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Այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք այն, ապա օգտագործեք աջ կողմում գտնվող հղումը:

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Starting on April 4, 2023, we will begin the testing period for 3rd, 4th, and 5th English Language Arts MCAS. The tests are approximately 60-90 minutes in length. However, students are given as long as they need to complete the test. We do stop for break and if necessary, for those students who haven't finished by lunch time they will have the opportunity to eat lunch and return to the test afterwards. We've rearranged our specials schedule to have specials at the end of the day. Your support during the testing period can make a difference in how well your child performs. You can help them understand that while the MCAS tests are important, there is no need to stress over them. A few requests and suggestions that will help your child, and school logistics, are below. Your children has participated in an MCAS test tutorial and MCAS practice test.

Please make every effort to get your child to school on testing days. (Sick children, of course, should remain home.) Students who are absent will have to make up any tests they miss. As a result they will miss class time on the make-up day.

• Make sure children arrive on time. Testing often starts first thing in the morning.See that they get at least 8-10 hours of sleep the night before each test.
• Please provide a healthy snack and water bottle.
• Remind students to do their personal best.

If you have any questions please contact me at stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us

With a grateful heart,

Stacy

Tuesday Night the DIB Council came together to create a space to process recent events at Lowell. This discussion was facilitated by our own local mindfulness and mediation expert, Teo Evans from Emerged Wellness, Kathy Burton,Teacher and Lowell's Equity Specialists, and Liz Marino and Sheila Krishnan DIB co-leaders.

Meeting Format & Agenda

Welcome

Land Acknowledgement

Assumptions We Bring

Guidelines for Courageous Conversations

Introduction and Warm Welcome to Teo

Restorative Questions in Breakout Rooms by Affinity Groups

Jamboard Activity

Bring is Back Together

Closing and Upcoming Events

Questions and Confusions to Clear Up

Confusion

Parents were confused about the change in bathroom procedures following the writing of a slur on the copy machine which is understandable. After the building leaders discovered the writing on the copier, we asked teachers not to allow students to go to the bathroom or be in the hallways unless they were supervised. This was not a response to the writing found on the copier alone but also to a string of other incidents the majority of which happened in the bathroom. These included paper towels being stuffed into toilets, batteries being removed from soap dispensers and disposed of improperly, writing on walls with crayons and pencils, and boys engaging in physical altercations.

In an effort to address these concerns, we increased supervision during hallway and bathroom breaks for one day. We then held a meeting with faculty to discuss the recent student behavior and decided to address the students directly about expectations and good citizenship. Following our Thursday morning meeting, we implemented a policy of one student in the bathroom at a time, similar to our COVID-era policy, to minimize opportunities for poor decision-making.

I apologize for the unclear and conflated message in my letter. My intention was to temporarily pause unsupervised trips to and from the classroom to eliminate further incidents and give us time to meet as a faculty to create a plan. We did so and focused on resetting expectations for our community use of school spaces, defining expected and unexpected behaviors, and explicitly talk about how words are used in hurtful ways. This approach is typical for our school and it follows Responsive Classroom principals.

Questions

I know a number of parents want to know if there is an explicit set of consequences for the use of a racial slur or do we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the use of the N-word or any other racial slur? The answer is no. At this time we do not have a unique policy that articulates a mandatory punishment for the use of a racial slur.

I support the idea of using logical consequences in elementary schools instead of punitive punishments. Dr. Jessica Minahan, author of The Behavior Code, explains punitive punishments can lead to antisocial behaviors and isolation among children. Additionally, research shows that zero tolerance policies have little to no effect on improving school safety. Article: Are Zero Tolerance Policies Effective in the Schools? An Evidentiary Review and Recommendations American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force. The team at Lowell believes in taking a social justice approach to enforcing logical consequences, following the 5 'R's of Restorative Justice: Relationship, Respect, Responsibility, Repair, and Reintegration.

Another reason consequences or punishment cannot be mandatory and explicitly written is that the law does not allow it. Guidance (Law) from the state effective January 2023. Law 37H 3/4

Any principal, headmaster, superintendent or person acting as a decision-maker at a student meeting or hearing, when deciding the consequences for the student, shall consider ways to re-engage the student in the learning process; and shall not suspend or expel a student until alternative remedies have been employed and their use and results documented, following and in direct response to a specific incident or incidents, unless specific reasons are documented as to why such alternative remedies are unsuitable or counter-productive, and in cases where the student’s continued presence in school would pose a specific, documentable concern about the infliction of serious bodily injury or other serious harm upon another person while in school. Alternative remedies may include, but shall not be limited to: (i) mediation; (ii) conflict resolution; (iii) restorative justice; and (iv) collaborative problem solving.”

As a community, we recognize the challenge of finding straightforward solutions to complex incidents. It requires a combination of proactive and reactive measures from all members. Our school is dedicated to being anti-racist, and we will continue to educate ourselves and evolve together.

What?

The annual K-12 District Art Show has been a tradition in Watertown Public Schools for many years. The show includes work from Watertown students K-12. This is the first year since the pandemic that elementary schools will have in-person representation, so it is very exciting. In addition, this is my (Ms. Chroneos') first art show in Watertown! I am thrilled for the chance to bring our community together in support of your young artists.

Where and When?

Where:

Watertown Mall

When:

The show is up Wednesday, April 5th - Tuesday May 2nd

Because the Watertown Mall is a public place, you are welcome to see the artwork at any time during mall open hours while the show is up.

Opening Reception:

Tuesday, April 11th from 6pm-8pm at the Watertown Mall

The Opening Reception is Tuesday, April 11th from 6pm-8pm at The Watertown Mall. There will be live music, and it's a chance for the community to gather and celebrate our students. Everyone, regardless of if your student's work is representing Lowell in the art show, is invited to the reception.

Register for the Walk-a-Thon! This is our only fundraiser of the year. There are school-wide rewards along the way! We've already earned our Dance Party -- and we're close to our 2nd prize! Thanks for your support! If we raise $18,000, Ms Phelan will dye her hair pink! If we raise $20,000, we can tape Mr. Chen to the wall! Everyone who signs-up and shares the link on social media, email, or text will receive a free smoothie from Vitality Bowls! The fundraiser runs March 20 – April 25.

Here’s the link to sign-up!

If you had an account from last year, log-in and join the event. Otherwise, please create a free account. Reach out to jenninetambio@gmail.com with questions/concerns.

Save the Date—Scholastic Bookfair: Our bookfair will be held at the Watertown Public Library from Thursday, April 27 – Sunday, April 30. Mark it on your calendar – to volunteer for a shift or come in to shop for your family and your child’s teacher. This will be open to the public.

FTO Leadership for Next Year: We’d love to have more family members join our Family Teacher Organization! You make a big difference in the school and get to know a lot of people. We’re looking for a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer for next year, plus we have a ton of smaller roles that would be a huge help. Email jenninetambio@gmail.com if you’re interested.

Science Spotlights

In-Person Event | Saturdays, March 11, April 8, May 13, 2:00–3:30 pm

Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge

Meet up-and-coming scientists and learn about questions at the forefront of research today in this series of monthly short talks. Perhaps you’ll discuss how studying dog reactions help us learn about the evolution of social behavior, or maybe you’ll consider the regrowth of a microscopic worm after injury. Recommended for ages 10–Adults.

Let’s Draw: HMSC Sketching Weekend

In-Person Event | Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19, 1:00–­4:00 pm

The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture provide inspiration for all levels of artists and curious visitors. Elevate your own creative process by trying your hand at sketching this weekend. Meet HMSC Volunteer Sketching Facilitators in the galleries and learn what motivates them to draw in the museums. Then try sketching a museum object yourself.

Amazing Archaeology Fair at Harvard

In-Person Event | Sunday, March 26, 1:00–4:00 pm

Explore North American, South American, Egyptian, and Mesopotamian archaeology across the exhibit halls of two museums. Activities include ancient DNA analysis, animal mummies, King Tut’s throne, spear throwing, flintknapping, and other surprises during this popular annual event.

Summer Science Weeks

In-Person Summer Programs | Mondays–Fridays, 9:30 am–12:00 pm

Registration is open! Select from a wide array of Summer Science Week programs for children entering grades 1–8. Favorites include Amazing Animals, Super Scientists, and The Ins and Outs of Skeletons.

Tuesday 4/4/2023

MCAS ELA (Session 1)

7:00PM A String Spectacular

Wednesday 4/5/2023

2:45PM - 4:05PM Lowell Faculty Meeting

Thursday, 4/6/2023

MCAS ELA (Session 2)

Friday, 4/7/2023

Progress Reports Send Home

12:15PM Early Release

Tuesday, 4/11/2023

6:00PM - 8:00PM Art Show Opening Reception

6:30PM - 7:30PM SEPAC Meeting

6:30PM - 7:30PM FTO Meeting

Thursday, 4/13/2023

Grade 3 Field Trip (Boston Tea Party Museum)

6:00PM School Site Council

Friday, 4/14/2023

FTO Walk-A-Thon

Monday 4/17/2023 to Friday 4/21/2023

April Vacation (No School)

Monday 4/24/2023 to Friday 4/28/2023

Literacy Week

Tuesday 4/25/2023

7:00PM - 8:00PM Lowell DIB Council Meeting

Thursday 4/27/2023

Author Visit: Jarrett Learner

Friday 4/28/2023

5:30PM Music Fest

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MCAS Dates for grades 3,4 & 5

ELA

Tuesday, April 4th

Thursday, April 6th

Math

Tuesday, May 16th

Thursday, May 18th

Science

Only Grade 5 takes Science

Wednesday, May 24th

Thursday, May 25th