News Blog

In addition to the work teachers and students are doing in the classroom to get ready for ISTEP, Lowell is offiering extra help before and after school for select students.

ACUITY CLUB

Acuity Club will meet on Thursday mornings from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  Third and fourth graders will be receiving extra math help during this time.  Transportation will not be provided in the mornings.  Listed below are the dates that Acuity Club will be meeting. 

Thursday 2/9

Thursday 2/16

Thursday 2/23

Thursday 3/1

A+/Pass + Clubs

A+ Club/Pass +  - will be offered for any recommended students in grades 3-4.   In addition to the work that teachers and students are doing in the classroom to get ready, we are offering after-school tutoring for select students.  Each session will begin immediately after school and conclude by 4:35 p.m.  Bus transportation will be provided if parents indicate his/her student would need a ride. Listed below are the dates that both A+ Club and Pass + Club are meeting.  

Wednesday 2/8

Thursday 2/9

Wednesday 2/15

Thursday 2/16

Wednesday 2/22

Thursday 2/23

Wednesday 2/29

Thursday 3/1

Together, by clipping all those little Box Tops coupons, we’ve earned over $1,200 this year for Lowell.   Please remember to keep sending them in with your students.  Thank you!

 

Colder weather is here, and we will continue to have outdoor recess when the playground is free of snow.  The boys and girls will not go out when it is raining or snowing, in extremely cold or windy weather, or when the playground surface is hazardous.  Be sure that your boys and girls come to school with APPROPRIATE COATS, HATS AND GLOVES FOR OUTDOOR WEAR.  If your child is recovering from a cold or other illness, a note from a parent will be sufficient to keep him in at recess time for one day.  If it is necessary for a pupil to remain inside for an extended period of a few days or more, we request a note from a doctor.

 

During lessons on friendly letters, second grade students at Lowell Elementary connected virtually with Mrs. Claus at the North Pole. She talked to them about what makes up the parts of a friendly letter and did a lot of fun activities via Skype. During this time, other schools around the United States connected at the same time. Lowell students in Mrs. Massey’s, Mrs. Walls, and Miss Hartman’s class connected not only with Mrs. Claus but also with a school located in Alaska and another one in Texas!
 

First and Second graders at Lowell Elementary spend time during Christmas with senior citizens at Autumn Glenn Retirement Home in Warren Township. 


Mya Stierwalt, first grader in Mrs. Lynch's room and Alice Harker, resident at Autumn Glenn.

 

At Lowell Elementary School, students are encouraged to chew bubblegum at school – but only during writing time. In the MSD of Warren Township, all schools provide forty-five minutes of daily writing time in each classroom. This time is called Writer’s Workshop. Part of Writer’s Workshop involves students thinking and writing independently. During that time, students at Lowell are allowed to chew bubblegum. Hannah Parker in Mrs. Stierwalt’s class enjoyed chewing bubblegum and writing a personal narrative about a special Christmas moment.

Please help us to guarantee your child's attendance at school every day!  The MSD of Warren Township has set a goal of 97% attendance.  We are striving to meet this goal, but we need your help.  Students who are meeting or exceeding this goal will miss no more than 5 days per school year.
 

The time has come to make the kindness connection.  Lowell students will participate in the 9th Annual Kindness and Justice Challenge, January 13 - February 24.  If you are interested in volunteering time to help with Lowell's challenge, please contact Christy Hartman at 869-1517.


 

Parents who are dropping off students in the morning in the front of the school should YIELD to school buses that are coming into school on the south side school entrance on Hunter Road. 
 

Third grade students at Lowell Elementary collected can foods for Love Indy. Love Indy is a program that collects lunches for families who have difficulty feeding their children when school isn’t in session. 

 

Fourth grade teacher Michele Reid and Literacy Coach Debbie Girard at Lowell Elementary received a Warren Arts and Education Grant for a class set of whisper phones.  These phones are used by all students so they can hear their voices reading when they are whispering.  Not only does it cut down on the noise in the classroom, but it also helps learners focus on what they are reading.

Christmas is coming and it is time to help decorate Lowell’s Christmas tree with gloves and scarves.  We are asking everyone to help us trim the tree by bringing in new scarves, hats or mittens and gloves.  As we receive these items, they will be placed on our giving tree.  All items will then be donated to a charity before leaving for our winter break.  Please help us to help others by donating these items.




 

As often as weather permits, Lowell students will go outside for recess.  Therefore, it is important that the children wear apparel that will permit sufficient warmth against cooler temperatures.  Children are expected to go out for recess unless they are recovering from a recent illness.  Any request for extended time of staying in from recess must be accompanied with a doctor’s statement.



 

This year’s Holiday Program is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20, at Lowell Elementary at 7:00 p.m. We are featuring our third graders.  An all school performance for students only will be held during the day.
 

The Lowell Student Council is sponsoring a canned food drive again this year.  Our food drive begins on  December 1 and ends on Wednesday, December 21.  All canned foods will be given to families in need.  Please send only canned or boxed foods – NO GLASS PLEASE.  Thanks for helping those who are less fortunate.




 

Many students are seen in the school clinic each day. As a result, we are running low on several items that are needed to help keep the clinic stocked. If you are willing to donate any of the items listed below, we would be very grateful. You can send items in a bag with CLINIC marked on the bag. Thanks so much for always helping Lowell students!

CLINIC NEEDS:  Sandwich or Snack baggies for ice packs, Kleenex, Small plastic or Dixie cups (1-2 ozs.),  Band-aids, disinfecting wipes, Baby wipes , Clothing—Small Sizes 6-8,  Sweat Pants, Underwear (especially small sizes), and Socks!

Lowell Spirit Wear is a great idea for Christmas gifts.  Orders are now being accepted.  An order form is attached to this Lantern for your convenience. A display of the items are located across from the front office.  The deadline for orders is December 2.   Please indicate on the form if the Spirit Wear is a Christmas gift.



 

All Lowell parents are invited to the final two sessions of Triple P.  Triple P is an excellent Parenting Program that is offered to help parents with questions or concerns about their child. Our first session covered discipline/compliance and was enjoyed by all parents in attendance.  You can still attend the final two sessions covering Self-Esteem and Homework. The dates are November 16 and November 21 at 6:30 p.m.  Dinner is FREE for all parents.  The program is from 7:00—8:00 p.m.   It is well worth your time!

Parents – you are very important to your child’s education!  The emphasis you place on learning will be reflected in your child’s school progress.  If you were not able to attend your child’s conference before break, please call school to arrange another time to meet.  Please stay involved in your child’s school life.  Visit often!  Help your child with homework, read together, and talk about school with your child.  YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION!

Thank you to our PTA, staff, parents and students for making Lowell’s 3rd Annual Fall Festival a HUGE success.  Students and their families enjoyed a chili supper, the Haunted Cabin (scary and non-scary times), Halloween story times and our pumpkin auction.  Proceeds from the Haunted Cabin and pumpkin auction went to help a Lowell student and her family.  Students wore their Halloween costumes and enjoyed being a “ghoul”  at school.

 

Approximately 100 Lowell students participated in Warren Central's Homefest Fun Run on September 23. 
 

The countdown has begun for the Book Fair "To the Book Fair and Beyond! Reading is Out of this World!"  The Scholastic Book Fair will be at Lowell October 31 - November 4.  Volunteers are needed.  Please complete the form and return to school.

Volunteer form (pdf)>>>

Lowell’s third annual Fall Festival is scheduled for Thursday, October 27 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.  The evening’s activities will include a haunted cabin,  dinner, coloring contest, trick or treats, Halloween story time and our fabulous Pumpkin Auction.  We hope everyone will plan to attend. 




 

The Lowell Garage Sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 1 from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The sale will be held at Lowell with proceeds from the sale being donated to the family of a Lowell student who is a patient at Riley Hospital.



 

Please encourage your child’s PERFECT ATTENDANCE.  All children who have perfect attendance in September will earn a special Lowell Team wristband!



 

Fourth grade choir begins on September 13.  Practices are scheduled every Tuesday at 7:40 a.m. and parents are responsible for transportation.  Students must return a signed permission slip to participate.  Please email Mrs. Conway at jconway@warren.k12.in.us with any questions.
 

First grade students at Lowell Elementary enjoyed a beautiful wedding on the 18th day of August, 2011.  Students shared in the excitement with Q and U, as they exchanged wedding vows, promising to be quite happy together, making words in Letter Land, like quiet and quaint.  First grade students dressed in their best queen and quarterback attire for the festivities.  They sang, blew bubbles, and even had wedding cake.  This event will be remembered by every student for many years to come.  The most important thing, however, is that students will never forget that U is always joined with Q when she is present in a word.  First grade parent Mrs. Horton even brought her little U groom a top hat, which is a family heirloom, to wear in the wedding.

Students at Lowell Elementary showed off their new t-shirts on Friday, August 19th.  Everyone at Lowell received a shirt with this year's theme: WE ARE LOWELL: Respectful Friends, Responsible Citizens, Relentless Learners.  Each class met with the principal, Mrs. Howard, to discuss school goals and expectations.  Students will wear their shirts for spirit days this year.
 

Runners' Club begins on Monday, August 22nd.  Kindergarten through 4th graders can participate.  More information will be coming home with students soon.  All runners need a signed permission slip to participate.


 

State mandated hearing screening for grade 1 and grade 4 students will be conducted during the week of August 15th.  If you wish for your child to not receive a hearing screening, please send a note to the school office.
 

Lowell's fourth graders will be learning Spanish this year.  Warren Township has adopted the Rosetta Stone software program to help teach Spanish to fourth graders.


 

Lowell Elementary would like to thank our PTA for their generous donation of $5,000.  The money will go to help fund field trips, convocations, parent programs and various other projects to help Lowell's children.


 

Lowell Elementary will host its annual Back-to-School Night on Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m.


 

You may now find school supply lists, registration information, immunization requirements, and textbook rental fee information for the 2011-2012 school year under the PARENTS/RESOURCES tab at the top of the home page.


 

Teachers are heroes in the eyes of children every day.  At Lowell Elementary School, teachers and other staff members proved their heroism last spring when their Principal, Susan Howard, collapsed during a staff meeting.  The collapse was caused by a rare heart rhythm problem called Ventricular Fibrillation, which causes the heart to stop pumping blood to the brain.  Had it not been for the heroic efforts of six Lowell staff members, Mrs. Howard would probably not have survived.  Staff members employed CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator to restore their Principal's heartbeat and breathing and were hailed as heroes by the local community.  This week, their recognition was extended to the Indiana State Senate.  Senator Patricia Miller introduced a resolution on the floor of the Indiana Senate to recognize and honor the following staff members:  Christy Hartman, Candy Gauer, Jennifer Perkins, Anne McGrath Crump, Dave Stroud, and Brooke Austin for their valiant efforts in a crisis situation.  Each of the staff members was introduced, and received a copy of the Senate Resolution citing their heroic efforts.

We are busy preparing our third and fourth grade students for the ISTEP+ test.  As a parent, you can be an active participant in getting your child ready.  Here are a few steps that you can do to help your child for the test.

1. Come to school every day.
2. Make sure that your child gets to school on time each day. (8:30 a.m.)
3. Eat a great breakfast at home or school.
4. Go to bed early so that your child will be well-rested.
5. Provide plenty of encouragement to ensure that to ensure that your child does his/her personal best on the ISTEP+ test!

We need your help to get your child ready and to do the best they can on the test.    These simple steps can make all the difference.

Fourth and fifth grade teachers Ms. Eileen McGinley at Raymond Park Intermediate Academy, Mr. Greg Butler at Hawthorne Elementary, and Ms. Meg Niehaus at Lowell Elementary and their students will be participating in an exciting distance learning program during the month of February entitled "One Book-One Nation."  For the past few weeks, Ms. McGinley, Mr. Butler, and Ms. Niehaus have been collaborating with media specialist, Ms. Tonya Martin, to choose a novel, plan activities, and connect with another school in the United States.  The program will run approximately four weeks with Raymond Park connecting with a school in Louisiana, Hawthorne with a school in New Jersey, and Lowell with a school in Texas.  The novel, "Emily's Fortune" by Phyllis Naylor, will either be read, listened to via MP3 player or a combination of both.  Corresponding literacy, math and social studies activities, written by the Warren teachers and their partner teachers in the other three states, will then be conducted in each classroom.  The students will then meet via distance learning to see and hear their partner school discuss the book and do activities together.  The initial "meet and greet" will allow the Warren students to tell their team school what makes their class in Warren Township and their state of Indiana special.  The Warren students will then listen to their team school talk about their location and classroom and what it is like to live in a different region of the United States.  Many of the participating student in the Warren schools have been pouring into the libraray checking out books and getting online to research the state they will be partnered with.  The final culminating activity at the end of the project will connect all six classrooms with an Internet "bridge" service so that all six classrooms can virtually be connected and celebrate all theie hard work together.  This program was supported through a grant provided by Meijer located on East Washington Street.

Warren students will not only be engaged in the story and learn comprehension strategies, but they will have the opportuntity to chart out and practice map and math skills during the "One Book-One Nation" activity.  How many miles will Warren students cover?  To find that out, the students will need to chart out and determine how many miles there are between all of the states!

Lowell staff and students collected nearly 1,800 canned/boxed goods for Old Bethel Food Pantry. We also collected 63 items (hats, gloves/mittens and scarves) for our giving tree. Those items were donated to the Sanctuary Church and distributed to homeless families.

It's time to make the kindness connection - January 10th! The National Kindness and Justice Challenge is a celebration of the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lowell students will participate in the 8th Annual Kindness and Justice Challenge. They will participate in activities that build an understanding of how simple acts of kindness and justice make a tremendous impact on our community and our world. If you are interested in volunteering time during the Kindness and Justice Challenge, please contact Christy Hartman at 869-1517.

Children and teachers began the new school year at Lowell Elementary School  on August 2^nd,  with one unified purpose...one vision...WE ARE LOWELL!  Lowell is a school where "Everybody is Somebody Special."  Every teacher, every parent, and every student, even the 300+  new families who arrived for the 2010-2011 school year, were promised to be welcomed, loved and held to high expectations.  That is the "Lowell Way."  Lowell is a school that continually strives for excellence and has achieved 4 Star status five times. To show family spirit and united efforts, all students and staff were given a brand new T-shirt, on August 6^th, to show Lowell pride.  On the shirt was this year's motto:  WE ARE LOWELL - Learners, Leaders, Listeners, Leopards.   Teachers and students are excited about the year ahead as they develop into the Lowell team!

The Lowell family is proud to announce that Ms. Kris Presley was named Warren Township Teacher of the Year at our Back-to-School meeting for all Warren staff members.  Ms. Presley was nominated by the Lowell staff for this award. Each year, one teacher from the entire district is chosen from among all district nominees. Ms. Presley teaches fourth grade at Lowell and has been a teacher here for over 20 years. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and care for students make her an excellent choice for the award.

Lowell held our annual "School is Cool" back to school night on Thursday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m.  Lowell students found their classrooms, met their teachers,  heard what is happening with the PTA and received an ice cream treat.  Every student at Lowell received a t-shirt with our 2010 school theme: WE ARE LOWELL.  Students and staff have enjoyed wearing the shirts on spirit days building our team!

Lowell students and teachers did it again. Lowell has been designated as a Four Star School for the fifth time! To earn this award, a school must be fully accredited and must meet Adequate Yearly Progress requirements. A school must perform in the top 25 percent of all schools in the state for the following: ISTEP+ Percent Passing both English/Language Arts and Math, ISTEP+ Language Proficiency and Attendance Rate. THIS AWARD IS EARNED THROUGH MUCH HARD WORK AND EFFORT BY OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS!