Message from Principal Phelan
It feels good to have ELA and Math MCAS behind us! Grade five will take the Science MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday. It always feels good to wrap up testing.
Continuing our work to be an antiracist school, this week, classrooms from k- 5 took time from their busy schedules to meet and spend time talking about race.
The younger students in k-2 anchored their discussion with the video "PBS Kids Talk about Race & Racism" or "Talk About Race and Racism," linked below. They also started a book titled, All About Diversity by Felicity Brooks. Students are learning that being unique is a beautiful thing, and by celebrating our differences, we are learning more about our community and our friends!
Our older students had classroom conversations about how race-based hatred impacts society. Students discussed how they could make a difference and take action steps in their community to fight against racism and hate.
Each grade level approached this conversation differently, mindful of their developmental age. On Wednesday, our teachers came together during professional development time to plan these discussions.
Observance of Memorial Day will be on Monday, May 30, so we will not do not have a school that day. We will have an assembly at Lowell West on Friday, May 27, to honor veterans and celebrate Memorial Day.
Field Day is back this year! All Phillips and Lowell West students will be participating in Field Day at Victory Field on Thursday, June 9, with a rain date scheduled for Friday, June 10. The students will participate in different relay races and events. Please make sure your student has dressed appropriately for outdoor activities, has a bottle of water that can be refilled, a bagged lunch, dry clothes, and sunscreen!
Summer Offerings
Here is the Prek-12 compilation of the WPS Summer Academic & Enrichment Offerings - 2022 for your planning purposes. In addition, this is a truncated 'Cheat Sheet' - Summer Programs, 2022, streamlining dates and times. Please refer to the full WPS Summer Academic & Enrichment Offerings - 2022 for a more detailed view.
Extended Day Registration for Next Year
Registration for 2022-2023 Before School and Extended Day Programs will open at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. More information can be found below and in this newsletter: https://www.smore.com/xwrqj.
With Gratitude,
Stacy
Watertown Memorial Day Parade & School Celebrations
On Friday, May 27th, Veterans are invited to join us at the Watertown Public Schools. The tentative schedule is here, changes will be sent out prior to May 27th:
o 9:00 a.m. - Watertown High School
o 9:45 a.m. - Cuniff Elementary School
o 10:00 a.m. - Lowell Elementary School
o 10:00 a.m. - Watertown Middle School
o 11:00 a.m. - Hosmer Elementary School
On Friday, May 27th, following the school event, Veterans and gardeners are invited to participate in the planting of the Freedom Garden at the Commander's Mansion. Please contact Veterans' Services, or the Commander’s Mansion to inquire about volunteer opportunities. The formal unveiling of the garden will take place at 5:30, with closing remarks scheduled for 7:30 PM. More information can be found at the link below, or by following Commander’s Mansion on social media: https://www.commandersmansion.com/events
• On Sunday, May 29th, Veterans, and members of the public are invited to join us for the honorary procession. TAPS will be played at several landmarks in Watertown, and a Veterans’ Mass will take place at Saint Patrick’s at 10 am.
• On May 30th, Watertown will again have its Memorial Day Parade. Participants are encouraged to begin staging by 10:30 AM. The parade itself will begin promptly at 12 with a brief speaking engagement at Victory Field following the parade.
NOTE: Individuals who plan on using public transportation along Mount Auburn Street are encouraged to expect delays and rerouted buses during the morning of the parade. Normal service should be expected around 2 pm-3 pm.
Registration for the 2022-2023 Before School and Extended Day Programs will open at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, June 1, 2022. There will be a lottery for enrollment. Please click here to view Watertown Community Education's Smore Newsletter for full details including the registration process, lottery details, and links to the online registration forms. Direct Smore Link: https://www.smore.com/xwrqj.
If you have any questions regarding Watertown Community Education's Before School and/or Extended Day Programs, please contact Debi Cornelius at debora.cornelius@watertown.k12.ma.us and Jeff Bodner at jeffrey.bodner@watertown.k12.ma.us.
Listen to Sipu
The Watertown Community Foundation has provided us with the opportunity for all students in grade 3 & 4 to attend an in-house performance of the New Rep play Listen to Sipu! This is "a captivating and powerful story that illuminates Watertown's Indigenous history....the tour guide begins describing Watertown's local history only to find that the facts are missing a lot of truths." The play will visit the Cunniff and Lowell schools on Monday, June 6th and the Hosmer school on Tuesday, June 7th. We are grateful our students will have this opportunity!
Lowell Elementary
30 Common Street
Watertown, Ma 02742
Telephone: 617-926-7770
Lowell West Location
175 Main Street
Waltham, Ma 02451
Telephone: 781-899-3701
Email: stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma
Website: http://watertownjrlowell.ss19.sharpschool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary