Lowell Newsletter
October 7, 2020
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IS OCTOBER 4-10TH
MCPS IS HIRING!
Missoula County Public Schools needs staff - paraeducators, noon duty aides, and a pool of substitutes are essential to smooth operations
Missoula County Public Schools needs to fill essential positions in our schools and add to the pool of available substitutes. Many of substitutes we have relied on for years have been hired to fill positions within the Missoula Online Academy.
In our school we are working to fill 4 long-term Substitute Paraeducator Positions and 2 Noon Duty Aide Positions.
Please help us to fill these positions as soon as possible.
Paraeducators
$13.62 to $15.47 per hour depending on position and placement on wage scale
6.5 - 7 hrs/day
Requires Copies of college transcripts (2 yr Associate Degree or 72 qtr college credits) or copies of PASS test (MEA-MFT) or TABE test scores (Dickinson Adult Ed 549-8765)
Noon Duty Aides
$10.00 to $10.57 per hour depending on experience
2.25 hrs/day, Monday-Friday, 180 days/9 holidays
Custodians - Temporary through December 31st
$13.62-14.97 per hour depending on experience
8 hrs/day
Substitutes
• Teachers (requires 4-year college degree, does not need to be in education) $11.43/hour
• Para educators $11.43/hour
• Custodians $10.50/hour
• Secretaries $10.75/hour
• Kitchen Helpers $9.50/hour
• Noon Duty Aides $8.65/hour
• Nurses RN $18.90 per hour and LPN $12.60 per hour
Apply online or visit our office. 215 South 6th Street West
(406)728-2400
FREE! - MONDAYS - PARKS & REC
If you need full day care for your kiddo on hybrid-remote days (T-W or Th-F), please email WhicherM@ci.missoula.mt.us for low to no cost options.
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.
THE MARKET AT LOWELL
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
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.
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.
NEED INTERNET ACCESS AT HOME? Missoula Public Library and its Branches now have Wi-Fi hot spots for check out! You can connect any device, or multiple devices, and access the internet wherever you are. Each Wi-Fi hot spot device is available for a 2 week check out. Cardholders checking out this item must be 18 years or older. To place holds for pick up click here: https://tinyurl.com/y2af8nom
For more information, please call 721-BOOK (2665).
$4000 scholarships available now for special circumstances during Covid-19!
Parents, does someone in your household have a health concern? Are you a foster family needing additional remote learning support? Do you have a unique work schedule? Funding is available for in-home care due to special circumstances where your child is unable to attend child care or school.
Visit www.childcareresources.org/parent for more details and to apply or contact us today!
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