Lincoln Families,

I hope you had a great weekend. I think it’s safe to say we’re officially into the “home-stretch” of the school year.

It was great seeing so many of you at the Ice Cream Social on Friday evening. What a wonderful night it was to unofficially celebrate the closing of the school year.

As I’ve shared many times in my weekly messages, our school wouldn’t be the fine, fine place that it is without our extraordinary PTO and the countless volunteers who give of themselves so selflessly to provide such extraordinary opportunities for our kids. This year I enjoyed the privilege of working closely with Tammy Travis and Amy Dwyer as the Co-Presidents. Their leadership and guidance has been paramount to all  Lincoln School has accomplished this year. From International Fest, Yoga, Tennis, Science Expo or one of the other new clubs started this year, their vision brought these opportunities to our kids. Being a PTO officer is perhaps one of the most rewarding, difficult and time consuming volunteer positions around. As we begin to pull the curtains on the 2015-16 school year, I tip my hat to Amy, Tammy and the entire PTO council for their commitment to our kids and a job well done!

Before looking forward, I’ve always found it important to reflect back. Therefore, as part of this week’s Lincoln Log, you will find the opportunity for you to help us do just that. In collaboration with our PTO representatives we’ve created a short survey that we encourage you to participate in. The responses to these survey topics will provide us the opportunity even further enhance our fine fine school for the 2016-17 school year. Please consider taking a few minutes to provide your feedback.  PTO Parent Survey

As always, thanks for your support of our school. I look forward to seeing you around in the closing days. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help with anything. Have a great week.

GO St. Louis BLUES!

CG

5/20 Spirit Award Winners:

• 1st & 2nd Grades: Mrs. Suzuki
• 3rd & 4th Grades: Mrs. Mares

Calendar

Monday, 5/23

• Tennis for 3rd & 4th
• Yoga
• Last day to order 5th grade School Supply Kits

Tuesday, 5/24

• 1st grade field trip to Brookfield Zoo
• 4th grade field trip to Museum of Science and Industry
• Girls on the Run
• PTO fundraiser at Bertolli’s River Pizza

Wednesday, 5/25

• Tennis for 1st & 2nd
• Habitat Helpers 3rd & 4th
• 4th grade drum circle practice at recess (Reading Garden)
• 4th grade maypole practice – 3:15-4 (gym)

Thursday, 5/26

• Girls on the Run
• Lincoln Spirit Day
• Fun Lunch – Subs
• PTO Volunteer Appreciation Party – 7:30-9:30 pm at 738 Clinton

Friday, 5/27

• HALF DAY for grades 1-4:   11:25 am dismissal
• No PM kindergarten
• 4th grade maypole practice – 7:15-8 am (gym)
• 4th grade walking field trip to Roosevelt

Monday, 5/30

• Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL

ORDER DEADLINE is Monday, 5/23 for 5th Grade School Supply Kits 

Don’t forget to order School Supply Kits for your incoming 5th Grader. Order deadline is Monday!

All the Roosevelt Middle School supply kits are available from the vendor’s website, but only until Monday, 5/23.

Step 1 – click here to access the vendor’s website and begin your order (note: Roosevelt’s account number is 20848 if you start on the main page)

Step 2 – choose your incoming grade level and follow instructions to complete your order. *the 5th grade pack will include a binder*

School supply pick up will be at Roosevelt on Tuesday, August 23rd. 

Questions? Please contact Vickie Freund (vmfreund AT sbcglobal.net) or Dee Dee Carr (dwn1878 AT gmail.com).

PTO Fundraiser at Bertolli’s River Pizza – Tuesday 5/24

This Tuesday, bring the attached flyer when you pick up your pizza from Bertolli’s River Pizza (7939 Lake St. in River Forest) and a portion of your sale will be donated to the Lincoln PTO.  Bertolli’s Fundraiser Flyer

Bertolli’s serves more than pizza–their dinners and sandwiches are also top notch!  Menu    This fundraiser applies to TAKE OUT meals only.

Contact Amy Dwyer with any questions at “amyadwyer AT gmail.com”.

Thank you for supporting the Lincoln PTO.  Enjoy your meal!

Also, many thanks to those families who supported our PTO last weekend at the shop & share event at Good Earth Greenhouse!

4th Graders – Maypole and Drum Circle Practice Schedule

Thank you for signing up your 4th grader to participate in the Maypole Dance and/or the Drum Circle for Field Day on Friday, June 3rd! The first few practices were held last week. Please check the Sign Up Genius Link for the list of upcoming practice dates.

Upcoming Practices: 

Wednesday, May 25

• Maypole Practice – 3:15 – 4:00 pm (Gym)
• Drum Circle Practice – Recess (Reading Garden)

Friday, May 27

• Maypole Practice – 7:15 – 8:00 am (Gym)

Wednesday, June 1

• Drum Circle Practice – Recess (Reading Garden)
• Combined Maypole and Drum Circle Practice – 3:15 – 4:00 pm (Gym)

Thursday, June 2

• Combined Maypole and Drum Circle Practice – 7:15 – 8:00 am (Gym)

Questions? Questions about Maypole – please contact Amy Tomaso – atomaso AT gloor.com. Questions about Drum Circle – please contact Lurana Brown – luranajbrown AT yahoo.com.

Lincoln Yearbooks Are Still Available

We have additional copies of Lincoln Wears A Blue Ribbon for sale until the last day of school.  $25 cash or check (payable to “Lincoln PTO”) for the book and souvenir pen.   Books are located in the Lincoln Office.

Thank you for supporting our Crossing Guards and our Ice Cream Fundraiser

Once again, our generous Lincoln Families consumed all the ice cream and gave generously to our year-end gifts for Kevin and Paulette.  Kevin is moving away from Chicagoland, and we are very sorry to see him leave, but we have his address to mail his gift and we’ll always remember his friendly smile.   Thank you all for giving so generously.

Field Day Information – June 3rd

This year the Lincoln Field Day will take place on the last day of school. It’s a fun afternoon that kicks off with a family picnic on the Lincoln playground at 11:25. Parents bring a blanket and a picnic lunch for their family. Although many parents attend, kids sit in class groups and will not feel left out if a parent cannot be there.  Specific spots are mapped out for each classroom on the Franklin Lawn.

The Fourth Grade Maypole and Drumming presentation is immediately after lunch.  Then it’s time for the games! Parents are welcome to stay and help run the games, or can collect their kids at the end of the school day.

Fun Lunch, originally scheduled for Friday 6/3, has been MOVED to THURSDAY 6/2 because of the Field Day Picnic. It’s a FREE Pizza Lunch for ALL students on 6/2.

Help Deliver School Supply Kits to the Classrooms on Friday, August 19th

Our PTO never stops working!  It’s hard to think about next school year already, but we do need volunteers to help us deliver all those School Supply Kits to the appropriate classrooms before classes start in August.  If you have a flexible schedule for Friday, August 19th, please consider helping us out.

We text volunteers when the truck arrives, and then it takes approximately one and a half hours to get the boxes in the right place.  Historically, the truck arrived in the late morning hours.  Kids can tag along and play on the playground if we have a volunteer to keep an eye on them.

Please sign up on Sign Up Genius.   Thank you!

Shoe Drive sponsored by Girls On The Run

Do you have any gently worn shoes you’d like to get rid of?  Please help the Girls on the Run club of Lincoln School collect shoes for the Share Your Soles organization.  For the rest of the month of May, there will be a collection bin in the Park side lobby of Lincoln school.

Here are a few things to remember:

* Quality, not quantity: 
Be sure that the shoes you donate are gently worn or new, are clean, and can withstand heavy wear. Please no holes or worn off bottoms.

* Please ask yourself:  Would I feel comfortable personally handing this pair of shoes to someone in need? Please donate shoes that respect one’s dignity. 
Types of shoes: 
We accept shoes of any type and size, for any type of weather. This includes athletic shoes, sandals, school shoes, boots, dress shoes, work shoes, slippers, etc. The need for children’s shoes is the greatest, but we will always take any type of shoe.

Any questions, please contact Kristin Bailitz  (kristinbailitz AT gmail.com)

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

This fee helps fund the special items that all 4th grade students receive: Field Day T-shirt, Commemorative DVD, and Breakfast w/Parents on June 3rd.

Not sure you paid your fee? Go to the PTO Web Store and log in to view your account history.  Please click here to pay your $20 4th Grade Activity Fee.

Questions? Please contact Tammy Travis (tamara_irwin AT yahoo.com).

School Supply Donations

Another end-of-the-year tradition at Lincoln:  The Green4Good Committee collects our gently used school supplies and donates them to the Maywood School District.  If you DO NOT wish for your child’s supplies to be donated, please email Laura Maychruk (lmaychruk AT comcast.net).  Please indicate your child’s name, grade and teacher’s name.  Otherwise all supplies will be collected at the end of classes on Thursday, June 2nd.  Thank you for your support.

PTO Parent Survey

Thank you for supporting the PTO and our programs throughout the year. Below is a short survey regarding our programs, lunch offerings and communications. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey before the end of the school year to help us plan for a great 2016-17 school year. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!  PTO Parent Survey

PTO Volunteer Appreciation Party

When:  Thursday, May 26 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. 

Where:  738 Clinton Place 

Calling all Volunteers! If you volunteered this year: room parents, art parents, yearbook, G4G, Fun Lunch, Connect4kids, etc., etc.

Please join us for drinks and desserts as we express our gratitude for all of your hard work on behalf of the Lincoln community. Thank you for all you have done to make this year a great one! Questions/RSVP Tammy Travis tamara_irwin@yahoo.com

End of Year Box Tops Collection

Extra box tops around the house? Box tops expiring before November 2016? Send ‘em in with your student.  Collection boxes are in each classroom. Don’t forget to keep clipping box tops this summer; the next collection will be in the fall.  Thanks for supporting the Lincoln PTO!

Join Lincoln Links: Help Ease the Transition to Lincoln for a New Family

Volunteer to help welcome new families next fall! The new family welcome chairs Peter Chien and Stephanie Rath encourage you to sign up to help deliver welcome signs to new families, serve as greeter for one of the back-to-school welcome events, or serve as a mentor for a new family joining your child’s grade. Your early commitment will help us make sure all the late-August activities run smoothly. Check out all the opportunities and sign up here!

Community Bulletin Board

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