Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members,

I am so excited to begin this new chapter at Lowville Academy! It is an incredible honor to serve a school and community that holds such a strong tradition of excellence, pride, and student-centered values.

Lowville is not a new place for me, I’ve had the pleasure of being part of this school community for several years. I served as the assistant principal for four and a half years and previously taught fourth grade for four years. Before moving back to Lowville, I spent 12 years as an educator in Virginia, where I had the opportunity to grow as both a teacher and leader.

As I begin this next role, I’m especially excited to continue building meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff. Together, we will work hard to create a learning environment where every child feels supported, challenged, and celebrated.

Thank you for the warm welcome and for trusting me to be part of your child’s journey. I’m looking forward to a great year ahead and can’t wait to see all that we will accomplish together!

Warmly,

Andrea J. Hanselman
Elementary Principal

Entering Kindergarten Fall 2025

If you have a child who will be 5 years old on or by December 1, 2025 that could attend Kindergarten in September 2025, please call the Elementary Office at 315-376-9005.  We would like to know your child’s name, age, and mailing address.  We are preparing registration packets and want to be sure we have the necessary information to mail a packet to you.  Packets will be sent out at the end of April. Students who are currently enrolled in the district Pre-K program need not re-enroll. 

Students were identified for each program and invitations were mailed home in May.  If you would like to enroll your child in a summer school program, please call the Elementary Office at 315-376-9005.

Thank You from the Elementary PTO!

Lowville Elementary PTO would like to extend sincere gratitude to the local businesses who generously contributed to this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week. Their donations played a meaningful role in recognizing and celebrating the hard work and dedication of the teaching staff. The support from the community made a lasting impact, and the staff felt truly appreciated.

Thank you to: Stewart’s Shops, Bush’s Auto LLC, Rooted Designs, Jordan Kennedy at Three Wheat Co., Rosie Rootz Spa, Tug Hill Artisan Roasters, Countryside Vet Clinic, Lisk Floral, and Jreck Subs.

A message from Sarah Hoag, LACS Elementary PTO Vice President:
The Elementary Parent Teacher Organization is in its second year of revival after COVID. In that time, we have worked on putting our funds where they can do good for the children of the district as well as the staff. We are a small group, but we are always accepting new parents, teachers, and ideas! If you have a child in the elementary school, or you are a teacher, I invite you to join us this fall. The morale of our teachers and the enrichment of our children’s experiences here at LACS are so important. Come join us and help make the 2025-2026 school year the best one yet!

Future Teachers of America Club

The Future Teachers of America (FTA) club is playing an essential role in shaping the next generation of educators. This group of high school students is not only passionate about teaching, but actively engaging in meaningful activities that foster a love for education.

One of the activities FTA students participate in is Operation Christmas Child. This initiative allows club members to organize and collect shoeboxes filled with gifts for children in need. The act of packing these shoeboxes goes beyond simply providing material goods; it fosters empathy and compassion among the students.

The club also organizes a Christmas and Spring read aloud. During these sessions, high school members volunteer to read stories to younger students, sparking a love for reading. To further enhance a love of reading, participating students are awarded a book token for the book vending machine.

For the first time, high school students were offered a unique shadowing opportunity. This experience allowed them to follow a seasoned educator for the day, gaining insights into the realities of being a teacher. This hands-on experience is vital for students wish to pursue a career in teaching.

By participating in various educational activities, these high school students are not only preparing themselves to teach, but also learning about the values of leadership, compassion, and dedication.

What Will I Do Over Summer Vacation

Everyone is familiar with the classic beginning-of-the-school-year assignment, “What I Did Over My Summer Vacation.”  Here are some tips to help prepare your child for that essay.

• Your child should have a daily “to do” list, much like many adults have.  Tasks can be basic, such as reading two chapters of a book, completing a household chore, etc., but give your child some direction for the day.
• As an important member of your family, your child can complete jobs around the house.  Leave a list each morning of expectations.
• In order to maintain reading and writing skills, create a summer reading list with your child. Elementary students will bring home a packet at the end of the year with an age-appropriate book list and activities.
• Children may enjoy keeping a journal, especially to document family activities, events or a trip. They may find it interesting to take their own photographs, which can be included in the journal. 
• If you give your child an allowance, consider having them keep a checkbook-type ledger in order to sharpen their math skills.  This can also help them to become more aware of their spending and saving habits, which is an important skill for adulthood.
• If your child is interested in sports, encourage them to keep track of the statistics for their favorite team and player.  If a player is close to setting a record, have your child keep track of their progress.
• The kitchen is a great place for children to practice reading, math, and life skills.  Encourage your child to plan a meal for your family, and provide assistance as needed in making the meal.
• Without the academic demands of school, summer is a great time for your child to be creative. Stock your home with crayons, glue, paper, etc., and allow your child to create.  Also, check out opportunities for creativity at your local library.  Libraries often offer summer programs that combine reading and imagination.
• Allow your child to plan a family trip (this could include a hike, a visit with family members, fishing, visit to the beach, or anything else that fits into your family budget).  This could involve researching activities, reading a map, and practicing math skills (calculating gas and toll costs, for example).

Best wishes for a safe and happy summer vacation!
~ Sarah Clemons and Jill Ortlieb 
    School Psychologists