The Golden Gazette
October 2025
Picture Day!
Picture day has arrived for our students at Collegiate Charter School of Lowell. Please be reminded that all students must take a photo and must be in uniform attire.
- Tuesday, October 7th - Grades KG-5
- Wednesday, October 8th - Grades 6-12
- Absentee's date for students set for Friday, December 5th
- Classroom pictures are set for Wednesday, April 29th
You’ll receive an email from O'Connor Studios regarding how to place your order online directly through their website.
Candy Drive Competition and Trunk or Treat
Our annual Trunk or Treat Fundraiser event will be on Friday, October 24th in the Collegiate parking lot. Please stop by with your kids, visit each car and gets lots of candy. Entry is $2 per kid. All proceeds are used by our PTA to support various events at the school.
We will once again be holding a candy drive for donations of bags of candy to help distribute at the event. Please send in bags of candy with your student(s) and/or drop off at the main office. The homeroom with the most candy donations will win an ice cream party! Donations accepted October 1st - October 24th.
This year, there will be a raffle for a Collegiate fleece jacket! Tickets are $2 each or 6 tickets for $10!
For more information, please see the Parent Square message from the Collegiate PTA.
If you are interested in volunteering and/or joining the Collegiate PTA, please reach out via email to pta@collegiatelowell.org.
Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment for the 2026-27 school year begins October 1, 2025. Applications to enroll your student are available on the school's website - www.collegiatelowell.org. Applications will be accepted through February 2026. A lottery, if needed, will be held in March 2026. More details to come. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sokolski @ ssokolski@collegiatelowell.org or 978-458-1399 x1130.
**If you have a sibling of a currently enrolled student, you must complete an application for that new student.
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisroy Committee)
What is a SEPAC?
A parent organization that collaborates with administrators and educators at Collegiate and functions in an advisory role relative to special education issues. We also offer support, advice, and resources to any parent navigating the special education process.
The SEPAC is a great place to get answers about your child’s needs, as well as tips on how to best advocate for and meet those needs.
Please Join Us. Membership is free and open to all!
- Gain Support
- Meet other families.
- Attend workshops to help parents become informed about special education topics.
October 9, 2025 - 6:00 P.M
Please reach out to Jen Mahon if you have any questions or would like the link to attend the meeting! 978-458-1137 X 1137 or jmahon@collegiatelowell.org.
ELPAC (English Learner Parent Advisory Council)
I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new Director of English Learner Education for Collegiate Charter School of Lowell. With over 20 years of experience teaching and leading programs for multilingual students, I am honored to join a community that values diversity, equity, and academic excellence.
My passion lies in supporting students and families as they navigate the journey of multilingual learning, and I look forward to partnering with you to ensure your children thrive both academically and socially.
To kick off the year, I invite you to join me at our first ELPAC (English Learner Parent Advisory Council) meeting, which will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 8th from 6:00–7:00 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to connect, share ideas, and begin building a strong partnership between home and school.
I am excited to meet you, learn from you, and work together to support our multilingual learners. Thank you for welcoming me into your community—I look forward to a great year ahead!
Warmly,
Lisa Bourgeois
Director of English Learner Education
Attendance Update from Ms. Stephanie, Attendance Officer
Dear Collegiate families,
We want to remind all families how important it is for students to attend school every single day. Consistent attendance helps students build strong learning habits and stay on track academically. Each day in the classroom provides valuable instruction, discussion, and hands-on learning that cannot be replaced. When students miss school, they miss out on key lessons and experiences that support their growth. Please remember to call the school whenever your child will be absent so we can record the reason and support you if needed. Clear communication helps us track attendance accurately and ensure your child’s safety. We also ask families to plan vacations and trips during scheduled school breaks. Vacations taken during the school year result in lost instructional time that can be difficult to make up. Every day truly counts toward your child’s success and confidence in learning. To celebrate great attendance, we are beginning our Student Shout-Out Boards for perfect attendance! Each month, students who achieve perfect attendance will be recognized and celebrated for their commitment.
Thank you for partnering with us to make sure your child is present, engaged, and learning every day!
Food Drive
Once again, this year we will be supporting our families that may need a little extra help to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their families. We will host a Food Drive beginning October 20th and ending November 19th. We ask for donations of canned goods for a Thanksgiving meal.
- Canned vegetables
- Boxed stuffing mix
- Boxes potatoes
- Other Thanksgiving meal items
As the holiday approaches, we could accept potatoes, yams, cider, and other fresh items that would not spoil if donated too soon. Additionally, we will be able to accept donations of frozen turkeys this year.
if you have any questions or need a little extra help this Thanksgiving, please reach out to Mr. Cameron (tcameron@collegiatelowell.org) or Mrs. Meunier (smeunier@collegiatelowell.org).
SENIORS!
Recently information was shared with all Seniors about the planned senior activities later this school year, including the senior dues needed to participate in these activities. Seniors were notified that senior dues would be $250 and would include their prom ticket (5/31), senior week field trips (6/1-6/3), their cap and gown for graduation (6/4), their yearbook, and their class of 2026 senior breakfast and hoodie.
Various payment arrangements are available to spread out the cost of these activities. Students can begin payments today and pay a little each week/month or pay in full when ready. Cash and credit card accepted. Students should see Mrs. Sokolski or Mr. Cameron to make payment.
**Payments for prom tickets ($100) must be made by 12/19/25 (start of winter break).
**Payments for the remaining activities ($150) must be made by 4/17/26.
Adding Up with ST Math
ST MATH Achievements
By: Nicole Palmer, K-5 Math Curriculum Director
Collegiate students are continuing to work on their grade level math skills through their ST Math progress. ST Math helps all types of students by supporting what they are learning in their day-to-day curriculum in a visual and engaging way. So far, grades K-5 students have completed 148,212 puzzles and have conquered 1189 objectives! What amazing progress! The students and teachers are rock stars!
To keep engagement in this program, the K-5 teachers were required to keep an ST Math Progress Tracker in their classrooms so that the students can constantly see their own progress and others in that same classroom! Below is the overall K-5 Bulletin Board that stays up near the school cafeteria to show off all the students' hard work, as well as some teacher examples of their trackers. Aren’t they beautiful and creative? This just goes to show how much our teachers value our students’ learning.
KGA
KGC
1A
1B
2A
2B
2D
4C
1C
A Message from the School Nurses
Link to School Health information at CCSL: Collegiate Charter School of Lowell - Health Forms and Medical Permission Documents
Keeping health information up to date and following school health guidelines supports a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff. If you have not provided a copy of your child's most recent physical to the school, or all documentation for any medications administered during school hours, please provide one either via email at Nurses@Collegiatelowell.org, Fax# 978-458-1366 or you can provide a copy at the front desk.
Mandated School Health Screenings
Under state law and regulations, Massachusetts public schools are required to conduct routine health screenings to identify issues that may affect student learning and development. These screenings occur at specific grade levels and are designed to detect problems early so that appropriate referrals can be made. You may opt your child out of screenings (like BMI or SBIRT) with written notice. We have copies of the opt out form at the school and on our website. We will begin conducting screenings on 10/13, so will need an opt-out form received by 10/10.
Massachusetts DPH 2025-2026 Influenza and COVID-19 vaccine information can be accessed using the following links:
Influenza: Flu prevention and vaccine information | Mass.gov
Preventing Seasonal Flu | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
COVID-19: www.mass.gov/vaccineguidance
Contraindications and Precautions: Contraindications and Precautions | Vaccines & Immunizations | CDC
These health safeguards—including immunization, medication protocols, and physical exam timelines—ensure we create a healthy and safe environment for all students. We appreciate your cooperation!
For questions or assistance, please contact the school nurse:
Grades K–5: 978-458-1399 ext. 1406
Grades 6–12: 978-458-1399 ext. 1255
