Greetings!

I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the start of spring. I am writing to inform you about the upcoming English Language Arts (ELA) MCAS tests for our third, fourth, and fifth grade students taking place next week.

Testing Schedule:

The majority of students will be participating in the ELA MCAS tests on Tuesday and Thursday. However, please note that a few students who require special accommodations, such as one-on-one proctoring, will take their tests on Monday and Friday. If your child falls into this category, you should have received specific details from our staff.

How Parents Can Support Their Children:

We understand the importance of creating a positive testing experience for your child, and your support at home is invaluable. Here are some best practices to help your child prepare:

1. Establish a Routine: In the days leading up to the test, ensure your child has a consistent evening and morning routine. This will help alleviate any anxiety and prepare them mentally for the testing day.

2. Prioritize Rest: Encourage your child to get a good night's sleep each night, particularly before test days. Adequate rest is crucial for concentration and a positive attitude.

3. Healthy Breakfast: Start the day with a nutritious breakfast. Foods high in protein and low in sugar are excellent choices to maintain energy and focus.

4. **Stay Positive: Offer words of encouragement and remind your child that the test is an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. A positive outlook can greatly enhance performance.

5. Prepare Materials: Double-check that your child has necessary materials ready, such as pencils and an eraser, for their test days.

6. Stay Informed: Be sure you are aware of your child's specific testing schedule and any accommodations they might require. If you have questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.

7. Relaxation Technique: A child simple relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualizing a positive outcome, to use if they feel stressed during the test.

By working together, we can help ensure that our students approach their tests with confidence and are able to perform to the best of their ability.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s teacher. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Have a wonderful weekend!

With Gratitude,

Stacy & Tara

Next Thursday (10 April) is MCAS testing at school. For that reason, we will be moving chorus rehearsal to Wednesday (9 April) at 8am. The location has changed too. Students should report to the Lowell Cafeteria at 8am.

Our next performance will be Thursday, the 1st of May. It is our First Annual "Sing Out Watertown" where we will be combining with the other singing groups in our school district for a big celebration of vocal music. The concert will take place at 7pm in the Watertown Middle School with a 6pm rehearsal happening just before the performance.

Beyond that, we will be having our annual Lowell Spring Concert on Friday, 6 June at 8:30am in the Lowell Elementary School gym.

Students can check out this month's music newsletter for song lyrics and recordings. Just scroll down to the post about chorus.

https://secure.smore.com/n/yct435-music-newsletter

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

tara.rufo@watertown.k12.ma.us

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

adam.vachon@watertown.k12.ma.us