Lowell's Newsletter
March 28, 2025
CultureFest Was a Huge Success
Greetings!
Happy Friday! I wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for attending our CulturFest last night. It was truly a pleasure to gather with all of you and celebrate the incredible diversity that defines our community.
Our school takes immense pride in championing the values of equity, inclusion, and belonging, and the event was a beautiful showcase of these ideals brought to life. We were thrilled to embrace the rich tapestry of cultures that each of our families brings, highlighting the kindness, cooperation, integrity, and perseverance that truly define our school community.
During the evening, attendees had the opportunity to explore a captivating display of country exhibits, with representation from 16 different countries spanning 4 continents. Each table offered a unique glimpse into the traditions, stories, and highlights of these diverse cultures. It was wonderful to see so many of you engaging with our families and learning about the diverse backgrounds that make our school community so vibrant and special.
West African performers Kilie and Joi captivated the audience with their mesmerizing rhythms and infectious joy, transporting everyone into a world of vibrant cultural expression. Their performance was a celebration of West African heritage, showcasing impressive musicality and charisma that resonated with every spectator.
Meanwhile, the Indian dance troupe Natya enthralled the crowd with their poignant storytelling and exquisite choreography. Through their graceful movements and stunning traditional costumes, they narrated the inspiring tale of a humble washerwoman whose single act of kindness transformed the fate of her family for seven generations. The performance was not only visually captivating but also deeply moving, reflecting timeless themes of compassion, sacrifice, and enduring legacy.
This remarkable event would not have been possible without the support and enthusiasm of many individuals. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the families who contributed their time, energy, and passion to make this multicultural fest a reality. Your efforts were instrumental in bringing our community together in the spirit of unity and celebration.
Thank you to our incredible climate and culture team of teachers, who, alongside our dedicated Equity facilitators, put in an immense amount of work behind the scenes to organize this event. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we deeply appreciate the time, dedication, and passion you contributed to make this gathering a success. Your commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging environment is truly inspiring.
A special thank you goes out to the local restaurants that generously donated food, enriching our cultural experience and fostering a sense of shared joy and connection. Your generosity helped knit the fabric of our community even closer.
We also want to recognize our incredible Family-Teacher Organization (FTO) and Diversity Council for their generous sponsorships and unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. Your dedication is truly a cornerstone of the values we cherish and celebrated that night.
Lastly, let's express our gratitude to our wonderful student leaders from the 4th and 5th grades, who volunteered their time and energy to assist throughout the event. Their leadership and enthusiasm embodied the spirit of cooperation and commitment that we strive to nurture in our school.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event—and our school community—as vibrant and full of life as it is. Your collective efforts are what make events like this possible and memorable. We deeply appreciate each and every one of you for joining us and for your continued support.
With Gratitude,
Stacy & Tara
Picture of the Week!
Brady visited PreK on Wednesday morning. He was a big hit!
Class Placement Begins Soon
Dear Families,
Spring is the beginning of our planning process for the upcoming academic year 2025-2026. This involves critical decisions, such as class placements and the structuring of grade-level schedules. Our teachers invest significant time and effort in selecting the most suitable classroom environment for each student. Their decisions are made in collaboration with our guidance counselors, ensuring a holistic approach that prioritizes the students' overall well-being and educational needs.
While we do not accept specific teacher requests, and we value input from parents regarding the type of learning environment that best suits their child. If you wish to provide feedback or share your thoughts, you are encouraged to send an email to the appropriate guidance counselor. Your email must be recieved by April 18th. Please note that final placement decisions are based on student needs and the resources required for their success.
For your convenience, here is the contact information for our guidance counselors:
- Melina Jacovides, serving students in grades K-2
Email: melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us
- Brian Connors, serving students in grades 3-5
Email: brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us
We appreciate your support and collaboration school. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
With Gratitude,
Stacy
Lowell Leader Rowan Reading to Kindergarten During Lunch
Third Grade is Out of This World!
Today third grade held a end of module celebration for their Outter Space Module
Visiting Artist Join Lowell This Week
This week, our school had the pleasure of hosting a talented visiting artist who collaborated with our students on an exciting creative project—a mosaic creation. Thanks to a generous grant from the Watertown Cultural Council, we have been able to invite Emily Bhargava, an accomplished artist from the Beautiful Stuff Project, to work with us.
Emily Bhargava brings a wealth of experience, having previously collaborated with students on mosaic projects at Hosmer and Cunniff schools. Her expertise and enthusiasm will guide our students through the process of designing and creating a permanent mosaic mural that will be displayed at our school. This project not only enriches our students' artistic skills but also enhances their ability to work together and contribute to a lasting piece of art that will beautify our school for years to come. We are thrilled to see our students transform their ideas into a vibrant and meaningful mosaic masterpiece with her guidance.
Lowell School Visited WMS to See Mary Poppins Thursday!
Our Former Lowell Student Callie Chaisson plays Mary Poppins!
The FTO Has Officially Kicked off the Walkathon!
STEM Night April 29th 5:30 to 8 pm at WMS
The Watertown Business Coalition (WBC) and the Watertown Public Schools are putting on a first-of-its-kind STEM Night celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering & Math in the Watertown Community!
STEM NIGHT is scheduled for April 29th from 5:30 pm to 8 pm at the Middle School. This is a drop-in community-wide event, with an eye toward our K-12 families. Take advantage of a unique opportunity to learn about STEM offerings that lie ahead for students - Math & Science curriculum, WHS Robotics, Science Clubs, Technical Career Pathways, and more.
Highlights will also include student ambassadors & presentations, local life science companies, & an in-depth look at the New Watertown High School!
Dear Families, If you are having difficulty setting up your Parent Square Account or selecting your home language, please join one of the assistance sessions organized by our Multi-Lingual Language Department. These sessions will be held at the Watertown Free and Public Library. Session Dates/Times:
Saturday, 3/29 - Raya Stern Trustees Room - 9am-12pm
Sunday, 3/30 - Lucia Mastrangelo Room - 2pm-4:45pm
Tuesday, 4/1 - Study Room 1 - 6pm-8:45pm
Saturday, 4/5 - Raya Stern Trustees Room - 9am-12pm
Sunday, 4/6 - Raya Stern Trustees Room - 2pm-4:45pm
Tuesday, 4/8 - Study Room 1 - 6pm-8:45pm
Study Room #1 is located on our second floor, just past the restrooms, and it's clearly labeled. Any staff member can also point a caregiver in the right direction if they just mention the room by name. Study room reservations aren't listed by name publicly on our calendar, but staff can see the back end, so if someone were to ask a staff member where the Watertown Public Schools meeting was being held, our staff should also be able to let them know where to go.
These sessions are designed to help you navigate the Parent Square system with ease. We encourage you to attend if you require any support
No School For PreK & Kindergarten on June 6th
This day is dedicated to Prek and K screening for incoming students.
MCAS DATES
Grade 3 - 5
ELA MCAS April 8th & 10th Grades (3-5)
Math MCAS May 6th & 8th Grades (3-5)
Science MCAS May 13th & 15th Fifth Grade ONLY
Girl Scouts of America
Moving Up Ceremony for our Fifth Grade Students is Scheduled
Monday, Jun 16, 2025, 01:00 PM
123 Lowell Avenue, Watertown, MA, USA
Important Message From Extended Day
New student registration for the 2025-2026 K-5 Before School & PreK -5 Extended Day Programs opens on May 1st!
New student registration for the 2025-2026 K-5 Before School Program and PreK-5 Extended Day Program opens at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 1, 2025 and closes at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. There will be a lottery for enrollment. Please click here to view Watertown Community Education's Smore Newsletter for full details including the registration process, lottery details, and links to the online registration forms. Direct Smore Link: https://secure.smore.com/n/ux7sb
If you have any questions regarding Watertown Community Education's Before School and/or Extended Day Programs, please contact Debi Cornelius at debora.cornelius@watertown.k12.ma.us and Jeff Bodner at jeffrey.bodner@watertown.k12.ma.us or visit the Watertown Community Education webpage at https://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/communityed.
Thank you,
Debi
Yard Art for the Forest
2-Day Drop-In @ the Library
Saturday March 22, 3-4:30 pm (link)
and Sunday March 23, 1-4:40pm (link)
Forests for Watertown invites Everyone, All Ages, to create another Community YardArt display to go around the Tiny Forest in the J.R. Lowell Elementary Schoolyard.
We'll paint CDs, yard signs, pictures, and more to display all through April. Drop in. Paint a leaf. Paint a bird or butterfly or bee. Paint a whole picture. Have a little fun with color and brushes. And learn a little about Watertown's first Miyawaki Forest, planted by you last October 26th. Light refreshments, lots of colors, almost as fun as a walk in the woods.
Rights of Immigrant Students to Attend School
for Parents & Families
Please find attached our newly released Flyer on the Rights of Immigrant Students to Attend School for Parents & Families, in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Mandarin.
This Flyer accompanies the previously issued Guidance for K-12 Schools on Protecting Students and their Information and Flyer for K-12 Schools on Protecting Students and Their Information. This flyer was created in response to requests for a flyer specifically tailored for families and translated into multiple languages.
All of these documents are also available on our webpage: Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/resources-for-immigrants-in-massachusetts.
Please circulate this resource to district leaders and encourage them to share it with the full school community, including parents and guardians.
Thanks, The AGOs Office
Lowell is Proud to Announce Upstander Training for Grades 4 & 5
On April 3rd, student in grades four and five will participate in a 90 minute unstander training. This training is being funded through our DEIB Department.
An Amazing Opportunities for Young Girls and Volunteers!
Watertown's Civic's Academy
Watertown residents are invited to apply for the City of Watertown’s inaugural Civics Academy – a 6-week course giving residents an inside look into how their local government works, with presentations and activities delivered directly by City staff! The applications close on March 21, 2025, and the program begins on May 8, 2025. Learn more about the schedule, application details, the program’s goals, and much more at: Watertown-ma.gov/civicsacademy
Watertown Middle School Football Team
Contact Us
J.R. Lowell Elementary School
123 Lowell Ave.
Watertown, Ma 02472
Phone: 1-617-926-7770
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary
Website: https://watertownjrlowell.ss19.sharpschool.com/
Principal: Stacy Phelan
stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us
Assistant Principal: Tara Rufo
Administrative Assistant: Kara Flynn
kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us
Receptionist: Jim Swift
james.swift@watertown.k12.ma.us
Nurse: Kristen Thibodeau
kristen.thibodeau@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance Pre-K - 2: Melina Jacovides
melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us
Guidance 3-5: Brian Connors
brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us
School Psychologist: Kelley Starrett
kelley.cochrane@watertown.k12.ma.us
Special Education Team Chair: Greg Roberts
gregory.roberts@watertown.k12.ma.us
LEDP Site Coordinator: Adam Vachon