Dear Families,

As we move through the winter months, we want to take a moment to thank our families for the strong partnership you share with our school. Your continued support, communication, and collaboration play an important role in helping our students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn each day.

With winter weather still upon us, please continue to send students to school with appropriate snow gear, including coats, hats, gloves or mittens, boots, and snow pants. Having proper winter clothing allows students to safely enjoy outdoor recess and participate fully in school activities while staying warm and comfortable.

At home, we encourage families to continue making time to read together whenever possible. Whether it’s reading aloud, taking turns with a favorite book, or spending quiet time enjoying independent reading, these moments help build strong literacy skills and foster a love of learning. Reading together also provides valuable opportunities for conversation, connection, and imagination.

As always, thank you for your ongoing partnership and for supporting both the academic and social-emotional growth of our students. We appreciate all you do to help make our school community a positive and successful place for children to learn and grow.

Respectfully,

Andrea J. Hanselman
Elementary Principal

Students Excused Before Dismissal Procedure

We would appreciate, whenever possible, that appointments be made either before or after school hours. If parents need students to be excused prior to dismissal time, a note should be sent with their child in the morning. We ask that you refrain from calling the school for early pick-up whenever possible. Parents are asked to come to the elementary office to sign your child out at the designated time. We must also have a note from you if you wish to have another person pick up your child. In the unusual circumstance that a change is needed, you must notify the office before 1:30 p.m. Changes during the day should only be made to accommodate emergencies as these changes can be confusing to children.

Parking – Pick-Up of Students

Parents who need to pick up their child during school hours are requested to park at the elementary lobby entrance in the State Street parking lot. Please only park in designated parking spots. Please do not attempt to enter the Trinity Avenue school driveway at the beginning and dismissal of school. The bus fleet loads and unloads each day from 8:05-8:30 a.m. and 2:45-3:20 p.m. Traffic is prohibited from the Trinity Avenue parking lot during these times. Safety is always extremely important when students enter or leave school. Please exercise every precaution when driving on school grounds.

Family Math & Reading Night

The elementary school Academic Intervention Service providers will be hosting a Family Math & Reading Night on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. All students in Pre-K – 5 and their families are invited to attend this event for a night of reading. More information will be sent home at a later date.

Elementary Science Fair

Students in grades 3, 4, and 5 are hard at work preparing for the 15th Annual Elementary Science Fair.  The Science Fair will be held on March 28 at 9:00 a.m. in the Elementary Cafeteria.  A wide variety of science projects will be presented including projects in Life Science, Physical Science, Earth Science, Space/Technology, and Engineering Design.  Please come view the future scientists of Lowville, learn something new, and have fun!  The fair results will be shared in the next district newsletter and on the Elementary Science Fair webpage.  Contact the Elementary Office if you are interested in volunteering to help out at this exciting event.

Pre-Kindergarten Program 2026-2027

We are pleased to continue to offer a Pre-Kindergarten program for all children in the district for the 2026-2027 school year. It is a wonderful opportunity for children and we are delighted with the program and all that it provides for our young students. Information about the Pre-K program follows.

Eligibility: Students who will turn 4 on or before December 1, 2026 are eligible to attend our Universal Pre-K program. Students who are five years of age on December 1, 2026 are eligible for Kindergarten.

Children who are three years old and will turn four by December 1, 2026 may attend the program but are not eligible for district bus transportation until they turn four years old. New York State law requires car seats and bus aides for children under the age of 4. All children are eligible for busing to/from Pre-Kindergarten upon turning 4 years old.

The Pre-K program follows the school calendar with classes being held Monday – Friday.

Morning program 8:20 – 11:00 2 sections
Afternoon program 12:20 – 3:00 2 sections

Morning or afternoon placement decisions may need to be made based on bus routes. Please understand teacher/session requests cannot be guaranteed.

Each Pre-K classroom is staffed by a NYS-certified teacher and a NYS-certified teaching assistant. The program is provided at no charge to all district residents. Out-of-district students will be accepted on a space-available basis at the district’s tuition rate. The district plans to have four sections of UPK available. Each classroom will accommodate 18 students, for a total of 72 students.

REGISTRATION: Beginning in February, registration for the Lowville UPK program will be ongoing by calling the elementary office for a registration packet at 315-376-9005. Please, no emails. Packets will be mailed home in mid-April. Please note – we cannot guarantee parent requests for specific teachers or sessions.