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1. Message from Principal Phelan
2. Important Dates
3. Permission to Walk Home From the Bus Stop Forms (English, Spanish, and Portuguese)
4. Staffing Updates
5. Introduction to Our Newest Staff Members
6. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for Grades 1-5
7. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures for K
8. Lunch and Break Snack Program- Free to ALL Students
9. Lowell School Parent Guide 2022-2023
10. Team Teams by Grade Level
11. Schedule by Grade Level
12. School Supplies
13. Upcoming Events (dates, time, and location)

Greetings,

The Back to School sales and displays are prominently showcased whenever you go signaling the return to school. I want to give you a few updates to help you plan for your child's return to school. I will keep you posted on all things related to our return as the opening of school approaches.

We are excited to welcome you back for the 2022-2023 school year! Last year we consciously worked to meet the needs of our students as they returned to school full-time and in-person. We understood that interrupted teaching and learning impacted the 2020-2021 school year. We proactively adopted the "Learning Acceleration Road Map" this approach to instruction is grounded in three priorities:

● Developing a sense of belonging in schools

● Monitoring student learning

● Ensuring strong, grade-level instruction.

Within each priority, we center our approaches on creating equitable experiences and outcomes for all your students to affirm their race, native language, learning and thinking differences, and other identity markers.

This year, we will continue to use this approach to address gaps in learning caused by the pandemic. Educators will use diagnostics to identify the specific content individual students need support with to access grade-level content this year to accelerate students' progress. Educators will embed opportunities to teach these prerequisite skills into their curriculum for this year so that students receive the support they need to engage with grade-level content. We refer to this kind of support as "just-in-time scaffolding." Teachers will continuously monitor student learning to effectively accelerate learning this school year to understand where they stand against clear learning goals. Lastly and most importantly, educators will partner with students and families to create an environment that supports their students' well-being and sense of belonging.

We look forward to working with you and our students to achieve our goals this year.

I and AP Chen are offering two coffees before school begins. This is your opportunity to ask us questions. These events are scheduled for August 26th at 9:00 AM and August 29th at 7:00 PM. We also hold a popsicle with the principal event for each campus.

Popsicles with the Principal and Assistant Principal

The Phillips: Wednesday, August 31st at 4:00 PM Spring Street on the playground

Lowell West: Thursday, September 1st at 4:00 PM in the playground

If you have any questions or ideas in the meantime, don't hesitate to contact me at stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us.

With a grateful heart,

Mrs. Phelan

This message only applies to students who have registered for the school bus.

Students in grades k-5 must have a parent or guardian waiting for them at the bus stop after school to exit the bus. Otherwise, the child will be brought back to school, and an adult will need to pick up the student from school. The only exception to this requirement is if the parent has filled out a permission form (links below) giving their child permission to walk home from the bus stop. Students must be in grades 3-5 or have an older sibling in grades 3-5 whose parent has permitted them to supervise their sibling on the way home.

Permission Form - Walk from Bus Stop (SY2022-2023) English

Permission Form - Walk from Bus Stop (SY2022-2023) Spanish

Permission Form - Walk from Bus Stop (SY2022-2023) Portuguese

The Lowell School is excited to welcome several new staff members. Sheila Gomez, Jack Kelly, Amanda Echteler, Sofija Chroneos, and Anne Spatz. You can read more about each of them in their bios below.

We had one internal change in position. Mr. Stezzi, who formerly taught fourth grade, will assume the role of Lowell's Math coach. His departure from fourth grade prompted us to hire a new teacher and reconfigure classroom rosters. Mrs. Corcoran (formerly Ms. Blackwood) and Ms. Cachimuel will be in our fourth-grade co-taught classroom this year. Anne Spatz will take over Ms. Corcoan's classroom.

Sheila Gomez graduated from New York University’s School of Social Work in 2007 and since then has dedicated her work to serving children and families in the Boston and Metro Boston Area. Mrs. Gomez has a keen passion for working with children and families experiencing depression, anxiety, and stress related to having experienced trauma. She has worked in a variety of settings such as schools, residential programs, in-home therapy, and an outpatient clinic. Mrs. Gomez values a holistic approach to social work practice and therefore believes in the importance of engaging all systems impacting the client when working with a youth and their family. Additionally, Mrs. Gomez is an Adjunct Professor at BU School of Social Work. On a personal note, Mrs. Gomez is a mother and step-mother and also a caregiver for her elder parent. She enjoys taking trips with her family, especially yearly trips to Old Orchard Beach, Maine and Cape Cod.

Hi! My name is Jack Kelly. I am excited to be joining the Watertown School District. Prior to my new position as a Behavior Specialist, I was a Program Coordinator/Counselor for a Special Education Program in New Hampshire. My teaching career started as an inner-city school English teacher but changed over time as I taught ESL overseas (Thailand) and transitioned into Counseling at the secondary and elementary levels. I am looking forward to working with you all this year.

Amanda lives in Medford, Massachusetts and has been working in the field of childcare and teaching for many years. She is passionate about cooking delicious meals and desserts, creating colorful artwork and encouraging self expression. In the past, Amanda has worked with many children on the Autism spectrum leading social groups, taking part in community outings, and practicing activities of daily living. For the past seven years, Amanda was a nanny to three lovely boys. Here, she was able to assist the family with many tasks and activities, and was given the opportunity to teach, learn and grow alongside the children. During Covid, Amanda illustrated a children’s book for an author based out of San Diego. “Jump Joey Jump” is still in the process of being published, and will hopefully be available for purchase soon! Amanda was able to reconnect with her artistic roots during this lengthy project. It is something she takes pride in and is excited to share with the world. Amanda is happy to be a part of the Watertown Public School system and looking forward to making new friends (both staff and students) this upcoming school year.

Ms. Chroneos is coming to Lowell from a long-term substitute K-4 art teaching position in Belmont. In 2016, Ms. Chroneos moved to Boston for her undergraduate visual arts program at Boston University. Now, Ms. Chroneos holds a BFA in Sculpture and MA in Art Education with K-12 teaching licensure. She is passionate about providing elementary school students with a dynamic visual art education in which students can see themselves as artists with important ideas to share and explore. Ms. Chroneos is thrilled to join the J.R. Lowell Elementary School community and cannot wait to meet her new student artists!

Hello everyone! My name is Anne Spatz and I am so excited to be joining the Lowell School community. I graduated from Boston University with my degree in Elementary Education and a sub concentration in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages. Although this is my first year teaching, I completed my student teaching in 4th grade and I can’t wait to work with 4th graders again this year. In my free time, I enjoy doing yoga, baking, and browsing bookstores. I look forward to meeting everyone!

School Hours

8:15 AM until 2:30 PM

Arrival & Dismissal Procedure – Lowell West

The following procedures are created to maintain an orderly and safe environment during arrival and dismissal. An aerial view of Lowell West, key locations, and surrounding streets can be located on page 2 for reference. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Important Times:

7:45 AM Early drop-off – only for families with students at both the Lowell West and the Phillips;

Breakfast will also begin at this time.

8:05 AM Students may enter the school building and go to their classrooms.

8:15 AM Classes begin.

8:20 AM Students arriving at or after this time are considered tardy and must sign the attendance log in the main office.

2:30 PM Dismissal Time.

Arrival Procedure:

• Vehicles will enter/leave the school parking lot using the entrance and exit. Please see Lowell West Aerial View (Page 2) for reference.

• Adult(s) are asked to remain in the vehicle and pull up to the sidewalk where school personnel will be waiting.

• Please have your child(ren) ready to exit the vehicle when you pull up the sidewalk.

• Cars must remain in the line and are not allowed to pass others. Please do not make a U-turn or deviate from the drop-off line as a safety measure.

• Please yield to school buses when pulling in or out of the school parking lot.

• Students are not allowed on the playground before school as there is no supervision.

Dismissal Options and Guidelines

To ensure a safe dismissal, each Lowell student has a dismissal plan that’s consistent from week to week. Families may request to update their children’s dismissal plan by emailing their teachers and Kara Flynn (kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us) by 9 AM the morning of the change. All dismissal change requests must be made by parents/guardians and not students themselves.

Dismissal Procedure for Parent Pick-up:

• Students being picked up by a parent will report to the cafeteria for dismissal. Late pick-up students will also report to the cafeteria (only pertains to students with siblings at Phillips).

• Families could park their vehicles on the neighborhood street around the school, exit their cars, and pick up their children at the front door.

• The staff at the front of the building will walkie the group leader for student dismissal.

• Please be mindful and respectful of our neighbors. Do not block driveways. If a neighbor asks you to move in order to gain access to their driveway, please comply. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation!

Late Pick-up

• Only families with children at both locations (Lowell West and Phillips) may pick up their child(ren) from Lowell West at 3 PM at the front door. Designated school personnel will stay with your children until their grown-ups arrive.

• Day 1 (Visiting Day by Appointment) Tuesday, September 6th: Students and families enter through the Spring Street Door #10 by appointment.

• Day 2- (Early Release at 12:00) Wednesday, September 7th: arrival begins at 8:05 - 8:20 AM. After 8:20 AM. Please See the Arrival and Dismissal Plans (No bussing for Kindergarten).

• Day 3- (First Full Day) Thursday, September 8th: 8:15 AM – 2:30 PM (full day, lunch is served, Extended Day for those students signed up, and bussing begins for Kindergarten.)

School Hours

8:15 am until 2:30 pm

Arrival & Dismissal Procedure – Phillips Building

The following procedures are created to maintain an orderly and safe environment during arrival and dismissal. An aerial view of the Phillips Building, key locations, and surrounding streets can be located on page 2 for reference. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

Important Times:

7:15 AM Early drop-off – only for families with students attending before-school care at the Phillips Building. Students will enter the building through door #3 off the parking lot located on Marshall Street.

8:05 AM Students may enter the school building and go to their classrooms.

Breakfast will be available as a grab-and-go breakfast.

8:15 AM Classes begin.

8:20 AM Students arriving at or after this time are considered tardy and must sign the attendance log at the front desk located at the Spring Street Entrance.

2:30 PM Dismissal Time.

Arrival Procedure (car):

• Vehicles will enter/leave the school parking lot using the entrance and exit. Please see Phillips Building Aerial View (Page 2) for reference.

• Adult(s) are asked to remain in the vehicle and pull up to doors #5 and #3 where school personnel will assist you in a live drop-off lane.

• Please have your child(ren) ready to exit the vehicle when you pull up to the door.

• Cars must remain in the line and are not allowed to pass others. As a safety measure, please do not make a U-turn or deviate from the drop-off line.

Arrival Procedure (walking with caregiver):

• Parents should drop students off at door #10 on Spring Street if they chose to walk to school with their children.

Dismissal Options and Guidelines

To ensure a safe dismissal, each Lowell student has a dismissal plan that’s consistent from week to week. Families may make requests to update their children’s dismissal plan by emailing their teachers and Kara Flynn (kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us) by 9AM the morning of the change. All dismissal change requests must be made by parents / guardians and not students themselves.

Parent Pick-up (walking):

• Teachers will exit the building at door #10 with their classes and wait for grown-ups outside in the enclosed green space.

• Families could park their vehicles in the surrounding neighborhood and pick up students by door #10 on Spring Street.

• Please be mindful and respectful of our neighbors. Do not block driveways. If a neighbor asks you to move in order to gain access to their driveway, please comply. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation!

Breakfast snacks and lunch will be available to all students free of charge. Breakfast snack replaces our traditional breakfast program; last year, more students took advantage of our snack program, which is offered during the school day.

Students will have the opportunity to order a snack or lunch each morning during Morning Meeting. Students are still welcome to bring a snack or lunch from home.

You can view menus on our website. Click the link below.

Watertown Food and Nutrition Website

Every fall, we send families the Lowell School Parent Guide. This document gives you a lot of information about our school specifically. Please click the button below to access our guide.

The following schedule is by content block. Instructional minutes vary by content area. Our day begins promptly at 8:15 with Morning meetings and Announcements. We believe ALL students should be welcomed into school each morning positively. During Morning Meetings, students greet one another, share something about themselves, participate in a brief warm-up activity, and hear the daily message from their teacher(s). Morning Meeting is a Social-Emotional Learning block. For this reason, we strongly encourage students to arrive on time.

We have a block to our schedule daily to support our philosophy of Accelerated Learning. WIN (What I Need) block is daily for 30 minutes. Our Reading teachers are allocated to each grade during the WIN block. We currently have 3 Reading Specialists, a Literacy Coach, and two tutors. Our reading team supports kindergarten; differently, they support kindergarten during the Readers' Workshop time slot.

We also have WIN time for math. This occurs opposite Spanish. We are happy to announce grades k-5 will have Spanish this year. Spanish occurs on an A/B schedule. Week A classes have Spanish three times a week, and in week B, they have Spanish 2 times. On days students don't have Spanish, they attend Math Workshop. We have two math tutors and a full-time Math Coach who supports Math Workshop.

Watertown Public Schools will supply all necessary back-to-school supplies for our students. You will only need to provide a backpack, water bottle, and lunch box/bag.