Lowell News
January 1, 2024
Dear reader,
I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits as we embark on a brand new year. The first week of the year is truly a special time, filled with anticipation and excitement. It's a time when we eagerly embrace new beginnings, open our hearts to fresh ideas, and warmly welcome new people and experiences into our lives. Additionally, it serves as an opportunity for us to reflect on the beautiful moments that the past year has bestowed upon us. It's a bittersweet feeling, isn't it?
I sincerely hope that you had a delightful vacation, filled with joy and laughter, and that you had the chance to spend quality time with your loved ones, be it family, friends, or even your beloved pets. These moments of connection and togetherness are truly precious.
As we begin this new year, I wanted to share something that I always look forward to: the top 10 and top 100 lists that are created at the end of each year. They offer a wonderful glimpse into the best of the best, whether it's books, movies, or any other form of art. In fact, I've taken the liberty of sharing TIME Magazine's top 100 books of the year, just in case you're on the lookout for a captivating read. I've read a bunch this year but not as many as last year. New Years goal.
Lastly, I wanted to remind you that students and staff will be returning on Tuesday, January 2nd. It's always a pleasure to see familiar faces and welcome everyone back to the routine of learning and growth.
Here's to a year filled with happiness, good health, and countless opportunities for personal and professional success. May this year be everything you hope for and more.
Cheers,
Stacy
Spirit Days Pictures
We had so much fun celebrating our Spirit Days! It gave us an incredible opportunity to prepare for our upcoming break and conclude the year 2023 on a joyous note!
1st Grade students had so much fun during a Snowman Soup activity!
Mrs. Hantson's class Show & Tell!
1st Grade students enjoying hot cocoa!
Pajama day! What an amazing way to celebrate!
Kindergarten enjoying a mini concert.
Getting ready for New Year's Eve!
Ms. MacAuley's class dancing conga to celebrate Spirit Days!
5th graders reading books to 2nd graders during our Whole School Buddy activity.
Students enjoying a book during our Whole School Buddy activity.
Winter Recess has Arrived
What you need to be ready for a fun winter!
When the snow starts falling, children are filled with excitement to venture outside. However, we understand that as parents, you may have concerns about the cold weather and its implications. To ensure that your children have a safe and enjoyable winter at school, we have some recommendations for items to send with them:
- A warm winter jacket
- A cozy hat
- Mittens or gloves to keep their hands toasty
- Sturdy boots for trudging through the snow
- Snow pants to keep them dry and warm
Our little ones absolutely adore playing in the snow, and we make sure to take advantage of every opportunity to go outside. By sending these items, you can ensure that your child has a comfortable recess experience. Additionally, we suggest that your child keeps an extra change of clothes in their cubby or backpack, just in case. Please remember to label all clothing with your child's name. This way, if any items end up in the lost and found, we can easily return them to you. Dressing in layers is also a great idea, as it helps your child stay comfortable in both indoor and outdoor temperature fluctuations.
We hope these suggestions help you prepare your child for a wonderful winter at school. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to assist you in any way we can.
Update from the DIB Council Concerning Culturefest
We are excited to announce Culturefest, an event that celebrates culture and identity. There will be four major components: table displays, food, performances, and a fashion show.
We kindly ask families to host a table showcasing artifacts and information that celebrate their culture and identity. This can include representing your country of origin, religion, or any other aspect of your identity that you would like to share.
We also invite you to bring a special dish that represents your family's culinary traditions to share with others at the event.
If you or someone you know is interested in performing or playing music, please let us know. The event will run for an hour and a half, and we would love to have your talent showcased for approximately 15 minutes.
In addition, we are introducing a new addition to the event - a fashion show. We encourage students and adults to participate and showcase the richness of their culture through fashion. We would also love to hear the significance of the attire and its history.
We look forward to celebrating and embracing the diversity within our community at Culturefest.
Our Climate and Culture Team is also supporting the event throughout the week. More to come shortly!
Important Dates
- Monday, December 25th - Monday, January 1st - No School - December Break
- Tuesday, January 9th - Youth In Unity: from 6:00-7:00 @ Lowell in the Learning Commons | Theme: listen, learn, grow, act | This is the pre-event that will be student led before the Unity Breakfast.
- Wednesday, January 10th - Early Release Day. Dismissal at 12:15.
- Monday, January 15th - Unity Breakfast
- Monday, January 15th - MLK Day Observed
- Thursday, January 23rd - Lowell's Culture Fest 6:00 to 7:30
Art Newsletter - December
Mira lo que está pasando en la clase de español.
Lowell Library News
Music Newsletter
December Dates
- Monday - Friday December 18th-22nd Spirit Week
- Friday, December 22, Early Release Day 12:00
- Friday, December 22 at 12:00 until Tuesday, January 2nd School is closed for Holiday Break
Contact Us
J.R. Lowell Elementary School
123 Lowell Ave.
Watertown, Ma 02472
Phone: 1-617-926-7770
Principal- Stacy Phelan
stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Assistant Principal- Benjamin Kraus
benjamin.krausfriedmann@watertown.k12.ma
Administrative Assistant- Kara Flynn
kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us
Receptionist- Jim Swift
james.swift@watertown.k12.ma.us
Nurse- Kathy Taverna
katherine.taverna@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance Melina Jacovides k-2
melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance Brian Connors 3-5
brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us
Special Education Team Chair- Greg Roberts, ext. 37171
gregory.roberts@watertown.k12.ma.us
LEDP Site Coordinator- Adam Vachon
Lowell Elementary School Principal