PANTHER PROGRESS
May 2024 Issue 10
Message from our administrators
Lincoln Family –
With the saying of “April showers bring May flowers,” our Lincoln staff has been “making it rain” with efforts to get each of our 640 students on grade level, while still enjoying school here at Lincoln! As we approach our last full month of school this May, we can ALL live by the acronym of “M.A.Y.”:
M – Make this month count.
A – Accomplish your goals.
Y – You can do this.
Please continue to support your child with “making this month count” by supporting their attendance, reading, and math facts with your child daily. Ask your child what goal(s) they have for themselves as a learner. Continue to encourage your child to monitor their progress so that they can meet their goal(s).
Remember that “Success is best when it’s shared,” so your ongoing Panther Partnership is one of the strongest factors of student achievement when home and school work together.
These last 25+ days of school will bring various school/commUNITY events, so it will be important for you to make note and we look forward to seeing you!
Stay the course and finish strong!
Much Lincoln Love,
Eric Rhodes - Principal
Mary Beth Smith - Assistant Principal
Important April Dates
May 1: 5th grade panoramic photo; Honors chorus concert at the Weinberg Theater 7pm
May 2: Two hour early dismissal
May 6 - 10: Teacher Appreciation Week!
May 9: Chorus spring concert in Lincoln's cafeteria 6:30pm
May 14: School closed (Primary Election Day)
May 15: Spring band concert in Lincoln's cafeteria 7pm
May 17: Career Day
May 27: School closed (Memorial Day)
May 28: Field Day; Parental Advisory Council 5pm
May 30: Panther Party 5pm
May Learning
Select the link below to check out what your child/children will be learning this month! Grading polices for grades PK-1, grades 2-5, and Encore classes are also included: May Learning
Attendance
WE NEED YOUR HELP! As we enter the home stretch of the school year, we are SO close to achieving our chronic absence goal of 20% (we're currently at 20.4%). As a reminder, chronically absent students are those that have missed 10% or more of the school year. Our scores with the state of Maryland are heavily impacted by our attendance rates. Please send your child(ren) to school as regularly as possible and contact our commUNITY school coordinator at Crosby.Blair@fcps.org with any attendance questions or concerns.
Check out these flyers from Attendance Works for more information English; Spanish
Current attendance rates
The FCPS goal for overall school attendance is 96%.
Whole school: 93.4%
PreK: 91.8%
Kindergarten: 93%
1st: 93.9%
2nd: 94.2%
3rd: 94.3%
4th: 94%
5th: 92.8%
Breakfast and Lunch menus
Our students are offered breakfast and lunch every day. Click the links below for this month's menu. For more information about FCPS food and nutrition, visit the FCPS nutrition website.
Events in the commUNITY
- Events at C. Burr Artz Library: May program
- Summer enrichment camp through Frederick Rescue Mission
- Family Partnership: May calendar
- Community Health Fair @ Asbury Church May 18 10-2pm
- FCPS Success Program's Pop-up Shop May 18 8-3pm
- Frederick Housing and Human Services (HHS) is hosting mobile clinics around the city on May 3, May 10, May 17, May 24 and May 31
Lincoln Night review
Thanks to all the families that came out for Lincoln Night at Frederick High! It was so great to see everyone supporting our school. Special shoutout to the Unity (unicycle) Club, Dance Team, Basketball Team and Chorus for showcasing their awesome skills. Now that Lincoln Night is back, we're not going to let it go again! We'll make it even better for next year!!
Teacher Appreciation week
This year, teacher appreciation week is recognized from May 6 - May 10. While we have some activities and treats planned for our awesome staff, we know that they would love hearing from families as well! Click the button below if you want to leave a quick note for your child's teacher.
In addition, we're also going to host a spirit week. All students and staff are invited to participate! Click here for more details on Teacher Appreciation Spirit Week.
MCAP testing season
3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are currently in the midst of Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) testing. While students do not test every day, it's important that they're prepared when testing does occur. Follow these recommendations and review these test taking tips to make sure your student is set up for success!
- Arrive to school on time (between 8:30 - 9am)
- Get an adequate amount of sleep (between 8 - 12 hours)
- Avoid scheduling appointments on testing days
5th grade graduation
The 5th grade "Move Up Ceremony" is scheduled for Thursday, June 6th at 9:30am. All 5th grade family members are invited. Tickets are not required. Come join us as we celebrate our graduating class!
Bicycle helmet distribution
We're excited to announce that for the second year in a row, Safe Kids Coalition, a branch of the Frederick County Health Department, will be at our Panther Party on May 30! They will offer a FREE bicycle rodeo and a FREE helmet distribution. However, you must pre-register for the helmet. Follow these links to register: Helmet registration (English); Helmet registration (Spanish) or you can use the QR codes below.
Pre-Kindergarten applications are open
Applications for all residents of Frederick County are now open for students who will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2024. For information about income eligibility, criteria and programs, please visit the FCPS PreK website. Families may apply online via the enrollment portal: English; Spanish
Farm to School
"Spring has arrived in Maryland which means our farms are working hard to get fresh fruit and vegetables to their customers! Some of the best produce is available this time of year." Check out the FTS newsletter for more information.
Parental Advisory Council (PAC)
Calling all parents and guardians! Do you have one hour you can spare every month? Our PAC is a way that you can share feedback and suggestions into our decision making process. The meeting is an open environment where everyone's ideas are valued and appreciated. FCPS interpreters are available AND DINNER IS PROVIDED! We meet on the last Tuesday of every month from 5 - 6pm in the media center. Our next session is May 28th. Please email our CommUNITY School Coordinator, Crosby.Blair@fcps.org if you'd like to join.
Lincoln Learner Report
Counseling Corner
May
Please join us as we celebrate Children's Mental Health awareness for the month of May. 💙💛💙 We hope you and your family will enjoy the videos and activities below.
What is mental health? Video for grown ups made by our school counselors
Videos for students about mental health
Primary Introduction to mental health by Mrs. Quill
Intermediate Introduction to mental health
Mental Health Resources For Families
Tips for Discussing Concerns with Primary Care Doctor English - Spanish
Affirmation cards to help students/families focus on positive thinking.
The school counseling team: The “Super Support Squad”
Ms. Ellis (grades 3-5) Madison.Ellis@fcps.org
Mrs. Quill (grades PreK-2) Heather.Quill@fcps.org
Ms. Dodson (Behavior Support Specialist) Heather.Dodson@fcps.org
Mrs. Nelson (Social Worker) Amy.Nelson@fcps.org
The team works closely with students, staff, and families, to grow a learning community where all members are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged to be their best self. The three major areas of focus at Lincoln are:
Teaching and practicing emotional awareness and emotional regulation
Developing and maintaining healthy relationships, which includes the use of restorative practices to help all members learn to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts in a positive and productive manner.
Instructing students, staff, and families about the role of the brain in learning in order to increase student independence and academic stamina
This website has multiple resources for students and families. It also has videotaped lessons we use with students and parent videos that explain our emotional regulation program.
Health Room Corner
Reminders from the Health Room
All students entering Maryland schools are required to have a physical examination completed by their health care provider within nine months prior to entering the public schools system or within six months of entering the system. If your child is missing this exam you were contacted by the health room and provided a form for the health care provider to complete. Please complete these exams as soon as possible.
ALL medications to be taken at school, whether prescription or nonprescription (over the counter) must have a Medication Authorization form completed by a health care provider and parent. This form is available from the Health Rom staff or at www.fcps.org. This form, along with the medication in a properly labeled bottle or unopened package, must be given directly the Health Room staff by the parent/guardian. Parent/Guardians will be notified at the end of the school year regarding pick up of medications in the Health Room.
Judy Center Corner
UPCOMING FUN PLAYGROUP PARTNER ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
- Wednesday, May 8th: Mr. Jon after playgroup
- Thursday, May 30th: Panther Party
What does Judy Center do to support young children?
We serve pregnant families & families with children ages birth through 5 years by providing the following at no cost:
- Engaging learning activities, strategies, and tools that target social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
- Caregiver workshops and support, learning parties, and family events to create a collaborative and nurturing educational home environment.
- Local service provider referrals, including healthcare, childcare, career and adult education, housing, food, and other areas of need.
- Play and have fun with your children and other families!
Join our Judy Center Facebook page:
Please check out our Facebook page for more information and upcoming events:
Parent Interest Survey
Families, please open this link and complete this survey if you are interested in Judy Center. We are interested in learning if you have children in your family between the ages of birth to 4 and if you are pregnant. If you do have young children, we would enjoy having you join our Judy Center events. We can also support you in many ways!
Want to know about our upcoming events? Join Talking Points!
Please sign up for Talking Points to better communicate with Judy Center and receive notifications for upcoming events: Talking Points JC Class Code: SDY1ZH
Want to help teach your child at home? Sign up for ReadyRosie
Families, YOU play an essential role in the education and well-being of your child. ReadyRosie exists to support you in that role!
How to reach the Judy Center:
Program Administrator: Holly Sontz Holly.Sontz@fcps.org, 240.236.2744
Outreach coordinator: Erika Rape Erika.Rape@fcps.org, 240.236.2436
Remaining Family engagement events for the 23-24 school year
May 30: Panther Party, 5 - 7pm
Honor history, Make history
Much Lincoln Love!
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: Eric.Rhodes@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/lnes/home
Location: 200 Madison Street, Frederick, MD
Phone: 240-236-2650