Author: amybisson

  • I wonder how many other adults have experienced this? After about 30 minutes of intense focus, there is a need to get up and move. For me, moving around when I am actively engaging my brain applies in nearly every circumstance, and I notice it most especially during some training or class when my brain is powered up and I’m…

  • Imagine for a moment that you are 10 years old, speak another language at home, and as kids sometimes do, have heard the adults in your family expressing concern about Immigration returning you and your family to another country where your life had been one filled with violence and poverty.  Worries about being removed from…

  • I wonder how many parents have submitted a letter to opt a child out of state mandated testing (MCAS2.0)? And in the process of opting-out, were any of those parents called to discuss their choice with the school administrator?  According to the current Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, parents need to have a choice in a child’s education. It appears, however, that “choice”…

  • Something happened this evening preventing the live broadcast of Lowell’s School Committee Meeting for March 1. Until the taped meeting materializes, there won’t be any notes about what transpired; however, this doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to think about. Found in the Permissions to Enter, are 4 requests totaling $882,470. All of these requests are expenditures…

  • If you don’t know about H.R. 610, here is a link to the text and the bill’s progress. I urge you to follow it and, if you feel strongly about it, respond to it. While my Congressional Representative is not a member of the House Committee currently reviewing this legislation, I want her to know…

  • Remember the episode of Modern Family when Phil attempted to save the old family station wagon from rolling down a hill by jumping on the hood? (video clip here) What’s the plan, Phil? Pretty sure I used that same phrase while reading through HR610 this week. HR610, a bill introduced by Representative King (R, IA),  which offers among other…

  • School Committee Meeting 15 February 2017 6 present, SC Descoteaux absent, Student representative: Onoste Omoyeni Mr. Gignac requests taking Eagle Scout Michael Wojas’ report on textile recycling out of order. Permissions to Enter Usually the Permissions to Enter are not all that controversial.  Not tonight. The inclusion of a request for $4,921,313 for Aramark (1…

  • School Committee Meeting 01 February 2017 6 present, 1 absent (S. Gendron) Onoste Omoyeni represented the students during this meeting. After approval of minutes, SC Gignac requests Lowell HS Subcommittee/Joint Facilities meeting be taken out of order.  Permissions to Enter $20,665 in expenses approved, See detail in the Meeting Packet (downloadable PDF) (6 yeas, 1…

  • Somewhere back in my past, someone in my family – possibly my Grandmother – showed me how to knit and purl.  And I’m pretty good with that as far as it goes. For the rest, I turn to Youtube videos. My grip on knitting skills is pretty tenuous, but I can make a mean scarf,…

  • School Committee Meeting 18 January 2017 6 present, 1 absent Spotlight on Excellence: Tonight’s Spotlight on Excellence featured the Stem Academy at the Rogers School and the meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance led by STEM Academy students. With over 600 students in Pre-K to Grade 5, the students in Grade 4 were nominated…