Lincoln School News for Sept. 10-14, 2018

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY – MONDAY, SEPT. 10th

Lincoln School Picture day will be this Monday, Sept. 10th beginning at 8:30. Order forms were sent home with students this week and can be turned into the classroom teacher.  You may also order on-line at www.geskusphoto.com/fallorders.  
Use the School Web Code:  3718MEZIJWYWLR.  All students will get their picture taken whether they order pictures or not in order to make student ID cards for our students and for class composites.  Pictures can also be ordered after school pictures are taken as well.

Little Library
Please visit our new Little Library located outside of the school office!
Here's how it works: take a book, read it, return it for someone else to enjoy and get a new one (or keep it if you love it and are in need of more books at home). With permission from families, students can also bring books from their home libraries that they no longer read and place them in the little library for others to enjoy.

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM INFO

All SJPS buildings had security systems installed over the summer.  All visitors must ring our buzzer system during the school day in order to enter the building.  For ease during the end of the day pick up process, please try to refrain from picking up your student before 3:40 if possible.  Please review the pick up and drop off procedures outlined in the blog sent on September 4th.
Also, we ask that parents or other adults only enter the building through the main entrance. Staff will discourage visitors from entering through doors other than the main entrance. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Lincoln PTO News
Our next mixer will be on Friday Sept. 21 from 10-11 am at MADDOG 5/1 Revolutionary Fitness.  
Come join us for a free workout designed just for us and connect with other Lincoln parents.
Let’s start the year off right!  There will also be free childcare for children under 4.
Call (269) 408-8444 and register today!

We are still looking for Laps for Lincoln sponsors!  
If your family would like to sponsor or you know of a business that would,
please contact Catherine Kirshenbaum at lapsforlincoln@gmail.com.

Thank you to everyone who visited us at the Ice Cream social!  
Keep checking our Facebook page and this blog for more volunteer opportunities and ways to
get involved.

Our Lincoln Elementary School Bear Wear is here!  Flyers will go home next week and we will have sample items at Back to School Night.  
You can also order anytime from the following link: https://cestores.orderpromos.com/Lincoln2018

Back to School Night 

Please join your child's teacher in his/her classroom on September 17th for an overview of curriculum, procedures and routines that will set your child up for success this year. We greatly appreciate your partnership.

Monday, Sept. 17, 2018

Elementary Back to School Night - PARENTS ONLY

5:15 - 6:00pm - Young 5, 4th and 5th

6:15 - 7:00pm - Kdg. and 1st

7:15 - 8:00pm - 2nd and 3rd

*This is an adult only event as space is limited. Please consider carpooling.

This Week at Lincoln School

Monday, Sept. 10 – E Day

-       NWEA Testing Begins 

-       Picture Day – Rooftop shot at 8:45am

Tuesday, Sept. 11 – F Day

-       Meet Mr. Lincoln Assembly in Media Center for Grades 3-5 - 2:00pm

Wednesday, Sept. 12 – A Day

Thursday, Sept. 13 – B Day

Friday, Sept. 14 – C Day

-    

COMING UP

Monday, Sept. 17 - Constitution Day! Back to School Night, School Board at Central 6:00pm

Tuesday, Sept. 18 - Lincoln PTO Meeting at 11:45am in the Media Center

Wednesday, Sept. 19 – Late Start & Dress and Talk Like a Pirate Day!  

Friday, Sept. 21 - Popcorn Day, NWEA Ends and Assembly for Laps for Lincoln in Media Center 3rd-5th at 2:40/Y5-2 at 3:10

Wednesday, Sept. 26 - Late Start-1 Hour Delay and Good Deed Cub Lunch

Lincoln Staff Blogs

Mrs. Schmidt  https://aschmidtyoungfives.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Bartz  https://hbartzkindergarten18-19.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Climer https://kclimer.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Mutschler https://rmutschlerkindergarten.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Jun https://jun18-19.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Fiesbeck https://Fiesbeck18-19.blogspot.com/

Ms. Borah https://borah2018-2019.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Harmening  https://harmening2018-19.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Laukus   https://laukus2018-19.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Ettinger   https://ettinger2018-2019.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Peek    https://peek2018-19.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Abbott   http://abbottsdreamteam.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Goniwiecha/Mrs. Fedewa (still in development)

Mr. Persenaire   https://persenaire4thgrade.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Briney-Kelm   https://bk18-19.blogspot.com/

Miss Rajewski   https://rajewski-18-19.blogspot.com/

Mr. Pfahler   https://pfahler1819.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Warsow   https://mrswarsowsartroom.blogspot.com/

SJ District Special Education   https://spedsjps.blogspot.com/

Community Corkboard
Looking for fall activities to enroll your child in?
Check out local offerings by visiting our Community Corkboard.

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.

What Happens on Rainy Days?

On days when the weather is rainy, stormy or if the temperature is in single digits, kids are allowed to come into the building when they arrive.  They collect at either end of the hallway on the main floor and at 8:10am, they are allowed to go and stand or sit outside their classrooms in the hallway.  At 8:23am and at 8:25am, bells ring and students begin to get settled in their rooms.  

There are adults helping students on these (and all other) days so we ask that parents say their goodbyes at the entrance doors.  This helps all of us keep things organized and on track!  So far, it has been an awesome week!!!  Thank you all for following the drop off and pick up procedures, it is greatly appreciated.

Recesses are also indoors when it's rainy and students learned those routines and procedures today!

Back to School Night - Monday, September 17 and other mid-week information

Back to School Night

I will cover more detailed information in my blog on Sunday, but here are the times so you can get this important event on your calendar.

Monday, Sept. 17, 2018

Elementary Back to School Night - PARENTS ONLY

5:15 - 6:00pm - Young 5, 4th and 5th

6:15 - 7:00pm - Kdg. and 1st

7:15 - 8:00pm - 2nd and 3rd

LINCOLN SCHOOL MATH CENTER 2018-19

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Math Center is a one-a-week Math program that promotes fluency and proficiency for students in grades 1-5.

Math Center depends on parent volunteers to make this program successful. Volunteers go into the classrooms and administer timed tests to students at their individual level.

You do not need to be a “whiz” at math.  Tests are administered, then checked with provided answer keys.

Classroom visits begin at 8:40 a.m. and continue until around 11:00 a.m.

Parent volunteers will have the opportunity to work their child’s classroom at some time during the morning.

Your participation in Math Center is much appreciated.

Volunteers must complete a volunteer consent form.  The form can be obtained in the school office or downloaded from the link below.  Please turn the form into the office or scan it and email it to jwhite@sjschools.org. This form must be approved by our business office before you can volunteer.

Link to volunteer form:

https://www.sjschools.org/images/District/BusinessOffice/Volunteer%20Consent%20Form%202018-19.pdf

If you are interested in this wonderful opportunity to work with many students and support Lincoln teachers, please contact me ASAP at sheilalynn@me.com.

Thanks much,

Sheila Schultz

Math Center Coordinator

MEDIA CENTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The media center is also in need of volunteers this year.  If you are interested in volunteering please contact Jo-Anne Gruchot at jgruchot@sjschools.org.  A volunteer form must also be completed in order to volunteer.  Only 1 form per person needs to be filled out.

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY – MONDAY, SEPT. 10th

Lincoln School Picture day will be this Monday, Sept. 10th beginning at 8:30. Order forms were sent home with students this week and can be turned into the classroom teacher.  You may also order on-line at www.geskusphoto.com/fallorders.  Use the School Web Code:  3718MEZIJWYWLR.  All students will get their picture taken whether they order pictures or not in order to make student ID cards for our students and for class composites.  Pictures can also be ordered after school pictures are taken as well.

NEW SECURITY SYSTEM INFO

All SJPS buildings had security systems installed over the summer.  All visitors must ring our buzzer system during the school day in order to enter the building.  For ease during the end of the day pick up process, please try to refrain from picking up your student before 3:40 if possible.  Please review the pick up and drop off procedures outlined in the blog sent on September 4th.

We're Ready at Lincoln School!

So, each week at the end of my blog, I will include links to each teacher's blog.  This way when I send out my message on Sunday PM, you will be able to see my information for the week and also click from that message for classroom news.  Each teacher will also include a link to their ItsLearning Page within their blog post.  Be patient with us as we begin this new venture, I know it will be a much easier way for us all to keep up!  Here is what I have so far, I know the list will grow as teachers become more familiar with Blogger.

Mrs. Schmidt  https://aschmidtyoungfives.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Bartz  https://hbartzkindergarten18-19.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Climer https://kclimer.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Mutschler (still in development)
Mrs. Jun https://jun18-19.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Fiesbeck https://Fiesbeck18-19.blogspot.com/
Ms. Borah https://borah2018-2019.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Harmening  https://harmening2018-19.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Laukus   https://laukus2018-19.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Ettinger   https://ettinger2018-2019.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Peek    https://peek2018-19.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Abbott   http://abbottsdreamteam.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Goniwiecha/Mrs. Fedewa (still in development)
Mr. Persenaire   https://persenaire4thgrade.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Briney-Kelm   https://bk18-19.blogspot.com/
Miss Rajewski   https://rajewski-18-19.blogspot.com/
Mr. Pfahler   https://pfahler1819.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Warsow   https://mrswarsowsartroom.blogspot.com/
SJ District Special Education   https://spedsjps.blogspot.com/

Lincoln School News for September 4 - 7, 2018

News for September 4, 2018

Welcome to the 2018-19 school year! Thank you for all that you've done to prepare your child for the return to school. Your partnership is the key to a successful start.  

Welcome to the best school year yet!

This week at Lincoln School

Monday, September 3 - No School, Labor Day

Tuesday, September 4 - A Day

Wednesday, September 5 - B Day

Thursday, September 6 - C Day

Friday, September 7 - D Day

We Heard You!!!

Last year, over 250 of you completed our survey to help us identify areas where we could improve.  One of those areas was home/school communication from classrooms.  And, while ItsLearning seems to be a great tool for teachers and students, it was difficult for parents to use as a communication tool. So, this year, each classroom and many of our other instructional areas will have blogs like this one.  Each week, included in my blog will be a link to your teachers' blogs.  I plan to post a special blog on Monday (Sept. 3) with blog links for teachers and then it will just be part of this weekly (Sunday PM) post.

2018-2019 Attendance Times

8:25 a.m. Students Enter Building

8:30 a.m. Tardy Bell Rings

3:48 p.m. Dismissal
Students enter at 9:25 a.m. on Late Starts

Half-Days Dismissal is at 12:05 p.m.

Contact Information

Our school phone number is (269) 926-3700. The school office is open Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Please leave a message if calling after hours. You may also reach office staff via email at:

chubble@sjschools.org (Craig Hubble, Principal)

jtrumbley@sjschools.org (Janet Trumbley, Lincoln School Secretary)

Drop Off and Pick-Up Procedures - Watch this short screen video

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxTckyP42FTVSGFWTWZQeVlPMVE/view?usp=sharing

We will have teachers' names posted on the playground the first day of school while students are learning where to line up each morning. For safety reasons, ALL students must wait on the playground prior to the start of school, unless they are eating breakfast.

Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m.. Students may enter the main office entrance vestibule at 8:00 to proceed to breakfast. There is not supervision for students dropped off prior to 8:10 a.m.. Please be sure to make arrangements for your child's safety.  

Bus Routes 

Bus routes and schedules are available on our district website.

You will need to determine the stop closest to your home for pick-up and drop-off for all students in Young 5s through 5th grade. If you have any additional transportation needs, please contact Sandy Kroening, SJPS Transportation Director, at  skroening@sjschools.org or 269-926-3900.

Please be patient the first few days of school as our drivers work to welcome new riders, establish routines, and double check student names.  Often, routes tend to run a little longer the first few weeks.

School Security Update

Your child's safety is a top priority for us. You will be asked to provide identification when visiting our classrooms. You will also ned to complete an annual background check if volunteering to work with students. As a reminder, over the summer we had security buzzers installed at the main entrance of each school building.  When you plan to visit one of our SJPS schools, please use the button on the intercom for entrance to the main office. 

Lincoln School's Little Library

Please visit our new Little Library located just outside of our main office entrance. Children are welcome to take a book and leave a book as often as possible.  Thank you to all who donated books last spring.

Mark Your Calendars

9/10 School Picture Day

9/17 Back-to-School Night 

9/18 PTO Meeting 11:45AM in the Media Center

9/19 Late Start Day

9/26 Late Start Day

PTO Meeting Dates - this year, PTO Board Meetings will occur during the day.  PTO Mixers where brainstorming and organizing for student activities will happen in the evening.  I will keep you posted on when those are scheduled.

Board Meetings

9/18 @ 11:45AM

10/16 @ 11:45AM

11/13 @ 11:45AM
12/11 @ 11:45AM
1/15 @ 11:45AM

2/19@ 11:45AM

3/19 @ 11:45AM

4/16 @ 11:45AM

5/21 @ 11:45AM

All PTO Meetings are held in our school's media center and all Lincoln School families are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Follow us on our Facebook page for opportunities to get involved and last minute updates. Click here to join the SJLincolnPTO closed FB group.https://www.facebook.com/SJLincolnPTO/

Lunchroom News

You can access monthly lunch and breakfast menus on our school website.

Community Corkboard
Looking for fall activities to enroll your child in?
Check out local offerings by visiting our Community Corkboard.

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.

We're Getting Ready!

Lincoln Staff have been working hard to get ready for the school year!  The grounds around the building look amazing --- if we do say so ourselves :-)

We can't wait to see you!

Back to School 2018

This Blog post will be long... I apologize and promise that it won't be this long regularly. Please take some time between now and Ice Cream Social (August 29 from 6:00-7:00pm) to read and watch all the information.

I will typically send out a blog post every Sunday evening. 

Welcome Back Letters were put in the mail yesterday!

Welcome to the 2018-2019 school year!  If you haven't seen the news, I want to share with you that St. Joseph Public Schools was ranked as #1 for school districts in Berrien County by Niche!  For more information check out:  
https://www.niche.com/k12/d/st-joseph-public-schools-mi/

2018-2019 Attendance Times

8:25 a.m. Students Enter Building

8:30 a.m. Tardy Bell Rings

3:48 p.m. Dismissal
Students enter at 9:25 a.m. on Late Starts

Half-Days Dismissal is at 12:05 p.m.

Back-to-School Ice Cream Social Event

The PTO invites you to attend our annual Ice Cream Social Event on Wednesday, August 29th, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. on our school playground. This is the perfect opportunity for students to visit with friends and meet new classmates. School staff members will be there to welcome you back as well. All Lincoln School families are encouraged to attend.

Be Sure To Add These To Your Calendar!

September 4th   First Day of School - FULL DAY
September 17th Back to School Night

Early Literacy is a main focus within our district and for schools across the country. Our home-school partnership is vital for your child's success. Please click on the link below to access an article from Scholastic that will support you in setting the stage for reading routines at home.
Four Helpful Habits for Back-to-School Season

Attention New Families
All enrollment/registration materials need to be complete before the school year begins. If you still need to bring in your child’s birth certificate, immunization record, physical, hearing/vision tests, or your proof of residency, please do so as soon as possible. You can bring them with you to turn in at Ice Cream Social or drop them off at the office anytime before then.

Contact Information

Our school phone number is (269) 926-3700. The school office is open Monday- Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Please leave a message if calling after hours. You may also reach office staff via email at:

chubble@sjschools.org (Craig Hubble, Principal)

jtrumbley@sjschools.org (Janet Trumbley, Lincoln School Secretary)

Lincoln School Family News!
Please join me in welcoming Mr. Steve Persenaire to our team of 4th grade teachers and Mrs. Krista Climer to our Kindergarten team! We are excited to have them both. In addition, we congratulate Mrs. Briana Jun on her summer marriage (previously Miss Donohue) and we also welcome a new little bear to our family! Mrs. Goniwiecha and her husband Scott had a healthy baby boy this past Monday!


Now for the Nitty Gritty

Most of the sheets included in your mailing will be self-explanatory, but I do want to draw your attention to a few.

1)   The Application for Ridership only needs to be filled out if you are using bus transportation to and/or from school.  This form is not necessary for field trips.

2)   There is a white half sheet that indicates transportation instructions for your child.  We use this as our main source of information when directing children at the end of the day.  Please complete it and turn it in at Ice Cream Social or in the school office before the start of school.

3)   Our PTO provides many wonderful experiences for our students.  Please review the information they have included and find some time to volunteer!

Instructions for Drop Off and Pick Up 2018-2019
First, I want to encourage everyone to either walk or ride the bus! The less car traffic we have around the school at drop off and pick up the better. If you are considering riding the bus, please do so from the very first day of school. Routes will run long the first few days, but once everyone has met the drivers and taken their "First Days of School" pictures things will run very smoothly.

If you choose to drive, do NOT leave your car parked in the roadway and please do NOT block the driveway of any of our Lincoln School neighbors! If you must leave your car to pick up your child, you must be parked in an appropriately marked parking space. These spaces are limited around our neighborhood school. You can find parking along Morton Avenue, by the church, or on Orchard Avenue to the west of Sunset. Slant parking on the south end of the building is sometimes available, but if you park there, be prepared to wait to leave as traffic flow will be heavy. Walking to and from school and riding the bus are the 2 best options! Please refer to the diagram and watch the video for more detailed information.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxTckyP42FTVSGFWTWZQeVlPMVE/view?usp=sharing

Remember, you're your child's first role model!  They see and hear what you do and say.  Be kind and courteous to others.  Although you might only be concerned about your own child, we're concerned about all 400+ of our students and their safety! 

Students eating breakfast at Lincoln may be dropped off at the front entrance beginning at 8:00 a.m. NO earlier please!  There is no supervision of students prior to 8:00 a.m.

Students NOT eating breakfast may be dropped off, to report to the playground or their entrance door, NO earlier than 8:15 a.m.

There is NO playground supervision before 8:15 a.m.

ALL students are to be picked up from school and the playground NO later than 4:00 p.m. Any students remaining on school grounds after 4:00 p.m. must be accompanied by a parent, or must be registered for, or involved in an adult supervised activity.  There is no supervision on the playground after 4:00 p.m.

We appreciate your help in following these procedures!

If you have questions or concerns regarding drop-off and pick, contact me, chubble@sjschools.org, or call at (269) 926-3700 and I will return your call as soon as possible.

Thanks for your support and understanding!

What will I do on the first day of school?

The first day is always exciting, but it can be a little scary too. Here is a diagram that should help!