The Lion's Roar
McAvinnue's Community Newsletter: Week Of March 27th
McAvinnue's Principal's Message
Hello McAvinnue Community!
March is truly the longest month of the school year with no holiday days, scheduled days off, and vacation days to speak of. There were a few unexpected snow days...but, that was about it! We did a great job taking full advantage of the extended and consistent time with our students providing predictable needed instruction as we enter the last quarter of the school year!
We had a great turn out for Parent Teacher Conferences last Wednesday! It was so great to see so many families come in to review the overall progress of their child. We even had a few families that attended conferences using Google Meets or on the Zoom virtual platform. We will continue to offer multiple ways to connect with families moving forward that allows the greatest flexibility that will support everyone's busy schedules. If you didn't have a chance to connect with your child's teacher, please feel free to reach out to them and they will do their best to accommodate your request to connect.
Our second round of report cards were sent home with students last Wednesday. Please make sure that you review your child's report card and reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions or concerns. We will have one final round of report cards for all students in June before we leave for the Summer Break.
MCAS will occur starting on the week of April 4th for our Grade 3 and Grade 4 students. We have developed a thoughtful testing schedule for both grade levels for 2 weeks in April (ELA) and 2 additional weeks in May (Math). Our students have spent time in March preparing for these important tests by completing test prep units as well as taking some practice testing sessions. You can find additional information regarding MCAS testing in the section below.
Here are a few items that you need to be aware for the next few weeks. Please mark your calendars for the following events and activities that will occur at McAvinnue:
- Monday, March 27th - McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
- Tuesday, March 28th - McAvinnue's School Site Council Meeting @ 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Thursday, March 30th - Grade 2 Field Trip: Tsongas Industrial History Museum (Rooms 101 & 102)
- Friday, March 31st - Grade 3 Practice MCAS Testing Session
- Friday, March 31st - McAvinnue's Lion's Pride Core Value All School Celebration @ 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
- Monday, April 3rd - Grade 3 & 4 MCAS "Pump Up Breakfast" @ 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
- Tuesday, April 4th - MCAS "Pump Up" All School Meeting @ 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
- Wednesday, April 5th - Grade 3 ELA MCAS: Session 1
- Thursday, April 6th - Grade 3 ELA MCAS: Session 2
- Friday, April 7th - No School: Good Friday Holiday
You will find additional details for the events and activities list above in this edition of McAvinnue's "Lion's Roar" Community Newsletter.
As usual, we are looking forward to another amazing week at the "best school that we all know"!
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.
2022 MCAS Testing Dates: Grades 3 - 4
We have scheduled McAvinnue's MCAS dates for this school year. Please see the dates below for both Grade 3 and Grade 4.
ELA
- Grade 3 ELA - April 5th (Session 1); April 6th (Session 2)
- Grade 3 ELA Make Up Sessions - April 10th & 11th
- Grade 4 ELA - April 12th (Session 1); April 13th (Session 2)
- Grade 3 ELA Make Up Sessions - April 14th & 17th
Math
- Grade 3 Math - May 3rd (Session 1); Math 4th (Session 2)
- Grade 3 Math Make Up Sessions - Math 5th & 8th
- Grade 4 Math - May 10th (Session 1); May 11th (Session 2)
- Grade 3 Math Make Up Sessions - May 12th & 15th
It's important that ALL of our students attend on the days that their grade level is testing. Being rested, on time, and fully prepared is essential for students to "show what they know" and do their very best!
If you have any questions, please reach out directly to your child's teacher for additional information.
McAvinnue's April Vacation Program
Looking for some fun activities to get your child moving this April Vacation?
McAvinnue is super excited to offer an April Vacation Program that runs from Tuesday, April 18th through Friday, April 21st! This amazing opportunity is FREE of charge!
Program hours are 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the McAvinnue Elementary School. There is no transportation available.
Students will engage in a Food Fun Make and Take (including opportunities to participate in our school garden) , Yoga and self-awareness (techniques and strategies and regulate emotions and create positive energy), and Pine Car Derby (designing, creating, and racing a car model prototype).
You can register using the link or QR code on the flyer. (For QR, open camera mode on phone and point at QR. It will send you to registration).
You can also register using the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdf9M4TYRVc_a2fKuFXykROmLVSdjWsgE_-jZtG7Rx0-AV2bA/viewform
This opportunity is open for students K-4. Please contact Ms. Wagner at mwagner@lowell.k12.ma.us with any questions or concerns.
McAvinnue's Week In Review
McAvinnue’s “Artist of the Week”
"McAvinnue's Musician Of The Week"
Kindness Board!
Grade 3 Field Trip: Lowell Boott Cotton Mills
STEAM Studio March Madness!
Grade 3 students worked in groups to design and build catapults and basketball hoops. They then used the catapults and hoops to face off against each other in a "March Madness" bracket tournament! Here are the winning teams from each classroom!
ST Math Good News: Week Of March 27th
100% Progress & Beyond
ST Math Weekly Update
Week Of March 27th
Check out our ST Math updated weekly celebrations below!
What an amazing month of puzzle play for McAvinnue! Our students have solved 814,770 puzzles so far this school year! This is such amazing progress by our students! We are well on our way to reaching 1 million puzzles by the end of the school year!
We have 2 classrooms that have reached 100% progress as an entire class....Rooms 301 and 302! They will join Room 309 as the classrooms that have achieved this tremendous accomplishment. We have many more classrooms that are on their way to 100% progress!
Percent Progress Averages continue to impress! Our school reached 78% Percent Progress! Our school goal is to reach 80% progress by the end of May. We will move past this goal this up and coming week! Also, we will most likely take over the top spot in the Lowell Public School District! It also looks very likely that we will reach 100% progress as a school by the end of this school year.
McAvinnue's next ST Math Challenge "March Mathness" completed its first week of grade level competition. We will announce the winner classrooms that will move on to the semi finals on Monday, March 27th. Stay tuned for the results....and who is moving on in this super fun tournament!
Total Puzzles Completed
School-Wide Percent Progress
New Classes Reaching 100% Progress
McAvinnue's ST Math "March Mathness" Challenge
McAvinnue's ST Math March Mathness has arrived! Our 23 playing classrooms begin on Monday, March 13th - Friday, April 5th!
Every classroom has a base percent progress. The goal is to increase that progress percentage from week to week. After this week, 7 classrooms will move on, however, no classroom is truly out of the competition. There will be a "wild card classroom" and a classroom that receives a "bye" for the week of March 20th. Honorable mentions will also be celebrated. Be on the lookout for additional details during morning announcements.
This is going to be a ton of fun!
Check out the Round 2 bracket below. We will announce who will move on to the semi-final round on Monday, March 27th during McAvinnue's Morning Announcements! Stay tuned!
McAvinnue's Student Daily Attendance Policy
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out directly.
Upcoming Events
Here are important dates to remember during the month of March and April:
- Monday, March 27th - McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
- Tuesday, March 28th - McAvinnue's School Site Council Meeting @ 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Thursday, March 30th - Grade 2 Field Trip: Tsongas Industrial History Museum (Rooms 101 & 102)
- Friday, March 31st - Grade 3 Practice MCAS Testing Session
- Friday, March 31st - McAvinnue's Lion's Pride Core Value All School Celebration @ 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
- Monday, April 3rd - Grade 3 & 4 MCAS "Pump Up Breakfast" @ 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
- Tuesday, April 4th - MCAS "Pump Up" Pep Rally All School Meeting @ 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
- Wednesday, April 5th - Grade 3 ELA MCAS: Session 1
- Thursday, April 6th - Grade 3 ELA MCAS: Session 2
- Friday, April 7th - No School: Good Friday Holiday
- Wednesday, April 12th - Grade 4 ELA MCAS: Session 1
- Thursday, April 13th - Grade 4 ELA MCAS: Session 2
- Thursday, April 13th - McAvinnue's School Site Council Meeting @ 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Monday, April 17th - 21st - No School: Spring Break
- Monday, April 24th - McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
McAvinnue's School Site Council Meeting
McAvinnue's School Site Council will meet on Tuesday, March 28th at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM. This meeting will be conducted virtually using the Google Meets platform
You can find meeting information including Google Meets login information using the link below:
Check Out McAvinnue's "Virtual" Morning Announcements!
Like we had successfully done last school year, a new edition of McAvinnue's "Virtual" Morning Announcements will be presented to our students on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. We will continue to use Tuesday and Thursday each week to be used for "Open Circle"....our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that focuses on community building, prosocial decision making, and appropriate responses to daily stressors both within the school and home settings.
This will continue to be a great way to bring our school together each day focusing on the same message to get the energy, commitment, and engage up before we launch into another great day at "the best school we all know".
You can check out each edition of McAvinnue's Morning Announcements on our YouTube channel using the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7hxiBuRjqjqfASl_RLMleQ
If you want a peek of the latest edition of McAvinnue's "Virtual Morning Announcements", check out the video below!
McAvinnue's Yoga Pose Of The Week: "Washing Machine" Continued...
We will be sticking with this classic yoga pose again this week called the "Washing Machine". This pose will allow us to release anxiety, worry, or anger by visualizing washing those things down the drain to feel refreshed and have a new start to the day! We will practice the "Washing Machine" pose daily during our "Virtual" Morning Announcements during this up and coming week.
You can get an early head start and practice this technique before we launch into another exciting week!
Drop-Off & Pick-Up Logistics
Drop-Off Logistics
- Arrival begins at 9:10 AM each day. The late bell rings at 9:25 AM.
- Please pull up to the 4th Avenue side of the building when dropping off your child.
- As you approach the 4th Avenue sidewalk, a faculty member will greet and support getting your child safely out of the vehicle.
- This area is a drop off area ONLY. You will not be permitted to park in this location.
- Please be sure to drive all the way down to the end of the sidewalk so we can fit as many vehicles in this location as possible.
- Ensure your child is ready to go and do not get out of the car so we can keep traffic moving.
- Students accessing our CSA program will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.
- Large bus students will enter using the back door located in the rear of the school building.
- Small bus and van transportation students will use the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.
Morning Lining Up Locations
- Grade 1, 3, and 4 students will use the Main Door to enter the school building.
- Grade 2 will use the 4th Avenue doorway near the front of the school to enter the building.
- PreK & Kindergarten will use the Early Childhood door to enter the building. This door is located to the right of McAvinnue's Reading Garden and to the left of the Main Door.
Pick-Up Logistics
- Grade 1 will be dismissed out the Main Door.
- Grades 2, 3, and 4 will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the front of the school.
- Kindergarten students will be dismissed out the Early Childhood door. This door is located to the right of McAvinnue's Reading Garden and to the left of the Main Door.
- Students accessing our CSA program will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.
- PreK students will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway. Please contact Ms. Annie for the specific dismissal time.
School Bus Transportation Information
School bus transportation is provided to students in grades K-4, who live greater than .75 mile from their residence or alternate address to their assigned school. Middle school students (grades 5-8) must live greater than 1.5 miles from their residence or alternate address to their assigned school.
Kindergarten through 4th grade students will receive a printed bus pass via postal mail. These passes were mailed out on August 24th. You can also look up your student's bus pass information by using their Student ID for the username and date of birth for the password at the link below. This is the same information that students use to log in to their Chromebooks for school.
Please note that Kindergarten and 1st grader students must have an older sibling (4th grade or older) or parent present at the bus stop in the afternoon in order to depart from the school bus. If a parent or older sibling is not present, the student will be brought to the Moody School, located at 158 Rogers Street. A driver’s license or valid identification must be presented to the staff in order to dismiss the student.
You can use the LPSD "Bus Lookup Tool" using the link below. You will need to use you child's LASID or lunch number along with their birthdate to access this helpful system.
There also is a helpful video that you can watch that will walk you through the process.
Need Info? FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
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 or use the online form found in this newsletter.
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.
Medical Information Reminder
Forms and medication can be dropped off to Nurse Robin any time during the school day. However, it's ideal to drop things off between 9:10 AM - 9:30 AM each day.
Nurse Robin cannot administer ANY medications without a physician's order, including over-the-counter medications. Please make sure that the school nurse is provided refills in advance of any medication supply running out.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Nurse Robin directly,
2022-2023 School Year Calendar
March Breakfast/Lunch Menu
Parent & Family Resources
NFI Family Resource Center: A.T.T.E.N.D.S Workshop
Reducing Child Abuse By Rethinking Discipline
Preschool Registration Information
SNAP Benefits For Families
Mental Health Support Available
Emergency Contact Form: 2022-2023
Get a jump start now and complete your emergency contact form for the 2022-2023 academic school year?
We have made it really easy for you to complete this important task. You can access the online form below. When you complete this form, it is immediately sent to McAvinnue and we will print it out for our records.
You don't need to come to the school to complete this form...you can do it right on your phone, tablet, or computer!
If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. De La Luz at adelaluz@lowell.k12.ma.us or contact the Main Office at McAvinnue for support!
McAvinnue Spirit Gear By Prep Sportswear
We have an online store if you wish to order any McAvinnue gear! It is open 24 hours per day and there is no due date for orders. Anytime you want to order...on any day!
The company is Prep Sportswear and has been reliable with solid product quality from reputable brands.
There is a 30% off deal occuring now on all items! This is a major discount if you are interested in purchasing McAvinnue merchandise.
We are also exploring additional local options to purchase McAvinnue gear. Stay tuned for more information in the month of September.
To access our current online store for McAvinnue spirit gear, please click the link below.
Mill City Grows Winter Markets
Don’t let winter stop you from eating fresh local fruits and vegetables! Fresh, locally grown produce is now available for purchase through April 2023 at Mill City Grows’ (MCG) Indoor Winter Mobile Markets at UMass Lowell University Crossing and MCG’s ROOT Kitchen.
Shoppers can enjoy a variety of seasonal vegetables grown on farm sites in the City of Lowell as well as fresh produce sourced from area farmers and growers. Mill City Grows Mobile Markets accept SNAP/EBT, cash, credit, debit, and Mill City Grows E-Gift Cards (a great stocking stuffer: https://squareup.com/gift/A6CVNHCK5PKAE/order) for payment. All markets also accept HIP (Healthy Incentives Program), a SNAP benefit that provides $1 back for every dollar spent on fruits and vegetables purchased directly from a HIP authorized farm or vendor. SNAP customers are encouraged to ask about HIP discounts while shopping.
The full Indoor Winter Mobile Market schedule can be viewed and downloaded at https://www.millcitygrows.org/mobile-markets/, including multilingual schedules in Khmer, Spanish, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Chinese, Haitian Creole, and Pashto. Please follow Mill City Grows on Facebook and Instagram for all scheduling updates or call 978-455-2620. The full schedule is listed below:
2022-2023 MILL CITY GROWS INDOOR WINTER MOBILE MARKET SCHEDULE
University Crossing Atrium at UMass Lowell
220 Pawtucket Street, Lowell
Monthly on Wednesdays from 2 PM – 4 PM
- April 19, 2023
* Parking is available at the Pawtucket Metered Lot across from University Crossing at 219 Pawtucket Street.
Community Connections & Opportunities
Baseball & Softball Leagues!
Community Resources & Daycare Options for Families
Looking for before or after school daycare options for your child? Here is a short list of options and information for your consideration.
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
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 there is a 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.
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
Boys and GIrls Club: (978) 458-4526; 657 Middlesex St in Lowell
School-age openings for after-school
Teens who are working with the Department of Children and Families can call BGC or DCF to see if they’re eligible
Local Food Support
Click the link below for a list of local food pantries that are willing to help.
You can also reach out to Mrs. De La Luz, McAvinnue's Social Worker, for support navigating these and other options.
McAvinnue's Family Read-A-Loud
"Fletcher And The Springtime Blossoms"
McAvinnue's School Website
Please visit our website at: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/mcavinnue
Follow McAvinnue On Social Media
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