January 2025

Dear Parents, Staff, and Students,

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was filled with joy and relaxation. As we embrace this new year, let’s acknowledge the mixed emotions—a sense of anticipation, excitement, and a hint of apprehension.

To our students, I encourage you to welcome this new beginning with open hearts. Each day is a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue your dreams. Feeling nervous is natural; remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

To our parents, thank you for your unwavering support and partnership in nurturing our students. Your involvement significantly impacts their lives, and I appreciate everything you do for our school community.

To our dedicated staff, your hard work and creativity inspire us all. I see your effort to make a difference in our students' lives. Let’s continue to uplift and motivate one another as we navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.

As we embark on this journey together, let’s create a positive environment where everyone feels valued and understood. I look forward to reconnecting in our classrooms, hallways, and school community as we strive to make 2024 a remarkable year.

Welcome back, and let’s make it extraordinary together!

Warmly,

Mrs. LaTanya Donald

Principal

As we reflect on the past year, we’re excited to share a few cherished moments from the final week of December 2024. These pictures capture the joy, camaraderie, and spirit of our school community as we celebrate the end of the year together.

Thank you to everyone who made these moments so special. Let’s carry the same energy and positivity into the new year! 🎉

1/1 New Year's Day

1/6 Teachers’ Institute Day

1/7 School Resumes for Students and Digital Citizenships Series: Digital Footprint

1/13 District Board Meeting

1/14 Wolcott @ Lincoln GVB and Special Education Overview: English Session

1/15 Early Dissmal Day and Special Education Overview: Spanish Session

1/16 Lincoln @ Burhamn GVB

1/17 2nd Quarter Ends

1/20 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday - No School

1/21 Heritage @ Lincoln GVB and Parent Book Club

1/23 Pre-K Screening and McKinley @ Lincoln GVB

1/23 “Attendance and How it Affects Student Performance and Behavior”- English Session

1/24 MLK Skating Field Trip Grades 7 and 8

1/28 Patton @ Lincoln GVB and Mental Health: English Session

1/29 Quarter 2 Awards Assembly Grade 5-8 and Metal Health; Spanish Session

1/30 Quarter 2 Awards Assembly Grade K- 4

1/30 “Attendance and How it Affects Student Performance and Behavior”- Spanish Session

1/30 Eighth Grade Transition @ TFN

1/31 Eighth Grade Transition@ TFN

As we enter the midpoint of the school year, January and February will be dedicated to Mid Year Assessments. These assessments are critical to understanding how well our students are progressing in their learning and help us identify areas where additional support may be needed.

Upcoming Assessments

Our students will be participating in the following assessments:

• i-Ready Diagnostic (Reading and Math)
• Star Assessments (Reading and Math)
• Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) (Reading and Math)
• ACCESS Testing for students whose native language is not English.

Headphones Reminder

Parents, in preparation for all upcoming assessments, please ensure that your child has a pair of headphones. Headphones were included in the school supply list, so students should already have them.

Purpose of Assessments

These evaluations are designed to provide valuable insights into student growth and performance, guiding our teaching strategies and instructional plans for the remainder of the year.

Encouraging Perseverance

We encourage our students to approach these assessments with confidence and determination, taking full advantage of the learning opportunities they have engaged in throughout their classrooms. Your support in reinforcing the importance of effort and persistence will help them perform to the best of their abilities.

How You Can Help

• Ensure students get a good night’s sleep before test days.
• Provide a healthy breakfast to start their day.
• Encourage a positive mindset and remind them that these assessments are an opportunity to show what they’ve learned.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting our students' success. If you have any questions about the upcoming assessments, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or our administrative office.

Our theme for December was “Kindness." We dedicated ourselves to fostering a caring and supportive environment where everyone felt valued and appreciated. Students and staff embraced kindness in many forms: helping others, sharing kind words, and collaborating to make our school a warm and welcoming space for all.

As we move into the new year, let’s carry this spirit forward, spreading positivity and compassion in everything we do.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who support our efforts by encouraging punctuality and regular attendance—your partnership is vital in strengthening our school community.

Let’s prioritize safety, growth, and success for every student. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey!

We’re excited to announce the Battle of the Grade Levels for the highest attendance rate in Quarter 2! This friendly competition is a fantastic way to encourage students to attend school every day, ready to learn and grow.

Each grade level will compete to see who can achieve the highest attendance rate for this quarter. The winning grade will earn bragging rights and a pizza party for their dedication and teamwork!

Here’s how you can help your child’s grade level win:

• Encourage Consistency: Make daily attendance a priority unless your child feels unwell.
• Plan: Schedule appointments and other commitments outside of school hours whenever possible.
• Support Punctuality: Help your child arrive at school on time every day.

We know that excellent attendance contributes significantly to academic success and builds strong habits for the future. Let’s make this challenge a fun and motivating experience for everyone; there’s still time to improve! Keep up the excellent attendance, everyone!

Update on Attendance: 90% Club and 95% Goal

We are proud to have 187 students as part of our 90% Attendance Club! These students and their families will receive a letter encouraging them to strive for the next milestone—95% attendance. Reaching this goal aligns with the state’s standard of excellence and supports our students’ academic success.

For students with 95% attendance or higher, parents and students will receive special recognition for their dedication and commitment.

Thank you for your continued support in making attendance a priority. Together, we can help every student achieve success!

Reminder to Parents: Both excused and unexcused absences affect our students' growth and success. Consistent attendance is vital for their academic progress and supports our school’s ability to provide essential resources. Let’s work together to make attendance a top priority!

To help ensure a smooth start to each school day, please remember the following procedures for dealing with tardiness:

• Arrival Time: Students must be in their homeroom by 8:15 a.m. to avoid being marked tardy.
• 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.: Tardy students will receive a BLUE pass, and teachers should record the tardy in PowerSchool-Attendance.
• After 8:30 a.m.: Tardy students must enter through the main office, where they will receive a YELLOW tardy pass. The attendance clerk will log these tardies in PowerSchool-Attendance.

Attendance Consequences: For Kindergarten through 8th-grade students, five tardies will result in

After-School Detention. After the 5th tardy:

• The teacher should complete a Discipline Referral form through SWIS and call the parent to notify them.
• Submit the referral form to the Assistant Principal for follow-up.

At Lincoln, excellence is not just a goal—it’s a way of life. This December, we are thrilled to honor an extraordinary group of teachers and staff members who have achieved perfect attendance, embodying what it means to show up with purpose and passion every day.

Their unwavering dedication reminds us all that the power of presence can transform lives. These educators are the heartbeat of our school, creating an environment where students feel seen, supported, and inspired to achieve their dreams. Their steadfast commitment to their roles is more than just an accomplishment; it’s a testament to their resilience, responsibility, and the profound impact of consistency.

Let this celebration remind us what’s possible when we choose to rise to the challenge, no matter the obstacles. To these incredible individuals, we thank you for being our community's cornerstone and inspiring us all to be our best selves.

Together, we are building a brighter future—one day, one lesson, and one act of kindness at a time.

Please ensure you connect with your student’s homeroom teacher through School Status Connect (formerly known as Classtag). This platform is essential for receiving important updates, including information about units of study, class activities, and helpful tips for supporting learning at home. Staying connected ensures you’re always informed and can effectively support your child’s educational journey.

Preschool students have had several learning opportunities to explore “Buildings.” Students can describe their drawings/creations in detail.

Students count and graph candy on their gingerbread houses

Congratulations to all the second graders in the “Shoe Tying Club.” This has taken much practice and support. Keep up the good work, and we look forward to seeing all students join this club.

Second-grade students are also working to learn about money and its value. They can name coins or bills and state their value.

Third-grade students are working to divide numbers, a fundamental skill for understanding fractions in fourth grade.

Congratulations to our early-bird Spanish and Algebra I students! All have earned .5 credits for Semester I. There are six students enrolled in Spanish and six in Algebra I.

We’re excited to highlight Girls Volleyball as our current sport in action! Support our talented student-athletes as they showcase their skills, teamwork, and determination on the court.

Your encouragement means the world to them and helps build our school spirit. Let’s cheer them on to victory with Coach Bingham and Coach Long! 🏐💙