The Five Minute Read

Grant money for Lowell schools

LOWELL — Lowell Public Schools has been awarded a 5-year, $2.5 million Full-service Community Schools grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support the district’s ongoing work to partner with local agencies who help students thrive in and beyond school.

A network of local agencies brings resources, services and programs directly to the school buildings including onsite food pantries, clothing and toiletries, vision and dental care, mental health care services, family cooking classes, access to resume building and job opportunities, tutoring, mentoring programs and more.

Some of the local agencies include: Bike Connector, Billy’s Barbershop, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell, Catie’s Closet, Community Teamwork, Inc., Lowell Community Health Center, Masshire Career Center of Lowell, Mill City Grows, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Middlesex Community College, Open Table, Project LEARN, Umass Lowell and others.

“The Community Schools strategy is essential, especially in a large urban district like Lowell where so many outside factors have a huge impact on student success,” Superintendent of Schools Joel Boyd said in a statement. “I am appreciative of this grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education and their acknowledgement of this integrative approach toward making schools the center of community activity, which ultimately strengthens conditions for student learning, development, and sense of belonging.”

Extreme weather shelter

LOWELL — Frigid temperatures are forecast for Friday, Feb. 2 through Saturday, Feb. 4. Residents in need of shelter on these

days, should check-in at the Lowell Transitional Living Center starting at 7 p.m., 205 Middlesex St. For information, call 978-458-9888.

Hot meals and coffee

LOWELL — St. Paul’s Soup Kitchen, part of the Eliot Presbyterian Church outreach program, offers residents a free hot meal served daily Monday through Friday, from 5 to 5:45 p.m., 273 Summer St.

Take out or dine-in options. Doors open at 3 p.m., with free coffee. For information, call 978-302-9244.

New school tour

TEWSKBURY — Superintendent Brenda Regan invites residents to a grand opening open house of the new $98 million Center Elementary School, Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to noon, 139 Pleasant St. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The snow date is Feb. 11. Students have been learning in the new school since January 5. For information, call 978-640-7800.

Public input on homeless protocol draft

LOWELL — Solidarity Lowell is soliciting feedback from residents on the

Lowell Homeless Encampment Liaison Protocol. Submit comments on the draft document before Sunday, Feb.. 5, on bit.ly/3ylovzy. For information, solidaritylowell.com.

Black History Month event

TEWKSBURY — The Tewksbury Public Library presents Jacqueline Jones, author of “No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston’s Black Workers in the Civil War Era,” on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 7 to 8 p.m. Jones highlights how some Black entrepreneurs created their own jobs and forged their own career paths despite rampant racism and inequality. To register for the webinar, bit. ly/3hs4vix. For information, call 978-640-4490.