Lowell Lions' Roar!
April 2017
From the Desk of Mrs. Larva
Celebrating our "Pawsome" behavior
If you are ever at the school when the morning announcement are being read, you will hear talk about classrooms earning their "Superpaws". In February, we launched our school-wide positive behavior incentive program. Students are earning "Pawsome" coins for following our positively stated behavior expectations and collecting them as a classroom. When they collect 50 coins, the class turns them in for a "Superpaw", or a large pawprint that the class can proudly display outside of their classroom. Our first goal was to reach 4 Superpaws for extra PE or outside time. Next, classes will strive for 8 Superpaws in total to earn their way into our school-wide Popcorn Party at the end of the month.
We are also working with a graphic design company to develop our signage for our behavior expectations. We will have signs in English, Ojibwe, and Spanish around the public spaces that will inform students of the Safe, Kind, Respectful, and Honest behaviors associated with that location. Hopefully we will have them printed and published before the end of the school year!
Our next area to focus on with students is our positive bus expectations. I recently met with Bus Route #6: the students, the bus driver, the monitor, and management of the Voyageur Bus Company. We had an open discussion about what it felt like to ride Bus #6 and how we all can work together to make improvements. The bus driver agreed to report positive behaviors to the office so students can earn coins for their class.
Welcoming the Class of 2030
On March 27, Lowell hosted our annual Kindergarten-Round Up. This year's theme was "Grow with Us" and we had a wonderful turn-out. Many families toured our building and had the opportunity to talk with our volunteers about what makes Lowell unique.
If you know a child that would be entering Kindergarten next fall, please direct them to Lowell. We offer kindergarten programming in three language options: English, Ojibwe, and Spanish! Contact the Lowell Secretary, Gayle Hunger, at 218-336-8895 for more information about enrollment.
A Huge Thank YOU to our PTA volunteers!
Our Round-Up event would not have been as successful during this busy time of the year without all of our PTA volunteers. Every volunteer helped welcome families, shared experiences and information, and helped us set the tone for the building. Your efforts are much appreciated!
In March, our Fifth grade students were chosen to attend STARBASE at the 148th Airbase. The STARBASE program is looking to expand to the Duluth base and needed a group of fifth grade students for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) experience. Luckily for us, we are so close to the airbase and our students were chosen to trial a mini version. The fifth grade students spent their time learning about Mars, designing possible living structures, and programming lego rovers.
Upcoming Events:
MCA continue in April for grades 3, 4, and 5
April 22: Fundraiser for Healthy Playground sponsored by Lowell (see event notice)
April 24: PTA meeting @ 6pm
April 26-28: Fourth Grade Wolf-Ridge trip
May 1-5: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5: PTA Carnival
May 26: Grandparents' Day! Mark your calendars...more info to come!
Hiring 2017-18 ReadingCorps Members!
Did you know that students who don’t read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade are four times more likely to drop outof school? Our goal is to help all Minnesota children become proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade and give them a better start to their futures. If you are passionate about education and literacy, join us and make a difference in the lives of preschool and elementary students.
Become a Minnesota Reading Corps tutor and help struggling readers, age 3 to grade 3, get on track for reading at grade level. We’ll provide training to get you started and ongoing coaching so you’ll be supported throughout your serve year.
Nature Play Notes
Now that the sand pit is all thawed out, it is going to be a hopping place on our nature playscape. We are looking for some loose parts to enhance our play area. During the month of April, please consider donating:
- metal muffin tins
- small metal bowls
- metal tonka trucks
- wooden spoons
- metal watering can
- metal buckets/pots
- small gardening shovels, rakes, etc.
You will note that we are looking for items that will not break easily. You can drop all items off in the Lowell lobby.
Family Picnic:
Please pack a picnic lunch and join us on the soccer field for school-wide family picnic on Thursday, May 11th. Wear shoes that allow you to hike the trails and be ready to play in the woods. Lunch times vary depending on each grade level from 11:10-12:55. We will make accommodations for families with more than one child. More details to come in the May e-newsletter!
If you are interested in learning more about our Nature Play initiative at Lowell, please contact Laura Whittaker: llwhittaker@gmail.com
P.E. in the Spring
Spring Activities
Cooperative games, Fitness testing (pacer, push-ups, curl-ups, trunk lift, sit and reach) Tennis, Orienteering, Big Base, Jump rope skills, Jump for Heart, Nature play, T-Ball, Bowling, Track and Field, Pin Blast, Fitness Knowledge Activities, Nutrition Activities, Innovative Fitness Tag games, Fit and Fun Run
Dates to Remember
Wednesday, May 17: Fit and Fun Run grades 3-5 (Rain day May 18) at Public Schools Stadium
Wednesday, June 7: Field Day We will need parent volunteers for this fun day! More info to come!
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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!
DON’T FORGET
YOUR
GYM SHOES!
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JUMP FOR HEART
We participated in the annual Jump for Heart event, raising money for the American Heart Association. Our Lowell students raised $2513.60! Thank you so much to all of our Lowell students and families for participating in this event.
The Top Fundraisers are Kylie Goble ($305) in Mrs. Sullivan’s class, Rylee Zolan-Greek ($295) in Mrs. Kass class, Noah Thompson ($250) in Mrs. Sullivan’s class, and Arielle Gilles ($205) in Mrs. Gottschald’s class! Way to go Kylie, Rylee, Noah, and Arielle and Thank You!
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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.
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Lake Superior Tour
We are exercising our way around Lake Superior! Started up the North Shore! 10 minutes of exercise equals one mile. Our map is on the wall outside the gym. We should complete the tour by the end of the year!
Greeting from Mr Carlson in the Art Room!
Annual District wide Art Show Miller Hill Mall
We recently had the annual district wide Art March 20-26 at the Miller Hill Mall. The following students had work in the show.
5th Graders
Amyah Sias, Hailey Radosevich, Edward Buck, Madalyn McCorison
4th Graders
Tyrone Roskoski, Breyonna Peeden, Amy Ricketts, Kylee Zwak, Charlye Dunker Newberg, Avanthi Turner
3rd Graders
Mason Williams, Lyvia Kamunen, Presley Johnsrud, Lydia Weisman
2nd Graders
Emma Vanyo, Carter Spoden, Brea Bailey, Alivia DeJesus, Jasper Wolfe, Gerianne Johnson
1st Graders
Natalie Rasch, Alanna Barbosa
Kindergarten
Linnea Hedin, Maddie Delmore, Hattie MacLean, Eliza Shelton,
Zeitgeist Art Show Students also will have work in a show at the Zeitgeist theatre starting April 1 and will be up through May 1. Three students from Lowell have work in the upcoming show; Lewis Peller, Anja Bucar, and Isabel Novak.
ECHOES OF PEACE and ZEITGEIST present
The Art of Ubuntu
I Am Because We Are
April 28 and 29, 2017
“The Art of Ubuntu” Schedule
5pm Friday, April 28 - ART EXHIBIT OPENING at Zeitgeist
5pm reception | 6pm program
2-4pm, Saturday, April 29 - ARTS AFTERNOON at Zeitgeist
Message from Keyzone
April 21st: KEY Zone will host a Family Night on Friday, April 21st from 6:00pm to 7:30pm in the cafeteria. There will be food and no-cost activities in addition to BINGO for $1.00/card. In celebration of Global Youth Service Day, KEY Zone's Youth Advisory Council is creating care packages for kids who have been hospitalized. Funds raised with BINGO will be used to purchase items to complete care packages for pediatric patients at St. Luke's. Hope to see you there! Contact Melissa Schmidtke, KEY Zone Site Coordinator with questions at: 218-336-8895 x2947.
April 27th: Fall Registration for KEY Zone will occur from 4:00pm to 5:30pm in the Media Center. Current KEY Families who are enrolled in Auto-Pay will need to simply drop off their registration packets. All others interested in registering will need to bring their $30 registration fee and completed registration packets. The KEY Zone team looks forward to assisting you! Contact Melissa Schmidtke, KEY Zone Site Coordinator with questions at: 218-336-8895 x2947
Earth Day Fundraiser for ISD 709 Mulch Removal
Advance Tickets are now available:
- Kids 8 and younger $5 ($7 at the door)
- Kids 9 + and Adults are $10
With the $10 ticket, ticket holders will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win $100-$300 (need not be present to win)! Go to Facebook Duluth Parents for Healthy Playgrounds for more information.
Tickets will be sold in the Lowell lobby on Friday 4/14 in the morning for drop off and in the afternoon during pick-up.
We have recently learned about the $30,000 match that is available to us so our goal is to raise at least $30,000!
Saturday, Apr 22, 2017, 04:30 PM
Skyline Lounge, Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown, MN, United States
Healthy Playground Fundraiser
Did you know that we have a great event coming up on Saturday, April 22nd from 4:30-7:30 at Skyline (Bowling) Lodge? It's a fundraiser hosted by Duluth Parents for Healthy Playgrounds and the Duluth PTSA Council, sponsored by Lowell PTA, to help raise funds for the tire mulch removal/playground resurfacing project. We will have food, cash bar, a photo booth, silent auction and prize drawings!!
This event it s a big deal and we need volunteers to make the event successful. Please consider donating some time to helping us that day AND plan to attend the event!! Click on the link below for more information! I promise you will have a great time and we will be so grateful!!!
Tickets go on sale next week!!!
Thank you,
Brie Eisenbarth
Lowell PTA
DPHP Fundraising Coordinator
Contact Us
Email: web.lowell@isd709.org
Website: http://lowell-elementary.isd709.org/
Location: 2000 Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN, United States
Phone: 218-336-8895
Facebook: facebook.com/lowelllions
Twitter: @lowell_es_lions