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لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين.

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

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Bu bülteni çevirmek için üzerine tıklayın ve ardından sağdaki bağlantıyı kullanın.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

It was certainly an unusual week, with two early release days thrown into the mix. The students were caught off guard, as they were not expecting to have two shortened days in the middle of the week. However, they quickly adjusted and were back on track by the end of the week. The weather forecast is predicting temperatures in the high 40s and low 50s for next week. Hopefully, this will be the last of winter and we can look forward to warmer days ahead.

Upcoming Events:

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) English Language Arts testing will take place on April 4th and 6th for students in grades 3-5. On May 16th and 18th, these same students will be taking the Math assessment as part of the MCAS testing. It is important for students to be prepared for these assessments in order to achieve their best results.

The Assistant Principal Search is set to begin on Monday, March 27th. A committee has been chosen to lead the search and includes representatives from the school's faculty, administration, and parent community. The committee members have been carefully selected for their knowledge, experience, and commitment to the school and its students. The committee will work diligently to ensure that the best candidate is chosen for the position.

2 Classroom Teachers/Instructional Coach Joia Kirby and Jackie McCready

1 Equity Team Representative- Kathy Burton

1 Special Educator- Amy Kirsch

1 ESL Teacher- Rachel Levine

2 Social-Emotional Health Educator- Melina Jacovides and Brian Connors

1 Instructional Assistant- Tina Catanzaro

3 Parents- Heather McManus, Camilla Nardozzi, and Mandeep Kau

1 Central Office Administrator- Dr. Kimberlee Henry

Principal- Stacy Phelan

After we narrow the candidate pool down to finalists, I will be posting a schedule for a staff and parent forums that will allow everyone to get to know the candidate and offer their feedback. These forums will be a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about the candidate and provide their input.

May the luck of the Irish be with you this weekend!

Stacy

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

Opening Reception

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.

Ramadan is March 22 - April 21 this year. Ramadan (celebrated by our Muslim families) will begin sundown on March 22 and go through April 21st. During Ramadan families will wake up before sunrise to eat, and fast until sunset.Ramadan ends with Eid-Al-Fitr on April 22nd, which is a big celebration, on May 2. Some kids may be absent.

We will make sure students who are fasting have a separate space to gather and enjoy an activity. Students who choose to fast will go to Mrs. Phelan's / Mr. Chen's office for the lunch period.

Register for the Walk-a-Thon! This is our only fundraiser of the year. There are school-wide rewards along the way! 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 17 – 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 lowellelementarypto@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 lowellelementarypto@gmail.com if you’re interested.

FTO Accomplishments! This has been a great year so far – and due to the hard work of our dedicated FTO volunteers, we’ve been able to support our school community in many ways. We have reimbursed teachers for classroom supplies, funded buses for field trips, gifted over 60 bags to teachers based on their wish lists, provided Ms. Taverna with supplies for her health and wellness lessons, helped prep classroom materials, and sponsored a number of fun events—Trunk or Treat, Movie Night, Popsicles with the Principal, and the Kindergarten Playdates. We’ve also given back to the Watertown Community through our support of the Family Formal, which helps lower the student cost of the Senior Prom, and collected 550lbs of food for the Watertown Food Pantries.

Walk-a-Thon Incentives

Register & Share: Free Smoothie

Classroom Meets Goal: Pajama Day

$3000: All-School Dance Party

$6000: Chalk the Walk – positive messages and pictures around the school

$9000: Gum for all the kids (sugar-free)

$12000: Double Recess

$15000: Movie Day

$18000: Ms. Phelan will dye her hair hot pink!!

$20000: Mr. Chen will get taped to the wall!

Top Earners:

#1: $100 to Central Rock Gym

#2: $75 to Majestic

#3: $50 to Ben and Jerrys

Please sign up for your child's Parent Teacher Conference Meeting. All meetings will be held on zoom. Conference links can be found on our website or inside the teachers S'more newsletter.

Link to our website: Link

Please join your fellow elementary school families and students as we dance the night away during this fundraiser put on by the class of 2023. Concessions including pizza, drinks and snacks will be for sale. Dressing up a little is encouraged but not required! Please note this is NOT a drop-off event, all children need to be accompanied by an adult.

All participants are asked to register using this Google Form. Online payments ($10 for adults, $5 for students) are preferred so organizers can better estimate the number of participants. Cash will be accepted at the door ($10 entry fee for all ages).

Please email WatertownFamilyFormal@gmail.com with any questions.

A translation of the Google form can be accessed by right-clicking on the form and choosing “translate to English”. You may then “Choose another language” to have the document translated to a language of your choice.

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.

Watertown Public Schools and the Fine, Applied, and Performing Arts Department present...

The return of:

BAND-A-RAMA

A performance for all band students in grades 4 -12. This includes: percussion, xylophone, flute, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, horn, tuba, and clarinet.

Rehearsal: Monday March 13th at 3:15pm Watertown High School

Performance: Wednesday March 15th 7pm Watertown High School Gymnasium

for questions please contact: Maxwell Thew (grades 4-8) maxwell.thew@watertown.k12.ma.us

Daniel Jordan. (grades 9-12) daniel.jordan@watertown.k12.ma.us

2023 April Vacation Week Program Registration Opens on Thursday, March 16th at 7:00 PM!

Online registration for Watertown Community Education's 2023 April Vacation Program - Wild Animal Adventure Week, being held at the Hosmer Elementary School, opens at 7:00 PM on Thursday, March 16th! Spaces are limited, please register early. Registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click the link to the 2023 April Vacation Week Program Smore Flyer for full details including cost, dates, daily sub-themes, and to access the online Google Form registration link https://www.smore.com/1yxg2.

Please reach out to Debi Cornelius at debora.cornelius@watertown.k12.ma.us and Jeff Bodner at jeffrey.bodner@watertown.k12.ma.us with any questions regarding the 2023 April Vacation Program.

March Cradles to Crayons Children’s Clothing Drive

Text for Announcements:

There will be a Cradles to Crayons children’s clothing drive between March 20th and March 31st. New or lightly used clothing can be dropped off in the box at the main lobby.

Text for the S’more:

WMS 8th grade student, Maddox Caron is working with Cradles to Crayons and Project351 to run a 0-12 clothing drive between March 20th and March 31st. Join in!

New or lightly used clothing can be dropped off in the box at the main lobby.

• Ages 0-12, but any size is accepted

• New or lightly used

• Undergarments & socks must be new

1 in 3 children in Massachusetts is at risk of experiencing clothing insecurity. Together we can make a difference!

Watertown Girl Scout Troop 70133 is hosting a food drive to support the Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry. Stop by their "drive thru" to drop off your donations:

Watertown Catholic Collaborative Food Pantry

Sacred Heart Parish

770 Mount Auburn St.

Saturday, March 18th

2:00-4:00pm

Priority items include:

Cereal

Pasta and sauce

Rice

Canned peas, corn, and carrots

Tuna

Cake mixes

Peanut butter and jelly

Crackers and cookies

Canned fruit

Dressings and condiments

Canned soup

Coffee and tea

Toilet paper

Toiletries

If you'd like to donate but can't make it on the 18th, please contact Danielle Murphy at daniellemurphy421@gmail.com to coordinate. Thank you for your support of our students and community!

Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 30, 2023

Yard Art Watertown 2023 is an event celebrating art and community residents’ front

yards and porches. This year it will occur for the entire month of April!

You and your family are invited to create something to be viewed from the street or

sidewalk. It can be an assemblage, a sculpture, an art project, a lighting

arrangement—let your imagination run free!

Register for YardArt Watertown at: www.mosesianarts.org/YardArt

To get folks inspired, the Hatch Makers Space will host two free public events.

“Hatch an Idea for YardArt” will take place Monday, March 6, from 7 to 8:30pm via

Zoom. And “YardArt Building Techniques” on Monday, March 13, from 7 to 9pm on site

at Hatch. Preregistration is required and both events will be ticketed through Hatch and

the Watertown Free Public Library. Register for Hatch events at the YardArt Watertown

website (www.mosesianarts.org/YardArt).

YardArt Watertown is a project of the Watertown Cultural Council in collaboration with

the Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee, the Mosesian Center for the Arts,

Hatch Makerspace, Live Well Watertown, Watertown Art Association and Watertown

Bike and Pedestrian Committee; supported by Watertown Community Foundation,

Watertown Business Coalition and Watertown Public Schools.

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/yardartwatertown/

Twitter https://twitter.com/YardArtWtown

3/20/2023

10:00AM-2:20PM BookMobile Visit (Lowell West)

3/21/2023

4:30PM-6:30PM Parent Teacher Conference

3/22/2023

Holiday: Ramadan (Islam)

March 22 - April 21 - 2023

3/23/2023

12:15PM Early Release

1:00PM-2:30PM Parent Teacher Conference

3/28/2023

12:15PM Early Release

1:00PM - 2:30PM Parent Teacher Conference

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

3/29/2023

6:00PM - 8:00PM Parent Teacher Conference

3/30/2023

8:30AM - 12:00PM Grade 4 & 5 String Students Field Trip

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

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