Lowell Memo: Issue #6
October 25, 2013
From Mrs. Melton...
Greetings from Lowell!
We have had a busy, engaging couple of weeks at Lowell, and our team thanks you for being part of it in so many ways! Whether at parent-teacher conferences, the book fair, Run-a-thon day, or during the daily pick-up and drop-off routines, know that we're happy to see you here at school. In the upcoming week, I look forward to seeing families at the Halloween parade. We're glad to have a fun afternoon that our students can all enjoy! (Please also be sure your children's costumes do not inhibit their vision, express excessive gory or fearful themes, or include any weapons to ensure a safe, fun environment for all.)
Dr. Brian Harris, our superintendent, recently spent an afternoon at Lowell visiting students and staff in their classrooms. Likewise, Mr. Jim Vromen, CUSD 200 Board of Education member, visited and joined the Lowell PTA. Mr. Vromen has adopted Lowell as part of the Board of Education Adopt-A-School program through which each board member adopts district schools to connect with throughout the year. I am proud to share the good work of our students and staff, as well as the progress we continue to make as a school community.
Have a wonderful week!
Kathy Melton
Lowell Principal
LLC News
Be sure students dress for the weather to enjoy outdoor recess & PE!
Make a Difference!
Care for our Country
Submitted by students in 5U on behalf of our 5th grade team
Can your family make a difference this month? Pitch in and help soldiers from Wheaton’s adopted battalion (1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment) and show them that we care! To make a difference, please have your child bring in any of these items to their classroom collection box, October 22-29:
- Electronic games (hand held and battery operated)
- Puzzle books
- Tic Tacs and other mints
- Powdered individual drink packets
- Beef jerky (individually wrapped)
- Packages of AA batteries
These various items will go to our soldiers around the world. These soldiers help us, so let’s help them!
What has PTA done lately?
1) The first annual Lowell Run-A-Thon was a great event! With lots of hard work and great collaboration between the PE teachers and the PTA, the event ran smoothly. It was a beautiful day, well organized, and a great way to encourage activity and teamwork! A special thank you to Julie Zinkus, Mrs. Minser, & Mr. Orlow for their hard work and dedication and thanks to all who helped support in big ways and small.
2) New playground equipment has been purchased by volunteers and funds provided by the PTA. Ask your child what new games they have been able to play at recess!
Lowell Membership Drive
The Green Corner
Save Energy and Money by Avoiding Phantom Power Drain!
Phantom power, also called vampire power or standby power, refers to the electricity that is used by appliances and gadgets that are plugged in but not in active use. Many household appliances and electronic devices, including TVs, computers, printers, and cell phone chargers, draw power even when they are switched off or not in use, just by being plugged in. Though it may seem minor, this wasted energy can add up over time. It is estimated that phantom energy accounts for about ten percent of a home's electricity use, costing U.S. consumers roughly $3 billion dollars a year. Save energy and money by simply unplugging these devices when you are not using them.
Upcoming Dates to Remember
- October 31- Halloween Parade @ 2 p.m. (A.M. Kindergarten parade time TBA)
- November 1- No school due to Teacher Institute Day
- November 9- Trivia Night (See below for details!)
- November 21- Circus in PE
- November 25-29- Thanksgiving Recess (No school)
- December 16- Winter Concert
Deadline extended: Are you ready???
Just a reminder that the Trivia Night Registration deadline has been extended to October 31!! No team? No problem! Sign up individually and we will assign you to a table. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Ann Rambasek (630-665-7664) or Tammy Scott (630-682-5866).
Trivia Night information and registration forms can be found online at www.lowellpta.org under PTA Events/Programs. We are still in need of donations for Silent Auction. Please contact Ann Rambasek if you would like to donate an item or service. Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you!
SmileSafe Kids® Photo ID Cards Bring Home Missing Children
This fall, parents will find a special gift enclosed with their child’s school portraits, a gift that could save a life. SmileSafe Kids photo ID cards will be sent home free of charge with the compliments of Lifetouch School Photography to the families of every student, even those who do not make a portrait purchase.
The SmileSafe Kids program was created 10 years ago through a joint effort between the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Lifetouch School Photography, to provide a current portrait to law enforcement if a child goes missing. Since its inception, approximately 300 million SmileSafe Kids photo ID cards have been provided nationwide, aiding the safe return of children in 23 states.
Each card carries a current portrait of the child along with the phone number for the National Center and unique access codes for portrait retrieval. When the Center receives a call, it contacts the Lifetouch Rapid Response team that in turn forwards a current photograph to law enforcement, 24/7.
October 22 has been proclaimed SmileSafe Kids Day in states throughout the nation to celebrate the successes of the program and to bring greater awareness of this valuable resource. Lifetouch is a school photography partner that is committed to the safety of all children. To learn more about the SmileSafe Kids photo ID cards, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN8gmrTkm38&feature=em-share_video_user.
Boxtops Benefit Lowell
To classroom Boxtop Coordinators: Thank you so much for helping earn money for Lowell School! Please remember to count your classrooms Boxtops and put them into baggies of 50. There is a box in the office that they can then be put in. Thank you again for your time and energy clipping and counting. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, Colleen Gemelli-Dunbar at bdunbar83@hotmail.com .
2013-14 PTA Meetings
- Thursday, November 21st- 7 p.m.
- Friday, December 13th- 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday, January 23rd- 7 p.m.
- Friday, February 21st- 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday, March 20th- 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 11th- 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday, May 15th- 7 p.m.
All Thursday evening meetings will be held in the LLC.
All Friday morning meetings will be held in the Art Room.
Free babysitting is available at each meeting.
Lowell Elementary School
Email: lowell.memo@gmail.com
Website: http://cusd200.org/lowell
Location: 312 N President St, Wheaton, IL
Phone: 630-682-2085
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lowell-Elementary-CUSD-200/221307011362417
Twitter: @LowellCUSD200