Lowell Memo: Back to School Issue
August 2016
Published by Lowell School & the Lowell PTA
Welcome to the 2016-17 school year!!
The Lowell Memo will continue to be an important source of information throughout the school year! Know that I welcome your feedback at any time during the year, and I invite you to explore our website, social media channels and our school blog to see the many ways 'The Lowell community takes FLIGHT'!
Respectfully,
Dr. Kathy Melton, Principal
New to the Nest
Welcome to Lowell Elementary School!
We are so glad to have you here! As you start to settle in to your new home or are simply preparing for a new year, we wanted to take a brief moment to introduce ourselves and to let you know that Lowell Elementary has an amazing Parent Teacher Association (“PTA”). The PTA is run by parent volunteers and relies on the support of lots of parents, teachers and community members in order to be successful.
The Lowell PTA provides valuable programming and funding to the school. In the past we have contributed funds toward the purchase of classroom iPads as well as PE, Art and Library resources. The PTA annually funds field trips at all grade levels to help supplement and reinforce concepts being taught in the classroom. The PTA also organizes programs like Culture Fest, Discovery Day and Laps for Lowell which combines fun and purpose for students and their families. In short, with the help of parents, teachers and the community there is great work being done for the benefit of the students at Lowell.
Each year our goal is to have all Lowell parents join the PTA. The cost is just $12 for an individual or $20 per family (2 adults); by joining you have access to email alerts regarding important dates and events. As a member you will also receive a printed school directory. Your membership alone is a great support! However if you are interested in becoming more involved, we would love to have you! There are opportunities for all parents to be involved at a level that fits their schedule and interest. If you are interested in learning more, please join us at one of our monthly meetings. The meetings are open to everyone and there is free childcare available. Our first meeting is September 16th at 9:30am in the Art Room at Lowell. For more information about the PTA you can also visit the website at www.lowellpta.org or reach out to us at president@lowellpta.org.
Again, welcome to the Lowell community! We look forward to meeting you and getting to know your family.
Sincerely,
Charity Makela & Debbie Noonan
Lowell PTA Co-Presidents
Back to School Social
Welcome back, Lowell parents!! In anticipation for the beginning of school, Lowell PTA will once again be hosting the annual “Back to School Social” on Tuesday, August 16th from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for you and your child to meet his or her teacher, drop off school supplies and sign up for the PTA!
We are currently asking for donations of bags of ice, bottled water, individual bags of pretzels, and/or popsicles for our children to enjoy during the social. If you are able to donate any of these items, please contact Julie Rusin or Brady Barnick via email at julie@julierusinpr.com or brady.barnick@gmail.com. We have approximately 400 students at Lowell, therefore we rely on donations to make our event a success. We will also need coolers; if you have one we could borrow please let us know! Lastly, we are also looking for volunteers to welcome and pass out our “treats.” If you are willing to work a 30 minute shift, please contact us as well.
While you are enjoying a cool treat, head on over to the PTA table to sign up for your PTA membership or pick up some spirit wear! We will also have water bottles and cinch sacks for sale as well as a preview of the newly designed Lowell themed t-shirts and sweatshirts. We will be accepting cash or check.
We are confident the Back to School Social will be a great event to get all of our children excited and off to the right start this 2016-17 school year at Lowell. Thank you in advance for your support!
5th Grade Patrols Needed
Please contact Mrs. Uthe at denise.uthe@cusd200.org with any questions!
Seeking Lunch & Recess Supervisors!
Sneak Peek into Music
- Band: Monday before school (Grade 5)
- Chorus: Tuesday before school (Grades 4 & 5 with Grade 3 joining mid-year)
- Orchestra: Friday before school (Grade 5)
Again, please keep an eye on the Lowell Memo and communication through your child's teacher about specific start dates and next steps!
Language Stars @ Lowell: Check out this information & the registration link below!
Kindergarten & New Student Physicals & Immunizations are due the first day of school! Please call the Lowell Health office with questions.
Lowell Traffic Patterns & Pets
We also ask that you not bring pets on school property before school, after school or to events during the school day. While many of us have loving pets that are truly family members, we do have students and adults with fears and allergies. Likewise, we have also witnessed calm family pets react unpredictably when startled, even with other pets or people they know. We thank you for your understanding of this.
Thank you for helping us in our top priority of keeping your children safe!
Important Dates
- Thursday, August 11: Classroom Assignments available on Parent VUE after 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 16: Lowell New Family Tour; 4 p.m. This is an optional opportunity to tour Lowell with PTA members and staff. Please call the Lowell office at 682-2085 to RSVP. Please note that while the office will be open on August 15 and 16, the rest of the building will be closed during the day as teachers meet and prepare for the start of school with your children.
- Tuesday, August 16: Lowell School Tours; 4-4:30 p.m. Families who are new to Lowell are welcomed to join school staff and PTA members for a structured tour. Families may also explore the school during the Back to School Social.
- Tuesday, August 16: Back to School Social; 4:30-6 p.m. Lowell families may visit any time in this window to see their child's classroom, meet the teachers, drop off school supplies and celebrate our learning community with other Lowell families! This is a great time to join the PTA and enjoy a small treat, too! (See more details below.)
- Wednesday, August 17: First Day of School for Grades 1-5 (First bell @ 9:05 a.m.; school starts @ 9:15 a.m.)
- Thursday, August 18: First Day of Kindergarten (All Day Kindergarten and Morning Kindergarten: First bell @ 9:05 a.m.; school starts @ 9:15 a.m.) (Afternoon Kindergarten: school starts at 12:50 p.m.)
- Tuesday, August 23: Ice Cream Social for new Lowell families in Grades 1-5; 6-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, August 31: Curriculum Night; Time TBD
- Friday, September 16 : First PTA meeting of the year; 9:30 a.m.
Please continue to check out the Lowell web calendar for future planning!
School Supplies
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications:
Free and Reduced Lunch applications will be sent home the first week of school. If you need financial assistance with lunch fees, please complete and return the form to the office prior to Friday, September 30. These forms need to be completed each school year.
Has a D200 teacher been an inspiration to your child? Check out Inspiration Nominations linked below!
Lowell Eagles Learn: Our School Blog
Thank you for helping tell our story! Check out our newest posts, including staff appreciation from a Lowell mom!
View the District ESchool Bag!
Student Excellence Foundation
Support the Lowell PTA through Amazon.com!!
http://fundyourpta.org/lowellelementary.php
Bookmark this page for use anytime you need to shop at Amazon.com There are no price increases or fees for shoppers or Lowell PTA. Amazon funds the program as a fund raising opportunity for schools and organizations.
Check out what we shared on social media last year below and follow or like us for a look into Lowell during 2016-17!
Lowell Elementary School
Email: kathleen.melton@cusd200.org
Website: http://www.cusd200.org/Domain/1164
Location: 312 N President St, Wheaton, IL
Phone: 630-682-2085
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lowell-Elementary-CUSD-200/221307011362417
Twitter: @LowellCUSD200