2/4 Lincoln Log

Lincoln Families,

Happy February, Happy Super Bowl and Happy Olympics! Based upon the frigid weather of the weekend, I’d say the ground hog’s prediction of 6 more weeks of winter is fairly accurate! I hope you enjoyed the weekend, kept warm and that whatever team you’re cheering for in tonight’s Superbowl is victorious.
You might notice the formatting of our Lincoln Log has been adjusted over the past few weeks. Our communications team has been working to make this publication more user friendly, easier to navigate and graphically appealing. This week’s edition includes a table of contents which allows the reader to view the topics in this edition as well as the opportunity to click on the link in the contents and be taken to that section. (Please note, this feature will only works when reading on a computer. Unfortunately, it is not currently available on mobile devices.)
As I shared a few weeks ago, the 4th graders in Mr. Cheney’s 4th grade class were invited to the Google Headquarters downtown to receive the grand prize award for their submission to the  annual Google Student Film Festival. Josie Kim, William Wegner and Angelina Silvestri, flanked by their mothers, classmates, teacher and principals, accepted this recognition and also shared their film making experience with the over 200 assembled for the ceremony.  As one might expect, Google created an interactive and engaging awards ceremony for the winning films to be viewed, while also inspiring students and adults alike with new ideas and strategies for future films they might make. I look forward to supporting Lincoln School participation in this festival for many years to come! Many thanks to all our Lincoln staff who supported their students’ participation in this festival, including Mr. Cheney and Mrs. Clasky.
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As you are likely aware, D90 has been actively engaging the entire River Forest community in our initiative for embracing and embedding a growth mindset focus into all we do. This initiative was inspired by the work of Carol Dweck in her best selling book “Mindset”.  Over the past months and into the future, our D90 staff has been participating in various professional learning opportunities on this topic. Additionally, there have been several community engagement opportunities, including speakers and workshops, that have provided families and community members with strategies and tools for embracing a growth mindset in our lives and homes. In the event you’ve been unable to read the book or participate in any of the community learning, here is the link to a short video that will hopefully jump start your growth mindset practice:
Due to holidays and teacher institute days, there are several upcoming non-student attendance days:
Monday, February 12, Lincoln’s Birthday- No Teacher/Student Attendance
Tuesday, February 13, Teacher Institute Day- No Student Attendance
Monday, February 19, President’s Day/Teacher Institute Day- No Student Attendance
One of the highlights of the school year is always our Kindergarten Valentine concert. On Wednesday,  February 14, Mrs. Halter, Mrs. Stasys and Mrs. Suzuki welcome our Kindergarten families to attend the performance and reception beginning at 10:00am. Please be sure to check the Kindergarten newsletters for more details.
Finally, this week, our 3rd and 4th grade students will take the CogAT assessment. CogAT is one of several pieces of information that is part of a broader matrix utilized to facilitate placement decisions for specialized accelerated learning.  Results will be shared in the spring, at which point parents will be given instructions on how to access and view individual student profiles. The student profiles will provide parents with insight into their child’s unique profile of strengths and areas for growth, both inside and outside of the classroom environment.
I was rather long winded this week, but hopefully you made it through all of the exciting things happening at Lincoln and D90. As always, please never hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can do for you or your kids. Thanks for your support of Lincoln. I hope to see you at the Science Expo on Thursday.
Have a great week. CG

Calendar

Monday, 2/5:

  • PTO Meeting – 8:45am, art room
  • 4th Grade Math Circle – lunch/recess
  • Winter Sports Camp – 3:15-4pm, gym
  • Yoga – 3:15-4:15pm, Mrs. Burns’ Classroom
  • Chess Club – 3:15-4:15, LLC

Tuesday, 2/6:

  • Tennis grades 3/4 – 3:15-4pm, gym
  • Theater Club – 3:15-4:15pm, auditorium

Wednesday, 2/7:

  • Winter Sports Camp – 3:15-4pm, gym

Thursday, 2/8:

  • Tennis grades 1/2 – 3:15-4pm, gym
  • Science Expo – 6:30-7:30pm
Friday, 2/9:
  • Wonder Writers – 7:30am, multi-purpose room
  • Fun Lunch – Pizza


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.


Lincoln K-4th Jr. Scientist Expo – February 8th, Volunteers Needed!

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The Lincoln Elementary K-4th Jr. Scientist Exp will be Thursday, February 8th – please sign up to volunteer through Signup Genius.


River Forest Chocolates Shop and Share Fundraiser – February 8th!

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Pick up delicious chocolate treats for your special Valentines this Thursday, February 8th from 11-5pm. River Forest Chocolates will donate 10% of sales from the event back to the Lincoln PTO!  Click here for more details. Thank you for your continued Lincoln PTO support!


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.

Mid-February (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 from January 31 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):

  1. Go to your school’s fundraising page: WWW.HEART.ORG/GOTO/LINCOLNRIVERFOREST
  2. Click on the Sign Up button
  3. Create a username and password and then fill out the registration form
  4. 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. WE EXPECT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL TO SELL OUT QUICKLY!

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!

 We hope you can join us for our school’s annual fundraiser Hoops & Heels on Friday, March 16th at Lake Street Kitchen!  ALL proceeds benefit our kids and our school!
The addition of a live auction last year was a great success and we can’t wait to do it again (along with a silent auction)!  We are in search of new auction items/experiences.  If you have anything you’d be interested in donating or discussing, or if you’re interested in volunteering with the auction committee, please contact our auction chairs Rebecca Ehart (clarkhartwed@gmail.com) or Melissa Bergetz (bergetzm@gmail.com).
Tickets will be available for advance purchase online soon.  More information will be coming in future newsletters.   Looking forward to seeing you there!

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

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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