The students seem to have settled well into their 2019 routines. Life at school is back on track and we are looking forward to many fun events in the weeks to come: the Science Expo, the Young Author Festival, and the International Festival.

Unfortunately, unlike our kids and staff, I haven’t yet had the opportunity to adjust to life at Lincoln in 2019. I’ve spent the past week admitted to RUSH hospital and resting at home from pneumonia and some other complications. It’s been very difficult to be away from school however Mrs. Kopriva, Mrs. Godellas, Mr. Davis in conjunction with the support of everyone on staff has kept things moving along and allowed me the time to recuperate. I am hopeful to return to work sometime this week. Many thanks to those of you who’ve reach out via email, phone and text. I really appreciate all your kind thoughts and well wishes. I hope to see you and your kids soon.

Please don’t forget to take some time over the next few weeks to complete the family portion of the Illinois 5 Essentials survey. All teachers and District students in grades 4-8 will be participating in this survey. Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will contribute to a better understanding of the conditions of our schools and guide improvement. Your identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will not be connected to you or your child. To take the survey, please visit https://survey.5-essentials.org/Illinois/ and select the appropriate survey to begin. This online survey can be accessed from a PC/laptop, smart phone, or tablet. If you have more than one child enrolled in a District 90 school, you may take one survey for each child regardless of the school.

Please begin spreading the word about our annual Kindergarten Information Night for the 2019-2020 academic year on Wednesday, February 6.  See attached for more details.

~ CG

Calendar

Monday, January 14:

• Tennis, grades 3/4 – 3:15-4, Franklin gym
• yoga, 3:15 – 4:15 in room 22d
• DEADLINE FOR FUN LUNCH ORDERS (midnight)

Tuesday, January 15:

• theater club, 3:15 -4:15
• Winter Sports – 3:15-4, gym

Wednesday, January 16:

• Waste Free Wednesday
• Tennis, grades 1/2 – 3:15-4, Franklin playground/gym

Thursday, January 17:

• January Birthday Principal Lunch
• Winter Sports – 3:15-4, gym

Friday, January 18:

• Lincoln Spirit Day
• Fun Lunch – Pasta

Winter/Spring Fun Lunch – AVOID THE LATE FEE

You can see the full menu and register at the PTO Webstore.

First deadline for orders is midnight MONDAY, JANUARY 14th.

Late Fee: between JANUARY 15 – JANUARY 20th,  we will charge a $5 late fee on all lunches and a $15 late fee on the “Buy All 4 Lunches” option.

No orders will be accepted after midnight SUNDAY, JANUARY 20th.

The first fun lunch of the winter/spring session will be on Friday, January 25. The fun lunches of January 11th and January 18th were included in the first part of the year.

Wednesday Walking Club Update

The Walking Club will take a break until Spring. Given the unpredictable weather (it feels below 10 F or the field is muddy when it is nice), we have decided to suspend Walking Club for now. However, we would still like to reach our goal of walking to Canada and you can help! Keep track of the distance you and your kids walk – either to school or to the park or anywhere and you can log it in. Details to follow.
Connect 4 Kids is committed to the health and well-being of all our Lincoln school families. Movement is so important for healthy brain function and learning. Click on this video to enjoy a fun song to move with your kids before they settle down to do their homework.

Chess Club Registration Opens Soon!

Chess is a lifetime of fun and mental challenge for kids of all ages. This winter, whether your child wants to be introduced to the game or wants to improve their skills, the Lincoln chess club is the activity for them! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!

Chess Club meets on the following Mondays from 3:15-4:
1/28
2/4
2/11
2/25
3/11
3/18

Registration will open on the Webstore next Sunday 1/20. Registration will be capped at 20 kids. Kids should bring water bottle and nut free snack.

Lincoln International Festival 2/24

Please save the date for Lincoln’s International Festival on February 24. Lincoln School will be transformed into countries around the world for one special afternoon! Lincoln students can spend 4 hours traveling to China, India and beyond, dancing, crafting and having fun. Admission will remain $5 per child and will be limited to the first 120 responders. Link to register will go live on 1/22.

Save the date for the Lincoln PTO Auction

It’s that time again! Please join us Friday March 15 for Lincoln’s annual school fundraiser and auction to support the Lincoln PTO and celebrate our awesome school, staff and kids.

We will have a great selection of craft beers as well as wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Come early for the open bar from 6:30-8:30. Cash bar from 8:30-9.

There will also be a live and silent auction to benefit our Fine, Fine School. All proceeds from the event will help support PTO funded programs, school enhancements, and various other teacher needs.

Event Details: Friday, March 15, 6:30-9PM. Lake Street Kitchen, Oak Park. March Madness on TV! Ticket prices are $60 per person or $100 per couple (purchase by midnight on 3/14). We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance.

Lincoln School’s Girls on the Run – registration now open!

Girls on the Run inspires girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd and 4th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event.

If interested, please visit the website: www.gotrchicago.org and register by Feb. 14.

Any questions, please contact Kristin Bailitz at kristinbailitz@gmail.com.

Lincoln School Science Expo – volunteers needed!

We still need volunteers for the Lincoln Science Expo on the evening of Thursday, January 31st – sign up on the PTO signup genius. Thank you!

2019-2020 Kindergarten Information Night- 2/6

Please begin spreading the word about our annual Kindergarten Information Night for the 2019-2020 academic year on Wednesday, February 6.  See attached for more details.

Reminder: 2nd grade harmonica fee

Second grade parents, please remember to pay your child’s $12 harmonica class fee on the PTO webstore if you haven’t already done so.  This is a mandatory class for all 2nd graders, who be learning to play the harmonica in January. The price includes the price of one harmonica and the music book. Thank you!

RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS – Now through January 15!

Collection box on Central Avenue by River Forest Village Hall (under the train tracks).  You can recycle all working and non-working holiday lights including italian mini-lights, traditional lights, rope lights, LED lights, and extension cords. See attached flyer for more information!

One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest – submissions accepted now through 1/31/2019!

Encourage your child (and friends!) to make a 3 to 8 minute film about one of 6 sustainability topics: energy, food, transportation, waste, water, or open space/ecosystems. They should show a problem with their topic and then a solution.

Prizes are $100 for grades 3 to 5, $200 for grades 6 to 8, $350 for grades 9 to 11, and up. In addition, the winners will receive a matching grant to donate to a non-profit that supports the theme of their film. All winning films will premiere at the Gene Siskel Center as part of the One Earth Film Festival in March 2019.

For more information and to watch a 1.5 minute video explaining the contest, go here: https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/contest-details/