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!

An Opportunity for Our International Students

Student Culture Event sponsored by Mrs. Lear (3rd Grade Teacher, Brown School)

Calling all International Students... Come share your experiences so far in local schools with other elementary students new to the United States. Learn about upcoming United States holidays and traditions and taste some student favorite foods.

Turkey, gravy, and stuffing will be provided for tasting by Bistro on the Boulevard.

Class Time: November 16th from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Saint Joseph Public Library 

Sign up link: https://goo.gl/forms/28kOhtcGQSYB5ayF3

11/11/16 Movie Night CANCELLED

My apololgies, but PTO's Movie night and showing of Finding Nemo, scheduled for tomorrow evening, Friday, November 11 at Lincoln School at 6:00 p.m. has been cancelled due to a shortage of volunteers.  Be on the look-out for other volunteer opportunities coming soon... Thanksgiving Luncheon, Pancake Breakfast, Book Fair, Ice Skating, and another Movie Night scheduled for Friday, January 20th.

Lunch Accounts
It's Thursday!  Please check your child's backpack &/or daily folder today!  Students/Families that owe money on their lunch account will receive notice today.  These notices are sent out each Thursday.

If your account is over for an amount up to $12.24, then you receive a purple notice slip.

If your account is over $12.25 or more, then you will receive a letter in an envelope and your child's lunch card will be pulled on Monday, November 14th unless payment is made so less than $12.25 is owed on the account.  If your child's lunch card is pulled, they will only be able to choose an alternative lunch (soybutter & jelly or a cheese sandwich, fruit, vegetable and milk).

Our free and reduced lunch program is a wonderful program for our kids, and the kids, nor staff ever know who is or is not on the program.

If you would like a free and reduced lunch application, please stop by the office, or let Mr. Wagner know and he'll send one home in an envelope with your child.

Lunch accounts are charged for a full lunch even when a child has to have one of the alternative lunches.  Families who are awaiting for their free and reduced lunch application approval are responsible for payment of lunches taken/eaten prior to approval.

When lunch cards have to be pulled, it puts school personnel in a tough situation.  We do NOT want to be the ones who have to explain to a child why they have to have an alternative lunch, a lunch they generally do not want.  This is the responsibility of the child's parent.

November 9, 2017

Thank you to our PTO President, Amy Biggins for organizing today's Staff Appreciation Dinner, and to all our wonderful Lincoln Parents who provided just amazing soups, lasagna, salads, breads, desserts, pop, water, and plates, bowls, napkins, and plastic-ware!  Simply delicious and so very appreciated by our Lincoln Staff during Parent Teacher Conference time!  Thanks again!!!

November 8, 2016

Picture Retake Day is tomorrow, Wednesday, November 9th.  If your child started at Lincoln after our original picture day, or if they were absent that day, they will be photographed regardless of whether pictures are purchased or not.  We need their picture for their lunch cards and for our yearbook.  If you were unhappy with your original pictures, please return your child's complete picture packet and email both their teacher and Mrs. Trumbley (jtrumbley@sjschools.org) and indicate you want your child to have their picture retaken.

3rd & 4th Grade Gymnastics Class will begin Monday, November 14th and meet on Mondays for six (6) weeks.  Information is available in the office, but this is open to the first 15 3rd & 4th grade students to enroll and pay the $20 registration fee.  Registration information is available in the office. Our instructor is Mrs. Cheryl Zuhl, retired SJHS Health and Physical Education teacher and coach.  If you have any questions about the class, please email Mrs. Zuhl directly at cherylzzuhl@gmail.com.

PTO Movie Night is currently scheduled for this Friday, November 11 from 6:00 p.m. until the end of the movie, Finding Nemo at Lincoln School.  This will be cancelled if we don't get parent volunteers to help make popcorn, and sell popcorn and bottled water.  An announcement on whether our movie night will happen will be made on our morning news Friday morning.  Students must be accompanied by an adult.  No outside food, nor beverages are allowed.  The only exception to our outside food/beverage rule is for students that we have documentation on for a known food allergy.

So, if you can volunteer and help make this event happen, please email our PTO President Amy Biggins at akbiggins@hotmail.com by 3:00 p.m. this Thursday, November 10th.  Hopefully this fun, family event will happen!  If it does, bring your lawn chair, or sleeping bag and pillow, and a couple of dollars for popcorn and water.  Let's make this happen for our students! 

Spelling Team is open for all interested 3rd through 5th graders.  All interested students will take a written test during their lunch recess.  Once all written tests have been completed, the field will be narrowed down to our top 12 spellers.  Those top 12 spellers will get the opportunity to study for the upcoming Lincoln Spelling Bee where our team will be narrowed down to our top 3 plus 1 alternate. Our top 3 get the chance to participate in our local Cloverleaf Spelling Bee sponsored by Berrien RESA where the top finisher will then get to represent Berrien County at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.  Although many students took the written test today, due to a lot of students being out sick, those 3rd through 5th grade students absent today should make arrangements with Mrs. Gruchot in the Media Center to take the written test during their lunch recess by next Tuesday, November 15th.  And, because we have half-days this Thursday & Friday, students may see if Mrs. Gruchot is available to give the written test at another time during the school day that works for her and your child's classroom teacher.

Half-Days THIS Thursday (11/10) & Friday (11/11) Please don't forget that students are dismissed at 12:05 p.m. on half-days and we have half-days this Thursday and Friday (NO late start Wednesday tomorrow 11/9).  All students must be picked up by 12:15 p.m. on our half-days.

Morning Drop-off Time Reminder  Students whom are eating breakfast or are part of our LINK news, or Bear Credit Union teams may be dropped off at 8:00 a.m., but not before.  Students neither eating breakfast, nor part of our LINK or Bear Credit Union teams are not to be dropped before 8:15 a.m.

Baby it's COLD outside, or getting there  Please be sure students are appropriately dressed for school and for going outside for recess.  This time of year, students should dress in layers, and please do not send your children in shorts again until the weather breaks in the spring.  Students will go outside for recess year-round unless the temperature (with or without windchill) dips below 10* Farenheit, or unless it's raining significantly.  Thanks for being sure your children are dressed appropriately for school and the weather!

PTO's Annual Student Sit-down Thanksgiving Luncheon is scheduled for Monday, November 21st.  Students are encouraged to dress nicely this day and purchase hot-lunch.  Be on the lookout for more specific lunch times and another opportunity to volunteer.  This is an absolute wonderful event where students eat with their buddies, are entertained by our Kindergarten students, and served an awesome Thanksgiving Dinner by our amazing kitchen staff and our super parent & grandparent volunteers.  One of my most favorite days at Lincoln School!  Don't miss it, volunteer now!!!  Please contact Mrs. Trumbley at 926-3700 or jtrumbley@sjschools.org if you're able to volunteer.'

Field Trip Money is still being collected!  Remember, we ask families to contribute $5 per child with the maximum contribution of $10 per family, towards our field trip fund.  We hope our Parent/Family donations will be about 1/3 of our Field Trip fund.  Our Lincoln PTO and our School District each contribute 1/3 of our Field Trip fund.  Thanks for helping out and continuing to make field trips for our students a part of their educational experience!

Playground Equipment & Our Playground (before, during, and after school) Thanks to the generosity of those who donated Box Tops and Campbell Soup Labels, each grade level (Y5-5) at Lincoln School now has their own equipment bag full of playground balls, jump ropes, and sidewalk chalk.  Each ball is labeled with the grade level of the bag it came out of.  Balls left on the playground at the end of each recess are put on the shelf for two weeks and students are not allowed to use equipment from another grade level's equipment bag.  So, students are NOT to bring balls from home to be used on the playground.  And, students are well aware of the rule that footballs and soccer balls are NOT to be used on the pavement or in the mulch area ever.  The exception to this rule... our younger grade levels, with Nerf footballs are allowed to use those on the pavement.  NO balls should ever be used on the mulch area.

Lunch Debt Notices are sent home each Thursday afternoon with your child.  Students/Families who owe money, up to $12.24 will receive a purple slip of paper indicating the amount owned.  Students/Families who owe $12.25 or more will receive a letter in an enclosed envelope and will have their lunch cards removed from use.  Students whose lunch cards are removed are still fed, but are limited to a choice of a sandwich and milk.  And, students/families are charged for the sandwich meal.  I know life is hectic, but please be sure your child has money on their lunch account.  We all know it's not the student's problem, but let's work together to resolve any lunch debt so we can prevent having to pull student lunch cards.  Any questions regarding lunch accounts should be directed to Mrs. Demrhy Youngquist, our Food Service Director, at dyoungquist@sjschools.org.

FREE Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner will be held November 24th, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Public House 9151 First Street, Baroda, MI 49101.  If possible, reservations are appreciated by November 20th and can be made by calling 269-326-7059 or emailing at hello@roundbarnpublichouse.com.  For those who are able, there is a $15 suggested donation.

Thanksgiving Break begins at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23rd and Lincoln School wishes everyone a very safe and relaxing Thanksgiving break.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from our Lincoln School Staff!

OCTOBER 17, 2016

ULTIMATE RECESS! A Call for HELP

Because our Lincoln Students went above and beyond our 2016 Laps for Lincoln GOAL, ALL classrooms have earned the Ultimate Recess.

The Ultimate Recess consists of 8 stations (2 bouncy house, 1 face painting, and 5 athletic/game stations).

Groups of students spend approximately 10 minutes at each station.

But, we can’t do this without HELP from parents & grandparents!

Below is the schedule for our Ultimate Recess (weather permitting):

Thursday, October 20 (C Day)                                                       Volunteers Arrive

8:43-10:19 am          2^nd Mrs. Laukus & 3^rd Mrs. Ettinger                         8:00 am

10:19-11:55 am        2^nd Miss Donohue & 5^th Mrs. Briney-Kelm             10:00 am

12:10-1:46 pm          Y5s Mrs. Schmidt & 4^th Mrs. Goniwiecha               11:50 am

1:46-3:22 pm             1^st Mrs. Robertson & 4^th Mrs. Abbott                      1:30 pm

3:22-4:00 pm             Station break-down crew                                          3:20 pm

Friday, October 21 (D Day)                                                                        Volunteers Arrive

8:43-10:19 am          1^st Ms. Harmening & 3^rd Mrs. Peek                          8:00 am

10:19-11:55 am        K Mrs. Bartz & 5^th Miss Rajewski                            10:00 am

12:10-1:46 pm          K Mrs. Mutschler & 4^th Mrs. Alsbro                        11:50 am

1:46-3:22 pm            2^nd Ms. Borah & 5^th Mrs. Holzapfel                         1:30 pm

3:22-4:00 pm                        Station break-down crew                                         3:20 pm

We REALLY need 8 volunteers from each classroom to make this work, 4 to man the stations & 4 to stay with each classroom group.  Can you PLEASE give an hour and a half to two hours to help make this work?

If you are able to help, please email Mrs. Trumbley at JTrumbley@sjschools.org by noon this Wednesday, October 19^th.

Thank you!

itsLearing Parent Accounts

Attention Parents:  Please remember to activate your itsLearning parent account so you can log into the system and receive classroom information from your child’s teacher.  As well as building information from the office.  You'll want to monitor the Lincoln Elementary Group and your child/childrens' Teacher's Course(s).

Directions for activating your account can be found at this link:  

https://sjschools.org/images/District/Using_the_itsLearning_Parent_Portal.pdf

A short video tutorial for activating your account and navigating the system can be found by clicking this link:  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3DvAdAoKTFhUHZ1ZHRodkxRR2s/view?usp=sharing  

If you are having trouble activating your itsLearning Parent Account, please don't hesitate to contact me or Mrs. Trumbley in the office.

Thanks for taking time to register for this important communication tool!

Title I Parent Meeting

If your child is receiving Title I support in the area of Reading &/or Math, you should have received an invitation to attend one of two Title I Information Meetings for Parents at Lincoln School.  You need only to attend one of these meetings.  Meetings are scheduled for Monday, October 24 at 10:00 am or 5:30 pm at Lincoln School.  Child care will be provided at the 5:30 pm meeting if enough RSVP's are received showing interest in child care.  Please see information in invite you should have received.  

If you are unable to attend, please ask your child's teacher for information at Parent Teacher Conferences, or call me at (269)-926-3700.

Volunteers & Volunteer Consent Form

The St. Joseph Public Schools recognizes that certain programs and activities can be enhanced through the use of volunteers. Any volunteer who works with or has access to students shall submit to a criminal history records check, prior to being allowed to participate in any activity or program. Any person who volunteers to work with the District shall be screened through the internet sites for the Public Sex Offenders Registry (PSOR) list, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) criminal history records check and the Offender TrackingInformation System (OTIS) prior to being allowed to participate in any activity or program.

Our Volunteer Consent Form must be completed annually and can be picked up in the office.

Halloween Parties & Parade:

A.  Lincoln’s Halloween Parties and Parade WILL be on Halloween, Monday, October 31st, NOT Friday, October 28th.

B.  Students may get into costumes beginning at 1:45 pm.  Costumes are not to be worn to school.

C.  Our Halloween Parade will begin at 2:00 pm or shortly after.  Weather permitting, the parade will be outside on the blacktop portion of our playground.  Parents/Grandparents wishing to see the parade of costumes should first sign in at the office, obtain a visitor badge, and proceed to the playground.  Please surround the outer edge of the playground pavement.

D.  Classroom parties are limited to 1 hour.  You can check your child's teacher's itsLearnng site to find out when your child's party will be.

E.  Halloween COSTUMES are NOT to be too bloody, gutsy, or gory!  Students may NOT carry weapons, even fake ones (knives, machetes, guns, etc.) without prior approval from Mr. Wagner. We are also concerned about clown costumes, but will NOT tell a child they can’t wear one.  Please     remind your child, if a student wears a clown costume, that it’s just that, a costume.

Operation Coats

Each November the members of Women’s Service League collect and distribute thousands of free coats to men, women and children living in Berrien County. Coat drop boxes are set up throughout the twin cities for community members and organizations to donate gently used coats and jackets of all shapes and sizes.

Lincoln School has a collection box and coats will be accepted through October 28th.

If you or your children are in need of a warm, slightly used, winter coat, Operation Coats distribution day for 2016 is:                              Thursday, November 3rd
                                 Salvation Army, Benton Harbor
                                 OPENS TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10AM-11AM

Road Closure

Lincoln Avenue and Vineland Road will be closed for repairs October 17 through November 4. While this is not in the Lincoln bussing area, it could very well delay our Lincoln busses due to detours.

Food Service and Balance Due

Students with a negative balance food service accoun are given notices each Thursday to bring home to their parents.  Please check your child's folder / backpack each Thursday.  These notices are on purple slips of paper.  When a child's negative balance reaches, or exceeds, $12.25 at the elementary level, a letter in a sealed envelope addressed to "The Parents of..." is sent home.  Students whose accounts are $12.25 or more in the red will have their lunch cards pulled and will either need to bring a lunch and drink from home, or will be limited to a selection of a choice of one of two sandwiches until their account is paid.  And, at the same time, they are charged for that lunch.  While we know a negative balance is not the fault of the child, and we will continue to be sure they have something for lunch, this is a debt the District can no longer carry.  If you are in receipt of a letter indicating your child's account is at, or in excess of $12.25, please pay, or complete a free and reduced lunch application. That is what this program is for.  Charges continue to accumulate until the application is processed and approved.  You will be notified whether your application is approved or denied.  All debt incurred prior to application approval is still the responsibility of the parents.

Community Corkboard

Under the Parent tab on our Lincoln or District web-site, you will find a Community Corkboard tab. Information about upcoming community events and elementary community athletic/rec programs can be found here. Below is a link to the Community Corkboard:

https://www.sjschools.org/lincoln-elementary-parents/community-cork-board-lincoln

Check out the Candy Buy Back Program!  Pretty cool idea.

Art Festival

Berrien County Cancer Service, Inc. is sponsoring Art Festival on Thursday, November 10 from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Box Factory for the Arts (1101 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI 49085).  For more information, go to www.bccancerservice.org or call (269)-429-3281.

The Flu and Our School

1  Hygiene Counts

     Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue or your elbow.. NOT your hands!

2  Flu Vaccine Works

     Be brave and get vaccinated against the Flu.

3  Sick?  Stay Home

     Do you feel crummy today?  Headache, body aches, fever, sneezing, coughing?  Help keep our            school healthy.  Stay home when you are sick.

Flu Prevention pamphlets provided by the Berrien County Health Department (BCHD) are available in the office.

Rosetta Stone Foreign Language is Coming

Our hope is to start our Rosetta Stone Foreign Language group on November 1st.  English Language Learners are assigned first.  After that, as we have a limited number of licenses, we send information home for 3rd - 5th graders.  If licenses remain after that, we then send the information home for K - 2nd graders.  

This program will be held one day per six-day cycle here at school during your child's lunch recess time.  And, students in the program have access to use this program at home as well.

Thank You!

I want to thank Parent Volunteers Mallory Getty & Mandy Pfeiffer for organizing another successful Laps for Lincoln! Great job Ladies!  I also want to thank all of our parent volunteers who helped in so many ways, especially counting money during the event.  A huge thank you also to all of our sponsors for their support, and to our students for their efforts and Parents and Staff for supporting this wonderful event!  Have to also thank our Bears that wore that hot costume the night of our event, Elias Coar and Sophie Wagner.  Thank you all so much!  Our School, Students, and Staff are the benefactors of your generosity!