Lowell Elementary Newsletter
September 2022 - We are proud of our pride of Lowell lions!
From Ms. Franzone...
Dear Lowell Families,
We have had a wonderful start to our school year here at Lowell! I have reflected with staff about all the time and work that was put into keeping us all apart last fall. This year, we have been able to channel all of that energy into bringing us together. We are so grateful for opportunities to connect - on classroom carpets, across the table in the cafeteria, and in small groups while we read.
There is a lot of information below! I want to make sure you are especially aware of our Open House on Tuesday, September 20. Families are invited to drop in between 5:00-7:00; students will lead you through a scavenger hunt to find all kinds of places they learn and play in at Lowell! Please note that all families will need to be on the playground (outside) by 6:50 PM so our staff can get home and ready themselves for the next day! We are thrilled to be welcoming you into Lowell!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. You are always welcome to contact me via email at elfranzone@madison.k12.wi.us, phone at 608-204-6613, or phone/text at 608-561-8958.
Warmly,
Ellen
Upcoming Important Dates
September 20 - Open House, 5:00-7:00 PM
October 11 - Picture Day
October 14 - No School - Teacher Professional Learning
October 26 - Celebrate Smiles
October 28 - End of 1st Quarter
October 31 - 10:35 Early Release for Conference Prep
November 3 - Elementary School Evening Conferences
November 4 - No School; Conferences
November 11 - Picture Retake Day
November 23-25 - No School - Fall Break
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
Meet our School Social Worker
I’m Mindy Trudell, the school social worker at Lowell. I have worked at Lowell School for the last 15 years. I help students, staff and families with many different kinds of problems including parenting, accessing community resources such as housing, food, diapers, and mental health services, attendance issues, managing emotions, and resolving conflicts. I am also the Welcoming Schools coordinator for Lowell and am a trained district wide facilitator for the program. Please reach out to me if you want to connect regarding any of the above or, if you are not sure who to ask, I am a good place to start. email: mtrudell@madison.k12.wi.us, office: 608-204-6634, or cell/text: 608-285-2770.
Meet our School Psychologist
Hi! I’m Megan Martin, and I’ve been the school psychologist at Lowell for 17 years. I help students learn our school routines and rules. I teach all students about feelings, problem-solving, and friendships. I help students who are having a difficult time with learning, behavior, and/or mental health issues. I consult with teachers, parents, and doctors to help every student be successful in the classroom. I am also often involved in evaluations and programs for students with special needs. If you ever need to contact me, please call me at (608) 204-6607, (608) 509-4769, or email me mamartin@madison.k12.wi.us.
Meet our Speech and Language Pathologist
Hello. My name is Vicki Ashenbrenner and I work as the Speech and Language Pathologist here at Lowell Elementary. This is my 14th year at Lowell. I usually have student teachers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison join me during the semester. This semester her name is Elissa Hoffman.
I am available if you have any questions or concerns. If you already have a student who sees me for “Speech”, please know that I am working with teachers to generate a preferred schedule for the students without significantly disrupting their school day.
Email is generally the quickest way to contact me. My email address is vashenbrenne@madison.k12.wi.us, or you can reach me by Google Phone/Text at (608) 709-8921.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year!
Meet our Health Office Staff
Hello Lowell Families!
My name is Phet Paborriboon. I am the new school nurse and will be working with Deena, our wonderful nursing assistant, in the health office this school year. I’m excited to be a part of the Lowell community and look forward to meeting everyone.
A few health office reminders for the start of the school year:
Home Covid test results are now accepted.
Free Covid home tests are available through the State of Wisconsin here.
Find MMSD Covid Health & Safety Guidance and Covid Testing information here.
Please remind your child to not share food at school due to different food allergies.
Celebrate Smiles will be coming to Lowell again this year. The dates they will be at Lowell: October 26th, January 31st, May 9th.
Vision screening will be done again this year. All 4K and K students will be screened on December 14th. 3rd and 5th grade students will be screened on October 13th. We will screen students in other grades that missed their most recent screening at school.
Hearing screening will also be done this year for 4K and K students, and also other students who do not have a hearing screening result on record.
APPLY FOR FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH NOW!
This is a reminder that school meals are no longer provided free of charge, unless you have received notice that you've qualified for free or reduced meals.
Please work with your student to decide if you will pack a lunch from home or order school lunch.
Whether or not you purchase a school lunch, we encourage all families to create an account with School Cafe and apply for free/reduced meals.
Cell Phone Guidance
If students bring a cell phone to school, it must be “Off and Away.” They can leave it in their locker or give it to their classroom teacher or the office for safekeeping. They are not allowed to use it at any time during the school day. Students will always be able to call their family from a school phone if they want to do so. If a staff member sees a student with their phone out, they will remind them of this rule and the student must either give the phone to an adult or put it in their locker. If it happens repeatedly, the student will be required to give the phone to the office and Ms. Franzone will be in communication with your family about making a plan.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning happens in many ways at Lowell School. There are explicit lessons taught in every classroom 4K-5 and these lessons are reinforced throughout the school by all staff.
Welcoming Schools
Welcoming Schools is a nationwide program being used in MMSD to create more respectful and supportive schools for all students, staff and families. Professional development, lesson plans, books and inclusive language are provided around family diversity, preventing bias-based bullying, gender and LGTBTQ+ inclusion, and anti-racism. Classroom teachers teach one or more lessons from Welcoming Schools each month. Lessons often use children’s books as starting points for activities and discussion. We know that in order for students to do their best learning, they and their families need to feel safe, valued and respected. Welcoming Schools provides resources and a framework for schools to help us achieve that goal.
If you would like more information about Welcoming Schools:
Check out the MMSD Welcoming Schools for Families page,
Or the national Welcoming Schools site,
Or contact Mindy Trudell, Lowell School Social Worker at 204-6634 or mtrudell@madison.k12.wi.us
New Literacy Curriculum at Lowell
Lowell Staff are very excited to begin implementation of our new literacy curriculum from EL Education!
Safety Response Protocol
During these first weeks of school, classroom teachers are sharing brief video lessons from me (Ms. Franzone) on what to do in case of emergency situations at school. MMSD developed the lessons specifically for our elementary students. At these young ages, we approach the topic of safety in much the same way as we do our Second Step lessons on social-emotional learning. We want students to feel secure, safe, and confident at school.
Last Call for Lowell Lionwear Orders!
Lionwear orders are due SEPTEMBER 20TH! Place your order here.
A message from MMSD's Associate Superintendents
Children learn best when parents and teachers work together to encourage and support them. Therefore, our school partners with families to build trust and to work collaboratively on behalf of our students. From time to time, families may have concerns about practices and operations at the school. We need families to first reach out to their child’s teacher to resolve classroom level concerns. If the concern is not resolved, then please reach out to the principal. Schoolwide concerns need to be addressed by a trusted adult at the school/the principal. If the concern is not resolved at the school level, parents may contact our central office administrative assistant. More information is located here. Thank you to our families for your ongoing support and partnership!
Arrival and dismissal procedures
What to do if your child is sick or if you have to pick them up early
MMSD Health and Safety information
And much more!!!
Helpful Links
Madison East Area Resources: Food, Housing, Mental Health, Utilities, Internet