Lincoln School News

Hi Lincoln Families,

We are wrapping up the 2024 year and getting ready for the start of the 2025 year! We have started the year out well and we are nearly halfway through this 2024-25 school year as we approach Winter Break. By mid-January (Jan. 17th), we will close the books on quarter 2 and begin preparing for the second half of the year! Thank you for your support and collaboration throughout the start of this school year.

Lincoln Office Over Break

The Lincoln Office will be closed over break, as we will all be off. The phone will be set to direct calls to voicemail (507-444-8100). Please plan to leave a message and we will get back to you when we return on the 2nd. If you have any questions or need anything while the office is closed, please leave a voicemail or you can go to the Lincoln Elementary Website.

Reset Day

When we return to school on January 2nd, our whole school will engage in a “reset day”. This day is meant to ease students and staff back into the routines of what it means to be at school. We will focus on relationship building, revisiting building wide expectations and we will take some time to discuss expectations for specific areas (lunchroom and hallways). This day will allow us to catch up on break and to prepare ourselves for a strong second half of the year.

A note of gratitude

First and foremost, thank you to all of you for the warm welcome I have received to start this year. I appreciate your kind words, the time you take to connect and your support and feedback as I learn and grow in this position. I look forward to some time away with my family over break and even more so, I will reenergize to come back and finish the year strong. I wish you all wellness and joy as you end 2024 and well wishes as you prepare for 2025.

Principal,

Justin Lang

jlang@isd761.org

(507)-444-8101

December 20th-Dress up day-PJ Day and OHS Carolers visit Lincoln at 8:15

December 23rd-January 1st -Winter Break No School

January 8th-Student Council meeting 2:45 in Mrs. Kaley's room

January 14th-Lincoln PTO meeting in the Art room at 6:00pm

January 17th-Dress Up day-Twin Day and End of the 2nd quarter

Student council would like to thank everyone for their donations of hats, gloves, and socks. We will be getting these out to students through the nurse's office and through Mrs. Griswold. We were so fortunate that this drive brought in so many things for our Lincoln students and we are looking forward to making this an annual drive for Lincoln. Thank you again!

Take part in a community conversation based on the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Discuss how smartphones and social media are affecting young people's mental health, and explore ways to keep our kids safe and healthy in today's world.

A light dinner and childcare (ages 2+) will be provided.

Register here and request a free book or childcare at the events.

Don't have time to read the book and still want to be involved? Use one of the links below to hear from the author, as he summarizes the connection between smartphones and declining mental health in children.

Interview with Jonathan Haidt (1 hour)

TED Talk with Jonathan Haidt (40 minutes)

When decisions are made to alter the school day or cancel it due to inclement weather, every effort is made to communicate that decision to parents in a timely manner through our school messenger system, website, and local radio and TV stations.

Parents choose to receive notifications via text message, phone call, email, and/or parent portal inbox messages. To help us contact households efficiently, be sure to update home, work and/or cellphone information in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, and verify the appropriate boxes are checked to receive notifications.

Other ways to stay informed:

• Visit the website: www.isd761.org
• Check local TV stations: KSTP-5, KMSP FOX 9, KARE 11, WCCO, KEYC TV, KTTC, KAAL
• Listen to local radio stations: KOWZ, KRFO/KAT KOUNTRY 105, KDHL

The first two inclement weather/emergency days in the Owatonna Public Schools are considered non-attendance days for students. In the event OPS has more than two inclement weather/emergency days, students will follow the E-Learning Plan.

Congratulations Lincoln students and families!

The Healthy Husky Challenge on November 25th brought in over $8,100.00 in donations. Way to Go!!!! Donations will go towards Community Pathways, United Way of Steele County and our physical education department here at Lincoln. Thank you prizes were handed out in physical education classes. T-shirts are on order and will be handed out when they arrive.

Thanks for all your support in this great service learning project of giving back to others and helping our Lincoln community!

Lincoln PE Team

Don't miss out on preserving the memories of this school year! Order your yearbook today to capture all the special moments, events, and friendships that make this year unforgettable. The yearbook is the perfect way to relive the memories for years to come. Secure your copy now before it's too late!

Here is the yearbook link to order.

Remember to check the lost and found before December 20th, after this day we will be donating any items left. Thanks to the Lincoln Student Council for helping to keep the lost and found organized.

Here is the December issue of Building Readers. Included in this issue are stratagies for students to improve literacy skills and book suggestions as well.

Lincoln School is part of Buffalo Wild Wings Home Team Advantage program. Lincoln PTO will receive 10% of your total sale when mentioning Team “L” to the server or cashier (dine-in or take-out) anytime you are dining at BWW. Don’t forget to mention that you are supporting Lincoln PTO or Team L and Buffalo Wild Wings will take care of the rest. Thank you for your support!

To complete the 2024/2025 Meal Benefits Application,

log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
The application can be found on the left hand side under "more".

All students enrolled are eligible to receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost on each in-person academic day regardless of their application results.
Families are still encouraged to complete an Application for Educational Benefits to be considered for additional benefits such as reduced fees for school sports and activities. The application also helps determine state education funding for your children's schools.

Applications may be submitted anytime throughout the school year. More information may be found on the Owatonna Public Schools website.

Please click on the Student Handbook and Expectation for Learning form to review the student handbook.

Title IX Disclosure

Owatonna Public Schools is committed to providing equal educational opportunities for all students and staff and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, in its programs and activities, as required by Title IX. This includes prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based violence, and unequal access to extracurricular activities. Any concerns related to Title IX should be reported to Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources & Title IX Coordinator at 507-444-8602 or cpicha@isd761.org.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Owatonna Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color creed, religion, national origin, sex marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation, age , gender identity or expression, or socio-economic status. Students with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education that includes general education, special education and/or related aids and services. Direct reports or concerns to Chris Picha, Director of Human Resources. More information can be found on the district website: isd761.org/nondiscrimination.

PTO Meeting Minutes

PeachJar

School Board Meetings

District Calendar

Lunch Menus

Website: https://www.lincelemowatonna.portal.rschooltoday.com/
Location: 747 Havana Road
Phone: 507-444-8100
Facebook: Lincoln Families Facebook Page
Twitter: @LincRoadRunner