Lincoln Lowdown- 12/2/24

Lincoln Families,

Welcome back! We hope you had a restful and joyful Thanksgiving break filled with moments of gratitude and connection.

As we transition into December, this season reminds us of the rich diversity and traditions that make our community so special. December is a time of learning, celebration, and reflection. Whether it’s through honoring cultural holidays, embracing the spirit of giving, or fostering kindness in our school, we look forward to a month of growth and connection.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting our students' success. Let’s make this month one of warmth, inclusivity, and achievement!

Events this week:

12/2 - Holiday Gift Card Drive

We are excited to inform you that SMMUSD is partnering with the University of North Carolina on a study that will explore the effects of smartphones and social media on children. As part of this study, your student will be asked to complete three surveys: a pre-survey, a mid-year survey, and a post-survey.

Mrs. Gutierrez, our Bilingual Community Liaison, will engage parents and collect parental consent for student participation in the surveys. Our goal is to achieve a response rate of 75-80%.

We hope to gather all parent consent forms within the next two weeks, with the first surveys starting in early November.

Attached, you’ll find the flyer with a QR code linking to the digital parent consent form. We’ve also included the digital consent form in both English and Spanish below.

Thank you for your support and participation!

Get ready for an exciting season of Winter Sports! Here’s everything you need to know:

Basketball Tryouts

📅 Dates: December 10, 11, 12, 13, & 16
📍 Locations vary
⏰ Time: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM each day

• Volunteers Needed: Help with check-in—your support makes a difference!
• Teams will be announced after Winter Break.
• Season starts the week of January 13, 2025.

ESports Tryouts
📅 January 2025 – Details are on our website!

Registration Opens: December 2 at 6:00 PM

🌐 Register Here

• Select Santa Monica Middle Schools.
• Be sure to check the FAQs tab and Homepage for details.

Stay Connected
📱 Download the TeamSnap app today for team updates and schedules!

Lastly, visit the Local Partners tab on the website for even More Ways to Play.

We can’t wait to see our students shine on the court and beyond. Thank you for your support!

We are excited to invite you to this week’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Committee Meeting, featuring a special Q&A Panel.

Panel Members:

• Ashley Benjamin, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
• Rob Howard, Restorative Justice Coordinator
• Erin Hill, Coordinator of American Cultures and Ethnic Studies

This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with our panelists and discuss important topics related to DEIA.

To help guide the discussion, please submit your questions in advance using the link below.

Thank you for your continued partnership in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We hope to see you there!

We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming Winter Choir Concert, celebrating the season with the beautiful voices of our talented students.

This special evening promises to bring warmth and joy through the power of music. We hope you’ll join us in supporting our amazing choir students as they share their hard work and holiday cheer.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Attention 8th Grade Families,

Our Breakfast Club is up and running! Click link here to DONate time or donuts. Kids earn Community Service hours as well for helping! Each Friday earns around $100 so your support is appreciated to help give our 8th graders a great year and promotion at Lincoln.