Explore & Expand Afterschool

Dear families,

November was a month full of learning and fun!

November was chock full of exciting activities across our Explore & Expand after-school sites! Students took part in hands-on projects, creative lessons, and enrichment opportunities that helped them learn new skills while having fun with their friends.

Every activity in our after-school program is designed with a purpose. This fall, we have focused on helping students strengthen their English Language Arts (ELA) skills—especially verbal communication. Students practiced expressing their ideas clearly, sharing stories, and speaking with confidence in front of others.

In addition to academics, our programs also support social and emotional learning (SEL). Staff plan activities that help students:

• Stay engaged in learning

• Build positive relationships with peers

• Improve communication with others

Whether students were acting in plays, working on science projects, or playing team games, they were also learning how to listen, collaborate, and problem-solve—skills that will help them succeed both in and out of school.

We are proud of our students and staff for making this fall such a wonderful time for learning, friendship, and growth!

— Rebecca Duda, Ed.D.
Coordinator of Special Programs
Lowell Public Schools

The Bailey after-school program serves approximately 80 students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students participate in art , STEM , board games, yoga, and physical education. Kudos to our staff and site manager, Cindy Caliri, who make this program happen!

Robinson Middle School is home to a very special after-school club called “The Band.” This group was created by students in 2021, and it continues to grow each year. Today, about 15 students take part under the guidance of Mr. Levi Dennis.

Students in The Band choreograph and perform their own dances and also sing together. They support one another, practice as a team, and use music to express their feelings and ideas. Their teamwork and creativity show what student voice and student leadership look like in our after-school programs.

The Band is a strong example of everything we hope to build in Explore & Expand:

• Youth voice

• Student agency

• Creativity and self-expression

• Strong peer relationships

Through their performances, students meet our learning goals by working on verbal communication, engagement in learning, and positive communication with peers.

This year, The Band received a great honor. They were selected as one of only three school groups in the entire state to perform for educators at the DESE Winter Institute for 21st Century Schools.

Robinson Middle School’s after-school program is funded through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) grant and was recognized by DESE last year as an Exemplary Site.

We are very proud of Robinson Middle School and The Band for showing what students can achieve when they have space to lead, create, and shine.

Congratulations to Kyle Dolliver at the Stoklosa School and Joanne George at the Reilly Elementary School for their hard work at designing engaging after-school programs at their respective schools. They were each recently recognized by Superintendent Skinner for their efforts in creating a culture of continuous improvement. It is through their efforts that our students have engaging programming after-school.

🎓 Did You Know?

How After-School Programs Help Students Thrive

📘 Better Grades & Attendance
Students who regularly attend high-quality after-school programs show:
➡️ 20% higher math scores
➡️ Improved reading skills
➡️ Better school-day attendance
(Afterschool Alliance, 2024)

💬 Stronger Social-Emotional Skills
Participation in after-school programs boosts:
❤️ Confidence and communication
🤝 Teamwork and problem-solving
🧠 Self-management and resilience
(Harvard Family Research Project)

🌎 Safe, Supportive, and Enriching
After-school programs provide a safe space for students to explore new interests, connect with positive role models, and develop lifelong skills.

🎯 Long-Term Impact
Students who participate in after-school programs are more likely to graduate, pursue higher education, and become active members of their communities.

✨ Explore & Expand programs across 22 Lowell Public Schools make these benefits a reality for over 1,200 students every year!

At Lincoln Elementary School, students are learning how to understand and manage their emotions through after-school yoga. Each afternoon, the lights are lowered, students enjoy their snacks, and they spend time thinking about how they feel. With guidance from staff, they practice simple yoga movements and breathing techniques that help their bodies and minds relax.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is very important for our students. Yoga helps them:

• Calm their bodies

• Focus their attention

• Build confidence

• Support one another in a peaceful space

These skills help students in school, at home, and in their daily lives. We are proud of the work happening at Lincoln and the care staff put into supporting every child’s emotional well-being.

The Greenhalge after-school program ended the month of November with a very special family event. Students invited their families to come in and sample their baking projects and enjoy a performance of “Little Red Riding Hood.”

This celebration was a great way for families to see what their children have been learning in the Explore & Expand program. Students showed their skills in reading, speaking, acting, teamwork, and following directions in the kitchen.

Events like this help us build our learning outcomes by giving students chances to:

• Practice verbal communication

• Stay engaged in learning

• Build positive relationships with peers

• Share their creativity and hard work with their families

We are proud of the Greenhalge students and staff for creating such a warm and joyful way to bring families and learning together.

At McAvinnue Elementary School, students in the morning program began their day with a fun arts and crafts project. They created spooky spider webs while learning interesting facts about spiders and their eight legs.

This activity was a great way to start the school day. Students used their creativity, worked with friends, and practiced fine motor skills. Morning programs like this help students feel calm, focused, and ready to learn when the school day begins.

Each family will receive an Explore & Expand Family Handbook. The handbook explains important information about our after-school program—such as schedules, attendance, behavior, safety, and contact information.

The handbook is available in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Khmer so that every family can understand the program’s policies and procedures.

Please read the handbook carefully with your child and return the first page (the sign-off form) to your child’s school. This page lets us know that you have received and reviewed the handbook together.

At the end of the handbook, there is also a survey consent form. You only need to return that page if you do not want your child to take part in any student surveys.

If you have any questions, please contact your school’s site manager or the Special Programs Office.

📞 Contact Us

If you have a question about your child’s after-school program, we are here to help!

• School-Based Questions:
  Please contact your school’s site manager first. They can help with schedules, attendance, or program details at your child’s school.

• District Office Contacts:
  Rebecca Duda, Ed.D.
  Coordinator of Special Programs
  📧 rduda@lowell.k12.ma.us
  ☎️ 978-674-2053

  Jeanne Maguire
  Administrative Assistant, Special Programs
  📧 jmmaguire@lowell.k12.ma.us
  ☎️ 978-674-2037

We are proud to support your children in the Explore & Expand program and look forward to another great year of learning and growth!