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ដើម្បីបកប្រែព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រព័ត៌មាន សូមមើលលើផ្នែកខាងស្តាំខាងលើនៃព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រ ព័ត៌មាននេះនូវមធ្យោបាយ ហើយសូមចុចលើជម្រើស" បកប្រែព្រឹត្តិប័ត្រព័ត៌មាន ។

Dear Lowell Public Schools Families, Faculty, Staff, and Community Partners,

I hope you all had a fun and relaxing February vacation.

February is a time of reflection and celebration as we observe Black History Month. Lowell High School, established in 1831, has a proud history as the first co-educational and racially integrated high school in the country. In 1843, Caroline Van Vronker became the first student of color to be admitted to LHS, which at that time was an examination school that admitted the 50 top-scoring male and 50 top-scoring female students. However, as forward-thinking as that sounds, when she graduated and wanted to become a teacher, Ms. Van Vronker was denied that dream due to objections to her skin color.

It is important to celebrate historic accomplishments, but also to understand the injustices and struggles suffered, so we may do better than was done in the past.

Earlier this month, Lowell High School held an excellent presentation by Rev. Robert Jones, Sr., an award-winning musician and storyteller, who took the students on a journey through the history of African American folk music and its historical context. The video of his full performance can be found in this newsletter. I suggest taking a look when you have a few minutes.

In the spirit of always striving to make improvements and do better, as we do in Lowell Public Schools, you will find links in this newsletter to three important surveys – one regarding PreK education, one seeking your input for the upcoming budget season, and the third being the annual districtwide satisfaction survey. Please take a few minutes to complete them; having feedback from you helps us as we make decisions for our schools moving forward.

Although February is a short month, our schools certainly were busy, as you will see in this newsletter. I am continually impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm in our schools every day – like in the Greenhalge after school program using a laser cutter for crafting projects, and the myriad ways the Butler found to celebrate Social Emotional Learning Week, integrating both fun and educational activities into the school day to strengthen the community, including a wonderful project where teachers and staff drew from their own middle school experiences to share with the students.

Speaking of community, there is a heart-warming story in this newsletter about students at the Stoklosa, who in partnership with the non-profit Aaron’s Presents, spent their free time creating a spa day for women living in a substance abuse recovery home; and a peek into how the adult students at the Abisi Adult Education Center support each other as they work toward their goals – one student, who came to the U.S. two years ago not speaking any English starts working as a paraprofessional at the Bartlett School this week!

And of course, congratulations to the middle school basketball champions – the Sullivan Middle School girls’ team and the Daley Middle School boys’ team, both of whom had incredible seasons. We cannot wait to see what you do when you make it to Lowell High School!

Speaking of Lowell High School – it is now the home of the first ever Division 1 Girls’ Wrestling State Championship Team. Great job, Ladies!

Welcome back to school. The rest of the year will go by quickly, so stay focused and have fun.

Cheers,

Liam Skinner

Superintendent of Schools

The Sullivan Middle School celebrated Black History Month with a visit from the wizards at Prismatic Magic, a company that puts on educational lasers shows. The video shows a snippet of the show that touched on black history, music, and culture in an engaging and exciting way, while also teaching about the science behind LASERS (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation). For instance - did you know that a laser is just one point of light that is traveling at 7,000 miles per hour?

In addition to the show, Sullivan teachers were provided with online lessons on the history, current, and projected uses of lasers that can be accessed though the remainder of the school year.

Lowell High School was very fortunate to have Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr. perform in honor of Black History Month. Rev. Jones, of Detroit, a talented musician who plays traditional African American Folk music, performed and spoke about the evolution of black music and the historical context that drove it. It was a fascinating and entertaining lesson for all who had the opportunity to see it. Take some time to check out the video above and share it with your children.

In the bowels of a nondescript building on Lee Street in Downtown Lowell, sit row upon row of bicycles waiting for new homes – upwards of 700 of them.

This is The Bike Connector, a non-profit that collects donated bicycles then teaches kids and others how to fix them up and give them a second life, becoming a way for their new owners to get to school, get some exercise, or get to work. Last year they gave away 2,200 bikes, including many during bike rodeos and events at Lowell Public Schools.

A group of curious and hard-working Butler Middle School students are visiting the warehouse/workshop every Wednesday morning for a five-week session with founder Wade Rubinstein where they are learning the ABCs of bicycles – air, brakes, and chains. Each of them chose a bike during their first visit, are working to get them into tip-top shape, and learning how to maintain them. Once the session is over, each student will take their new-to-them bikes home with the pride of knowing they put in the work to fix them and have learned enough to properly care for them.

Butler Community Schools Program Manager Justien Martin said the students taking part in this program were chosen based on recommendations from their teachers. They are students who are doing well academically, are willing to make up the work they miss during this time, and are inquisitive hands-on learners.

For more information about the Bike Connector, including how you can donate bikes or money, or volunteer your time, visit: https://www.bikeconnector.org/

Jey and Lujensy, students at the Stoklosa Middle School, had an idea - provide a spa day for women in recovery from substance abuse - to make them feel seen and appreciated. Through their school's partnership with non-profit Aaron's Presents that idea became a reality.

Read about it here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2024/02/21/acts-of-kindness-middle-school-girls-create-spa-day-bliss-for-women-in-recovery/

The Greenhalge Elementary School's annual "One Love" Multicultural Event was once again a smashing success on February 15. Families enjoyed an incredible pot luck of foods from around the globe, had the opportunity to have beautiful henna designs created on their hands, test out musical instruments from around the world, participate in craft activities, enjoy a great performance by the Lowell High School Step Team, learn some Irish Step Dancing moves, and more!

Viviana Marcela Patino came to the United States in 2022 from Colombia and enrolled at Abisi Adult Education to learn English. She just got a job at Lowell Public Schools. Read about her here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2024/02/22/living-the-dream/

Congratulations to the 2024 Middle School Basketball Champions! On Monday February 12 at Lowell High School's Raymond Riddick Athletic Center the undefeated Sullivan Lady Huskies beat out the Wang Lady Eagles 30-20 to take the trophy. On the Boys' side, the Daley Lions beat out the Wang Eagles in a squeaker - 62-59. Great basketball was played all around and incredible sportsmanship was on display.

Our middle schools have really stepped it up this year around the basketball program, with several creating cheer or dance teams that have increased school spirit and given students another outlet to express their talents and creativity, including the Sullivan Dance Team, and Butler and STEM Academy Cheer Squads. We can't wait to see how they evolve next year!

As part of their SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Week programming, the Butler Middle School was visited by speaker Eric Daddario, who spoke honestly about the struggles young people face at home and at school and ways to cope with issues before they spiral out of control. Read about his talk here: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2024/02/05/its-okay-not-to-be-okay/

In addition to Eric Daddario's powerful talk, SEL took center stage throughout the first week of February at the Butler through a series of activities put together by the Allied Arts teachers.

On Mindful Monday, the focus was on mindfulness and learning how to bring your attention back to the present moment.

On Try it Tuesday, students learned about and were encouraged to practice displaying empathy by doing things like witholding judgment, sharing who they are, and being genuinely curious about others.

On Wind Down Wednesday, students practiced infinity breathing and meditation.

Feel Good Friday included a variety of activities geared at releasing stress and relaxing - from bouncing through five different bouncy houses in the gym, to creating friendship bracelets, playing ping pong, going on a "virtual" Hawaiian vacation, and more.

In another related project, the teachers and staff at the Butler have decorated the wall across from the main office with messages to their middle school selves, which also contain photos of them when they were in middle school, which the kids are thoroughly enjoying.

"If I could go back and do it all over again I know I would be a beast in middle school," Principal Jaime Moody told students in the auditorium before Eric Daddario's talk, urging them to not only look at the teachers' photos but read their words. "And when I say that, it means I would navigate the world very differently based on what I know now. Sometimes I wish I had someone who said you can get through. Sometimes I wish I had someone who said you can do it. Sometimes I wish I had someone who said don’t pay attention, drown out the noise. Middle school is tough, we know that and that is why we do what we do to support you.”

The Bailey Elementary School held an awesome Multicultural Day celebration earlier this month that included an exciting Brazilian Ju Jitsu demonstration from Lowell's The Paradigm Academy, an incredible performance by Steel Drum champ Sista D, and student musical performances. So much fun for everyone!

There is something very cool going on in Greenhalge Elementary School music teacher Melissa Emerick's class. She is running an after school program where students engage in Laser crafting using a Glowforge - a 3D laser printer. Before February vacation, the group were designing keychains and have designed, printed and painted little characters. Mrs. Emerick has made earrings. In addition to being a fun crafting tool, using the Glowforge is an excellent way to teach students how to use online design software like Canva, that can be used for a variety of applications in projects and presentations throughout their educational journey.

The building may be old, but the 144-year-old Green School, home of the Frederick Assad Abisi Adult Education Center, is bursting with energy and new accomplishments every day. It is home to 1,100 adult students - some newcomers to the United States learning English, others preparing for their high school equivalency exam.

It is not easy to come from another country not knowing the language, culture, or customs, but here no one is alone. The students and teachers lift each other up to meet their full potential and goals for themselves and their families. The center has a strong partnership with MassHire to assist students with job training and placement, offers a book cart program where students can borrow both children's and adult books to read with their children and practice their English at home, and is able to direct students to community resources they and their families may need.

On Valentine's Day, the school held their quarterly celebration of student success, presenting certificates of accomplishment to the students who had outstanding attendance and those who had reached personal goals including: opening bank accounts, getting jobs or promotions, earning driver's licenses, becoming U.S. citizens, volunteering at community organizations, participating in the student advisory council, and so much more.

"You are an inspiration for us and for your fellow students," Abisi Adult Education Director Betty McKiernan told the students. "We are very proud of all you have accomplished. Keep working hard and coming to class every day."

Lowell High School's AFJROTC MA-771 has a new corps commander!

On January 25, Cadet Colonel Dana Yousef relinquished command of MA-771 and Cadet Colonel Taw Taw Lay assumed command. During this brief ceremony, cadets stood at attention, to witness this change of authority and responsibility.

Both C/Col Yousef and C/Col Lay then addressed cadets with messages of motivation and charged them to continue performing at peak levels as MA-771 prepares for a national drill competition in March.

Ceremonies like this one occur twice each year, once at the semester break and once in conjunction with the end-of-year awards program when senior cadet leaders in this cadet-led, cadet-run organization assume the mantle of leadership for one semester at a time.

Let it snow! Well . . . kind of. On Feb. 8 after school, the 5th and 6th graders at the Wang Middle School celebrated Snow Fest. There was pizza and snacks in the hallway and all kinds of fun in the gym - music, games, "making snowmen" using toilet paper, "snowball fights" with fabric snowballs, art activities, and just in time for the big Taylor Swift football game - making friendship bracelets! It was a great way to blow off some steam after school and "chill out."

Congratulations to the Lowell High School Girls' Wrestling Team who are the first ever MIAA Division 1 State Champions! The team earned 85 points, easily beating out second-place finisher Lawrence, who earned 62 points. Great job!

Classroom Quarterback, a partnership between Lowell Public Schools, Inside Lowell, and Unicare State Indemnity Plan aims to showcase and honor one LPS teacher each month who goes above and beyond for their students. This month's honoree is Pyne Arts Magnet School teacher Holly Doherty. Ms. Doherty received a $250 gift card courtesy of Unicare that she can use for her classroom. Read about Ms. Doherty here: https://insidelowell.com/classroom-quarterback-holly-doherty/

Please take a few minutes to complete the LPS District Satisfaction Survey to help us to improve service to families and enhance the educational experience of our students.
We are seeking to understand your satisfaction level with your child(ren)'s school/district in the following areas: academics, communication, operations, and safe and welcoming environments.

If you have children that attend more than one school, please complete a separate survey for EACH school (i.e. if you have a 3rd grader in elementary school, a 6th grader in middle school and a 10th grader in high school, please fill out separate surveys for each school).

The link to the District Satisfaction Survey can be found below in various languages. The Survey will close on February 16.

English version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H5XBHBG

Khmer version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H5XBHBG?lang=km

Portuguese version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H5XBHBG?lang=pt

Spanish version: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H5XBHBG?lang=es

It is almost time to put together budget for next school year! In order to craft a budget document that reflects the priorities of the district, we need input from all stakeholders - that means you! Please take a few minutes to complete this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024_25BudgetProcess

Are you a Lowell resident with a child under the age of six-years-old? Lowell Public Schools wants to hear from you as we seek input on preschool! Eligible participants who complete the 10 minute survey have a chance to win one of five $25 gift cards!

English: https://bit.ly/lpsprekeg

Spanish: https://bit.ly/lpsprekes

Portuguese: https://bit.ly/lpsprekpt

Khmer: https://bit.ly/lpsprekkm

Please note there will be no school on Tuesday March 5 due to the Presidential Primary Election. Due to an oversight, it is not noted on the school year calendar that was released last spring. The following day, Wednesday March 6 remains a scheduled early-release day.

Exciting news for Lowell High School families! Next year LHS is piloting a program called Early College Independence which will get LHS students (seniors only) on campus at MCC. For more information, visit: https://lpsnotebook.wordpress.com/2024/02/20/early-college-lowell/

You don't have to go to Boston for a world class musical experience. The Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra, a real treasure in the city, is holding "Visions Unleashed: A Family Concert" on March 16 at 2 p.m. at the Fusion Church on Mt. Hope St. in Pawtucketville. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and kids 17 and under are FREE! For more information and tickets, visit: https://lowellphilharmonic.org

Once again, our friends at Community Teamwork Inc. are offering FREE tax preparation services for individuals and families who earn less than $64,000 annually. For more information, visit https://www.commteam.org/vita

The Lowell Youth Leadership Program will hold an Open House at GLTech on Saturday March 23 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. so families can learn about their summer camp program. For more information visit https://www.lylp.org

Our friends at Cartwheel offer a variety of FREE on-demand webinars for parents/caregivers on subjects including:

Recognizing and Treating OCD and Tic Disorders in Children and Adolescents, When and How to Seek Mental Health Support for your Child or Teen, Addressing School-Related Anxiety and School Avoidance, Raising Healthy Kids in a Digital World, and

Five Keys to Parenting Children with ADHD

They can be accessed here: https://www.cartwheelcare.org/resources?fbclid=IwAR0u1h_yUB-rsdwrL40ulA2WMDoY7nDr-Tu-rrHwBr4H5Z8o9R6TJbvFA9M

Our cafeterias were roasting up truckloads of delicious and nutritious local butternut squash this month from Joe C's Farm in Hadley. Our chefs whipped up an incredible butternut squash chicken chili that got the seal of approval from 92% of the kids at the McAuliffe Elementary School who taste tested it. That's one heck of a Yelp review!

Thai Chicken Noodles Bowls were a big hit in the Lowell High School cafeteria earlier this month.

All students in Lowell Public Schools receive FREE breakfast and lunch. You can check out all menus here: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Page/4374