Lowell Family Newsletter
November 14, 2021
WELCOME! TO TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER, CLICK ON IT THEN USE THE LINK TO THE RIGHT.
To translate this newsletter, click on it then use the link to the right.
If you are on a computer, open this in a new page. Then to translate this newsletter, click on the link to the right. If you are on a phone, touch the person in the black circle to get the translate button.
________________
Se você estiver em um computador, abra uma nova página. Em seguida, para traduzir esta newsletter, clique no link à direita. Se você estiver em um telefone, toque na pessoa no círculo preto para obter o botão de tradução.
(Portuguese)
___________________
Si está en una computadora, abra esto en una nueva página. Luego, para traducir este boletín, haga clic en el enlace a la derecha. Si está en un teléfono, toque a la persona en el círculo negro para obtener el botón de traducción.
(Spanish)
___________________
إذا كنت تستخدم جهاز كمبيوتر ، فافتح هذا في صفحة جديدة. بعد ذلك ، لترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية ، انقر فوق الارتباط الموجود على اليمين.
إذا كنت تستخدم الهاتف ، فالمس الشخص الموجود في الدائرة السوداء للحصول على زر الترجمة. (Arabic)
____________________
Եթե համակարգիչ եք, բացեք սա նոր էջում: Ապա, այս տեղեկագիրը թարգմանելու համար կտտացրեք աջ հղմանը: Եթե հեռախոսով եք, դիպչեք սև շրջանի անձին ՝ թարգմանության կոճակը ստանալու համար: (Armenian)
____________________________
Если вы работаете на компьютере, откройте это на новой странице. Затем, чтобы перевести этот информационный бюллетень, щелкните ссылку справа. Если вы разговариваете по телефону, коснитесь человека в черном кружке, чтобы получить кнопку перевода. (Russian)
________________________________
Bilgisayar kullanıyorsanız, bunu yeni bir sayfada açın. Ardından, bu bülteni çevirmek için sağdaki bağlantıya tıklayın. Telefonda iseniz, çevir düğmesini almak için siyah daire içindeki kişiye dokunun. (Turkish)
Table of Contents
November Early Release and No School Dates
Message from Mrs. Phelan
Annual Student Verification Form
Picture Retake Day
Dr. Galdston's Communication
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Lowell Garden Relocation
We're Hiring
Scenes from Lowell
COVID-19 Updates from Dr. Galdston
Upcoming Events and. important Dates
NOVEMBER - EARLY RELEASE DAYS & NO SCHOOL REMINDER
A reminder about upcoming Early Release Days and No School:
- Wednesday, November 24th Early Release @ 12:00 (Thanksgiving Observance begins)
- Thursday, November 25th No School (Thanksgiving Observed)
- Friday, November 26th No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Message from Principal Phelan
Greetings Lowell School,
Pooled testing will take place on Monday, November 15, Monday, November 22, and Monday, November 29. Big thanks to Nurse Taverna and all the Watertown Nurses for making weekly testing and test and stay testing a reality.
Student Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council will meet on Wednesday, November 24. We will hold four 30 minute meetings. We've broken down the groups by age and grade—Kindergarten through grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, and grade 5.
This week I'll be sending out a brief update on our impending move. Please keep an eye out for the communication. You can expect frequent updates concerning all the logistically information you need to be informed.
Please sign up for our vaccination clinic!
Stacy
Universal Screening for Dyslexia in Watertown Public Schools
In early 2021, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released the MA Dyslexia guidelines, which include a comprehensive set of guidelines for screening students in grades K-2 for risk factors for dyslexia. Built on the state guidelines, Watertown has put together a screening process to ensure that early elementary students are screened with a state-approved screener, progress monitored via data cycles in conjunction with district-wide MTSS systems, and provided with equitable and immediate access to research-based reading instruction.
Building off work from last school year, each elementary school has created school-based Dyslexia Screening Teams that consist of reading specialists, coaches, classroom teachers, school psychologists, and special educators, along with school and district administrators. These teams have spent professional development time facilitated by the experts at Crafting Minds learning about the science behind the reading brain, the ways in which recent research justifies the need for early screening, and instructional routines for supporting young readers.
A universal screener is designed to help identify which students might need extra support. It allows teachers to provide preventative, supportive instruction to all students.
Dyslexia screening for Kindergarteners will take place on Monday, November 15, and Tuesday, November 16th.
Vaccine Registration Link from Dr. Galdston
"We are pleased to inform all Watertown families and caregivers that we will be holding a voluntary Vaccination Clinic at Watertown Middle School on November 17 from 2:00-7:00, with the second dose being administered on December 8 from 2:00-7:00.
Lowell Courses for Kids Winter 2021 Course Registration Opens on Monday, November 15th!
COURSES FOR KIDS are optional, fee-based after-school enrichment classes for students held on-site, in-person at school following school day dismissal.
Registration forms must be submitted online by 8:00 AM on Monday, November 22nd. Paper flyers will be sent home with all students on Monday, November 15th. You can also access a full listing of available courses by visiting Watertown Community Education’s website http://watertown.ss19.sharpschool.com/cms/One.aspx?portalId=190103&pageId=6828561. You can access the registration form directly by clicking on the QR code. This QR code registration link will be live on Monday, November 15th.
If you have any questions regarding Courses for Kids, please contact Jeff Bodner at jeffrey.bodner@watertown.k12.ma.us or 617-926-7764 (office) or 857-241-8499 (cell)
Seeking One More Weekend of Garden Support
We've got to get things moved out of the current garden area before the snow flies! I've put together a signup Genius to gather some help.
Lowell Garden perennial rescue days
If you know anybody who has a pickup truck or lots of muscle, that might be helpful too. Let's see who we can get to save our plants and get ready for the new gardens to come!
Judy
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council
Agenda
Introduction of the Teacher Checklist for Evaluating Curriculum for Antibias
Discussion about Funds for Events
Update on Student DIB Council
Open Discussion- What's on Your Mind
Thursday, Nov 18, 2021, 07:00 PM
undefined
Annual Student Information Verification Forms (online)
This year's Fall Guardian/Emergency Contact Info Verification forms are now accessible through our online registration/enrollment system. This annual process is required to verify and update your student's demographic, health, family, and contact data.
One parent/guardian in each household should have received an email from our registrar, Terri Stafford, with the subject of "Annual Fall Student Verification 21-22". That email contains more detailed information as well as a link to your student's specific form. Please complete the forms by Monday, November 15th.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s a snapcode?
A snapcode is like a key to your student’s current information. Using the link in this email, you are automatically directed to your student’s data on Watertown’s Registration/Enrollment site.
What if I have more than one student in the district?
Each snapcode is unique to one student. You will receive a separate email/snapcode for each student, all of which need to be completed by November 15th.
Do I need to create an account?
The Registration system and PowerSchool Parent/Student Portal are two different systems. While you are welcome to use the same username for both, having one does not automatically give you access to the other.
This is Watertown’s third year using the Registration/Enrollment system. If you created an account last year, that account is still valid. If you have never created an account, you will need to create one.
If you have forgotten your password, there is a reset link on the sign-in page. You only need one “Family” account to update all of the forms related to your students, not one account per student.
Do I need to complete my form or all of my forms at the same time?
No. Your account allows you to securely save your work and come back at a later time if necessary.
Do I have to answer all the questions?
Questions marked with a red asterisk (*) are required.
What if I don't understand a question?
If you require further assistance, you can contact the Registrar at (617) 972-4216 or email terri.stafford@watertown.k12.ma.us to ask general questions about the form or process.
What if I make a mistake?
If you would like to make a change, select the field or choose “< Prev” to return to a previous page.
I’ve completed the form, now what?
When you have finished entering your information, select “Submit.” This will send all of the information you’ve entered to the school. If you cannot select this button, you will need to ensure that you have answered all the required questions.
What if I don't have access to a computer?
Enrollment is mobile-friendly and is accessible from any smartphone. If you do not have access to a computer or a smart phone, please contact the Registrar at 617-972-4216.
What if I require translation assistance?
If you require further assistance, contact the Registrar at 617-972-4216.
Help! I’m having technical difficulties.
For technical support, visit our PowerSchool Community help center or select “Help” from any form page.
PICTURE RETAKES
Picture retakes will take place on Thursday, November 18th. Please use this link to order online!
Breakfast Menu November 15-19
Lunch Menu November K-5
Scenes from Around Lowell
Where was Lenny this week? Why Mrs. Hudon's Class
This week Lenny had the pleasure of visiting Ms. Hudon’s classroom. The students were all very excited to see him as some may not have had the opportunity to have had him visit their classroom in first grade or even Kindergarten! He joined us in our Morning meeting and even did some energizing jumping jacks with the class! This week Lenny learned about suffixes while in word study. He also assisted in leading our “drill” portion of the lesson. In reading the focus of learning was about learning the “lingo” or keywords when reading non-fiction. Lenny enjoyed reading about another animal within the cat family--Tigers. In science we are learning about the properties of materials and why objects are created with certain properties (soft, flexible, absorbent, repellent, etc.) He joined us watching a video about why we need to wear clothes. In the video the scenario is that a group is on a deserted island. They are going to need to craft a hat in order to protect themselves from the sun. Lenny enjoyed talking about the purpose of why we wear clothing (to stay warm, to stay cool, to be dry, etc). He was very attentive! On Wednesday he headed out to dismissal with us, as we had a fantastic day and he wanted to let our caregivers know how proud he was of the work we are completing! Ms. Hudon’s class had a lot of fun with Lenny this week!
Up-Coming Events
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, November 15th ILT Meeting 2:45-3:45
Wednesday, November 17th Building Based PD 2:45-4:05
Thursday, November 18th Diversity Inclusion and Belonging 7:00-8:00 pm
Monday, November 22nd ILT Meeting 2:45-3:45
Tuesday, November 24th Early Release 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 25th No School Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 26th No School Thanksgiving Break
Monday, November 29th ILT Meeting 2:45-3:45 pm
Monday, November 29th AntiBias Coalition Meeting 5:30-7:30
James Russell Lowell Elementary School
Main Office ext. 33001
Email: stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://lowell.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: (617) 926-7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary