Looking Ahead at Lincoln
Week of September 25-29, 2023
News and Notes
Day Rotation
Week of 9/25- 9/29/2023
Monday – No School
Tuesday – Day 5
Wednesday – Day 1
Thursday – Day 2
Friday – Day 3
Week of 10/2 - 10/6/2023
- Monday – Day 4
- Tuesday – Day 5
- Wednesday – Day 1
- Thursday – Day 2
- Friday – Day 3
Awesome Abe School Wide Positive Behavioral Program
What is a School Wide Positive Behavioral Program?
PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions or Supports is a school-wide positive behavior support system or set of strategies and systems to increase the capacity of schools to (a) reduce school disruption, and (b) educate all students including those with problem behaviors
- Clearly defined outcomes
- Research-validated practices
- Supportive administrative systems
- Use of information for problem-solving
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF PBIS?
- Establish regular, predictable, positive learning & teaching environments.
- Train adults & students to serve as positive models.
- Teach and model behavioral expectations
- Create systems for providing regular positive feedback.
- Acknowledge students when they are “doing the right thing”.
- Improve social competence.
- Develop environments that support academic success.
Upcoming Events
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year in the United States. This celebration honors numerous people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds who have come to the United States. We celebrate their cultures and traditions during this month. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16th and Chile celebrates its independence day on September 18th.
Check out these websites for more information about Hispanic Heritage Month and how you can celebrate!
No School - Monday, September 25th - Teacher In-Service Day
School will not be in session for students on Monday, September 25, 2023. School resumes on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Please make note of this day off for the students.
LEBO Pride - Blue and Yellow Day - Friday, 9/29
Let's show our LEBO pride by wearing our LEBO gear on Friday, September 29th.
Lincoln Evacuation Drill Information
On Friday, September 29th, our students and staff will be participating in an evacuation drill as part of our school safety and security plan. The purpose of the drill will be to practice moving students from Lincoln to St. Michael the Archangel Parish (formerly St. Bernard’s), 311 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. The drill will begin at 9:00 AM and all students will return to the school when the drill has been completed.
The purpose of the drill will be to practice moving as a school from Lincoln to the alternate site in a safe and efficient way. We are working with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department to assist us in this safe and efficient transport.
In the event of a true emergency and evacuation, students would be released only to a parent/guardian, or individuals that are identified in the emergency contacts page in the Dashboard. We ask that all parents please review your emergency contacts in the Dashboard to ensure they are accurate and up to date. This information is crucial for the school district to have in the event of an emergency where parent/student reunification is required.
This drill will require the coordinated effort with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department. The District’s plan is for each of our schools to conduct an evacuation drill similar to this one.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support. We value the safety and security of our students, and believe that this drill is one more example of how we are preparing for unknown situations that may occur in our schools. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions regarding the information contained within this letter.
Respectfully,
Ron Kitsko, Ed.D.
Principal
Josh and Gab Returning to Lincoln!
We are thrilled to once again host the Josh and Gab program at Lincoln on Wednesday, October 4th!
Josh & Gab are an award-winning, Pittsburgh-based musical-comedy duo who have performed for over 400,000 students and teachers. They have visited over 17 states and two countries with their unique music and comedic storytelling, and their live assemblies have reached over 800 schools across the U.S.. Separately they are Josh Verbanets: an accomplished songwriter and the frontman of the hometown band Meeting of Important People. And, Gab Bonesso: an award-winning standup comedian and public speaker.
Josh and Gab are excited to return to Lincoln again, and will be presenting a fun and high-energy mix of new original music, interactive comedy, and lessons about kindness to the students! You can learn more about Josh and Gab at https://www.joshandgab.com/.
We thank the Lincoln PTA for funding this educational program for the students.
Early Dismissal on Friday, October 6th
- Students in Grades 1 – 5 will have an early dismissal at Noon on Friday, October 6, 2023. Students will not eat lunch in the school this date.
- Both sessions of kindergarten will attend school on this date.
Upcoming Field Trips
Please make sure that the students have submitted the appropriate permission forms to the classroom teachers in advance of the trip. Chaperones MUST have all three (3) clearances on file to serve as a program volunteer for all of these field trips. Feel free to contact the school office with questions. Thanks to the Lincoln PTA for its financial support for many of the Lincoln Elementary School field trips.
Kindergarten
- Simmons Farm
- Monday, October 9, 2023
- 8:45 - 11:30 am
Grade 2
- Mt. Lebanon Walking Tour
- Tuesday, October 10, 2023
- 8:45 - 2:00 pm
Grade 4
- Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens
- Tuesday, October 24, 2023
- 8:45 - 2:00 pm
Important information
School Day Time Schedule
Grades 1-5
8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
1:00 to 3:30 PM
Late bells ring at 8:35 AM and 1:00 PM
Kindergarten (AM)
- 8:30 to 11:20 am
- Late bell rings at 8:35 AM
Kindergarten (PM)
- 12:40 to 3:30 PM
- late bell rings at 12:45 PM
Lincoln Dismissal and GO ZONE Form
Please complete this form indicating your dismissal plans for your student(s). Unless we are informed of different plans, students will be released at dismissal to walk home. GO ZONE car riders may only be be picked up by the adult(s) listed on the form. Please be prompt when picking up students at dismissal and follow established GO ZONE procedures. If you have multiple students at Lincoln, please complete this form for each student.
Absences and Excuses
When a student is absent from school, the family must send a written excuse or an email within 3 school days to their student's teacher. If the excuse is not provided to the teacher by the third day, the absence will be considered illegal. If a student accumulates more than three days of unlawful absences, an attendance hearing at the school will be held and the matter may be referred to the local magistrate.
When a student is absent for five or more consecutive days for health reasons, the student must be readmitted to the school through the Health Office.
Students will not be granted more than five (5) days of pre-approved absences (form linked here) during the school year. The district attendance policy can be viewed by accessing the following link - JED - Students Absences and Excuses.
Elementary Handbook
The Elementary Handbook contains useful and important information regarding school policies, procedures, and programs. The Elementary Handbook information is arranged by topics. Please browse the topic list in the handbook linked below to find the information you need.
MTLSD Policy on Anti-Bullying
The Mt. Lebanon School District’s goal is to establish a secure school climate, conducive to teaching and student learning that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior for any reason including membership any protected class including, but not limited to, race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, familial status, language, genetic information, pregnancy,, or handicap or disability. One of the District's core values calls for each member of our learning community to demonstrate respect toward others. The entire Anti-Bullying policy can be accessed via the following link - MTLSD Policy on Anti-Bullying.
The objective of this policy is to:
- Provide a safe, positive environment for learning through prompt resolution of bullying incidents;
- Educate students, employees and parents about bullying, its adverse impact on students and the District generally, and how to prevent and resolve bullying incidents, so as to minimize the potential for bullying;
- Communicate to District students, employees and parents the District's commitment to countering and preventing bullying and to inform the District community of the specific measures the District will undertake to resolve problems in this area;
- Delineate disciplinary consequences for bullying and authorize the development of prevention, intervention and education programs; and
- Identify the appropriate school staff person to receive reports of incidents of alleged bullying.
Please note that this form (click here to access) is on the school's website for your ease of use in reporting bullying concerns.
Second Step - Unit 1 Information
In the coming weeks, classrooms will be covering Unit 1 of our Second Step Program. More information about Unit 1, including an overview of what your child is learning and how to practice new skills at home, is linked by grade level below.
Drop Off Table for Student Items
Students are responsible for ensuring they bring required items to school each day. Some forgotten items, such as instruments and lunches, are clearly needed at specific times. Other items, such as library books or water bottles, may instead be an opportunity for your child to learn to do without the item for the day, and hopefully remember it in the future.
If you are bringing a forgotten item, please use our Drop Off Table just inside Door A1. Note your child's name, teacher, and item on the sign-in sheet. The office will contact teachers periodically throughout the day, to send students to pick up those items at a time that does not interfere with their teaching schedules.
Inclusivity Calendar Events for September
Month Long Recognitions
- Hispanic Heritage Month - Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for 5 Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Lasting until October 15, it celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Specific Dates in September
- September 4: Labor Day, a federal holiday that honors the American labour movement and the contributions that workers have made to society.
- September 11: Grandparents’ Day, established to honor grandparents for the love and support they provide to their grandchildren, with a presidential proclamation signed by president Jimmy Carter in 1978.
September Holidays
- September 6: Arba'een (Islam)
- September 6: Krishna Janmashtami/Jayanti (Hindu)
- September 8: Feast of the Nativity (Orthodox Christian)
- September 11-18: Paryushan (Jain)
- September 15: Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown (Jewish)
- September 24: Yom Kippur begins at sundown (Jewish)
- September 27: Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (Sunni) (Islam)
- September 29-October 6: Sukkot (Jewish)
Lunch and Recess Information
Lunch and Recess Times
Lunch
- Grade 3 (1 class), Grade 4 & Grade 5
Recess
- Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (2 classes)
12:25- 12:55pm
Lunch
- Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (2 classes)
Recess
- Grade 3 (1 class), Grade 4 & Grade 5
12:55 pm
- Line up bell
12:58 pm
- Return to class bell
Lincoln Lunch Preference Form
Students will have the option to return home during their scheduled lunch & recess hour. Students in Grades 4-5 also have the option to go to Shops as well. If you plan on having your student come home (or go to Shops in Grades 4-5) for their lunch & recess hour, please complete the form below so we can make the proper arrangements each day. Contact your student's homeroom teacher any day that there is a change to your student's lunch/recess plan so that we can be prepared for their lunch & recess hour.
If you have multiple students at Lincoln, please complete this form for each student who will be traveling home. You only need to complete this form if your student will be leaving for lunch & recess.
Technology Information
Mobile Phones and Smart Watches
Some reminders about the use of smart watches and mobile phones by students during the school day:
- Students are expected to keep mobile phones stored in their lockers
- Mobile phones should be in silent or airplane mode when stored away
- Students may take their mobile phones with them if heading home or to shops (Grades 4-5 only) for lunch
- Video and audio recording of other students and staff members with personal mobile phones/devices and smart watches is prohibited
- Students should keep smart watches in silent or airplane mode once inside the school
- Students are not permitted to call home (or to others) using personal mobile phones or smart watches
- If students need to speak with a parent or family member, they need to seek staff approval to use one of the many phones we have located throughout the school
- Students that are ill or not feeling must be seen in health office and are not to call home using a mobile phone or smart watch - the health office staff will make ALL phone calls home when students are ill
- Family members should not call or text students during the school day - if a student's smart watch alerts the student of an incoming notification during class time, it distracts everyone that hears the device
Schoology (LMS)
Schoology, the Mt. Lebanon School District's official Learning Management System (LMS) provides families with a deeper look into their student's classwork and learning progress. Calendars in Schoology will have school events listed as well as course events and assignments. Classroom assignments, due dates, reminders and other events will be posted by teachers in the Schoology calendar. We hope this video is useful as you get started with your account if you are new to Schoology.
Additionally, an orientation course for families, MTLSD’s Family Guide to Schoology, is available within the Schoology platform. Visit our website (www.mtlsd.org/families/technology/schoology) for directions to join this course. If you have questions or need support with Schoology, please email us at SchoologySupport@mtlsd.net.
Schoology Information for Families
For Families
- Families can sign into Schoology by going to app.schoology.com and signing in using the email address registered through PowerSchool.
- Once signed in, parents can follow these directions to join a course.
- The access code for Lincoln families to join MTLSD's Family Guide to Schoology is NTSQ-D33Z-MCD3R. Families with more than one student only need to join one course, though it is suggested to join a secondary course if the oldest student in that family is enrolled in one of our secondary schools.
- If you have not received initial communication from Schoology about your account, email us at schoologysupport@mtlsd.net.
For Students
- Students sign into Schoology using Clever, or at mtlsd.schoology.com with their Google account.
Other Information
Call for Photos
If you would like to submit your favorite First Day of School pictures, pictures from the Family Picnic or other school events this year for possible including in the Lincoln Yearbook, please send high resolution images to Lebolincolnyearbook@gmail.com.
Mrs. Maggie Shiels
Lincoln Yearbook Coordinator
Seeking Yearbook Photographers!
Volunteer to be a yearbook photographer! The PTA is looking for volunteers to take pictures at classroom parties and other events throughout the school year. All you need is your phone's camera. We are looking for one or two volunteers from each classroom. Please email LeboLincolnYearbook@gmail.com to let us know that you'd like to volunteer or to ask any questions.
Lincoln Homeroom Coordinators Need Your Help
Every homeroom at Lincoln has a parent coordinator who helps organize volunteers for parties, field trips, and other school events. Additionally, coordinators serve as liaisons between parents and the school for class news, teachers' gifts, etc. This year's homeroom coordinators are still searching for contact information! Please refer to the email sent by your homeroom teacher and contact your coordinator to be included in all class communication! Thank you for your support!
Lincoln Elementary School PTA Membership
After hearing about ALL of the WONDERFUL THINGS that the Lincoln PTA does, I bet you are wondering how you can be a part of it! We can do such great things each year because of our families who join the PTA and volunteer in many ways! Nothing would make us happier this year than if your family JOINED THE PTA!
Please know that even if your schedule does not allow you to volunteer or participate in the PTA in person, your PTA Membership Dues contribution is an amazing way to support your children throughout the entire school year!
By joining, your membership dues help to support all programs that the PTA sponsors in some way! Programs such as: Read-A-Thon, Frosty Shop, Cultural Arts, New Family Buddies, Garden Club, Grand Finale, Popsicle Playdate, Scholastic Book Fair, Yearbook, Spelling Bee, Family Picnic, Staff Appreciation, Ice Cream Social, Matt’s Maker Space, Science Fair, Winter Lunchtime Clubs, Talent Show, Family Bingo Night, Skating Party, Helping Hands, Fifth Grade Farewell, International Families Night and more! These are all made possible by your Membership Dues!
You also get the chance to vote at PTA meetings if you are able to attend them and will receive a copy of the fabulous Lincoln Elementary School Directory!
Please contact Lorraine @LincolnAwesomeAbesPTA@gmail.com or message our Lincoln PTA Facebook page @LincolnAwesomeAbesPTA if you have any questions! Thank you so much for your support!
Lincoln PTA Costume Collection
Lincoln PTA Sneaker Collection
5th Grade Farewell Fundraiser
Lincoln PTA Spirit Night at Urban Air Adventure Park
Lincoln PTA Chipotle Fundraiser
Safety and Security
The school building will be locked down all day except during the AM arrival and PM dismissal times. All visitors/parents that want to access the school must enter through the main entrance (Door A1) and be buzzed into the school office. Visitors should be prepared to identify themselves when asked by the school office staff. All visitors MUST have a photo ID handy when the office staff asks for identification. While in the school, visitors must wear a visitor’s pass (in a clearly visible manner). Visitors need to check out in the school office before leaving the school. Please remember that these measures are in place to protect the students and staff.
Safe 2 Say Something
Safe 2 Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Check Your Clearances
Please be aware that we are coming up on the 5-year mark from when many past volunteers have submitted their clearances. Clearances for volunteering within the district will expire after 5 years and will need to be renewed. If you have any questions or need to know the date(s) your clearance(s) expires please email Mrs. Sektnan at dsektnan@mtlsd.net.
Lincoln Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School, named after President Abraham Lincoln, opened in 1925 and is the second oldest school in the Mt. Lebanon School District. Lincoln was awarded three United States Department of Education National Blue Ribbons (2001, 2003 and 2013) for its overall academic excellence and outstanding student achievement. Lincoln Elementary School presently serves students in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. The dedicated faculty members take great pride in working with the students and collaborating with their families to "provide the best education possible for each and every student" that attends Lincoln.
Email: rkitsko@mtlsd.net
Website: www.mtlsd.org/Lincoln
Location: 2 Ralston Place, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-344-2147
X (formerly Twitter): @LinkedAtLincoln