Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members,

We are so proud of our many accomplishments so far at Lowville Elementary School this year!   Most recently in February, we had our February Fitness Challenge.  Students and families got up and moving and our PE department awarded them with prizes.  Wellness Wednesdays continue at LACS Elementary where we talk about physical and mental health and activities and strategies we can use to keep our whole selves healthy.

We look ahead to celebrating Music in Our Schools throughout the month of March with great fun planned by our music department.  We will follow that with Art Appreciation month in April where we will all learn great things from our Art department.

Our teachers will continue with an amazing academic program for our students as we finish up the school year.  May & June – please check the district calendar for upcoming events.  When you have the time, we ask you to share the gift of reading with a child. 

Our PTO group has been very active this year.  We appreciate the support for our staff and students.  The next PTO meeting is May 1, 6:00-7:30 p.m.  If you are interested in joining our PTO, please contact Ms. Spaulding at kspaulding@lowvilleacademy.org

We sincerely thank all of the people that continue to partner with us as we educate our youngest learners.  We know our students are making memories daily.  We thank our community for helping us make as many positive memories for our children as possible.  

Respectfully,

Philomena B. Goss
Elementary Principal

Parent Teacher Conferences

Spring Parent-Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025.  There will be an early dismissal at 12:35 that day for students in grades K-5.  Both a.m. and p.m. Pre-K will be in session. Conferences will not be scheduled for all students.  Teachers will be communicating home if they would like parents to attend a conference, whether in person or virtual.  As always, parents may request a conference with a teacher. 

Important NYS Test Dates

Students in grades 3-5 will participate in New York State Assessments in April and May.  Teachers have been preparing students for these assessments all year.  The tentative schedule is as follows:
 
April 15 & 16  NYS ELA Assessment, CBT Grades 3, 4, 5 
May 6 & 7 NYS Math Assessment, CBT Grades 3, 4, 5
May 13 NYS Science Assessment, CBT Grade 5

Students in grades 3-5 should be in attendance and on time to school on these important test dates.   While we do provide make-up testing during the NYS make-up period when students are absent, it is in a location that is less familiar to the student and may not provide the ideal testing conditions for the children.

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. 

Student Placement Process Into Next Year’s Class

We will be placing students using student data and teacher recommendations for the 2025-2026 school year.  Please do not submit requests before April 28, 2025. No requests for any reason will be accepted after Friday, May 9, 2025.  Please understand you can submit a request using this process, but some requests won’t be able to be met. Thank you for understanding.   

The guiding principle of the placement process is to match the instructional and personal needs of each student with an appropriate instructional group and a supportive teaching style, while also providing each teacher with a well-balanced class to maximize instructional effectiveness.

The placement of students in each classroom is undertaken with great planning and care, involving the classroom teachers and other faculty along with administration.

Lowville Elementary will allow parents who have unique and special academic concerns to follow the guidelines below and submit a teacher request for the 2025-26 school year:  

1. Submit the letter to Mrs. Goss, Elementary Principal no earlier than Monday, April 28, 2025 but no later than Friday, May 9, 2025.  All letters must be written and signed by the parent(s) and delivered, either by hand or US mail to the elementary office.  Please do not send the requests to classroom teachers and please do not send requests via email.
2. Include the child’s name and current teacher.
3. Include the name of two teachers to be considered for your child’s placement.
4. Include specific educational reasons for your request.

No placement requests will be accepted without two teacher names and the educational reasons for the request.  

The school will take parent requests for student placement into consideration; however, this will be done after all programmatic factors are considered and prioritized.  Our practice is to not move students from one classroom to another after the start of the school year.  For your awareness, teacher assignments may change from year to year or over the summer.  Requested teachers may not be available at the grade level they are currently teaching for next year.

All parent requests received between Monday, April 28, 2025 and Friday, May 9, 2025 will be considered. Late requests, verbal requests, and emails will not be considered.  Not all requests may be able to be granted.  Final placement will be based on a variety of factors.  Thank you for the support you give your child and for understanding our process.