Washington Update
Family Communicator - Issue #6 - 9/27/21-10/1/21
The Week Ahead
Monday, September 27, 2021
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
- Voluntary COVID testing - Pool Testing Sign-Up
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Friday, October 1, 2021
COVID INDOOR LUNCH ADJUSTMENTS
If weather forces us to eat indoors (Until October 29th):
- Grades 1, 3, and kindergarten will eat in the cafeteria. Students in CSA with inclusion time for lunch will also eat in the cafeteria.
- All other classes will eat in their classrooms.
At the end of October, we will switch this up to give other grades an opportunity to eat in the cafeteria.
School Site Council
COVID-19 Testing - You MUST SIGN UP EACH YEAR
There is a significant amount of prep work to make sure the testing is accurate. Pools are made on Fridays for the following week. If you sign-up after Monday, your child may be delayed a week when starting testing. Our second pool will have 54 samples.
21st Century After School Program
- It will start in Mid-October.
- The program will run two days a week until about 5 pm.
- Students will go either Monday + Wednesday or Tuesday + Thursday. We haven't determined these days yet for students.
- Dinner will be provided for free.
- Buses will be available for some students. The distance away from school has not been determined yet.
- All instructors will be Washington staff.
- Masks are still required.
- Activities will be fun and combine science, physical activity, and writing.
- Sign-ups will be sent home within the next few weeks for interested families.
Washington School Staff
Mrs. Ames - Clerk
Cate Hugo - Literacy Specialist
Krista Kubick - Social Worker
Special Education
Ms. Morehouse - (CSA Pre-K) - Room 113
Mr. Cruz (CSA K-2) - Room 206
Mr. Donovan (CSA 1-4) - Room 208
Ms. Mahoney
Ms. Parrington
Mrs. Reidt
Allied Arts Team
Mr. Zananari - Physical Education
Mrs. Comtois - Literacy Content
Mrs. Ballerini - Art
Ms. Driscoll-English Language Learners
Mrs. Katz - Music
Mrs. Plunkett - English Language Learners
General Information
How can I update my contact information (phone number/email/address)?
Go online to the Family Resource Webpage (https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/UpdateContactInfo) and fill out the “contact us” form. Families who don’t have access to the internet can fill out the form in person at the Family Resource Center. If an address change is related to economic factors or housing instability (family moves in with relatives, eviction, hotel/motel, fire or unsheltered, please contact the McKinney Vento Office located at the Family Resource Center in person (151 Merrimack Street), by phone (978-674-4321) or go to the webpage at https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/HomelessAssistance.
How do I update my emergency contacts?
If you were in the school last year we will send a verification sheet out. if you are new we will send home an emergency form to fill out on the first day of school.
What should I do if my child needs a Chromebook or if my child’s Chromebook needs repairs?
Families should contact their school to coordinate the issuing of a new Chromebook or to schedule repairs. After the school year begins, the district will resume its “tech tent” services and will inform families via email, text, and phone once the services resume.
How do I register my child for the new school year?
All school registrations are completed online using a computer or laptop. You can access the online application by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. If you only have a mobile device and don’t have access to a computer or laptop, you can register in person at the Family Resource Center (151 Merrimack Street). Please call the Family Resource Center if you have any questions (978-674-4321).
What should I do if I need to register my child(ren) and I don’t speak English?
The Lowell Public Schools is committed to providing translation and interpretation services for families who require assistance in a language other than English. The online registration application and website is translated in Spanish and Portuguese and can be accessed by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. For all other languages, please call Vannak Khin at (978) 328-6782 to arrange services. In-person language interpretation support for registration can be accessed by visiting the Lowell Public Schools at 151 Merrimack Street. Families can also call the Family Resource Center at (978) 674-4321 to make an appointment with a Bilingual Family Liaison.
How old does my child need to be to enroll in preschool or kindergarten?
A child must turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2021, in order to apply for preschool and 5 by September 1 to apply for kindergarten. A family can apply for preschool by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/PreschoolRegistration to fill out an online application or https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/KindergartenRegistration for kindergarten. For registration questions, please call (978) 674-4321.
How do I apply for a transfer for my child to change schools in the new year?
Per the 2021-22 School Assignment Policy, all students have the option to request one school transfer per year. Families can apply online by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolTransfer or can come to the Family Resource Center in-person to complete the application. Transfers are assigned on a space availability basis.