The Husky Herald

We are preparing for our first set of Student Led Conferences ("SLC") ( occur each Quarter) scheduled for October 29th and 30th.

The beginning step of this process is to review your child's progress report. Paper copies of the progress reports were sent home with students on Friday, October 16th. Please sign this report and return it to school with your child. Below please find some additional steps to participate in the upcoming conferences.

• Grade level teams will utilize Sign Up Genius to schedule SLCs

• All students are preparing and will practice for conferences

• Conference Schedule ( by appointment)

• Thursdays - 2:30 - 4:00

• Fridays - 7:45 - 8:30 (Advisory) & 1:25 - 2:10 (Core 10)

• Conference Participants & Length

• 10 minute conferences / 15 minute allotments

• 2 teachers, student, family member ( substitute Admin., Coach, SW, Guidance, Community School Team if family member not available)

• Thursday Conferences

• 6 conferences ( within 1 ½ hours) x 5 Teams ( grade level) ( 10 teachers per team) = 30 conferences per grade level x 4 grades = 120 conferences

• Friday conferences

• 6 conferences ( 3 - 45 minute Advisory; 3 - 45 minute Core 10)

• 5 Teams per grade level = 30 conferences x 4 grades = 120 conferences

• Total conferences = 240

We look forward to all students participating in the SLCs with the goal of increasing student ownership of their own learning and growth.

The Nurse’s Emergency Form is NOT available through the online portal due to HIPAA requirements. This form must still be completed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school.

Class schedules are available through your Aspen portal (https://ma-lowell.myfollett.com ).

Bus information for the school year will be posted on https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/transportation. The Sullivan School calendar and supply lists can be found on our website https://sullivan.lowell.k12.ma.us/ as well as linked in this newsletter.

As always please stop in or call us with any questions or concerns throughout the school year. Please visit our website at: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us to keep you informed of happenings at the school and like us on Facebook (@lpsdsullivan), Twitter (@SullivanLPS), and Instagram (@SullivanMiddleSchoolHuskies)

We have expanded our Student Led Conferences to 4 a year coinciding with progress reports for each quarter. We are encouraging all families to participate and will offer student conferences from 2:30 - 4:00 on the following Thursdays: 10/29; 12/17; 3/18 and 5/27. In addition, conferences will continue on Friday mornings: 10/30; 12/18; 3/19; and 5/28 if this is more convenient.

In preparation for these conferences, students will be maintaining a data binder and preparing for their presentations during Friday Advisories.

Students have earned a school - wide celebration for collectively obtaining 51% or better Growth on Math and ELA MCAS last school year. On Friday, October 30th ( during the school day), we will celebrate all students with food, music, games and activities in honor of their accomplishment. As a school, we look forward to continued growth and success on these important assessments.

Your student's preliminary spring 2026 MCAS results are now available through the MCAS Family Portal, along with results from past years (2023–2025), if available.

How to access your student's results

2.Create an account using your student's registration code and date of birth

Where to find your student's registration code

A letter with your student's registration code has been published to your Aspen Family Portal account. Log in, and open the Published Reports widget on your homepage to download it. We recommend saving it for future reference.

Your student's registration code is also available, at any time, in the Aspen Parent Portal with the rest of your student's information.

A few things to know

•These results are preliminary and may change slightly. Final results, including student growth information and comparisons to school, district, and statewide results, will be added to the portal in late September.

•The date of birth you enter must match the one on file for your student in Aspen.

For step-by-step guidance on creating an account, adding your student, and viewing test results, see the Quick Start Guide and Help Guide at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/family-portal.

This letter is available in 16 languages at www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/family-portal/access

If you have questions about your student's results, please contact the school.

Overview: Although we are providing letters for parents explaining what the registration code is and providing them with their student’s code via a publishable report, it is important that families can find their students’ codes at any time via the parent portal.

Location: The codes are listed on the family records of each student that the contact has access to. The contact would need to navigate to the “Family” top tab, select the student they wish to view, and click on that student’s name.

See the photos below:

Progress reports were sent home with students on Friday, October 16th. Please review and sign your child's progress report and return to school. Students not returning their progress reports by Friday, October 23rd will not be able to participate in our Fall Dance ( October 23rd - Grades 5/6; October 30th - Grades 7/8).

We are pleased to announce that report cards and progress reports will now be delivered digitally through our Aspen Parent Portal. This method will provide faster and more convenient access to information about your student’s progress, helping you stay informed and engaged.

By moving to digital delivery, we can offer:

• Improved communication: Real-time updates and easy access to grades and feedback.

• Better insight: A clear overview of your child’s academic performance and areas needing extra support.

• Stronger partnerships: Enhanced collaboration between families and our school district, fostering a more supportive environment for your student(s).

You may receive multiple notifications—both physical and electronic—regarding your Parent Portal account. However, you will only need to update your credentials once. After this initial setup or update, you should have a seamless experience accessing your child’s reports in the future.

To help minimize password resets and maintain secure access:

• Use a strong password (a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters).

• Store it securely (consider a password manager if possible).

• Keep login details confidential (avoid sharing them with others).

• Update periodically to ensure continued security.

If you have any questions or experience any difficulties with the new digital delivery system, please reach out to our main office at (978-937-8993). We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to partnering with you in supporting your student’s education.

If you would like to send a Shout Out to our amazing staff, please fill out THIS form

10/19 - New AA class rotation begins

10/21 - Cross Country Team Spaghetti Dinner

10/22 - Final Cross Country Meet - 4:15 ( Shedd Park)

10/23 - Grade 5 Monthly Assembly ( 7:45 - 8:30)

10/23 - Grade 5 / 6 Fall Dance (6:00 - 7:30)

From November 2 through November 23, we will kick off the holiday season while raising money for our students!

How will it work? Staff members have signed up to be a turkey! Students, families, and staff can purchase feathers for their favorite turkey (or turkeys) in our Turkey Gallery, which will be displayed in the cafeteria.

Here’s the catch! 🙂 The staff member whose turkey has the most feathers must agree to dance around the gym in an inflatable turkey costume! 🦃

This Turkey Dance will occur on Wednesday, November 25th during our early dismissal day. Stay tuned for details to purchase your feathers!

For the fourth week in a row, our girls and boys teams finished first in the Middle School Cross Country Meets! Please join us on Thursday, October 22nd at 4:15 to cheer on our Huskies at their Final Meet.

Girls Top 10 Finishers:

Vivian Brown (#4); Addison Feeney (#7); Emmagrace Glavin (#8); Isabella Cardaci (#9); and Emma Castillero ( #10)

Boys Top 10 Finishers:

Jack Duffy ( #1); Sean Drinkwater ( #2); Ethan Ortiz ( #7); and Mason Rivera (#10)

Monday, Practice until 3:35

Tuesday: Practice until 3:45

Wednesday: Spaghetti Dinner

Thursday: Final Meet at Shedd Park 4:15

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• School Dances: Grades 5/6 will be Friday, October 23 and Grades 7 / 8 will be Friday, October 30th from 6:00-7:30.

• $10 admission ( checks ( Sullivan PTO) or cash

• concessions will be for sale

• bracelets will be given out at the door (PTO / volunteers will be checking kids in with permission slip rosters)

• ALL SLIPS/ MONEY DUE 10/21 NO EXCEPTIONS

• PTO will support students if there is a financial hardship

• Guardians need to pick up on time ( 7:30)

• There is no-re-entry

• There are extra permission slips in main office

We are excited to announce that registration for the Fall 2026 Session of the Sullivan After-School Program is open. Our Fall After-School Program starts on October 13th and ends on December 17th. The After-School Program will run Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thursdays from 2:15-4:00. The program consists of a 15-minute snack followed by a 45-minute academic activity (Homework Boost), and a 45-minute enrichment activity. Homework Boost gives students time and support to complete homework, work on missing assignments, study, or complete iReady lessons. This is not a drop-in program, students are required to stay for the duration of the program (2:15-4:00). All students must participate 2 days a week of programming, but can opt to stay all 3 days. . Unfortunately, we are not able to offer transportation, so students will have to be picked up promptly at 4:00pm, or walk home. Students must commit to a minimum of 2 days per week to participate in the program, but are encouraged to stay all 3 days.

Our program this year is new and improved. We are excited to be working with community partners such as: Kids in Tech, YWCA, PELIBIZ, and Woman Money Matters to bring you new and diverse enrichment activities! Our teachers and community partners have been busy designing activities that are fun, creative, and engaging.

Whether your child enjoys being active, creative, competitive, hands-on, or simply trying something new, there will be something for everyone! Students can compete in sports, investigate mysteries in Forensic Science Club, design and print their own creations in 3D Design & Printing, create their own board game, build and fly gliders in Aviation Club, compete in Esports, learn to crochet or make jewelry, create a school mural, explore different cultures, or even develop their own business in Biz Builders. There are also opportunities for students to explore music, books, yearbook, travel, STEM, and more. Explore your passions, make new friends, and have a blast!

Signing up is easy! Just scan the QR code on the flyer, or Just click HERE to fill out the registration form. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms DaSilva. We are looking forward to working with your child this year!

Ms DaSilva

September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10,

January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13

• The principal is the Chair of the School Site Council (non-voting member)

• A parent/family representative must be nominated as co-chair

• There must be equal representation of teachers and parents on the Council

• To the greatest extent possible, the SSC should reflect the makeup of the student body and be large enough to provide adequate representation and voice for the size of your school

• You should endeavor to have your elections and first meeting by the end of September

• School Site Council meetings are open meetings and must follow the Open Meeting Law rules

• Community partners are welcome additions to School Site Councils

The district’s telehealth partner, Cartwheel will be presenting upcoming webinars for families. Additionally Cartwheel provides families with lots of resources on its Family Landing Page. Please check it out when you get a moment.

Contact: Drew Rosenshine, Director of Mental Health, at arosenshine@lowell.k12.ma.us

October 15, 2026 | 7pm ET

Friend Drama, Group Chats, and Social Exclusion: What Parents Need to Know

November 18, 2026 | 7pm ET

Helping Kids Get Started: Supporting Motivation for School, Homework, and Learning

Here's how they register:

Cartwheel Parent Webinars

• HUSKY KUTZ WILL REOPEN SOON!
• The barbershop will operate on Mondays from 9 AM to 12 PM.
• Both boys and girls can sign up for haircuts (please note, there won't be any shampooing).
• Haircuts are provided at no cost.
• To book an appointment, students need to fill out a Google Form ( see below)
• If a student is absent on the day of their appointment, they'll need to wait for the next cycle.
• We will follow up with a guardian prior to haircut
• "Walk-ins "may be a possibility due to availability

Please sign up your child for a free hair using the enclosed form: https://forms.gle/DqKgB75ziNBi2YuNA

Be sure to connect with us through social media!

Facebook, Twitter, and our website get updated often with important information as well as announcements and pictures from our staff.

Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/15
Location: 150 Draper St, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: 978-937-8993
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lpsdsullivan
Twitter: @SullivanLPSD