Lincoln Elementary

October 1 - PTO Meeting at 6:30 in the Jefferson School Library or Join Via Zoom

October 1 - Food Drive Ends

October 3 - PTO Fundraiser Ends

October 7 - Dental Clinic at Lincoln School

October 11 - End of 1st Quarter

October 14 - Columbus Day - No School

October 21-25 - Book Fair

October 22 - Fire Drill at 10:00

October 22 & 24 - Parent/Teacher Conferences from 3:30-7:00

October 30 - Half Day - 11:20 Dismissal

October 31 - Halloween Parties

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. During this month, we will work with all students to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Students have been receiving weekly lessons on bully prevention strategies including how to recognize when bullying is happening, report bullying to a caring adult, and refuse to let bullying happen. They will also learn how to be a bystander who helps stop bullying. On Wednesday, October 16, Lincoln School will celebrate Unity Day by wearing orange to send a visible message of building commUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 22 and 24 from 3:30-7:00 with the student's homeroom teacher. If these dates and times don't work for you, please reach out to your child's teacher to find another time.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Mrs. Minor and Mrs. Bridges will be holding their conferences on October 22 and 23 from 3:30-7:00.

An email and Dojo message will be sent out once Skyward is ready for families to sign up.

Our goal is to meet with every family!

1st quarter report cards will be available at conferences on October 22. Otherwise, they will be sent home with students on October 23rd.

Families can log into Skyward any time to check their child's academic progress.

Our goal is to have an average daily attendance rate of 95%.

Our current daily average attendance rate is 94.78%. We're so close!

Individual students who have 95% or better attendance during the month will be recognized over morning announcements and families will receive a notice via Class DoJo. Students will also be entered into a drawing for some fun prizes.

We're also communicating the importance of good attendance by holding a friendly classroom and grade level competition. This a 4 week competition that will end on October 11, the last day of the quarter. See below for more details.

We are pleased to announce that our school will be participating in Red Ribbon Week October 28-November 1, 2024. This week is dedicated to teaching students how to “Say NO to Drugs.” We encourage you to discuss with your children, even at an early age, the importance of staying drug-free. Throughout the course of Red Ribbon Week, students will listen to morning messages promoting good choices and lessons will focus on avoiding drugs and maintaining healthy lifestyles. Remember this week is supporting the children in making good, healthy choices.

We will be celebrating Halloween at school on the 31st with a costume parade at 1:50 and classroom parties at 2:00. The classroom teachers will reach out to parent/guardians if they need assistance or to request treat donations. Due to the lack of space, we are not opening the parade/parties to families.

Like past years, students may wear a costume to school or put one on during the day with the following restrictions:

-No real or fake weapons of any kind

-Nothing overly scary or gory

-Students may bring a mask for the parade, but may not wear it during class time

-Students may wear an inflatable costume, but should take it off for recess to prevent damage

Thank you to the PTO for planning and hosting the Jefferson/Lincoln Family Movie Night! Your hard work is appreciated!

At the September meeting it was decided that future meetings would be held the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the Jefferson School Library. For convenience, attendees also have the option to join via Zoom at the link below. Any and everyone is welcome to attend! We're always open to new ideas!

October Meeting Agenda

Zoom Link

The PTO has started a new Facebook group. You can join using the following link.

Jefferson/Lincoln PTO

Meeting Dates

• October 1, 2024

• November 12, 2024 (2nd Tuesday)

• December 3, 2024

• January 7, 2025

• February 4, 2025

• March 4, 2025

• April 1, 2025

• May 6, 2025

Historically, the PTO has fundraised for our schools to assist with the following:

• purchase playground equipment
• contribute to the cost of field trips
• provide classroom and school grants
• fund a Teacher Appreciation luncheon at each building
• host family events, such as Movie Night and the Fun Fair
• host an End-of-Year Party for the Lincoln Students
• assist with the Book Fair
• and much more

Is your family struggling and in need of additional support? Nexus is a support program offered by the Regional Office of Education #47 for participating school districts in Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside Counties, including Sterling Public Schools. Nexus supports the whole child/children by supporting the whole family. Through personal, respectful, and confidential interactions with a trained Family Support Staff, families create goals geared towards social-emotional needs, school readiness, and overall family well-being. The Family Support Staff connects and helps families navigate local community resources, thus creating a stronger community.

Please reach out to any office staff member to be referred to the Nexus program.

Schedule (Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri.)

• 7:40 School Doors Open

• 8:05 Tardy Bell Rings

• 2:45 Dismissal

Schedule (Wed.)

• 7:40 School Doors Open

• 8:05 Tardy Bell Rings

• 1:55 Dismissal

Please do not drop off your child earlier than 7:40 as there is no supervision available until this time. The YMCA offers a before-school program for those in need. They have a sliding fee scale and will transport your child from the YMCA to any of the four elementary schools.

Classroom teachers will use Class DoJo as the primary communication tool with families. All families are encouraged to download the app. Teachers are also available by phone, email or for a scheduled in-person or Zoom conference.

Need help downloading the app? No problem! Reach out to your child's homeroom teacher for assistance.

Visitors should enter the school through the front door. The outer set of doors is unlocked from 7:00-3:45. Once you enter the foyer, please press the bell/intercom system to communicate with the secretary. Thank you!

Main Office (815) 625-1449

Principal: Cindy Frank cfrank@sps5.org

Dean of Students: Nicole Mathew-Meisenheimer nmathewsmeinsenheimer@sps5.org

Secretary: Bridget Tuft btuft@sps5.org

Nurse: Marci Osborn mosborn@sps5.org

Counselor: Carly Rodriguez crodriguez@sps5.org

Social Worker: Madison Loger mloger@sps5.org