McAvinnue's Lion's Roar

Happy New Year McAvinnue Community!

I hope that everyone had a great super long Holiday Break with family and friends! It has been a tremendous start to the 2025-2026 academic school year...and we all are looking forward to launching into the second half of the school year with excitement, enthusiasm, and determination to build on all of the positive foundational pieces we have laid thus far.

As always, we are extremely proud of all of the efforts from EVERYONE in the McAvinnue Community during the first portion of this school year...this is our students, our faculty, our parents, and our community partners! We are eager to continue to the hard work by strengthening our teaching practices, incorporating flexible decision-making, and focus on the overall well-being of all stakeholders.

As you are aware, this is the time of the year that we all make a "New Year's Resolution". We pick something that we want to set as a goal for improvement...and cross our fingers that we will accomplish it throughout the new year. Here is some interesting information about the history of making a "New Year's Resolution".

New Year's resolutions date back over 4,000 years to the Babylonians, who made promises to their gods during their mid-March Akitu festival to pay debts and return items for good favor. The tradition evolved, with the Romans associating January 1st with Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings, and making offerings for prosperity. In the Middle Ages, knights renewed chivalry vows, and by the 17th century, figures like Anne Halkett were documenting personal pledges, leading to today's secular and personal goals for self-improvement, like exercising or saving money, notes a CNN article.

Ancient Origins

• Babylonians (c. 2000 B.C.): Started the tradition during Akitu, a 12-day spring festival marking the new year and planting season, making promises to gods for a good harvest and to settle debts.
• Romans: Connected January 1st with Janus, promising good fortune and making offerings, which is a key link to modern resolutions as promises for the new year.

Medieval & Early Modern Era

• Middle Ages: Knights would take oaths, famously the "Vow of the Peacock," to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry.
• 17th Century: Christian writers like Anne Halkett documented personal resolutions, shifting focus to moral and religious improvement, such as avoiding gluttony.

Modern Evolution

• 19th & 20th Centuries: The practice became widespread and secularized, with lists appearing in newspapers, including humorous examples.
• Today: Resolutions focus on self-improvement, health, finance, and relationships, though the core idea of starting fresh remains, as discussed in NPR and CNN articles.

Are you interested in setting some realistic and reasonable goals for your child in 2026? Use the short but helpful video below with your child to support the resolution setting process!

We are looking forward to another successful week at the "best school that we all know"!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out directly.

Here are a few items that you need to be aware of. Please mark your calendars for the following events and activities at McAvinnue for the next few weeks:

• Monday, January 5th - McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
• Wednesday, January 7th - ACCESS Testing Begins
• Thursday, January 8th - McAvinnue's PBIS "Core Value Booster Day"
• Monday, January 12th - McAvinnue's Before School Programs Begins
• Tuesday, January 13th - McAvinnue's After School Program Begins

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Main Office at McAvinnue or send Mr. Domina a message a mdomina@lowell.k12.ma.us.

We had SOOOOO much fun during McAvinnue's annual "Holiday Spirit Week"! The energy in the building during the last week of school in 2025 was simply amazing!

Check out all of the fun we had for each day showing everyone that we are "the best school that we all know"!

“Warm & Cozy Pajama Day”

“Red & Green Day”

“Bling In The Holidays Day"

“Festive Holiday Headwear & Socks Day"

"Grinch Day"

Session 2 for McAvinnue's "Before & After School Programs" begins on January 12th and will run through March 19th. There are limited spots available for each program. Both programs continue to be FREE of charge for all students!

Here are the details for each program which will be the same as Session 1:

• Before School Program: Monday - Thursday @ 8:00 AM - 9:10 AM (Grades 1 - 4)

• After School Program: Grades 1 & 2 - Tuesday @ 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM; Grades 3 & 4 - Thursday @ 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

STUDENTS WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE NEW SESSION. THERE ARE NO CARRY OVER SPOTS FROM SESSION 1 TO SESSION 2.

To register for the programs, please use the link below:

https://forms.gle/T2ySmMFCNTLc5228A

Please reach out to Mrs. Gervais at mgervais@lowell.k12.ma.us if you have any questions.

Looking to register for PreK and Kindergarten for the 2026-2027 academic school year? Look no further...we have everything that you initially need right here!

Registration opens on February 2nd for both options. Please refer to the flyers below for more information.

Find the information you need about registration here:

PreK: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/departments/family-resource-center/preschool-registration

Kindergarten: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/departments/family-resource-center/kindergarten-registration

If your students have any medical concerns or diagnosis, please make sure Nurse Danielle is aware. Also, if they have any medical conditions, for example allergies or asthma, that require medications such as Epipens or inhalers here at school, please remember she needs updated paperwork and medication yearly.

Please reach out as soon as possible to get her the necessary paperwork and to arrange drop off of new medications. Nurse Danielle's email address is dralls@lowell.k12.ma.us and she can also be reached by calling (978) 937-2871 ex. 47858. Our fax number is (978) 937-2880.

Please see the chart below that will help you decide whether you should send your child to school.

If you have any questions or are not sure whether you should send your child to school, please reach out to the school and ask to speak with Nurse Danielle.

Drop-Off Logistics

• Arrival begins at 9:10 AM each day. The late bell rings at 9:25 AM.
• Please pull up to the 4th Avenue side of the building when dropping off your child.
• As you approach the 4th Avenue sidewalk, a faculty member will greet and support getting your child safely out of the vehicle.
• This area is a drop off area ONLY. You will not be permitted to park in this location.
• Please be sure to drive all the way down to the end of the sidewalk so we can fit as many vehicles in this location as possible.
• Ensure your child is ready to go and do not get out of the car so we can keep traffic moving.
• Students accessing our CSA program will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.
• Large bus students will enter using the back door located in the rear of the school building.
  
• Small bus and van transportation students will use the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.

Morning Lining Up Locations

• Grade 1, 3, and 4 students will use the Main Door to enter the school building.
• Grade 2 will use the 4th Avenue doorway near the front of the school to enter the building.
• PreK & Kindergarten will use the Early Childhood door to enter the building. This door is located to the right of McAvinnue's Reading Garden and to the left of the Main Door.

Pick-Up Logistics

• Grade 1 will be dismissed out the Main Door.
• Grades 2, 3, and 4 will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the front of the school.
• Kindergarten students will be dismissed out the Early Childhood door. This door is located to the right of McAvinnue's Reading Garden and to the left of the Main Door.
• Students accessing our CSA program will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway.
• PreK students will be dismissed out the 4th Avenue door near the rear of the school building by the exit driveway. Please contact Ms. Annie for the specific dismissal time.

School bus transportation is provided to students in grades K-4, who live greater than .75 mile from their residence or alternate address to their assigned school. Middle school students (grades 5-8) must live greater than 1.5 miles from their residence or alternate address to their assigned school.

Kindergarten through 4th grade students will receive a printed bus pass via postal mail. These passes were mailed out on August 23rd. You can also look up your student's bus pass information by using their Student ID for the username and date of birth for the password at the link below. This is the same information that students use to log in to their Chromebooks for school.

Please note that Kindergarten and 1st grader students must have an older sibling (4th grade or older) or parent present at the bus stop in the afternoon in order to depart from the school bus. If a parent or older sibling is not present, the student will be brought to the Moody School, located at 158 Rogers Street. A driver’s license or valid identification must be presented to the staff in order to dismiss the student.

You can use the LPSD "Bus Lookup Tool" using the link below. You will need to use you child's LASID or lunch number along with their birthdate to access this helpful system.

There also is a helpful video that you can watch that will walk you through the process.

The Lowell Public Schools Transportation Department has added a live spreadsheet to its webpage that indicates in the AM or PM if a school bus (grades K-8) is running late and by how long.

Check it out today: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5990

Here is information regarding when each grade level and homeroom has weekly Physical Education Class with Ms. Rindo for the 2025-2026 academic school year

Please ensure that your child wears sneakers on their assigned day in the gymnasium so that can fully participate.

We will continue to practice the pose that we ended the final school week of 2025 called the "Drawbridge"! This pose will allow us to work on our balance while getting a good stretch that will release tension and practice proper posture. We will practice the "Drawbridge" pose daily during our "Virtual" Morning Announcements during this up and coming week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

You can get an early head start and practice this technique before we launch into another exciting week!

Here are important dates to remember for the month January:

• Monday, January 5th - McAvinnue Reopens @ 9:10 AM
• Wednesday, January 7th - ACCESS Testing Begins
• Thursday, January 8th - McAvinnue's PBIS "Core Value Booster Day"
• Monday, January 12th - McAvinnue's Before School Programs Begins
• Tuesday, January 13th - McAvinnue's After School Program Begins
• Wednesday, January 14th - Early Release Day: Student Dismissal @ 1:30 PM
• Friday, January 16th - McAvinnue's "Lion's Pride" Core Value All School Celebration: December Edition
• Monday, January 19th - No School: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Monday, January 19th - McAvinnue's Night At Chuck E. Cheese @ 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Plain Street, Lowell, MA)
• Tuesday, January 27th - Thursday, January 29th - McAvinnue's "Bookfair" With Lala Books
• Thursday, January 29th - McAvinnue's "Family Math Night" @ 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
• Friday, January 30th - Progress Report Distribution: Grades 1 - 4

There will be a district-wide "Early Release Day" on Wednesday, January 14th. Students will be dismissed at McAvinnue at 1:30 PM on this day. There will be no PreK classes for Ms. Ana and Ms. Annie's students.

Please make the necessary arrangements to be available for your child on this day.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Main Office for support.

This year McAvinnue is partnering with out local independent bookstore - lala books!

Students will still have the opportunity to visit the fair and shop during the school day.

We will be developing a schedule to visit the Book Fair for each classroom. This will allow you to be prepared to send in money on the day that has been scheduled for your child's class. Be on the lookout for more information from your child's teacher coming soon!

Families can also purchase online: https://lalabookstore.com/list/mcavinnue-school-book-fair or visit the fair in-person during McAvinnue's "Family Math Night" on January 29th.

Hello McAvinnue ST Math Families and Faculty!

As we finish out 2025 and get ready for all the amazingness of 2026, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work our students and teachers have been doing with ST Math.

Here is our School Community Progress Update:

• Many classrooms have gone well beyond the expected Puzzle Goal Progress Average of 32%! Amazing work!!

• As a school community, students have solved hundreds of thousands of puzzles during our first 4 months of school! In fact, the total puzzle count is over 417,000.

ST Math Challenges & Puzzlers:

Students will continue engaging in grade-level journey puzzles, Puzzle Talks, and ST Math school wide challenges as we head into the new year. In fact, our Winter Waddle this year has a cozy cocoa and marshmallow theme. Be on the lookout for an update in early January.

Keeping an Eye on Puzzle Goal Progress:

McAvinnue has reached 45% Puzzle Goal Progress. A true feat considering we are only about 40% of the way through the school year.

Special Opportunity: Puzzle Talk with Jadalynn

Teachers who sign up for a Puzzle Talk with Jadalynn, our Puzzle Talk Ambassador, in January will be entered to win a special treat for their class! This is a great opportunity to deepen mathematical conversations and keep student engagement high.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. We’re so proud of our students and staff and can’t wait to see what they accomplish in 2026!

McAvinnue's "Morning Announcements" are back once again for the 2024-2025 academic school year! We are excited to bring these back starting on Monday, September 15th!

Like we had successfully done during previous school years, a new edition of McAvinnue's "Virtual" Morning Announcements will be presented to our students on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week. We will continue to use Tuesday and Thursday each week to be used for "Open Circle"....our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program that focuses on community building, prosocial decision making, and appropriate responses to daily stressors both within the school and home settings.

This will continue to be a great way to bring our school together each day focusing on the same message to get the energy, commitment, and engage up before we launch into another great day at "the best school we all know".

McAvinnue's Morning Announcements will occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week! Be on the lookout for them on Class Dojo and on our social media accounts!

You can check out current and past editions of McAvinnue's Morning Announcements on our YouTube channel using the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7hxiBuRjqjqfASl_RLMleQ

Please see the chart below that will help you decide whether you should send your child to school.

If you have any questions or are not sure whether you should send your child to school, please reach out to the school and ask to speak with Nurse Danielle.

Need help with supplementing with food on a weekly basis? No worries...we have you covered!

With our partnership with the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, we can provide weekly pre-packaged bags of nutritious food that students can take home on Friday.

All you need to do to enroll in this program is to contact Mrs. De La Luz at adelaluz @ lowell.k12.ma.us or send a Class Dojo message to her or Mrs. Teague-Powers. Just include your child's name in the message and we will take care of the rest.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the school directly for support!

The LPS Student Handbook is a great tool to use to fully understand the expectations of the role of our students as well as the partnership needed for our families to ensure that the school year is a great success.

You can access the district elementary student handbook by clicking the button below. You will find various policies and procedures focusing on attendance, grading, discipline, bus expectations, and more.

Please reach out directly if you have any questions.

As you are aware, attending school is first step each in the learning process for our students. It is critical that our students arrive to school on time each day so that they can access all of the engaging and meaning lessons that have been planned by our teachers and related service providers.

The McAvinnue Attendnace Team will monitor student attendance on a weekly basis and will reach our directly to families when they notice frequent absences, a pattern of absences, or an increased number of consecutive absences within a short period of time.

Please refer to McAvinnue's Student Attendance Booket below that will provide additional information. This booket will be sent home with students in multiple languages. It is important that you review this information for your own awareness and to be fully prepared to support your child with the first step of the learning process...attending school on time.

The handbook is provided in four languages below.

All student breakfast and lunch menu items will be free of charge on all school days including Early Release Days!

Lowell Public Schools Food and Nutrition are "Powering Potential" for students and faculty with innovations in our menus and enhancements to our overall dining operations. When your child dines with us, rest assured that we will be serving delicious, nutritious meals prepared with the utmost attention to safety. We encourage every student to fuel up with breakfast and lunch meals each day so they can be energized and prepared to succeed throughout the day, in and out of the classroom.

Please keep up to date on our program, nutrition education, monthly menus and back to school letters on the LPS Food and Nutrition website.

Any concerns please feel free to email foodservice@lowell.k12.ma.us

Here are the Breakfast and Lunch Menus for the month of January. Please note that the district has moved to a new format for each of the food menus.

While each menu is set for the month of January, there is a slight chance that the menu will change due to a variety of factors. When this has occurred, we always do not receive notification until the day of the needed change.

We will do our best to communicate any changes to each menu so that you can make a decision that works best for your child.

If you need the menu to be translated in Spanish, please use the link below:

https://lowellk12ma.nutrislice.com/menu/mcavinnue-elementary-school/breakfast/2026-01-04

You will need to click the "Spanish" translate button found under the menu options.

Are you interested in learning more about the fantastic Math Curriculum that we are using for our Kindergarten - Grade 4 students? Look no further...we have everything that you need for Eureka Math Squared!

Here are some links that you can use to explore the philosophy of the curriculum, sample materials and lessons, tips for how you can support your child at home with their Math skill development, and activities that you can use with your child consistently each week during the school year.

English: https://greatminds.org/math/eurekamathsquared/family-engagement

Spanish: https://greatminds.org/es/eurekamathsquared/recursos-para-la-familia

We have an online store if you wish to order any McAvinnue gear! It is open 24 hours per day and there is no due date for orders. Anytime you want to order...on any day!

The company is Prep Sportswear and has been reliable with solid product quality from reputable brands.

There is a 25% off deal occuring now on all items! This is a major discount if you are interested in purchasing McAvinnue merchandise.

Like during previous school years, we are also exploring additional local options to purchase McAvinnue gear. Stay tuned for more information in the month of September.

To access our current online store for McAvinnue spirit gear, please click the link below.

How can I update my contact information (phone number/email/address)?

• Go online to the Family Resource Webpage (https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/UpdateContactInfo) and fill out the “contact us” form. Families who don’t have access to the internet can fill out the form in person at the Family Resource Center. If an address change is related to economic factors or housing instability (family moves in with relatives, eviction, hotel/motel, fire or unsheltered, please contact the McKinney Vento Office located at the Family Resource Center in person (151 Merrimack Street), by phone (978-674-4321) or go to the webpage at https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/HomelessAssistance.

How do I update my emergency contacts?

• If you were in the school last year we will send a verification sheet out. if you are new we will send home an emergency form to fill out on the first day of school.

How do I register my child for the new school year?

• All school registrations are completed online using a computer or laptop. You can access the online application by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. If you only have a mobile device and don’t have access to a computer or laptop, you can register in person at the Family Resource Center (151 Merrimack Street). Please call the Family Resource Center if you have any questions (978-674-4321).

What should I do if I need to register my child(ren) and I don’t speak English?

• The Lowell Public Schools is committed to providing translation and interpretation services for families who require assistance in a language other than English. The online registration application and website is translated in Spanish and Portuguese and can be accessed by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolRegistration. For all other languages, please call Vannak Khin at (978) 328-6782 to arrange services. In-person language interpretation support for registration can be accessed by visiting the Lowell Public Schools at 151 Merrimack Street. Families can also call the Family Resource Center at (978) 674-4321 to make an appointment with a Bilingual Family Liaison.

How old does my child need to be to enroll in preschool or kindergarten?

• A child must turn 4 years old on or before September 1, 2023, in order to apply for preschool and 5 by September 1 to apply for kindergarten. A family can apply for preschool by going to https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/PreschoolRegistration to fill out an online application or https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/KindergartenRegistration for kindergarten. For registration questions, please call (978) 674-4321.

How do I apply for a transfer for my child to change schools in the new year?

• Per the 2023-2024 School Assignment Policy, all students have the option to request one school transfer per year.
• Families can apply online at https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/SchoolTransfer or can come to the Family Resource Center in-person to complete the application. Transfers are assigned on a space availability basis.

There is a wonderful series of workshops for families with children ages 3-5 coming up this school year. Check out the flyer below for the details and needed information!

To register for one or all sessions, use the link below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFfnxLu40g_1iarQ1fkTi-wUQqXCGcFccgBoAEv5LSdM9OjQ/viewform

Cub Scout Pack 7 is looking for new cubs to join their pack! Tons of fun and learning experiences for all kids in Kindergarten through Grade 5. For more information, visit www.pack7lowell.com

Pack 7 meets at St. Rita's Church directly across from McAvinnue!

Looking for before or after school daycare options for your child? Here is a short list of options and information for your consideration.

Here is a list of daycare options in Lowell:

• Community Team Work (CTI): (978) 454-5100

• Families who are already enrolled in a CTI program...

• Call or text school-age coordinators to request a slot

• Billy 978-995-0028, wma@commteam.org

• Karen 978-729-7216, kshannon@commteam.org

• Families who are not enrolled in a CTI program

• If you’ve filled out a CTI application in the past...

• Contact Karen (978) 729-7216, kshannon@commteam.org to see if where you are on the waitlist (if there is a waitlist)

• If you’ve never filled out a CTI application...

• Fill out an application at 17 Kirk St., 126 Phoenix Ave

• Or call the main CTI number (978) 454-5100 to request an email version of the application.

• YMCA: (978) 454-7825; 1 YMCA Dr in Lowell

• Karen Espinola is the school-age director

• Fill out a application online or at the YMCA to request a slot

• Debbie Doben is the preschool director if your child is preschool age

• Family Childcare: Call programs to see if they have openings near you

• Bethel Family Childcare (978) 458-6577

• Clarendon Family Childcare (978) 454-3026

• Child Development and Learning (CDE) (978) 275-2843

• ACRE Family Childcare (978) 937-5899

• CTI: See above contact information

• Girls Inc: (978) 458-6529, 220; Worthen St. in Lowell

• Accept girls ages 5-14 years old

• Accept Child Care Circuit vouchers, DCF vouchers, and private pay (income-based, sliding scale)

• Call Pam Lerocque (Director of Finance & Administration) to check on openings

• Boys and GIrls Club: (978) 458-4526; 657 Middlesex St in Lowell

• School-age openings for after-school

• Teens who are working with the Department of Children and Families can call BGC or DCF to see if they’re eligible

The Family Leadership Institute provides families with the knowledge and skills to partner with schools and communities to ensure their children achieve their full potential.

Throughout the year, the FLI runs a variety of programs including: survival English classes, family college visits, mental health and financial literacy workshops, and more. For more information about the FLI visit: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/5263.

Do you need support with food options for your family. No need to worry...there are many local groups that can offer support for you during your time of need.

Click the link below for a list of local food pantries that are willing to help.

You can also reach out to Mrs. De La Luz, McAvinnue's Social Worker, for support navigating these and other options at adelaluz@lowell.k12.ma.us.

Click the link below to see a comprensive list of local vaccination options for your child.

Please keep in mind that certain vaccinations are required for students to participate in learning at all Lowell Public Schools.

If you have any questions regarding vaccination requirements, please contact Nurse Danielle at the school. She will be glad to help you out and provide you with the information that you require or request.

Check out our school website where you can find a wealth of information including school news, calendars, and other events.

Please visit our website at: https://mcavinnue.lowell.k12.ma.us/

This is a new website platform for 2026 and we are currently learning how to navigate and post updates and important items. Please be patient while we are working out the kinks with this transition.

You can follow McAvinnue on social media at the following sites! We update things daily and this is a great way to stay in touch with all of the amazing things that are happening inside and out of "the best school we all know"!

Click the buttons below to access our social media sites!

McAvinnue Elementary School is a place...where there are high expectations, where students are academically engaged, where instruction is guided by a systematic approach to examine data, where there is a multi-tiered system of support, and where a responsive environment that fosters social emotional connections between faculty and students prevails.

#McAvinnuePride #BeTheDifference #NextLevel

Email: mdomina@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/21
Location: 131 Mammoth Road, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: (978) 937-2871
Facebook: facebook.com/McAvinnueElementarySchool/
Twitter: @McAvinnueLPS