Lincoln Families,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  As we enter the final five school days of 2021, I can’t decide who’s more excited for the break… the kids, teachers or principal!

Much like 2020, 2021 has provided us with a new center of gravity and opportunity to reflect upon and prioritize the various elements of our lives. When I reflect upon 2021 at Lincoln School, a few things stand out to be most grateful for. First, and most importantly, our Fine Fine Kids. Every day, I am inspired by their resilience, character and perseverance. In what has become our “new normal,” their spirit and positivity serve as a daily reminder that even amid the backdrop of a global pandemic, teaching and learning can be safely achieved.  Secondly, our school wouldn’t be what it is without all the incredible people who make Lincoln School run. From Ms. Dubois, Ms. Godellas, Ms. Martini, Mr. Quincy and crew, teacher assistants, to our Fine Fine Teachers, some of the best in the business arrive here each day to give their all for the betterment of our school and the River Forest community. Finally, please never underestimate the role each of you play in supporting our Fine Fine School. The old saying “it takes a village” couldn’t apply more to the operation of our school. There was never a dull moment at Lincoln in 2021 and I look forward to the adventures we will all share in 2022!

In celebration of Winter Break, Friday, December 17 will be a Cozy Clothes/Pajama Day for the entire school. So feel free to send your kids to school wearing their favorite comfy clothes or pajamas.

Over the course of the first half of the school year, we’ve accumulated quite a collection of items in the Lincoln Lost & Found. All Lost & Found items will be on display on the Franklin blacktop during dismissal this week. Please swing by to see if any of these treasures may belong to your household. 

As noted in the Weekly Update Dawne Simmons sent on Friday, schools in D90 will send letters to families regarding their students’ attendance records beginning in January.  The first letters will be sent to families whose child has missed ten or more school days this year. Subsequently, letters will be sent upon every fifth future absence. Letters will not be sent to families whose children have been participating in remote learning.  They are considered “present” as they participate online.  We recognize that children miss school for various reasons, especially now during the pandemic.  Our goal is to partner with families to monitor children’s attendance and keep them in school when they are healthy.  School attendance is a strong predictor of student success, and our Lincoln team is here to help your child be successful in all areas! 

*Also, please don’t forget dismissal will be at 2:30pm on Friday, December 17*

Whether you are staying local or traveling near or far, I wish you and your family a safe and memorable holiday season full of wonderful new memories. And I hope during this holiday season, you too count Lincoln School and this Fine Fine Community among your many blessings.

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to better support your kids or your family. Happy Holidays from the Lincoln School family to each of yours.

See you in 2022! CG

***Look for the next Lincoln Log on Sunday, January 2, 2022***

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Calendar

ALL WEEK: Lost & Found Display @ dismissal on Franklin

Monday, 12/13

• Green4Good meeting – 3:15-4:15

Tuesday, 12/14

• Fall Sports (1/2) – 3:15 – 4:15pm, Lincoln Gym

Thursday, 12/16

• Fall Sports (3/4) – 3:15 – 4:15pm, Lincoln Gym

Friday, 12/17

• Spirit Day – Cozy Clothes/Pajamas Day
• Fun Lunch
• Early Dismissal: 2:30

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Winter Break Travel

With the coming Winter Break and time off from school, some families may consider traveling outside the area or visiting friends and family in other locales. The CDC has indicated that traveling can raise the transmission risk of COVID-19, depending on circumstances.  Fully vaccinated individuals should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after domestic travel and do not require quarantine or testing, provided they remain asymptomatic.  At the time of this writing, according to the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH), unvaccinated school-aged children do NOT have to quarantine after returning home from domestic travel. They should continue to attend school in person. However, they should get tested 3-5 days after returning from their trip and should be monitored for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days.

As long as individuals remain covid symptom-free, traveling to any state designated “yellow” does not require testing for unvaccinated individuals. When traveling to an “orange” state, the CCDPH recommends that all unvaccinated individuals or individuals who are not fully vaccinated have a PCR test 3-5 days after returning to Illinois. Students are not required to quarantine while awaiting testing or results, provided they are asymptomatic. For international travel, any unvaccinated D90 student is required to have a PCR test 3-5 days after returning to Illinois and must quarantine while awaiting the testing and results. Unvaccinated students or students who are not fully vaccinated may not return to school until the negative result is provided to the school nurse. Families can review CCDPH’s information about its travel guidance in the link below.

Please note: These travel requirements are changing frequently, especially with the recent appearance of the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Please check the CCDPH’s travel advisory page for the latest information at this link: covid-19-travel-guidance.

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From the Music Room

Please enjoy the 3rd Grade Autumn to Winter Music Sharing. The kids worked hard to put this together and you can see a good variety of the kinds of activities we do in music throughout the program.   Moving forward, the yearly program schedule will be as follows:  

• December – 3rd grade
• February – Kindergarten 
• March – 2nd grade
• April – 1st grades
• May/June – 4th grade

**Specific Dates TBD

For the time being, these programs will be video performances.  We look forward to sharing our work with you! Thanks for your support of the Lincoln Music program. Mrs. Mann

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Thank you for your generosity!

Thank you to the Lincoln Community for your donations of new mittens and hats in children’s sizes for Hephzibah Home, and Gift cards for the clients of Sarah’s Inn.

Thank you for sharing the warmth with families in need during the holiday season!

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“Gray Area”- Virtual Screening and Discussion, December 14th, 7-8pm

Kelley Kitley is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience and the author of “MY self: An Autobiography of Survival”.  Her book delves into her personal story of alcohol addiction and anxiety.  The virtual screening of her book adaptation, “Gray Area”, will be presented followed by a Q&A session.  Kelley is an Oak Parker, with and mother of four.  This virtual screening and discussion is made possible through the Communities Talk Initiative and provided by the Oak Park and River Forest Townships Positive Youth Development Committee, The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, and River Forest Township. 

This event is free but registration is required in order to receive the Zoom link.  For more information about this event, see attached flyer.

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Family Fun Over Winter Break ❄️

We are all looking forward to relaxing and recharging over the break with family and friends. If you find yourself feeling cozy and creative, take some time to do one or more of these fun tech projects! Create a how-to movie, make a family photo collage, animate your favorite winter scene, or make a striking snowflake.  Directions are included, there is something for every age. Post your projects on a private Padlet especially created for Lincoln families. Scan a QR code at the bottom of this document to get to a Padlet, password = winter break. We can’t wait to see your creations! Please email Mrs. Clasky if you have any questions. (claskya@district90.org)

Family Tech Projects

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Library Lowdown

You are still able to order a book from the Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr author/illustrator visit – you have until Wednesday, December 15th. Click here to order.

Be sure to ask your student about the visit.  The husband and wife team of “The Cookie Chronicles” shared their writing process with us in such an engaging way, while offering some really good life advice to our students.  The visit was a lot of fun and we’re so glad they were able to zoom in with us.

Next week your student will receive a “Winter Reading Bingo” card.  Winter break is a great time to do extra reading – no school, cold outside – perfect time! Use the bingo card to encourage them to read a variety of books. Students can cross off 8 boxes and win a small prize – return by January 10th.

Please plan on returning ALL books to Lincoln upon our return.  At that point, all books will be overdue.  Additionally, winter break is a great time to search for any lost books.  Have a great break and keep reading!

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Follow the PTO on Instagram

Follow the Lincoln PTO on Instagram – @Lincoln_Eagles_PTO

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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. 

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