Lowell Elementary Newsletter
March 2023 - We are proud of our pride of Lowell lions!
From Ms. Franzone...
Dear Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you and your loved ones safe and well. As the days get a little longer, we know that spring is on the horizon - even if there is plenty of winter yet ahead.
March will bring a few important things that are required of us by the state of Wisconsin. Our third-fifth graders will engage in the Forward Test, and our whole school will have a Lockdown drill. You will receive communication prior to both of these events, and know that we will tackle each of these tasks with the same supportive, holistic care we prioritize every day.
It is also my pleasure to introduce Marcie Johnson, who has recently stepped in as our new Library Media Technology Specialist. Marcie joins us from Sun Prairie, and we are very lucky to have her! Mr. Fisher, who was our librarian for the first half of the year, has taken a district-level position with MMSD. Welcome, Mrs. Johnson!!
There will be no school from March 27-April 2nd for Spring Break. We look forward to welcoming students back on April 3rd. I hope our staff and our families are able to find joy and rejuvenation during this time away!
Warmly,
Ellen
Upcoming Important Dates
March 6: Districtwide Enrollment for Kindergarten/4K, 2pm-6pm
March 14: Lowell Community Organization Meeting, 6:30pm
March 17: Lowell Movie Night, 6:30pm
March 18: Madison Strings Festival at East High School
March 22: Music Concerts (see below for specific times)
March 24: End of 3rd Quarter
March 27-31: Spring Break
April 3: School Resumes; Beginning of 4th Quarter
April 7: Early Release at 10:35am (Elementary only)
April 10: No School - Staff Only
LCO invites you to Movie Night on March 17
Friday, March 17, 6:30 p.m.
Lowell Gym (enter through front door on Maple Ave)
Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Students MUST be accompanied
by an adult (supervision is not provided).
Free popcorn! BYO blankets.
Strings Festival on March 18
Fifth Grade Strings students are preparing for the annual Madison Strings Festival on March 18th at East High School. Click here for information. Please fill out this form to let Ms. Jenkins know if your child will attend.
Music Concerts on March 22
Live performance has returned to Lowell! Please join us in the gym on Wednesday, March 22nd, for grade level concerts showcasing our achievements in music class this year. Performance times are approximately 30-45 minutes.
- 8:00 AM - 4th and 5th grade
- 10:00 AM - 2nd and 3rd grade
- 1:00 PM - Kindergarten and first grade
We hope to see you there to welcome our students back to the spotlight!
2023-24 Enrollment Information for Families with Students New to MMSD 4K or 5K
Important dates
February 27, 2023: online enrollment begins at mmsd.org/enroll
March 6, 2023: School staff will be available March 6th, 2pm-6pm, in person to assist with questions related to enrollment.
August 3, 2023 (tentative date): Free or reduced price lunch application available, fees payable online
August enrollment week: fees payable online or at schools by cash or check.
February 27, 2023 - Online enrollment begins
Families can complete the application online starting February 27. At the end of the application, families receive an email confirmation with next steps to complete the student’s enrollment.
March 6, 2023, 2:00 – 6:00 PM:
School staff will be available March 6th, 2pm-6pm in person to assist with questions related to enrollment.
Families of new four-year-old kindergarten (4K) and new five-year-old kindergarten students to MMSD complete the enrollment for 4K and KG.
Read more about 4K/5K Enrollment here.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Winter School Supply Drive! We love our Lowell families!
New Staff at Lowell
We'd like to extend a warm welcome to Marcie Johnson and Sheila Henry!
Mrs. Johnson has stepped in as our new LMTS (Librarian) and REACH teacher. She comes to us from Sun Prairie, where she had been working as a Library Assistant and Classroom Sub.
Nurse Sheila just joined the Lowell Health Office, and she also works at Nuestro Mundo Community School in the afternoons.
We wish all the best to outgoing LMTS Shane Fisher, and outgoing Nurse Phet Paborriboon!
Consider subbing at Lowell
We have a consistent need for classroom substitutes at Lowell! If you apply as a sub with MMSD, you have the opportunity to take jobs only when and where you want to. For example, you could decide you are only available on Tuesdays and Thursdays and you would only want to work at Lowell. Classroom subs are required to have a four-year degree in any field. Learn more here and reach out to Ms. Franzone if you have any questions or would like to discuss more.
Timeline for MSCR Summer Registration
February 17: Camp information loaded on mscr.org for families who would like to start planning for summer
March 3: The complete digital program guide will be loaded on mscr.org
March 5: Print guides will be available
March 13: Resident registration opens at 12 p.m. (noon)
March 29: Non-resident registration opens at 12 p.m. (noon)
Arrival and dismissal procedures
What to do if your child is sick or if you have to pick them up early
MMSD Health and Safety information
And much more!!!
Helpful Links
Madison East Area Resources: Food, Housing, Mental Health, Utilities, Internet