Lowell Newsletter
September 23, 2020
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER SCHEDULE:
SEPTEMBER—OCTOBER SCHEDULE:
Start Time 8:30 a.m./End Time 2:10 p.m.
· September 22 & 23: A Group, A-K In Person
· September 24 & 25: B Group, L-Z In Person
· September 28: Full Remote Learning Day
· September 29 & 30: A Group, A-K In Person
· October 1 & 2: B Group, L-Z In Person
· October 5: Full Remote Learning Day
· October 6 & 7: A Group, A-K In Person
· October 8 & 9: B Group, L-Z In Person
· October 12: Remote Learning Day
· October 13 & 14: All Students In Person
· October 15 & 16: No School
· October 19: Remote Learning Day
· October 20-23: All Students In Person
· October 26: Remote Learning Day
· October 27-30: All Students In Person
Our School Board approved the move to Hybrid Plus Schedule beginning October 12th and the Phase 2 Schedule November 9th. This means we will continue in the current Hybrid model for two more school weeks and beginning the week of October 12th, all students will attend school on Tuesday—Friday (please note the week of October 12th is a short school week, no class on Thursday & Friday).
We will continue to have Remote Mondays until the week of November 9th when we plan to return to school 5 days per week. Please remember that this schedule is always subject to change due to COVID levels in our community.
The school day schedule will remain 8:30—2:10 in Hybrid Plus and Phase 2. Please watch for an update about the additional opportunities for Lowell Out of School Care during Hybrid plus.
your principal,
Barbara Frank
PARENT TECH NIGHT
On Wednesday, September 23rd from 6-7pm we will be hosting a PTA Virtual Tech Night via Google Meet. This virtual meeting will be a chance to connect with our PTA and to learn about the technology your child will be expected to use on remote days beginning the week of September 29th.
This PTA virtual meeting will be divided into two sections- from 6-6:30 we will focus on Seesaw (grades K-2) and from 6:40-7:00pm we will focus on Google Classroom (grades 3-5).
Here is Wednesday's agenda along with the Google Meet links you need for this virtual meeting:
6:00pm* Welcome from PTA and Principal Frank; Seesaw training
6:40pm* Google Classroom training
- (Meeting link: https://meet.google.com/jbr-vqhz-bqo?authuser=0)
If you are new to Google Meet and unsure how it works, please see this video for assistance. If you would like to attend this meeting, but do not have a device or reliable internet connection, please reply to this email so I can help make arrangements for you to participate.
We look forward to connecting with you via Google Meet this Wednesday from 6-7pm!
COUNSELING CORNER
MEALS
The USDA just released guidance to extend the summer waivers for school meals through Dec. 31, 2020. This means that all students can receive free meals through the end of the calendar year.
· All students will have access to free breakfast and lunch regardless of income status. This includes students participating in the hybrid program as well as those in the MOA.
· Right now this waiver expires on December 31, 2020. At that time unless another waiver is granted students will return to their normal meal status.
· Even though all meals will be free, it is critical that free and reduced applications get turned in so that we have these in place when/if the waiver expires.
· Any balances accrued by reduced or full-pay students up to this point are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
· For those students who are participating in remote learning or the MCPS Online Academy, they can access meals at any school building. Please have student's i.d. available at pick-up.
Contact the school directly for the pick up location and times.
KIDS EMPOWER PACKS
Each Kids EmPower Pack contains 2 entrees, 2 breakfasts, hearty snacks and milk.
Please contact Libby Miller, Family Resource Coordinator at rmiller@mcpsmt.org if you would like your student to receive weekend food bags. This program is confidential and cost-free.
MARKET AT LOWELL
MOR4Kids first ever Kickball Tournament!
Get ready to compete in the first ever kickball fundraiser to benefit MOR4Kids! We promise enormous amounts of fun and laughter all while supporting our area schools and students. Save the date! October, 14th 2020.
Get your best team together, find your ultimate kickball outfits and get ready for an amazing day of fun!
With the cancellation of some of our larger events, we are excited to offer a new event that allows us to bring back some in person fun, support our area schools & children, while also maintaining social distance.
KICKBALL "PODS" as we like to call them, will be comprised of (6) of your closest co-workers, friends, or family (adults only and those close contacts you have seen during COVID) to compete.
Your tournament participation includes:
- Assigned seating for your (6) teammates
- Lunch for each team member
- A beverage of choice for each of you
- Pitcher, catcher & umpire
- Not to mention enormous amounts of laughter.
We will be leveraging the MYPOD (Maintain Your POD) Model to ensure we all minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19. Maintain Your POD means you stay with group that you arrived with, play with, eat with….. stay safe by staying together.
Limited space at each POD level, reserve your POD today.
GUTS! Girls Using Their Strengths -
Girls Using Their Strengths (GUTS!) is a unique, community-based leadership and empowerment program designed by and for young women*, ages 9 to 18. GUTS! encourages young women to explore their own personal values and discover their strengths through wilderness adventures in the summer, as well as after-school groups and community service projects during the academic year.
This year obviously looks different for all of us, and although we aren’t permitted to operate at schools this year, we know the kiddos in our community still need the fun, group interaction, and positive role models that GUTS! provides through our weekly groups—so we’re offering virtual groups open to the whole community. 4th grade is the first year folks can participate in our programs.
- Groups are open to girls and gender-diverse youth (transgender, non-binary individuals who identify with girlhood). 4th graders will be in a group with other 4th graders and 5th graders.
- We play lots of games and facilitate activities that help students identify their strengths and be their best selves
- Groups meet via Zoom for 9 weeks starting Sept 21, going through Nov 20.
- Students can sign up with their friends, request to be grouped with others from their school, or sign-up to meet new friends from all over town.
More information on their website can be found here.
ZACC ART ACADEMY
At only $20 per day the ZACC Art Academy is an affordable resource for Missoula families, and full scholarships are available if needed. This program has been developed to help address the childcare and scheduling challenges families are facing this year and will remain flexible to meet ongoing needs. Student spots are limited, and will be awarded on a first come first served basis with a portion of spaces reserved for families who may find other programs cost prohibitive. To register your child visit: https://www.zootownarts.org/programs/youth-education/art-academy/about.html
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MISSOULA COUNTY
After School Club: Available to all students on days they are in school.
Every day after school until 6PM, BGC offers a safe, positive environment with positive role models, supportive relationships, and a diverse set of opportunities. Our goal is to offer parents a sense of relief, knowing that their kids are safe and taken care of in the time between school release and the end of the workday. Members receive a free, healthy meal every day at Club.
Full Day Club: Due to Covid-19, our club has expanded its Full Day Club to include every day of the week. With many schools turning to hybrid methods during the pandemic, our goal is to offer parents an option for childcare throughout the workday. Any youth in Missoula County can attend our full-day clubs. Full day clubs run from 7:30AM - 6PM. Members are provided with breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the day.
Health & Safety Protocols: The following COVID-19 related safety protocols will be enforced:
All Club Staff and Members are required to wear a face mask during all indoor Club activities and while in a Club vehicle.
Club Staff will conduct daily temperature checks at the start of each Club day.
Club Staff and Members will follow strong hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing.
All Club spaces will be thoroughly disinfected at the end of each day.
Registration:
Registration is two parts, both of which can be done by visiting www.bgcmissoula.org/register-after-school
WESTSIDE PARK PLAYGROUND
EMERGENCY HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
NeighborWorks Montana has partnered with the Montana Department of Commerce to provide statewide support to renters and homeowners who need assistance applying for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program.
If you need assistance applying, please email NeighborWorks Montana at covidrelief@nwmt.org or call 406.604.4500.
We will do our best to respond to you within 2 business days but higher than expected volume may affect our response times. To adhere to all COVID related social distancing recommendations, this statewide assistance will be provided over the phone.
Lowell School
Forward Thinking, High Achieving
Email: lowellfrc@mcps.k12.mt.us
Website: mcpsmt.org
Location: 1215 Phillips Street, Missoula, MT, USA
Phone: (406) 542-4040
Facebook: facebook.com/LowellSchoolMissoula