The Latest at Lowell
An update from Principal Hessler (1/22/23)
Happy 2023!
Boozhoo, buenos días and greetings Lowell families!
Happy Lunar New Year! On Friday, our very own Mrs. Y led a group of students in singing a typical Chinese New Year song for our entire student body. It was a beautiful way to start our day and to send us into the year of the rabbit. 2023 is going to great!
I'm at the tail end of having COVID again. As we watch new variants move around our country, it will be important for all Lowell families to stay home and test the minute symptoms develop, and then to mask during days 6-10. We want our students and staff to stay healthy so we can continue to advance in learning.
Tuesday, January 24 marks the first day of second semester. This year is flying by. Report cards will soon be sent home as well as invitations for winter parent teacher conferences. This year is flying by!
In this newsletter, you will find information on the following:
- School improvement strategies and goals
- Lowell Attendance Team Update
- Report Cards
- PBIS update with Mr. Finch
- Parent Teacher Conferences
- Notes from the front office
- Morning drop off cooperation needed
- PTA Corner
- Save the Date
In continued partnership,
Eve
School Improvement Stategies and Goals
Through 2025, the following three strategies will guide our work:
- Ensure all students receive quality explicit instruction during both whole group and small group literacy instruction.
- Ensure all students receive daily explicit instruction in math vocabulary
- Implement a Check In Check Out Behavior Intervention program focusing on student/adult relationships
While these strategies will be our guide, there will always be other items that require our immediate attention. And, as always, attendance will play a huge role in making the other strategies effective.
Our 2022-2023 CIT is made up of the following Lowell Staff:
- Eve Hessler, Principal
- Nathan Anderson, Assistant Principal
- Kelsey Holt, Reading Interventionist
- Chris Finch, MTSS Coordinator
- Brie Eisenbarth, Special Ed. Teacher
- Sarah Burris, Special Ed. Teacher
- Aanakwadikwe, Misaabekong 1/2 Teacher
- Troy Erie, 4/5 Teacher
- Gabriella Theis, NVSI 4 Teacher
- Alexa Jokinen, NVSI 3 Teacher
- Jessica Chávez, NVSI 2 Teacher
- Liang-pi Yang, Integration Specialist
- Nicky Kumerow, Early Childhood Special Ed.
Lowell Attendance Team Update
Our attendance team sifts through data and works to identify students that need extra support and strives to build strong relationships so obstacles to daily attendance can be identified and eliminated. If you have questions about our work or need extra support, please reach out to Mr. Anderson at nathan.anderson2@isd709.org.
Semester 1 Report Cards - mailed home January 27
Here are a few items to keep in mind when looking at the 1st semester report card:
- Students are measured against the END of the school year standard. There is a still another semester to make progress and advance student growth towards meeting each standard. Consider this a progress report towards the end of the year goals.
- Winter conferences are just around the corner. This will be a good time to discuss concerns and goals with the teacher
The Duluth Public School use standards based grading. This means the student is evaluated on their ability to complete tasks aligned to each standard. In general, each numbers means:
- 1 = Beginning --> just starting to understand the concept
- 2 = Developing --> some understanding is evident but performance is inconsistent
- 3 = Meeting --> thorough understanding is evident, meets grade level expectation
- 4 = Mastering --> shows a deep understanding and ability to apply the concept across subjects
If you have further questions, please reach out to your student's teacher.
PBIS with Mr. Finch
At Lowell, we push our students to be safe, kind, respectful and honest all day long, in all parts of the school.
Parent Teacher Conferences, February 7 & 9, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
Each conference should contain the following:
- Family Data Report showing academic progress in math and reading
- Discussion of student progress towards social and academic goals developed in the fall
- Samples of student work
- Next steps in the classroom and at home
Please look for sign-ups from teachers in the upcoming weeks. Conferences will be in-person unless otherwise requested by families.
Notes from the Front Office
- Please message the teacher directly regarding end of the day transportation changes (Remind, ClassDojo, ClassTag, email)
- We cannot guarantee changes made after 11:30 will be transmitted in a timely manner
- The front office is extremely busy from 7:30 - 8:15 and again from 1:30 - 2:45. Please refrain from coming in with requests, or be prepared to wait until the morning and afternoon shuffle is complete.
- Label any items for student pick up with student´s name and teacher
- All visitors, including volunteers, need to sign in and out in the front office
Wait to merge at morning drop off!
PLEASE WAIT TO MERGE. WHEN YOU MERGE AT THE CURVE YOU BLOCK BOTH LANES AND NOBODY CAN MOVE FORWARD. And, as always, stay in your car and keep moving forward.
Below is a quick update with photos of what the Pick up and drop off crew needs from you!
PTA Corner
Our PTA is always looking for more members. Please consider joining at the next meeting on February 16 at 6:00 pm at Lowell.
Save the Date:
January 23 NO SCHOOL, End of semester teacher workday
January 27 - Feb. 3 - Report cards mailed home
February- Black History Month
February 7 & 9 - Winter Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
February 20 - 24 NO SCHOOL, February Break
March 21 4:00 - 7:00 Kindergarten Meet & Greet
March 24 - TENTATIVE PTA Spring Dance
April 7 - KG & 1st grade immersion applications due
April 10 - Yearbook Order Deadline
April 10 - 14 NO SCHOOL, Spring Break
May 25 Lowell Spring Concert
May 26 TENTATIVE, All School Bingo!
COMMUNITY OFFERINGS
Lowell Elementary
Nathan Anderson, Assistant Principal
Rachel Beilke, Lead Clerical
Brooke Gauthier, Attendance Clerical
Attendance Line 218-336-8895, option 2
Email: lowell@isd709.org
Website: https://www.isd709.org/lowell-elementary/index
Location: 2000 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Phone: 218-336-8895
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowelllions