FOWLER SCHOOL
October 30, 2026
Contact Information
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
Nurse Rozie Ross: rross@maynard.k12.ma.us
Happy Halloween, Fowler Families!
With downtown trick-or-treating last night and Halloween excitement tomorrow, Fowler School was bursting with energy this morning! And, in all fairness, Mr. Snyder and I were very much part of the problem—or should I say, the excitement!
Today was another surprise Pop-Up Duck Attendance Day: Students arriving on time this morning were greeted with music, dancing, and a variety of Fowler staff members bringing the Halloween spirit to life! Each student received a small, numbered Halloween duck as part of our ongoing "No Ducking Out of School" attendance initiative. By midmorning, we had announced two winning duck numbers from today's event and one additional number from our previous Pop-Up Duck Day. At the time of writing, one lucky student had already stopped by to claim her prize!
Congratulations to Lorena D: Lorena was absolutely over the moon with excitement as she selected her prize! (See the attachment below.)
The Great Fowler Attendance Challenge: In addition to our surprise Duck Days, we have been tracking attendance by grade level throughout October.
Here's how our challenge works:
Each day a grade achieves 95% attendance or higher, it earns one point.
Once a grade reaches 15 qualifying days, the entire grade earns a special treat selected by its teachers.
After reaching 15 points, the grade starts again and works toward its next reward!
Below, you'll find a breakdown of October's attendance percentages and each grade's progress toward its next celebration.
Why Are We Making Such a Big Deal About Attendance? Great question: While the ducks, music, dancing, and prizes are certainly fun, this initiative has a much bigger purpose. Simply put, being in school matters. Every day counts. Research from The Ohio State University highlights some interesting findings about the relationship between school attendance, academic growth, and students' social-emotional development.
Here are three findings that caught my attention:
1. Missing school can have a greater academic impact than we might realize: Researchers found that, from kindergarten through fifth grade, just one missed day of school was associated with the equivalent of 2.5 days of lost math learning and 1.5 days of lost language and literacy learning.
2. Attendance is connected to social development: Children who were frequently absent demonstrated less optimal interpersonal skills than peers who attended school more consistently. School is not just about academics; it is also where students build friendships, develop relationships, and practice important social skills.
3. Attendance is connected to students' sense of belonging: Students who were more frequently absent reported greater school-related stress, lower motivation, and a weaker sense of belonging at school.
These findings remind us that the benefits of attending school extend well beyond what happens academically in the classroom. You can explore the research from The Ohio State University here: School Attendance Matters: Research Insights for K–12 Schools and Their Staff
A Little More Food for Thought: As with nearly every area of educational research, there are different perspectives, interpretations, and ongoing conversations about what the data tell us.I also came across another interesting research article that I encourage families to explore:
Additional Research on School Attendance
I believe it is important to consider research thoughtfully and recognize that every student and family has unique circumstances. Illnesses happen, family situations arise, and there are certainly times when students need to be home. Our goal is not to make families feel guilty about necessary absences. Our goal is to build positive attendance habits, strengthen students' connections to school, and make Fowler a place where students genuinely want to be each day. If a family is experiencing challenges that make regular attendance difficult, we want to work together to help. And if a few hundred tiny Halloween ducks, some questionable dancing by the principal and assistant principal, and a little friendly competition help us accomplish that goal, then I say it's worth every minute!
Have a fun and safe Halloween!
Best
Keith
Reminders:
Middle School Halloween Dance: ANY PARTICIPATING STUDENTS MUST HAVE BEEN IN SCHOOL TODAY BEFORE 11:00. WE WILL BE CHECKING ATTENDANCE AT THE DOOR.
Our Fowler PTO is hosting a Halloween Dance for our middle school students! We are looking forward to a fun afternoon or evening of music, friends, and Halloween excitement!
Who: Students in Grades 6, 7, and 8
When: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 6:30-9:00 (Please plan on arriving 5-10 minutes before)
Hosted by: Fowler PTO
Tickets are $10.00 at the door.
Picture Retake: November 23rd
Spirit Week: Next week is a big week. Each our our Student Council plans these themes. Please see below for what each day's theme.
Treat for Troops: Check out the flyer below (Separate email sent).
Respect • Responsibility • Results
All Fowler parents are welcome to join the Maynard Theater Association (MTA) for our monthly meetings on Monday, November 2, 2026, and December 7 at 7 pm in the MHS library.
We will discuss exciting upcoming activities and recent accomplishments, including raising over $2,300 last month toward a new storage container for student theater, thanks to hosts Lizza and Steve Smith (Smith & Finley Homes).
Please SAVE THE DATES for MHS' Maynard Stage Company's 2026/2027 season
The Maynard Theater Association was incorporated in August of 2024. Our mission is to promote, support, and advocate for exceptional theater experiences and education for all Maynard High School (HS) and Fowler School students. We primarily provide volunteer services, fundraising and monetary support, and student recognition at MHS and Fowler to help student theater shine. Meetings are the 1st Monday of the month at 7 pm in the MHS library
Since 1965 the Beacon Santa Fund has been helping families in Acton, Bedford, Billerica,
Boxborough, Chelmsford, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Stow, and Westford
put a little something under the tree at Christmas.
The fund is now being managed by three women from Maynard. Since all board members and
helpers volunteer their time, the money you donate goes directly to help families in need.
This past year the Beacon Santa received over 360 applications (serving 837 children) from
people in all 12 towns we serve who need a helping hand to make Christmas memorable for
their children. In Maynard we helped 180 children. The fund would not exist without help from
people like you. A large portion of the money raised for this fund is given by students involved in
Maynard High School’s WAVM Radio and TV Station by conducting an annual Telethon (last
year they raised over $42,000!). The remainder is done with personal donations. Even a small
donation can help the Beacon Santa provide a gift card for a family in need.
Will you help?
How to donate:
By mail: Beacon Santa Fund, c/o Middlesex Savings Bank, 7 Digital Way. Maynard, MA 01754
OR
Also by mail: Beacon Santa Fund, PO Box 643. Maynard, MA 01754
OR
Online through PayPal: paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1541809
OR
Venmo - @beaconsanta1965
Home Football Games – Our Maynard High School home football games provide an opportunity for the entire community to get together outside on a beautiful Friday evening, hear the MHS Pep Band, and support Maynard Tiger Football! We want everyone in the community to feel comfortable at the games, so we have some guidelines for MHS and Fowler students and information for caregivers:
ALL School Rules Apply – We expect all students to behave responsibly, just as we do during the school day. If an adult asks you to stop doing something, please stop! School consequences apply to behavior at athletic events.
Absolutely NO throwing of flour – Members of our community have serious gluten allergies. Bags of flour will be confiscated and thrown away.
Have fun, get loud, and cheer for the Maynard Tigers! At the high school level, jeering against the other team is considered poor sportsmanship, and is not allowed.
PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS – Game Staff may not be able to see students in every corner of the complex at all times. Please instruct your students to stay at the game, in the lighted and supervised areas of the Alumni Field complex, for their safety. Even better, come out and join the other adults so you can keep an eye on your student, which is safer AND more fun!
2026-2027 UPCOMING DATES
November 6th-Early Release (11:15)
November 10th- Annual Veterans' Day Ceremony
November 11th- No School (Veterans' Day)
November 20th-Early Release (11:15)
November 25-27th- No School (Thanksgiving Break)
December 4th-Early Release (11:15)
December 8th- Band Concert - Grades 6/7/8 - MHS Auditorium - Concert begins at 6:30 - Students report at 6:00
December 15th - Chorus Concert - Grades 6/7/8 - MHS Auditorium - Concert begins at 6:30 - Students report at 6:00
December 18th- Early Release (11:15)
December 23rd- Early Release (11:15)
December 24th- Jan 1st- No School (Winter Break)
January 15th-Early Release (11:15)
January 18th- No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
January 29th-Early Release (11:15)
February 12th- Early Release (11:15)
January 12th - Elementary Concert - Grades 4/5 - MHS Auditorium - Concert begins at 6:30 - Students report at 6:00
Feb 15-19th- No School (February Break)
February 26th- Early Release (11:15)
March 12th- Early Release (11:15)
March 22- April 16- ELA MCAS Dates
April 6th- National Jr. Honor Society Induction (6:00 PM)
April 26- May 21st- Math MCAS Dates and Science (Grades 5 and 8)
April 26-June 1st- Civics MCAS Dates (Grade 8 Only)
April 9th- Early Release (11:15)
April 19-23rd- No School (April Break)
May 6th- Fine Arts Night (6:00-7:30)
May 7th- Early Release (11:15)
May 19th - Chorus Concert - Grades 6/7/8 - MHS Auditorium - Concert begins at 6:30 - Students report at 6:00
May 21st- Early Release (11:15)
May 25th - Band Concert - Grades 6/7/8 - MHS Auditorium - Concert begins at 6:30 - Students report at 6:00
May 26th- Grade 6 Science Fair
May 27th- Fowler Multicultural Night
June 4th-Early Release (11:15)
June 9th with a rain date of Thursday, June 10th- Grade 5 Historical Walk Trip
June 11th- Grade 6 Rollar Kingdom Field Trip
June 14th- Grade 8 APEX trip
June 8th - Elementary Concert - Grades 4/5 - MHS Auditorium - Concert begins at 6:30 - Students report at 6:00
May 31st- No School (Memorial Day)
Important Resources to Know
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
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