Lowry Elementary

Parent/Student Handbook

2014-2015 School Year

Lowry Elementary School

8001 East Cedar Avenue

Denver, CO 80230

(720) 424-5910

The Lowry Way:

At Lowry, we create opportunities to soar. At Lowry, we take responsibility for our education. At Lowry, we embrace our lives with compassion for each other. At Lowry, we strive to do our best and help others along the way. At Lowry, we show respect by fostering honesty and integrity. At Lowry, we love learning and have fun.

Lowry Elementary School Information:

Lowry Elementary School is a Denver Public School located in the redeveloped Lowry neighborhood, which is a successful model of

urban renewal located on the former Lowry Air Force Base offering educational, residential, commercial and recreational

opportunities. Our community is fortunate to have a wide and inclusive representation of diverse cultural and social economic

backgrounds—this diversity is represented in our school’s population. Lowry Elementary’s state-of-the-art educational facility

opened its doors in 2002. This is our neighborhood elementary school, and a center of neighborhood activity—a place of learning,

sharing, and promoting the joys of childhood.

Lowry provides early childhood education (“ECE”) through Fifth grade classroom instruction, as well as art, music, library,

technology, physical education, dance, drama, special education, English as a Second Language (ESL), Gifted and Talented services,

and community-wide character education. Lowry has an excellent teaching staff dedicated to providing students exciting,

challenging academic opportunities that motivate Lowry students to aim high, love school, work hard, and earn a well-rounded

rigorous primary education. In addition, before-and-after-school childcare is located on the premises.

We offer a vibrant after-school enrichment program, drama programs, community events, and a community garden, which are

made possible by our active Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). The amazing and essential fundraising effort of our Eagle Fund

Committee has allowed Lowry to keep lower teacher/student ratios by providing funding for additional teachers and

paraprofessionals. This has enabled our school to enhance its academic offerings. An involved and committed parent community

has been, and continues to be, an integral to the success of Lowry Elementary. Our Collaborative School Committee comprised of

staff, parents, and community members presents a strong voice that represents our growing and energetic community. Through

high standards and expectations of all students, teachers, administrators and parents, we are one of the premier schools in the city.

Who was Lt. Francis B. Lowry?

Francis Brown Lowry was born in Denver on December 1, 1894. He attended Denver Public Schools and

graduated from Manual High School in 1913. He graduated from the College of Engineering at the

University of Michigan. Immediately after graduation, he volunteered for the Army.

Second Lieutenant Lowry died September 26, 1918, when, while serving as an aerial observer, his plane

was shot down by German anti-aircraft fire. He was originally buried in Argonne Cemetery in Romagne,

France. In 1921, his remains were transferred to Denver’s Fairmount Cemetery, adjacent to the land

that was to become Lowry Field.

His commander described him as a strong, sincere, cheerful character with quiet humor and a warm

smile. He was reliable and understood the value of teamwork. In 1924, the Colorado National Guard named its new airfield in

honor of Lt. Lowry.

(Thanks to the Lowry Foundation and Aviation Space Center of the Rockies for this information.)

School Hours:

Office Hours: 7:00 am-3:30 pm

ECE: 8:10 am-10:55 am (AM Class)

12:15 pm-3:00 pm (PM Class)

Half-Day Kindergarten: 8:10 am-10:55 am

All-Day Kinder through 5th Grade: 8:10 am-3:00 pm

Kaleidoscope Program: Early Risers: 6:30 am-8:10 am

After School 3:00 pm-6:00 pm

Important Phone Numbers and Websites:

Lowry Elementary Office Phone: (720) 424-5910

Attendance Line (24 hours/day) (720) 424-5913

Lowry Fax Number (720) 424-5935

Lowry Web Page http://lowry.dpsk12.org/

Kaleidoscope (on site) (720) 424-5965

DPS Website http://www.dpsk12.org/

WELCOME TO THE LOWRY FAMILY!!!

THE ABC’S OF LOWRY ELEMENTARY:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A:

Absences:

Please call the attendance line (720) 424-5913 by 8:30 am if your child will be absent. The school office will contact the parents

whose children are marked absent if the children have not been called in. We appreciate your call so that we do not have to bother

you at work.

Allergies:

Please alert your child’s teacher AND the office of any allergies your child has (even if you don’t foresee your child coming into

contact with the allergen while at school). We will have our School Nurse route the information to the staff members that need to

be informed. If your child has a food allergy, we will also include our Kitchen Manager in the discussion.

Accidents at School:

In spite of our best efforts to enforce safety expectations and to provide supervision, students sometimes get hurt at school. The

majority of these accidents happen during recess time on the playground. When a child is hurt, we first check to see if he/she

requires first aid, which we administer immediately. In extreme cases, we will call 911. A school accident report will be filled out

when there are obvious signs of injury, or if a head injury is involved. In these cases, parents will be notified. It is essential that the

emergency contact information is always kept up to date in the office, so please alert the office of any changes.

Assessments:

Assessment is an important aspect of teaching and learning. It is an ongoing process in every

classroom. You will hear your child’s teacher talk about reading levels (DRA) and about making sure

that math concepts are “secure.” These words are part of the language that teachers use to know what

your child has learned or where your child might need extra support (known as intervention). We use

the data from these assessments to help us guide our instruction.

The TCAP test (Colorado state test) is a required state assessment designed to hold schools accountable

for student learning. It is given in the spring to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and is a snapshot of their

learning. The results of the assessment are analyzed to help us know how to further improve our instruction.

The rules of TCAP are very firm and the dates are set by the state. It is essential that you plan vacations, sporting events and family

events around these assessments, as there is a very small window when we are able to test the students.

PLEASE ENTER THESE TESTING DATES INTO YOUR SCHEDULES RIGHT AWAY:

All Grades ACCESS TEST (English Language Learners) Jan. 7, 2014-Feb. 3, 2014

Grade 3 TCAP (Reading Only) Feb. 24, 2014-March 28, 2013

Grades 3-5 TCAP Feb. 24, 2014-March 28, 2014

Grades 4-5 Social Studies and Science Testing April 14, 2014-May 2, 2014

Assemblies:

Throughout the year, students will be exposed to a variety of cultural and educational programs sponsored

by grants, PTO funds, or our school budget. It is not always possible for parents/guardians and siblings who

do not attend Lowry Elementary to attend these assemblies. If you want to attend a performance, please

check with the front office ahead of time to ensure that there is room.

Attendance Policy:

There is a direct correlation between good attendance and achievement in school. To ensure successful learning of skills, students

are expected to attend school on a daily basis. Please make every effort to see that your child is on time and in school daily. Being

late has a significant negative impact on the classroom and learning.

Perfect attendance means that there are no tardies and the child attends every day.

Tardies: The first bell rings at 8:10, at which time students will line up and be walked into the school to be in the classroom

READY TO LEARN by 8:15 am. Students who arrive after the 8:20 bell are TARDY and must stop by the office to pick up a

purple tardy slip.

Habitual truancies and tardies will be reported to the School Administration and may need to go to court.

Avid 4 Adventure:

Every other year Lowry participates in Avid 4 Adventure. This program is sponsored by our PTO and is

available to all students’ in grades 1 through 5. This exciting fitness opportunity will be held in October

2013. More information will be coming from the PTO at registration and early in the fall.

B:

Basketball Team:

The Lowry Basketball team practices during the winter and spring, and games are played against a few of our neighboring

schools. To be on the basketball team, students must try out and maintain good grades and school behavior.

Before-and-After-School Care:

Kaleidoscope is a school age before and after school care program provided at Lowry. Please visit their website at

www.kaleidoscope.dpsk12.org or call 720-424-8291.

Behavioral Expectations:

Lowry has three basic expectations: BE SAFE….BE RESPECTFUL….BE RESPONSIBLE. In the beginning of the school year, the students

will be taught what these expectations look like in different environments throughout the school. They will learn what it looks like

and sounds like to be “safe, respectful and responsible” in the bathroom, hallway, lunchroom, office, library, etc.

Birthday Treat Guidelines:

Please contact your child’s teacher if you plan to bring in a birthday treat for your child. Each classroom

handles birthdays in a different manner. Some will do all of the birthdays for the month on the same day

and then ask each birthday child to bring in something different. If your child has a specific food allergy,

please let the teacher know right away so that he/she can alert the other parents. We ask that if you send

something for the treat, it should be store-bought or in a package. Also, many parents have opted to do

non-food treats like pencils, small toys, and balloons.

Breakfast and Lunch at School:

In all DPS schools, our foods are cooked from “scratch” there are fresh salad bars! Lowry’s kitchen staff

has been through 36 hours of training in the Culinary Arts of Baking, Cooking, Cold Food Prep and Food

Safety. The Lowry kitchen staff bakes bread each day (all DPS breads are baked from scratch except

sliced breads and bagels). Produce for the salad bar, side dishes and entrees are purchased from our very

own Lowry Victory Garden, our DPS urban farms (located at Bradley and McGlone), and the State of

Colorado. When these producers are out of season, we purchase from other areas of the United

States. We use fresh lean ground beef for burgers, meatloaf, spaghetti and others. Our meals are

affordable ($1.50 elementary, $1.75 middle and $2.35 high school) and are student-friendly. Along with

our regular selections, we offer, daily, a vegetarian choice, peanut butter and jelly or honey, daily, and yogurt and cheese stick daily,

and several times a week we offer toasted cheese sandwiches. For families on the go, your Lowry Lunchroom staff is here for you!

Building Usage:

When parents or organizations wish to use the Lowry building, they need to go through the Community Use Department for DPS. If

a parent or staff member wishes to use a room during regular school hours, the first step is to email Saul Hernandez, our Facilities

Manager, to ensure that the room is available. He can reserve the rooms for you. His email address is Saul_Hernandez@dpsk12.org.

Building Security:

There are many efforts that are made to keep everyone safe. To begin, all of our doors are locked throughout the school day. The

only doors that are unlocked are the front and back door at the very beginning and the very end of the day during school drop-off

and pick-up. If you come during the day, you will need to buzz in for the office to unlock the door. You will then be asked to come

to the office to be checked in. During school hours, visitors can only enter through the front doors.

Bully Prevention:

Bullying is taken very seriously at Lowry. We begin talking about it on day one. We talk about it

proactively in class so that children learn how to recognize the many forms of bullying. Not only do

we address physical bullying, we also address cyber-bullying and social bullying. Social bullying

(leaving people out, shunning, intimidating, and teasing) is harder to spot, but JUST AS DETRIMENTAL!

Therefore, we help our students learn to recognize all forms of bullying.

In PE class, the students are introduced to the “Safe Buddies” program. Each child is able to choose

three members of the staff, from their pictures posted in the gym, and those staff members are the student’s “go-to staff” in the

event that the child is getting bullied. Our staff has agreed to take it seriously when a child reports bullying and we promise to

investigate the situation immediately. If you have any questions about this program, feel free to contact Coach Hartman, our PE

instructor. You might take a moment to ask your child who his or her “safe buddy” is at Lowry.

There are guidance lessons throughout the year by our guidance counselor, Ms. Patricia Vaughan, on a variety of bullying issues, as

well as other important social skills. Feel free to talk to Ms. Patricia Vaughan if you have specific questions or if you feel your child

needs some extra support.

At Lowry we also discuss the importance of students not being “bystanders” but instead being “by-doers!” We teach strategies for

how students can safely do something about bullying when they see it occur. We talk about all of the ways they can do something

about it safely when they see someone getting bullied so that they have a variety of strategies from which to choose.

When bullying occurs, we handle it in the office in accordance with the bullying policy for the school district. We frequently use

restorative justice lessons that require the child bullying to find a way to fix their issue immediately and to take responsibility for

those he/she has hurt. In addition, we also watch for retaliation of any kind. As a concerned parent, it may be tempting to address a

bully on your own. PLEASE do not do this under any circumstance. If you are ever concerned about a potential bullying situation,

please contact your child’s teacher or the office.

C:

Cell Phones:

Please do not send cell phones with your child. If you need to get in touch with your child during the day, please call

the office and we will relay the message for you. If your child needs the cell phone for after school, please direct him

or her to keep it OFF during the school day and keep it in the backpack. Also, please understand that the school does

not take responsibility for any broken or stolen cell phones.

Character Education Information:

Because education is social and emotional, in addition to the academics, part of our school’s improvement plan includes the

character education program. We wrap our character education program around our school-wide expectations: be safe, be

respectful, and be responsible.

Chess Club:

The chess club is a club run by volunteer parents. In the past they have met weekly in the library at 7:30 on

Thursdays. Please be watching the weekly newsletter for more information.

Child Protection:

Colorado state law requires all school personnel to report any and all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect to their local

Department of Social Services immediately. The law is very clear that there does not need to be physical proof of abuse in order to

be reported, nor is it the school’s responsibility to investigate any allegations. As “Mandatory Reporters”, if school personnel have a

reasonable suspicion that abuse may have taken place, a call MUST be made. It then becomes Social Service’s responsibility to

investigate any reports. Failure to report suspected abuse or neglect on the part of school officials could lead to fines, loss of

license, and imprisonment.

Children’s Behavioral and Emotional Support:

There are many types of support services for students and parents at Lowry. For students needing extra support, they are

encouraged to see our Guidance Counselor for individual help. We also run many types of groups throughout the year-conflict

resolution, middle school transitions, friendship building, and whatever we see a need for or is requested. For students that need

more ongoing or more intensive support, we make a referral to the University of Colorado at Denver Student and Community Clinic,

which is located downtown on the Aurora Campus. Each student in Denver Public Schools is able to have 10 free visits at the clinic.

We are also lucky to have a Children First counselor, Liz Schulte, who is available two days a week. She can take up to 12 students, by

referral of a teacher, or by a request from a parent.

Dr. Sussi Raber, our school psychologist, is also available Wednesday, Thursdays, and every other Friday.

Classroom Assignments:

It is our intention to place students in the best academic situation for their development. The

student’s previous teachers place returning students in order to form strong instructional groups.

Other considerations include: English Language supports needed, gender, special education needs,

ethnicity, behavioral supports needed, class sizes, etc. Most students benefit from a variety of

teaching styles, but if you have particular concerns that you feel your child would benefit from a

particular type of classroom environment, that request must be made in writing to the principal in

the spring semester prior and are not guaranteed.

If a parent feels that the teacher and the child are not a good match, please take the following steps:

1. Give the student at least 3 weeks to adjust.

2. Observe in the classroom at least once.

3. Meet with the teacher and attempt to work out the problem.

4. Meet with the principal and the teacher in an attempt to work out the situation.

5. The principal will decide what is in the best interest of the child and the other classroom students’ learning.

Class Sizes:

Our class sizes range around 23 to 27 students. These numbers are right in line with all of the other elementary schools in DPS.

Collaborative School Committee:

The Collaborative School Committee is a representative board consisting of the principal, principal resident, elected

parent representatives, teachers, support staff, and community members. Their purpose is to plan and implement

strategies for the achievement of all students. They do this by creating, guiding, and evaluating the Unified

Improvement Plan (UIP). The CSC is the policy-setting and decision-making body of our school. It does not operate on

a budget, but makes decisions on how funds received from DPS and supplementary grants would be best spent to

support the UIP.

Communicating with Teachers:

There are many ways in which you can contact your child’s teacher. The teachers are open for

visits before and after school. The teachers arrive at school by 7:30 am and they leave after 3:15

pm. Teachers always appreciate prior notice for a meeting so they can ensure that they bring the

proper information with them, and so that they can ensure they are ready for the day without

needing their extra prep time in the morning. If you wish to see the teacher in person, before and

after school are always good times to find him or her, with the exception of Wednesday mornings when they are in meetings. The

teachers pick up the children on the playground every morning and walk them outside at the end of the day.

If you need to talk to the teacher during the school day, please call the main line 720-424-5910. The secretary will let you know

when the teacher has a free period. If you are asked to leave a message, we will ensure that the teacher receives your message right

away. It is our goal to NOT interrupt instruction unless it is an emergency. Finally, the teachers can also be reached by email. Their

email addresses can be found in the first few pages of the handbook as well as on the website. We ask that parents allow teachers

24 hours to respond to emails. If you have a question or concern with something that you have heard about the classroom or

teacher, please go to the teacher first to clarify and to work out a solution before coming to the office. Many concerns are easily

cleared up with open honest communication.

Communication School-wide:

We are always looking for parents who would like to get involved at Lowry Elementary. The first step is to be sure you are getting

the weekly email Blast from the PTO, email LowryBlast@gmail.com to be added to our email list. This email provides information on

many of the things going on at Lowry Elementary and in our community. If you wish to volunteer in the school building or attend

field trips, you will need to fill out a background check. An online form can be found also linked to this page or you may pick one up

from the Community table outside the Community Room. Attending PTO meetings will help find the right place to plug in and to join

a fun group of parents. PTO meetings are the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm in the school Library. For more information,

visit http://lowry.dpsk12.org/?page_id=372 . The Collaborative School Committee is another group of parents, staff and community

members that welcome new faces. For more information, visit http://lowry.dpsk12.org/?page_id=355 . Teachers are often looking

for help in their classrooms for many sorts of projects, from math to reading to helping organize books, and helping with the Auction

projects. Contact your student's teacher for more information on how they could use your help.

D:

Dress Code:

Lowry Elementary School has a dress code which was decided upon by the planning community for the school

when it opened in 2002. The committee consisted of community members, DPS staff, and administration. The

dress code helps us keep the focus on learning.

Many of the uniform clothing items can be found at local discount stores. The school also has a “clothing closet”

of new and used clothing that has been donated if you are in need of clothing for your child. If you have “dress

code” clothes that you no longer use, please bring them to the office to donate to the “clothing closet.”

If your child is not wearing clothes which adhere to the dress code, he or she will be asked to change into a borrowed shirt/pants

from the office. Please help your child feel connected to the classroom immediately by ensuring that your child is dressed properly

for the day.

Note: All clothing should be free from tears or frays.

Shirts: solid red, white, or blue. The shirts should be tucked in or no longer than mid-hip. No logos other than the Lowry Eagle

should be on the shirt. There is no collar required, but sleeves are required. The Super Citizen Shirts are also included in the dress

code.

Pants: Solid blue (including denim), black, or khaki. Pants should be worn at the waist without bagging or sagging.

Shorts, Jumpers, Skirts: Solid blue (including denim), black, or khaki, at least mid-thigh length, and jumper straps must remain on

the shoulders. No bike or athletic shorts.

Dresses: Solid blue (including denim), black, khaki, red or white. Dresses should be worn at least mid-thigh length.

Sweaters, Sweatshirts, Vests: Solid red, white, or blue. No longer than mid-hip. No logos other than the Lowry Eagle.

Shoes: Shoes need to be closed toe, no flip-flops, no slippers.

Headwear: No hats or sunglasses. No do-rags or skullies.

*Please note that “free dress days” will occur throughout the school year, so please watch the Thursday folder for these days.

Picture days are ALWAYS free dress days.

Drop-off and Pick-up:

DROP OFF

Children are asked not to come to school before 7:45 am each day. Breakfast begins at 7:45 am. daily and all children are invited to have breakfast. Children should time their departure from home so they do not arrive at school before the time noted above. Good teaching requires time to plan, prepare, evaluate, conference and a host of things that must be accomplished when students are not in school. For this reason, children may not enter the building until 8:10 am, except for breakfast, during inclement weather, or by prior arrangement. When weather is extreme, students may enter the building at 7:55 am and go to the gym or the auditorium, where staff members will supervise them. For your child's safety, we request your help in monitoring their arrival time at school.

Playground supervision begins at 7:45 am.

Kaleidoscope Corner students will enter and exit from the main entrance on the north side of the building (Maple Street).

ECE students will enter through the main south East Cedar Avenue entrance and proceed directly to the classroom. ECE students must be signed in and out by authorized parents or guardians.

Kindergarten students may enter from East Cedar Avenue or Maple Street.

1st through 5th grade students will enter through the north/Maple entrance of the school.

PICK UP

ECE students will enter through the main south/Cedar Avenue entrance proceed directly to the Primary Atrium. ECE students must be signed in and out by authorized parents or guardians.

Kindergarten students are picked up outside the entrance from East Cedar Avenue or Maple Street.

1st through 5th grade students will be dismissed onto the north/Maple Street entrance of the school. Children taking the bus will leave through the front door, and children getting picked up or who walk home will leave through the back door.

If you wish your bus-riding child to be picked up instead, please alert the office by 2:00 pm so that we do not need to run out to the bus to notify your child to get off the bus.

All students must be picked up by 3:15 pm. Please call to inform the office if there is a delay.

E: Eagle Fund:

The Eagle Fund is a fundraising arm of the PTO. The Eagle Fund is an annual fundraising effort that raises

money to pay for teaching positions. These additional teaching positions ultimately benefit all of the Lowry

students, as they allow for more effective differentiation (teaching to each student at his or her individual

level) and as well as help provide for additional learning opportunities at the school. If you are interested in

joining the Eagle Fund or learning more about how you can participate, please contact Jessica Franks at jessfranks@gmail.com.

Eagle Table:

Every Friday, one student is chosen from each class to eat lunch with the Principal or Resident Principal at the Eagle Table. Students

are chosen by the class, some by the teacher, and some are chosen if their Eagle Tickets is pulled from the classroom Eagle Ticket

Bucket. The lucky students get to sign the Eagle Table poster and are able to choose a prize from the Eagle Table prize box.

Electronic Toys:

We ask that you leave electronic gaming systems and other toys at home, as they have a tendency to get lost or broken at school.

The school will not be able to accept responsibility for these items when they come to school. Thanks for your support.

English Language Acquisition Services:

ELA/ESL (English Language Acquisition) pull-out class is available for children in kindergarten

through 5th grade. Students meet in small groups daily to work on improving their English

language skills. Classroom support is also provided in every homeroom class, where teachers

are trained in teaching second-language learners.

All ELA classes are in English because Lowry serves such a diverse student body. Both of our

teachers are fluent in Spanish and have books available in Spanish for individual reading.

However, all classroom instructions and lessons are conducted in English.

We work very hard to ensure all students participate in CORE classes and Specials such as Art, PE, and Music. ELA is an additional

resource provided to strengthen students' academic language, reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Classroom teachers are

supportive and work to make ELA pull-out a smooth process. Parents have the right to refuse or terminate ELA services for their

children.

Enrichment Program:

The Lowry Elementary After-School Enrichment Program provides a wide range of classes for students at a

reasonable cost. The sessions are offered three times per year (fall, winter, and spring). Course offerings include a

variety of topics such as science, athletics, foreign language, cooking, gardening, and art. Enrichment

programming is open to all students at the school, and selection for participation is based on a lottery, which

ensures that every student has an equal chance at acceptance. All Enrichment Classes run from 3:10 to 4:10

pm. Scholarships are available; application for financial assistance is included in the catalog. After-school

Enrichment is sponsored by the Lowry Elementary School PTO. Instruction is provided by community volunteers, parent volunteers,

and Lowry Elementary teachers. If you are interested in teaching, or have an idea about a class you would like to see offered, please

contact the school office and they will put you in touch with the PTO.

F:

Field Trips:

Each grade takes about three field trips per year. Field trips are connected to the classroom curriculum.

Teachers will provide additional information about the destinations, dates, and costs. Please contact your

child’s teacher if you are having trouble covering the cost of a field trip.

Parent volunteers are often needed to make these trips a safe and fun learning experience. Contact your

child’s teacher if you are interested in chaperoning your child’s class on a field trip. Again, you would need to

go through the volunteer process which includes a background check. On field trips, chaperones are usually assigned to help watch

a small group of children, and must follow the same expectations for behavior as the teaching staff. Also, for legal reasons, we are

not allowed to have younger siblings attend field trips. This helps ensure that our students have proper supervision at all times.

Fifth Grade Eagle Award:

At the end of each year, a fifth grade boy and a fifth grade girl will be nominated by the staff to receive the Fifth Grade Eagle Award.

These are students who have exemplified the Lowry Way in all aspects of their education at Lowry Elementary. Both students are

recognized at the Fifth Grade Continuation.

Food for Kids Backpack Program:

The Food for Kids Backpack Program began when we realized that there were many children going without meals

on weekends and holidays due to very poor financial situations. We have many generous donors of non-

perishable food items and money, and Lowry has written many grants for additional foods. The backpacks contain

food items to create about 6 meals, with snacks, which totals approximately $150 worth of food items per week.

The backpacks are filled on Friday mornings, delivered to those students who have requested one, and are

brought back on Monday mornings. In the fall, when we have lots of veggies in our Victory Garden, the fresh

veggies are also packed in backpacks.

Fundraising:

At Lowry, our children deserve every opportunity to explore, excel, and set the foundation for a lifelong love

of learning. We fundraise at our school to provide an exceptional learning environment and enhance

academic offerings available to our students. These wonderful programs help make Lowry a competitive

school in Denver.

Fundraising dollars:

Support teaching positions in order to keep student/teacher ratios small.

Provide additional assets such as musical instruments, technology, art supplies, and books for classrooms and library.

Create exciting and innovative programs that enhance our students’ learning experiences.

G:

Gifted and Talented Services

At Lowry we have lots of ways to meet the needs of our gifted/talented and high-achieving students. One or more of the following

techniques may be implemented as deemed appropriate by the teachers.

A. The regular curriculum may be modified to better meet the needs of GT/HA students by altering the content, process, or product.

Differentiating Content for Gifted and Talented Next level standards Abstract, more metaphorical Complex, advanced, in-depth content Conceptual themes Cross Disciplinary

Differentiating Process for Gifted and Talented Acceleration, access to content/skill before grade- or age-level expectations More independent, less teacher directed Open-ended, less structure Based on strengths, interests High levels of rigor, creative and critical thinking

Differentiating Products for Gifted and Talented Real problems Moving beyond the familiar or known Allowing for student choice

B. GT/HA students may participate in pull-out classes that focus on their areas of strength. These classes usually meet weekly, are small in size, and offer advanced content, faster paced learning, and opportunities for student choice and exploration.

C. Our 1st through 3rd grade classes have a GT homework packet for interested students. D. Curriculum compacting crates are offered in language arts and math for 1st through 5th graders. In curriculum “compacting,” teachers pretest students to find out what they already know. Students may skip the lessons and activities for content they have already mastered and work on a variety of different high interest and challenging activities. E. We offer a variety of special programs and activities that may be appropriate for GT/HA children including:

Destination ImagiNation: a creative problem-solving competition where children work in teams to solve long-term and short-term problems. Teams are parent-led and usually meet after school. All grade levels may participate.

Quad School Activities: daylong events with other GT/HA students from Ellis, Lincoln and Slavens on topics like creative thinking, math, geography, or outdoor education for 2nd through 5th graders.

Spelling: 4th and 5th graders compete in the DPS spelling bees with the hopes of moving on to state and national competitions. They meet before school on Mondays and Fridays. 3rd graders may participate in independent spelling programs with monthly bees.

Shakespeare Program: All 2nd graders participate in the Shakespeare Festival by performing sonnets with their classmates. 3rd through 5th graders may audition for the Shakespeare Festival. Practices are after school beginning in January.

H:

Home Visit Program:

This year we are involved in the Denver Parent/Teacher Home Visit Program. We are so excited to

begin making these important visits to our students’ homes. The purpose of these visits is for

relationship building and teaming with home. We hope to learn more about your child, his/her family,

and your hopes and dreams for your child. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out

to your child’s teacher or contact the office.

Homework:

Most classroom teachers send home a homework folder daily. This folder contains assignments that students need to complete at

home. Teachers also send home notes and information for their classroom and individual students. Some teachers also

communicate by an assignment notebook, through email, or by text. Check with your child’s teacher to clarify the ways that he/she

will communicate expectations and information.

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Illness:

It is our policy that when students say they don’t feel well, we take their claim seriously. When this happens in

the classroom, we ask that teachers send the student to the school office. The nursing and office staff do their

best to determine whether or not the child needs to go home. We check to see if the child has a fever. If the

child has a fever of over 100 degrees, the child must go home. Also, if the child has vomited or if he/she has

diarrhea, the child must be sent home as well. If a child must go home, the office staff will notify the parents or the emergency

contact person to make arrangements to pick up the child. PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL CONTACT NUMBERS ARE CURRENT.

Our experience has taught us that the large majority of children who say they do not feel well and actually want to go home often

are telling the truth. If we sense that a child is not truly sick, we work with the parents to come up with a plan to help the child get

his/her needs met without needing to be sent home. Attendance is very important to a child’s progress in school and missing school

unless he /she is truly sick will only put the child further behind.

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Kaleidoscope Corner:

Kaleidoscope is a school-age-before-and-after school supervised care provided at Lowry. Please visit their website at

www.kaleidoscope.dpsk12.org or call 720-424-8291.

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Late Pick-Up Policy:

Students are not to be on school property earlier than 7:45 am, except for a specific

function (e.g., Kaleidoscope).

Students are not to be on school property after 3:15 pm, except for a specific function

(e.g., Kaleidoscope, enrichment classes, clubs, basketball, Destination Imagination,

Student Ambassadors, etc.) Students who are still waiting for rides at 3:15 pm will be brought to the office and will need to

be picked up by their parents directly from the main office. Kaleidoscope participants use the playground at 4:00, so we ask

that students do not play on the playground at that time.

Students in the morning session of ECE or those in the ½ day session of Kindergarten must be picked up by 11:10 am.

If necessary, a letter regarding violation of this policy will be sent home and must be signed by the parent/guardian and

returned the following school day.

Subsequent violations may result in additional measures, including reports to social services and/or the Denver Police

Department. Please be advised that Social Services considers any student who arrives too early or stays too late on school

grounds without supervision to be an abandoned child.

Please remember that it is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to provide alternative arrangements if you are unable to

follow the above guidelines. There are several options offered throughout Denver for before-and-after-school care, including

Kaleidoscope, which is an on-site childcare program. Please contact the Lowry school office at 720-424-5910 for additional

information or questions. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our Lowry Eagles safe.

Library Policies:

The children enrolled at Lowry need parent permission to check out books from the library. Please fill out the

consent form that will be sent home during the first weeks of school and return it to school. The form also

indicates your willingness to pay for lost or damaged books. Books are checked out for TWO WEEKS, with one

renewal allowed. Students in 2nd through 5th grade may check out two books at a time. Younger students may

check out one book at a time. If your child would like to check out more items, he or she may do so with written

parent permission.

Literacy Curriculum:

The teachers at Lowry follow the DPS reading/writing curriculum. The Elementary Literacy Program supports the reading and

writing development of ECE through 5th grade students in Denver Public Schools. It is a 90-minute block that includes guided reading

writer’s workshop, Response to Intervention (RtI) block, and English language development for second-language learners.

Each instructional block is organized in a workshop format with time for whole-group instruction, small group support for guided

practice, and independent work time. Each block has rituals and routines, artifacts and resources to support classroom practices.

This curriculum is research-based, recommended by experts, and is used by many of the surrounding suburban school districts. The

reading and writing programs use on-going assessments of each student to individualize reading instruction. Diagnostic reading

tests, informal inventories, and intervention groups help the teachers meet the individual child’s learning needs.

Lowry Apparel:

We do have clothing for sale by the PTO. There are T-shirts, sweat shirts, shorts, pants, hats, etc. These

items are sold at school events and can be purchased from the PTO. The items sold as Lowry Apparel are

also part of the dress code.

Lowry Eagle Ambassadors:

This group of Kindergarten through 5th grade young philanthropist’s mission is to give of time, talent and treasures to support the

work of local organizations. They also perform service projects to help the organization the group chooses to support. This group

was instrumental in building a library at the local transitional living homes to help homeless students have access to literature. The

group won the Golden Heart Award from the Young Philanthropist Foundation in 2010.

Lost and Found:

If your child loses anything at school, most items are placed in the “Lost and Found” bins in the backstage hallway

(near the primary atrium). Items not claimed are donated to charity. Items that are lost have a greater chance of

being returned if the owner’s name is on the articles (backpacks, lunchboxes, coats, etc.) We encourage parents to

peruse the lost and found regularly. Lost items like glasses and jewelry are generally held in the office.

Lunch and Recess Schedule:

At Lowry, students have lunch recess before they eat lunch. Research shows that children are more likely to eat a balanced lunch at

a slower pace when they are not racing through lunch to get outside for recess. Also, lunch provides the students time to calm down

and get “ready to learn” before they enter class in the afternoon.

Lunch Money:

Students are encouraged to take part in our hot lunch program. Each month a calendar with the lunch

menus will be sent home in the Thursday folder. You can also access the calendar online at

www.dpsk12.org/lunchmenu.

Lunch Prices: Full pay - $1.50 Reduced - $0.40

Adult: $3.00 (with milk)

Lunch can be paid for in two ways:

1. You can pay the Lowry Lunchroom directly, either by sending a check or cash with your child to bring directly to the

lunchroom staff. All checks should be made payable to Lowry Elementary. Please write “LUNCH MONEY” in the memo

portion of the check.

2. You can go to www.mylunchmoney.com and pay with your credit card. Your child will be issued a lunch account with an

assigned number. The lunchroom staff will remind you of your child’s account and will alert you when your account needs

more money.

Please see the office staff or the kitchen staff to get a free/reduced lunch form. We receive school funding based on the number of

families that qualify for free or reduced lunch. Many people are surprised to find out that they qualify for assistance. Please know

that this is confidential information.

Parents and siblings are welcome to join their child for lunch. All visitors need to sign in at the front office and get a nametag. We

encourage parents to enjoy hot lunch with their child rather than bring in fast food.

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Math Night:

During this special night, parents will have the opportunity to learn all about their student’s math curriculum

and see how he/she is learning mathematics, as well as try out some of the mathematics on your own.

Mathematics Curriculum: “Everyday Math”

This is a research-based curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project founded in 1983 during a

time of growing consensus that our nation was not providing its students with adequate mathematic knowledge. The goal of this

ongoing project is to produce practical materials that teachers can use to significantly improve the mathematics education for all

school children.

“Everyday Math” was developed with support from the National Science Foundation and meets the United States Department of

Education’s standards for quality, research-based programs. “Everyday Math” builds on children’s intuitive and concrete knowledge

bases, gradually helps children gain an understanding of the abstract and symbolic.

“Everyday Math” provides students with:

1. Real-Life Problem Solving: EM emphasizes the application of mathematics to real-world situations. Numbers, skills, and

mathematical concepts are not presented in isolation, but rather are linked to situations and contexts that are relevant to

daily life. The curriculum also provides numerous suggestions for incorporating mathematics into classroom routines and

all subject areas.

2. Balanced Instruction: Each EM lesson includes time for whole-group instruction, as well as small-group, partner, or

individual activities. These activities balance teacher-directed instructions with opportunities for open-ended, hands-on

explorations, long-term projects, and ongoing practice.

3. Multiple Methods for Basic Skills Practice: EM provides numerous methods for basic skills practice and review, which

include written and choral fact drills, mental math routines, practice with fact triangles (flash cards of fact families), and

daily sets of review problems called math boxes, homework, and a wide variety of mathematic games.

4. Emphasis on Communication: Throughout the EM curriculum, students are encouraged to explain and discuss their math

thinking. Opportunities to verbalize their thoughts and strategies give children the chance to clarify their thinking and gain

insights from others.

“Everyday Math” research-based features include:

Learning proceeds grade by grade, starting with kindergarten, so each grade builds on what was learned in the previous

grade.

The curriculum begins with children’s experiences and works to make connections with the various disciplines of

mathematics.

Materials encourage children’s own construction of knowledge.

The curriculum is more than just arithmetic; it encompasses geometry, data analysis, measurement, probability, algebra,

and problem solving.

Topics are arranged in a spiral, so the learning and practice of skills and concepts are distributed over time, rather than all

at once.

Medication:

Only medications prescribed by a physician will be given to a student during school at Lowry. If a student must

receive medication during school hours, the parent or guardian must furnish the medicine, plainly marked in the

original bottle in which the medications were dispensed. All medications must be kept and administered in the

clinic. The parent and dispensing physician must fill out a form before the school can administer medications. Each

medication must have a separate form and medication bottle. This form can be obtained during fall registration or

by calling the office or the school nurse at (720) 424-5915.

Musical Performances:

Our talented musical teacher holds music performances throughout the year. These performances engage all of the students in

using Orff musical instruments, drama, dance, and singing. Please stay tuned to the Thursday folders for upcoming dates and times.

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Parent Involvement Opportunities:

We are always looking for parents that would like to get involved at Lowry Elementary. The first step is to be sure you are getting the

weekly Blast from the PTO. Email LowryBlast@gmail.com to be added to our email list. This email will provide information on many

of the things going on at Lowry and in our community. If you wish to volunteer in the school building or attend field trips, you will

need to fill out a background check. You may pick up a form from the Community table outside the Community Room and return it

to the office staff.

Attending PTO meetings will help find the right place to plug in and join a fun group of parents. PTO meetings are held the first

Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Lowry Library. For more information, visit http://lowry.dpsk12.org/?page_id=372

The Collaborative School Committee is another group of parents, staff and community members that welcome new faces. For more

information visit http://lowry.dpsk12.org/?page_id=355 Teachers are often looking for help in their classrooms for all sorts of

projects, from math to reading, to helping organize books, and helping with the Auction projects. Contact your student's teacher for

more information on how they could use your help.

Would you like to be the most popular parent on the playground? This is the ticket for you!! Another

great way to get involved is through the Parent Recess Volunteer Program. This is a branch of our

Connect Us program from last year. Parents are trained to lead playground games which help to keep our

children active during recess. Parents not only are provided with training on initiating inclusive playground

games, they are also trained on conflict resolution and how to get reluctant and shy children actively

involved. Please contact Steph McGowan at stephmcgowan@gmail.com if you are interested in being a

recess volunteer.

Parent Portal:

The new Parent Portal is here! Communication between home and school is now as easy as one click. The

Portal provides a quick summary of your student’s progress: their grades, attendance, state test results, and

much more. The new Parent Portal is quick and easy to use. Whether you are at home, at work, or at the

library, you can log on to the Portal anywhere that has Internet access and check up on your student. Do you

wonder what you can do at home to help your student succeed? You are just a click away. For more

information, please go to myportal.dpsk12.org

Parent Resource Library:

The parent resource library is located in the Lowry Library/Media Center. This is a growing collection of support materials for

parents, including books on a variety of educational and parenting topics. There are also materials that support school curriculum,

including learning games. All are available for parents to check out in the media center.

Parent/Teacher Conferences:

Parent/teacher conferences will be held in October and in February. Parents will be assigned a time to come in and meet for a 20-

minute time frame. This is a great time to share any helpful tips that you use at home to reach your child. As parents, you are the

most influential and most important teacher in your child’s life. We will also be ready to share your child’s progress at school, and

together we can brainstorm on how we might work together to help your child grow to his or her greatest potential.

Parent Teacher Organization:

This important group of people is the backbone of our school. There are many ways to get involved at Lowry

ranging from daily work, weekly work, or even work that can be done from school or home. Please see the

Thursday Folders to alert you to upcoming monthly meetings. The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of

the month in the library from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm. We do make childcare available during the meeting to allow as

many parents to get involved as possible. By attending these meetings, you will be able to greatly impact the

programming that is done at Lowry AND you will be “in the know” of all of the special events coming up.

Dates for the PTO meetings for this year. We hope you can attend. Remember 7:00 pm-8:30 pm.

Sept. 11 Oct. 9 Nov. 13 Dec. 11 (tentatively scheduled)

Jan. 8 Feb. 12 Mar. 12 April 9 May 14

Parking:

THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT IS FOR THE STAFF AND VISITORS ONLY. Please observe all “No Parking” signs. Cars

parked illegally may be subjected to ticketing by the Denver Police Department. If you must park on the other

side of the street, please walk your child across the street at the crosswalk, as the streets surrounding the

school are very busy and congested at drop off and pick up times. This will also set a good example for your

child and will keep him or her safe.

Pets:

Several classrooms have classroom pets ranging from gerbils, hamsters, geckos, fish, mice, etc. Please let your

classroom teacher know if your child has an allergy to the classroom pet. Dogs are not allowed on the school

grounds.

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Registration and School Choice

Any student planning to attend a new school in the 2014-15 school year-including those entering ECE, elementary, middle or high

school for the first time-should complete a DPS SchoolChoice form. The SchoolChoice form is the one-and-only school application

that needs to be completed for all DPS traditional boundary schools.

Step 1: RESEARCH

Learn about DPS resources and programs: Consider your child’s strengths, challenges, and the kind of learning environment

in which he/she is most successful. Then review the SchoolChoice Enrollment Guide to create a list of schools that might be

a good match for your child.

Understand rating and ranking system: DPS uses the School Performance Framework (SPF) to evaluate how well Denver

schools support student achievement. For elementary schools, the SPF consists of five criteria: including the school’s most

recent CSAP scores, changes in CSAP scores over time, student engagement, parent satisfaction, and re-enrollment rates.

Based on these criteria, all schools in the district are ranked on a 100-point scale and classified in five categories. The

SchoolChoice Enrollment Guide shows SPF ratings and rankings for all schools.

Step 2: PRIORITIZE

After you’ve researched schools, resources and programs, prioritize your child’s top five schools in your order of preference.

Step 3: COMPLETE

After identifying your child’s top five school preferences, determine if any of those schools require additional enrollment

steps. Contact a school directly to learn what, if any, additional enrollment steps are required. At Lowry Elementary, there

are no additional steps that need to be completed upon initially completing SchoolChoice Forms. Information on which

other schools have additional enrollment steps can be found in the SchoolChoice Enrollment Guide.

List your child’s school preferences in order on the SchoolChoice form. It is important to list a total of five schools in the

exact order of preference. Every effort will be made to assign your child to his/her highest preference school. Please note

that only listing one choice will not increase your chances of getting into that school, and that your child is only guaranteed a

seat at his/her boundary school (grades K-12 only). For questions on the ECE and Kindergarten application process, please

contact the Tuition Billing and Application Management Office at 720-424-2639.

Be sure to complete all the fields on the SchoolChoice form, fill in all five of your child’s top choices, and sign and date the

form. SchoolChoice forms will be available on or before December 1, 2013, at any DPS school.

Step 4: SUBMIT

Submit your SchoolChoice form at any DPS school or bring your form to 900 Grant Street no later than 5:00pm on January

31, 2014 (ECE and Kinder applicants may only turn in their applications to an elementary school). Make sure to ask the

school staff person who receives your form to make a time-stamped copy for you. All SchoolChoice forms received by this

date will be given full consideration for school assignments in the 2014/15 school year. There is no benefit to submitting the

SchoolChoice form earlier than later.

During the month of February, the DPS Office of Choice and Enrollment Services will work to collect and process all SchoolChoice

forms in an attempt to get each student into his/her most highly preferred school. SchoolChoice applicants will be notified in writing

of their 2014/15 school assignment on or around March 1, 2014. If you have any questions regarding the School Choice process, feel

free to call Lowry’s enrollment secretary, Tiffanie Montgomery at 720-424-5913.

Response to Intervention Block (RtI):

This block of time occurs daily for each grade level. The teachers work together as a grade level and

support staff team to assess the students based on the standards-based skill for the grade level.

Then, the students are grouped into a flexible group based upon skills they need to master. Each

teacher then takes a different group, so your child will most likely go to another teacher during this

time frame. Again, this is only a small portion of the day and is meant to pinpoint students individual

needs for maximum gain. Not only does our RtI format intervene with children needing more

practice, it also allows us to better support students needing more enrichment. The RtI block is 40 minutes in length and there are

only two grade levels that have their intervention time at the same time. This allows us to utilize our teachers and support staff to

the maximum benefit. You will receive information from your child’s intervention teacher at the start of each new intervention

cycle. He or she will provide you with the specific skills they are working on, vocabulary related to the standard, and ideas on how

your child might practice the skills at home.

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Science/Social Studies:

Lowry Elementary believes in a well-rounded curriculum that includes both Science and Social Studies. These subjects are taught in

accordance with DPS expectations for these subjects at each grade level. Field trips and Enrichment enhance this curriculum. You

will see products of our social studies and science programs in our school atriums.

Seed-to-Table Program:

Lowry has a garden that students help maintain right on site. Food from this garden is served on the lunch line

one day per week, sold in the fall at school farmer’s markets, and are given as donations to families living in

poverty. In the spring, the children help plant seeds and then transplant the young plants into the garden. We

are proud to mention that this program was showcased during the 2012-2013 school year with a visit from the

U.S. Secretary of Education, Secretary Arne Duncan.

Serenity Garden:

The Serenity Garden is a place that allows for quiet contemplation and appreciation of nature. The space

chosen for the Serenity Garden is adjacent to the north entrance of the school. The centerpiece of the

garden is the octagonal iron pergola, bounded with concrete mosaic benches decorated under the

direction of former art teacher, Gary Bloom, and completed by the Lowry students and community

members. The pergola is surrounded by butterfly bushes and lilacs to create a sense of privacy. Other

features of this garden include a sensory garden designed with plants that stimulate the five senses; an

area landscaped to attract, nourish, and shelter birds, butterflies, and other wildlife; an herb garden

containing plants that have historically had medicinal and healing properties; and a mosaic waterfall, laid

with tiles designed by Lowry students who participated in the school’s arts program. Most recently, a beautiful gazebo was added in

honor of retired principal, Cari Reidlin.

Service Learning Projects:

Each classroom selects a service learning project. Some of our service learning projects in the past have included animal protection,

conservation, ecology, homeless shelters, and more. Please ask your classroom teacher if you would like more information and help

our children learn by helping others.

Shakespeare Club:

Shakespeare Club meets once a week from September through May to prepare and rehearse for the annual

Denver Public Schools Shakespeare Festival. Participants audition, attend rehearsals, and perform at the

festival and at a school assembly for everyone to enjoy. Please contact Jenny Spampinato if your child is

interested in drama or theater.

Smoking:

Smoking and tobacco use is prohibited in all DPS facilities and grounds.

“Specials Classes”:

Students at Lowry have the opportunity to experience learning in a variety of special classes. We are fortunate

to have amazing Specials teachers who are so passionate about their area of expertise that each one inspires

our children to dream big and exceed their own expectations. Each class participates in each of these classes

once or twice per week. Our resources are state-of-the-art, including: Orff instruments for our music program, a

kiln for pottery making (one of the only kilns in a DPS elementary school), an ever-growing library, an amazing

Mac lab (and mobile labs), and dedicated space for PE and dance. All of these classes contribute fully to a well-

rounded learning experience for our students.

Special Learning Needs:

Lowry offers a wide range of special education services for students who are identified as having a disability. Service includes special

education academic instruction, Speech/Language Therapy, and Occupational/Physical Therapy.

Standards Based Progress Reports:

Report cards will be issued at the end of each trimester. Your child’s performance is measured against the standard,

rather than against other students in the classroom. This report gives the student the opportunity to meet or

exceed the standard. This report provides a detailed and honest assessment about how your child is progressing

academically.

Student Ambassadors:

Each classroom has an elected representative for student council. Student Council meets once per month after school. Their role is

to encourage students to follow the Lowry Way and the Lowry Behavioral Expectations, as well as encourage school spirit, and

leadership. Often they do this by sponsoring School Spirit Days which may include Crazy Hair Day, Pajama Day, Hat Day, Twin Day,

Backward Day, and others. Parents will be notified about these special days through the Thursday Folder, the website, and via

posters posted throughout the school.

Super Citizen Program:

Lowry has a partnership with the Monaco South Optimist Club and Space Age Credit Union

where we recognize students in the classroom that have shown great behavior by

exemplifying the Lowry Expectations. This program occurs three times per year and one

student is chosen per classroom for each celebration. The honored students receive a Super

Citizen T-shirt (included in the dress code), a savings bond, an award, and a letter from the Governor. It is an exciting celebration!

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Thursday Folders:

One of our most important and effective methods for keeping parents informed is the Thursday Folder. Each

week, general school and classroom information is sent home in the folder. Please plan to go through the folder

and remove ALL contents. Also, please return any necessary forms and the folder every Friday. If you have any

questions or need clarification about the contents, please ask your child’s teacher or the school office. We are

hoping to get the Thursday Folder sent electronically this year. We hope that people will register to receive their

communications electronically to help us save paper. Electronic “Blasts” are also sent to parents to give

important information in a timely fashion.

To include a notice in a Thursday folder, please submit a final draft to the front office no later than noon the Friday before the

Thursday folder. This allows us time to get approval from the principal, to get it translated, and to get it copied. Thanks for

understanding.

Tutoring:

We hope to offer Lowry Tutoring Club on Wednesday afternoons from 3:10-4:00 pm beginning in October. This club provides an

opportunity for students to receive some extra support on homework or specific academic areas of need as they work with Junior

and Senior IB students from George Washington High School.

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Unified Improvement Plan (UIP):

The UIP is a plan that every school in DPS creates to plan how to improve the school based upon a body of data.

Not only do we look at student achievement, but we also look at family engagement. There are areas of focus

with action steps for each area of focus. If you would like to see the UIP, feel free to call the office.

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Victory Garden:

The Lowry Victory Garden is a vegetable garden on the Lowry Elementary School campus that is used as an outdoor classroom,

where vegetables are grown and harvested by students and used in the school cafeteria. Student’s plant seeds indoors in late winter

and then transplant the seedlings into the garden. Students and their families tend the garden over the summer and when school

starts in the fall. The delicious, fresh vegetables go directly into the cafeteria for school lunches. Some of the produce is also sold at

weekly Youth Farmer’s Markets which are run by students every Friday in the fall. The Farmer’s Markets are held on the back

playground, and the money raised sustains the on-going garden program.

Visitors:

ALL VISITORS to the building are required to buzz in the front door and obtain a visitor’s pass from the main office.

Voice-O-Meter:

The Voice-O-Meter is a tool we use to teach students to able to independently use appropriate voice levels to

match different situations. Teachers and staff use the visual “Voice-O-Meter” tool to teach the voice level

expectations in and outside of our building: Zero is silent, 1 is a whisper, 2 is a small group voice, 3 is a normal

voice, 4 is an outside voice, and 5 is an emergency voice, “Help, I am in danger.” Students practice using these

different voice levels as they visit locations throughout the building.

Volunteering at Lowry:

All adults wishing to volunteer at Lowry must first complete a volunteer application which can be

obtained in the office. Part of our safety procedure is to ensure that anyone working in our

classrooms have a background check BEFORE they are allowed to work with our children. Also

we want to ensure that our children are safe with our volunteers by insisting that when our

students work with the volunteers, they are always in sight of staff members.

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Weather-Related Recess:

Children learn best when they have the opportunity to have physical fitness. We watch the weather closely

to decide whether or not there will be indoor recess or outdoor recess. If the temperature is below 20

degrees (either in actual temperature or with the wind-chill) the recess will be held inside. Please make

sure to dress your child for the weather AND to label all of the outer wear with your child’s name. If there

is fresh snow on the ground, students remain inside until the playground can be plowed. We also hold

students inside if it is raining. There are flags flying in the atriums to alert the students if there is going to

be indoor recess or outdoor recess. If it is indoor recess, the flag is gray with a picture of a cloud on it. If it

is outdoor recess, the flag is orange with a picture of a sun on it.

Wheels at School:

Bikes, skateboards, scooters and rollerblades may come to school with parent permission. We strongly

encourage all students to wear safety helmets whenever they ride any of the vehicles listed above to school.

Rules to follow when riding vehicles to school:

1. Walk bikes, carry skateboards, fold and carry scooters in pedestrian traffic and on school grounds at

all times. Rollerblades need to be removed and carried on the school grounds at all times.

2. Park all bikes in the bicycle racks provided and secure them with a lock.

3. Skateboards, rollerblades and scooters (folded) are to be stored in/with backpacks in the classrooms.

4. Students may not ride any vehicles during the school day, including during recess and lunch.

5. The school is not responsible for damaged or stolen vehicles. The failure to respect these rules result in temporary or (in

extreme cases) permanent loss of riding privileges.

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