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May 23, 2025 Newsletter

Posted Date: 5/23/25 (6:30 PM)

JR Lowell Elementary Logo with Lenny the Leopard.

The Leopard Lowdown

Lowell School's Community Newsletter

May 23, 2025
Image taken from today's Memorial Day Assembly.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Greetings Lowell,

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It's the unofficial kickoff to summer, though it doesn't quite feel like it yet. Let's hope for a bit of sunshine over the weekend!

I'm pleased to share that the weather forecast for Field Day is looking promising. This is always fantastic news for our students and teachers, as this event is a highly anticipated highlight each year.

We had a special visit from Kevin Wooten, Channel 10 weather person this week and our students were highlighted one of his segments.

Our Math Night was a success! Reading a math book to Brady turned out to be a hit. Our team thoroughly enjoyed hosting the event, and we send a huge thank you to our math team for putting together such a fun and interactive evening.

Today, we had our annual Memorial Day Assembly, and I couldn't be prouder. This year, our Lowell Leaders took the reins and handled much of the assembly. From introductions and the color guard to writing, reading the material presented, and planning, they did a phenomenal job. Hats off to our amazing Lowell Leaders!

Next week marks the final week of May. Isn’t it incredible how fast the time flies? We’ve been having such a fantastic time that it’s bittersweet to think our year will come to a close in just a few weeks.

Wishing you a fantastic weekend filled with the company of friends and family and all things relaxing.

With Gratitude,
Stacy

Mr. MacLellan playing his guitar leading a sing along to This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land

Scene from the assembly.

Brady Visited Ms. Brodeur's Fifth Grade Classroom This Week!

Brady is giving presurer to Rowan in 5th Grade.
Lowell Absence Reporting Form

Rhea in second grade reading a math book to Brady.

Rhea is second grade reading to Bradyl.

Boys & Girls Club Transportation

Boys and Girls Club Bus 2025-2026 Registration
Watertown Public Schools will offer transportation to the Boys & Girls Club as the Club restarts the drop-in programing in September 2025. Students who register for the Boys & Girls Club bus are signed up for 5 days a week.

When the Boys & Girls Club is CLOSED, students who take the bus in the morning will be dropped off at their morning stop in the afternoon. Students who arrive to school as walkers will be dismissed as walkers in the afternoon. WPS will not alert families of the Boys & Girls Club schedule, families must check with the Boys & Girls Club.

Students MUST be 7 years of age or older to be members of the Boys & Girls Club drop in Program.

********

Cost:
$200 
$0 if already on the Hosmer yellow bus route

*This a voluntary program and is not subject to discounts for free & reduced lunch, family caps, or any other discount or assistance*

Applications Due: June 17th (waitlist opens June 11th and spots are not guaranteed after June 18th) 
Payment Due: September 1st, 2025
Applications will not be considered complete until a payment is made (expect for those students who are already morning and afternoon bus riders)
Please make checks/ money orders payable to: City of Watertown. There is a black collection box on a post at the administration building – use lot off of Marshall St. and go to steps at right side of back of admin. building and leave your check there and CLEARLY write student’s name and BUS FEE on check memo line. You may also mail a check to:
WPS Transportation Office
Attn: Erikson Ramos 
30 Common St.
Watertown, MA 02472
 
Applications will be considered on a first come first serve basis.
After the payment deadline seats will be awarded to the next person on the list if payment is not received by 9/1. If we do not have a seat for all of the children, we will return checks to those families.  
Watertown Public Schools will confirm your student's transportation and issue a bus pass for transportation to the Club. Until transportation has been confirmed, your student is not eligible for the Boys & Girls Club bus.
For Translation: Envíe un correo electrónico si necesita traducción/Envie um e-mail se precisar de tradução wps_busing@watertown.k12.ma.us
Link to Transpartation Form
Image with text

Not Returning to Lowell in the Fall!

Please fill out the following form if your child is not planning returning to Lowell School in the fall.
Message reading put this on your calendar.

Important Dates


  • May 26- Memorial Day - No School
  • May 28th - Field Day (rain dates 5/29, 6/3, 6/5)
  • May 30th - LEDP Idol Show at the WMS Auditorium 7PM
  • June 6th - No School for Pre K or K and Incoming K Class Screening
  • June 6th - Spring Concert
  • Anti-Bias Coalition 5:30-7:00 Lowell Learning Commons with Dr. Daly
  • June 16th 5th Grade Moving On Ceremony 1:00 pm
  • June 17th - Last Day of School Dismissal 12:00
Please pay special attention to bolded dates.
Not Returning to Lowell Form
Zoom Link
 
Graphic for Volunteering in May for various organization around Watertown.

Volunteer in May with Watertown Helps Out (WHO)!

The Watertown Community Foundations annual Watertown Helps Out (WHO) is a
month-long community service event in May that connects local non-profits to
community volunteers for a variety of projects. Community projects are spread across
the month of May, currently totaling a need for 300+ volunteers.
- Many of the opportunities are family-friendly.
- WPS High schoolers can get community service hours.
- Keep checking back to see what's been added to the list.
Check out the growing list of volunteer opportunities and Sign Up at
PE Newsletter
Picture of children at field day playing.

Field Day Volunteers Needed

Dear Families,                                                                
 On Wednesday May 28th, the Lowell Physical Education teachers, Ms.Donahue and Ms. Loguidice, will be holding a Field Day for the school. The Lowell Field Day will be held at Victory Field. Lowell students will walk with their class to the field. Field Day is a day for the school to get together for a number of physical events and friendly competition. Grades K-2 will be participating in events such as water activities, running races, cooperative challenges, etc. Grades 3-5 will participate in a track meet as well as several group and water activities. This will be an all day event. Students will need to bring a bag lunch. We invite families to come and cheer on the students in the stands. The Volunteers will be the only ones allowed on the field.  If you are interested in volunteering to help with these events, please fill out the this google form. The deadline for the Volunteer sign-up is May 21th. Cori forms must be submitted no later than May 21th. Thank you for your help! 
When: Wednesday May 28th  (Rain date: May 29th, June 3rd and 4th)
Where: Victory Field  (PreK-2 Turf and 3-5 Track and Oval)
Arrival time for Volunteers: 8:00am
**All volunteers need to complete a Cori check. **
CORI must be completed in full, with a copy of the driver's license (copies can be made at Watertown Public Library if needed), and must be verified in person. Please hand deliver to the Lowell main office. 
(Cori checks need to be completed every 2 years to volunteer in schools )

Field Day Volunteer Sign Up
 
Image of text reading 5th grade Move-Up Ceremony Monday, June 16 at 1 pm
Elementary SIP 2024-2025
Elementary Handbook 2024-2025
Lowell School Family Guide
Lowell Logo

Contact Us:

J.R. Lowell Elementary School
123 Lowell Ave.
Watertown, Ma 02472
Phone: 1-617-926-7770


Principal: Stacy Phelan


Assistant Principal: Tara Rufo


Administrative Assistant: Kara Flynn


Receptionist: Jim Swift


Nurse: Kristen Thibodeau

Guidance Pre-K - 2: Melina Jacovides


Guidance 3-5: Brian Connors

School Psychologist: Kelley Starrett



Special Education Team Chair: Greg Roberts


LEDP Site Coordinator: Adam Vachon
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