Lowell Lions Roar!
April 2018
From the desk of Mrs. Larva
Updates to Parent Pick-Up
A dedicated group of parents from the PTA and our Lowell staff have been collaborating to make our parent pick-up process safer and more efficient. Parents were surveyed and the results have been shared with staff and the PTA. The efforts of that group will be to provide information to parents that will help with our processes.
During the last week of March, the staff that has been monitoring our parent pick-up trialed a new process. After working out a few kinks, we are ready to roll with it! Below are the details that you as a parent need to know regarding our new process:
- All students will remain supervised indoors during the parent pick-up process to ensure their safety.
- All adults picking up students should display their hanging tag.
- The supervising adults will use the radios to request a student(s) to come outside for their ride.
- Students need to quickly enter the vehicle so the next group of cars can pull forward.
- Drivers should watch for direction from the supervising adults as to where to park.
- Students may be moved forward to ensure that all cars move forward in an attempt to keep cars off of Rice Lake Rd.
- All students must be picked up by 2:25. If a driver is running late, they must pick up their student from inside the office beyond that time.
Testing, testing, and testing!
It seems like once we finally reach spring, our “testing season” begins. Today I would like to take a few minutes to communicate our state-testing calendar at Lowell Elementary School.
MCA-III (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments series III):
This is the state of Minnesota’s accountability test used by all public schools. The Reading and Math assessments are administered to all students at Lowell in grades 3-5. Only fifth graders are given the Science test. These assessments align with the state standards in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science, and are designed to ensure that school districts have aligned their local curriculum to meet these high academic benchmarks.
These results are used by the state to determine if our school is meeting our proficiency targets, closing our identified achievement gaps, and meeting growth targets for our students. These components are then combined for our score that is used to determine our Multiple Measures Rating (MMR) achievement level. Each fall, individual student results are mailed to the school. This data is used by the teachers to identify students that might need additional supports during the school year. Teachers review the data with families at our first set of conferences.
Our MCA testing will began the last week of March and will continue through May 10. The testing schedule is as follows:
March 27-30: Reading for Erie, Holt, and Pulkrabek
April 10-13: Reading for Kass, Warmanen, Larson/Zwak and Skinaway
April 17-19: Math for Holt and Warmanen
April 25-27: Math for Pulkrabek, Larson/Zwak and Skinaway
May 1-3: Math for Erie and Kass
May 8-10: 5th Grade Science testing
2018-19 Teacher Input
In May, we will begin the process of placing students in classes for the 2018-19 school year. As a school, we go through a procedure to create balanced classes. This requires the consideration of a variety of factors, including student work habits, diversity, interests, academic ability, special needs, learning styles, behaviors, and gender balance. We devote time as a team to set up classes and schedules.
Parent input will be considered when balancing classrooms. If you would like us to know additional information about your child, please use the following steps:
Parents can provide comments in writing to Principal Jen Larva. These may be hand delivered to the office or emailed to jennifer.larva@isd709.org by Monday, April 30, 2018.
The comments should list any educational or personal information that you feel the current teacher may not know about your child.
If you know that your child will not be attending school at Lowell during the 2018-19 school year, we would appreciate you providing this information to your child’s classroom teacher.
Important Upcoming Dates
April 2-6: No School for Students
April 12: Statewide Severe Weather Drill practice at 1:45
April 18: PTA meeting in the media center at 6pm
April 30: Culture Night at Lowell 5pm-7pm
Save the Date! Friday May 25
April Media Center News
Recently the Lowell Library received a HUGE donation of over 250 new, library-bound nonfiction books from Mr. Van Allen, a retired children's book sales rep. Mr. Allen donated nearly 700 books (valued over $13,000!) to Duluth Public Schools' libraries. Because of his work with Mrs. Van Scoy, he chose Lowell to be the primary beneficiary. Lowell students and staff thanked Mr. Allen with a painting by Americorp tutor Jonia Gordon and signed by Lowell students (see pictures). In April we will be celebrating National School Library Month and National Poetry Month in the media center.
Please continue to help your students return their library books on time (Day 3 of the specialist rotation). Overdue book notices were sent home the end of March. Here's a link to the Library Book Return Due Dates Calendar. Be sure to contact me at sheryl.vanscoy@isd709.org or send a note with any questions or concerns about missing books.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Van Scoy (Mrs. V.)
The Bookworm Club
Use these activities to build your child's phonemic awareness - her ability to hear sounds in words:
- Choose a three letter word, such as cap. Have your youngster substitute different beginning sounds from the alphabet to make new words (lap, map, nap, rap, sap, tap, zap). How many can she think of?
- Pick a long word and tell her to clap once as she says each syllable. For mozzarella, she would clap four times: moz-za-rel-la.
- Ask your child to say a word without the first sound. "Can you say sit without the s?" (Answer: it)
- Think of a word and give your youngster a "sound" clue to figure it out. For instance, "I'm thinking of a word for something you chew but don't swallow. The word has an uh sound in the middle." (Answer: Gum)
Mrs. Larva's Book Pick
P.E. Winter Newsletter
In Physical Education class we focus on “Being Good Team Members” and the understanding that activities and games work when we are SAFE, KIND, RESPECTFUL, and HONEST Always!
JUMP FOR HEART!
We had a very successful Jump for Heart event. Our Students raised over $4300!!
Prizes for students earning donations for the American Heart Association will be in soon!
Thank you to all our Lowell students participating in this wonderful event!
Dates to remember!
FIT and FUN Run: May 16 at PSS, (Denfeld) Buses leave Lowell at 12:15. RUN TIME is 12:40. Buses return to Lowell at 1:20.
FIELD DAY: Thursday, June 7. Last Day of School! Volunteers will be needed to help with field day stations.
The UMD Methods Course students are here at Lowell until the end of April. Eight students from UMD are visiting our awesome school/Gym and bringing their expertise and great ideas for teaching our students.
Action Based Learning!
Brain research supports the link of movement and physical activity to increased academic performance. The Lowell PE program provides motor learning activities to strengthen cognitive development. In addition to our Physical Education program, Action Based Learning activities are available in the Barnes Gym for all students.
DON’T Forget Your GYM SHOES!
Kristin Bergerson, PE Specialist
218-336-8895 #3002
Lowell Happenings
Snapshots
Dogsled Races
Dogsled Races
Dogsled Races
2nd Grade Science
2nd Grade Science
Assistant Principal of the Day: Lydia Weisman
Join the Movement and Like Lowell Elementary School on Facebook
Lost and Found
Our pile is TOO LARGE! Please check the Lost and Found this month. We will be making a donation of unclaimed items at the end of April to a local charitable organization.
Reminder: To help us return lost items to children, please label all clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. with your child's name.
Once a Week, Take a Peek!
As a matter of routine, families should check their child’s head regularly for signs of head lice - especially elementary school-age children.
If head lice are found in your child's hair or scalp, please talk with your school nurse, pediatrician or family physician to get appropriate care. There are a number of new prescription treatment options that are safe and easy to use. There's no scientific evidence that home remedies are effective treatments.
Head lice are a nuisance but manageable. Remember – Once a Week, Take a Peek!
Check the MN Department of Health for more information:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/headlice/index.html
On Time and Absence Reminders
Please ensure that your child arrives to school on time each day. Our day starts at 7:45 AM. Children can arrive as early as 7:20 AM for free breakfast.
Also, parents/guardians are required to call the attendance line or main office when their child(ren) is sick or will not be in school. Attendance letters are mailed out if students have 3 or more "unexcused" absences. Additionally, letters will be mailed out for students that have more than 10 excused absences. Remember: Every minute counts in your child's education.
Community Announcements
Please note:
Contact Us
Email: Jennifer.larva@isd709.org
Website: http://lowell-elementary.isd709.org/
Location: 2000 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN, United States
Phone: 218.336.8895
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lowelllions/
Twitter: @lowell_ed_lions