News and events
January, 2023
Message From Principal Zimmerman
Hello Lincoln Families!
Welcome back! I’m happy to share that 2023 is off to a great start at Lincoln! As I walk through the halls and visit classrooms, it is exciting to see all of the things that our teachers are doing to help their students get motivated and enthusiastic about school! Please make note below in this newsletter of the dates and sign-up instructions for our Winter Conferences which will take place the first two weeks of February. We look forward to seeing you then! Also, please remember that any person who comes to Lincoln to pick up a student at the office, or arrives to volunteer, must provide a driver’s license or photo ID. This is for the safety of students and staff. Thank you for your attention to this important reminder! The Lincoln community remains strong! The staff is working hard to make sure to provide the very best educational experience possible for your children, and we couldn’t do it without the support of the best families in town- all of you! Thank you for your support! Michelle Zimmerman, Principal
NO SCHOOL -- MONDAY, JANUARY 16
FAMILY READING NIGHT
Thursday, January 19
5:30 - 7:15 pm
Enter through Door 6 (on South Street)
The following three sessions will be available:
- Meet a professional, published author and learn about being an author
- An interactive session with Lincoln staff
- A session to eat pizza and an opportunity to sign up for a FREE Anoka library card.
Enjoy the performance of master storyteller Nothando Zulu! (6:30-7:15 pm)
Well known throughout the Twin Cities…Nothando Zulu. A Minneapolis resident of over fifty years, has been described as one of the most engaging, captivating storytellers of her time. She has performed for thousands of children and adults for more than four decades.
Flyers were sent home with students for families to RSVP.
WINTER CONFERENCES
Winter conferences will be held February 7, 9 and 13.
Online signup is available at myconferencetime.com/lincoln until Thursday, February 2 at 4:00.
After February 2, you will need to call Lori at 763-506-3102 for assistance with sign up.
Kindergarten News
Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful break!
We wrapped up a fun-filled month of learning with Gingerbread Day and a Winter Celebration!
This month in reading, our themes will be: Time for Work (What do people use to do their jobs?), Meet Your Neighbors (Who are our neighbors?), and Pitch In (How can people help to make our community better?). Kindergarteners continue to work on writing sentences beginning with an uppercase letter and ending with punctuation. They are working on writing sight words correctly and writing beginning, middle, and ending sounds.
This month In math we will be working on addition and subtraction number stories. We will also continue to look at numbers that can be added together to make 5, 6, and 7.
We are excited to welcome Ms. Hastad to our Kindergarten Team this month! She will be supporting a small number of students from each of our three kindergarten classes during reading. By having these students join her class, it will allow all kindergarten classes to have a smaller number of students during this important instructional block, which gives teachers the opportunity to provide more one-on-one support for all students.
Ms. Hastad, Ms. Johnson, Mrs. Ovitt and Mrs. Peterson
First Grade News
Hello Grade 1 Families!
Can you believe it is already December? We have made it through our first trimester. In reading, we are learning about communities and what makes up a community. In math, we are working on addition and subtration strategies up to 20. Please continue to read for 20 minutes each night.
As the weather continues to get colder, please remember to send warm gear for your child. Please label ALL ITEMS with their full name. They will need snowpants, boots, jacket, hat and mittens.
Ms. Schwartz, Ms. Skinner and Ms. Walz
Second Grade News
Hello 2nd Grade Families!
In Math During the month of January we will focus on how inches, feet, and yards are related. We will continue to work on past skills as well, including addition and subtraction facts to 20. In number corner we will look more closely at data and what information graphs can show us.
We will be working on our 3rd Wonders Unit. The big idea for unit 3 is: What have you learned about the world that surprises you? Information about what skills and strategies that we are working in will come home on the first day of each new Wonders week. The sixth week of the unit we will be reviewing all learned concepts and assessing progress.
If you have an opportunity, have your child show you the Wonder’s site online. There are games and activities that they can do to support their learning during the week.
Mrs. Coubal, Mrs. Pitzl and Mr. Robertson
Third Grade News
Happy New Year 3rd Grade Families!
In the month of January in our Wonders unit 3 curriculum we will be focusing on: Why are individual qualities important? We will begin the unit focusing on Folktales. Then move into Historical Fiction and next Expository (Informational) Text. In Spelling, we will begin with r-controlled vowels, prefixes and then diphthongs. Please remember to practice your words each night.
The Number Corner focus for January is Fractions and Time. We also just started unit 4 in our Bridges math curriculum which is fractions and telling time. You could have your child practice telling time at home using an analog clock to enhance their clock skills!
Ms. Carlson and Mrs. Luongvan
Fourth Grade News
Greetings Fourthling Families!
We hope you had a wonderful winter break. Things are in full swing now that we are back to school. In math, we started Unit 4. We have been working on the addition and subtraction standard algorithms. These two algorithms can be especially challenging for fourth grade students when they have to make adjustments for place value. Please provide opportunities for your student to practice addition and subtraction using these two algorithms. We started Unit 3 in Wonders. We are working with the overall idea of how to be a good citizen.
We will be collaborating with the music department as we dive into the VocalEssence Witness program. We will have lessons in the classroom, as well as in the music room, which will all culminate in a Young People’s Concert field trip. We are so excited to welcome a Teaching Artist in as we delve into the world of spoken word poetry and soundscapes.
Thanks for all your support!
Mrs. Nye & Mrs. Gaspar
Fifth Grade News
This month 5th graders are hard at work exploring decimals and place value in math. In reading we are discussing themes in a variety of stories that focus on how our diverse experiences can lead to new discoveries. In science we are working on understanding the importance of the hydrosphere and exploring how humans can help to positively impact this vital resource.
Finally, we are excited to announce that we have been invited to participate in an unbelievable STEM experience at Starbase. Starbase is a 5 day immersive experience which sees students engaging in STEM activities that will lead them to designing a human mission to mars. As an Arts school, we will be able to build upon this experience, stretching STEM into STEAM (A=Arts), exploring the intersection of Art and these other disciplines. Try some STEAM activities at home.
Starbase is located in St. Paul on the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing.
Mr. Driscoll and Mr. Gamache
Linc's Arts
ARTS AT LINCOLN
Hello Lincoln Families!
December’s Character Strong trait was Empathy, and our all-school project was to create personal collages that tell the viewer something about ourselves. The more we know about others, the more we can understand and show empathy toward one another.
Rehearsals for our 4th and 5th grade winter musical, Leap Day, are underway! Students, under the direction of 4th grade teacher Mrs. Gaspar, practice every Mon-Thurs after school, working on dialogue, music, staging, and vocal projection. Performances for the public are Thurs., Jan. 26 and Fri., Jan. 27 at 6:00 PM in the Lincoln gym. We hope to see you there!
Music Notes
Band and Orchestra Families: Our Band and Orchestra Winter Recitals are on Tues., Jan. 31 in the Lincoln gym. There are 3 recital times for students to choose from (6-6:30, 6:45-7:15, 7:30-8). Please be sure to fill out either the green Recital Sign-Up form, or complete the Google Form shared in our Seesaw class. Contact Mrs. Whitcomb with questions!
Choir Families: Our Winter Choir Concert is right around the corner - Feb. 16 at 6:30 PM in the Lincoln gym. Students have folders that they can bring home so they can practice their music. Sometimes the most difficult part of choir is just learning how to read the music!
PTO News
Upcoming Lincoln Nights Out:
Panera Bread
When: January 31, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: 3540 River Rapids Drive, Coon Rapids
Our school will earn: 20% of Receipts
Applebee’s
When: February 21, 2023 from 11am-close
Where: 3470 129th Avenue N. W., Coon Rapids
Our school will earn: 15% of receipts
Conference meals will be provided for staff on Feb 7th and 9th. Please be on the lookout for our online donation signup to help support our hardworking staff!
Upcoming PTO Events:
- Winter Warmup *New Family Event: Friday, February 3
- Carnival: Friday, March 3
EXCITING NEWS!
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming back to Lincoln! Both in-person during our February conferences AND online! Stay tuned for all the details regarding operating hours, location in the building, volunteer opportunities & more! Just in time for 'I Love to Read Month!'
Upcoming Lincoln PTO Meetings:
We meet in the conference room and offer free childcare in the gym! (Children must be potty trained)
- Thursday, January 12 at 6pm
- Thursday, February 9 at 6pm
Lincoln's Volunteer Program
Volunteer Opportunities (complete Lincoln Volunteer Forms and contact the VSC)
- Clerical Crew/Art Rm Support
- TD After School Classes- Challenge Reading or Math+
- K-Skillbuilder (working w/Kindergartners)
- Gr 1 & 2 Reading
- Girls on the Run
- Mystery Reading
- PTO Staff Appreciation/Food
- PTO Fundraising
- PTO Event/Book Fair
- Play/Performance Backstage Help
- Reading Night Help
- Music Concert/Recital
Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteers-
- Experience the satisfaction of helping people
- Develop new skills
- Meet new people
- Develop new friendships
- Share their time and talent
- Receive recognition from staff and students
- Add to resume and build collaboration skills
Students-
- See a clear relationship between family, community, and school
- Develop a feeling that school is important
- Build self-confidence as they see an interest taken by others
- Able to share their strengths and talents
- Statistics prove that student achievement is higher when caring adults are involved in school activities.
Diana Orr - Volunteer Services Coordinator (VSC)
Diana.Orr@ahschools.us / 763-506-3130
Tuesday 8a.m. - 3p.m./Wednesday and Thursday 8a.m. - 2:45p.m. (schedule may vary)
Volunteer handbook - Manual para voluntarios / Safeguard Privacy / Field Trip Chaperone Guidelines
Nominate outstanding school staff for an Above & Beyond Award
Submissions accepted through Jan. 20
Do you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who goes above and beyond normal job expectations to ensure that students receive a high quality education in a safe and nurturing environment? Maybe that person is a teacher or a custodian or a paraprofessional? Maybe a school counselor or principal? Perhaps someone working in the cafeteria, or a nurse or a secretary?
If you know someone who does amazing work for children, you’re strongly encouraged to nominate them for the Above & Beyond Awards. The Above & Beyond Awards involve students, staff, parents and community members in recognizing and rewarding Anoka-Hennepin employees and groups who consistently go that extra mile so students can be successful.
Nominations are being accepted for worthy candidates through Friday, Jan. 20, 2023.
Check out the Above & Beyond Awards website, ahschools.us/aboveandbeyond, for a nomination form or to read additional information about the awards.
The program is a joint effort of the district and the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF). The 2023 Above & Beyond Awards ceremony will take place March 29 at the Educational Service Center (ESC).
Preparing for the 2023-24 school year
(01/06/23) Families have many choices today for their student’s education. Students enrolled in Anoka-Hennepin Schools are assigned to attend school based on their home address, and students transitioning to middle or high school have already received a placement letter via postal mail. A reminder email will be sent next week.
If a family is planning to send a child to kindergarten next school year, or if a family is interested in exploring alternate school options for the 2023-24 school year, now is the time to learn more. Information sessions and open houses for specialty/magnet schools are scheduled now through February, and elementary schools will offer kindergarten registration events beginning in March through April, varying at each school.
If your family decides that they are interested in attending a school other than the school they are assigned to for the 2023-24 school year, complete either an in-district transfer or open enrollment form by Jan. 15, 2023 for priority consideration.
If your family plans to stay at the school they are assigned to based on your home address, no additional action is needed.
Visit ahschools.us/enroll to complete the process, find FAQs and additional enrollment resources.
What’s the difference between an in-district transfer and open enrollment?
An in-district transfer is when you live in the school district boundaries and would like to enroll in another school or program within the school district.
Open enrollment is available for families living outside of the Anoka-Hennepin School District attendance boundaries, but want to enroll in an Anoka-Hennepin School.
School choice available through Anoka-Hennepin
If a student wants to consider other school choices, Anoka-Hennepin offers additional options, including specialty and magnet schools.
Twelve specialty and magnet schools across the district are available to all students at no additional cost. These schools are designed to provide choice and in-demand educational options in the arts; science, technology, math, engineering and biomedical sciences (STEM/STEAM); and International Baccalaureate (IB). Students who live within Anoka-Hennepin boundaries are eligible to apply to any of the specialty or magnet schools. Visit ahschools.us/specialtymagnet to learn more.
If you have more questions about enrollment, visit ahschools.us/enroll, call Anoka-Hennepin Schools Application and Connection Services department at 763-506-1030 or email enrollmentoptions@ahschools.us.
Parent Engage 360 Podcast Episode 29: Stay Above the Line - promoting sportsmanship and positive fan behavior
Sportsmanship is everybody’s business, and Anoka-Hennepin Schools and the Northwest Suburban Conference (NWSC) are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all at athletics and activities events.
Earlier this year, around 100 students from all five district high schools and NWSC member schools participated in a sportsmanship seminar titled “Stay Above the Line,” an initiative to promote positive spectator behavior and expectations.
In the latest Parent Engage 360 Podcast episode, host Liz Burgard is joined by two high school seniors to learn more about the “Stay Above the Line” initiative. Coon Rapids High School senior Eleanor Defoe and Blaine High School senior Kendall Stadden both represent their schools as Bleacher Captains.
Bleacher Captains will be visible at all NWSC-sponsored activities to help promote a positive environment and respectful behavior and cheers for all players, fans, opponents and game personnel.
In this episode, both Defoe and Stadden share insights into what it is like at a high school sporting event both from the spectator and student-athlete perspectives.
Tune in to the Parent Engage 360 Podcast on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, or at ahschools.us/parentengage360.
The Parent Engage 360 Podcast aims to provide parents and guardians with knowledge from experts in chemical health, mental health, internet safety and more, as well as the tools needed to support their children. Anoka-Hennepin hopes that providing timely and helpful information through the Parent Engage 360 podcast series will strengthen the bond between school and home with resources parents and guardians can use and share with others.
Parent Resource Center
Parent Resource Center (PRC)- is located at the AHSD Educational Service Center (ESC) and lends library materials to parents, families, and staff. Families are welcome to browse our library-
Online: PRC library/Use Library Name: AHPRC (no password required)/ Visit us on the Web / Follow on Facebook and Instagram
Stop-in: Use the self-service check-out and return. Enter Door 1 on the west side of the ESC (2727 N. Ferry St, Anoka, MN 55303)
Phone: 763-506-1587 or 763-506-1278 to discuss your resource requests. Selections can be delivered to your school and sent home with your child.
Winter Weather Reminders
Minnesota weather is shifting gears, and the Anoka-Hennepin School District has plans in place for when extreme winter weather arrives.
The safety of all students is the first priority when determining if schools should stay open in adverse weather. If a determination is made to close school due to extreme winter weather, the district will alert families in a variety of ways, including:
Phone, text or email message from AHlert system (for Anoka-Hennepin parents/guardians only).
District and school websites.
District and school social media pages (e.g. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
Media outlets including WCCO, KSTP, FOX 9, KARE 11, CCX Media, WCCO radio and Star Tribune newspaper.
Those responsible for activities scheduled in schools over the weekend will determine if adverse weather conditions necessitate a cancellation.
Read more about the district’s policies on extreme winter weather at ahschools.us/weather.
Promoting health and wellness in school, early influenza season
Minnesota is starting to see an uptick in flu cases, according to new data from the state department of health. Now is the perfect opportunity to remind your students about healthy habits to prevent the spread of germs and illness. Use these conversation tips at home to stay healthy this school year:
Wash hands frequently: Scrub hands and fingers with soap and clean water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover coughs and sneezes: Use an elbow or a tissue.
Avoid touching your face: Germs can enter your body through your eyes, nose and mouth.
Practice healthy eating habits: Food is your body’s fuel. Choosing well-balanced meals boosts energy and health. Avoid sharing food/drinks/utensils with others.
Get plenty of rest: Sleep is important and restores your mind and body.
When to stay home
Ensuring schools are safe and healthy for all students is the first priority for Anoka-Hennepin. If your child does get sick, keep them home from school so they don’t share their illness with others. Reference school district guidelines to help with this decision:
If a student has had a fever of 100 degrees or more, the student must stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal without fever reducing medication.
If a student has vomited or had diarrhea, the student must stay home until 24 hours after the last episode.
If a student has had any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with your family physician before sending the student to school.
If a student is ill, please call the school daily to report the illness.
For more resources and information contact your school health services office or visit ahschools.us/healthservice
This e-newsletter is published by Lincoln Elementary School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.