Lincoln School Update 12/13/2016

PLC Late Start / One-hour Delays
I actually get a few questions about late starts and what we do with that time.  The hour is spent in very specific ways, below is a list of what you would see if you sat in on a grade level PLC (Professional Learning Community) late start meeting.

-Teachers might be preparing for a unit by identifying the essential standards of knowledge from the unit.
-They might be developing a common formative assessment of those essential standards to monitor which students have mastered the knowledge and to help guide instruction.
-They might be analyzing assessment data and comparing results and teaching practice.
-They might be planning for WINN (What I Need Now) time.  A period of the day or six-day cycle where kids are broken into groups based on what they need to master the essential skills.

Our goal is to insure that all children master the essential standards from each unit and those that master the knowledge early get a chance to explore the concept in depth.  To do so, we focus on 4 main questions:

1.  What do we want ALL kids to know?
2.  How will we know if they know it?
3.  What do we do if they don't know it?
4.  What do we do if they do know it?

Sounds simple, but it really helps us focus on learning for all students.  Thank you for allowing us the time to do this important work!

K-5 Buddy Ice Skating Monday, December 19th & Volunteers NEEDED!
Please check out the following our Lincoln School Group Page for Ice Skating information and schedule as well as the adjusted lunch recess / lunch schedule for that day.  We will need a boat load of volunteers to make this happen.  Thanks!

Top 12 Spellers & Upcoming Lincoln Spelling Bee
The following 3rd-5th graders have made our Lincoln Top 12 and will compete in our building's spelling bee on Friday, January 6 at 11:55 a.m.

   3rd Grade -  Brandon Urias
   4th Grade - Isaac Dahlke
                      Priscilla Wang
                      Betsy Fiesbeck
                      Violet Waters
   5th Grade - Brad Rohaly
                      Lily Shasky
                      Jack Hammerschmidt
                      Kayde Williams
                      Hannah Webb
                      Delaney Kelley
                      Ceci Ruchti

Good luck in your quest to be in our Top 3!

A Few Reminders...
   Outside Recess - Students will go outside for recess unless the temperature (with or without windchill) falls below 10 degrees Farenheit.  Students may only stay in from recess with a note from a doctor.  Students must have winter boots, snowpants, winter coat, hat, and gloves or mittens.

   Drop-off & Pick-up - Please remember that students are NOT to be dropped off at school before 8:00 am if eating breakfast and 8:15 am if not eating breakfast.  And, students must be picked up, or be headed home if walking, by 4:00 pm unless accompanied and supervised on the playground by a parent.
  Out Parent/Student drop-off & pick-up area is at the south end of Lincoln School on Lincoln School Drive.  The north end is for bus drop-off & pick-up.  Please  use the south end!  Do NOT park and leave your car in the drop-off/pick-up lane to walk your child to, or pick your child up from their line. You must park in a designated parking area if you must walk your child.  And, parking is very limited.
  The winter weather appears to be here to stay for awhile.  Please be patient and move cautiously looking out for all of our students!

PTO Movie Night at Lincoln
Our next attempt at PTO movie night at Lincoln is Friday, January 20th.  The movie will be Up.
Hope to see you there.  Movie begins at 6:00 pm and admission is free.  Popcorn and water will be available for purchase.  No outside food is allowed with the exception for students with severe food allergies.  Students MUST be accompanied by a parent.  Bring your lawn chair, or a blanket and pillow!
We'll need volunteers to help make this happen!

Grief Support Group to Start in January
Mrs. Jasiak, our School Social Worker, with support from Lory's Place will be starting a Grief Support Group in January.  If you are interested in more information about this group, please contact Mrs. Jasiak at cjasiak@sjschools.org or call her at 926-3657.

Lincoln School Talent Show
Information and permission forms are available in the office for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders interested in trying out for this year's Talent Show.  All forms are due back in the office by Friday, January 6, 2017.  Stage crew is needed and students interested in this should also complete the same forms with help from a parent.  Our volunteer director, parent Tina Shasky can be contacted at tinashasky@yahoo.com or by calling 930-3835.

Adult Sound & Light Volunteer Sought for Talent Show
If you have experience working sound & lights, and would be available and interested in helping with this year's Talent Show, please contact Mr. Wagner at 926-3700.  Thanks for considering!

Girls On The Run Coaches Needed!
This is an extremely popular, and very cool event for our 3rd-5th grade female students.  We're looking for new coaches for the Spring 2017 Season!  You do not have to have a daughter in the program to coach.  The season consists of 2 practices per week for 10 weeks beginning the week of February 27th and ending with the Girls On The Run 5K on Thursday, May 18th at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds.  Check out the link below for more information:
   https://www.raceplanner.com/volunteer/signup/berrien-coach-2017

First Lego League (4-5) and Junior First Lego League (2-3)
Both begin the week of January 9th.  If your child is interested, please see more information in itsLearning under the Lincoln Elementary Group page.

5th Graders Interested in 6th Grade Fine Arts (Band, Orchestra, or Choir)
Our Middle School and High School Fine Arts Teachers will be meeting with all 5th graders to discuss participating in the Fine Arts at Upton Middle School in 6th Grade.  Please see important dates below:

     January 30, 2017     5th Graders to SJHS for a Fine Arts Concert.
     January 31, 2017     Fine Arts Staff meets with 5th graders during music class.
     February 3, 2017     5th Graders participate in Instrument Trial Zoo at Lincoln during the school
                                     day.
     February 6 OR 7, 2017     Parent Informational Meetings at 7:00 pm at Upton Middle School.
                                               Parents must attend one of these dates, but need not attend both.

This seems early, but it's important as Administration at UMS starts scheduling for next year in the Spring.

Congratulations CUB Students!
The following students were Caught Using the Bear Necessities and were selected to attend the CUB Luncheon with Mr. Wagner and Staff:

November CUB Students
Khai Lloyd, Tobey Burritt, Sophia Lawhead, Kamari Fester, Milah Renbarger, Aaron Espinoza, Chris Prince, Logan Webb, Finn Monahan, Stiles Miller, Kyra Miller, Gabi Queiroz, Ellie Fischer, Heidi Krohn, Daniel Fedewa, and David Rojas

October CUB Students
Sydelle Wright, Jillian Morris, Hunter Grigereit, Julie Ann McClure, Tyler Thompson, Shilynn Cain, Gracelyn Sheldon, Mya Haught, Sophia Brainard, Sally Shelby, Bridget Anderson, Corey Poole, Christian Blazina, Luke Tinkey, Brittany Grigereit, and Cam'ron Warr

Congratulations!

Earth Day 2017 Poster Contest
Information available in the office.  Open to all K-5 Students.  Entries must be received by contest promoters by February 17, 2017.  Winners will be honored Thursday, April 20, 2017, at Constitutional Hall in Lansing, Michigan as part of the DEQ, DNR, and Michigan Department of Agriculture's Earth Day Celebration.

2017 Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest
Information available in the office.  Open to students in grades 3-5.  Entries must be received by the National Weather Service Office by February 13, 2017.  Winners receive cash prizes.

Winter Break is December 21 through January 3.  

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!