FOWLER SCHOOL

3 Tiger Drive

978-897-6700

Principal- Keith Kinney kkinney@maynard.k12.ma.us

Assistant Principal-David Snyder dsnyder@maynard.k12.ma.us

Administrative Assistant- Joanne Lochiatto jlochiatto@maynard.k12.ma.us

Administrative Assistant- Marie Roche mroche@maynard.k12.ma.us

Nurse Amy Jamieson: ajamieson@maynard.k12.ma.us

This week's Smore is designed to be your one-stop shop for all things back to school. To be transparent, much of this information is a repeat from my previous summer updates; however, I also have new details to share. I have organized the content to clearly distinguish between new and repeated information, aiming to minimize feelings of being overwhelmed by excessive details. The start of the school year can often be chaotic, and I hope this helps streamline things for you.

Day 1 of School is on Wednesday!

We are excited to welcome our students back. Our goal is to ensure that everyone starts the year feeling informed and comfortable about where they need to go. To achieve this, we will follow the routine outlined below for the first day of school:

• Grades 4 and 5: Students will meet their teacher in the auditorium.
• Grades 6, 7, and 8: Students will gather in the gym

School Hours:

Start Time: 7:45 Doors open

Breakfast 7:45-7:55

End Time: 2:25

Whitson's Food Services (Cafeteria) Information

Please see the section below for more information.

2025-2026 Fowler Student and Family Handbook:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_M4UxaFGEzyerlyfXwSi6HT46yjWtBEtWrhnrbicDbc/edit?usp=sharing

Repeat Information (Below)

Follow the Fowler School Principal on Facebook

(this is new) and not required to receive information. Important things will continue to be sent out via Smores and emails.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579046079177

Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures (See video demonstration below)

Safety is our #1 priority! We all care about our students and staff

Thank you for your patience with our Fowler drop-off and pick-up procedures. We understand this can be frustrating and impact your schedules. All districts experience similar challenges. The beginning of the year can be tough, but routines usually improve after a few days. Below is a summary of the drop-off and pick-up process.

Drop Off:

• Enter the school property from the Green Meadow side (Not the High School)

• Take a right just before the Fowler School; this road brings you around to the back of Fowler. You will see a sign on a big orange barrel.

• Cars entering from the high school side will be required to proceed past the drop-off road and turn around near Green Meadow (this will not be an easy feat).

• Wait in the line (please do not pass other cars) until the Fowler staff opens the doors at 7:45. At this point in time, arrival becomes a rolling drop off.

• It is always best to coach your student to be prepared to depart the vehicle (backpack and materials ready to go).

• Please follow the directions of the staff on hand at all times, as there may be situations that you cannot see from your vehicle that they are attending to.

• Pull up as far as you can before letting out to alleviate the congestion on Tiger Drive - this sort of happens in waves, so if you are back at the cones, pull up when those that let out already are leaving.

• Please, do not go around other cars in front of you at this time of day. This is extremely dangerous for kiddos getting out of vehicles.

Pick Up

Follow the same procedures when entering the property in the afternoon as in the morning.

• Again, please pull up as far as you can to alleviate congestion.

• When directed by a staff member, if your child (ren) are in your car and other cars in front of you are still waiting for their student, you may pull wide to the right with the staff member’s direction.

• You will then exit through the far opening near the fields. We know that some students come out more quickly than others.

• Lastly, we have athletes heading to the fields right after school. We will direct them to wait until 2:35, but again, unpredictability comes into play. Please watch out for students crossing the parking lot.

Thank you for your attention and care in these procedures. Safety is our number one concern. We can all do our part to ensure that Fowler students are well cared for.

Supply Lists (2025-20265 School Year)

Grade 4 Supply Link

Grade 5 Supply Link

Grade 6 Supply Link

Grade 7 Supply Link

Grade 8 Supply Link

Cell Phones: Fowler is a cell phone-free school for numerous reasons, several of which are highlighted in Jonathan Haidt's book "The Anxious Generation." The first two chapters offer compelling insights into how social media addiction can be detrimental to many students. "Anxious Generation" provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by our children, including my own, as well as the difficulties we encounter as caregivers. This summer, I had the privilege of joining a school/community book group led by Fowler grade 8 math teacher Melissa Graham and Green Meadow Assistant Principal Kate Murray. They will be organizing another group this Fall, so be sure to watch for this opportunity.

Below is a copy and paste from our student handbook.

Cell Phones at the Fowler School: To improve the education environment and overall well-being for all students and staff while at school, Fowler administrators and educators must rely on our school-to-home partnership in support of a “Phone Free Fowler”. Students may use cell phones before and after school. It is understood that many families need to be in touch with students beyond school hours. Cell phones are not to be used during the school day for any reason. Fowler expects students to keep their cell phones powered off and in their locker or backpack during the school day or placed into the pocket holders provided in the classrooms.

If a Fowler student has an emergency and needs to contact family members, the student should alert their teacher and request permission to go to the Main Office to call home. The student at that time may use their cell phone or utilize the phone in the Main Office.

Parents/Caregivers who need to contact their child(ren) during an emergency or urgent matter should call the school [(978) 897-6700] and have the student come to the Main Office.

Students who choose not to follow the steps regarding cell phone use at Fowler may receive a Disciplinary Referral and risk disciplinary consequences such as those outlined below:

• 1st Infraction: Student will be asked to turn off their phone and place it in their locker, backpack, or a designated area in the classroom.

• 2nd Infraction: Student will be asked to turn off their phone and bring it to the office where it will be locked in a cell phone holder. Student can retrieve their phone at the end of the day. Caregivers will be notified.

• 3rd Infraction and Beyond: Student will be asked to turn off their phone and bring it to the office where they will be locked in a cell phone holder. Caregivers will be notified and will be asked to pick up the phone and attend a meeting with the administration.

Cell phones and other devices must be either kept in lockers and turned off during school hours or placed in teacher designated holding ( ie pocket holders) within the classroom.

School Attendance: Regular attendance and punctuality at school are essential. While we understand that students may fall ill and we do not expect contagious illnesses to be brought to school, it is our legal obligation to categorize each absence. In recent years, there has been some uncertainty regarding what constitutes an absence and whether it is excused. Below is an excerpt from our handbook for your reference.

Types of Absences

Certain absences may be excused, meaning they will not be considered as they relate to a referral to truancy court by a supervisor of attendance under Massachusetts law (see Massachusetts General Law c.119). However, all missed instructional time has the potential to negatively impact student outcomes. In addition, all absences are included as they relate to chronic absenteeism, regardless of whether the absence is excused or unexcused.

For an absence to be excused, students must bring in a note after each day they are absent.

Excused Absences:

• Death in the family

• Verified doctor visit

• Documented illness or injury

• Nurse dismissal

• Religious holiday

• Court/legal matters

• Extenuating circumstances (at the discretion of the administration)

Unexcused Absences:

All other absences are considered unexcused.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As you may know, all students in the District are able to receive free breakfast & lunch. This has led to an increase the number of students accessing our breakfast and lunch services. Over the past year we noticed that this caused a delay at the cashier when students have to enter their cafeteria codes at check out. This results in students having reduced time to eat their food before they have to get to class. In order to improve the efficiency of the school breakfast check out process, the District began piloting the use of a finger scan device that is a form of biometric ID management last Spring at Green Meadow. The following information provides some more detail about what this new technology is and what it is not.

Our school will continue implementing a biometric ID management system in an effort to provide accurate student identification and improve efficiency and security for our students and their accounts. We are using this new ID management system because we are held accountable for students and the accuracy of their records. This technology will help us reduce the costs and time required in managing student ID while providing an easy, fast and accurate way to identify students. This system will also ensure that no one but your child can charge items to his/her account.

What is biometric identification?

Biometric identification is an automated method of identifying a person based upon physical or behavioral characteristics. Our school has selected the identiMetrics System because it is secure, accurate, cost-effective and non-intrusive. You can learn more about the system at www.identimetrics.net.

How does biometrics work?

We will be using finger scanning biometrics similar to your smartphone. Using a finger scanner, the software scans certain unique points on the finger to create and store individual templates that identify each student. When the student returns, the software again scans the finger and looks for a match in the database. When a match is found, the student is identified. This all happens in about a second.

How does IndentiMetrics Work?

What about the privacy of our students?

The software scans the finger for identification. It does not store a copy of the fingerprints. Instead, the software creates a template of the unique points on the finger. The template is converted to a unique number and is stored in the school’s database with the same high level of security of all of our records. The templates are also protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is the same Federal Law that protects all student records.

When your child graduates or is no longer enrolled in the school system, the templates are deleted. At no time is a fingerprint image stored.

It is important to understand that we are not fingerprinting students. In addition, fingerprints cannot be recreated or delivered to any agency - governmental or otherwise.

Opt-Out

If for whatever reason, you do not want your student to participate in using the IdentiMetrics scanner, you may opt-out. There is a form attached to this packet that can be used to inform us of your decision. Fill it out and return it to the Business Office and your student’s profile in the food service POS system will be updated with your opt-out request. Your student will use another form of identification (barcode, PIN, or ID Card).

Maynard Opt-Out Form

Formulario de exclusión voluntaria

Formulário de recusa

Thanks for your attention!

It is important to us that your child’s experiences in school are educational and rewarding. This new way of identifying our students is safe, easy, accurate, efficient and secure. If you have any questions or do not want your child to participate, please contact us.

Wayne White

Business Manager

Maynard Public Schools

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

In order to comply with state requirements, school districts must inform parents of students whose home language is other than English of the rights they may have regarding English language education (ELE). The district will screen your child to determine if your child is an English learner. If your child is found to be an English learner and eligible for placement in an ELE program, you will receive further notification with your child’s English proficiency test results and program placement information.

If your child is determined to be an English learner, you have the right to:

• choose an ELE program among those offered by the district as described in state law and regulations;

• visit an ELE program in the district;

• attend available conferences or meetings to learn more about the ELE programs offered in the district;

• request a new ELE program in accordance with state law; and

• withdraw your child from an ELE program.

Available ELE programs include:

• English as a Second Language (ESL) - ESL classes provide direct English language instruction that focuses on developing speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in English. This is required for all schools in Massachusetts.

• Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) – an ELE program in which sheltered grade-level content instruction is used. Sheltered content instruction is content instruction that is modified so that an English learner can comprehend it and participate in the class at his or her level of English proficiency. All instruction and materials are in English.

• Dual Language Education or Two-Way Immersion (TWI) – an ELE program that develops students’ language skills in two languages (English and Spanish). This program includes native English speaking students and students who are native speakers of another language.

English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC)

Districts serving 100 or more English learners or in which English learners comprise at least 5% of the student population, whichever is less, are required to establish an English learner parent advisory council (ELPAC). Similarly, any school designated as underperforming or chronically underperforming and operating an ELE program is required to establish an ELPAC. Parents of English learners are encouraged to participate in such councils.

Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy

The Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who are proficient in English and one or more languages. The insignia is placed on the diploma and/or transcripts upon graduation to inform institutions of higher education and potential employers of the graduate’s multilingual skills. Maynard Public Schools does offer the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy to multilingual graduates.

For more information about the topics discussed in this notice, please contact: Deanna LeBlanc, Director of Curriculum, at 978-897-2222 x6103 or dleblanc@maynard.k12.ma.us. You may also obtain additional information about ELE programs offered by the district at upcoming English Learner Parent Advisory Council meetings, which will be posted on our website: https://www.maynard.k12.ma.us/

Please contact me with any questions or concerns that come up throughout the year.

Sincerely,

Deanna M. LeBlanc

Director of Curriculum, Maynard Public Schools

dleblanc@maynard.k12.ma.us

978-897-2222 x6103

Maynard Power Choice to Provide 26 Months of Stable Electricity Supply Prices Starting in September 2025

The Town of Maynard is pleased to announce the September 2025 launch of Maynard Power Choice, a new community electricity buying program from the Town for residents and business owners.

The town is joining more than 200 other Massachusetts cities and towns with similar programs, including the communities of Acton, Sudbury, Lincoln, and Wayland. Through the program, electricity customers in Maynard will have three new options for the supply charge on their Eversource electric bills, including two that provide increased electricity from renewable sources. All Maynard Power Choice options will provide savings compared with Eversource at launch, and prices are fixed for 26 months.

Participants in Maynard Power Choice will automatically receive an additional 5% of their electricity from renewable sources for a price of 13.800 ¢/kWh, which is below Eversource’s August 1 residential price of 14.884 ¢/kWh. That translates to a savings of more than $5/month for an average Maynard household. Two additional options are available by request: Participants can receive electricity that is 100 percent from renewable sources for 14.810 ¢/kWh or just the minimum amount from renewable sources required by law for 13.590 ¢/kWh. Both prices are also below Eversource’s August 1 residential price.

There will be two public information sessions:

• Thursday, July 24 at 7 PM | Maynard Public Library, Roosevelt Room | 77 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754 and on zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88491331114?pwd=RqUog3zsxOWuEfYmfGtNaRWArR3anW.1)
• Tuesday, July 29 at 1 PM | Maynard Senior Center | 50 Brown St, Maynard, MA 01754

Additionally, representatives from Maynard's Sustainability Committee will be at the Maynard Farmers Market on Saturdays throughout the month of July to answer your questions about Maynard Power Choice.

Answers to many common questions can be found on the Maynard Power Choice website (https://maynardpowerchoice.com/). You can also call customer support at 1-844-202-6266.

The Maynard Food Pantry is open every Monday unless it is a holiday. Maynard residents are welcome to shop 2x a month (out-of-town residents are asked to keep it to 1x a month).

1. Adult and Youth Mobile Crisis Intervention: Call 800-640-5432

2. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org/chat

3. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

4. Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline: Call 800-327-5050 or visit helplinema.org

5. OUT Metrowest for LGBTQ Youth: Call 508-875-2122 or visit outmetrowest.org

6. Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ Youth: Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or visit thetrevorproject.org

7. Planned Parenthood: Call 888-258-4448 or visit plannedparenthood.org

8. National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233, text LOVEIS to 22522, or visit thehotline.org

9. Eating Disorder Hotline: Call 800-931-2237, or visit nationaleatingdisorder.org

10. Seize the Awkward: text SEIZE to 741741, or visit seizetheawkward.org

ELPAC (English Learner Parent Advisory Council) Resources

SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) Resources

Maynard Music Association (MMA)

Interested in learning more about the Maynard community and the many wonderful things happening around town? Check out the monthly Maynard Advantage Newsletters by subscribing athttps://maynardvoice.com/

As your food service provider, we want to understand your needs and continuously improve

upon our service. We appreciate your feedback on how we can take our service at your location

to the next level.

 Contact your General Manager, Susan Mitchell-Tang, at Tangs@whitsons.com with

questions or comments related to the service at your location.

 For general comments that will help us improve our overall service, please feel free to

share your comments wish us through the following link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T69CJK8