LPS Connector

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ដើម្បីបកប្រែព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រព័ត៌មាន សូមមើលលើផ្នែកខាងស្តាំខាងលើនៃព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រ ព័ត៌មាននេះនូវមធ្យោបាយ ហើយសូមចុចលើជម្រើស" បកប្រែព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រព័ត៌មាន ។

Dear Lowell Public Schools Families,

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to share the State of the Schools presentation with members of our community. The messages, centered on the theme ‘Value What You Have’, were pretty straightforward:

• We should celebrate the great progress being made in our schools.
• It’s important to appreciate all of the opportunities - in academics, arts, athletics, clubs, and much more that our schools provide our youngsters for wholesome development.
• Considerable work remains to be done to improve our schools and outcomes for students.
• There are risks to public schooling in our current time; it is urgent that we appreciate the value of public schools to our city’s success, and understand that supporting our schools is a shared responsibility everyone should participate in.

I am proud of the progress our district is making. We need to build on what is working, confront what needs to improve, and continue working together to ensure that every Lowell student has the opportunity to succeed. The future of our schools and the future of our city go hand in hand, and depend on the choices we make and the commitments we keep together.

You can read more about the State of the Schools Address below, as well as find the link to the full video.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our schools.

Sincerely,

Liam

Lowell LOVES Halloween. Check out this slideshow of spooky, fun events from around the district.

Washington Elementary School Alumnus Mayor Erik Gitschier had an eventful visit with the first-graders on October 16.

The kids showed off their drawings of City Hall and other important Lowell landmarks - like Mcdonald's; shared what they wanted to be when they grow up - a doctor, a teacher, a chef, a hairdresser, a race car driver, a firefighter, a WWE wrestler, a singer, and a slew of mayors; their favorite foods - McDonald's (the Mayor's fav too), Taco Bell, Domino's pizza, and sushi; and they showed off some of their dance moves.

When asked what he does as Mayor, Gitschier explained that "we fix people's problems" and work to make the city is the best it can be by making sure roads are fixed, trash is collected, and essentially services like the police, fire, and school departments are funded.

Before he left, he made sure every student had a "Mayor Gitschier" pen to write with and encouraged them all to write down what they want to be when they grow up, put it in an envelope and hide it away until high school graduation; then open it up to see how much they've changed or stayed the same.

The STEM Academy 8th graders headed to Foxboro for an incredible field trip at Gillette Stadium on October 9.

They had the opportunity to tour the Patriots Hall of Fame where they tried on equipment, listened in on a huddle, attempted field goals in the snow like Adam Vinatieri, tested their high jump against Devin McCourty and their spiking strength against Gronk, blocked Tedy Bruschi, saw the team's impressive collection of Lombardi trophies and ever-increasing blinged out Super Bowl rings, and watched an inspiring video about the rise of the Patriots Dynasty.

But, it was not ALL fun and games. They also took part in a STEM challenge, learning about the history of football helmets - from the simple nose guard, to the leather helmet, through the innovations that have brought us to what we see players like Drake Maye and Hunter Henry wearing today - and then using their engineering skills to design a prototype that would protect a "bowl of brains" from a dropped croquet ball.

STEM Physical Education teacher Carly Rennie, who organized the trip, said the lesson fit in perfectly with what the students are learning in school across several disciplines.

"Phys Ed is doing a unit on football implementing torque, energy, and force - highlighting the safety of the head while tackling," she said. "STEM/Tech class is covering Newtons Law of motion and focusing on a new product design, the helmet. They will have to design a helmet to secure the safety of an egg by determining force and impact time. And Science in 8th grade is utilizing intervention to review MCAS standards aligning with force, energy, speed, and Newton's 3rd Law."

For many of the students, it was their first trip to the home of the New England Patriots, and it surely won't be one any of them will forget.

On November 14, Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner gave his annual State of the Schools Address at Lowell High School's newly-renovated Irish Auditorium. Read about it here:https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2026/10/29/state-of-the-schools-2026/ or watch the full video below.

The Massachusetts Mobile Museum of Tolerance visited the Butler Middle School from October 20-22, providing a series of interactive workshops on topics including the Civil Rights Movement, the dangers of propaganda, and how to spot and combat online hate. Read about it here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2026/10/29/lessons-from-the-past/

October 22 was a GREAT day to be a Husky. The Sullivan Middle School cross country teams swept the competition at the Philip C. Maia Middle School Cross Country Championship at Shedd Park’s 1.3 mile course. Great efffort all season by all of the runners!

Team Winners:

Grade 5/6 Boys - Sullivan Middle School

Grade 7/8 Boys - Sullivan Middle School

Grade 5/6 Girls - Sullivan Middle School

Grade 7/8 Girls - Sullivan Middle School

Individual Winners

Grade 5/6 Boys - Wyatt Srey, Daley (8:20.0)

Grade 7/8 Boys - Jack Duffy, Sullivan (7:18.3)

Grade 5/6 Girls - Vivian Brown (9:03.1)

Grade 7/8 Girls - Isabel Galarza, Wang (8:28.2)

See all results here: https://www.lowellmiddleschoolxc.com/2026/championship-meet

The Washington Elementary School is a little school with BIG spirit. Early on the morning of October 30, teachers and staff showed up in their Toy Story finest with bags of toys in hand.

The collected toys will be donated to Help Is, a non-profit that connects people in need with organizations who can provide assistance.

Washington School Social Worker Krista Kubick said Help Is has been a great resource for Washington families, especially around the holidays.

“They have helped us in so many ways, and we're really happy to have the opportunity to give back,” she said.

To learn more about Help Is, visit https://www.helpis.org/about-helpis

Did you know that synthetic biologists are making solar panels using plants and bacteria because they have a special gene that can absorb sunlight? Or that scientists are working to create heartier organic crops through gene engineering that can make a plant light up when a pest bites it, scaring the pests away?

You would if you were a Sullivan Middle School 7th grader.

On October 2, they were busy participating in the hands-on interactive learning opportunity that is the MilliporeSigma Curiosity Cube.

The Curiosity Cube is a 22x10-foot retrofitted and solar-powered shipping container that has been transformed into a mobile science lab. Students are able to explore a variety of science lessons that are applicable to the world around them, while also having the opportunity to meet and talk to working scientists, opening their minds to the possibilities of careers in STEM fields.

The Cube has been visiting the Sullivan since 2023, with a different focus each year including sustainable energy and textile recycling, food safety and bacterial contamination, and Artificial Intelligence.

This year, the Cube offered three interactive experiments around the fundamentals of synthetic biology. They included:

• An interactive trivia game where students learned about strides scientists are making through genetic engineering to make Earth more sustainable.
• An activity where they explored how enzyme shapes influence biological processes using lock-and-key models (how enzymes interact with target molecules) and then used magnetic blocks to build lock-and-key models.
• An activity where the students discovered how DNA codes impact traits and behavior by using programmable blocks to simulate a DNA strand and see how they would spin or glow or spin and glow depending on how they were put together.

We can’t wait to see what awaits our young scientists next year! For more info about the Cube, check out: https://thecuriositycube.com/

On Thursday afternoon five new members were inducted into the Lowell High School Distinguished Alumni - Dr. Mona Mehan, Class of 1926; Ray Goulding, Class of 1939; Dan Tighe, Class of 1983; Dr. Maureen Doyle Neumann, Class of 1988; and Dr. Arthur Mourtzinos, Class of 1992. Read about the ceremony here:https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2026/10/23/lhs-distinguished-alumni-honored/

Congratulations to the Stoklosa Middle School, which has been named a National ESEA Distinguished School, an honor bestowed upon only 100 schools across the nation - two from each state - annually.

Learn more here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2026/10/29/stoklosa-honored/

Congratulations to the Lowell High School Field Hockey and Golf teams!

Through the Community Schools Program, 14 STEM Academy students received free comprehensive eye care at school on October 26 thanks to a visit from the 20/20 Onsite Vision Van.

When the Vision Van visits, students receive full eye exams, updated prescriptions, and access to stylish glasses - all without leaving campus. This removes barriers like transportation, cost, and time off work for families.

20/20 Onsite handles everything - from consent forms and parent communication to insurance paperwork and logistics - making the entire process seamless.

Each eye exam takes less than an hour, helping students return to class quickly and minimizing lost learning time.

Students can choose from a wide variety of fashionable, everyday frames. Glasses, provided by Warby Parker, are delivered directly to the school within the next few weeks.

MassHealth is accepted - eligible students can even receive a backup pair of glasses. Those without insurance still receive a free eye exam and free pair of glasses.

20/20 Onsite serves Boston, Lowell, and Southbridge Public Schools - with support from partners like Boston Children’s Hospital and Warby Parker.

On October 8, Marisela Weber from the Organization for Social Media Safety visited the Sullivan Middle School to help students understand the dangers of social media and how to use it responsibly. Read about it here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2026/10/29/social-media-safety/

The 48th annual Merrimack Valley College and Career Fair was a great success at Lowell High School on October 1. We welcomed LHS students, students from other area high schools, and were thrilled to spot many of our 8th graders there as well! Students and families had the opportunity to meet and speak to representatives from more than 105 colleges, universities, and career opportunities.

Classroom Quarterback, a partnership between Lowell Public Schools, Inside Lowell, and Wellpoint aims to showcase and honor one LPS teacher each month who goes above and beyond for their students. This month's honoree is Bailey Elementary School 1st grade teacher Catie Bernier. Ms. Bernier received a $250 gift card courtesy of Wellpoint. Read about her here: https://insidelowell.com/classroom-quarterback-catie-bernier/

Invisible Disability Awareness Week is recognized each October. Did you know that an estimated 80 percent of all disabilities are invisible? Robinson Middle School Teacher Michelle Rhoads lives with an invisible disability due to a traumatic brain injury suffered in a horse riding accident.

Read her piece here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2026/10/29/beyond-what-the-eye-can-see/

The Lowell High School Fall Open House for 8th graders and their families is Thursday November 5 at 6 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn about all LHS has to offer - Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, course offerings, clubs, sports, and more!

The Lowell Public Schools Family Resource Center will be holding an information session for families who will be registering their children for Preschool or Kindergarten for the 2027-2028 school year. It will be held at the Morey School (114 Pine St) on Tuesday December 1 at 5 p.m. Come by and learn all about the registration process, transportation, special education, and more! Registration is not required, but it helps us in planning. To sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1FITuVa44QUw2XqOMOfwVHb91fGK8IqrR6EAMW_vKXJY/viewform?edit_requested=true

Our friends at the LASA Foundation will, once again, be providing FREE Thanksgiving Baskets for families.

Saturday, November 7, 2026

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

40 Old Ferry Rd, Lowell

Open to all; no prior registration is required. Baskets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Each Thanksgiving basket may include a variety of vegetarian groceries, fresh produce, pantry staples, and seasonal favorites, such as:

Fresh produce and bread: Apples, bananas, carrots, broccoli, potatoes, and wheat bread

Canned fruits and vegetables: Pears, applesauce, corn, green beans, peas, carrots, and fruit mix

Pantry staples: Rice, pasta, beans, lentils, tomato sauce, soup, and macaroni and cheese

Breakfast and everyday essentials: Cereal, oatmeal or pancake mix, peanut butter, raisins, nuts, cheese, and milk

Holiday treats and extras: Cranberry sauce, cake or brownie mix, cookies, crackers, hot chocolate mix, and juice

Additionally, each family will receive a handmade knitted or crocheted item to help keep them warm this winter.

Lowell Rec Basketball registration is open for the Winter 2027 season! For more information and to register, visit www.lowellrecbasketball.org

Lowell Girls Lacrosse registration is open for the Spring 2027 season! Visit www.lowellgirlslacrosse.com to learn more about the program and secure your spot.

Never played before and want to learn more? Join the free Intro to LAX clinic on 11/9 at the Pyne Arts Magnet School from 6 p.m. -7:30 p.m.!

Lowell High School needs your help to add to its collection of yearbooks. In 2012, several yearbooks were digitized, providing a great resource for research and a fun time travel portal to see what high school looked like in days of yore. They can be found here: https://archive.org/details/lowellhighschool

As part of an ongoing partnership with the Boston Public Library and the Internet Archive, more yearbooks will be digitized - BUT we are missing many years of Spindles!

The years needed are:

1981, 1964, 1946, 1945, 1944, 1943, 1942, 1941, 1940, 1939, 1938, 1937, 1936, 1935, 1933, 1932, 1931, 1930, 1929, 1928, 1927, 1925, 1924, 1923, 1922, 1921, 1920, 1919, 1918, 1917, 1916, 1915, 1914, 1913, 1912, 1911, 1909, 1908, 1907, 1905, 1903, 1902, 1901, 1900, 1899, 1898, 1897, 1896, 1895, 1894, 1893, 1892, 1891, 1890, 1889, 1888, 1887, 1886, 1885, 1884, 1883, 1882, 1881, 1880, 1879, 1878, 1877, 1876, 1875, 1874, 1873, 1872, 1871, 1870, 1869, 1868, 1867, 1866, 1865, 1864, 1863, 1862, 1861, 1860, 1859, 1858, 1857, 1856, 1855, 1854, 1853, 1852, 1851, 1850, 1849, 1848, 1847, 1846, 1845, 1844, 1843, 1842, 1841, 1840, 1839, 1838, 1837, 1836, 1835, 1834, 1833, 1832, 1831

If you have a LHS yearbook from one of those years to donate (the books will be digitized and the hard copies will be added to the collection in Lowell High's Stamas Library for use by students and staff), please contact Christin Monaghan, Library Media Specialist at cmonaghan@lowell.k12.ma.us

Tickets are now on sale for Lowell High School's production of ELF the Musical! Tickets are $10 for General Admission and $5 for LHS students: https://cur8.com/40103/project/142227

They still need your help with items that will make the show a success! The LHS Theater Department is bigger and better than ever with 60 designers, 15 tech & crew, 35 actors, 20 dancers, and 30 middle schoolers! Please consider helping keep production costs down by donating costume and prop items from their Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QT938EWBIK8B...

The LPS Transportation Department provides AM and PM livesheets where you can see if your child's school bus is running late or if it is being covered by a different bus. They can be found here:

AM: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/departments/operations/transportation/am-live-bus-routes

PM: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/departments/operations/transportation/pm-live-bus-routes

Girls, Inc. is looking for 11th grade girls interested in joining their G.L.O.W. Up Program - a PAID mentorship program to build leadership skills and prepare students for the workforce.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=lCH_ASkMnUiDPR2Z4W1VHo9vk8wLtlZDpj2uYJDjkrtUMzFFTVBENEVEWkU5WlNQNk9UTVhBRlhENS4u&origin=QRCode

November is #NationalGratitudeMonth! 🧡✨

Gratitude isn't just a mindset - it's a powerful tool for building mental resilience and strengthening our schools and communities. Today, we want to express our deepest thanks to the school counselors, community leaders, and families working every day to support youth mental health.

Remember: You are never alone when navigating care options. Our partnership with Care Solace gives our entire community free, confidential, 24/7/365 access to mental health care matchmakers.

📞 Call 888-515-0595

💻 Visit caresolace.com/lowellma

A printable version of this calendar can be found here: https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1772733410/lowellpublicsd/pfkhj2ixlslgepcduuc2/schoolcalendarSY27.pdf