2020s

2020

MARCH 13, 2020

Source: The News Tribune – Friday, March 13, 2020, p. A2

Caption: The playground at Lowell Elementary School in Tacoma, Wash., sits empty after the school was closed Tuesday. When you’re talking to children about the novel coronavirus, child psychology experts’ advice is to be reassuring, focus on proactive steps and do research to truthfully answer children’s questions.

2020

2021

2022

2023

January 8, 2023

*Source: Facebook (Lowell Elementary PTA)*

2024

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Photos from Facebook advertising a surplus sale at Lowell in the gym.

Source: Facebook (Lowell Elementary PTA)

2024

Tacoma Public Schools:

Tacoma Firefighters Train at Old Lowell School
With only a few months until Lowell Elementary’s demolition in February, the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) is making use of the building for training exercises. This provides an excellent opportunity for firefighters to conduct building searches and run mock drills in a realistic environment.

In addition to TFD, Northwest Disaster Search Dogs will also utilize the space for training, allowing the dogs to sharpen their skills in real-world conditions, making them more effective in the field.

This partnership continues the district’s collaboration with local first responders, similar to what was done during the construction project at Fawcett Elementary.

_{Source: Tacoma Public Schools}

2024

Tacoma Public Schools:

Lowell Becomes Training Ground Before Demolition
Over the weekend, dogs from the Northwest Disaster Search Dogs (NDSD) turned the old Lowell Elementary into their training ground! With Lowell set for demolition later this year, the building offered the perfect place for them to practice their search and rescue skills. By training in a real-life setting, these dogs are better prepared to help save lives in emergencies.

NDSD teams work under the guidance of emergency and law enforcement agencies, stepping in when people are trapped after disasters. The Tacoma Fire Department has also joined the action, using the Lowell building for mock drills and fire searches last week.

Lowell is just one of eight schools getting a new look, thanks to a #535 million construction bond approved by voters in 2020. Lowell students attend school at the West End swing site (the old Skyline Elementary campus) for the next two years while their new school takes shape. Demolition prep for Lowell starts this December, with construction of the new school expected to run from 2025 to 2026.

^{Source: Tacoma Public Schools}

November 21, 2024

Tacoma Public Schools:

TPD SWAT Unit Trains at Old Lowell School
Only a few weeks until Lowell is demolished, the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) SWAT Unit uses the old Lowell Elementary to conduct training. Lowell is set to be demolished next month. This is a great environment for the officers to conduct building search and rescue training that allows them the opportunity to train and hone their skills in a realistic venue, making them more effective in the field.

The Tacoma Police Department’s SWAT team is a special team that is trained to respond to high-risk situations that are beyond the capabilities of first responders.

In addition to TPD, the Tacoma Fire Department and Northwest Disaster Search Dogs have also taken advantage of the old Lowell to conduct building searches and mock drills.