The Lion's Roar
McAvinnue's Weekly Newsletter: Week Of March 1st
MCAVINNUE'S PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello McAvinnue Community!
I hope that everyone is enjoying the weekend! We had a successful return to in-person learning at McAvinnue this past week. We welcomed 3% of our substantially separate CSA students starting on Monday, February 22nd. It was an amazing week for everyone. Our students were truly excited to be back in the school building...and our faculty greeted them with smiles and open arms. It was so great to hear the sounds of students in the building.
We also successfully completed our first round of "Pooled Testing" for our students and faculty. We conducted approximately 15 total COVID-19 tests on Wednesday, February 24th...and all of the results were negative. We will continue to offer weekly COVID-19 testing for those students and faculty that are interested and have provided the necessary consent. You can find information below including a link to the online student consent form if you are interested in participating.
On Monday, March 1st, we will welcome back the 25% of our students that were in-person in the Fall. Everything is set and ready to go. If you received transportation in the Fall...you will still be able to access transportation if you haven't recently changed your address. We will continue to provide breakfast and lunch daily. It is important to understand that we will still enforce mask wearing and 6 feet of social distancing at this time. Our building will go through a deep cleaning and sanitizing every evening...and we will also disinfect classrooms up to 2 times per day.
We are hopeful to return additional students on Monday, April 5th. We are planning on what this student in-person increase could look like for McAvinnue. We on the lookout for information from the LPSD as well as McAvinnue soon.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Main Office at McAvinnue or send Mr. Domina a message a mdomina@lowell.k12.ma.us.
Important Letter From Superintendent Boyd - February 26th
Please read this important update sent on Friday, February 26th from Superintendent Boyd regarding the recent incident involving LPSD School Committee member Robert Hoey.
You can access the full letter below using this link:
"February 26, 2021
Dear Lowell Public Schools Students, Families and Staff,
I received Robert Hoey’s official resignation from the School Committee earlier today and forwarded it to the Mayor with a recommendation that it be accepted immediately. Words and actions have consequences, and public officials must be held to the highest of standards.
Thank you to every member of our community who spoke out against this hateful act - there is no place in Lowell, or in any community, for bigotry in any form. Though former Committee Member Hoey no longer holds public office, moving forward, we must remain a united front because the work is not done.
A dehumanizing antisemitic slur like this is not only deeply offensive to members of the Jewish community, it is damaging to members of all communities, particularly those who have been similarly targeted. And as a community we must acknowledge that this is not an isolated incident. Though the resignation of Mr. Hoey is a critical first step, his resignation does not solve the deeply rooted issues of bigotry and systematic racism in our community. In the days ahead, we must collectively commit to the ongoing work of engaging in courageous conversations - and truly bind together as a community to eradicate all forms of antisemitism, racism, anti-immigrant sentiment and bias-based conduct.
As painful as this incident was, it’s essential that we learn and grow from this experience to emerge even stronger. Our students and families are counting on us and I am confident that we can deliver on our commitment, together, as one district, one community, one Lowell.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joel D. Boyd
LPSD Superintendent of Schools"
Here are important dates to remember over the next month of school:
- McAvinnue's Supply Pick-Up: Week Of March 1st (See Below For Details)
- Monday, March 1st: 25% Return To In-Person Learning
- Monday, March 1st: 100th Day Of School
- Monday, March 1st: McAvinnue's School Site Council Meeting @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Thursday, March 4th: McAvinnue's School Site Council Meeting @ 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 10th: Early Release Day - Students Dismissed @ 1:30 PM
- Monday, March 29th: Report Card Distribution (PreK - Grade 4)
McAvinnue's School Site Council Meetings
https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/mcavinnue
Please go to the "Our School" tab and click on "School Site Council". There is a section for the 2020-2021 academic school year. Go to the "Members & Meeting Dates 2020-2021" and you will find the necessary meeting information and working agenda for this meeting.
McAvinnue's Supply Pick-Up - The Week Of March 1st
- Allied Arts (Art, Music, Content Literacy, and Physical Education) Materials
- Classroom Teacher Supplies (Teacher Will Contact You If There Are Supplies To Pick Up)
- After School Program Materials (Students Currently Enrolled In The 21st Century After School Program)
We will follow the schedule below for supply pick-up each day from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM:
- Monday, March 1st - Grade 1
- Tuesday, March 2nd - Grade 2
- Wednesday, March 3rd - Grade 3
- Thursday, March 4th - Grade 4
- Friday, March 5th - Kindergarten
Families that have multiple children at McAvinnue can select a day that works best for them to gather all of the needed supplies/materials.
Students that are in-person at McAvinnue will receive their supplies in their classroom.
THERE'S IS NO NEED TO COME TO PICK-UP SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS IF YOUR STUDENT HAS BEEN IN-PERSON OR WILL BE IN-PERSON STARTING ON MONDAY MARCH 1ST.
LPSD Pooled Testing Information & Consent Form
On February 22, 2021, we successfully brought students back for in-person learning. As part of the ongoing reopening that will continue on March 1st when our 25% return to in-person learning from the Fall , we will continue to offer voluntary free weekly COVID-19 testing. This testing will lower the risk of spread of COVID-19 by helping to identify those positive cases in people who do not show any symptoms of COVID-19.
We hope that you will participate by signing a consent form for your child. The more students and faculty who participate, the safer our schools will be!
We have created an easy to use newsletter that contains the following information:
- What is the COVID-19 testing program?
- How can my student participate in the program?
- Online consent form translated in multiple languages
- How does it work?
If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Robin at rmcneil@lowell.k12.ma.us, The Family Resource Center at (978) 674-432 or The Equity and Engagement Office at (978) 674-4326.
You can access the Pooled Testing newsletter using the link below that includes the online consent form.
"March Book Madness"
We are going to try something new and exciting this month! Get ready for "March Book Madness"! The theme for this amazing event for our students will be "Just Some Great Books"!
Here's how it all works:
- We will start with 16 books and each is paired against another book in a bracket-style tournament to determine a winner at the end of the month.
- Some books will be shown on the Morning Announcements, read by teachers, and/or available on Social Media for students and families to enjoy.
- Each book is read by members of the Lowell High School Men's and Women's Basketball Team.
- Beginning March 12th, students will vote with their teachers through a Google Form or Class Tally for their favorite books until we announce a winner on March 31st.
- Students do not have to have read the book to vote for it. They can choose based off of covers, titles, or what they think they would like.
- We will be looking for students who are getting into the program to help with some fun announcements along the way. Let me know if your student would like to participate.
Check out the bracket below and you can print out a copy to follow the action throughout the month! This should be a fun way to continue to build our whole-school community and instill a love of reading in our kids because "In Lowell, Books Always Win!"
McAvinnue's ST Math Challenge
McAvinnue's ST Math February Challenge will come to a close on Sunday, February 28th! Our students have done an amazing job working hard to get their minutes in daily and complete as many puzzles possible. After we have all of the results finalized, we will begin to organize each student who have met their grade level weekly puzzle total since the beginning of February. When this is completed, we will share the results of the challenge as well as the individuals, raffle, and classroom winners during morning announcements, on our social media platforms, as well as on our school website. Stay tuned!
It looks like we have 31 students that have successfully completed McAvinnue's ST Math Challenge!
REMINDER...Please see the breakdown of the prizes that students can earn for successfully completing McAvinnue's ST Math Challenge in the picture below. The final results will be shared soon!
The left side (highlighted in red) are the prizes that individual students can earn if they complete the grade level challenge for the month. The right side (highlighted in green) are the raffle prizes that one student in each grade level could also win if they complete the grade level challenge.
McAvinnue's "100th Day Of School"
Change Of Address Form
McAvinnue's Week In Review!
"Great News" In Room 303!
"Good News" Room 303!
Grade 3 students created paper lanterns to celebrate Chinese New Year before the Winter Break! The students learned about this tradition in a shared text that they ready and discussed.
"Amazing News" In Room 303!
Andres was the EPIC Books winner for the month of January. He racked up 529 total reading minutes...over 8 hours of reading for the month! Now...this is fabulous work if you ask us! Keep working hard and great things can happen!
Black History Month in Room 304!
"Not A Box" In Room 208!
Rosa Parks In Room 200i!
"Amazing News" In Room 311!
McAvinnue's "Virtual" Morning Announcements
Missed McAvinnue's "Virtual" Morning Announcements? You can watch the videos on the McAvinnue's Learner's Google Site and on McAvinnue's YouTube page. Links can be found below for each.
These announcements bring the in-person and remote students together in the usual way we launch each day of school with some important information...while having some fun!
Google Learner's Site:
https://sites.google.com/view/mcavinnueelementaryschool/home?authuser=0
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAUzGwuFaKMy13iFbHpSiMw?view_as=subscriber
Online Emergency Contact Form
You can complete this form or complete a paper copy that we have used in previous school years. This form will be sent home with those students that will be at McAvinnue for in-person learning. However, the paper copy of the emergency form can also be picked up at McAvinnue for those families who will be working remotely to start the school year.
PLEASE COMPLETE ONE FOR EACH CHILD ENROLLED AT MCAVINNUE!
If you could like a paper copy of the emergency form, please contact Ms. Nancy in the Main Office and she will set you up with what you need to complete.
If you have changed any numbers or have new primary care providers that you would like to add, please complete the form below or reach out to us with this new information. It's important to do this as we start to return to students to in-person learning for the second half for this school year.
Remote Learning Daily Meal Service: March 2021
- Students will receive two breakfasts and two lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays at these sites.
- Students will also receive meals for the weekend days on Fridays at all of our meal sites.
- All LPS students are eligible for meal service. All meals are free of cost. No student ID is required and students don’t have to be present to pick up a meal. A parent or neighbor can pick up the student’s meal.
- Meals will be served outside in a grab and go format at the front or back of the school, depending on the location.
- Please remember to wear a mask or face covering and follow social distancing protocols when visiting the meal sites.
Any updates to the remote learning meal service schedule will be posted here:
McAvinnue's Yoga Pose Of The Week: "Cat"
We will try another new pose this week called "Cat". This new and simple pose will allow us to release tension through an upper body stretch similar to what a cat does. We will practice the Cat" pose daily during our "Virtual" Morning Announcements during this up and coming week. You can get an early head start and practice this pose before we launch into another exciting week!
WE'VE GOT TECH TIPS & SUPPORT FOR YOU!
McAvinnue's Virtual & In-Person Learning And Information Spot For Students
Click The Button Below To Access The Site
Lowell Public School District Tech Support - Week Of March 1st
The LPSD IT Team will continue have a "Technology Tent" set-up at the following locations during the times listed below this up and coming week. No appointment is necessary and you can pick which location works best for you.
- Monday, March 1st from 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM - Lincoln Elementary School (300 Chelmsford St. - next to the main entrance)
- Tuesday, March 2nd from 9:00 AM - 11 AM - Pawtucketville Elementary School (425 West Meadow Rd. - next to the main entrance)
- Wednesday, March 3rd from 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM - Stoklosa Middle School (560 Broadway St. - side door facing parking lot)
- Thursday, March 4th from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Reilly Elementary School (115 Douglas Rd. - rear door facing rear parking lot)
- Friday, March 5th from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Robinson Middle School (110 June St. - side door across from main entrance)
You can also contact the Help Desk at (978) 674-2024 for assistance.
Got A Hotspot That You're Not Using?
HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES
COVID-19 Data & Guidelines
Here is the most recent health data for Lowell released this past week. COVID-19 cases continue to occur in Lowell, with 508 new cases reported in the City over the past 14 days. Lowell has a COVID-19 average daily incident rate of 31.2 (decrease) and a percent positivity rate of 4.28 (decrease) as of Thursday, February 25th. This still places our community in the "red" high risk category.
As you know, new measures went into effect on Friday, November 6th to help slow the spread. Know the rules and follow them closely to help keep our community safe.
- Stay At Home Advisory: 10:00 PM - 5:00 AM
- Face Coverings Required In All Public Places
- Restaurants Close @ 9:30 PM
- Indoor Gatherings Limited To 10 People
- Outdoor Gatherings Limited To 25 People
FAMILY INFORMATION & RESOURCES
"Family Matters" Newsletter
Check out the first issue of "Family Matters", the monthly newsletter for the Lowell Public Schools Family Resource Center using the link below.
Learn more about the Family Resource Center, preschool registration, and resources for families facing homelessness or housing instability. Also be sure to check out the historical photos at the end of the newsletter!
PreK & Kindergarten Registration Information Sessions
Join Us For Preschool Registration Info Sessions!
Save the date! The Lowell Public Schools will be holding registration for preschool from March 8-28. Registration will be done online again this year. (Dates for Kindergarten registration will be announced at a later date.)
Learn more about our preschool program and the registration process at a virtual info session on Tuesday, March 2 at 6:30pm or Thursday, March 4 at 12pm. Zoom links and more information about preschool registration can be found here: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/preschoolregistration
If you have a child that will be entering preschool or kindergarten next school year, fill out this form to join our contact list so you can get information about the preschool/kindergarten registration process: https://forms.gle/vxgJk1rUsR2p96MK9
CALLERY PARK LITTLE LEAGUE SIGN-UPS
Interested in Little League? This is a great opportunity for your child to join a team, have some fun with other children, and learn about baseball, teamwork, and cooperation!
Sign-up for Callery Park Little League will occur on the following dates:
- March 6th
- March 7th
- March 13th
- March 14th
Please see the flyer below for all of the details!
P-EBT Benefits - Remote Learning Students
The state of Massachusetts has announced that there will be P-EBT benefits for all families who have a child that is remote learning.
The benefit will be made by electronic deposit to your existing P-EBT or EBT card. The details are below.
- Pandemic EBT, or P-EBT, is a relief program created out of the CARES Act for families whose children qualify for free and reduced lunch. The program was launched in Massachusetts in April to help low-income families across the state cover the cost of missed school meals while their children learn remotely.
- If families previously received P-EBT on an EBT card funds will be put on that EBT card again - even if a family is no longer using the SNAP benefit at this time.
- If a new EBT card is required please visit DTAConnect.com or call 877-382-2363.
- If families received P-EBT on a P-EBT card in the past, funds will be put on their child's P-EBT card again. If a new P-EBT card is required visit DTAConnect.com/PEBT.
For any additional questions regarding P-EBT benefits please refer to MAp-EBT.org. You can also reach out to the Main Office at McAvinnue and we will connect you with Mrs. De La Luz for support.
The Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank will be at the STEM Academy (43 Highland Street) will take place from 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
The next food pantry is Tuesday, March 9th. Other dates for this school year are listed on the flyer.
This food pantry is a drive-up distribution of assorted foods for all Lowell Public School students and their families. All food bank clients are required to wear a mask to ensure the safety of our volunteers as well as other clients and community members. Please bring reusable grocery bags, baskets, or a cart to carry your food.
Please see the flyer below for more details.
Community Resources and Daycare Options for Families
Here is a list of daycare options in Lowell:
Community Team Work (CTI) (978) 454-5100
Families who are already enrolled in a CTI program...
Call or text school-age coordinators to request a slot
Billy 978-995-0028, wma@commteam.org
Karen 978-729-7216, kshannon@commteam.org
CTI will have full and half day slots for CTI kids
Families who are not enrolled in a CTI program
If you’ve filled out a CTI application in the past...
Contact Karen (978) 729-7216, kshannon@commteam.org to see if where you are on the waitlist
If you’ve never filled out a CTI application...
Fill out an application at 17 Kirk St., 126 Phoenix Ave
Or call the main CTI number (978) 454-5100 to request an email version of the application.
YWCA: (978) 454-5405 or (978) 458-9983; 41 Rock St in Lowell
The YWCA is offering full-day remote slots for families who are working with the Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Call your DCF worker and/or the YWCA to request a slot
YMCA: (978) 454-7825; 1 YMCA Dr in Lowell
Karen Espinola is the school-age director
Fill out a application online or at the YMCA to request a slot
Debbie Doben is the preschool director if your child is preschool age
Family Childcare: Call programs to see if they have openings near you
Bethel Family Childcare (978) 458-6577
Clarendon Family Childcare (978) 454-3026
Child Development and Learning (CDE) (978) 275-2843
ACRE Family Childcare (978) 937-5899
CTI: See above contact information
Girls Inc: (978) 458-6529, 220; Worthen St. in Lowell
Accept girls ages 5-14 years old
Accept Child Care Circuit vouchers, DCF vouchers, and private pay (income-based, sliding scale)
Call Pam Lerocque (Director of Finance & Administration) to check on openings
Girls Inc. has full and part-day options, but no transportation
Boys and GIrls Club: (978) 458-4526; 657 Middlesex St in Lowell
School-age openings for after-school only
Teens who are working with the Department of Children and Families can call BGC or DCF to see if they’re eligible
Follow McAvinnue On Social Media
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/McAvinnueElementarySchool
Twitter: https://twitter.com/McAvinnueLPS
Instagram: http://instragram.com/mcavinnueelementarylps
Weekly Family Read-A-Loud: "How To Catch A Leprechaun" - By Adam Wallace
Our Vision
#McAvinnuePride #BeTheDifference #NextLevel
Email: mdomina@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/21
Location: 131 Mammoth Road, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 937-2871
Facebook: facebook.com/McAvinnueElementarySchool/
Twitter: @McAvinnueLPS