Lowell Family Newsletter
September 3, 2021
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Table of Contents
- Message from the Principal
- COVID-19 Response Protocols 2021-2022
- Updated Lunch Procedures and Lunch Permission Form
- Court Order and Legal Documentation
- COVID-19 Flowchart
- WPS Rights and Responsibilities Handbook 2021-2022
- WPS Elementary Handbook 2021-2022
- Lunch and Snack are free to ALL students
- Lowell School Master Schedule (Everything you need to know)
- Arrival and Dismissal Procedures Day 1, Day 2, Day 3 Grades k-5 and kindergarten
- Upcoming Events
Message from Principal Phelan
Greetings Lowell School,
My newsletter will be brief. I know I've shared a lot of information with you over the past few weeks. I want you to enjoy the last unofficial weekend of summer.
School begins for grades 1-5 on Wednesday, September 8th. Students should report to Orchard Street Hill outside the old front door. Teachers will have their lines clearly marked by signs.
September 8th is visiting day for Kindergarten.
Last night I had the pleasure of meeting with many families on Zoom. We spent the majority of our time discussing lunch. I took the first few minutes, explaining my rationale for choosing indoor lunch. We all agree lunch outside was a positive experience when the weather was nice.
The one aspect we found challenging was supervising bathroom breaks during lunch. Students needed to be escorted into the building. Which meant students needed to cross Lowell Street. This requires additional adult supervision.
Many parents expressed their concerns about returning to school, not knowing how many students could potentially be infected at the start of the year, given the relaxed guidance observed by many since June. Another concern is the Delta Variant and its impact on younger children. Knowing more information will be available after the first Poole Testing is complete. We've decided to change our lunch procedures.
During the time period from September 8th until October 1st, students will eat outdoors unless we have extreme weather (rain or snow). We will use this time period to watch how the trend of the metrics. We will reconvene at the end of the month to discuss how to proceed in October. I think given the changing variables, we should make decisions about lunch every month.
Here are a few frequently asked questions:
How do I fill out the lunch form?
If you only want your child to eat outdoors, please choose the outdoor-only option.
If you'd like your child to eat outside unless it's rainy, please choose no preference.
Can my child get free lunch either way? Yes
Lunch and snacks are free for all students. Most students enjoy eating school lunches. Please take advantage of this amazing opportunity.
Will any tents/outdoor shelter from inclement weather be provided if students choose to eat lunch outside? We have one tent on the property.
It's in the ballfield across the street. We're planning on having students eat on the front side of the building this year to avoid the Lowell Street Traffic.
Will students be mixed across grades while eating outdoors? Will they be mixed while eating in the cafeteria?
Students will attend indoor or outdoor lunch by grade level. The classes in the grade will be together but only one grade at a time.
Please Fill Out the Lunch Form
Lunch Procedures
- Students will be escorted to the cafeteria by their homeroom teacher.
- Students will enter the lunch line and choose a lunch.
- Then they will proceed outside to the Orchard Street Hill
- They will sit socially distanced from their classmates.
- They will have the opportunity to use the bathroom.
- When lunch ends, teachers will pick up their students and proceed to recess.
Court Order and Legal Documentation
Legal guardians are responsible for submitting any documentation to the school about custody and communication procedures.
If we do not have the paperwork clearly stating changes in guardianship, we will acknowledge and provide information to the birth mother and father. (Unless notified in writing)
Quarantine Flowchart (This flowchart only applies until October 1st)
A newly created Quarantine Flowchart helps illustrate the COVID-19 protocols. Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words or, in this case, a flowchart.
A special shout out to parents and community members Lily Rayman Read (WPS SC), Nicholas Zinser, and Tyler Kemp-Benedict for their help creating this flowchart!
School Begins on September 8th for Grades 1-5
Arrival and Dismissal Grades 1-5:
Day 1: Students in grades 1 - 5 will line up outside the Orchard Street door (#6) between 8:05 AM and 8:20 AM. You will have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher at that time briefly. Students will be dismissed at the end of the school day at 2:30 PM to the same location they lined up for arrival.
There will be no Drop-and-Go on day 1.
Starting from day 2, all students will enter the building through the Lowell Avenue entrance between 8:05 and 8:20 AM. Students are marked tardy after 8:20 am.
If you use the Drop-and-Go Line on Lowell Avenue, we ask you to pull your car down to the second crosswalk. Please do not idle your automobile on the crosswalk when dropping off your student. After your student(s) safely exits your vehicle and steps onto the sidewalk, you may continue on your way.
If your child needs your assistance getting out of the car, please park your car, help your child with their backpacks, etc., and walk your child up to the door instead of using the Drop-and-Go.
During the drop-off period of 8:05 to 8:20 AM, we have over 425 students entering the building. All community members must follow the protocol for using Drop-and-Go Line.
Parents/guardians must check in at the office and receive a visitor badge before entering the building. Parents are not allowed to accompany their children to their classrooms. Please be assured that appropriate supervision is provided once students enter through the school doors.
Doors lock promptly at 8:20. Students who arrive after 8:20 must enter through the main entrance and be signed in at the office with their parents.
Please note: If your child needs to arrive at school before 8:00 am, he/she/they need to be attending the before-school programs to ensure safety and supervision.
Kindergarten: Visiting Day by Appointment September 8th/ Half Day September 9th Students Release at 12:00/ Kindergarten First Full Day September 10th
Day 1 (Visiting Day by Appointment) Wednesday, September 8th: students and families enter through the George St. door #2 by appointment.
Day 2- (Early Release at 12:00) Thursday, September 9th: arrival begins at 8:05 - 8:20 AM. After 8:20 AM, students must enter the entrance on Lowell Street. Students will exit door #3 near the kindergarten playground on George Street. Pick-up time is 12:00 PM (no lunch service and no extended day).
Day 3- (First Full Day) Friday, September 10th: 8:15 AM – 2:30 PM (full day, lunch is served, Extended Day for those students signed up).
Arrival through door #2 George Street beginning at 8:05 AM.
Dismissal from door #3 George Street at 2:30 PM.
Coming Events
September 8th
First Day of School Grades 1-5 and Kindergarten Visiting Day
September 9th
Kindergarten attends school half-day. Lunch will be served
September 10th
Kindergarten First Full Day
September 11th
ELPAC Back to School Welcome Event for our families who are not native English speakers. Families are welcome to Fillipello Park on Saturday, September 11th, from 2:00-5:00 PM to meet others who share their native language and learn more about our schools. This event is being sponsored by WPS ELPAC and organized by Kate Phillipson, our ESL Curriculum Coordinator.
September 21st
Back to School Night
Tuesday, September 6:00- 8:00 PM
This event will be a virtual event for parents. Teachers are expected to be in the building to host live zoom sessions. Morning Meeting Partner Teachers are hosting the event together.
James Russell Lowell Elementary School
Main Office ext. 33001
Email: stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://lowell.watertown.k12.ma.us/
Location: 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: (617) 926-7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary