Save Lowell Elementary (previously Lowell Playground and Grass Field)

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77186259055607183932011-04-21T14:22:26.742-07:00Save Lowell Elementary (previously Lowell Playground and Grass Field)Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-37890742047919440262009-03-26T15:39:00.000-07:002009-03-26T21:41:29.342-07:00Lowell Closure Reaches Seattle Audience

The story of the Bellingham School District's onus on the Lowell Parents becomes its own news at KING 5.There will also be a segment on KING 5 News at 5pm today.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-12419667351490202752009-03-25T14:35:00.000-07:002009-03-26T15:47:20.398-07:00Playground and Grass Field Project is Postponed at Lowell

Happy Valley and Larrabee Elementary have inspired the Lowell playground planning process. Your success in refurbishing your playgrounds is a model for community involvement.The Lowell Playground Team has been meeting and planning for the past year to prepare for a similar community project. We are grateful for the incredible outpouring of support shown to us by the Happy Valley, Larrabee and

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-21924003932889708642009-03-24T22:42:00.000-07:002009-03-24T22:47:19.243-07:00Lowell Officially Closed

It's official - Lowell will remain closed for the 2009-2010 school year. The Bellingham School District has put out a Q&A for the delayed reopening.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-8768697266949214822009-03-23T22:35:00.000-07:002009-03-24T22:42:09.604-07:00South Hill Neighborhood Meeting April 1

Please plan to attend the South Hill Neighborhood Association meeting on Wednesday, April 1. The main speaker will be a representative from the school district speaking on the topic of school district budgets. If you have a few specific questions to be addressed please send them to me by 5pm Tuesday. I will forward them on to Cathy Cameron, SHNA president.You do not have to be a member of the

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-80759799029930009262009-03-16T14:24:00.000-07:002009-03-24T22:30:52.858-07:00Call your Legislators for K-12 Funding

This is a real budget shortfall. Let's do this another way. Please CALL or EMAIL your legislators. The state is slicing up the funds from the federal government right now. The education dollars will be split between K-12 and Universities. Between now and this Thursday are the most important days to make the calls or send emails.You want to tell them where you are from (county and city) and that

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-52431730476210891452009-03-12T17:30:00.000-07:002009-03-24T22:35:04.042-07:00Message from Lowell PTA President

I want to thank you all for giving over so many of your days to planning, and evenings to attend meetings. I know this has been a disruptive few weeks to everyone's family life and our children's school routines. If we get our school back, our kids will really understand the process of community organizing and democracy and the time and energy that takes. If we don't... they can be proud to know

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-7737352873517788592009-03-12T14:34:00.000-07:002009-03-12T14:37:46.449-07:00School Board Meeting Tonight!

Thursday, 7:30pm, March 12, is the School Board Meeting. Dr. Vedra will present his final recommendation list to the School Board. The board will also hear brief public comment. Lowell remains #45 on the list and in the danger zone according to the projected shortfall.Our PTA President, Lisa Distler, will be speaking. Please come! You only have to speak with your feet by being there. We need to

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-59966766945120115722009-03-12T10:37:00.000-07:002009-03-12T14:39:34.652-07:00Call the School Board Members

Please call your school board members and let them know what you are thinking! According to the board members and the Mayor, Dan Pike, they need to hear our concerns directly from us.Bellingham School Board Director's home numbers: Ms. Kelly Bashaw 933-1544 Dr. Kenneth Gass (work #) - 738-2200 Ms. Melody Rhode 738-6017 Mr. Stephen Schoenfeld 756-0498 Ms. E. Ann Whitmyer 671-7404

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-91710175685227722572009-03-09T20:56:00.000-07:002009-03-09T21:21:26.570-07:00Wow! Unanimous!

Tonight at the city council meeting, council members, as well as Mayor Pike, showed the audience of concerned citizens overwhelming support for neighborhood schools. They changed their agenda and discussed and unanimously passed the resolution presented by Lowell's PTA President, Lisa Distler.They really KNOW a neighborhood school is really about community. We showed up tonight unified as a

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-13537813872774973252009-03-09T12:40:00.000-07:002009-03-09T16:45:34.628-07:00Council Meeting Tonight

Remember to attend the City Council Meeting tonight. City Hall, 7pm210 Lottie Street, Downtown BellinghamPeople are important! Your presence is your statement FOR neighborhood schools!Lowell's PTA President will be speaking. There is no need for everyone to speak. We do not wish to disrupt the City Council's regular business. However, if you would like to speak, you must sign up by 6:30pm on the

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-62305744534720519202009-03-07T08:54:00.000-08:002009-03-07T21:10:41.787-08:00Letters to the Editor

Read these great letters to the editor printed in the Bellingham Herald:"Lowell must reopen soon""Neighborhood schools are great""Neighborhood schools important""Small schools better for students""Fight to reopen Lowell Elementary"

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-45368264582204472242009-03-05T21:24:00.000-08:002009-03-05T21:39:48.449-08:00Coming Together

Thanks to everyone for a energetic, productive, idea-driven meeting tonight. You all have so many great resources to draw from. We will pull this information together and make our case logically to keep schools in neighborhoods. Namely: Lowell Elementary this year. We hope that our efforts and research will support neighborhood schools throughout the city for years to come.Remember:City Council

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-48019841920982932662009-03-04T07:44:00.000-08:002009-03-04T07:49:44.346-08:00Lowell Information

Please come to the Fairhaven Library this Thursday, March 5 at 6:45pm in the Fireplace Room.Everyone is invited! This is the most important meeting about Lowell.Come if you care. Tell your friends and neighbors.We look forward to seeing you there!

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-89541608667025241712009-03-02T19:44:00.000-08:002009-03-02T20:26:39.638-08:00Signs to Tears

Tonight at the Shuksan Middle School meeting about the draft budget for 2009-2010 Dr. Vedra updated his expected minimum district budget cuts to $3 million. It's clear that Lowell will not reopen next year.The state is projecting a two year budget short fall. This indicates there will not be money to reopen Lowell for the 2010-2011 school year either.This is a sad outcome for kids, parents and

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-52936304556417064842009-02-28T13:37:00.000-08:002009-02-28T14:14:35.397-08:00New "Draft" List from Vedra

Dr. Vedra's draft list (here) has been posted to the district website. While items have been rearranged minimize impact to jobs first, Lowell's postponed opening still remains in the "at-risk zone." Lowell has been demoted to number 45 on the list, putting it at the $2.7 million budget cut level. The district is expecting AT LEAST $2 million cut, but according to Dr. Vedra and anticipated state

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-55357546820620338602009-02-27T11:15:00.000-08:002009-02-28T14:33:02.401-08:00ACTION ITEMS

Your voice needs to be heard.Letters to the Editor at the Herald1. Here is the first one in print (here)2. Submit your letter to the editor (here)3. Use numbers or bring up school board promises or be passionate, but let the community know that one segment of the school kids taking the majority of the burden for the whole district is wrong.The Listening Post1. This is a direct link to the School

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-34183572824555405352009-02-26T17:23:00.000-08:002009-02-26T17:35:52.970-08:00Hot Potatoes

Thanks for showing up today everyone. One hundred signs were put together and gone in 45 minutes!Remember: The public meeting is Monday, March 2, 6:30pm at Shuksan Middle School. Please come and bring your kids and neighbors.IF you didn't get a chance to give your input online, you can submit a letter or hardcopy at the meeting. This is the ONLY time they will accept letters or written hardcopy

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-20669264853024593102009-02-24T14:49:00.000-08:002009-02-26T14:31:16.782-08:00Let's Get Organized for the March 2nd Meeting

Thanks everyone for turning in your comments to the district! We WILL make a difference!Please come and pick up a "Reopen Lowell" sign between 4-5 pm on Thursday, February 27 at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center on 1314 Harris Ave. in Fairhaven. Bring your kids - there will be a place for them to make a drawing or write a letter to turn in at the public meeting.Put the sign in your yard, but

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-23843447427813602142009-02-22T15:49:00.000-08:002009-02-22T19:10:59.048-08:00On display now at Lowell Elementary

Lowell school district unites!

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-26569381655479938642009-02-20T17:31:00.000-08:002009-02-23T15:48:06.151-08:00District Comment Postings

Thanks everyone for posting your comments! From what we understand your comments are actually being read and not just counted. If you are waiting to post or need some inspiration, click on the comment link associated with this posting and you can read the list of ideas talked about at the Save Lowell meeting.Remember:1. Post your comments by Tuesday, February 24 to: www.bsd501.org/go/survey/420/

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-59660660695524136482009-02-19T09:33:00.000-08:002009-02-23T20:04:40.648-08:00SAVE Lowell!!!!!!

Today is the day to make your comments! The district will ONLY accept comments made online at their website: www.bsd501.org/go/survey/420/1258/They will NOT take comments in the form of calls or hard copy letters. We encourage you to send your comments to the Herald.View the suggested budget cuts at: www.bham.wednet.edu/staff/BudgetUpdate2009.htm

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-46561779439659085592009-02-18T21:05:00.000-08:002009-02-19T22:33:16.875-08:00Lowell Parents Organize

The consensus is: re-open Lowell in the fall! A room full of parents who care about their children's school experience and who have a deep sense of commitment to this their neighborhood community worked out a plan to canvas the entire Lowell school district with flyers. The flyers encourage friends and neighbors to comment on the delayed re-opening of Lowell. The Bellingham School District will

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-46616092657413389842009-02-18T17:48:00.000-08:002009-02-19T17:58:33.389-08:00Rally for Lowell Meeting

Let's get organized tonight at the Jones'! All concerned parents and neighbors are invited to attend. We will talk about the past effort to save Lowell Elementary from closing in 2001 and strategize about how to get the word out to the neighborhood. After all, Lowell's postponed reopening affects our kids and our community. Join us at 1705 Knox, 6:30pm.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-67134796854124924252009-02-17T09:13:00.000-08:002009-02-20T09:19:44.723-08:00Upper Playground Already Removed

Lowell's upper playground has been removed. While our playground project is on hold due to recent and sudden suggestion that Lowell is not reopened next fall, we have raised over $67,000 toward the playground and grass field and still have significant community support for the project.We are looking forward to keeping Lowell open next year and enjoying the new playground built this May!

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-57635924039700952982009-02-11T14:43:00.000-08:002009-02-26T14:32:16.561-08:00Lowell in Jeopardy

Sadly, it has been brought to our attention Lowell Elementary might not reopen this fall due to the district's budget shortfalls. The Budget Advisory Committee has voted (75.6 percent) to delay the opening of Lowell for a year. The BAC's recommendations will go to Dr. Vedra, the district superintendent, after the open comment period, which begins February 19, 2009 and lasts only five days.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-43218626949729680252009-02-04T22:40:00.000-08:002009-02-19T22:47:35.674-08:00Fundraising Yaosa

We are almost halfway there! We have raised over $65,000 for the playground and grass field project. This includes cash and material donations. We have had amazing community support for this project and it's made a real difference! We are so fortunate to live in such a supportive, community-minded place where we have so many people rooting for such an important outlet for our children. Thank you

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-49622080685952640492009-02-02T21:26:00.000-08:002009-02-23T15:51:44.138-08:00SAVE THE DATE!

SAVE THE DATE!!! March 8, 2009! If you're a fan of Irish music you've heard of Randal Bays and Daithi Sproule, if not, your first experience will be with the best. These two have recorded and toured with the world's finest Irish musicians. Just in time for St. Patrick's Day they bring their virtuosity to Whatcom County in support of the new Lowell Elementary Playground and Grass Field Project.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-19485241026897527732008-12-10T20:09:00.000-08:002009-02-19T15:02:32.462-08:00Our Hero's

Today we met with our local Lowe's to give them information about the playground build. They were so enthused about the project! Little did we know that every year each local store identifies a community improvement project that will make a difference where they live. They decided immediately decided to make the new Lowell Playground their "Heroes" project for 2009. From what we understand, every

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-49343535083447657272008-11-20T22:54:00.000-08:002009-02-19T15:03:13.683-08:00Thanks for Coming!

Today we held a a silent auction as a fundraiser for the Lowell Playground and Grass Field. We are amazed at the supportive parents - both their donations and time - for the auction. Thanks! It's so meaningful to be part of an active, involved community.We also appreciate the community support the project received the form of donations to the auction. Everyone had so much fun - the kids played

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-31124562942842306972008-10-09T22:56:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:04:16.753-08:00Support Playground T's

The kids had lots of fun at Design Day Celebration hula hooping to the band Lindsey Street and eating ice cream. Some of them ended up with a new playground t-shirt too.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-35811977149076926542008-10-09T22:52:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:04:55.937-08:00Kids Rally for Playground

There were so many great ideas for Lowell's new playground we had to put them all up for everyone to see. Thanks kids! We couldn't do this without you!

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-84187158540218170602008-10-09T22:35:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:06:51.327-08:00Design Presentation

Design Day Success!!! Today Dennis Wille, Leathers and Associates, interviewed the kids about their playground ideas and we held a CELEBRATION at the school to unveil the plan. He spent all afternoon working on a playground design based on the kids suggestions and the concepts originated by previous members of the playground committee.He presented the new playground in a drawing directly to the

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-84891222186864215782008-10-09T15:54:00.000-07:002009-01-24T15:52:43.411-08:00

Dennis talks to parents at the Design Day Celebration about playground specifics.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-1486900012468427382008-10-09T15:45:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:07:59.139-08:00All kids are heard on Design Day

Dennis Wille gave every student a chance to tell him what they wanted at the new playground. Suggestions such as a water slide and refrigerator didn't make the final design, but he made sure he heard every suggestion.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-11545440364860866732008-10-09T15:09:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:06:27.442-08:00Design Day at Happy Valley

To prepare for Dennis Wille's visit, the Lowell Playground Committee - with the fabulous cooperation of all the Happy Valley teachers - asked the Happy Valley/Lowell students to draw their idea of the ultimate playground.This year most Lowell students are attending Happy Valley Elementary while Lowell Elementary is closed and undergoing seismic retrofitting during the 2008-2009 school year.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-42133039946479420472008-10-09T10:55:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:08:35.398-08:00Site Survey with Ron Cowan

The Lowell Playground site survey included Leathers and Associates Designer Dennis Wille, Bellingham School District Superintendent Ron Cowan, Capital Project Manage Manual Babian and Lowell Playground Coordinator Rachel Budelsky. Designer Dennis Wille wanted to measure and see the sight in person before meeting with the Happy Valley and Lowell Students later that day for their input into the

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-1525407439176092582008-10-01T09:03:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:09:17.335-08:00Birch Equipment Loves Lowell

Birch Equipment is saving the day! They are excited to be part of our project and have donated the use of their large equipment for the grass field excavation. Thanks to Sarah Rothenbuhler, owner of Birch Equipment, who is also a Lowell Alumni and neighbor to the school, we will get this project done! Thanks Sarah for making a better place for students and the whole neighborhood to play.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-63779392819889764752008-08-30T21:13:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:09:43.520-08:00Hard Working Girls

These five motivated girls hand made magic wands, potholders, bracelets and many more items to sell at the Annual Bellingham Library Craft Fair to raise money for the playground. They raised $51.92 in August 2007.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-65364512177690526282008-07-15T18:38:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:10:53.825-08:00North Asphalt Field - Our Dream is to Turn it GREEN

This is the how the north asphalt field appears now. There is only a small grass strip along the west side of this area that was put in one year ago for the kids to play on during recess. This entire asphalt field will be replaced with grass so the kids can play soccer at recess and for the community to use as a resource.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-15884180909005010722008-07-15T18:28:00.000-07:002009-02-19T15:11:45.355-08:00Outdated Play Equipment

This is how the upper playground at Lowell looks today. The lincoln log structure is 30 years old and the slide is held together with duct tape. The kids love the slide- three across is the best - and everyone will be sad to see it go.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-30421107183228736422008-06-30T18:14:00.000-07:002009-01-22T18:27:47.517-08:00

This is the Million Smiles Playground in Lynden. Members of the playground committee toured this playground with Gary Vis, Lynden Chamber of Commerce, who headed up this project for the City of Lynden. This playground was built by volunteers with the help of Leathers & Associates. We wanted to make sure Leathers could help us achieve our goal of creating a community project. Gary Vis said he

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-6284514302209703402008-06-24T05:34:00.000-07:002009-01-22T05:43:24.510-08:00

They did it! The kids raised over $5,000 themselves! Lowell's principal, Mrs. Tally, wore a chicken suit to school all day. Mrs. Tally is loyal to her promises and dedicated to the new grass field and every kid got a shot at her in the dunk tank too for raising the money.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7718625905560718393.post-75341952738427958222008-05-15T05:26:00.000-07:002009-01-22T05:34:11.330-08:00

The fundraising kickoff for Lowell's grass field begins! Students are bringing in their change and are hoping to raise over $5,000 to see their principal, Mrs. Tally, go in the dunk tank and wear a chicken suit.

Lowell Elementary Schoolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13941494791641533716noreply@blogger.com