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Dear Families,

The past two weeks have been difficult for all of us in different ways. This month as Bostonians we came together to celebrate the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Statue. Anticipating the celebration of Black History Month, we are met with a heartbreaking reminder of the violence that still plagues our society. Another innocent and precious life has been taken away in a senseless and brutal act. This tragedy serves to remind us of the work that still needs to be done to ensure the safety and security of all people. We must continue to strive for a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, and where violence and injustice are no longer tolerated. The release of the video of the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols has caused deep pain and trauma in our community and communities all over our country. It is difficult to know what to say in response to the video, and to the emotions it has invoked. However, we remain committed to creating an environment of safety, welcome and positivity in each of our schools.

If your student is feeling upset or isolated by the situation, please know that we have a wonderful SEL team you can lean on. Our school district community is made up of people who are dedicated to supporting one another through difficult times. If your child needs assistance in dealing with this situation, please contact one of our mental health support professionals. We are here to help and support as they try to process these difficult emotions. Please contact one of the following individuals.

School Psychologist: Kelley.starrett@watertown.k12.ma.us

Guidance 3-5: Brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us

Social Worker: Sheila.gomez@watertown.k12.ma.us

Guidance k-2: Melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us

Social Worker: Abbigail.killeen@watertown.k12.ma.us

or

Stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us

Qi.chen@watertown.k12.ma.us

With a heavy heart,

Stacy

Lowell is thrilled that our grant to have a virtual author visit from

Kelly Yang – Award Winning Author

Kelly Yang, was accepted by the Watertown Community Foundation. Monday, February 6th, Lowell fifth graders will be participating in a virtual visit. Kelly Yang will introduce herself, give a 20 minute presentation including writing tips and advice and will allow for Questions.

Kelly Yang's highly anticipated new novel, FINALLY SEEN will be released on February 28th and every Lowell fifth grader will receive a copy of the book.

This amazing opportunity is being fund by the generous grant from the Watertown Community Education Foundation.

ALA Youth Media Award season is underway! Students in Kindergarten to fifth grade learned about the major Youth Media Awards, such as the Caldecott and Newbery Medals, in anticipation of January's award announcement. We explore titles under consideration and discuss which of the books might win and which books we just love. Kindergarten to second grade explores elements of fiction and visual literacy related to picture books and, our read alouds center on past winner's work.

Additionally, the second grade started examining reference sources including the World Book Online. Third grade continued working with Google apps, fourth grade built floodgates using the Lego WeDo kits to prevent river flooding, and fifth grade learned the ins and outs of searching on Google.

Join the Watertown SEPAC on February 7th at 6:30PM on zoom for our General SEPAC meeting.

Kathleen Desmarais, Watertown's Director of Student Services, will be joining us with the latest news about SPED services in Watertown.

Some topics that will be discussed:

• Extended School Year (ESY) services
• SPED related budget information

There will be time for questions.

We are excited to have Ms. Desmarais and hope you will join us!

Weekly we share resources from Responsive Classroom. These resources are chosen by our RC Team. Here is this week's resources.

By the middle of the year, a lot has changed: students have established routines, friendships have formed, school assignments and projects are underway, and students have changed emotionally, physically, and socially from who they were at the beginning of the year. For teachers to maintain the healthy relationships they created at the beginning of the year, they must continue to learn who their students are as they change and grow.

Know Where Your Students Are Developmentally

• This will give you a better understanding of what is important to a given student and how to approach certain topics with them, such as discussing friendships and social situations.
• Some students are ready for more independence and responsibility while others need more support.
• Depending on the age group, some students may also need ideas on how to handle conflict with peers.

Apply What You About Your Students' Development

• Students need reassurance they are in a safe and supportive environment; familiar structures and routines will help guide their behaviors, learning, and growth throughout the school year.
• Because holiday breaks, vacations, and school assessments are all happening around this time, your students will benefit from reconnecting as a class community.
• Have students reflect on hopes, goals, and classroom norms and share their reflections during Morning Meeting or closing circle.
• Touch base with parents about their child's development during parent-teacher conferences.
• Consider your teacher language. Are you using deliberate language? Do you have a specific language that your students respond positively to throughout the day?

Use what you notice about your students' social, emotional, academic, and developmental progress to guide your planning. As they change, don't be hesitant to update your approach.

On Friday, February 3rd, you will receive your child's semester 1 report card and, for students in grades 1-5, their updated i-Ready diagnostic assessment results. These reports will be sent home with students via backpack and will provide you with information about your child's progress. It is important to note that the information from the teacher is a synthesis of many pieces of information, while the information from i-Ready is a snapshot in time. To help you better understand these reports, a list of frequently asked questions regarding Standards-Based Report Cards and i-Ready assessment reports has been provided. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

In-Person Special Event

I Science

Saturday, February 11, 1:00–4:00 pm

Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA

Regular admission rates apply

Break out of the winter doldrums and let your inner scientist loose. Meet amateur and professional scientists who study and collect mushrooms, shells, insects, and minerals. Talk with experts who build telescopes, create chocolate, and grow carnivorous plants. Try your hand at finding bugs or exploring sand. Be creative designing an imaginary insect or crafting a button to display your passion for exploration. Watch a live ice sculpture demonstration in front of the museum. Enjoy hot cocoa and chocolate bars available for purchase from Goodnow Farms Chocolate. This popular annual event has something for everyone and is appropriate for children and adults of all ages.

Free parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage.

SEPAC: General Open Meeting (In Person/Hybrid)

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 6:30 – 8:00PM

Zoom link below

:https://www.google.com/url?q=https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/85802586909&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1661957321651017&usg=AOvVaw0tOwqzf2eMjqVASFkFJyl7

School Site Council

Thursday, February 16, 2023 6:00 – 7:00PM

Zoom link below

Description:https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/9052256560?pwd=RFQ3VHMvWU5uM3BLRlcxLzEzVndXUT09

Winter Vacation Week

February 20th-24th

No School

Holiday: Ramadan (Islam)

March 22 - April 21 - 2023

Holiday: Ash Wednesday Lent (Christian)

Wednesday, February 22

MCAS Infrastructure Trial (Time TBD)

Thursday, March 9, 2023

*************************************************************************************************

MCAS Dates for grades 3,4 & 5

ELA

Wednesday, April 4th

Friday, April 6th

Math

Tuesday, May 16th

Thursday, May 18th

Science

Only Grade 5 takes Science

Wednesday, May 24th

Thursday, May 25th

Announcement: Parents’ Recreational Softball League, Season 2!

We are currently in the process of organizing season 2 of the Watertown, MA Parents Softball League.

Season 1 was super fun, and we are expecting season 2 to be even better! For those who didn’t play last

year, the Watertown, MA 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

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesAmo1U2Kdqa6IgU6OL4D4S3bKih_Le9lXo2IsWM2pcHJfd

g/viewform?usp=sf_link

We live in New England, and whether we love them or hate them, snow days may be just around the corner. As such, please review the information contained in this section regarding school closure protocols. State law requires 180 days of instruction and also requires that any school closures (“snow days”) be made up before June 30. In the case of inclement weather or school closure for emergency reasons, information about school closures will be:

-Posted on the District’s website (www.watertown.k12.ma.us), the WPS Facebook page (@watertownpublicschools) and the WPS Twitter feed (@watertownschool)
-Emailed to parents and staff from the Superintendent’s office via the District’s messaging service
-Broadcast to the following stations

• WCVB Television (Channel 5)
• WHDH Television (Channel 7)
• NBC Boston (Channel 10 and NECN)
• WFXT Television (Channel 25)
• WBZ Television (Channel 4)
• WBZ Radio (AM 1030)

Some television stations provide a free text alert service notifying of closures and delays (e.g., www.fox25boston.com/weather/closing-login). We will post on the above locations as soon as the decision is made.

More detailed information can be found at this link.