Message from Principal Phelan
The week flew by in a flash. The students participated in so many literacy activities throughout the week. It was nice to hold literacy week in school. I've included pictures from around the school. A big hit this week was giving and receiving letters from our Buddies. We all enjoyed the Brazilian Percussion band Groversity it was a fantastic way to end the week.
I want to thank all the staff behind the scenes that made Literacy Week special. Please join me in thanking Ann Cox, Dganit Toledano, Jenna Goodearl, Kelly McCollum, Sandra Quesada, Johanna Mitchell, Anthony Spano, Kurt Skaif, Rachael Levin, Jackie McCready, Bethan Bailey, and Isabella Delmoral. This dedicated group of teachers planned and organized this week's events.
We had an uptick in positive COVID cases causing us to return to masking. As the week progressed, cases lessened. Home testing identified the majority of our cases. Please continue to home test if you have any symptoms. We also had several traditional flu cases among our staff and students. The combination of the two illnesses kept Nurse Taverna's office busy. We will pool test again this Wednesday. If the number of cases is below 2%, we will return to mask optional. We're not alone. Many of our neighboring communities are seeing the same spike in cases as we are.
Our third, fourth, and fifth graders will take the Math MCAS on Monday and Tuesday.
Warm regards,
Stacy
Presenting: Watertown High School’s
Spring Concert
When: Thursday, May 19th, 2022 7 pm
Where: Shaw Auditorium, Watertown High School 50 Columbia Street, Watertown MA
Come and enjoy the WHS Performance Ensembles in our final concert of the year! Celebrate our student musicians!!! Ensembles included are: Chorus, Concert Band, Jazz Band, The Watertones, WHS Jazz Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, and the premiere of Mr. Wulf’s choral composition, Exrati Hayita.
Admission is FREE!
Support your local musicians!!
As Fine, Applied and Performing Arts Educators, It is our mission to inspire and guide every student to be active participants in the Arts through the use of a sequential, academic and creative curriculum that nurtures the human spirit and promotes cultural relevance..
Watertown Memorial Day Parade & School Celebrations
Memorial Day Parade Registration 2022
Volunteers needed! During the week leading up to Memorial Day, we will continue our annual tradition of placing cemetery flags at Saint Patrick's Cemetery and Ridgelawn Cemetery.
On May 25: We will begin placing cemetery flags at Saint Patrick's Cemetery starting around 5 PM.
On May 26: We will begin placing cemetery flags at Ridgelawn Cemetery starting around 5 PM.
Volunteers may contact the Watertown VSO (PGeorge@watertown-ma.gov) with questions.
Please note: the 2022 Memorial Day Parade Route has changed. Due to ongoing constriction, Watertown Veterans' Services had to make the decision to change the route in the interest of safety.
The parade will begin right in front of City Hall and conclude at Victory Field. We will take a right on Waverly Ave, and another right on Orchard St to complete the route. Here is a Google Maps link to the route: 2022 Parade Route
It's been almost 2 years since our last parade! We are looking to update our pool of organizers and volunteers. Those who have groups who wish to participate or volunteer should contact Watertown Veterans' Services. Please stay tuned for more updates in the next few weeks as we iron out all of our Memorial Day details.
Our 2022 MemorialDay plans are coming into shape. Please see below for the events leading into the Memorial Day Parade. Memorial Day's parade will kick off at 12 noon on May 30th, we hope to see you there! The parade is still accepting applications and can be found here: https://watertown-ma.gov/749/Memorial-Day-2022
• Starting in the month of May, volunteers will be replacing the wreaths at our hero squares around the city.
• The week leading into Memorial Day (Monday, May 23rd) will begin the process of placing Veteran grave markers and grave flags. Official dates and times to follow. Flags will be placed at Ridgelawn and Saint Patrick’s cemeteries. Volunteers will be needed and are encouraged to contact the Veterans’ Services office via telephone (617-972-6416) or email (pgeorge@watertown-ma.gov).
• On Friday, May 27th, Veterans are invited to join us at the Watertown Public Schools. The tentative schedule is here, changes will be sent out prior to May 27th:
o 9:00 a.m. - Watertown High School
o 9:45 a.m. - Cuniff Elementary School
o 10:00 a.m. - Lowell Elementary School
o 10:00 a.m. - Watertown Middle School
o 11:00 a.m. - Hosmer Elementary School
On Friday, May 27th, following the school event, Veterans and gardeners are invited to participate in the planting of the Freedom Garden at the Commander's Mansion. Please contact Veterans' Services, or the Commander’s Mansion to inquire about volunteer opportunities. The formal unveiling of the garden will take place at 5:30, with closing remarks scheduled for 7:30 PM. More information can be found at the link below, or by following Commander’s Mansion on social media: https://www.commandersmansion.com/events
• On Sunday, May 29th, Veterans, and members of the public are invited to join us for the honorary procession. TAPS will be played at several landmarks in Watertown, and a Veterans’ Mass will take place at Saint Patrick’s at 10 am.
• On May 30th, Watertown will again have its Memorial Day Parade. Participants are encouraged to begin staging by 10:30 AM. The parade itself will begin promptly at 12 with a brief speaking engagement at Victory Field following the parade.
NOTE: Individuals who plan on using public transportation along Mount Auburn Street are encouraged to expect delays and rerouted buses during the morning of the parade. Normal service should be expected around 2 pm-3 pm.
Listen to Sipu
The Watertown Community Foundation has provided us with the opportunity for all students in grade 3 & 4 to attend an in-house performance of the New Rep play Listen to Sipu! This is "a captivating and powerful story that illuminates Watertown's Indigenous history....the tour guide begins describing Watertown's local history only to find that the facts are missing a lot of truths." The play will visit the Cunniff and Lowell schools on Monday, June 6th and the Hosmer school on Tuesday, June 7th. We are grateful our students will have this opportunity!
In-Person Family Workshop
Sunday, May 15, 1:00, 1:45, and 2:30 pm, one-hour each
Peabody Museum, 11 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA
Register by Friday, May 13, 12:00 pm
Ages 6–10, one adult required $5 members/$10 nonmembers
The Olmec civilization of ancient Mexico is known for its mysterious sculptures of giant heads that rise up to eleven feet high. Touch a huge modern replica in the museum for one day that is based on Monument One, The King. Explore artifacts with an educator that show Olmec influence on architecture, the ball game, written language, and pigments. Handle reproductions and paint a mini-plaster head of your own to take home.
Presented by the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology and the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
Lowell Elementary
30 Common Street
Watertown, Ma 02742
Telephone: 617-926-7770
Lowell West Location
175 Main Street
Waltham, Ma 02451
Telephone: 781-899-3701
Email: stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma
Website: http://watertownjrlowell.ss19.sharpschool.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary