The Lion's Roar

Lincoln School is proud to have 17 AMAZING Teaching Assistants! Every single day, they bring dedication, compassion, and energy that make a profound difference in the lives of our staff and students.

Not only do they support their colleagues and the students they work with directly, but they also play a vital role in creating an nurturing, safe, and positive environment for everyone. Whether they’re assisting in the classroom, supervising during lunch and recess, or connecting with students on a personal level, their presence is felt everywhere in our school.

Their ability to build meaningful relationships, adapt to diverse needs, and contribute to the smooth operation of our school truly sets them apart. We are grateful for their unwavering commitment and the countless ways they uplift our school community each and every day.

As we look ahead to next week, forecasts predict extremely cold temperatures in the Chicago area Sunday, Jan. 19, through Tuesday, Jan. 21. While schools will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday. At this time, we plan for schools to be open, but we will continue to monitor the weather forecasts closely over the weekend. If there are any changes to our plans, we will notify families as soon as possible via email, phone and our district website.

In anticipation of the cold weather, we are asking families to review the safety reminders below to ensure that everyone stays safe and warm:

• Dress in Layers: Students should remember to bring hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, coats, snow pants and boots. It is recommended that families label these items with their children’s names.
• Limit outdoor time: Classes are only permitted to go outside when the temperature, with the wind chill, is 15 degrees or higher. Based on Tuesday’s forecasts, all students will remain inside for the full school day.
• Be prompt at drop-off and pick-up: Minimize time spent outside by arriving as close to designated times as possible.

You can access more cold weather tips from Village of Oak Park, including the locations of warming centers, by clicking here.

20 - No School for MLK Day

25- Lincoln Carnival Soiree

Every Wednesday in January is an opportunity to Dine Out with Starship. Part of the proceeds will come back to our PTO.

1- Lincoln's 75th Carnival

13- Parent Teacher Conferences (Full Day of School for students, virtual conferences 4:30-8:30)

14- NOTE: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS (Family conferences virtual conferences 8-12pm)

17 - No School for President Day

24-28- Black History Month Celebration Week

28 - Last Day of Trimester 2

1. Talk to you student about school: Did anyone do anything silly to make you laugh this week?
2. Volunteer to help at our amazing 75th carnival!
3. Remember to send your child with jackets, gloves (waterproof), snow pants and snow boots when needed. Label all items with your child's name.
4. Please make sure that your child has an extra set of clothes at school. ALL GRADES need extra clothes. Please be sure that they have long pants and not only shorts.

We hope all families are enjoying "Odder". Please continue reading together as we celebrate One Book One District. Be sure to check out our website to get more information!

Students will also be reading and doing activities in class and library.

Don't miss out on the live otter cam from the Monterey Bay Aquarium for some live action.

District 97 believes it is important for students to have opportunities for physical activity and play time during the day—even during the cold winter months. This winter, students will be permitted to go outside for recess when the temperature, with wind chill, is 15 degrees or higher. The district utilizes the Wind Chill Chart developed by the National Weather Service.

• It is important that students dress in warm layers when cold temperatures are expected. Students should remember to bring hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, coats, snow pants and boots. It is recommended that families label these items with their children’s names.

• Our staff will carefully monitor students while outside and take the necessary steps to ensure students are appropriately clothed/prepared for the cold weather, watching out for signs of frostbite and other cold-related issues.

Calling all 3rd - 5th grade kids! Another season of support, movement, and confidence building is right around the corner with Girls on the Run at Lincoln. Don’t miss your chance to sign your girl up for 10 weeks of Girls on the Run! This evidence-based curriculum offers participants the ability to:

* Boost self-worth through goal setting * Learn how to foster meaningful relationships * Develop healthy habits and understanding of physical movement. We culminate in a 5k along Lake Michigan! We will meet twice a week (Mondays & Wednesdays) beginning March 3rd for 75 minutes after school. Register here. Any questions? Interested in coaching? Contact Gwen at gwalski@sbcglobal.net

75th Annual Carnival on Saturday, February 1st, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• Join us at Lincoln School for our 75th Annual Lincoln Carnival, in benefit of the Lincoln PTO!
• Volunteer: We are looking for a team of volunteers to help plan and execute this event! Sign up here.
• Cake Walk: Looking to make our 75th annual Carnival extra sweet? Sign up to bring a treat for the Cake Walk.
• Donate a Silent Auction Item: We're looking for items to include for the silent auction. A Stay at your vacation home, wine, new toys, gift cards, experiences?

An evening of delicious food, drinks, and fun, featuring a Silent Auction and live music by Lincoln’s own Paul Jacobson, Mike Tangorra, and Wes McKinney, all to help raise funds for the Carnival will be held at Pleasant Home in Oak Park. Remember, this is an adults-only event. Ticket sales are closed at this time.

As we begin the new year, let’s work together to keep our schools safe and welcoming for everyone. Below are important reminders to help ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families.

We appreciate your partnership in making our schools safe and secure! Visit our District Safety Page for additional resources.

Be Aware and Report Concerns

One of the most important things we can do as a community is to speak up when we see something concerning. If you notice anything that seems unusual or unsafe, please report it to an administrator or staff member immediately.

It’s also important that students maintain awareness while walking to and from school. Here are some safety tips compiled by school districts 97 and 200 in partnership with the Oak Park Police Department.

Winter Weather Reminders

Emergency Closings and E-Learning Days

Please take a moment to review the information shared in the district’s Weekly Wrap-Up on Dec. 1 regarding winter preparedness.

The district’s emergency closing and E-Learning procedures are outlined in this brief deck; full details are posted at https://www.op97.org/communications/emergency-closings.

Cold Weather Reminders for Families
District 97 believes it is important for students to have opportunities for physical activity and playtime during the day—even during the cold winter months.

This winter, students will be permitted to go outside for recess when the temperature, with wind chill, is 15 degrees or higher. The district utilizes the Wind Chill Chart developed by the National Weather Service.

• It is important that students dress in warm layers when cold temperatures are expected. Students should remember to bring hats, gloves/mittens, scarves, coats, snow pants and boots. It is recommended that families label these items with their children’s names.

• Our staff will carefully monitor students while outside and take the necessary steps to ensure students are appropriately clothed/prepared for the cold weather, watching out for signs of frostbite and other cold-related issues.

Visitor Reminders

• All visitors must check in through our Raptor Visitor Management System at the front office. Please bring a valid ID.

• Once checked in, visitors will receive a temporary badge that must be worn at all times while in the building.

Emergency Preparedness

We are committed to being prepared for any emergency. Our district follows the "I Love U Guys" Standard Response Protocol, which focuses on safety actions like Lockout, Lockdown, Evacuate, Shelter, and Hold. Learn more about the protocols, and what you can do to prepare, here: D97 Emergency Preparedness.

Secure Gun Storage

Secure storage is a simple action a gun owner can take to reduce access to guns among young people, keeping children and families in our community safe. Best practices for secure storage include storing guns unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition. Click here to visit the village's webpage about safe firearm storage.

District 97 believes that all students should be challenged and supported to develop to their maximum potential. For students who demonstrate they may benefit from accelerated placement, we provide opportunities to participate in an instructional setting that is usually reserved for students who are older or in higher grades than the child. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Early entrance to kindergarten or first grade

• Single subject acceleration

• Whole grade acceleration

For families interested in District 97's Accelerated Placement Program, we invite you to attend one of our family information sessions (details below), which will provide an avenue for families to share questions as well as receive information about the acceleration process and the upcoming application/referral windows (Feb. 1 through April 1 for early entrance; March 1 through April 25 for acceleration).

Join District 97 for an Accelerated Learning Family Information Night on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Julian Middle School. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for single-subject and whole-grade acceleration (Grades K-8).

Click here to view the event flyer >>

We are in the process of updating our websites to reflect this year's dates and any new changes.

For families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting a Family Information session on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m, at the D97 Administration Building. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements for early admission to kindergarten or first grade.

Click here to view the event flyer >>

We are in the process of updating our websites to reflect this year's dates and any new changes.

D97 Special Education Parent Advisory Committee

The next D97 Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2025. We meet in the Media Center at Beye Elementary School (230 N. Cuyler) from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Please join us.

• Jan. 27, 2025 (Topic: Special Education Law)
• March 17, 2025
• May 19, 2025

Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Parents are also invited to the Special Education Parent Support Meetings (SEPSM) which will meet every other month. The support group will be led by two licensed clinical social workers and will act as a space for parents seeking support/connection. The meetings are held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Whittier Elementary School.

Special Education Meeting Schedule for 2024-25

January 27, 2025: SEPAC (Beye)

February 24, 2025: SEPSM (Whittier)

March 17, 2025: SEPAC (Beye)

April 28, 2025: SEPSM (Whittier)

May 19, 2025: SEPAC (Beye)

The D97 Special Education Parent Support Group is now meeting monthly, and we would love for you to join us! Meetings will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Community Room at Whittier Elementary School, 715 N. Harvey Ave., on the following dates:

• Feb. 24, 2025

• April 28, 2025

• May 12, 2025

Childcare will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Email: lincolnoffice@op97.org
Website: op97.org/lincoln
Location: 1111 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-524-3110
Twitter: @UpAtLincolnOP