Lowell School Winter Concert

December 15, 2017

1:30 - 2:15

Lowell School Gym

Parents of Performers are Welcome to attend.

Please come 15 minutes early to find a seat.

Performers are asked to wear white tops and black bottoms.

Courses for Kids at the Lowell - Winter 2018

Courses For Kids is part of Watertown Community Education.  It provides enrichment courses for elementary school students after school.  See our website at www.watertown.k12.ma.us/dept/wce.

BIG TOP BONANZA                                                                                                                         Grade K-2

The Big Top, with its animals, tightrope walkers, elephants, jugglers, clowns, and heart-stopping acts is a fun place to go…but what about becoming a performer? Create your own three-ring circus in this creative drama class! It’s time to send in the clowns! Big Top Bonanza culminates in an informal sharing for family members during the last class!

Offered through Watertown Children’s Theatre

8 Thursdays                  1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 3/1, 3/8                   2:30-3:30                       $137

YOGA                                                                                                                                                 Grade K-2

Kids love learning yoga. While learning the fundamentals of yoga in a class that is fun and engaging, children simply enjoy how yoga makes them feel. Just right for after school, this class is both active and calm, teaching a sense of breath awareness and ways for students to relax themselves while building both confidence and resilience. Students will strengthen muscles, build flexibility and challenge themselves individually and as a group.  Starting yoga at a young age builds a lifelong awareness of its benefits to body and mind and we invite your child to join us. No experience necessary. The class is tailored to the age group who joins. Mats are provided for use during class and simple comfortable clothing is all that is needed. Experienced youth yoga instructors, from Artemis Yoga in Watertown, teach the class.

Offered through Artemis Yoga.

8 Thursdays                  1/11, 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 3/1, 3/8                   2:30-3:30                       $137

WICKED GROSS SCIENCE                                                                                                                   Grades 3-5

Gross Science is not for the easily queasy! The gross yet fascinating things in life hide many science secrets, like what's hidden in a diaper. Classify some creepy crawlies and neutralize smelly smells. Make some model mucus, create alien slime, and dissect owl puke! Guaranteed to be grossly amusing.

Offered through Wicked Cool for Kids!.

6 Thursdays                    1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 3/1, 3/8                                 2:30-3:30                       $137

KARATE                                                                                                                                       Grades PreK-5

Martial Arts is a great way to give kids a head start in life. They'll learn the positive benefits of self-discipline and confidence, develop coordination and increase strength and flexibility. Taught in a fun and energetic style by Renshi Craig (A Master, 5th Degree Black belt) and the owner of Craig’s Kempo Karate Academy who has been teaching children of the Watertown school district for over 13 years. A $40 fee for a uniform and $20 test fee is to be paid directly to the instructor.  Please do not include it in the tuition check.

Offered through Craig’s Kempo Karate Academy

8 Fridays                        1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 3/2, 3/9                             2:30-3:30 pm                  $137

BEGINNER SPANISH                                                                                                                               Grades 2-5

This is an introductory course designed for students in grades 2-5 that covers: counting, colors, greetings and good-byes, snack vocabulary, body parts, active verbs, and a few questions. Songs reinforce vocabulary and encourage learning through movement. Handouts provide review and opportunity for self-expression. Roll-call phrases follow the "It's time to...” series, using expressions parents and children can use at home together.   Phrases: "What color is missing? I can count to 50! What's your name? What's that? It's time to eat, time to set the table, go to school, do your homework, and brush your teeth.” These are just a few of the expressions children learn as they sing, and play their way through this introductory course. A $25 book fee, to be paid directly to Global Child Inc, is due by the first class. Payment can be made by bringing a check to the first class, or by calling (978) 851-5337 to make payment by phone. Please do not include the book fee in the tuition check.

Offered through Global Child, Inc.

8 Fridays                        1/12, 1/19, 1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 3/2, 3/9                             2:30-3:30 pm                  $137

LEGO ENGINEERING JUNIOR IMAGINEERS                                                                             Grades PreK-1

Using LEGO DUPLOs, kids in PreK-1 will listen to stories based on popular fairy tales. Kids will use the engineering design process to help solve their hero’s problems using simple machines. Help LEGO Sam and Sara create Rapunzel’s tower and a pulley system to lift her lunch! Prince Charming’s buggy is busted - can Sam and Sara build a Charming Car to carry the Prince’s blocks and save the day? This program will emphasize creativity, cooperation, engineering, math and literacy skills.

Offered through Wicked Cool for Kids!.

6 Fridays                      1/26, 2/2, 2/9, 2/16, 3/2, 3/9                                   2:30-3:30 pm                  $137

***DEADLINE TO ENROLL is December 18^th.***

GENERAL INFORMATION--DEADLINE TO ENROLL is December 18^th.

Please send registration to the Lowell Main Office to the attention of Courses for Kids. If you have any questions, please call Jeff Bodner at 617-926-7764. Please do not call the Lowell Main Office.

Confirmations will be sent via e-mail.

PROGRAM DATES AND TIMES 

Please refer to individual course descriptions for dates courses meet.  Most classes run from 2:30-3:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Classes do not meet on early release days.

GETTING TO AND FROM COURSES FOR KIDS  

After dismissal from school at 2:30 PM, the attendance monitor and course instructor will meet children outside the gym, take attendance and escort them to the correct room. Your child's classroom teacher will also have a list of children taking courses.  The attendance monitor ensures all children leave the program safely. All students will be brought to the door at 3:30 pm, unless going to extended day.  Parents must come into the building to pick up children and sign them out.  Children will not be allowed to walk home without written permission from Parent/Guardian.  We would appreciate children being picked up on time.  There will be a late fee assessed of $10 per every ten minutes that a parent is late.   

CONDUCT 

Courses are offered as an enrichment opportunity.   Children are expected to follow the teacher's instructions and not to interfere with the learning experience, enjoyment and safety of other children. If a child is disruptive and does not heed the teacher's warnings, parents will be notified. If this does not resolve the situation, the child will be asked to leave the class.  There is no refund and future enrollment is on a trial basis.

CANCELLED COURSES 

If Watertown Schools are closed, due to inclement weather, all courses are cancelled. If a class is cancelled due to teacher's illness or unforeseen circumstances, parents are notified by email and given a make-up date.

REFUNDS   

If a refund is due because of over or under enrollment, it will be sent as soon as possible. No refunds are issued once the course has begun.

Illness, Medication and Attendance Guidelines

Staff will not administer any prescription or non-prescription medications.  Children will only be allowed to self-administer inhalers and EpiPens with written parental permission.  It is the parent responsibility to ensure that inhalers and EpiPens are with the child during the program.  All emergency situations will be responded to by following the crisis protocol guidelines detailed in the Crisis Protocol Manual.  If your child is sent home from school for any reason, including both physical illness or injury, inappropriate behavior, and all other situations which warrant dismissal, he/she will not be allowed to attend the program on that day.  Also, if your child has not attended school due to illness or because school personnel has deemed it necessary, he/she may not attend the program that day.

YOUR CHILD’S REGISTRATION IS NOT CONSIDERED COMPLETE WITHOUT A COMPLETED AND SIGNED REGISTRATION FORM, WAIVER FORM, AND PAYMENT.

Lowell Courses for Kids Winter 2018 Registration Form

Watertown Community Education

Deadline For Registration is December 18^th

Registration Is On A First Come - First Served Basis.

YOUR CHILD’S REGISTRATION IS NOT CONSIDERED COMPLETE WITHOUT A COMPLETED AND SIGNED REGISTRATION FORM, WAIVER FORM, AND PAYMENT.

********PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY & COMPLETE BOTH SIDES********

Student Name (first, last) _____________________________________________________________________

Grade_____      Teacher (example: Ms. Brown) __________________________________________________

Pick-up Instructions:  Extended Day_______ Parent Pick-Up________  

Who is allowed to pick up your child?  _____________________________________________________________

Who is not allowed to pick you child?   _____________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian_______________________________________________________________________________

Phone (cell)________________________(work)________________________(home)________________________

e-mail_____________________________________________   Confirmations will be sent via e-mail.

                                    

Emergency Contact Name ____________________________________ Phone __________________________

Child's allergies/medical issues _______________________________ inhaler yes___no___ epipen yes___no____

Thursday

Course ___________________________________  Start Date______________________            Fee_______

Second Choice _____________________________ Start Date______________________ Fee_______

Friday

Course ___________________________________  Start Date______________________            Fee_______

Second Choice _____________________________ Start Date______________________ Fee_______

Please make the check payable to “Town of Watertown” and include child’s name, school and CFK on the memo line. Total Enclosed_______________

Parent signature____________________________________________________________________________

CONFIRMATIONS WILL BE SENT HOME VIA E-MAIL.

Please send registration no later than December 18^th to the Lowell Main Office to the attention of Courses For Kids.  If you have any questions, please call Jeff Bodner at 617-926-7764.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE LOWELL MAIN OFFICE.

Medical Release Form

I understand that every effort will be made to contact me in the event of an emergency requiring medical attention for my child ____________________. However, if I cannot be reached, I hereby authorize the Watertown Community Education Programs to transport my child to the Newton Wellesley Hospital, or _________________________ Hospital via Emergency Vehicle, and to secure for my child the necessary medical treatment. I understand that designated staff members at the Watertown Community Education Programs are trained in the basics of First Aid and Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, and I authorize them to administer immediate First Aid to my child when appropriate.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)                                                                                              Date

***************************************************************************************

Parental Consent Release From Liability and Indemnity For Participation in Watertown Community Education’s Programs

I/We, the undersigned parent(s) or guardian(s) of ____________________________________, a minor, do hereby consent to his/her participation in, Watertown Community Education’s Programs. I/WE forever RELEASE, acquit, discharge and covenant to hold harmless the Town of Watertown, a municipal corporation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and its successors, departments, officers, employees, servants and agents, of and from any and all actions, causes of actions, claims, demands, damages, costs, loss of services, expenses and compensation on account of, or in any way growing out of, directly or indirectly, all known and unknown personal injuries or property damages which I/WE may now or hereafter have as the parent(s) or guardian(s) of said minor, and also all claims or rights of actions or damages which said minor has or hereafter may acquire, either before or after his/her participation in, Watertown Community Education’s Programs. FURTHERMORE, I/WE hereby agree to protect the Town of Watertown and its successors, departments, officers, employees, servants and agents against any and all claims for damages, compensation or otherwise on the part of said minor growing out of or resulting from injury to said minor in connection with his/her participation in, Watertown Community Education’s Programs and to INDEMNIFY, reimburse or make good to the Town of Watertown or its successors, departments, officers, employees, servants and agents any loss or damage or cost, including attorney’s fees, the Town of Watertown or its representatives may have to pay if any litigations arise from said minor’s participation in Watertown Community Education’s Programs.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)                                                                                              Date

***************************************************************************************

Watertown Community Education - PHOTO RELEASE (OPTIONAL)

I/WE, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of ________________________________ do hereby grant permission for pictures to be taken of my child for the purpose of publicity for Watertown Community Education’s programs. I understand that photo’s may be published in local papers, on the website, on Watertown Community Education run social media sites, or in future brochures for Watertown Community Education’s programs. 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Parent(s)/Guardian(s)                                                                                              Date

THIS FORM MAY NOT BE ALTERED

You've probably heard of the "getting" days known as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but have you heard of the global giving day known as #GivingTuesday? That is the day that nonprofit causes around the world seek to raise funds for their critical work. I am writing to let you know that our project will be participating in #GivingTuesday as part of our fundraising campaign for Watertown's School Gardens. SeedMoney still has grants that it will be awarded and your donation helps position us to receive one. You can donate to our campaign by going here: 

https://donate.seedmoney.org/1743/growing-watertown-s-learning-garden-programs-in-grades-k-12

Thanks for helping us to get this holiday season off to a good, giving start!

Lowell School Newsletter

Winter Weather Recess

Our daily routine at the James Russell Lowell School includes outdoor recess. Generations of schoolchildren have counted the minutes and anticipate the short block of free time to play. New research shows that this unstructured playtime with sunshine and fresh air improves overall school performance. It also stimulates brain activity.

Outdoor air in the winter is more humid and much fresher than indoor air, which tends to be more drying to mucous membranes increasing nosebleeds, chapped lip, impetigo and upper respiratory infections. Being active everyday will help make child less vulnerable to illnesses in cold weather.

Children are so excited to go outside when the snow is whirling. To ensure that children have a safe, and fun winter recess be sure to send your child to school with: a winter jacket, a warm hat, warm gloves or mittens, boots, and snow pants. Please keep an extra change of clothes in your child’s backpack, especially dry socks.

Your child’s health is an important part of the educational process. All children need daily exercise and fresh air to remain healthy and alert. Temperatures will be monitored from local news stations for unsafe weather conditions. Winter is not a reason to stay inside.

Cold and Flu Season Tips

Students in grade Pre-K and Kindergarten have had a mini lesson on Flu, colds, handwashing, cough and sneeze etiquette, and universal precautions. The children viewed a video, “Scikids, Colds, the Flu and you” which can be viewed on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uzNnKm41W8

Ms. Donahue and Ms. Loguidice are doing a germ buster health lesson activity in the student’s PE class this week.

Thank you, Nurse Taverna, Ms. Donahue and Ms. Loguidice

Mr. Fiandaca’s First Grade Class...Thankful!

Message from our Technology Curriculum Coordinator:

Next week, December 4-10, begins the Hour of Code.  This is the 6th year that WPS has hosted and participated in the Hour of Code.  Watertown Schools will be promoting coding for the entire month of December. All students in grades PreK through fifth grade will be taking time to code during library and technology classes sometime during the month of December.  Several classroom teachers in different grades will also be coding in their classroom.

Students in grades 6-12 will be coding in their math classrooms.

For the second year, both WPS and Watertown Free Public Library will be working together to promote coding and will be offering coding opportunities for students and adults all of next week.

If you would like to code in your classroom, please click the link below to learn more about coding.  

Happy Coding!

Hour of Code Website (how to teach an hour of code in your classroom):

https://hourofcode.com/us/how-to

Hour of Code Video (how to teach an hour of code)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=61&v=SrnvvWDm73k

Why Hour of Code?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYZF6oIZtfc

When is the Hour of Code?

The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week. The 2017 Computer Science Education Week will be December 4-10, but you can host an Hour of Code all year round. Computer Science Education Week is held annually in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).

Why computer science?

Every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. It helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. By starting early, students will have a foundation for success in any 21st-century career path. See more stats here.

How do I participate in the Hour of Code?

Start planning here by reviewing our how-to guide. You can organize an Hour of Code event at your school or in your community — like in an extracurricular club, non-profit or at work. Or, just try it yourself when Dec. 4 arrives.

Preview YouTube video How to Run an Hour of Code

How to Run an Hour of C

Anybody Can Learn - 60 sec teaser

First Grade

Thanksgiving Feast

Sweet Potato Pancakes

From the Lowell’s

Learning Garden

THIS WEEK’S

TOP STORY

Report Cards go home Monday, December 4th

Parent Teacher Conferences

Conferences will be held on the following dates.

Wednesday, December 6th – Evening conferences – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday, December 7th – 12:15 dismissal  

• lunch is served
• Extended Day and Boys & Girls club open
• Afternoon conferences – 1:00 – 2:40

Tuesday, December 12th – Evening conferences – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Thursday, December 14th – 12:15 dismissal

• lunch is served
• Extended Day and Boys & Girls club open
• Afternoon conferences – 1:00 – 2:40

Families can sign up on the conference using this website. Website sign ups will be available Wednesday, November 29th.

Dates: Event: Time/Location:

December 4th	Buddies Assembly	1:00-2:00
December 5th	PTO Meeting	6:30-7:30
December 6th	Evening Parent/ Teacher Conferences	6:00-8:00 pm
December 7th	School Council	7:00-8:00 pm
December 7th	Early Release	12:15 am
December 7th	Parent/Teacher Conferences	1:00-2:30
December 11th- 15th	Scholastic Book Fair	All Week!
December 12th	Evening Parent/Teacher Conferences	6:00-8:00 pm
December 13th	Grade Level Meetings	2:45-4:24 pm
December 13th	Winter Concert	1:30 pm
December 14th	Early Release	12:15 pm
December 14th	Parent/Teacher Conferences	1:00-2:30
December 15th	Literacy Night	6:00-8:00 pm
December 20th	PLT Meeting	2:45-3:45 pm
December 25th - 29th	Winter Break	Return to school on January 2nd