LPS Connector

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ដើម្បីបកប្រែព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រព័ត៌មាន សូមមើលលើផ្នែកខាងស្តាំខាងលើនៃព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រ ព័ត៌មាននេះនូវមធ្យោបាយ ហើយសូមចុចលើជម្រើស" បកប្រែព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រព័ត៌មាន ។

To listen to a brief podcast about the message below: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tfupw9Axgu3r6q5t3AtQEtgysE2QXr0g/view?usp=sharing

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members,

As we approach the Thanksgiving break, I want to share some thoughts on the importance of helping our students believe in their ability to grow and succeed. This idea, known as a growth mindset, is central to creating a positive and supportive learning environment for all students. It’s a cornerstone feature of the Culture of Continuous Improvement we are developing in Lowell Public Schools.

What is a growth mindset?

A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence aren’t fixed—they can improve with effort, learning, and persistence. It’s a powerful idea that encourages students to see challenges as opportunities and to believe that they can succeed with hard work and support.

Why is a growth mindset important for our students?

All students, at one time or another, face significant challenges, including learning gaps and barriers outside of school. A growth mindset helps students see their potential and keeps them motivated to overcome obstacles. By showing students that their effort matters and their abilities can grow, we give them the tools to believe in themselves and succeed.

How do we support a growth mindset in schools?

Here are some ways we work to instill a growth mindset:

• Encouragement and High Expectations: Teachers make sure all students feel supported by providing equal opportunities to participate and encouraging them to keep trying, even when things are tough.

• Constructive Feedback: We focus on helping students learn from mistakes with feedback that shows them how to improve.

• Second Chances: Students can redo assignments or retake tests to demonstrate their learning, showing that we value persistence and growth over perfection.

• Extra Support: When students struggle, teachers provide additional help, like small-group sessions or one-on-one time, to ensure every child has the chance to succeed.

How can families help?

Families can play a vital role in fostering a growth mindset at home. You can encourage your child to embrace challenges by praising their effort rather than just their results. When they encounter difficulties, remind them that mistakes are part of learning and help them focus on strategies to improve. Celebrate progress, no matter how small, and talk about times in your own life when persistence helped you succeed. By modeling these attitudes and encouraging perseverance, you can reinforce the message that their hard work and determination can lead to success.

These practices send a clear message: We believe in our students and their ability to achieve great things.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting our students.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Liam

What happens when the kids are away? Well . . . music teachers will play!

While students had the day off Tuesday November 5 due to the election, teachers across the district were hard at work on a variety of professional development exercises and courses.

Thirteen Lowell Public Schools music teachers gathered at the STEM Academy to take the six-hour Modern Band 101 course offered by Music Will, a national nonprofit that supports music education in public schools.

Wang Middle School music teacher David Grenier, who is a Music Will ambassador, said the day was a success. It gave district music teachers an opportunity they rarely have – to come together to network and share ideas.

The course provided them with shared resources to allow kids – even beginners – to access and perform music they know and love, as well as simple tools for creating original music. It also gave them a common language to provide continuity in music education between schools as these specialty teachers work in purposeful collaboration toward a goal of fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

There was a lot of music, a lot of laughter, and in the end the group split in two and spent 30 minutes composing and writing two original songs.

Two dozen students from Frederick Assad Abisi Adult Education Center visited the Mill City Grows ROOT (Raising Organic Opportunities Together) kitchen on November 13 to learn about the nonprofit organization's school and community gardens, urban farm, mobile markets, CSA program, and more.

While there, they had the opportunity to take part in a cooking class taught by Daphne and Savannah where they made delicious pizzas with local ingredients. The dough from The Good Crust of Canaan, Maine, is made from grains grown in Maine; the basil and tomatoes came from Mill City Grows' own greenhouse at UMass Lowell; the kale and onions came from Heron Pond Farm in South Hampton, NH; and the spinach, arugula, and peppers were grown at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury.

The Lowell High gym was ALL ABOUT basketball on the afternoon of November 14 as the school hosted the MIAA/Special Olympics Unified Basketball Jamboree.

This spirited tournament brings out the Unified Basketball teams (squads made up of a mix of students who receive special education services and their peers who are in the general education program) from around the Merrimack Valley including Andover, Billerica, Dracut, Lowell, Methuen, Greater Lowell Technical High School, Tewksbury, North Andover, Lawrence, Chelmsford, Westford, and Haverhill.

The gym was set up to play four games at once, creating a whirlwind of basketball activity enjoyed by cheering family members, friends, and teachers. In the end everyone had fun and left exhausted. Great games all around! Check out the video produced by LHS Digital Media Producer Anim Osmani below.

Greenhalge Elementary School students and families had a very special opportunity on November 19. Mill City Grows brought their mobile market to campus!

This gave parents, grandparents, and guardians the opportunity to buy some locally grown seasonal produce for supper when they picked up their kids and the kids in the after school program had an opportunity to - as one student put it - "shop like grown-ups!."

Each student was given a shopping list of what they were allowed to put in their shopping bag to take home (for free). The haul included: a bunch of kale, a head of lettuce, four apples, a pound of carrots, two sweet potatoes, a bag of oats, and a bag of fresh cranberries, as well as a few recipes to bring home that utilize those ingredients. Thank you, Mill City Grows!

On November 22, students at the Sullivan Middle School had a special treat - a visit from the FloorLords, a group that uses the power of hip hop to empower youth. In addition to the professionals, Sullivan student Leo got up on stage to show off his moves!

On Friday November 15, nearly 100 Lowell High School students, teachers, and staff gathered at University Crossing at UMass Lowell for a Student Summit - an opportunity for students to voice their thoughts and opinions on a variety of subjects. The feedback and suggestions will be incorporated into LHS faculty/staff professional development and used to make improvements to school policies and culture. Above photo by LHS student photographer Melissa Rasakham. Read more here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2024/11/21/uplifting-student-voices/

On November 5, Sullivan Middle School Health teacher Scott Anderson took a CPR recertification course at Lowell High School as part of the district-wide professional development day. On a whim, he asked the folks from Pridestar/Trinity EMS if he could borrow the CPR dummies to use in his health class - they said yes. Read more here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2024/11/21/stayin-alive-at-the-sullivan/

On Monday November 25, the Educators Rising Club - Lowell High School students interested in becoming teachers (hopefully here in Lowell!) visited the Reilly Elementary School to spend time in classrooms and to chat with a group of Reilly teachers who are also LHS alumni.

The students asked great questions and the teachers offered honest advice and answer on topics ranging from how to choose a college, to what inspired them to become teachers, to outlining the challenges and rewards of the job.

On November 14, Mill City Grows' staff had the chance to relax and be spoiled courtesy of the advanced students in the Lowell High School Culinary program and their instructor Seth Bernier, who took over their kitchen to prepare a luxurious lunch made with local ingredients.

What was on the menu? Roasted red pepper and garlic risotto, butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sage sauce with toasted walnuts (the butternut squash was grow by LHS Geometry teacher JoAnn Plante), herbed focaccia bread, and for dessert -an apple galette.

Special thanks to Bartlett Community Partnership School Community School Manager Karen Casey for these photos.

During the first week of November, a group of volunteers from NVIDIA's Westford location visited the Bartlett to make some much needed repairs and upgrades to the school grounds. NVIDIA, one of the Bartlett's trusted partners, is a technology giant that engineers the most advanced chips, systems, and software for the AI industry.

NVIDIA staffers repaired and rebuilt benches and tables, including building an ADA accessible picnic table in the school's courtyard. They also designed and replaced the school sign and seating area out front.

Thank you NVIDIA!

On November 21, 165 Lowell High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society, pledging to uphold the NHS pillars of character, scholarship, leadership, and service.

The group chose to honor Chemistry teacher Hannah Roy as a teacher who has made a great impact on them.

On Monday November 25, our friends from Middlesex Community College's Dental Hygiene Program visited the 5th graders at the Sullivan Middle School to teach them how to best care for their teeth - don't forget to floss! They also conducted dental screenings to look for problems or potential problems lurking in students' mouths.

Gayl Hurley, the Sullivan's Community School Program Manager, said she will contact the families of students who need dental work to let them know what was found. She also will contact Commonwealth Mobile Oral Health - a dentist office on wheels that came to the school earlier this year and took care of 25 students in one day - for a return visit if necessary.

Classroom Quarterback, a partnership between Lowell Public Schools, Inside Lowell, and Wellpoint aims to showcase and honor one LPS teacher each month who goes above and beyond for their students. This month's honoree is McAuliffe Elementary School Reading Intervention Teacher Johnna Bahou. Mrs. Bahou received a $250 gift card courtesy of Wellpoint that she can use for her classroom. Read about her here: https://insidelowell.com/classroom-quarterback-johnna-bahou/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGsX6xleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHR1mug8boc08117pjo2Vezl7w7GjIZu8QRIFcBrYVoulPl5y_TBK2n1k3w_aem_ZqIs0hTGjzpEBjmXYmD8-g

Athanasia "Soula" Bousios returns to Lowell Public Schools on December 2 as the district's new Director of Special Education.

Ms. Bousios, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston University, most recently served at the Director of Special Education for the Methuen Public Schools.

She previously worked in Lowell Public Schools for more than 11 years - first as a Social Worker and then an Evaluation Team Chair for both in-district and out-of-district programs.

Ms. Bousios was responsible for bringing numerous students back to the district, making it possible to open the Dr. Janice Adie Day School.

"I am really gratified to have brought back to Lowell someone whose professionalism is absolutely of the highest caliber; the kind of professional we seek to hire and represent us in Lowell," Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner told the School Committee last week.

"i am very excited and I look forward to leading the department and working alongside district administrators, staff, parents, families, and students," Bousios said.

Come downtown on Saturday November 30 for the most festive day of the year! City of Lights has something for everyone - cupcake decorating, ornament making, the Festival of Wreaths, photos with Santa, the hot chocolate competition, the Holly Jolly Trolley, the Lowell Yuletide Market - and of course the evening parade! Plan your day at: https://www.lowellcityoflights.org/

Lowell Public Schools has been awarded $90,000 in grant funding from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support the district’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement.

Grant awards include:

Supporting Arts & Cultural Vitality Grant: $15,000

This funding, secured by Fine Arts Department Chair Jessica Daviso, will be used to develop an action plan to ensure equitable access to art, music, theater, and dance for all middle school students, regardless of their school or background.

Interpreter in Education Grant: $35,000

This funding, secured with assistance from Bilingual Family Liaison Lead Bahara Hussaini, will be used to train 22 bilingual family liaisons to become certified interpreters in educational settings. This initiative will strengthen communication between our schools and multilingual families, ensuring equitable access to vital educational information and decision-making processes.

Rethinking Discipline Grant: $40,000

This funding, granted to the Stoklosa Middle School through the Rethinking Discipline initiative, will fund staff professional development to create a more equitable and inclusive school environment.

Additionally, the funds will support after-school and Saturday programs to build stronger relationships with and among students, foster a sense of belonging, and develop critical social-emotional skills. Together, these efforts will enhance the school community and promote student equity.

“These awards speak to the commitment of LPS staff, who are always seeking out funding sources consistent with our mission to create and sustain an equitable, engaging, and fulfilling learning community for all of our students and families,” said Superintendent of Schools Liam Skinner.

Lowell Public Schools will be hosting an information session about PreK and Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday December 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Morey Elementary School at 130 Pine St.

Food will be served. Interpretation available in Spanish, Portuguese, and Khmer.

Great news for Lowell High School families - LRTA bus fare is FREE starting December 1 thanks to a state-funded Fare Free Transportation Pilot Program.

The Butler Middle School has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Mass Cultural Council through its Creative Projects for Schools Program.

The grant will fund a mural project celebrating Latino and Hispanic culture, enhancing both the school's environment and educational experience. Local Hispanic artist Andrew Quinones will lead the project, aiming to inspire students and spread the importance of cultural heritage and inclusion.

"We are super grateful to the Mass Cultural Council for highlighting our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and to our state delegation for always advocating on behalf the arts in the public education system," said Butler Principal Jaime Moody.

"This opportunity is exciting and highlights our commitment to strategic partnerships focused on empowering students and supporting our local creative economy," said Neyder Fernandez, Butler’s Community Schools Program Manager.

In their time representing Lowell on Beacon Hill, both State Sen. Ed Kennedy and Rep. Vanna Howard have been champions of arts funding and of amplifying and celebrating the diversity of the Lowell Public Schools community.

"This grant will go a long way to bringing Lowell's cultural diversity and its celebration of the arts onto the Butler campus,” said Sen. Kennedy. “I want to thank the Butler staff and the Mass Cultural Council for recognizing the importance of this mural project and I look forward to seeing the final result."

"Senator Kennedy and I are committed to making investments in our students' education, cultivating creativity, innovation and academic excellence in our schools,” added Rep. Howard.

This initiative is part of the Mass Cultural Council’s $34 million spending plan for the fiscal year, supporting over 2,500 grants across the Commonwealth.

The Lowell Police Department is partnering with the Lowell Public Schools Social Workers on a toy drive to make the holidays special for families in need.

Starting on Friday, November 15th, residents can drop off toys in the collection box located at the LPD Main Station Lobby (50 Arcand Drive) until Friday, December 13th.

Centralville Basketball registration for kids ages 7-18 is open through November 30. Register at www.centralvillebasketball.com

Great interview with Superintendent Skinner by Lina Alhasan who (when she's not being a big time TV star) is a paraprofessional at the Daley Middle School:

Kids don't come with an instruction manual. Parenting can be frustrating and confusing. The Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth have compiled a resource library to assist with parenting challenges. Check it out here: https://peaceathomeparenting.com/mpy-solution-libraries/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGscw5leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHf-QNfjkWNMKJvDWXwjj38Sfol3EmizQI3jDaIriZkjvYzf_g28je6Imyg_aem_AdygrMuPY-hKFBfK7E2OYQ

A favorite time of the year for a lot of our little turkeys (and their teachers) - Thanksgiving dinner for lunch! Turkey, mashed potatoes, local veggies and apple crisp!

Kale was a cafeteria star this month. Students had the opportunity to try the delightful green (locally grown) on Green Monstah Pizza a yummy recipe from Project Bread. Students at the Lincoln Elementary School took part in a taste test of a kale and chickpea salad.

Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is rich in vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C and full of antioxidants!