Dining Out for Lowell

press release: On Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, Lowell Elementary School on Madison’s East Side will turn 100 years old. On Jan. 3, 1916, the school opened at 401 Maple Ave. as New Irving School but quickly changed names to Lowell Elementary, after the American romantic poet, James Russell Lowell. Lowell is now a cornerstone of the Schenk-Atwood-Yahara-Starkweather-Darbo neighborhoods. It serves more than 400 students, representing diverse cultures within the student population.

As part of its year-long centennial celebration, the Lowell Community Organization (the school’s parent-teacher organization) is launching a $400,000 fundraising effort, the Lowell Centennial Campaign, to fund major improvements to the Lowell campus. Events are being organized to support the campaign throughout the year. The first is Dining Out 4 Lowell, Jan. 10-16, a restaurant week with a percentage of sales to be donated to the campaign. It kicks off at Next Door Brewing Company on Monday Jan. 10.

All funds raised this year will pay to develop the playground and exterior of the school, to inspire connections with nature, and to create a welcoming, safe and accessible environment for our neighborhood school. A Go Fund Me page is ready for people and businesses to donate. All Lowell School alumni – parents, former students and staff – who are interested in following the campaign and keeping up-to-date on Lowell Centennial events are invited to join the Alumni Community Facebook page.