Lowell School Newsletter
June 14, 2020
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لترجمة هذه الرسالة من المدرسة ، اضغط عليها ثم استخدم الرابط الموجود على اليمين. (Arabic)
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Bu bülteni çevirmek için üzerine tıklayın ve ardından sağdaki bağlantıyı kullanın (Turkish)
Message from Stacy
I wanted to take a moment and reflect upon this unprecedented school year and all the amazing work our teachers have done with the support of the entire Watertown community.
In just a few months, the craft of teaching and the institution of education has been transformed. The changes taken place have been nothing less than head spinning. The need to react quickly and address the demands of remote learning has been overwhelming, not just for teachers but for students and families. The need to be progressive and innovative, yet expert and constant are the hallmark of this moment, all while continuing to be nurturing, and positive.
Each changing phase came with the need to learn new tools, take risks, and dig deep within ourselves. I’ve had the privilege to witness the incredible spirit of our school as they rose to this awesome challenge. I have watched as teachers had to rethink how they deliver instruction, learn to hold virtual classes as well as assist parents in accessing material and lessons. To do so, teachers met frequently with their grade-level colleagues and district coaches to ensure consistency across each grade and across the district. This work has been lead by another army of teachers behind the scenes, our district coordinators. They've worked hard to quickly adapt our curriculum for remote learning and create engaging units across all content areas. Wow! All of this on a moment's notice!
I would also like to acknowledge our District leaders, Dr. Galdston, Dr. McGuinness, and Kathy Desmarais. It is because of their shared vision and steady support we’ve accomplished so much together. It's often overlooked they all began their careers as teachers, which is the true foundation of why they set high and attainable expectations for all our students.
In closing, I want to also take a moment to thank all of our volunteers headed by Julie Candiello, our PTO co-lead by Lauren Unsworth, Jamie Sholoemer, and of course, all our countless parents who support us, day-in and day-out. Thank you!
A Special thank you to Kara Flynn, and our custodians; Wayne McCloud, Ramon Gonzales, and Andre Williams. A Big Shout out to our lunch folks; Sevim Cinar, Susie Judge, Nursel Cinar, and Cherly Grillo.
Thank you, Mrs. Whitmore, for your positive influence and impact on our school!
It's because of all this hard work and commitment, we are well equipped to meet any challenge we face in the months to ahead.
Be well and stay healthy but most of all, enjoy your well-deserved summer vacation!
Stacy A. Phelan, Principal
Lowell Parent Diversity Council
Dear Diversity Council,
Thank you so much for all of your hard work, energy and dedication. We will continue our commitment to celebrating and recognizing the diverse families of the Lowell School. Even though our year was cut short, as a team we managed to get a lot done for our students. This years focus was creating a diverse library for every Lowell Classroom. As a team, we spend numerous hours researching books, categorizing them by grades, and ensuring students can see themselves or relate to the literature. We are happy to announce that we have purchased diverse books for students, and cannot wait to unveil them to individual classroom libraries. We encourage more families to join us in the 2020-2021 School year. Listed below are the books we have chosen.
Thanks and see you in the fall,
Candice Whitmore
5th Grade Swag Bag Pick-Up
The 5th-grade parents, along with the PTO, have generously put together amazing swag bags for this year's fifth graders to celebrate their completion of elementary school.
The fifth-grade teachers will be outside the Lowell School from 12-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16 to help hand out swag bags to students. This will be a drive-by event.
We hope you can drive by to say a final farewell and collect your goodies!
5th Grade Swag Bag Pick-Up
The 5th-grade parents, along with the PTO, have generously put together amazing swag bags for this year's fifth graders to celebrate their completion of elementary school.
Returning Chromebooks: June 16th & June 17th
If you borrowed a WPS Chromebook, it can be returned on Tuesday, June 16th from 12:00-2:30 and Wednesday, June 17th from 8:00-2:30. If you wish to continue borrowing the device to attend Summer School/Camp or access EPIC/i-Ready/Zearn you will need to sign the borrowing agreement. This would allow you to borrow the device until July 31, 2020.
Mr. Skaife and Mr. Spano's Meeting Times
Please take MORE than a few moments and have a look at our department's virtual end-of-the year showcases. It's such an honor to work with such talented and devoted artists and both our school community and our Fine and Performing Arts Department has done a brilliant job creating these 2 shows :
Email us this summer at any time with questions, concerns, comments, etc.
Mr. Spano:
anthony.spano@watertown.k12.ma.us
Mr. Skaife:
kurtis.skaife@watertown.k12.ma.us
**A quick note about instruments: If you played an instrument this year and you intend to continue next year, keep your instrument over the summer. While we presently have no idea what instrument instruction will look like next year, our department is hoping and planning to continue instrument lessons next year, so as always, keep your instrument to maintain the rental equity you've paid into it.**
- Mr. Spano's students
- Ms. Schneider's students
- Mr. Boynton's students
- Ms. Byham's students
- *Ms. Slesinger's students (Mondays from 2:30 - 3:00pm)
- *Mr. Jordan's students (Tuesdays from 3:00 - 3:30pm)
Parent Resources
Message from the PTO
A Note of Thanks….
We would like to close out the year by saying thank you…
Thank you to our PTO Board and Event Chairs:
Laura Antipov, Helen Oliver, Liz Geraci, Liz O’Toole, Ann Sjostedt, Erin Coole, Meredith Dourian, Donna Tuccinardi, Sonia Smith, Kathleen Hennemuth, Colleen Mahoney, Jennine Tambio, Kerry Biddy, Allison Egan, Kelee Fajardo, Beth McAndrew, Heather Chaisson, Leslie Brokaw, Julie Candiello and Leanne Hammond.
Thank you to our school leadership, Principal Stacy Phelan and Vice Principal Candice Whitmore, who set the tone for the wonderful school that the Lowell is and who have been steadfast in their commitment to our children during unprecedented times.
Thank you to our teachers and staff who have throughout the year shown their love and dedication for their students and who have overcome hurdles we never could imagine, ensuring our children’s continued learning whether it be in math and science or music and PE.
Thank you to Nurse Taverna and Ms. Jacovides who always have our children’s holistic health first and foremost on their minds.
Thank you to our custodial staff who have worked hours on end to clean and protect our students from every virus from the flu and the stomach bug to corona. You have even done it with a smile, and we are forever grateful as we find ourselves in a time when we will depend on you even more.
Thank you to our amazing Lowell community. You have made our school a wonderful place for our children to learn and make friends. You’ve supported the PTO and others in our community both financially and through your volunteer work. It takes a village….
In thanks,
Lauren Unsworth & Jaime Schloemer
Lowell School PTO Co-President 2019-2020 School Year
Free Summer tutoring
Celebrating Juneteenth
Juneteenth gives Black/African Americans a sense of togetherness. You don't have to be African-American to join in celebrating the anniversary of the end of slavery. By celebrating Juneteenth holiday, you are celebrating a holiday just as important as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. There are many meaningful ways to celebrate Juneteenth with your family. Pictured below are books you can read with your family. Happy Juneteenth!
Autism Pride June 18th
Not About Us, Without Us
Every year on June 18th people and organizations honor and recognize the incredible diversity, humanity and creativity of people with autism or autistics*. So much information on autism is from the perspective of parents, teachers and doctors and not the actually autistic people. Autism Pride Day celebrates autism as a naturally occurring developmental difference to be embraced, accommodated and accepted, rather than stigmatized and overcome or cured. It is about the autistic children who grow up to be autistic adults of all colors, gender identities, religions, ages and career paths.
My son J.D. is finishing 4th grade at the Lowell, he is autistic and an advocate for autistic rights and acceptance. He was planning school activities for April Autism Awareness Month but remote learning happened. So in honor of June being his birthday month and Autism Pride Day, he asked me to share some of my favorite autistics. Happy 10th Birthday J.D.!
Amazing Autistics
J.D. Kubilus, my incredible son who has taught me so much about autism!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1Aiq4rx07g&feature=youtu.be
Jen White-Johnson, although not autistic herself, she is an amazing ally sharing the heart and in the journey that breaks through the stigma of highlighting Autistic Joy in Black & Brown Lives.
Riah is an autistic online influencer for Autistic While Black.
twitter @lilririah
blog https://riahsweirdjourney.com/category/info-overload/ https://riahsweirdjourney.com/category/info-overload/
Dan Aykroyd is autistic and credits his autism special interests of law enforcement and the supernatural for the inspiration behind Ghostbusters and Blue Brothers.
https://childmind.org/blog/dan-aykroyd-says-being-on-the-spectrum-helped-him-make-ghostbusters/
Haley Moss is the first openly autistic attorney licensed to practice law in Florida.
Greta Thunberg is autistic and believes it her superpower that allows her to focus her passion for climate change.
https://researchautism.org/greta-thunberg-likens-autism-to-superpower/
SIDE BAR
What is Autism?
People with autism are often more sensitive to the world around them; things like noise, light and smells can be overwhelming. Autism is not contagious and is just one of many ways a brain can be Neuro-Diverse, others include ADHD and dyslexia. Watch this informative video from the National Autism Society, UK (https://www.autism.org.uk) for a short explanation https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-1Gt-7Djyj6rUR-ro_FNA
How do I explain autism to my kids?
Watch “What’s Up with Nick?” https://youtu.be/mtRYKjucDHk from the Organization for Autism Research and explore more free online resources to teach kids about autism: https://researchautism.org/education/students-corner/kit-for-kids/
Where can I learn more?
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN)
Talking to Children about Race
With everything going on in the world, our country, and our city, communicating with your child can be intimidating and overwhelming. During this time, in order to effectively communicate, it is important to listen, to learn, and to prepare yourself to both answer and ask questions with your child. Here are several resources to help facilitate these important conversations with your child.
Talking to Kids About Race - National Geographic
Talking to Children After Racial Incidents - UPenn
How to Talk to Your Children About Protests and Racism - CNN
CNN and Sesame Street will be holding a "Town Hall: Standing Up to Racism" this Saturday at 10:00AM. More information about this televised program can be found here.
Children's Books to Support Conversations About Race, Racism, and Resistance (adapted from The Conscious Kid).
- All Because You Matter - By, Tami Charles (ages 4-8)
- Separate is Never Equal - By, Duncan Tonatiuh (ages 4-9)
- The Day You Begin - By, Jacqueline Woodson (ages 4-8)
- Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library - By, Carole Boston Weatherford (ages 9-12)
- Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop - By, Alice Faye Duncan (ages 9-12)
Parents Helping Parents
Online Support Groups are free, confidential, and anonymous. These groups serve as a safe place for parents to express frustrations and concerns about their children and families and get advice from other parents who understand.
Parental Stress Line
You don’t have to keep doing it alone. Parents Helping Parents can help. Confidential and anonymous 24 hours/day, 7 days/week across Massachusetts. Call 1-800-632-8188.