Happy Memorial Day, Lincoln Families,

Overall, it was a beautiful holiday weekend and I hope your family was able to enjoy some time outdoors. Although the “un-official” start of Summer 2020 went without the annual parades, cookouts and social gatherings, I’m confident you each made the best of this time with those you are closest to!

As we enter the home-stretch of the school year, there are still twelve days of school remaining. Even when school is in “regular” session, teachers have to dig deep into their bag of creative tricks to keep kids engaged to combat “Summer Fever.” As you are likely experiencing this year, the challenge to keep kids remotely engaged in learning as the countdown to summer accelerates is even all the more challenging. The Lincoln teachers have been working tirelessly to design engaging and creative learning experiences for our kids right up until June 12. Therefore, as difficult as it may seem, continue to keep in place whatever E-Learning routines have been working for your family.  Take short exercise breaks throughout the day to break up the work.  As the biggest cheerleader for Lincoln School, please text or call me if your child might need a Mr. Godfrey Pep-Talk!

Pick Up of Belongings

For the past few weeks, teachers have been visiting Lincoln with the purpose of compiling individual student belongings. Beginning this week, we will use the following schedule for families to stop by Lincoln to pick up these items.

Wednesday, May 27 

8:00 – 11:30 AM – Letters A – G

12:30 – 3:30 PM – Letters H – N

Thursday, May 28 

12:30 – 3:30 PM – Letters O – Z

*** Please do your best to adhere to these times. In the event you are unable to attend any of these times, there will be other opportunities in the future for pick-up.

Please note the following important directions and guidelines for this process:

1) Retrieval of belongings will occur at the Franklin entrance.

2) There will be “Social Distancing” markers. Please be sure to adhere to these markings.

3) Please be sure to return any library books or classroom instructional materials. There will be bins set up for each teacher as well as for the return of library books.

4) Student iPads will not be returned. Students may keep these for the duration of the summer.

5) Any medications can also be picked up at this time.

6) The Lincoln playgrounds remain closed, so please refrain from letting kids play on the equipment or congregating in groups.

I share your desire to visit and catch-up, however, with our intention being to return student belongings safely and efficiently,  please help us to keep this process as expeditious as possible.

YMCA and Lincoln School – Summer Use

At the D90 School Board Meeting held Monday, May 18, the Board of Education voted unanimously to partner with the West Cook YMCA this summer to support their continued mission to provide emergency childcare for families of essential workers.  This partnership with D90 provides the YMCA with space at Lincoln from June 15 – Aug 7  to host this important service for families of essential workers, allowing them to continue serving all of us in the community.  During this time, the YMCA will have limited access to specific, designated areas of Lincoln.   Since these children’s caregivers are “Essential Employees,” the YMCA will follow strict daily protocols outlined by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH),  including checking temperatures before admittance each day as well as the use of all required PPE, social distancing, caps on group sizes, and disinfecting procedures.  Additionally, the YMCA will contract with their own cleaning company that will disinfect the utilized areas daily with medical grade/style equipment.  I’m so pleased that Lincoln is able to provide this space for such an incredible purpose this summer.

River Forest Tour

As always, thank you for your continued support of Lincoln School and District 90. As I made my way through the village last week visiting the homes of each 4th grader, I was humbled by all the “Social Distance,” visits and kids of all grade levels who gathered to wave and cheer as I traveled from home to home. I truly felt like a local celebrity and thoroughly enjoyed my thirteen hour tour of River Forest. As always, Lincoln Love was on full display further illustrating what a Fine, Fine School we have.  (Attached is one of many memorable moments from my tour of RF).

Whether you’re embarking upon your final twelve days as a kindergarten family or your final twelve days as a Lincoln School family, soak up every moment of remote learning and virtual Lincoln Love. As always, please reach out with anything I can help with.

Have a great week. CG

Calendar

Tuesday, May 26:

• E-Learning
• PTO Meeting – 9am

Wednesday, May 27:

• E-Learning
• Pick up/Drop off of Student Belongings
  • 8:00 – 11:30 AM – Letters A – G
  • 12:30 – 3:30 PM – Letters H – N

Thursday, May 28:

• E-Learning
• Pick up/Drop off of Student Belongings
  • 12:30 – 3:30 PM – Letters O-Z

Fun Lunch Refund – $5,000 to Hephzibah Home!

WOW!!! Our school community is amazing and so incredibly generous. We are able to donate $5,000 to the Hephzibah Home with the Fun Lunch Refund money!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

The staff and directors there are so thrilled and with our money they are able to meet an immediate need they have – we are supporting their in-house education program that will occur this summer at Hephzibah Home for the 26 children who live there. If there are any silver linings in this COVID pandemic, this is definitely one of them – we have come together as a community to support this wonderful organization and the children they serve. Thank you!!!!

Lincoln School Auction – will not be rescheduled

PTO Appreciation – no end of year event

Unfortunately, we are not able to thank all of the PTO volunteers with a glass of wine, a brownie, and a fun night out, but please please know that we are so incredibly grateful for each and every volunteer that has stepped up this year. We are an amazing community and it is inspiring to see the time and dedication that so many parents have put forth for our organization. Thank you for being the best ever – we appreciate you so much! Have a happy summer and we look forward to seeing many of your faces again next year.   Ginger Timchak and Devin Howe

PTO Meeting – Tuesday, 5/26 at 9am via Zoom

Please join us for our final PTO meeting of the 2019/2020 School Year.All are welcome to join!

Lincoln’s Got Talent – send in by 6/1 if you want to participate!

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.**

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!