Lincoln Families, 

Happy 2021! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful and safe Winter Break and that you are rejuvenated and ready to usher in the second half of the school year. 

With fresh optimism of New Year’s resolutions and hope for the year to come still in the air,  this past week we were reminded that simply flipping the calendar to a new year does not erase the many challenges we continue to face as a country and community. It’s challenging enough for us as adults to witness, comprehend and discuss events like those that unfolded in our nation’s capital this past week, yet even more complex and important is our ability and charge to guide our kids through these uncertain times. While there are no easy answers, below are two resources you might find useful in framing conversations with your kids. As a staff, last Friday we participated in a very timely professional development focused on Trauma Informed School Practice. Like all of our work, it will take the combined efforts of school and home to support our kids through these challenging times. 

NPR’s “What to Say to Kids When the News is Scary

National Assoc. of School Psychologists – Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Educators 

Next week we celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King and also witness the historical inauguration of a new President and our first female Vice President. As we all look with optimism to brighter days ahead, I harness hope in the famous works of the late Dr. King. 

“Darkness can not drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate can not drive out hate, only love can do that.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

All of that said, we are excited to welcome your kids back to Lincoln and learning tomorrow. Don’t forget this week we will commence learning remotely for the dates of January 11-15. Blended Learning will resume on Tuesday, January 19. Any family needing to pick up instructional supplies can do so in the Park Avenue lobby this week. 

Please don’t forget tomorrow is the deadline for families to select the instructional format that best meets your family’s needs for the dates of January 19- March 26.  Please complete the brief Google Form for your child(ren) by clicking this link: Selecting Instructional Format-3Q. Families can also select the full remote option by completing and submitting the opt-in form to Josephine Ribaudo at ribaudoj@district90.org no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, January 11, 2021, if preferred. The full remote learning opt-in form can be downloaded by clicking this link: Full Remote Opt-in Form . Please direct any questions regarding the instructional models to Dr. Alison Hawley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at hawleya@district90.org. I’m also available to address any other questions you might have. 

Beginning this week all Elementary teachers in D90 will begin administering Winter Benchmark assessments to students. We will begin this week with the administration of the Fountas and Pinnell Reading assessment to all 1st -4th grade students. The data gathered from these assessments will provide teachers with insightful information that will guide lesson planning and differentiation of instruction. To accomplish this task virtually, grade levels will be assigning students asynchronous learning activities on their particular assessment day. On these days, students will be provided a personalized schedule to meet with their classroom teachers or a member of the Lincoln assessment team for assessment. In addition to their asynchronous learning activities, students will also attend their scheduled special area classes for that particular day. Below are the assessment days for each grade level at Lincoln:

1st Grade – Thurs. Jan, 14

2nd Grade -Tues. Jan 12  Jenkins/McKenna, Wed. Jan 13 Kruger, Thurs. Jan 14 Berg

3rd Grade – Thurs. Jan. 14

4th Grade – Wed. Jan. 13

While it doesn’t seem possible, this is also the time of year that we begin planning for the next school year. One important element of that process is Kindergarten Orientation and Registration. Therefore, if you have a student that will be eligible for Kindergarten in the Fall of 2021 (will be 5 years of age on or before September 1) please mark your calendar for our annual Kindergarten Orientation scheduled for Thursday evening February 4. More details will be forthcoming.

I’m excited to celebrate all January birthdays at Thursday’s Principal Birthday Lunch. If your child missed a previous Birthday Lunch, they are also welcome to attend. I will send the links in Seesaw along with Thursday’s Mr. Godfrey’s Morning Message. 

Finally don’t forget that Friday is a 1/2 day for student attendance. Instruction will conclude at 12:00. Additionally, there will be no AM Kindergarten on Friday. PM students will attend during the AM. There will be no school on Monday, January 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Day. 

Welcome to 2021 at Lincoln, as always, please never hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to better support your family. Thanks for all of your support of Lincoln. Have a wonderful week and Happy New Year. ~ CG

---

Calendar

REMOTE LEARNING FROM 9am-3pm FOR ALL THIS WEEK

Monday, 1/11: back to school – REMOTELY

Tuesday, 1/12: 2nd Grade (Jenkins/McKenna) Winter Benchmark Assessments

Wednesday, 1/13:

9:30am PTO Meeting

2nd Grade (Kruger) Winter Benchmark Assessments

4th Grade (all) Winter Benchmark Assessments

Thursday, 1/14:

December/January Principal Birthday Lunch (zoom links will be sent via SeeSaw)

1st Grade (all) Winter Benchmark Assessment

2nd Grade (Berg) Winter Benchmark Assessment

3rd Grade (all) Winter Benchmark Assessment

Friday, 1/15: 12:00 Dismissal for grades 1-4. No AM kindergarten classes. PM kindergarten attends in the morning.

Monday, 1/18 – NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Day

*** Next Lincoln Log – Monday, January 18 ***

---

Lincoln Science Expo – register now, closes on Jan 17th!

Calling inquisitive minds and budding scientists! The Lincoln Junior Scientist Expo will be held virtually on Thursday, January 28th and is open to all Lincoln K-4th graders.  Student-created, 2-minute videos will be available for viewing by parents, students and staff online (platform TBD). Sign up now through the PTO Webstore, registration will close on Tuesday, 1/17 at midnight.

We are also seeking parent volunteers as Zoom Breakout Room video hosts  – please email Lincolnrfptopresident@gmail.com.

Click here for more information!

---

Young Authors

Lincoln students have the opportunity to become the next Mo Willems or JK Rowling!  Young Authors is open to students in grades 1st – 8th.  Students can write an original piece (cannot be a school assignment) about anything they choose.  Writing pieces need to be bound and turned in to Mrs. Brauweiler by February 10th.  Attached is a flyer with more details. Some open Zoom meetings will be scheduled to check in with students.  We will have some type of school celebration later in the spring to recognize our authors.  Contact Mrs. Brauweiler if you have any questions.

---

SEL – winter resources

Social Emotional Wellness is now more important than ever, check out these Winter Break resources from our Social Work Team, Ms. Payton and Ms. Yelnik.

• Winter well being
• Winter Break Tips

---

PIMA Lou Malnati’s Fundraiser

Tuesday, January 12 is the Roosevelt Middle School PIMA fundraiser. Raise a slice for a good cause!

---

Technology support

Thank you for emailing  powerschool@district90.org or helpdesk@district90.org with your technology questions/issues.  Please remember to include as much information as possible, e.g., Student Name, Teacher Name, School, iPad asset tag number, etc. Screenshots, links, websites and any other information regarding the issue is helpful. For example, my iPad/computer can’t connect to the XXXXX website when I click on this link. 

Additionally, if you have difficulty logging into your child’s special area classes, please be sure to reach out to that particular teacher to assist with any login issues. 

---