Lowell Elementary Newsletter
August 2022 - We are proud of our pride of Lowell lions!
From Ms. Franzone...
Dear Lowell Families,
Happy August! I hope the summer has held many moments of joy for you. We are busy making plans for the coming school year, and I wanted to share some important updates with you.
This letter contains many details about our school year. Please read it thoroughly and reach out with any questions.
Save the Date for our Lowell Open House/Back to School Night on September 20 - details will be coming!
We are looking forward to welcoming our pride of Lowell Lions to the 2022-2023 school year!
Upcoming Important Dates
September 2 - First Day for Grades 1-5
September 5 - No School - Labor Day
September 20 - Open House, 5:00-7:00 PM
October 11 - Picture Day
October 14 - No School - Teacher Professional Learning
October 28 - End of 1st Quarter
October 31 - 10:35 Early Release for Conference Prep
November 4 - No School; Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 11 - Picture Retake Day
November 23-25 - No School
School Start & End Times
The first day for 4K and Kindergarten is Thursday, September 1. This is a full day.
The first day for 1st-5th graders is Friday, September 2. This is a full day.
School hours (Students in K-5 should be IN the building no later than 7:30 each day).
Monday
Kindergarten-5th grade 7:30am-12:55pm
No 4K
Tuesday-Friday
Kindergarten-5th grade: 7:30am-2:27pm
4K 7:20am-10:33am OR 11:15am-2:27pm
First Day of School Procedures
4K and Kindergarten: Your first day is on Thursday, September 1. They should arrive between 7:15-7:30. All children will meet their teacher on the Blacktop portion of our playground. School staff will bring bus riders to the Blacktop to meet their teachers. At 7:30, parents will say goodbye and teachers will bring students inside. A quick goodbye is almost always for the best; most students who are tearful quickly settle once they are inside. Students will go to the cafeteria; those who are eating breakfast will do so while others get to know one another. The same thing will happen on Friday the 2nd. The first days of school will be devoted to building community and teaching students about the routines of Lowell. More details about arrival procedures can be found here.
Kindergarten and 4K parents are invited to stay on the Blacktop for “Coffee and Kleenex” with Ms. Franzone, the principal, after students go inside.
First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade: Your first day is Friday, September 2. All students should arrive between 7:15-7:30. FIRST GRADERS will join 4K and Kindergarten classrooms on the Blacktop to meet their teachers. All other students (2nd-5th grades) will go straight into school, entering through the front doors on Maple or through doors from the playground. Families should say their goodbyes outside and only students will enter the building. We will have lots of staff members in the cafeteria and in hallways to help give students directions to their new classrooms. If your student is eating breakfast at school, adults will help them get it and they will eat it in their classrooms. The procedure for the remainder of the school year will remain the same. More details about arrival procedures can be found here.
First through fifth grade students and families are invited to drop supplies off in their classrooms on Thursday, September 1 between 8:30-10:30. This will be a brief visit to the classroom; teachers are not available for unscheduled meetings with families or tours.
**Please make sure your student knows if you want them eating school breakfast or not. There is a charge for breakfast this year.**
Dismissal: September 1 and September 2 are full school days, so dismissal is at 2:27. Dismissal procedures can be found here.
Reminder that there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 5, for Labor Day.
Lowell Bus Routes
Please find Lowell bus route information here.
Breakfast and Lunch Information
During the pandemic, MMSD received federal aid that allowed all students to eat school meals free of charge. These funds are no longer available. As a result, MMSD will revert to pre-pandemic practices of charging for breakfast and lunch.
Please make sure your student knows if you want them to eat school breakfast and lunch or not.
Families that qualify for free or reduced priced meals can confidentially participate in both the USDA Lunch and Breakfast Programs at their schools. Each school year, a new application needs to be filled out and only one application per family is necessary. To apply for Free or Reduced Meals go to the School Cafe site and create an account.
MMSD is using a new service called School Café to connect families to MMSD School Nutrition. Creating an account is quick and easy and will offer access to school menus, account balance, payment options, and the ability to apply and see the status of your free and reduced lunch application.
Here is what you need to do:
Create your account on School Café. You will need your student's school ID number to create an account. This can be found in Infinite Campus by clicking "today" in the in the left navigation bar within Infinite Campus. If you need assistance, please call the Lowell Office at 608-204-6613 for assistance.
Log back in to your School Café account
Apply for free and reduced lunch, access school menus, account balance, payment options.
Free and Reduced Lunch is about more than just food!
Many families do not realize that when they fill out the application for FRL, more than the price of their child’s meals is at stake. The percentage of low income students at each school is determined by the number of children who qualify for FRL. This percentage determines Lowell’s eligibility for several important resources. In order for Lowell to qualify for the funding that our school community relies on, it is crucial to have accurate and up to date information regarding how many children qualify for the FRL program. Please consider completing an online FRL application. Qualifying for the program does not obligate your child to eat school lunch or breakfast (they can still bring a lunch from home if you prefer) but it may have an important impact on the resources available to our school.
Entry during the school day—how to use the intercom system
Intercom systems are used throughout the school district to help ensure the safety of our students during the school day. The main doors on Maple Avenue are always locked. Please use the buzzer to the left of the door when you arrive at Lowell.
From time to time there may be a delay in the response from the office due to phone calls. Please be patient. We will ask how we can help you. State your name, your student’s name, and your purpose for being at the school; for instance, student pick-up, volunteering, etc. Though we recognize many of you, we still need everyone to follow these procedures.
Once you enter the building, proceed to the office where you can sign yourself in or sign your student out. Thank you for your vigilance as we work together to provide a safe learning environment for our students.
Lowell Crossing Guard Info
For those of you who have students crossing the crosswalk at Atwood Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue, Lowell crossing guard Todd Taylor will be on duty to help your child cross safely at the following times:
Monday—Friday Mornings
7:00 - 7:40 am
Monday Afternoons
12:40 - 1:30 pm
Tuesday—Friday Afternoons
2:10 - 2:55 pm
Advanced Learning
Ann Desens is our Advanced Learning Specialist. Please read more about Advanced Learning at Lowell in her Advanced Learning Family Letter.
School Supply Lists
Arrival and dismissal procedures
What to do if your child is sick or if you have to pick them up early
MMSD Health and Safety information
And much more!!!
Helpful Links
Madison East Area Resources: Food, Housing, Mental Health, Utilities, Internet