Lowell Newsletter
September 2, 2020
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
Greetings Bobcat Families!
We have had a great start to our 20/21 school year! With the small class sizes in the hybrid model, we have been able to quickly teach school routines and procedures and many classes are already jumping into academics this week. Please watch for your child's classroom newsletter which will outline the learning intentions (what we are learning) and the success criteria (how we are learning) for the English and Math units your child will be learning in class. These learning intentions and success criteria can help you support your learner at home during the remote learning days. At this time, remote learning days will not require students to log onto a computer- all tasks will be paper and pencil and will be focused on practice for the week's success criteria.
Another upcoming event to watch for is our virtual open house. We are currently in the planning stages, so you can expect a message from me next week outlining our plans for parents to meet their child's teachers in a virtual meeting.
Thank you for sharing your child with us! It has been so nice to see their smiles and hear their beautiful voices in the building again!
-Mrs. Frank
MEALS
All students, regardless of whether they are attending in person instruction, on remote learning days, or attending the MCPS Online Academy will have the opportunity to receive food services every school day. Regular meal prices, including free and reduced options, will apply.
- For those students who are participating in remote learning or the MCPS Online Academy, they can access meals at any school building.
- If students have transportation issues, they can take home extra meals on their last day of in-person instruction or pickup multiple meals at a time.
- Anyone can pick up meals on behalf of a student.
- Please make sure you have the student’s ID number so that meals can be appropriately charged to your student’s account.
Contact the school directly for the pick up location and times.
Families are also encouraged to consider completing a Free and Reduced Meal Application this school year. Many have experienced changes to work schedules or hours and may qualify for support with the cost of student’s meals. Return the form to any school secretary.
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
PARKS & REC AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
WHO IS IT OFFERED FOR?
Any Lowell student who is in attendance at school will be able to participate in the after school program from 2:10-5:30 each day. During the hybrid model, this will be available for the two days per week students are in attendance.
Students in need of care on non-school (remote) days can register for programs on the Parks and Recreation website; these non-school day programs are not part of the after school care @ Lowell.
WHAT IS THE COST?
This program is offered through the City of Missoula at no cost to Lowell students
HOW ARE THE STUDENTS DIVIDED?
They will remain in the same pod they are placed in during the school day
Each pod will have 2-4 youth program facilitators
WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL THEY DO?
Games, arts and crafts, biking, hiking, gardening, sports, field trips will all be a part of the program. Activity schedules will be done weekly. Each group will have 2-3 planned activities for kids to choose from.
WHAT ARE THE TIMES?
After School Care begins at the end of the school day (2:10) and runs to pick up between 5-5:30pm. Pick up location @ Lowell School/Westside Park
Blue Pod Pick up- Amphitheater
Red Pod Pick up – Basketball Court
Green Pod Pick up – Westside Park near splash deck
SNACK is provided through the Federal Kids Table program made possible by the Missoula Food Bank
REGISTER for the program through this link or stop by the school to sign up.
During the Phase 1 Hybrid model (currently through September 18th), students with last names A-K can attend on Tuesday and Wednesday and L-Z can attend on Thursday and Friday.
COVID Precautions
Kids must wear masks when in the school building, while being transported in buses or vans and outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Hand washing and hand sanitizer will be available and kids will be prompted to use before/after eating and during transition time.
Smaller, consistent group sizes will be maintained and participation tracked for contact tracing.
CHILDCARE
Full-day care on remote learning days
- Missoula Parks and Recreation
Half- and full-day camps
https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/2525/Day-Camps
406-721-7275
parksrec@ci.missoula.mt.us - YMCA
3000 S. Russell St.
nmartin@ymcamissoula.org
www.ymcamissoula.org
Separating A and B cohorts - 1st Class Childcare
Across from Target Range School
dave@1stclasschildcare.com - Boys and Girls Club
City Life Community Center, 1515 Fairview
John Waters, John@bgcmissoulacounty.org
Register at https://www.bgcmissoula.org/register-after-school
A and B cohorts (MCPS) are separated
THE LOWELL GARDEN GRAPEVINE...
We have some exciting news! The Lowell Garden was selected to receive a $3000 grant from the Whole Kids Foundation. This grant will continue the amazing work already being done in our garden to get locally grown produce into the hands and bellies of our Lowell community. With the help of this grant, future projects in the garden include: building four new ADA accessible garden beds as well as building an outdoor classroom shade structure, so students can enjoy their outdoor classroom throughout the year. We are proud of how our Lowell garden has grown!
WESTSIDE PARK PLAYGROUND
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