2/13 Lincoln Log
Lincoln Families,
Happy Valentine’s! I hope you enjoyed the rare February five-day weekend with your kids. I must admit, even Principals enjoy a snow day!! Hopefully, you took in the chance to play in the snow and enjoy the excitement of the Olympics.
The third annual Science Expo was a great way to kick off the five-day weekend. Many thanks to Steve Lefko and family for his vision, coordination and support of this event for the past three years. Each year this event grows and I can’t wait to see what lies in store for the Expo in 2019. It was so incredible to see the creativity, inquiry and love on science on full display!
While our teachers enjoyed the snow day on Friday and Lincoln’s birthday off with our kids yesterday, today they returned for an institute day that focused on Positive Growth Mindset and a presentation from Lurie Children’s Hospital focused on supporting transgendered students.
This week we are also very excited to welcome Mrs. Kopriva back to Lincoln. Her laughter and smile have been missed in our office. Many thanks to Amy Dwyer and Anna Brennan, who faithfully filled in to support our school in her absence.
Valentine’s Day is always one of my favorite days at Lincoln! It’s always so great to see kids exchanging tokens of friendship and especially the voices of our Kindergarten students in their annual Valentine’s Day program. The Kindergarten program begins at 10:00 in the auditorium. We encourage all guests to please enter through the Franklin Street entrance. As a reminder, please note that both AM and PM Kindergarten students will attend the morning session on Wednesday, February 14.
Finally, I look forward to celebrating with our February birthdays during Thursday’s Principal Birthday Lunch.
It’s hard to believe our next full “five-day” week of school isn’t until the week of March 12-16. That said, please note the following upcoming dates at Lincoln:
- Wednesday, February 14 – Kindergarten Valentine’s Program 10:00
- Monday, February 19 – No Student Attendance – Teacher Institute Day
- Thursday, March 1 – Evening Parent Teacher Conferences
- Friday. March 2 – No Student Attendance – Parent Teacher Conferences
- Monday, March 5 – No Student/Staff Attendance – Pulaksi Day
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can ever do to better support your child or enhance your experience at Lincoln. Thanks for your support of our Fine Fine School. Have a great week. CG
Calendar
Wednesday, 2/14:
- Kindergarten Valentine’s Program – 10am, auditorium
- 4th Grade Math Circle – lunch/recess
- Winter Sports Camp – 3:15-4pm, gym
Thursday, 2/15:
- Tennis grades 1/2 – 3:15-4pm, gym
- February Principal Birthday Lunch
- Wonder Writers – 7:30am, multi-purpose room
- Fun Lunch – Pasta
Monday, 2/19: NO SCHOOL – Institute Day
Valentine’s Day and Party Information
A Reminder on Class Parties – As Valentine’s Day parties approach, it is important to remember District 90’s food allergy practices that help keep all our children safe.
Room Parents, please remember to check with your class teacher or the school nurse for a list of food allergies unique to your classroom. Please remember that ALL food items MUST be store bought or made in a licensed commercial kitchen that is nut free. All items must be nut free and not manufactured in a nut facility or on equipment that is shared with any type of nut. This is a school-wide practice regardless of whether there is a child with a nut allergy in the classroom.
In addition, all food items must be free of all allergens unique to the classroom and not manufactured on equipment that is shared with that allergen. (Example: soy, egg, milk)
Also please remember that food cannot be prepared in any way in your homes, i.e., slicing fruit or assembling themed food items. Please also bring in all food items in their original packaging so labels can be reviewed.
We ask for your full cooperation with this. Unfortunately, if something comes in that does not adhere to these rules or contains an allergen, the food will not be able to be served.
A Reminder on Valentine’s Day Cards – Please remember that Valentines should be brought for every student in your child’s classroom. Valentines may NOT contain any type of food or candy items. If your child brings a Valentine with candy attached, we will remove the candy and allow the Valentine to be passed out. If there is no way to separate the candy from the Valentine, unfortunately, the Valentines will not be allowed to be passed out, and we will ask your child to bring the Valentines home. Please help us avoid disappointment and tears and remember not to have candy or food be a part of your child’s Valentine cards.
Thank you all for helping keep all of our students at Lincoln safe.
If you have any questions at all please contact our school nurse, Erin Godellas at godellase@district90.org or 708-366-7340 x 8034. Please feel free to take a picture and forward any ingredient label that you may have a question about.
One District/One Book
District 90, in partnership with the PTOs, will be hosting several upcoming events as part of the shared reading experience, the One District/One Book effort. This community-wide reading initiative encourages families and residents to read, reflect, and discuss the same book together. All District 90 families, faculty, staff, students, and River Forest residents are encouraged to read and join in the discussion of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck.
The Mindset approach offers a framework to advance one’s efforts in the classroom (for students), at work, with personal relationships, and in the community. School and local librarians are offering other potential book titles with similar themes for novice or young readers.
Webinar – Wednesday, February 21 from 8-9pm (more details coming soon)
Please plan to participate in an interactive webinar for anyone interested in understanding the components of the growth mindset approach. More than a concept that relies on positive thinking, the growth mindset approach encourages meeting challenges through a variety of methods. Participants will be able to leverage practical suggestions about the growth mindset approach as they learn how to apply its tenets to all aspects of their lives.
All events are free and open to the public. Please plan to attend one or all of the upcoming One District/One Book events, see attached flyer.
Jump Rope For Heart (grades 1-4) – February 21!
Forms and parent letters were sent home with students in grades 1-4. The students who participate in the fundraising event will have until February 21 to collect donations. On February 21, we will celebrate Jump Rope for Heart Day during PE classes. On that day, all the students will jump rope celebrating being heart healthy – all fundraising envelopes should be turned in at that time. Wondering what Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart is all about? Check it out!
Jump Rope For Heart:
Here are four easy steps to get your student’s online fundraising page set up and start collecting lifesaving donations (or watch this quick video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc9Yz4lNzLU):
- Go to your school’s fundraising page: WWW.HEART.ORG/GOTO/LINCOLNRIVERFOREST
- Click on the Sign Up button
- Create a username and password and then fill out the registration form
- Share your personal fundraising link with friends and family right away.
AND/OR Download the FREE mobile app Jump/Hoops and register your student that way
Thank you for joining us as we challenge each other to keep our heart healthy and raise money for kids with special hearts!
International Festival – Sunday, February 25!
Lincoln School and PTO is hosting its third International Fest on Sunday, February 25, from 1-4pm.
Send your child on a journey around the world! In one afternoon, your child will travel through four countries, hosted by Lincoln parents from around the world (plus art teachers Ms. Kozbur!), doing locally themed hands-on projects and activities at each itinerary stop.
The cost of this amazing experience is $5 per child. All travelers will receive a personalized passport and duty free bag. World travel will include age appropriate scavenger hunts with token souvenir prizes! World snacks and drinks will be available for sale in our International Food Court (the gym). Parents and siblings are welcome to wait for their Lincoln Travelers alongside a hands-on international exhibit in the gym.
Due to space and logistical constraints, the World Tour is open to Lincoln students only. Parents may accompany Lincoln students on the tour if need be, but qualified “tour guides” will be helping students find their way, and will be available to assist younger travelers. Franklin Entrance Doors open at 1 pm. Students “tour” from 1:15 to 4 pm. WebStore registration is open until February 16 and will be limited to the first 120 Lincoln students who RSVP.
In the event that World Tour sells out, please register on the Wait List free of charge and we will contact you if space opens up.
Parent volunteers are still needed — please sign up on the PTO SignUpGenius.
Questions? Contact Vanessa Druckman (vanessadruckman at gmail.com) or Katie Iammartino (katie_strauss at hotmail.com)
Annual Lincoln School Auction – March 16th!
Girls On the Run – Registration is open!
Fitness, Empowerment, & Fun? Join Girls on the Run!
Girls on the Run is a non-profit, after-school program for 3rd and 4th grade girls that uses the power of running to educate girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. The program combines training for a 5k event with interactive lessons that encourage positive physical and social-emotional development.
WHEN do we meet? Twice a week after school for 75 – 90 minutes with your team. The program will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lincoln School starting in March through May and is led by trained, volunteer coaches. (Cost will be $205/girl for the 12 week season).
Sign up is open! Go to gotrchicago.org to sign up and learn more. 5K Race to be held in Grant Park on Saturday, May 19.
Volunteer as a coach for Girls on the Run! You don’t need to be a runner or have previous coaching experience – just the passion to change the lives of young girls.
Contact Kristin Bailitz at kristinbailitz@gmail.com if interested.
ATTENTION PARENTS OF 4TH GRADERS
Join in 4th Grade Field Day Activities
Would your son or daughter like to participate in one of Lincoln School’s Field Day traditions? Our kids have excitedly been watching the “big kids” (aka – 4th graders) over the years entertain and kick off Field Day with Drumming and the Maypole Dance. Now it’s their turn to participate! Field Day is currently scheduled for the last day of school, Thursday, June 6. Your 4th grader can choose to participate in the Maypole Dance and/or Drumming. We are in need of parent volunteers to help guide and instruct the students in the drumming activity. Please email Suzanne D’Agostino (suzanne.dagostino@gmail.com) or Amy Prestes (amy.prestes@gmail.com) if you are interested in leading the 4th graders in this Lincoln Tradition.
Please Don’t Forget to Pay 4th Grade Activities Fee
Please click here to pay your $25 4th Grade Activity Fee.This money goes toward the t-shirt that your 4th grader will wear during Field Day and the cost of the 4th grade breakfast celebration on the last day of school. If you are unsure if you have already paid, please click here and log in to review your order history on the PTO webstore.
Any questions? Contact Suzanne D’Agostino (suzanne.dagostino@gmail.com) or Amy Prestes (amy.prestes@gmail.com).
Commemorative Video for 4th Graders: Pictures Needed
A video will be shown at the 4th grade breakfast on the morning of June 6. The video will contain pictures of the 4th graders through their years at Lincoln School. So grab a box of tissues and scroll through your old photos. Please begin to gather a variety of photos of your child commemorating all of their years at Lincoln, grades K through 4. We suggest photos from school events, school concerts, class parties, field trips, PTO events, back to school pictures, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, other clubs, youth sports teams, pictures with good Lincoln buddies, etc. We will set up a method for collecting those photos in the coming weeks.
Important Messages from your School Nurse
Please remember during cold and flu season to keep your child home if they are sick. If they have a fever they need to be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before they can return to school. If they are vomiting and/or have diarrhea, make sure it has been at least 24 hours since the last episode before returning to school. If your child has an excessively runny nose or cannot stop coughing, it may be a good idea to keep them home. This is to protect your child from catching something if their immune system is down, as well as to protect the other students and staff. Thank you for doing your part to keep everyone at Lincoln School healthy.
Attendance Reporting
When reporting your child’s absence please be sure to either use the district attendance e-mail or telephone extension:
1) Lincoln School Attendance Line: 708.366.7340
2) Email 24-7 to lincolnattendance@district90.org
Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Samantha and Justin Winerman
The Keskitalo-Eckstein Family
Bronze Sponsors
The Honeycutt Group
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty
Cowan/Raker Family
Zonavetch Family
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