Lowell News
December 8, 2023
Happy December!
I love this time of year. It's as if the world becomes a little bit kinder, and everything around us is filled with joy and hope. The decorations, movies, weather, and food all contribute to this magical atmosphere. However, I must express my deep understanding of the fact that this particular time of year can prove to be quite demanding for parents and families, each facing their own distinct set of circumstances. Therefore, as some of us joyfully immerse ourselves in the celebrations and bid farewell to yet another year, I can't help bear in mind the challenges many of our families are facing, extending my genuine support and understanding whenever the opportunity arises.
This week we have experienced a number of events which have pulled at our hearts. Families and staff have loss family member and are grieving.These experiences are part of the human experience. During these difficult moments it's important to help children learn and use the emotional skills which demonstrate empathy. Our extraordinary guidance team, consisting of Mr. Connors and Ms. Jacovides, have been dedicating their time to conducting empathy lessons in our classrooms. In fact, in some of our classrooms, the students themselves are creating heartfelt cards and notes for their fellow students and loved ones. It has been an absolutely awe-inspiring process to witness. These young minds are truly insightful and compassionate.
If you should need any support please contact anyone on our SEL team, me or Mr. Kraus. Our contact information is at the bottom of this newsletter.
With appreciation,
Stacy
When the snow starts falling, children are filled with excitement to venture outside. However, we understand that as parents, you may have concerns about the cold weather and its implications. To ensure that your children have a safe and enjoyable winter at school, we have some recommendations for items to send with them:
- A warm winter jacket
- A cozy hat
- Mittens or gloves to keep their hands toasty
- Sturdy boots for trudging through the snow
- Snow pants to keep them dry and warm
Our little ones absolutely adore playing in the snow, and we make sure to take advantage of every opportunity to go outside. By sending these items, you can ensure that your child has a comfortable recess experience. Additionally, we suggest that your child keeps an extra change of clothes in their cubby or backpack, just in case. Please remember to label all clothing with your child's name. This way, if any items end up in the lost and found, we can easily return them to you. Dressing in layers is also a great idea, as it helps your child stay comfortable in both indoor and outdoor temperature fluctuations.
We hope these suggestions help you prepare your child for a wonderful winter at school. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to assist you in any way we can.
We are excited to announce Culturefest, an event that celebrates culture and identity. There will be four major components: table displays, food, performances, and a fashion show.
We kindly ask families to host a table showcasing artifacts and information that celebrate their culture and identity. This can include representing your country of origin, religion, or any other aspect of your identity that you would like to share.
We also invite you to bring a special dish that represents your family's culinary traditions to share with others at the event.
If you or someone you know is interested in performing or playing music, please let us know. The event will run for an hour and a half, and we would love to have your talent showcased for approximately 15 minutes.
In addition, we are introducing a new addition to the event - a fashion show. We encourage students and adults to participate and showcase the richness of their culture through fashion. We would also love to hear the significance of the attire and its history.
We look forward to celebrating and embracing the diversity within our community at Culturefest.
Our Climate and Culture Team is also supporting the event throughout the week. More to come shortly!
Contact Us
J.R. Lowell Elementary School
123 Lowell Ave.
Watertown, Ma 02472
Phone: 1-617-926-7770