Lowell Lions Roar!
February 2018
From the desk of Mrs. Larva
I Love Lowell / I Love to Read Week
Each February, we take a week to celebrate our LOVE of Reading. At Lowell, we also celebrate the PRIDE we have in our school at this time with special dress up days. Again this year, our student council took on the role of determining what our special events would look like, and they did a PAWESOME job! Here is what they came up with:
- Monday: Pajama Day (read a book you would read before bed)
- Tuesday: Neon/Rainbow Day (read a happy book)
- Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday (read a silly book)
- Thursday: Sports/Jersey Day (read a sport book)
- Friday: Lowell PRIDE Day (wear red and read a nonfiction book)
Students are welcomed to bring books from home to share with their class.
We have also planned two Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) times. On Monday, when we are all cozy in our pajamas, students are encouraged to bring their flashlights to read by. Friday is reserved for a special popcorn treat in each classroom. Our PTA will be making popcorn for us. If you are able to help out with the popcorn making and distributing, contact Kari Speer (nelsonka@gmail.com)
Signing up for February Conferences
Directions for signing up:
To create an account in Sign-up Genius: https://goo.gl/4a7qop
To sign up for Thursday, February 8, 2018: https://goo.gl/UQmgNi
To sign up for Tuesday, February 13, 2018: https://goo.gl/aNPS8y
Click on the time slot under the correct teacher to reserve your conference time.
The Great Kindness Challenge
The Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement. The Great Kindness Challenge is one week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible at school. Using the provided checklist of 50 kind acts, classes accepted the challenge to show the school and the world that KINDNESS MATTERS! Lowell is participating in this challenge during the week of January 29-February 2! Classes that meet our challenge will have their picture taken and posted on the bulletin board in the front lobby!
Important Upcoming Dates
Feb 7: Jump Rope for Heart Kick-off
Feb 8: Conferences and Book Fair
Feb 13: Conferences and Book Fair
February 12-16: I Love Lowell/I Love to Read
February 19-23: Winter Break: No School
February 27: PTA Meeting/Family Night: Book Bingo
Student Council Update
Media Center News
Lowell Lions love to read, read, and read s’more! S’more what?? Yes, s’mores in the library if we can reach our goal of creating 300 conversation heart book reviews by the end of February! The library will be transformed into a campground to help us cozy up with all our great books.
Do you wonder when your child’s book is due or what’s going on in media? Do you have a couple hours to help in the library? Check out the Media Center Website for all this and more!
-Mrs. Van Scoy (Mrs. V.), Media Specialist
Geography Bee News:
The School Wide Geography Bee was held, Tuesday, January 16th with room winners from Grades 4 and 5 participating. Congratulations to the following students: Brooklyn Erie and Makiah Guy from Mr. Warmanen’s class; Lewis Pellar and Alex Udd from Mr. Erie’s class; Siiri Anderson and Warren Williams from Mrs. Holt’s class; Eli O’Rourke and Vince Zhou from Mrs. Kass’s class. It took several rounds of questions and nearly an hour and a half, but school- wide winners were finally determined. The third place winner was Brooklyn Erie. The runner-up was Alex Udd. Our Geo-Bee school champion is Lewis Pellar. Lewis will have the opportunity to qualify for the state level competition with an online test. Congratulations to all of the participants! Great job!
Mrs. Upton
The Math Corner
How tall are you?
Many families record the height of their child on a door or wall chart. If you do the same for everyone in the family, your child can join in the measuring and see how the heights compare. Measurement and understanding relationships between numbers are crucial to the development of mathematical thinking.
Cindy Upton, Math Interventionist
Lowell P.E. update
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!
Dates to remember!
Olympics in PE class! January 24-February 5!
Jump for Heart Kick-Off, February 7 in the Lowell Gym at 1:30. Fourth and Fifth graders will be performing!
Jump for Heart stations during PE time on February 14-15.
FIT and FUN Run: May 16 at PSS, (Denfeld) Times to be announced!
FIELD DAY: Last Day of School! Volunteers will be needed to help with field day stations.
Attention!! There will not be a JUMP FOR HEART Movie Night this year.
Winter Activities:
Cooperative Games, Nature Play and fort building, Kaiser Ball, Rhythms and Dance, Basketball, Basketball Word games, Floor Hockey, Snowshoeing, Gymnastics, WINTER Olympic Games, Jump for Heart Kick off and Jump for Heart Stations, jump rope activities including the jump rope Tiger Jungle Obstacle Course!
Our grades 4-5 students are practicing their exhibition performances for the Jump for heart Kick-Off !
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
Lost and Found
Come check out the growing mountain of Lost and Found items located near our cafeteria entrance. Items found around the school will often make their way down to the baskets and hanging area. They need to be matched with their owner.
To help us return lost items to children, please label all clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. with your child's name. After a reasonable amount of time, unclaimed items will be given to a charitable organization.
Winter Preparedness
We find that students are often missing boots and snowpants. These items are not readily on hand for students to borrow. Please make sure to send your child each day with all needed items (boots, hats, mittens, jackets, snowpants, and scarves).
If you need assistance with outdoor winter attire, please contact Taylor Walling or Amanda Borling.
On Time and Absence Reminders
Please ensure that your child arrives to school on time each day. We have noticed an increase in tardies and absences with the colder weather. We understand that weather can cause delays. Please try to get your child to school by the start time of 7:45am.
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.
What Should I do if my Child is Sick?
- has a fever of 100 degrees or more (if this is the case, your child should stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medicine)
- has vomited/has diarrhea (if this is the case, your child should remain at home 24 hours after it has stopped)
- has a persistent cough
- has any rash
- has open or draining skin sores
- has eyes or ears that have pus drainage
If your child is ill, please call the attendance line to report the absence: 218-336-8895
If your child has influenza-like symptoms, please report it to the school nurse.
Tips to help your family stay healthy:
- cough or sneeze into your sleeve
- wash hands frequently
- avoid sharing personal items: drinks, food, eating utinsils
- get a flu shot
- get sleep
Once a Week, Take a Peek
Head lice can be an uncomfortable but common issue among children. An estimated 6 to 12 million infestations occur each year among U.S. children 3 to 11 years of age. Head lice do not carry diseases. Personal hygiene or household or school cleanliness are not factors for infestation. Lice do not jump or fly; they only move by crawling. They spread mostly by direct head-to-head contact.
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
Lowell Happenings
Snapshots
Ski Club Grades 3-5 out at Spirit Mountain
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the John Beargrease Cub Run mini mushers for a fun and beautiful day of dog sled competition!
1st place: Sawyer Morrow
Bio: Sawyer is a 2nd grader at Lowell Elementary and is enrolled in the Ojibwe immersion program. Not born into a mushing family and with only one month experience, Sawyer is excited to be mushing in the Cub Run for the first time with the support of Ryan Redington and his family.
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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