Lincoln Families,

I hope you had a great weekend. I enjoyed the weekend in St. Louis visiting family, running the STL 1/2 Marathon and celebrating my upcoming birthday! I always love this time of year when baseball makes its return. Whether you cheer for the North Side, South Side, St. Louis or another team, its always a sure sign of spring when baseball is back in action!

Several months ago families were encouraged to return the Blue Ribbons that hung around your parkway trees. To help commemorate our “Blue Ribbon” year, these ribbons were recycled and used to create a beautifully crafted 5 ft ‘Blue Ribbon Wreath’ that now hangs in the new east stairwell of the school. Many thank to Laura Maychruck, Liita the artist and Little Bits for their dedication to this project.

Earlier this week, I sent a letter regarding class placement for 2016-17. In the event you did not receive it, here it is again.  Placement Request Letter

I’m really looking forward to celebrating all the April birthdays this Thursday, April 14. April is my birthday month as well, so I’m excited to celebrate with your kids.

Finally, there are two important calendar changes to share. Please be sure to adjust your calendars. More specifics on each of these events will be forthcoming.

Ice Cream Social: Friday, May 20

Field Day: Friday, June 3

As always, thanks for your continued support of Lincoln School. Please never hesitate to reach out if there is anything I can help with. Have a great week.

Go Sox, Go Cubs, GO CARDS!!!

CG

SPIRIT WEAR Winners: 04.08.16

K-2- Mrs. Stasys

3-4- Mrs. Bajo

Calendar

Sunday, 4/10:

• Yoga, Tennis and 2nd Grade Bike Safety registration opens at 5:00 pm
• 2016/2017 School Supply Kits available for order (see below for details)

Tuesday, 4/12:

• Girls on the Run
• “Meet and Greet” for Dr. Alison Hawley – 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Roosevelt

Wednesday, 4/13:

• Waste Free Lunch Wednesday
• Habitat Helpers – Grades 1 and 2
• PTO Informational Meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 p.m  at  519 Monroe

Thursday, 4/14:

• PTO Informational Meeting – 8:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Multipurpose Room
• Principal Birthday Lunch for April birthdays
• Girls on the Run
• Mind Positive Parenting discussion with Erin Walsh – 6:30-8pm at Roosevelt
• Deadline to order autographed copies of Liesl Shurtliff books

Friday, 4/15:

• Lincoln Spirit Day
• Fun Lunch:   Pasta

Can’t get too much of a good thing…the PTO’s Connect4Kids is running additional 6 week sessions:

Yoga on Mondays, 3:15-4:15, from 4/18- 5/23.

Adrienne Smith and Laurie Solberg of Core Power Yoga will be teaching children’s yoga class for 1st – 4th grade students on Mondays in the Gym.

The program will provide children with an opportunity to foster greater self-awareness and improve their concentration and self-confidence.  The team will introduce the children to the fundamentals of yoga and incorporate social-emotional themes.

Registration is now open on the PTO Website.  The cost is $70 for 6 classes.  Classes fill quickly and it is first come, first served.

Play For Lot Tennis from 4/18 to 5/25:  

Tennis on Mondays for 3rd/4th grade from 3:15-4:15 pm

Tennis on Wednesdays for 1st/2nd grade, 3:15-4:15 pm

Tennis will be taught by Mirka and Luka Bagos, professional coaches of Play For Lot,  outdoors on the playground, weather permitting, or in the gym. The 6-week program welcomes children of all skill levels.

Registration is now open on the PTO Website. The cost is $70 for 6 weeks.  Classes fill quickly and it is first come, first served.

To find out more about this program, please visit:  http://www.playforlot.org/ or https://www.facebook.com/playforlot/

Meet the New D90 Director of Curriculum on 4/12

The community is invited to meet Dr. Alison Hawley, the District’s newly selected Director of Curriculum and Instruction, at a “Meet and Greet” on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room at Roosevelt.

Dr. Hawley comes to District 90 after serving as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Winnetka Public Schools. She has also served as the Assistant Principal and a sixth grade teacher at the Skokie School in Winnetka. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Alison Hawley to District 90.

Lincoln PTO Coffees on 4/13 &  4/14

The PTO will be hosting two informational coffees this week.  Please stop in to meet some Lincoln parents and find a volunteer spot that fits your schedule.   Bring your ideas and learn about ways to get involved! Click here for a list of open PTO 2016-17 positions.

Wednesday, 4/13  from 7:00 -9:00 p.m  at  519 Monroe

Thursday, 4/14  at  8:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Multipurpose Room

Make plans with some friends and mark your calendars!

Mind Positive Parenting Discussion on 4/14

The Special Education Advisory Committee and District 90 PTOs are jointly sponsoring an evening discussion on Mind Positive Parenting with author and speaker Erin Walsh. The event will take place on Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Roosevelt.

Erin Walsh speaks regularly on raising resilient and successful young people by equipping families with relevant information on brain development and preparing children to meet the challenges of the 21^st Century. She was instrumental to the development of the MediaWise movement and worked with her father, Dr. David Walsh, in creating Mind Positive Parenting in 2010. Mind Positive Parenting is an initiative that translates brain science into helpful strategies for raising resilient children, preparing them for global citizenship, equipping students for school success, and fostering social competence and caring.  

Ms. Walsh’s powerful message is important for all families who are preparing their children to be productive and successful adults. Please join us for an insightful and entertaining evening.

Lincoln Elementary is delighted to welcome award winning author Liesl Shurtliff to our school on Thursday, April 28th.

Ms. Shurtliff will talk with 3rd and 4th grade students about her writing career and her most recent books. Her books are funny, fractured fairy tales which make magical worlds feel utterly real and are highly recommend reading for 8-12 year olds.  Ms. Shurtliff’s first book, Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin, was named to 9 state award lists and in 2015 was selected by the Illinois Reading Council. Her next book Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk, was also a hit with both children and critics alike. Liesl Shurtliff’s newest book, Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood, will be released on April 12th.

To guarantee a personalized and autographed copy of any of Liesl Shurtliff’s books,  please return the attached Liesl Shurtliff Order Form to the Lincoln school office with payment (cash or check payable to Lincoln PTO) by April 14th.

Please note that orders for the books Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin and Jack: The True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk are offered in paperback only, while orders for the newly released Red: The True Story of Red Riding Hood are hardback only.   Questions?  Please email Lisa Shorney  (LisaIliffe AT yahoo.com)

Spring 2016 is time to brush up on bike safety for 2nd Graders!

The River Forest Police Department will be conducting a bike safety workshop, and you can register now for this free event on the PTO Web Store.  Choose one of the two days to participate. 

This is an informative and fun event for second graders only.  Second graders must have successfully completed this workshop before they are permitted to ride their bikes to school. 

Kids will be outside for the second half of the workshop, so be prepared for the weather!

DAY: Tuesday, April 26th or Wednesday, April 27th
TIME: Right after school until 4:30 p.m.
PLACE: Multipurpose Room (bikes can be brought in the morning & left locked at the bike rack outside the gym)
BRING: Bike with lock set and helmet

Note: You will be able to register your bike with the Village of River Forest on the day of your workshop. 

Order School Supply Kits for 2016-2017

Looking for an easy way to shop for next year’s school supplies?  Purchase the complete, teacher-tailored kits from SchoolKidz.  The PTO organizes these kits for your convenience, and supplies will be waiting in your child’s classroom in August.  Save yourself a few shopping trips this summer and get exactly what the Lincoln teachers asked for, all in one simple on-line purchase!

Review kit contents and pricing and place your order here (Lincoln Account Number: 20838).  Please remember to order NEXT YEAR’S grade kit.  Please type in your child’s name as you want it to appear on all labels.

Orders will be accepted online only, and only until Friday, 4/29.  A flyer with this same information was sent home on Friday, 4/8.

Questions?  Please contact Ann Mills:  anncieslica AT msn.com

PTO Kid’s Resale Event on May 6th – 7th

In the spirit of recycling and spring cleaning, clear out your closets and garage to participate in the PTO’s first ever Kid’s Resale Fundraising Event!

DROP OFF:  Friday, May 6th   3:10 pm to 6:30 pm

SHOP:  Saturday. May 7th   10:00 am to 1:00 pm

LOCATION:  the Lincoln Gym for both Drop Off and Shopping

Donate your gently worn summer kids’ clothes, accessories and outdoor equipment (e.g., bikes, wagons, scooters, play tents, sports equipment, etc.) to the PTO.  Please drop off summer items only and no items with holes, stains or heavy wear/tear. Accepting all kids sizes from baby to youth XL.

Don’t miss this sale event– you can fill a bag for just $35! Only large ticket items (e.g, bikes, wagons, sports equipment), shoes and designer merchandise will be priced individually.  All other apparel/accessories that fit in a single bag is yours for the flat rate of $35.  If you want more clothing, buy a second bag for $30.

Please note this is not a consignment sale. All drop-offs are donations and all resale proceeds fund the Lincoln PTO. Unsold items will be donated to Hephzibah/Salvation Army. Please save fall/winter clothes for a TBD fall resale event.  Also, please no baby gear (e.g., car seats, high chairs, walkers, strollers, etc.) as we cannot resell these.

Questions? Contact event organizers Michelle Elfvin (michelleelfvin AT gmail.com) or Janice Moskoff (janicemoskoff AT gmail.com).

RECYCLING NEWS–mark your calendar

The Village of River Forest is no longer providing electronics recycling, so we wanted to let everyone know about the West Cook County Solid Waste Agency Electronics Event on April 16 in Westchester (see attached Recycling Info). River Forest is a member of the WCCSWA and RF residents can recycle their electronics at this event for free.

Green4Good’s  Recycling Extravaganza

When:  Saturday, May 7th   8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Where:  RF United Methodist Church.

Please save the date and spread the word. This year due to the electronics recycling market, we are charging anyone who brings electronics.  It will be $10 per car and cars will be limited to 1 tv (plasma or CRT) and 1 monitor. All other household electronics are unlimited.

We will be collecting all of the other usual items as well:  scrap metal, bikes, books, school supplies, CFLs etc.

AND EARTH WEEK IS COMING!   April 18th through 22nd
Walk to School all Week–Walking School Buses will be Organized!
Wear Green all Week
Waste Free Lunch Challenge

Fun Lunch – Thursday Volunteers Needed!

Fun Lunch volunteers are needed for upcoming Thursday fun lunches:  4/21, 5/12 and 5/26.  Please contact Amy Hansmann at “amy AT hansmann.org” or sign up on Sign Up Genius.

4th Grade Corner – Information for the Roosevelt Class of 2020!

Attention 4th Grade Parents: Roosevelt Spring Spirit Wear is Now On Sale!

New items, new styles…including a new BPA-free water bottle for spring and summer sports! Get ready for spring and show your school spirit!  Ordering only open through the month of April, so order your items here today.

Questions: bulldogemporium@gmail.com

Please Don’t Forget to Pay 4th Grade Activities Fee

The $20 4th Grade Activity Fee goes toward the t-shirts that your 4th grader will wear during Field Day, the commemorative DVD of the kids’ time at Lincoln that all children receive, and the cost of the 4th grade breakfast celebration on the last day of school.

(Note: this fee takes the place of separate t-shirt and dvd fees that were collected in the past).

Any questions? Contact Tammy Travis (tamara_irwin@yahoo.com).

Commemorative DVD for 4th Graders: Pictures Needed

Please send pictures of your 4th grader’s Lincoln years to Jenn Meyer (jmeyer AT ajenda.com).

The Roosevelt PTO Needs You!

Help Wanted: The Roosevelt Middle School PTO is currently in the process of filling positions for the 2016-2017 school year. We warmly welcome all new Lincoln and Willard families with rising 5th graders and/or are new to the community! Opportunities exist for day-time, evening and limited work-from-home projects. Perks include seeing your child from time-to-time at school, being a part of creating positive and fun activities/events for students while making new friends or connecting with good friends. Plus there is a NEW monthly raffle prize for fun lunch volunteers. Everyone is welcome! Please contact Stephanie Schrodt at theschrodts@yahoo.com or by phone at 708-689-0876 to discuss an opportunity that is a good fit for what you would like to do in accordance with your availability.

Save-the-Dates for End of Year Celebrations

Mark your calendars now for Lincoln’s end of the year celebrations!

• Ice Cream Social & Yearbook Distribution: Friday, May 20 – 6-7:30 pm
• Field Day: afternoon of Friday, June 3 (last day of school)

OPRF Feed My Starving Children MobilePack

One Day – 500 Volunteers – 100,000 Meals

Looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children living in poverty?

On Saturday, April 16th in the South Gym of Concordia University’s River Forest campus, 500 volunteers from throughout the community will come together from 11:30am to 1:30pm or from 2:00 to 4:00 to help pack 100,000 meals specifically formulated for malnourished children. Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit targeting the neediest of children in 70 countries throughout the world – children in danger of dying from starvation and malnutrition. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated for malnourished children, and FMSC ships these meals to their distribution partners to feed children! Children 5+ accompanied by an adult are encouraged to participate!

You can register to volunteer for the Mobile Pack at: http://www.fundraising.fmsc.org/OakParkCommunity

D90’s Education for the Future Survey

You’re invited to participate in District 90’s Education for the Future climate survey, available here.  Conducted online through California State University, the survey is part of the District’s continuous improvement initiatives and analyzes the perceptions of our students, families, and staff.

The survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the workings of our schools by inviting participants to share their thoughts on important elements of school processes and practices. The insights shared will help advance understanding about the conditions of District 90 schools and will guide ongoing improvement.

Confidentiality will be maintained for all survey participants.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to assist District 90 with their efforts to maintain a high quality educational environment for all members of the school community.

Community Bulletin Board

Click here to find out more about community events, sports, classes and workshops.