Lowry Elementary School

Message from Dr. Larkin:

This year, we implemented a WIN literacy block for students. WIN stands for What I Need; during this block of instruction, students are able to work in small groups to receive individualized instruction. Last week, we started our intensive WIN block which increases the number of small groups and includes students from each of the classes in a specific grade. The groups are led by classroom teachers, interventionists, student teacher residents, and paraprofessionals. Student groups will change as needed and students will have the opportunity to work with a variety of staff members. As I walked around the building last week, I saw students on task in their small groups–their learning was evident as they worked with the adults and other students. It looks like we’ve been engaged in this work for 6 months, not just one week! We are all excited about the learning and development that our students will achieve through this new school-wide system. 

Important Dates:

• October 9: Movie Night, hosted by the PTO, 5:30 p.m. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ll be showing Encanto in Spanish! Bring your dinner, camping chairs, and pillows! Families must RSVP for the event so we adhere to fire codes.

• October 10: Farmers Market with Mr. Gibson’s Class, after school

• October 13 & 14: No School for Students

• October 17:

  • Coffee with the PTO and MLE-PAC, 8:15 a.m. After a brief coffee with the PTO, all families are invited to attend the MLE-PAC to learn more about school/DPS services and our Multi-lingual Education program. 

  • Farmers Market with Mr. William’s Class, after school

• October 20: Butter Braids Sales Begin (PTO Fundraiser)

• October 22: Sweet Cow Dining for Dollars all day at Stanley Marketplace (PTO Fundraiser)

• October 24: Hockey 101 with the Colorado Avalanche at Lowry, all day (see below for more information)

• October 25: Skate City Skate Party, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Aurora location only (PTO Fundraiser)

What’s Happening at Lowry:

• You may have seen an increased number of DPS Safety and Denver Police Department patrols around our campus during drop-off and pick-up. They are working to ensure that our families are not double parking, blocking crosswalks and alleys, or blocking the flow of traffic. Please make sure that you are adhering to posted street signs, Lowry signage, and rules of the road–it takes all of us doing our part to keep our campus safe and functional!

• If you are planning on volunteering at Lowry this year, please complete a background check through DPS. Visit the DPS background check page to complete your background check. 

• The Colorado Avalanche are coming to Lowry! They’ll be meeting with all students in grades 1-5 on Friday, October 24 during their specials classes. The Avs will be teaching hockey skills to the students; in order to participate, all students need to have a waiver signed. You can complete the waiver online or complete the paper form (the form is attached; return to school prior to October 24). In addition to coming to school, the Avs are offering discounted tickets! Scan the QR code to find out more.

• Did you know that Lowry has two flag football teams and a cheer squad? You can see these athletes in action on Tuesdays, 4:15 and 5:15 p.m. Most games are here at Lowry. Check out the Events section of our school website to check the schedule. 

• Vision & Hearing Screenings will be coming to Lowry on October 17, 20 & 21. The screenings are free and all students will receive a screening. If you would like to opt out of the screening for your child, please complete this waiver and send it back to school prior to the 17th. 

Family Spotlight

Our first family spotlight of 2025-2026 is the Hitchens family!

Mom Garritte describes their family as filled with laughter, with Garritte as the ringleader! Her sons Deondre and Zo’Ryan are the deep laughter in the house, and daughters Annika (4th grade) and Amayah (2nd grade) provide the mousey laughter. Garritte’s mom, Granna, is the foundation of their family.

The Hitchins family loves to help. Annika and Amayah enjoy helping their classmates. Garritte’s full-time job is helping families to develop financial solutions and plan for financial freedom. You may have seen Garritte helping at Lowry, too–she is our new Girls on the Run coach! Garritte says, “I get the most joy from hanging with the Girls on the Run two days a week. We train for 10 weeks to run (walk, dance or skip) a 5k (3.1 miles) while learning very important social emotional skills that will help the students now and through the rest of their lives.” When the Hitchens students attended another school, the staff saw Garritte’s “enthusiasm for anything that had to do with building, growing, learning, social emotional skills.” The staff asked her to coach Girls on the Run and she fell in love with it. She has no plans to stop helping or volunteering with the program at Lowry.

We’re lucky to have the Hitchens family at Lowry. If you would like to nominate yourself or another family for the Family Spotlight, please reach out to Courtney Riordon.

In partnership,

Dr. Annie Larkin