Bowman News 38th Edition
May 24, 2019
Dear Families,
LPS District Update
Since the start of our elementary and middle school redistricting project in February, “Advisory & Working Groups” were formed. They have established redistricting criteria that will be used to evaluate and revise potential redistricting plans. The process also included a review of school capacities, enrollment, housing and town land use, student transportation and school committee policies, among other information. To view the details of this work, you can visit the redistricting webpage at: http://bit.ly/RedistrictBlog.
Interested in learning more? Public information sessions on June 5th at 8:00 AM & 6:30 PM. Both sessions will be held in the Estabrook Meeting Room at Cary Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue. These sessions will include background on changing district enrollment, an overview of the process, timeline and key takeaways from analysis completed thus far. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions. We will not have revised school assignments maps completed at this time.
If you are unable to attend on either of these dates, the same presentation was given to School Committee on May 21, 2019. This meeting was recorded by LexMedia. When available, a link to this recording will be included on the redistricting website, along with presentation materials.
School Connections
THANK YOU TEACHERS: This past Wednesday-Friday, 103 - 5th graders and Bowman Staff went on a 3 day/2 night trip to “Nature’s Classroom.” As wonderful as this experience is, it is a lot to ask our staff to leave behind their own families and personal lives in order to accompany our students. Please join me in thanking the following staff who went: Mr. Taylor, Mr. Swanton, Mr. Studley, Ms. Heaton, Ms. Gallardo, Mrs. Matthews, Mrs. Loof & Ms. Glick.
If any families are aware that students currently enrolled at Bowman are going to other schools or moving please notify Chrissy (cashness@lexingtonma.org) in the main office.
4th & 5th grade Parents/Guardians of students who participate in the “100 Mile Club” (before/after school running club) are invited to attend an end of the year celebration of runners! Please join us on June 6th at 11AM.
Bowman’s All-Grade Field Day is scheduled for June 12th. Mr. Kane has a wonderful day planned for the students, and we need parent volunteers to join in the fun that day! See the Field Day Schedule.
We need parents to help with equipment set up, game facilitators (for three time frames), water station attendants, first aid attendants, lunch servers, and equipment breakdown. Sign up to help on Field Day: Field Day Sign Up. Currently there are only station numbers – activity names and descriptions will be provided prior to field day.
LPS food service provider, “Whitson’s” is planning an outdoor cookout during our regularly scheduled lunch times (please see Bowman Field Day June 12 Lunch Menu.docx). Students and/or adults interested in purchasing school lunch need to have money in their school account. We are unable to accept cash. The cost for student lunch will be $4.00 and adults will be $4.50. As always, children are welcome to bring a lunch from home.
Additionally, we need to borrow 3-4 outdoor canopies/tents so we can set up tables for various stations. If you have a tent or canopy that we can borrow for Field Day, please contact: fieldday@bowmanpta.org for coordination.
On Field Day, please send your child(ren) to school with the following:
Water bottle; labeled with name
Beach towel to picnic on & for watching 5th grade kickball game
Wear either “Bowman Spirit Wear” OR grade level shirt color:
K Red; 1st Yellow; 2nd Blue; 3rd Orange; 4th Purple; 5th Green
PTA News
Passport To The World has been a Bowman tradition where we have the opportunity to celebrate and learn from each other’s identities, culture and traditions. Everyone is invited to attend!
World Pavilion 5:00-6:30 PM – Cafeteria – Featuring booths to showcase families’ cultures, traditional dress, pictures, maps and other treasures. (Please, NO food at booths) Sign up by May 10th to host a booth: https://bit.ly/2UMbThk
International Potluck 5:00-6:30 PM – Outdoor Shade Structure – Try some dishes from around the world, and bring a dish to share from your home. Please bring a card identifying your dish with a list of all ingredients (for food allergies). Compostable napkins, utensils, plates and cups will be provided by the PTA Green Team. (Rain location: Inside hallways)
Evening Performance 6:45-7:30 PM – Gymnasium – With music, dance, or skits from your family’s heritage. Only 10 acts will be featured, so sign up early! (Please note that performances MUST be limited to 3 minutes each) Performers may sign up by May 5th: https://bit.ly/2WUhLTh
Parent Volunteers are always needed for a successful night! Sign up: https://bit.ly/2ImWoG3
Questions? Email passport@bowmanpta.org
Community News & Dates
Friday, May 31st & Saturday, June 1st, the Lexington Children's Chorus is holding auditions for students entering grades 4-6. Singers are welcome from ANY school district. Performances this season will include sharing the stage with the Lexington Symphony Orchestra in performances of Carmina Burana, the 25th Annual Holiday Pops Concert, and their “Music in the Movies” Concert … and our own LCC Concert in May. Visit our website (http://www.lexingtonchildrenschorus.com ) for more information and to sign up for an audition slot! Email director@lexingtonchildrenschorus.com with any questions!
Saturday, June 8th 2-4PM, “Smooth Transition from Elementary to Middle School” at the Lexington Community Center. Transitioning to middle school can be both exciting and overwhelming for elementary school kids. As young adolescents, they are also changing socially and culturally. This affects their academic experience, motivation, self-perception, and self-regulatory beliefs. If you are an upper Elementary & Middle School student or a parent of students in this age range, then this workshop is for you! Join us for a panel discussion exploring three pillars of successful transition: Academics, Social & Cultural as well strategies to succeed this transition. This event is brought to you by Indian Americans of Lexington (IAL). Please register at: https://ial-sttm.eventbrite.com/
Saturday, June 15th, 7-11PM, “Lexington Education Foundation Celebration for Education.” Early Bird tickets and golden tickets are now on sale for Lexington Education Foundation’s Celebration for Education, held at Hayden Lower Field on June 15th. Tickets and event information are available here: https://lexedfoundation.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/LEFBeachParty2019Celebration/tabid/1052697/Default.aspx. Connect with friends and support our students in beach style under the tent and stars!
Save the dates:
May 27th - Memorial Day - No School
May 30th - PTA sponsored “Passport to the World” 5-7:30PM
June 6th - “100 Mile Club” Celebration @ 11AM (**4th & 5th Parents/Guardians with students who participate our before/after school running club are invited to attend)
June 12th - Field Day
June 13th - 5th Grade Moving On Ceremony 9AM
June 14th - 5th Grade Luau 6:30PM
June 18th - Final Day of School/Dismissal @ 12:15AM - Report Cards Posted