PANTHER PROGRESS

October 2024 Issue 3

Message From Our Administrators

Hello Lincoln Family –

As we wrap-up our first 8 weeks of school, our Lincoln staff has been working hard to establish routines and structures, strengthen communication between home and school, increase student accountability, elevate our high expectations with both academics and behavior for each of our 624 students, and analyze recent achievement results to target instruction where skill gaps may be present. Any student that is not currently meeting grade level expectations in grades 1-5 will receive an interim in efforts to provide a “heads-up” to the family. This is a communication that both teacher and the family can work on collaboratively to ensure success and hopefully “make history” with your child’s academic accomplishments this year.

Parent teacher conferences will be held from October 7th - 9th, so please connect with your child’s teacher to discuss their progress and how we can collectively take your Panther’s achievement to the next level.

Lincoln is committed to this urgency, are you?

Much Lincoln Love,

Eric Rhodes - Principal

Mary Beth Smith - Assistant Principal

Crosby Blair - Community School Coordinator

Important October Dates

October 7: Parent teacher conferences (schools open 4 hours late; 12:30pm)

October 8: Parent teacher conferences (schools open 4 hours late; 12:30pm)

October 9: Parent teacher conferences (schools dismiss 3.5 hours early; 12pm)

October 16: STEM night from 5 - 7pm

October 18: School closed (professional learning day)

October 25: Two hour early dismissal (end of term 1)

October 28: School closed (teacher work day)

October 30: Book Character Day and Trunk-or-Treat (details below)

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Our students are offered breakfast and lunch every day. Click the links below for this month's menu. For more information about FCPS food and nutrition, visit the FCPS nutrition website.

October Learning

Select the link below to check out what your child/children will be learning this month! Grading polices for grades PK-1, grades 2-5, and Encore classes are also included: October Learning

Events in the commUNITY

Events at C. Burr Artz Library: October Calendar

October 5th: 17th Annual Frederick Community Health Fair

October 25th: Trunk-or-Treat at Frederick Church of the Brethren 6 - 8pm

October 25th: Fall Fest in Carver Apartments 1 - 4pm

November 1st: Spanish Speaking Community of MD "Blingo Gala"

November 9th: Harlem Wizards Basketball game

Salvation Army Christmas Assistance: English flier; Spanish flier

Frederick Toys for Tots

Spirit Week!

We will have a spirit week next week (Oct. 7 - 11) during Parent-Teacher Conferences. All students are welcome to participate!

Attendance

Regular school attendance is important for a student's academic and behavioral success. We need your help! Please make sure your child is coming to school regularly unless they are sick. Per FCPS policy, anytime a student is absent, the school must receive written documentation from the guardian and/or medical provider. Written communication can be in the form of an email, a Talking Points message, or a hand written note. Our ratings on the Maryland School Report Card are heavily impacted by our attendance rates. Reach out to our Community School Coordinator at Crosby.Blair@fcps.org with any attendance questions or needs.

Current Attendance Rates

Whole School: 94.8%

The FCPS goal is 96%

PreK: 92.9%

Kindergarten: 93.3%

First: 95.5%

Second: 94.4%

Third: 94.9%

Fourth: 96.4%

Fifth: 95.7%

Current Chronic Absence rate (for any students that have missed 10% or more of the school year so far): 18.3%

LNES attendance flier; English

LNES attendance flier, Spanish

Free and Reduced Meals - grace period ends on October 3rd

If your student(s) received Free or Reduced Meals last year and you have not yet re-applied, please do so immediately as the grace period for benefits ends on October 3rd. Your student(s) may start accruing charges after that date if not approved.

Please make sure you are filling out the Free and Reduced Meal (FARM) benefit application to determine if your student qualifies for free or reduced lunch. As a Title I school, we rely on these applications for funding from the federal government. The online application is the preferred method of submission and applications are available in both English and Spanish. The online application is currently open and can be found at this website: LINQConnect.com. For those that do not qualify, the cost of lunch is $2.65 everyday. If you have questions, or need assistance filling out the application, contact Diana Galaviz at Diana.Galaviz@fcps.org.

Book Character Day

In efforts to celebrate Lincoln's Love of Literacy, we will be having a Book Character Parade on October 30th! Students may bring their costumes to change into and the book that their character is in. Please DO NOT wear gory/scary masks or bring weapons that accompany the costume. For safety purposes, staff should be able to see your child’s face while in costume. Additionally, please do not send any food items with your child. More details forthcoming from your child's teacher.

Trunk-or-treat AND coat distribution

To extend our Book Character Day festivities and in partnership with Frederick Church of the Brethren and the National Honor Society from Frederick High School, we'll be hosting a trunk-or-treat and coat distribution on Wednesday, October 30th from 5 - 7pm. This event will be in the parking lot behind the Earth Space Science Lab directly next to the track on the hill. We hope to see you there!

Lincoln Learner Reports

The Lincoln Learner Reports will be sent home in Thursday folders starting the week after Parent Teacher Conferences. During conferences, teachers will outline the purpose of these reports and the importance in getting them signed/returned. Even though we include curriculum information by grade level in this newsletter (see above), it is important for families to be aware of their student's learning needs and expectations.

The YMCA Returns to Lincoln

YMCA Before & After School Enrichment Program

Our before and after school enrichment program is available in your child's school with several enrollment options available. You can register for before care only, after care only or before and after care. We are open from 6:30 am – until school begins and from school dismissal until 6:30 pm. We will provide a nutritious snack after school. Homework time will be provided daily Monday – Thursday along with other clubs for your child to participate in Tuesday - Thursday. Each month there are different clubs to choose from that will cater to the interests of all children. Our program also reinforces social emotional learning through our activities. For more information, see the attached brochure.

https://74bb071a.flowpaper.com/24055BASE202425BrochureREV/#page=1

When schools are scheduled to be closed, options will be available to enroll in the All Day Out Program held at the Y Arts Center or the Natelli Family Y. Registration for these days can be done online. When schools open late or dismiss early care will be available on site for the extended hours. Registration will be at the site for these days.

Although this is a fee based program, there are options for financial assistance. Families can apply to the state for a scholarship using this link.

https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/child-care-scholarship-program

While waiting for a response back from the state, families can apply for a temporary scholarship through the Y. To apply, visit our website at www.frederickymca.org. At the bottom of the page under Learn More you will see financial assistance. Click on this to submit an application for evaluation for a scholarship.

Free Parenting Class for Parents/Caregivers

Learn tools to help your children handle stress and setbacks. Join the nonprofit PEP’s (Parent Encouragement Program) free 8-week online program for parents/caregivers of children PreK to 12th grade, in English or Spanish. Learn to support your children’s mental wellness and resiliency and connect with other parents. Engage and complete at least 5 sessions and the evaluation to receive a $50 gift card (one per household/family). Classes are on Wednesdays, starting October 16, 7-8:30pm.

Use these links for more information and to register:

PEP registration

PEP's Family Resiliency Program

After School Clubs

We are very fortunate to be able to offer a robust offering of after school enrichment programs. Some clubs are age specific so make sure to contact the club advisor with any questions. Starting soon, these clubs will be offered to students on a weekly basis:

Lincoln Leadership Club (Crosby.Blair@fcps.org)
Chorus (Stephanie.Lichtenber@fcps.org)
School play (in partnership with Maryland Ensemble Theater; Jillian.Trawick@fcps.org)
Panther Run Club (Aaron.Vetter@fcps.org)
Unicycle (Lisa.Tucker@fcps.org)
4H (in partnership with University of Maryland; McRembold@icloud.com)
Good News Club (Joseph.Daly@fcps.org)
Panther Plus (Joseph.Daly@fcps.org)
Exito (in partnership with Centro Hispano; DJackson@centrohispanodefrederick.org)

Volunteering

Are you interested in volunteering? Our students (and teachers) benefit from outside support. Whether you'd like to read to a PreK student, help a 4th grader with math or assist our custodians in the cafeteria, we welcome your support! The first step in the process is registering and completing the required training linked below. Contact our Community School Coordinator at Crosby.Blair@fcps.org with any questions or needs: Volunteer registration link

Bus Transportation

Bus route information, including delays, can be found at the bus information site.

Title I Information

Lincoln is a Title I school. Title I is a federally funded program that provides supplemental funding to schools for additional staff and/or resources to support student achievement. For more information, please use the following links:

Title I brochure

Right to Know letter (English)

Right to Know letter (Spanish)

Counseling Corner

The school counseling team: The “Super Support Squad”

Ms. Ellis (grades 3-5) Madison.Ellis@fcps.org
Mrs. Quill (grades PreK-2) Heather.Quill@fcps.org
Ms. Dodson (Behavior Support Specialist) Heather.Dodson@fcps.org
Mrs. Tucker (Behavior Support Specialist) Mary-Kate.Tucker@fcps.org

Emotional Regulation @ LNES: Part 2

Click HERE to learn more about Lincoln Elementary School’s emotional regulation program. This is the second video in the series about the emotional regulation program being taught to students at Lincoln Elementary to help them learn more about their brain and body. Students practice skills to help them manage their behavior and increase their academic success. You can use this PowerPoint to learn more after you watch the video..

Bonus article: Movement builds a child’s brain

Lincoln Counselor Website

This website has multiple resources for students and families. It also has videotaped lessons we use with students and parent videos that explain our emotional regulation program.

Nurse's Corner

Reminders from the Health Room

Student health cards need to be completed every year. If you have not completed your child’s health card this year please complete and return to the health room as soon as possible.

ALL medications to be taken at school, whether prescription or nonprescription (over the counter) must have a Medication Authorization form completed by a health care provider and parent. This form is available from the Health Rom staff or at www.fcps.org. This form, along with the medication in a properly labeled bottle or unopened package, must be given directly the Health Room staff by the parent/guardian. Parent/Guardians will be notified at the end of the school year regarding pick up of medications in the Health Room.

Steps to Stop the Spread of Germs

Avoid close contact with people who are sick
If you are sick stay home from school
Cover your cough and sneezes
Wash hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Get a flu vaccine