PRINCIPAL NEWSLETTER
Monday, May 20, 2024
Message from the Principal
Happy Tuesday Lincoln Families,
I hope you all are enjoying the sunshine and dare I say cicadas! Many of our kiddos were out with them today, picking them up and becoming nature enthusiasts. I was mortified, but they seem to be enjoying this rare opportunity!
We have many end of the year things happening so I hope you are ready. Our Memorial Day Ceremony will be this Friday, May 24th. Immediately following, fifth grade families will be invited into Lincoln for our first Lincoln Showcase! This will look different from our previous traditional awards ceremony, but to make this short, students have chosen to showcase what they want in alignment with our D97 Portrait of a Graduate, but most importantly, their experiences at Lincoln. A communication will be coming out directly to fifth grade families.
Olympic Day is next Tuesday, May 28th where students, staff, and volunteers will participate in a plethora of activites. This is a weather permitting activity day. Please dress kiddos in appropriate clothing for the day and send their water bottles! Send a change of clothes as well, as we know accidents happen on these days. If you are thinking your child is too old to need a change of clothes, send them for those children as well! Trust me on this one.
Finally, don't miss our End of the Year Picnic on Friday, May 31st. There is always a lot of family and fun during these bashes.
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Take care,
Ms. Gordon
IMPORTANT DATES:
MAY
24 - Annual Memorial Day Ceremony lead by 5th Grade. 8:15 a.m. by the cul-de-sac
28 - Olympic Day (more details to come)
27 - No School for Memorial Day
31 - PTO Year End Picnic from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
JUNE
4 - Last Day of School
AUGUST
22 - First day of attendance for the 24-25 School Year. The 2024-2025 calendar can be found here.
READING NIGHT 2024
ABC COUNTDOWN
The weeks are moving fast!
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR
The school supply fundraiser is ready for orders. You can click here to view and order school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year.
LINCOLN SCHOOL PTO INFORMATION
SCHOOL SUPPLY FUNDRAISER
Cross this stressful to-do off your list now! Kits will be delivered directly to your child’s classroom in the fall. It cannot be any easier! Plus, the PTO will receive a portion of each kit purchased. Click //here// to purchase.
END OF THE YEAR PICNIC: MAY 31
Join us on May 31st from 3:30-6pm. We will have Billy Bricks Pizza Truck, Taco Mucho, Candycopia, face painters, the OPPL Book Bike, and a balloon artist! A sensory friendly tent will be located on the north end of the playground for the entire event.
5th GRADE EVENTS & CONTRIBUTION
The end of 5th grade is a special time for students at Lincoln. //Here// is a calendar of events. If you are able, please contribute to the cost of the yearbook, dance and t-shirt //here//. All 5th graders will receive the t-shirt and yearbook, regardless of contribution.
DONATE YOUR LINCOLN SPIRIT WEAR
Drop off your outgrown Lincoln Spirit wear in the bin at the front of the school anytime in May. We will be collecting Lincoln clothing to be passed on to the office to distribute to kids who are in need of spirit wear. Thank you! -The Green Team
LINCOLN ALL-STAR AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT TAKING A PAUSE
Lincoln All-Stars after school enrichment programming will not run in the fall 2024 as we strive to create a program that works best for the staff, students and parents of Lincoln. To meet that goal, the student enrichment team is looking for people who would be interested in working together to help determine the future of after-school enrichment programming at Lincoln, as well as solidify the goals of student enrichment through the PTO.
We welcome anyone who has interest or experience in this area. Best of all, this NOT a long-term OR time intensive commitment. We're hoping to start with just a series of informal chats over the next couple months; then progress from there.
Anyone who might like to be involved in these initial conversations should email Amanda Turnbull, Co-VP of Student Enrichment at turnbull.amanda@gmail.com by the end of the school year (June 4).
SPIRITWEAR SALE
Shabby Fly is clearing their warehouse and all spiritwear is on sale. Buy your discounted spiritwear //here//! If you need financial assistance to purchase spiritwear, fill out this form.
ANGEL FUNDS
If your family could use financial assistance to ensure your child's success in school, Angel Funds are available. Angel funds can cover school supplies, clothes and more. Requests are confidential and only viewed by specific Lincoln Staff members. Please complete this form to request assistance.
INFORMATION FROM DISTRICT 97
Calling All Fifth-Graders! Join the “D97 Middle School Connection” Program
Exciting news for our fifth-grade families! District 97 is introducing a fantastic opportunity to help your student transition smoothly to middle school. District 97 Middle School Connection is a three-day program designed specifically for our incoming sixth-graders. It’s a great way for students to ease into middle school life and make new friends before the school year starts.
Here's what you need to know:
Program: District 97 Middle School Connection
Dates: August 13-15, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Location: Brooks Middle School
Cost: Free for all District 97 incoming sixth-graders
Lunch: Provided at no cost
Transportation: Students assigned to a bus route for middle school will have pick-up and drop-off services available.
Sign Up Deadline: May 9, 2024
The District 97 Middle School Connection program offers a mix of fun activities, team-building exercises, and an introduction to middle school. It's the perfect opportunity for students to build confidence, meet their peers, and get a feel for their new school environment.
Ready to Sign Up?
Click here to sign up your student for the District 97 Middle School Connection program. If you have questions, you can contact Dr. Denise Gildon, Associate Principal of Teaching, Learning, and Arts at Brooks Middle School, at dgildon@op97.org, or visit www.op97.org/brooks/other/brooks-middle-school-connection.
¡Llamando a Todos los Estudiantes de Quinto Grado! Únete al Programa "D97 Middle School Connection"¡
Buenas noticias para nuestras familias de quinto grado! El Distrito 97 está lanzando una oportunidad fantástica para ayudar a sus hijos a hacer la transición a la escuela secundaria de manera más sencilla. El programa "D97 Middle School Connection" es un evento de tres días diseñado específicamente para nuestros estudiantes de sexto grado entrantes. Es una excelente manera de que los estudiantes se adapten a la vida en la escuela secundaria y hagan nuevos amigos antes de que comience el año escolar.
Aquí está la información que necesitas saber:
Programa: D97 Middle School Connection
Fechas: del 13 al 15 de agosto de 2024
Horario: de 9 a.m. a 12:15 p.m.
Ubicación: Escuela Secundaria Brooks
Costo: Gratis para todos los estudiantes de sexto grado entrantes del Distrito 97
Almuerzo: Proporcionado sin costo
Transporte: Los estudiantes asignados a una ruta de autobús para la escuela secundaria tendrán servicios de recogida y entrega.
Fecha límite para inscribirse: 9 de mayo de 2024
El programa "D97 Middle School Connection" ofrece una mezcla de actividades divertidas, ejercicios para fomentar el trabajo en equipo, y una introducción de la escuela secundaria. Es la oportunidad perfecta para que los estudiantes ganen confianza, conozcan a sus compañeros y se familiaricen con el entorno de su nueva escuela.
¿Listo para inscribirte?
Haz clic aquí para inscribir a tu estudiante en el programa "D97 Middle School Connection". Si tienes preguntas, puedes comunicarte con la Dra. Denise Gildon, Subdirectora de Enseñanza, Aprendizaje y Artes en la Escuela Secundaria Brooks, a dgildon@op97.org, o visitar www.op97.org/brooks/other/brooks-middle-school-connection.
Registration for 2024-25 Now Open for All Students
Online registration for the 2024-25 school year in District 97 is now open for all students. Complete details about the process—including residency documents, timelines and other helpful resources—are available on the district web site: www.op97.org/registration.
Returning Students
Registration for returning District 97 students will be open March 5 - April 19. Complete details can be found at https://www.op97.org/hr/returning-student-registration.
New Students and Kindergarteners
Registration for kindergarten and new students opened Feb. 22. Please click the links below to learn more about the registration process for kindergarteners and new students.
In order to register your student, you must be the custodial parent/guardian and currently reside in Oak Park. Students who are registering for kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year must be at least 5 years old and must be born on or before Sept. 1, 2019.
We appreciate your partnership in preparing for a successful 2024-25 school year!
2024-25 District 97 Blended Preschool Program
On Wednesday, April 3, District 97 will begin accepting applications for the early childhood blended classrooms at Whittier Elementary School for the 2024-25 school year. There will be a limited number of spaces available. Click here to view the 2024-25 D97 Blended Preschool flyer >>
District 97 is seeking students who:
are non-IEP students who will be between the ages of 3 and 4 years by Sept. 1, 2024;
demonstrate age-appropriate language and social skills;
are Oak Park residents;
are not enrolled in a preschool program.
The registration window will be open April 3, 2024, through May 24, 2024. For more information about the Early Childhood Blended Program or to apply beginning April 3, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/ecblended.
PREVIOUSLY SHARED IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
Absences
If you child will not attend school, please be sure to contact the office by 8:30 a.m. You can call 708-665-3067 or email lincolnattendance@op97.org. If you are emailing the classroom teacher, please also copy lincolnattendance@op97.org.
Early Pick Up
If you are picking your child up early, please send an email to the classroom teacher and copy lincolnattendance@op97.org. Call the office when you are on your way and they will have your child ready for you.
Change in Dismissal Plans
- If there are any changes in dismissal plans, please email teachers before the start of the school day. Any "day of changes" MUST be communicated directly through the main office at 708-524-3110. Teachers are not always able to check their email during the day or might be absent.
- If you will be picking your child up instead of them taking the bus home, please arrive a bit early and meet them by the buses on Harvard Ave. This is the most efficient and least disruptive to dismissal routines.
- If you are running late and will not arrive by 3:00 p.m., please contact the office as soon as possible.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Please note that background checks now expire after three years. Please contact the district office to confirm your prints if it has been longer than that.
RESOURCE CENTER
About Us
Email: lincolnoffice@op97.org
Website: op97.org/lincoln
Location: 1111 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-524-3110
Twitter: @UpAtLincolnOP