Lincoln School News for April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020

Hello Lincoln School Families!

By now, you have hopefully heard and seen some messaging from Dr. Bruce, Superintendent of SJPS. We have been hard at work preparing for this new adventure and I am excited to see the implementation of this plan. Below you will find details, but I am certain we will continue to learn and adapt as we create history. Thank you all for your caring and support and know that we are here to care and support you as well. You know how to reach me and I'm here, in my dining room/office. Please let me know if there are things I can do to assist you.

Remote Learning Plans  

Our teachers have been very busy this week learning together and working collaboratively to plan, create, and record lessons for your child.  These will be available to you each Monday afternoon beginning April 20th. The lessons, in combination with assignments, should provide one and a half to five hours of on-task assignments for your learner, depending on grade level.  Additionally, teachers will be offering opportunities to virtually connect with learners in weekly whole classroom settings and will facilitate individual connections with each learner. Please note, as our District grade level staff works collaboratively,  learners may receive lessons from a grade level teacher who is not their own classroom teacher. However, virtual connections will be with their own classmates and teacher.

Our expectations for learning are:

Y5-3rd Grade

• Families will check established communication channels with their child’s teacher weekly. Recorded lessons will be posted weekly on Monday.
• Families will help learners complete assignments by the following Monday, unless a later date is indicated by the teacher.
• Families will schedule and attend individual connections with classroom teachers once per week. This is an opportunity for the teacher to check for understanding and provide feedback on your learner’s progress toward essential learning goals.Thank you
• Classroom teachers will schedule a class meeting once per week. We hope that your child will be able to attend these live connections. The recorded session will be available for those not able to attend or prefer their child not be recorded. 

4th - 5th Grade

• Families will check Google Classroom for weekly lessons.
• Learners will log in and check Google Classroom or SeeSaw for recorded lessons which will be posted weekly.
• Learners will complete assignments by Monday of the following week, unless a later date is indicated by the teacher.
• Families will schedule and attend individual connections with classroom teachers once per week. This is an opportunity for the teacher to check for understanding and provide feedback on your learner’s progress toward essential learning goals.
• Classroom teachers will schedule a class meeting once per week. We hope that your child will be able to attend these live connections. The recorded session will be available for those not able to attend or prefer their child not be recorded. 

We understand that this is a time of great uncertainty and rapidly changing situations.  Our plan is for emergency remote teaching and learning in a time of crisis, it is not distance learning or online learning in the truest sense.  Our priority is to support our learners and their families emotionally and socially during these stressful months of "Shelter in Place" and to provide some joy for our learners.  

Here is a link to the full plan document:

Feeding Our Bears

“Feeding Our Bears” is back this week with a new pick-up location! We will be handing out free breakfast & lunches to any student 18 and under on Mondays and Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. until June 4th at St. Joseph High School (back entrance off of Lakeview Avenue).

Social Emotional Connections

A message from our School Social Workers

In the video below, our elementary school social workers, Colette Jasiak and Bri VanHekken, share ten tips for managing your stress. While these tips are always important, they are essential during this time of crisis, as your stress is contagious.

Here is the article that our social workers referenced in the video above: You Are Not Your Child's Teacher.

Crisis Support for Our Families

We realize your family may be facing medical or financial anxiety, and we encourage you to look to St. Joseph Public Schools as a resource to help you meet your needs. Two way communication between our school and your family is essential to provide support. Please remember the email: guidance@sjschools.org and visit our website sjschools.org updated information, including this list of social/emotional resources provided by our social workers.  They have also put together this google site that will be continually updated with important information: Covid-19, Guidance & SEL. If anyone needs help navigating the site, here is a quick screencast that can be included: Guidance site navigation videoOur entire staff is looking forward to seeing your learner online next week!

In addition, 211 is a free, confidential service that helps people find the local resources they need. Dial 211 (or 844-875-9211) to speak with a community resource advisor who can provide info and referrals for everyday needs in times of crisis. For more, visit uwsm.org/2-1-1.

Learning Enrichment Opportunities

Rosetta Stone is offering three months of FREE world language lessons for students who are remotely learning. Click here for more information.

LaSata Drawing Contest

With kids unable to be in school because of the stay at home order, it may be challenging to keep them engaged in educational enrichment activities. Therefore, I am happy to announce a new drawing contest for students in grades K-12. I hope this drawing contest will inspire students to exhibit their talents and learn more about our great state and its landmarks.

The contest will run April 6 – 24. Only electronic submissions will be accepted, and the drawings should be emailed to SenKLaSata@senate.michigan.gov. All submissions should include the name, grade and hometown of the participant, as well as a parent’s or guardian’s name and phone number. 

Any questions about the contest should be directed by email to senklasata@senate.michigan.gov or by phone at 517-373-6960.

It is the policy of the St. Joseph Public School District that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, disability, height, weight, or marital status be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to, discrimination during any program, activity, service or in employment.