Frequently Asked Questions
HOW DO I GET INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT LOWELL?
There are many ways to stay in touch with what’s happening at Lowell.
WHEN IS FRESHMAN ORIENTATION?
There is a freshman & transfer student orientation on Lowell campus one day during the week before school starts. If you miss that orientation, there is another brief orientation during Registry (homeroom) on the first day of school. You'll get more details directly from the school administration, so make sure your contact info on Synergy/ParentVue is up to date. SFUSD has provided this Back to School Guide. Lowell's "Back to School Night" event where parents can meet teachers is typically in mid-September.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE OFFICIAL LOWELL STUDENT HANDBOOK?
The Lowell Student Handbook has lots of useful information, including school rules, procedures for drop-off and parking, a list of all the free school resources, and more! There is also a SFUSD Student Handbook for all schools.
CAN STUDENTS HOLD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE PTSA?
Yes! Students can join the PTSA, serve on Committees, and hold some of the Board's elected and appointed offices. Learn more on the Student Leadership page. Students who join in 9th or 10th grade and increase their involvement and responsibilities every year look great on college applications!
HOW DO I CONTACT MY STUDENT’S COUNSELOR?
HOW DO I CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL?
Before reaching out to the principal, consider whether your student (or you) should be contacting someone else first to get a faster or more relevant response. For academic issues, the first contact should be the teacher, then the department head and counselor. If these issues arise, this is a good opportunity to help guide your student to advocate for themselves. Contact information for everyone at the school can be found here. See the Student Resources flyer at the bottom of this web page for more information about who to contact or where to go on Lowell campus.
DOES LOWELL OFFER TUTORING?
Yes! The student members of Lowell CSF provide free tutoring on campus in most academic subjects. Drop-in or scheduled 1-on-1 tutoring is available. Learn more and sign up here. Or you can post a message to Lowell families on the listserv, if you would like personal recommendations for hiring a private or professional tutor.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MATH COURSES?
Lowell's administration released this official Math Resource Guide in December, 2022. If you are interested in options beyond what is offered at SFUSD, such as college or virtual classes, some information is available at this MathPathSF site created by a Lowell student in 2021.
WHAT IS AN EXCUSED ABSENCE?
If your student misses a day of school, the absence can be excused if it falls within one of the categories listed on Lowell's attendance page and available in the attendance office. Note that a family holiday is not an excused absence.
To excuse the absence, follow the instructions on Lowell's official website here. New Policy: Starting in the 2024-25 school year, parents/guardians can use the ParentVUE App BEFORE or ON the day of the absence, to enter a FULL day absence via the ParentVUE portal on their mobile app or desktop site.
HOW DO I GET INTERPRETATION OR TRANSLATION IN MY LANGUAGE?
WHAT IS THE BELL SCHEDULE FOR 2024-2025?
Go to Lowell's official webpage and click on the Bell Schedules link, which shows the different schedules. Note that each day is different on the "block schedule" and some weeks have special schedules.
WHEN ARE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS?
Go to the SFUSD Calendar, which shows holidays month to month.
WHERE CAN I FIND SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS AND INFORMATION?
As of 2022-23, free breakfast and lunch is provided for all students. Go to the SFUSD Nutrition Info to view menus and fill out the Multipurpose Family Income Form.
HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT SPORTING EVENTS, CLUBS, AND STUDENT EVENTS?
WHAT ARE THE LOWELL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS?
The Lowell Alumni Association offers programs that benefit current Lowell students. Learn more about LAA here.
HOW DO I TALK TO MY STUDENT ABOUT SMOKING, DRUGS OR ALCOHOL?
SFUSD lists several resources here. You can also read the SafetyFirst tip sheet here, which outlines 8 tips for talking to your teen about alcohol and other drugs.
WHO DO I TALK TO IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY STUDENT’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING?
Contact Lowell’s Wellness Center @ (415) 759-2730 or online here. You can talk to a trained therapist/well-being advisor. You can also contact Lowell’s nurse @ (415) 759-2730 x3173 for medical issues.
There are many ways to stay in touch with what’s happening at Lowell.
- Lowell High School’s homepage is here. It includes links to the Principal's Updates, calendars for school events & athletics, and lots of official information.
- The Lowell Student Association's website is here. LSA posts timely information on a school-wide Instagram account here, and each graduating class also has their own Instagram account for grade-specific announcements.
- Lowell Athletics Page here.
- Lowell Peer Mentoring website here!
- Join the parent listserv, which is unaffiliated with the PTSA but is a great place to ask questions. Send an email (including student's name) to here.
- The SFUSD Parentvue website is here.
- Lowell Counseling Page is here.
- The Lowell student news magazine is here.
- Video Lowell student news & culture show is here. Or view their Welcome to Lowell segment on Instagram!
- Volunteer to join the PTSA Board and attend monthly board meetings to make a difference and get the latest info!
WHEN IS FRESHMAN ORIENTATION?
There is a freshman & transfer student orientation on Lowell campus one day during the week before school starts. If you miss that orientation, there is another brief orientation during Registry (homeroom) on the first day of school. You'll get more details directly from the school administration, so make sure your contact info on Synergy/ParentVue is up to date. SFUSD has provided this Back to School Guide. Lowell's "Back to School Night" event where parents can meet teachers is typically in mid-September.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE OFFICIAL LOWELL STUDENT HANDBOOK?
The Lowell Student Handbook has lots of useful information, including school rules, procedures for drop-off and parking, a list of all the free school resources, and more! There is also a SFUSD Student Handbook for all schools.
CAN STUDENTS HOLD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN THE PTSA?
Yes! Students can join the PTSA, serve on Committees, and hold some of the Board's elected and appointed offices. Learn more on the Student Leadership page. Students who join in 9th or 10th grade and increase their involvement and responsibilities every year look great on college applications!
HOW DO I CONTACT MY STUDENT’S COUNSELOR?
- For schedule issues at the start of the school year, fill out the appropriate form at the counseling office
- For other issues, set up an appointment using Parentvue mail
- Or, the email address for each counselor is listed on the Lowell website under “Contact”
- Or, call the school @ (415) 759-2730 and ask for the counselor’s phone number
HOW DO I CONTACT THE PRINCIPAL?
Before reaching out to the principal, consider whether your student (or you) should be contacting someone else first to get a faster or more relevant response. For academic issues, the first contact should be the teacher, then the department head and counselor. If these issues arise, this is a good opportunity to help guide your student to advocate for themselves. Contact information for everyone at the school can be found here. See the Student Resources flyer at the bottom of this web page for more information about who to contact or where to go on Lowell campus.
DOES LOWELL OFFER TUTORING?
Yes! The student members of Lowell CSF provide free tutoring on campus in most academic subjects. Drop-in or scheduled 1-on-1 tutoring is available. Learn more and sign up here. Or you can post a message to Lowell families on the listserv, if you would like personal recommendations for hiring a private or professional tutor.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MATH COURSES?
Lowell's administration released this official Math Resource Guide in December, 2022. If you are interested in options beyond what is offered at SFUSD, such as college or virtual classes, some information is available at this MathPathSF site created by a Lowell student in 2021.
WHAT IS AN EXCUSED ABSENCE?
If your student misses a day of school, the absence can be excused if it falls within one of the categories listed on Lowell's attendance page and available in the attendance office. Note that a family holiday is not an excused absence.
To excuse the absence, follow the instructions on Lowell's official website here. New Policy: Starting in the 2024-25 school year, parents/guardians can use the ParentVUE App BEFORE or ON the day of the absence, to enter a FULL day absence via the ParentVUE portal on their mobile app or desktop site.
HOW DO I GET INTERPRETATION OR TRANSLATION IN MY LANGUAGE?
- Contact Lowell @ (415) 759-2730
- Go to SFUSD family & community support/translation & interpretation here.
- Complete the appropriate form and submit it to an Assistant Principal in the Main Office
WHAT IS THE BELL SCHEDULE FOR 2024-2025?
Go to Lowell's official webpage and click on the Bell Schedules link, which shows the different schedules. Note that each day is different on the "block schedule" and some weeks have special schedules.
WHEN ARE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS?
Go to the SFUSD Calendar, which shows holidays month to month.
WHERE CAN I FIND SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS AND INFORMATION?
As of 2022-23, free breakfast and lunch is provided for all students. Go to the SFUSD Nutrition Info to view menus and fill out the Multipurpose Family Income Form.
HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT SPORTING EVENTS, CLUBS, AND STUDENT EVENTS?
- For sports and events, go to the Lowell website (lhs.sfusd.edu) and look for the calendar or special announcements.
- You can also visit the Lowell Athletics Page here.
- Clubs are organized through the Lowell Student Association. More info can be found here.
WHAT ARE THE LOWELL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS?
The Lowell Alumni Association offers programs that benefit current Lowell students. Learn more about LAA here.
HOW DO I TALK TO MY STUDENT ABOUT SMOKING, DRUGS OR ALCOHOL?
SFUSD lists several resources here. You can also read the SafetyFirst tip sheet here, which outlines 8 tips for talking to your teen about alcohol and other drugs.
WHO DO I TALK TO IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY STUDENT’S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING?
Contact Lowell’s Wellness Center @ (415) 759-2730 or online here. You can talk to a trained therapist/well-being advisor. You can also contact Lowell’s nurse @ (415) 759-2730 x3173 for medical issues.
