Lowell Elementary Friday Newsletter
March 22nd
Lowell Elementary School
Rachel Hermann, Principal, 262-970-1910
Heidi Lopez, Administrative Assistant, 262-970-1905
Anne Salinas, Health Room Clerical, 262-970-1915
Attendance, 262-970-1916
Email: hlopez@waukesha.k12.wi.us
Website: http://www.edlinesites.net/pages/SDWLowell
Location: 140 N Grandview Blvd, Waukesha, WI, United States
Phone: 262-970-1905
Twitter: @LowellLeopards
Principal's Note
Warmer weather is starting to come back, and we could not be more excited to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and get out some of our energy. This week our 2nd and 3rd graders put on a wonderful concert for us. Special thanks to Mrs. Meyer, who worked incredibly hard to prepare our learners for the show. It was a night filled with harmony! A special shout-out as well to all of our staff, who helped to cover our crossing guard duties while the Waukesha Police Department created a new plan with a new company.
You may have noticed that we are missing the tennis courts that were previously located near the South parking lot. We were informed by the city last spring that those courts would be converted into pickle ball courts. They've begun the project, and they are anticipating they'll be complete with it by summer. Again, please refrain from using that lot for parking as there are MANY construction vehicles, and we want to ensure your child's safety.
We are still in need of your feedback. Our goal is to have at least 75% of our families complete the survey. If you have more than one child, and your answers would differ based on your child's experiences at Lowell, you're welcome to take the survey twice. Otherwise, you can write your comments in the comments section to provide your feedback around specific situations. If we can reach our goal of 75% completion, we will be building in a student incentive, which was voted on by Nina Hesse and Tyler Hollman, who served as Principals for the Day this week. The incentive is that all students will earn a hat day! The survey link can be found below:
As we head into Spring Break, please be reminded that our teachers are encouraged to step away from work to recharge and spend time with their loves ones. They will not be responding to email or phone during this time. The office will be closed as well, but you can reach out to rhermann@waukesha.k12.wi.us if you have a question/concern.
We hope you all have a lovely break!
~Rachel
Mark Your Calendars
March 23rd - March 31st: Spring Break! No school. Classes resume on April 1st
March 22nd - April 5th: School Spirit Wear Sale!
April 6th: District-Wide Choral Festival! Click here for more information!
April 9th: Culvers Night (5 - 8 on Grandview)
April 16th: PTO Meeting in the library (6:30 - 8)
April 26th: Spring Dance! 6 - 8 sponsored by our PTO
May 9th: Kindergarten Social (The playground will closed after school for all families except our CURRENT kindergarten families. We'll be having an ice cream social for all Kindergarten families to better acquaint yourselves with one another and learn how you can be more involved at Lowell!)
School Spirit Wear Sale
Show your Lowell pride by sporting some Lowell spirit wear! Sales will go from now until April 5th. Please click on the link below. Items are typically delivered to students three - four weeks after the order deadline.
Forward Testing
Lowell will be testing April 9th - April 17th. Individual grades will be testing at different times, and classroom teachers will be emailing out their schedules. Please try to avoid scheduling appointments for your child during the testing window. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to either myself or your child's homeroom teacher.
Thank you,
Rachel
Lowell's Data
Playworks Newsletter
Update Regarding Consolidation of Schools
On Wednesday, March 13th, the Waukesha School Board approved the consolidation plan to close Blair Elementary. Today, letters are coming home with each student regarding their attendance area school and the re-opening of the school choice window. If after reading the letter, you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Rachel Hermann or Stephanie Peterson (262-970-1105). Stephanie is in the district's enrollment office. One of the questions we are hearing quite frequently is around families who have already filled out school choice to be at Lowell. If you are at Lowell under school choice, you will get to remain at Lowell. You do not have to fill out another school choice application. Over the course of the next few weeks, I'll be hosting several "See It Live" opportunities for Blair and Hawthorne families to come in and see the school to help inform their school choice decisions. Once enrollment is finalized, I'll be offering some parent information sessions in Spring to answer questions that all Lowell stakeholders might have regarding the consolidation. Please look for updates in upcoming newsletters regarding next steps. The Board just approved the decision this week, so more information will be coming as we prepare for a successful transition. My first priority as we make this transition is to make sure that all students remain at the forefront of our planning and preparations.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.
Link for School Choice Application:
http://tinyurl.com/choiceschoolParent Feedback Survey
Attendance and Tardiness
March Counselor's Newsletter
School Counselor's March Newsletter; Spanish March Newsletter
Mindfulness strategies are tools we can use to calm our bodies, manage difficult situations, and train our brains and attention.
Article: Mindfulness for Parents
5 ways to be mindful throughout your day:
Listen to your child with full attention (focus on listening)
Accept your child (and yourself) without judgment in that moment.
Imagine your child’s feelings and match your response (pause before you react; gain understanding)
Show compassion for yourself and your child in that moment.
South Parking Lot Closed
Parent Information Nights!
You are Invited to Join...
Community Mental Health Partnership
Parent Nights
-Informational sessions for Parents and Guardians-
Trauma, Security, and Good Enough Parenting
February 27th, 2019 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
Lowell Elementary
140 N Grandview Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188
All Parents want what is best for their children...so let's learn what it means to be the “Good Enough” parent, understand how trauma impacts all of us, and provide security and emotional support for our children.
Building Resiliency: Healthy Bodies and Minds
March 20, 2019 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
Prairie Elementary
1801 Center Rd, Waukesha, WI 53189
Building resiliency empowers children to grow from the challenges they are faced with. Starting with the body and the mind, let's develop skills that help on a daily basis.
How can I Help? Increasing my child’s Self-Regulation
May 21, 2019 from 6:00pm-7:30pm
Hawthorne STEM Elementary
1111 Maitland Dr, Waukesha, WI 53188
All parents have experienced tantrums, but when should parents reach out for help? What can parents do to increase their children’s self-control skills and learn effective ways to de-escalate their children.
The Community Mental Health Provider (CMHP), Amanda Rochwite, ATR, LPC of Family Service of Waukesha is preparing three informational sessions for parents or guardians to provide knowledge, support, and useful tools. Each session will be hosted at a School District of Waukesha Elementary School. Parents and Guardians are welcome to attend all three sessions. Refreshments will be provided.
Amanda Rochwite is an art therapist and licensed professional counselor employed through Family Service of Waukesha and funded through a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Grant to work within 5 School District of Waukesha elementary schools. Her role is to build and support educator and parent understanding and ability to adapt mental health concepts into useful strategies to effectively reach and teach students influenced by mental health challenges.