Family Communicator

Monday, November 17, 2025

• After School Program - Grade 3&4
• PTO - 8:15 am
• Adult English Classes - 7:30 am

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

• After School Program - Grade 1&2

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

• Adult English Classes - 7:30 am
• After School Program - Grade 3&4

Thursday, November 20, 2025

• After School Program - Grade 1&2
• Fall Picture Retakes

Friday, November 21, 2025

• Passion Projects - Grade 4

School pictures were sent home this week. If you wish to have a retake, you must return the original picture set on the retake day. There are no order forms for the retakes. We have extra order forms in the office if you need them.

If you were absent or new to the school on the original picture day (October 2, 2025) we will take pictures of your child. We use them for records.

We have partnered with the Acera School in Winchester to develop better student engagement at the Shaughnessy School. This project is happening at several of the schools in Lowell. As part of this project we are starting Passion Projects in grade 4. Fourth grade students will self-select into a class that will happen once per week until December break. Teachers will showcase their passions and hopefully get children to enjoy them as well. Here are the passions and staff members for this session.

• Minecraft Education - Mr. Silverstein
• Lego Spike Kits - Mrs. Gangemi
• Birding - Dr. McCrevan
• Chess 101 - Mr. Cotta
• Baking Around the World - Mrs. Fennell
• Soap Making - Mrs. Ortiz
• Silhouette Painting - Mrs. Markee
• Quilting - Mrs. Villeneuve
• Crocheting - Mrs. Hilbrunner

We will continue this project in January with a different grade-level. We may have a family showcase in December so the kids can show what they learned.

We have formed a partnership with the Lowell Career Academy the past few years. Students at Lowell's Career Academy come in on Thursdays to teach and model leadership skills with our third grade students. The partnership is in its third year and the students enjoy this program. Elevate will start this week for third graders.

The playground is nearing completion, along with the new courts, and the Butler basketball courts. We are awaiting some final touch ups, a safety inspection, and then a punch list completion. We anticipate this will be a few more weeks. I would like to thank City Councilor, Kim Scott, for making this project happen.

We’re excited to celebrate Gratitude Weeks leading up to Thanksgiving! Each week, students will take part in fun and meaningful activities that help them reflect on who and what they are thankful for.

Week of November 3rd

From November 3rd until Thanksgiving break, students can write notes about someone in our school they appreciate and drop them in the Gratitude Box by the front office. These notes will be shared during Friday morning announcements each week! Near the front office, there will also be a Gratitude Bulletin Board where students can post what they’re thankful for this season.

Week of November 10th

Each morning this week, students will watch a short video about gratitude during morning announcements. These videos will help students understand what gratitude means and how to express it in everyday life.

Week of November 17th

In class, students will create letters and drawings to show appreciation for members of the Lowell community. These heartfelt notes will be mailed out at the end of the week to spread gratitude beyond our school walls.

We have a dental program at school for students who need mouth-related care. A form will be sent home for you to complete. It will require insurance information or a Mass Health card number. If you already have a dentist for your child, please do not sign up for this program. The form is below and will be sent home with your child. Please complete the form by November 21st.

Here are important dates for November.

• November 26th - Early Release Day - Thanksgiving Break - 11:50 am
• November 27th - No School - Thanksgiving Break
• November 28th - No School - Thanksgiving Break

Here are important dates for December.

• December 1 - First day back after Thanksgiving Break
• December 3 - Early Release Day - 1:30 pm (No PreK)
• December 3 - Banking Program
• December 4 - Report Cards Sent Home
• December 4 - Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Night - Sponsored by Lowell Police Depatment
• December 8 - School Site Council
• December 10 - Music Concerts - Grade 3&4
• December 11 - Music Concert - Grades 1&2
• December 12 - Passion Project Palooza - Grade 4 - 10:20-11:00
• December 17 - Banking Program
• December 19 - Last Day of School Before Holiday Break - Full Day of School

The after-school program starts this week on Wednesday, October 15th for students in grades 3&4, and on Thursday, October 16th for students in grades 1&2. We are excited this program is back. Each week we will let you know which dates it will take place.

The Shaughnessy School’s ELPAC/Family Group team meets with families four times each year to share updates, provide resources, and support our multilingual learners and their families. At these meetings, we talk about school events, explain the ACCESS testing process, and offer strategies to help students succeed both at home and in school.

We want all families to feel safe, welcomed, and valued at Shaughnessy. These meetings are also a wonderful chance to connect with other multilingual families, share experiences, and build a supportive community together.

Our first meeting was held on Thursday, October 9th. We look forward to seeing you at future meetings!

Our School Site Council for this year includes:

• Jason McCrevan - Principal
• Kim Bettencourt - Parent (Grade 3 Student)
• Trang Dong - Parent (Grade 1 Student)
• James Steele - Parent (Kindergarten Student)
• Heather Doyle - Grade 2 Teacher
• Keri Gangemi - Content Literacy (STEM) Teacher

We thank our families and teachers for volunteering for this endeavor.

Teaching children about banking is a great way to learn about financial Literacy. We are proud to start a partnership with Jeanne d'Arc Bank for our children. Every other week, on Wednesdays, the bank will come to Shaughnessy School, and students can deposit money into a Savings Account. The account requires a $10.00 start-up fee, but after that, kids can deposit any amount. The children get a prize every time they add money to their accounts. Please be on the lookout for a Savings Account application that will be sent home early next week. This is how children start the account. We hope this partnership will help students learn the importance of saving money. You can also register for the program at our Open House this week. The dates for deposits this year will be:

• December 3, 17
• January 14, 28
• February 11, 25
• March 11, 25
• April 8
• May 6, 20

If you were enrolled in the program last year, you do not have to fill out the form again!

Students in grades K-4 can enter school from 8:40-9:00 am to eat breakfast in the cafeteria. After 9:00 am, the students will wait until we open regular breakfast at 9:10 am. The children will be monitored by school staff. This program is a privilege and not a right. If students are struggling with the rules, they will not be able to participate in the program.

The students will enter the building by the main entrance and school staff and cafeteria personnel will be there for supervision starting at 8:40 am.

All required paperwork was sent home. Please review, complete, and return all forms as soon as possible..

1. Student Emergency Form - Please confirm email, phone number, address, and people who can pick up your children.
2. Handbook Signature - All families should review the LPS Handbook for policies and procedures by visiting the information here. Please sign and return the form once it is viewed. It says 24-25 on the link, but this is the most current handbook.- https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/147
3. Nurse Emergency Form - Please confirm emergency contacts in case of a medical issue.

Please return all three forms ASAP to maintain accurate records.

We primarily use Class Dojo as a communication application from school. The teachers will be inviting you to join the messaging, so you can be aware of all of the happenings. Please reach out to the teachers with questions.

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