Falcon Family Connection

Parents/Guardians/Lowell Families:

We are excited to welcome many of you back and to greet others in our school community for the first time. As the principal of Lowell Middle School, I can tell you firsthand that any other middle school will not exceed our school’s commitment to excellence.

Our faculty and staff work hard to help us carry out our mission and vision to ensure that the stars align at Lowell this school year. Our goal is to continually improve our ability to meet the needs of all students and to increase our ability to communicate with our parents/guardians effectively and efficiently. Over the course of this school year, you will be invited to work with us as we monitor our progress. We will use our parent and family connection meetings as working meetings to review our progress and gain parent input.

My vision for Lowell Middle School is to constantly demonstrate our commitment to excellence through our expectations for our students. We will show our students how much we care for them by expecting all of them to succeed and excel. From the first day of school through the last day of school, you and your children will know that the stars align at Lowell because of the wonderful experiences our teachers and staff will provide for them.

Respectfully,

Yvonne M. Hernandez

yhernandez4@saisd.net

During the Sept. 18, 2023, board meeting there was a discussion about the preliminary recommendation package for rightsizing the district. The initial package outlined plans for various changes in schools, including closures, redesigns, relocations, co-locations and mergers in the upcoming years, including changes for Lowell.

Click the buttons below to learn more about the initial recommendations, community conversations, and how we plan to support our students and employees if the recommendation is approved.

Rightsizing Initial Recommendations

Video - Single Member District 4 - Burbank HS Area including Lowell

Students safety is our number 1 priority at Lowell. Doors open at 8:00 a.m. Students will be dropped off in the front parking lot in the front of the school. Students may arrive as early as 7:45 a.m. Staff does not report to outside morning duty until 7:45 a.m. To keep traffic flowing, we ask that once you drop off your student please proceed to exit. If you must speak to your child or get off and go into the front office, please park in a parking spot. This will keep traffic from backing up. Thank you for your cooperation.

Students dismiss at 3:50 p.m. from the front doors in the front of the school. Parents may line up in the front parking lot and on Thompson Place by the sidewalk near the school. Please, be cautious as you pick up your child/children. Do not get out of line and try to go around the car in front of you. There will be students walking to their cars and in between cars. Once your child/children are in the car, proceed to exit with caution. Students, use the crosswalk on W. Thompson Pl. and Neptune St.

Bell Schedule

Campus Calendar

Student safety on campus, at school-related events, and on district vehicles is a high priority of the district. Although the district has implemented safety procedures, the cooperation of students is essential to ensuring school safety. A student is expected to:

• Avoid conduct that is likely to put the student or others at risk.
• Follow the behavioral standards in this handbook and the Student Code of Conduct, as well as any additional rules for behavior and safety set by the principal, teachers, or bus drivers.
• Remain alert to any safety hazards, such as intruders on campus or threats made by any person toward a student or staff member, and promptly report any incidents to a district employee. A student may make anonymous reports about safety concerns by submitting an online report at P3 CAMPUS / ANONYMOUS REPORTING SOLUTIONS FOR SCHOOLS
• Know emergency evacuation routes and signals.
• Follow immediately the instructions of teachers, bus drivers, and other district employees who are overseeing the welfare of students.

The safety of our students, staff, and visitors is our number one priority. To establish and maintain a safe environment, we need the cooperation of all school community members. All visitors must check in with staff in the front office. All visitors must also have a photo ID every time they visit school.

If you wish to volunteer on campus, please visit the SAISD Volunteer and Community Services page for instructions. If you need further assistance, contact Ms. Cantu at (210)228-1225 or rcantu2@saisd.net.

Students are prohibited from sending, posting, or possessing electronic messages that are abusive, obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal, including cyberbullying and “sexting.” This prohibition applies to conduct both on and off school property if it results in a substantial disruption to the educational environment or infringes on the rights of another student at school. Any person taking, disseminating, transferring, possessing, or sharing obscene, sexually oriented, lewd, or otherwise illegal images or other content, commonly referred to as “sexting,” will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct, may be required to complete an educational program related to the dangers of this type of behavior, and, in certain circumstances, may be reported to law enforcement.

Students are also prohibited from using the name or persona of another person to create a web page on or to post one or more messages on a commercial networking site without obtaining the other person’s consent and with the intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten any person. Any person violating these rules will be disciplined according to the Student Code of Conduct and may, in certain circumstances, be reported to law enforcement.

The use of cell phones and other electronic devices on school property is prohibited. For safety purposes, the District permits students to possess cell phones while on campus; however, all cell phones must remain turned off during school hours, including during all testing. With prior approval from the principal and teacher, a student may use personal electronic devices for on-campus educational purposes only. Any unauthorized use of cell phones or other electronic devices will result in the consequences described in the Student Code of Conduct, as well as the assessing of fines and/or confiscation as described below:

• 1st Offense – Documented verbal warning and reminder given to student that electronic devices may be confiscated and fines assessed for the return of the device in accordance with the Telecommunications/ Electronic Devices Procedures.
• 2nd Offense – Electronic device confiscated and returned to parent/legal guardian at end of the school day. Parent/ guardian signature and date required for receipt of device.
• 3rd Offense – Device confiscated and $10 fine assessed for return of the item. Parents/legal guardians may pick up the device at the end of the day after the fine has been collected.
• 4th and Subsequent Offenses – Device confiscated and $15 fine assessed for return of the item. Parents/legal guardians may pick up the device at the end of the day after the fine has been collected.
  

• Adult students over the age of 18 years may retrieve personal electronic devices in lieu of parent/guardian after paying the required fee at the end of the school day as appropriate.
• Administrators/campus staff are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
• When paying fine, exact cash is required.
• Hours to pick-up phones/electronic devices are 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Fees collected will be deposited in campus student activity funds.
• On receipt of reliable proof that a student and his or her parent or guardian are unable to pay the required fee, the fee shall be waived. Principal shall determine eligibility for a fee waiver.

Parents/legal guardians will be given notice and will be allowed to retrieve devices collected throughout the school year prior to disposal of the device. If a telecommunication device is not retrieved, the District shall dispose of the device after providing the student’s parent and the company whose name and address appear on the device at least 30 days’ notice of the intent to dispose of the device. Such notice may be made by telephone or in writing and must include the serial number of the device.

Please review the following documents with your child:

District Student Code of Conduct

Lowell Middle School Student Handbook 2023-2024

The student and parent may determine the student’s personal dress and grooming standards, provided that they comply with Principles 1, 2, 3 and 4 as outlined below.

• Principle 1 - Certain body parts must be covered for all students at all times. Clothes must be worn in a way such that the chest and abdomen, genitals, and buttocks are fully covered with opaque fabric. Shorts/Skirts are to be no more than 3-inches above the knee.
• Principle 2 - Students Must Wear (while following Principle 1 above): A shirt with sleeves and fabric that touches the waistband in the front and back and on the sides under the arms; Pants/jeans or the equivalent (skirt, sweat-pants, leggings, a dress, shorts) and shoes.
• Principle 3 - Students May Wear, as long as these items do not violate Principle 1 or 2 above:
• Hats must allow the face and ears to be visible to staff and not interfere with the line of sight;
• Sweatshirts with hoods. Wearing hood over the head is allowed but face and ears must be visible to school staff;
• Fitted pants, opaque leggings, yoga-style pants and “skinny jeans;”
• Ripped jeans, as long as undergarments and buttocks are not exposed; and/or
• Athletic attire.
• Principle 4 - Students Cannot Wear:
• Images or language depicting drugs or alcohol (or any illegal item or activity) or any other substance prohibited under FNCF(LEGAL):
• Hate speech, Profanity, Pornography, Lowell Student Handbook.
• Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class or consistently marginalized groups,
• Violent language or images,
• Any clothing that reveals visible undergarments, Swimsuits (except as required in class, field trips or athletic practice),
• Accessories that could be considered dangerous or could be used as a weapon, and/or
• Any item that obscures the face or ears (except as a religious observance).

State law requires every child in school to attend school daily. You may be subject to Truancy Prevention Measures if your child is absent for: ·

• 10 days or parts of days within a 6 month period in the same school year
• 3 days or parts of days within a four week/period.

• Individual Attendance Plan/Behavior Improvement Plan/Implement Plan Contract
• School Based Community Service
• Student referred to counseling, mediation, mentoring, a teen court program, community-based services, or other in school or out of school services aimed at addressing the student’s truancy.

The only acceptable excuses from attending school are the following:

• Religious holy day.
• Appointment with a healthcare professional if student commences classes or returns to school on the same day.
• Attending funeral services for a member of the student’s immediate family (includes parent or sibling).
• Required court appearances.
• Certain situations when a parent or guardian is on active military duty.
• Special education assessment procedures and special education-related services.
• Appearing at a government office to complete paperwork for the student’s application for U.S. citizenship.
• Taking part in a U.S. naturalization oath ceremony.
• A temporary absence due to any reason that the teacher, principal, or Superintendent deems excused.
  

• Please schedule doctor’s appointments after school hours or on weekends whenever possible.
• If an appointment is scheduled during school hours, please send your child to school before the appointment or return your child to school after the appointment. Otherwise the absence might be unexcused.
• It is your responsibility to timely provide proper documentation for each excused absence request.
• Parent notes to request an excused absence must include:
1. Student’s name and ID#
2. Date of the absence and reason for the absence
3. Current address and phone number
4. Parent’s name and original signature

SAISD Mission Statement: The Department of Special Education Services promotes inclusion and supports students with disabilities in gaining college and career readiness, and independent living skills through a rigorous, nurturing learning environment, high-quality instruction, and support services that enable all students to reach their full potential.

For information on programs and services the district provides, visit the SAISD Disability Services site

Child nutrition is important for proper growth and development. It is recommended that children 2 years and older follow a healthy diet that includes:

• A variety of fruits and vegetables.
• Whole grains.
• Fat-free and low-fat dairy products.
• A variety of protein foods.
• Oils.

Students are served a well balanced breakfast and lunch. You may access menus, and a variety of resources through the district Child Nutrition webpage.