The Lincoln Lowdown- 8/25/23

Lincoln Families,

There's nothing like the first day of school! The first day at Lincoln Middle School was a memorable one! There was a ton of excitement and energy surrounding the campus and I want to thank all of you for participating. I want to especially thank Leslie Loughlin, PTSA President and the entire PTSA for their time and commitment to Lincoln Middle School. They have done so much to ensure that our students and staff are supported. Please continue to get involved and let's build on this momentum! This is just the beginning!

THANK YOU LINCOLN FAMILY!

AM Classes will start Monday, August 28th and we will be on a regular bell schedule for the duration of the week.

Middle School Athletics continues with tryouts! Our students continue to show up in great numbers for flag football, cross country, and girls volleyball. The last and final tryout will be held on Tuesday, August 29th, 3:30pm at JAMS. Teams will be determined and selected shortly after August 31st. I'm so happy and proud of all our students who have been participating! Lincoln Middle School has been well represented and we look forward to watching our Lions in action! Let's go Lions!

Place of Birth: Cleveland Ohio

Years at Lincoln: 14

Favorite Educator: Mrs. Keener. She was my high school Food Class teacher. Mrs. Keener inspired me and my passion for cooking that is now part of my every day life and brings me joy. My family and friends are happy too!

Fun Fact: Certified as a scuba diver

Place of Birth: Guam

Years at Lincoln: 24 years (15.5 as a math teacher)

Favorite Educator: Mr. Mac will forever be my favorite educator. He was my 9th grade Geometry teacher who embraced and grew my love of math and puzzles. He also encouraged me to give the tennis team a try, and there I found a family amongst my teammates. We were not superstar tournament-winning players, but they were all superstar, supportive friends. Mr. Mac also empowered me to give Keywanettes (a Kiwanis-sponsored service club) a try, where he recommended me to step in as secretary where there was a need, and from that experience, really empowered me as a shy, introvert to grow my leadership skills and to live a life of community service.. I truly would not be where I am today without Mr. Mac's influence in my life.

Fun Fact: I am a mom of 3 boys -- my oldest just started 6th grade like many of you too, just not at Lincoln, but at SMASH. I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin so Hook'em Horns to any other Longhorn fans out there!!!

Place of Birth: Medellin, Colombia

Years at Lincoln: 1 (9 Total in SMMUSD) Loving this community!

Favorite Educator: A lot of people has impacted me in my life. Some special teachers, my grandparents; but right now my son Valentino is the one teaching me so many lessons, that I get to apply in my daily life. I am learning to be a better listener for sure thanks to him, and how to be a better parent.

Fun Fact: I am scuba diver and I absolutely love doing that with my son and my husband. PS. I am terrified of drowning.

If your child is an English Language Learner, we would love to have you a part of our ELAC! Get involved and help provide important feedback on how we can support our English learners.

The ELAC shall be responsible for the following tasks:

• Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and submitting the plan to the School Site Council for consideration of inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement.
• Assisting in the development of the schoolwide needs assessment.
• Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
• Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). Districts with 31 or more ELACs may use a system of proportional or regional representation.

In our efforts to continue to promote unity and spirit, we would love for students to show off their Lincoln MS gear or school colors on Fridays! Let's continue to let the city of Santa Monica hear us ROAR!

Parents, please help us reinforce our message to students in ensuring that they take care of their chromebook. We encourage all students to use the case that was included to help protect their device. Thank you and we appreciate your support.

Please Review the Attendance Guidelines

Please save the date for our Back to School Picnic. This event is for ALL our students AND their families! Please make arrangements to be there!

Be part of the Lincoln Safety Task Force, and please volunteer during 20 minutes one day a week from 8:40 to 9:00 AM (Friday from 9:10-9:30AM).

It’s a short period of time but the BIGGEST contribution you can make towards the safety of our students.

If interested in volunteering, please go to https://lmsptsa.org/ for more info.

For the Safety of the children and volunteers and to keep traffic moving, please follow these reminders:

1. Pull all the way forward when you drop your child off. Do not block the staff parking entrance near the gymnasium.

2. Make sure students have their backpacks & belongings ready to exit when you stop. Drivers must remain in their vehicle at all times. Do not leave your car to open the trunk or help your children with their backpacks.

3. Do not sit and wait: Please help us maintain the flow of traffic and do not sit and wait in your vehicle.

4. Do not double park along the drop-off lane, and make illegal U-turn before/after the drop-off lane.

5. Drop your kids off earlier. There is more congestion ten minutes before school starts.

Please, remember that drop-off in the circular driveway is only for our neurodiverse students who are meeting para educators, students with mobility issues, and the school bus.