Happy 2019!!  The mid-winter break was in high demand for all, and I’m hopeful the temporary pause from routine provided everyone the opportunity to recharge for what promises to be a year of exciting new adventures at our Fine Fine School!

Despite what will likely be a sluggish start to the week for most of us, once we get going, 2019 looks to be a busy time at Lincoln and District 90.

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.

Again, welcome back to school! I look forward to welcoming your kids back to Lincoln tomorrow. Please never hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do to support your family. Happy New Year!

GO BEARS!  ~ CG

Quote of the Week: “Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved!”

Calendar

Monday, January 7:

• Tennis, grades 3/4 – 3:15-4, Franklin playground/gym

Tuesday, January 8:

• PTO meeting – 8:45am, Lincoln multi-purpose room
• Winter Sports – 3:15-4, gym

Wednesday, January 9:

• Wednesday Walking Club – 8am, Franklin playground
• Waste Free Wednesday
• Heartworks meeting – lunch/recess
• Tennis, grades 1/2 – 3:15-4, Franklin playground/gym

Thursday, January 10:

• Wonder Readers – 7:30am
• Winter Sports – 3:15-4, gym

Friday, January 11:

• Lincoln Spirit Day
• Wonder Writers – 7:30am
• Fun Lunch – Pizza

PTO meeting this Tuesday, 1/8

Join us for the PTO meeting this Tuesday, 1/8 at 8:45am in the multi-purpose room.  All are welcome!

Winter/Spring Fun Lunch – REGISTER NOW

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 resumes THIS WEEK

Walking Club will resume this Wednesday, 1/9 with a new goal to walk to Canada!  Each Wednesday on the Franklin side from 8 am until the first bell, walk laps before school, see a few friends and make new friends! It’s a great way to start the day. We will walk when the air temp feels like 10 degrees or warmer and it’s not muddy out.

We are looking for a few volunteers. This is a super easy way to contribute with the commitment being just 25 minutes at drop off. If interested, please sign up via sign up genius (Link here) or contact Laura Haussmann laura.haussmann@gmail.com or Sangeetha Madhavan sangs50@gmail.com.

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. Here’s an article that shows just what we mean!

Winter Tennis – still a few open spots!

Tennis will be taught by Mirka and Luka Bagos, professional coaches of Play For Lot, outside on the Franklin-side playground (weather permitting). If it’s too cold, tennis will meet in the gym.

The program welcomes children of all skill levels. Children need to wear gym shoes and comfortable clothes. No racket needed.  Sign up now on the PTO webstore!

Who & When:
Grades 1 and 2 meet on WEDNESDAYS 3:15 to 4:15 pm on the following dates: 1/9, 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13 ($80 for 6 lessons)
Grades 3 and 4 meet on MONDAYS 3:15 to 4:15 pm on the following dates: 1/7, 1/14, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/25 ($80 for 6 lessons)

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.

Young Authors 2019 – calling all writers in grades 1-4!!

Come to Wonder Writers any Friday morning or just ask Mrs. Moriarty for more information.

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!

Lincoln event photos wanted

The yearbook committee would love any photos you took of the following events:

• • PanK Run Breakfast & 5K
  • Halloween Parade
  • Classroom Parties
  • Winter concerts
  • Lincoln Walking Club

If you have photos you’d like to share please use this Google drive link.  When uploading photos, we ask that you please follow the folder naming structure so we know which event/classroom to attribute the photos to:  [Event_Name] Photos from [Your_Name] [Teacher_Name] Photos from [Your_Name]

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/