Lincoln Families,

It’s hard to believe that sixty days have come and gone since we embarked upon this E-Learning adventure. I hope you were able to take advantage of Saturday’s beautiful weather before today’s washout. I visited Oz Park for a “Social Distancing” picnic with some friends. It was so nice to be outdoors and bask in the fresh air and sunshine! 

 

Over the past few days teachers have been visiting Lincoln with the task of gathering student belongings and bagging them for the eventual retrieval of these personal items for your kids. Both Willard and Lincoln are working through the logistics of safely returning items to students while also adhering with the Social Distancing guidelines. Look for communication regarding these logistics in the near future. This process will incorporate the distribution of personal student belongings from classrooms as well as the return of student medications and other items remaining at school. At this same time, students/families will be asked to return library books and any other classroom items they might have at home. Please note that iPads will remain with students for the summer. Final details are forthcoming.

4th Grade Surprise

4th grade families, on Thursday and Friday of this coming week, I’ll be making a special delivery to each of your homes to help celebrate your kids’ final days as Lincoln Eagles. I’m not planning to tell kids that I am coming, but didn’t want you to be caught off guard if you see me in your yard. Look for me on Thursday from 11-4 and Friday from 9-1. There is no need for you to be home, but if you are feel free to wave from the window. If not, I’ll be sure to leave your kid’s treasures in a safe place outside of your home. 

The teachers and I were hopeful that we’d be able to host a Lincoln School “Drive By” where teachers would have gathered 6-12ft apart on Park Ave. while  families/kids had the opportunities to “drive by” to wave and celebrate the start of summer. However, after consulting with the RFPD, I’ve learned that such a gathering would be in violation of the Village’s Social Distancing and Group Gathering ordinances. That being said, the staff and I have resorted to “Plan B” and have created a fun way to virtually celebrate all of your kids’ hard work this year.  Stay tuned for more information!

I’ve been spending lots of time thinking of ways to virtually come together as a school community during these continued times of Social Distancing. As I was lying sleepless in bed this weekend, it finally came to me. To wrap up the year, I’ll be hosting the first ever:

“Lincoln’s Got Talent!” 

All kids K-4 are invited to participate. Everyone has some special talent, and if your kids are interested,  just send me a short video (no longer than 2-3 minutes in length) of your child or your family engaged in a special talent.  I’ll compile all the submissions for the first ever episode of “Lincon’s Got Talent.” Students are free to perform solo acts or include siblings or even make it an event for your entire family. However, do not join a group of friends/neighbors and break the “Social Distancing,” guidelines. Remember, talents aren’t just musical. At Lincoln we have incredible hidden talents including athletes, dancers, actors, artists, musicians, comedians, singers, equestrians, martial artists, and many more. So be as creative as you like. Of course, make sure your content is appropriate for Lincoln School. There is no obligation or expectation for participation. It’s simply a fun way to gather as a school community and showcase the hidden talents of the Lincoln Eagles. Please submit entries to me no later than Monday, June 1 by text or email: godfreyc@district90.org or 312.765.9360. I’ll aim to share the video as part of our last days of school celebrations! I’ll be announcing this to our kids in this week’s Mr. Godfrey’s Morning Messages. 

** Should your child/family wish to submit a talent, but prefer only for me to see it, then I am more than happy to not include it in the final video. Please be sure to notate this request when you submit.**

As the the cool spring days begin their transition to summer in Chicago , the limits of  “Remote Learning” are beginning to get pushed for us all. As difficult as it might be, attempt to maintain a somewhat routine “school” schedule for your kids and continue to encourage their daily participation in as many “Remote Learning” activities and assignments as possible. Our teachers and staff continue to put in countless hours for the planning and preparation of meaningful, engaging and rigorous learning opportunities for our kids. Equally, just as much time is dedicated to providing feedback on student work.  So while the novelty of Remote Learning has likely worn off, please continue to encourage your child’s engagement.  The teachers, staff  and I are always here to support in any way possible. Please never hesitate to reach out with anything I can do to be more supportive.  Thank you for your continued support of our Fine Fine School. Have a wonderful week. CG 

“Accept what is. Let go of what was and have faith in what will be.” ~Buddha

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Calendar

Monday, May 18:

• E-Learning
• Deadline to request Fun Lunch refund
• Deadline to submit pictures for 4th grade commemorative video

Tuesday, May 19:

• E-Learning

Wednesday, May 20:

• E-Learning
• Waste Free Wednesday

Thursday, May 21:

• E-Learning

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Tomorrow 5/18 is Deadline for Fun Lunch Refunds

When it became official that we were not going to go back to school this year, the D90 PTOs got to work to figure out the logistics of Fun Lunch.  There were 10 fun lunches left in the 2019/2020 school year and we have decided upon the following options for parents that purchased Fun Lunch for their students.

Option 1: Click here for a refund for these lunches.  https://lincolnpto.revtrak.net/fun-lunch-grades-1-4/#/v/fun-lunch-refunds

Option 2: Do nothing and your unused Fun Lunch payment will be a donation to the Lincoln PTO.  We will be giving a portion of the unused Fun Lunch money to the Hephzibah Home in Oak Park.  They currently have 25 children sheltered in place and are in need of support.

As we all know, this is an unprecedented time and we are all trying to figure things out day by day.  If you are asking for a refund, please be patient with us as it has to be done individually and will take some time.

If we don’t hear from you by May 18th, we will assume you are donating your payment to the PTO/Hephzibah Home. Thank you for your support of the Lincoln PTO and if you have any questions, please contact Ginger Timchak at gingertimchak@gmail.com

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Library News

Wanting more stories to read? The Lincoln Library now has a spot to go to if you are looking for some fun picture book read-alouds – called Books with Mrs. Brauweiler.  The link is located below and also on the Lincoln Library website.  Keep checking back – there’s more being added all the time!

Books with Mrs. Brauweiler

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Lincoln’s Got Talent!

Who: All kids K-4 @ The Fine Fine School. At Lincoln we have incredible hidden talents including athletes, dancers, actors, artists, musicians, comedians, singers, equestrians, martial artists, and many more. So be as creative as you like.

What: “Lincoln’s Got Talent” – Send me a short video (no longer than 2-3 minutes in length) of your child or your family engaged in a special talent.  I’ll compile all the submissions for the first ever episode of “Lincoln’s Got Talent.” Students are free to perform solo acts or include siblings or even make it an event for your entire family. However, do not join a group of friends/neighbors and break the “Social Distancing” guidelines.  There is no obligation or expectation for participation. It’s simply a fun way to gather as a school community and showcase the hidden talents of the Lincoln Eagles.

When: Please submit entries to Mr. Godfrey no later than Monday, June 1 by text or email: godfreyc@district90.org or 312.765.9360

 

Where: The “Virtual” airwaves of River Forest.

** Should your child/family wish to submit a talent, but prefer only for me to see it, then I am more than happy to not include it in the final video. Please be sure to notate this request when you submit.**

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May’s PTO meeting – moved to 5/26!

May’s PTO meeting has been moved to May 26th at 9:00 AM.  This will be a virtual meeting and a Zoom link will be available in the Lincoln Log that will go out on Monday, May 25th.  We look forward to seeing everyone and discussing end of the year business as well as planning for next year.  All are welcome to join.

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Attention 4th grade families – Last Call for Pictures!

Commemorative video for 4th graders: pictures needed by Monday, May 18!

It is a tradition at Lincoln School to assemble a video collage of photos for the graduating 4th graders commemorating their years at Lincoln, grades K through 4. 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. We suggest photos from school events, school concerts, class parties, field trips, PTO events, PTO Clubs, back to school pictures, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, pictures with good Lincoln buddies, etc. Please refrain from sending photos from birthday parties, holidays or religious events. (We cannot use photos from non-school related events, as cute as they may be.)

Photos can be emailed to Lincoln4thgradeclass@gmail.com.  DEADLINE TO SUBMIT PICTURES IS MONDAY, MAY 18!!

Feel free to contact Adrian Dinu and Debbie Kellogg at Lincoln4thgradeclass@gmail.com or Amy Dwyer at amyadwyer@gmail.com with any questions.

** The video is typically shown at the 4th grade breakfast on the last day of school. Unfortunately, as we all know, the breakfast gathering is not possible this year. We plan to work with Mr. Godfrey and the District 90 technology team on a way to share this video privately and securely. If you do not want your child included in this video, please let Mr. Godfrey know.

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SchoolKidz supply kits for incoming 5th graders! – order by 6/21!

Get ready to (finally!) send them back to school in the fall! Teacher-approved kits from SchoolKidz available for purchase, starting Friday, May 1st.

www.shopttkits.com
Enter account number 20848 in the green box.
Sale site will be open from 5/1/20 to 6/21/20.

All SchoolKidz supply boxes will be mailed to your home the week of August 16th (before the first day of school on 8/26/20). Supplies will come in plain cardboard boxes – no “carry handles.”

Here is the 5th grade supply list for reference!