9/30/26 - The Washington Weekly

Dear Washington Families,

So far this year, we have done a fire drill practice and this week we start our additional safety drills. These include extreme weather drills and also our ALICE (intruder) drills which are accompanied by an elementary appropriate social story to support students understanding of procedures.

Tomorrow, we have our first PTO meeting all families are welcome in-person or on-line meet.google.com/hab-ynqe-xhc at 5:30PM. We want to hear what you think the mission of our PTO should be! Come to any meetings you can. We know you have busy lives and appreciate any participation level you are able to have. If you need a translator to participate, please let me know today!

- Jennifer Lilley, Washington Principal

Wednesday, September 23rd

• Safety Drills Begin

Thursday, October 1st

• PTO 5:30-6:15 in person or Google Link: meet.google.com/hab-ynqe-xhc

Friday, October 2nd

• Student of the Month Ceremony for RESPONSIBLE 8:50-9:20AM in the cafeteria for nominated students and their families (Families receive notice through Class Dojo)

FUTURE DATES:

Wednesday, October 7th

• Early Dismissal K-4 (12:50) no preschool

• School Council ( more parent members still needed!) 5:30-6:15 PM

• TRUNK or TREAT!! 5-6 PM

PTO Meetings for the Year: October 1, November 5, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3

If you can't make all the meetings come to the meetings you can make!

We are looking for parents who would like to participate in the Washington Site Council. Each school in the district has a site council, a group of teachers and parents who are an advisory committee to the school principal. The council is asked to oversee the school quality improvement plan, advise on the school budgeting process, and give feedback on the progress of the school as a whole. Representatives of community partner organizations are also very welcome to join site councils.

We would like at least 4 parents to serve on the council. No prior experience is necessary. Parent participants may serve in person or join us by Google Meet link. We will have meetings from 5:30 PM-6:15 PM on: October 22, December 17, January 28, and March 11 (all Thursdays). The council may agree to add additional meetings over the course of the year.

If you are interested in participating in the Washington Site Council, please reach out to Jennifer Lilley, Washington Principal by email jlilley@lowell.k12.ma.us or send a ClassDojo message stating that you are interested in participating in the Washington Site Council. Especially as a principal new to the district, I really do rely on the members of the site council to give feedback on the progress of the school and reflect the values of our community. No parents have signed-up yet! We need your voice to help guide the school. I'm happy to answer questions about participation on the site council. I hope to hear from you soon. - Jennifer Lilley, Washington Principal

Students will enjoy fun activities, learning opportunities, time with friends, and lots of after-school fun! Space is limited. This year, students will participate in the same enrichment club two days each week. Meeting twice each week will give students more time to build skills, complete projects, and enjoy a more meaningful after-school experience.

Program Schedule

• Grades 1&2: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Grades 3 &4: Mondays and Wednesdays

Program Begins: Tuesday, October 13th
Registration Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4CA5A72BA7F8C34-58414026-please
Please make sure to register using your student’s first and last name.
Open to: Students in Grades 1–4
Pick-Up: 4:40 PM
Please Note: No busing is provided and students who enroll in the program must attend both scheduled days for their grade level. Unfortunately, we cannot accept students enrolled for only one day a week. We appreciate your understanding as we make this change.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Susan McCoy: smccoy@lowell.k12.ma.us or send a message on Dojo!

Where: Washington Elementary Play-yard (Parking Lot)

When: Wednesday, October 28 2026 from 5-6 PM

Who: All Washington Families (an adult must accompy children)

What: Students can trick or treat car to car in our lot.

How: Two ways to help (we need help!!!)

• Donate Candy - All candy donations can come to the office
• Be a trunk host! We'll supply your trunk with donated candy. You can create a theme for your trunk and dish out the candy! Email or Dojo Ms. Lilley (Jennifer Lilley, jlilley@lowell.k12.ma.us) if you can host a trunk!

If you need to enter the school for any reason, please report to the office. Please do not go to a classroom or learning space without a staff member. Please understand that this policy is to make sure that students can focus on learning and anyone in the building is supposed to be here.

If you have an item (for example a lunch box a child forgot) that needs to get to the classroom, just come to the office and speak with our school clerk. Please do not enter the building to follow your child. We appreciate your understanding and support with this.

If a bus gets to a stop and there is no parent there for a student, the student is taken to Moody Elementary School, 158 Rogers St, Lowell, MA 01852. The main number at the Moody is(978)937-7673. Staff there contact parents by phone and the student needs to be picked up at the Moody if this occurs. https://share.google/ErMevlBQJhi7KFfgJ