Lowell Lions Roar!
May / June 2018
From the desk of Mrs. Larva
Wrapping Up the School Year
As much as I love spring, this is a very challenging time as a building principal. I feel like I now have my feet planted in two school years: wrapping up this one and planning for the next.
May and June are months that are filled with activities and excitement. Many grade-levels will have special end of the year celebrations or field trips. Please keep any dates that come your way from your child's classroom teacher or the office on your radar:)
PBIS School-wide BINGO!
Ask any of our students what it means to be a Lowell Lion and they will tell you that they are Safe, Kind, Respectful, and Honest. All year, students have been earning "Pawsome" coins for their classrooms. When a class earns 50 coins they are awarded a "Superpaw". Classroom teachers will celebrate their "pawsome" behavior in many ways, but we also have been having periodic celebrations as a school throughout the year. We are planning on having our next big celebration on Friday, May 11 at 8:10 AM. We will play Bingo over the loudspeaker. Student will be allowed to run down the hall with their BINGO to the lobby to choose a prize. This will be the ONLY time that students will be allowed to run in school!
Appreciation for our Staff
Our staff give so much to our students during the school year: time, love and attention to name a few! It is time for us to give back to our staff for their dedication and caring. Join the PTA in celebrating our staff next week (May 7-11). Ask your child to be a part of appreciating the staff by having them draw a picture, send a thank you, or even just help them practice what they could say to thank someone.
Important Upcoming Dates
May 7-11: Staff Appreciation week
May 11: Schoolwide BINGO game
May 15: PTA meeting at 6 PM
May 16: Fit and Fun Run at Public School Stadium (bus leaves at 12:15)
May 18: PTA School Carnival
May 25: Grandparent / Special Elder Day (see schedule)
May 28: Memorial Day (No School)
June 6: 5th Grade Graduation at 8:30 AM
June 7: Field Day (AM) and Last Day of School
School Garden Message
The Bookworm Club
Learning to infer, or "read between the lines", is one key to good reading comprehension. Consider these tips for helping your youngster make inferences.
Describe the setting
Pick a book, and read a few sentences to your child (without him looking). Leave out words that name the setting. Example: "Sand stretched out in all directions...cacti dotted the landscape." Can he infer where the story is set? If he isn't sure, give him a hint. ("Where do you see lots of sand and cacti?)
Look for lessons
Fables are great for reading between the lines. Read one by Aesop, and help your youngster figure out the lesson. For instance, The Tortoise and the Hare teaches that even if you are slow, you can win if you just keep going. Have your child point out parts that she used to make her inference. (The tortoise never stopped, and he took one good step after another")
Use prompts
Questions that start with "Why do you think...?" or "How do you know...?" can encourage your youngster to infer. You might ask why he thinks a character behaved the way he did or how he knows it's going to snow. Together look for clues in the book that may help him answer the questions.
@2017 Resources for Educations, a division of CCH Incorporated
Mrs. Larva's Book Pick
Looking for a Few Good Reading Corps Members!
- PreK Literacy Tutor
- Kindergarten Focus Literacy Tutor
- K-3 Literacy Tutor
Tutors come from many backgrounds and include recent high school and college grads, career changers, stay-at-home parents and retirees. With training, support from onsite coaches and evidence-based strategies, Reading Corps tutors are well-equipped to change lives. No previous teaching experience necessary!
Tutors earn a living allowance, education award (up to $5,920) to repay student loans or pay tuition, and federal student loan forbearance. Tutors may be eligible for health insurance and child care assistance. To learn how you can join our team as a Reading Corps tutor, visit www.readingandmath.net.
Questions? Contact recruitment@servetogrow.org or 866-859-2825.
P.E. Newsletter
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!
FIT and FUN Run: May 16 at PSS, (Denfeld) Buses leave Lowell at 12:15. RUN TIME is 12:40. Buses return to Lowell at 1:20.
FIELD DAY: Thursday, June 7. Last Day of School! Volunteers will be needed to help with field day stations.
- Our UMD students will be leaving us. (where does the time go?) So fun to have them with us teaching our students new and innovative activities/games!
- PE classes will go outside as soon as our fields dry up and are accommodating for action!
- We want to take Big Base Kickball outside, as well as track and field events.
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
Math Corner
The next time you go to a restaurant, hang on to the menu while you are waiting for your meal and play some math games with your child. Ask him to find the least expensive item on the menu, then all the items that cost between $5 and $10 or three items whose total cost is between $9 and $20. This will not only fill the time while you’re waiting to eat, it will show your child how math is used every day. Cindy Upton, Math Interventionist
Spring Art Room Update
Second grade artists participated in the 25th annual Empty Bowl fundraiser. The Empty Bowl event raises awareness about poverty and raises money for local charities. The proceeds from our work will support the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, which assist in feeding nearly 42,000 hungry families throughout Northeastern MN and Northwestern Wisconsin. Thank you to our second grade teachers Mrs. Woyno and Mrs. Gottschald, and the many parent and family volunteers that helped make this possible. Come see these beautiful bowls in the main hall display cases before they make their way home!
Big congratulations to students in the annual Duluth Schools Art Exhibit. We had a great turn out for the closing reception. Thank you to all that came to celebrate our student’s hard work this year.
Keep creating!
Mrs. Isenberg-Jones (Mrs. I)
Visual Art Specialist
Lowell Happenings
Grandparent / Special Elder Day
Dear Families,
Once again, the Lowell students would like to invite grandparents (and special elders in their lives) to attend our annual Grandparent’s / Special Elder Day event on May 25, 2018. Here is what you can expect for the day:
Families are invited to a Music program showcase (k-2 and 3-5) in the gym.
Veteran guests will be recognized with a special pin
Grandparents and special elder friends will be invited to spend time following the concert in the classrooms.
A light lunch will be provided for any elders that need to stay between programs
Please follow the schedule of the day as it pertains to your child:
Friday, May 25, 2018
3-5
10:00-10:30
Music Showcase
10:45-11:15
Classroom visits
K-2
12:15-12:45
Music Showcase
1:00-1:30
Classroom visits
A light lunch will be served in the media center for those guests staying the day.
If your child will be leaving with their grandparent that afternoon, please fill out the slip on the note being sent home this week and return to the classroom teacher. Please note that NO students will be allowed to leave without written permission.
PTA Spring Carnival
Happy Spring! Springtime means that Lowell's Annual Carnival is just around the corner. You are all welcome to attend with your families. The big date is May 18th. Set up will run 4:30-6:00pm. The Carnival will run 6-8pm. Clean up will be from 8-9pm. To make this night most successful (and fun), we will need many helping hands to volunteer for a variety of jobs. Please consider taking one or more shifts. To sign up, follow this link to www.bitly.com/LowellCarnival.
Thank you in advance for your help. We look forward to seeing you there!
News!
A food truck will be at the carnival for those families wishing to have dinner on site. El Oasis Del Norte will serve Mexican food in our front parking lot.
Also, students will be able to purchase duct tape again this year to tape TWO different celebrities to the wall: Mr. H (our own Lowell celebrity) and Taylor Dayton from WDIO.
Friday, May 18, 2018, 06:00 PM
Lowell Elementary School, Rice Lake Road, Duluth, MN, USA
Snapshots
5th Grade Starbase
Music Class at Lowell
4th Grade Wolfridge
Spanish Club Volunteers in Lowell Immersion School
https://cla.d.umn.edu/world-languages-and-cultures/news/spanishimmersion
Join the Movement and Like Lowell Elementary School on Facebook
Lost and Found
Our pile is TOO LARGE! Please check the Lost and Found this month. We will be making a donation of unclaimed items at the end of April to a local charitable organization.
Reminder: To help us return lost items to children, please label all clothing, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc. with your child's name.
Once a Week, Take a Peek!
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
On Time and Absence Reminders
Please ensure that your child arrives to school on time each day. Our day starts at 7:45 AM. Children can arrive as early as 7:20 AM for free breakfast.
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.
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