Dear Lowell Families,

This week the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education published district and school accountability data. We proudly announce that the Lowell School has once again demonstrated strong performance and growth under the state’s accountability system. Lowell continues to rank as one of the top-performing schools in the state.

Lowell’s accountability percentile is currently ranked in the 86 percentile on a scale between 1 and 99. This number indicates the school's overall performance relative to other schools that serve similar grades and is calculated using multiple years of data for all accountability indicators. School percentiles are not calculated for districts.

We are incredibly proud that 93% of our lowest-performing students have met or exceeded performance targets. This group represents the lowest-performing 25 percent of eligible students (or 20 students, whichever is greater) enrolled and assessed in the same district or school in consecutive years. Another noteworthy accomplishment, our fourth and fifth-grade students exceeded typical growth in both English Language Arts and Math.

Our success directly results from teachers' impact on students' learning. This work is made possible through partnerships with families.

Lowell would also like to congratulate the Hosmer School for being named a School of Recognition. This honor is bestowed on schools that experience high growth and achievement for that school year. A subset of schools classified as not requiring assistance or intervention are recognized for their academic accomplishments. Schools of Recognition demonstrate high achievement and high growth and meet or exceed targets. Schools of Recognition are identified each fall when official district and school accountability results are released to the public.

We congratulate and recognize our Superintendent and district leadership's commitment to continuous improvement. We look forward to another successful school year working together as a strong vibrant community.

With Gratitude,

Stacy

Early Literacy Universal Screening

We’re off to a super start to the school year with students deeply engaged in learning, particularly around literacy. Early literacy universal screening is used to help schools identify students early who are at risk for future reading difficulties, including but not limited to, the risk of dyslexia. One of the ways students in grades Kindergarten-5 are assessed in reading is a literacy screening assessment called DIBELS 8th Edition, DIBELS is administered three times this school year. At the fall teacher-caregiver conferences, you will have the opportunity to learn more about this assessment and your child’s performance. We look forward to partnering with you in your students’ literacy development.

Please send an extra set of clothing with your child that can be kept in their backpack. Many students experience accidents during lunch, snack, and recess when they become wet from puddles, milk, or their water bottle. Having an extra pair of socks, pants, shirt, and underwear can keep you from making a trip to school for a change of clothes.

Dear Extended Day Program Families:

The Extended Day Program will be running on the Wednesday, September 27th early release day for students scheduled to attend on Wednesdays. Our programs will run from 12:15 PM - 6:00 PM for students in grades K-5 and from 11:45 AM - 4:00 PM/5:30 PM for PreK students. Parents/guardians can pick up their students anytime during these program hours following regular Extended Day Program pick-up procedures.

We cannot accept or approve drop-in students on early release days. Your student must already be scheduled to attend on the day of the week that the early release date falls on in order for them to attend the program on that date.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LUNCH ON THE EARLY RELEASE DAY

Lunch will not be served during the school day but grab-and-go lunch will be available to students at no cost through food services. Students will eat their lunch when they join our program at 12:15 PM. If your student is choosing the grab-and-go lunch option, they will need to let their school day teacher know in the morning that they want to order a lunch, then they will bring their grab-and-go lunch from school with them to our program OR they can pack a lunch from home if preferred. Please remember to pack your student a snack for later in the afternoon as well. Our Extended Day Program does not have extra lunch or snacks to provide students so it is very important that they remember to order their lunch through their daytime teacher in the morning and they bring their lunch with them to Extended Day.

WHAT IS THE EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM SCHEDULE ON EARLY RELEASE DAYS?

On early release days, we plan a special event for students during the 12:15 PM - 2:30 PM early release hours that students attend in two groups as outlined below. The special events usually include a show such as a live magician, a live puppet show, a dance party/DJ, a live science show or interactive event, a live performance such as a professional yo-yo master, and more! Students look forward to these special events and it helps the longer afternoon in our program feel less overwhelming for students. Below you will find our scheduled special events planned for each Extended Day Program location for Wednesday, September 27th as well as our early release schedule by grade. We look forward to sharing photos from these events with you in our Extended Day Program newsletters that site coordinators will be sending to you soon.

9/27/23 Early Release Day Schedule

Cunniff Extended Day Program - Featured show is a DJ Mike Pride Dance Party

12:15 PM - 12:25 PM - Attendance

12:25 PM - 12:45 PM - Lunch (all grades)

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM - DJ Mike Pride Dance Party for Groups 3 & 4 and Outdoor Time for Groups 1 & 2

1:50 PM - 2:50 PM - DJ Mike Pride Dance Party for Groups 1 & 2 and Outdoor Time for Groups 3 & 4

2:50 PM - 6:00 PM - Resume regular Extended Day Program schedule including snack

Hosmer Extended Day Program - Featured Show is Mike Bent’s Abrakidabra Magic Show

*PreK Extended Day Students - will have lunch & attendance from 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM, Homebase time from 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM, then they will join the schedule below beginning at 12:45 PM

12:15 PM - 12:25 PM - Attendance for Grades K-5

12:25 PM - 12:45 PM - Lunch (Grades K-5)

12:45 PM - 1:30 PM - Mike Bent’s Abrakidabra Magic Show for Group 4, Group 5, and Group 6 & Outdoor Time for PreK, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3

1:45 - 2:30 PM - Mike Bent’s Abrakidabra Magic Show, for Pre K, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 & Outdoor Time for Group 4, Group 5, Group 6

2:30 PM - 6:00 PM - Resume regular Extended Day Program schedule including snack

*PreK Program Ends at 4:00 PM or 5:30 PM depending on your student's enrollment schedule

Lowell Extended Day Program - Featured Show is Rainforest Reptiles

12:15 PM - 12:25 PM - Attendance

12:25 PM - 12:45 PM - Lunch (all grades)

12:45 PM - 1:45 PM - Rainforest Reptiles for Groups 4 & 5 and Outdoor Time for Groups 1, 2, & 3.

1:45 - 2:45 PM - Rainforest Reptiles for Groups 1, 2, & 3 and Outdoor Time for Groups 4 & 5

2:45 PM - 6:00 PM - Resume regular Extended Day Program schedule including snack

Do you have questions about what days our programs run during the 2023-2024 school year? Click here to view our K-5 2023-2024 Before School & Extended Day Calendar.

Click here to view our PreK 2023-2024 Before School & Extended Day Calendar

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Best,

Debi Cornelius & Jeff Bodner

As we approach the final stages of the extensive renovation of Lowell School, we have been working tirelessly with the local police department to ensure that the safety of our students is of the utmost priority. Our team has been engaged in numerous discussions with the police department to determine the most effective ways to facilitate student safety throughout the day while minimizing any potential impact on the residents of our beloved neighborhood.

After much deliberation and careful consideration, we have arrived at a conclusion that will best serve the needs of our students and community. We are confident that our plan will provide a safe and secure environment for our students while also ensuring that the residents of our neighborhood can continue to enjoy the peace and tranquility they have come to expect.

We plan to use two entrances for student arrival. The entrance on Lowell Avenue is for grades 3-5, and the entrance on George Street is for grades K-2. The following restrictions with corresponding signs will be placed around the property.

Lowell Ave Student Entrance grades 3-5

• Lowell Avenue will become a one-way during school hours, beginning at Carroll Street and ending at the intersection of Lowell Ave and George Street. A permanent sign will be placed on Carroll Street. Read, DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION EXCEPT RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

• No parking signage will be posted along Lowell Ave (this area runs along the school property). The school created 23 designated parking spots along the ballfield on Lowell Ave.

• Staff parking is permitted along York Ave along the ballfield during school hours.

• No parking radius of 20 feet beginning at the intersection of Lowell Ave and York Ave along York Ave.

Restrictions:

• No parking radius of 20 feet beginning at the intersection of George St and Lowell Ave along Lowell Ave.

• No parking, George St, West from Lowell Ave for 77 feet heading south down George St (this area runs along the school property).

• DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION EXCEPT RESIDENTS AND STAFF, beginning at the intersection of Lowell Ave and George St heading north.

• No parking signage radius of 20 feet beginning at the intersection of Lowell Ave and George on the west side heading north.

• Do not enter signage will be placed at the intersection where George St meets Fuller St. Read, DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION.

• No parking signage will be posted on Wolcott Road from 50 feet on the north side running east along Fuller Road.

• No parking signage will be posted on Wolcott Road from 59 feet along Fuller Road's east side

• No parking signage will be posted along the new peninsula No Parking on the west side of Fuller St 66 feet around the peninsula down the south side of George St.

George Street k-2 Entrance k-2

• No parking signage along the west side of George (this area runs along the school property). Read, NO PARKING DROP OFF AND PICK UP ONLY 8:00-8:30 AM & 2:15-2:45 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION beginning 77 feet south of Lowell Ave to point 177 feet south of Lowell Ave.

• George Street will become a one-way during school hours with an exception for residents. Read, DO NOT ENTER 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM WHEN SCHOOL IS IN SESSION EXCEPT RESIDENTS.

We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for the unwavering support that you have extended to us throughout our renovation project. As we prepare to return to the neighborhood, we are filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. We are eager to reconnect with our friends and neighbors and resume our daily routines in this vibrant and dynamic community. We are confident that, with your help, we can work together to plan a safe and successful reentry to Lowell School proactively.

Arrival Procedures:

Walkers & Bikers Arrival

• Students will enter the building at their assigned door. Grades 3-5 enter door #1 on Lowell Street. Students in grades K-2 will enter through door #2 on George Street.

Drop-and-go Arrival

• Vehicles will enter Lowell Street and follow the drop-and-go line on Lowell Street and George Street.

• Adult(s) are asked to remain in the vehicle and pull up to the sidewalk where school personnel will be waiting. Grades 3-5 will be dropped off at the Lowell St. entrance of the building, and students in grades kindergarten through 2 will be dropped off at the George St. entrance.

• Please have your child(ren) ready to exit the vehicle when you pull up to the sidewalk.

• Cars must remain in the line and cannot pass other vehicles. Please do not make a U-turn or deviate from the drop-off line as a safety measure.

• Students are not allowed on the playground before school unless supervised by an adult.

Dismissal Procedure for Parent Pick-up:

• Students being picked up by a parent will be dismissed from the following exits:

• Kindergarten: George Street exit (door #2)

• Grade 1: George Street side near little playground (door #3)

• Grade 2 & 3: Top of Orchard Street Hill (door #6)

• Grade 4 & 5: Charlton Street exit (door #7)

• We DO NOT offer vehicle pick up for families at dismissal time.

• Please be mindful and respectful of our neighbors. Do not block driveways. Please do not double park on streets surrounding the building. Please comply if a neighbor asks you to move to access their driveway. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation!

Dismissal Procedures for LEDP, Bus, and Van:

Dismissal time is 2:30 p.m., and Early Release day at 12:15 p.m. Students will be dismissed to designated areas or their after-school program.

• Students taking a van or bus will be escorted to the main entrance located on Lowell Street at the end of the school day and supervised until the bus arrives.

• Extended Day students will be taken to the cafeteria or meeting spot identified by the LEDP coordinator, where an Extended Day staff member will greet them.

We are asking for your help as we transition into our gorgeous building. Students will be given their classroom supplies, notebooks, workbooks, and computers to take home and hold over the weekend of our move.

All students will receive a transparent plastic bag to store personal items (crayons, markers, books, among other things). They need to take this bag home on Friday, October 6th, and return on Wednesday, October 11th, once we are all together in the new Lowell.

Students from 1st to 5th Grade will receive a bubble wrap envelope to store their Chromebooks. They need to take this envelope home on Friday, October 6th, and return on Wednesday, October 11th, once we are all together in the new Lowell.

SEPAC Playground Meet-Up

Sunday, Sep 24, 2023, 01:00 PM

Casey Playground, Watertown Street, Watertown, MA, USA

Come meet and mingle with other district families and learn more about the Watertown SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council).

All are welcome!

• Wednesday, September 27th - EARLY DISMISSAL, 12:15 pm
• Thursday, September 28th - Parent Forum 7:00 pm on Zoom
• Friday, September 29th - Parent Forum 9:00 am on Zoom
• Tuesday, October 3rd - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Lowell School 4:00 pm
• Open House to follow 4-7 All Are Welcome.
• Thursday, October 5th - Diversity Council Meeting via Zoom, 6:30-7:30
• Friday, October 6th - Early Release Day (Student are Dismissed at 12:15) NO LEDP
• Monday, October 9th - NO SCHOOL - Indigenous Peoples Day Observed
• Tuesday, October 10th - NO SCHOOL LOWELL ONLY (Teachers Move-in Day)
• Tuesday, October 10th - FTO Meeting 7:00-7:45 over Zoom
• Wednesday, October 11th - First Day for Students K-5 "NEW" LOWELL
• Tuesday, October 17th Evening Adult & Teacher Conferences 4:30-6:30 pm
• Wednesday, October 18th - Open House, 6:00-8:00 pm Students and Adults are welcome.
• Thursday, October 19th - Day Adult & Teacher Conferences 1:00-2:30 pm and Early Release 12:15
• Tuesday, October 24th - Day Adult & Teacher Conferences 1:00-2:30 pm and Early Release 12:15
• Thursday, October 26th - Evening Adult & Teacher Conferences 5:00-7:00 pm