and Girls Night at the Hosmer School this evening have been cancelled.  

Perseverance

The core value we are focussing on for the month of January is perseverance.  This is an important trait for all New Englanders to develop to survive the long winters.  Perseverance is also an important value for students.  Learning involves working through problems and using what you already know to help you figure out something new.  This happens in pre-K when students are trying to balance blocks and build a tall tower or in fifth grade when students are solving complex multi-step word problems.  The learning doesn't happen just by getting the right answer.  Important learning happens with each incorrect answer along the way.  

International Night


This Friday, January 30th from 6:00 – 8:00 PM is International Night at the Lowell School.  International Night is an event that celebrates the diversity of the population at the Lowell School.  There will be tables representing different countries and foods from different cultures.  Please join us on Friday evening for this event.

Have a great week.  Be safe in the storm. 

Ms. Donovan

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Tuesday Message 1/20

Good Morning Lowell Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend.  Teachers were busy at school today but we are looking forward to seeing students back at school tomorrow morning.

Site Council
There is a Lowell School Site Council meeting tonight at 7:00 PM in the library.  The Assistant Superintendent Darilyn Donovan will be in attendance to answer questions about elementary curriculum.

Spirit Day Friday- Bring a Flag
On Friday, January 23rd students should bring an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper make a flag to represent their cultural heritage.  These flags will be used to decorate at International Night on Friday, January 30th.

International Night
International Night is Friday, January 30th from 6-8 PM.  This is a great event to recognize the cultural diversity at the Lowell School.  Families can sign up to have a table by emailing: lowellvolunteers@gmail.com.  Families can also bring food from different cultures for a feast in the cafeteria.

Have a great week!

Ms. Donovan

Monday, January 12, 2015

Monday Message 1/12

Good Morning Lowell Families,

Students got right back into the swing of things last week.  I have been visiting classrooms and it is impressive to see the challenging and engaging work students are doing.  Our core value this month is perseverance.  Perseverance is a quality that all students need to develop to continue to grow as learners.  Teachers encourage students to stick with challenges, learn from mistakes and celebrate effort not just success.

Kindergarten Registration
Last week's Kindergarten Information night had low attendance.  If you have friends or neighbors with kindergarten age children please reach out to them and let them know about Kindergarten Registration.

Monday, January 12th 7:30 AM- 10:00 AM  and 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday, January 13th 7:30 AM- 10:00 AM  and 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday, January 15th 7:30 AM- 10:00 AM  and 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday, January 16th 7:30 AM- 10:00 AM  and 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

PTO:
PTO Meeting, Tuesday January 13th at 7:00 in the Teacher's Room

International Night, Friday January 30th 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
We currently have families setting up tables to represent Albania, Bulgaria, Germany, India, Italy, Palestine, Puerto Rico, Russia, South Korea, Tunisia and Turkey.  If you would like to set up a table to honor your cultural heritage please email: lowellvolunteers@gmail.com

Have a great week!

Ms. Donovan

Monday, January 5, 2015

Monday Message 1/5/2015

Happy New Year Lowell Families,

I hope everyone had a restful vacation.  It is often difficult to get back into the routine after vacation but, it was great to see many smiling kids entering the building this morning.

Reminders
As the weather gets colder remember that classes do try to go out to recess every day.  Please make sure students are dressed appropriately for the weather.  Doors open for students at 8:05.  If you are using the Drop and Go, please make sure to pull all the way forward to allow many cars to get through quickly.  Watch carefully for students in crosswalks.

Kindergarten Information Night
This Thursday from 6:30-7:30 is Kindergarten Information Night.  You will…..

  • learn about early education in Watertown 
  • find out when to register your child
  • learn how to register your child for school 
  • ask questions about early education and registration 
  • pick up registration packets 

Kindergarten Requirements:
Your child must turn 5 years of age on or before September 7, 2015
Full Day Pre-Kindergarten Requirements:
Your child must turn 4 years of age on or before September 7, 2015

PTO
The next PTO meeting is Tuesday, January 13th at 7:00 in the Lowell Teacher's Room.

International Night
International Night at the Lowell School is on Friday, January 30th from 6 to 8pm.  Countries represented so far are: Albania, Germany, India, Italy, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Tunisia, and Turkey.  If you would like to host a table please email lowellvolunteers@gmail.com.

Have a great week!

Ms. Donovan