Principal's Newsletter

February is full of exciting learning, and this week was no exception! The week started with buzz about Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil's shadow. It looks like we're in for six more weeks of winter—so bundle up and stay cozy!

The week in Pre-K students are continuing the unit of study on building and community helpers. They explored what makes Lincoln School special, and they also deepened their learning of community helpers by watching videos and incorporating their important jobs—like cooking, firefighting, and caring for others—into our imaginative play! In math, students are continuing to work on number recognition, counting, and those who are ready practiced comparing sets by creating a bar graph and playing Higher/Lower, a fun game you can try at home with a deck of cards.

This week in kindergarten, students explored sounds, words, and stories in both Fundations and Reader’s Workshop! They practiced blending and segmenting sounds, echo reading, and identifying story elements. In math, students worked on making combinations of ten, rolling dice to find sums, and playing math games with partners. They also learned about wants vs. needs in social studies and discovered how pushes and pulls affect movement in science. Be on the lookout for the brand-new Reading Folder, coming home for the first time on February 11th—check inside for books, passages, and a special letter with more details!

Enjoy this week's photo gallery -

Congratulations to Lincoln School Music Teacher, Christina Toulios, on her debut children's book, Taki's First Concert. In this story, Young Taki excitedly attends his first symphony concert with his Yiayia but soon grows frustrated by the rules. As the music plays, he discovers its magic and learns the joy of being a respectful audience member.

The timing couldn't be better as Lincoln School students prepare for Monday's Wild Symphony! This weekend, please partner with us by reviewing field trip safety and concert etiquette with your little one!

Be Safe

Walk carefully from Lincoln School to Edison School.

Stay seated during the performance.

Be Kind
Listen with a quiet mouth and show respect to the performers and audience.
Clap at the right times to celebrate the music.

Be Responsible
Follow directions from teachers.
Keep your hands and feet quiet and to yourself to help everyone enjoy the concert.

The April 15 vote proposes full day kindergarten.

Nearly 600 public school districts in New Jersey offer full-day kindergarten. Only seven don’t have it or have a funded plan to start it. Westfield is in that minority due to lack of space. If voters approve the bond referendum, WPS would be on track toward full day kindergarten with the additional hours of instruction and foundational benefits that many school districts in New Jersey already have. Learn why this foundational programming would be so valuable to have in our district, and how it would benefit future generations of students and the community for years to come.

Save the Date for a unique picture book experience on Monday, February 10, beginning at 6 p.m. at Edison Intermediate School. Described as "a magical blend of storytelling, music, and visual art," join us as elementary band director Trevor Sindorf reads Dan Brown's "Wild Symphony", accompanied by the WHS Wind Ensemble. Secure your free tickets here.

Lincoln School students will have a walking field trip to Edison Intermediate School to view a teaser of "Wild Symphony". This trip was rescheduled for Monday, February 10.

SAVE THE DATE: The PTO Executive Board cordially invites all families to their next General Membership Meeting:

Date/Time: Thurs, Feb 20, 2025 @ 7:30 PM

Location: Lincoln School Multipurpose Room

Topic: April 2025 Facilities Bond Referendum - more information available HERE

Featured Speaker: Dr. Raymond A. González, Superintendent of Schools

⛄Inclement Weather Procedures

As winter is upon us, we want to remind you of our Inclement Weather Procedures, available under “District Information” at westfieldnjk12.org. Deciding to close schools or adjust schedules due to weather is rarely an exact process. We base our decisions on the best available information and conditions at the time. In the event of emergency closures or changes, we will notify all staff and families via text, voice call, and email. Updates also will be posted on district and school websites and our social media channels.. Please familiarize yourselves with our procedures so that we can all stay informed and safe this winter.

🚗 Pedestrian Safety

Please remind caregivers who drop off and pick up to observe pedestrian safety measures:

allow the crossing guard to ensure all traffic has come to a complete stop, look both ways when crossing, remain in the crosswalk, and leave all emergency lanes on Westfield Avenue clear for buses and emergency responders.

⏰ Timely Arrival

We appreciate your cooperation getting students to school on time each and every day! Late arrivals interrupt the flow of the class, and the late comer requires time to catch up with what the class has already accomplished.

📥Parent Pick-Up & Changes to Dismissal Plans

When the dismissal plan of a student is a parent pick up, it is the expectation that a parent or guardian will pick up. Any change to the plan must be communicated in an email to the teacher and the main office secretaries on the day of the change. The designee for pick up will have to show the teacher a government issued photo ID. These practices help us to manage the safe dismissal of all students.

February is Black History Month—a time to celebrate, reflect, and honor the contributions of Black leaders, artists, educators, and changemakers throughout history. The observance originated in 1926, with the second week of February selected to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The event expanded into a month-long celebration in the 1970s, officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976 during the U.S. Bicentennial.

This week’s resource features author Dan Brown discussing Wild Symphony, a beautifully crafted book that combines storytelling with music! In this engaging read-aloud, Brown shares excerpts while introducing young readers to musical concepts and instruments. It’s a perfect way to explore the connection between literature and music as a family!

February

10: Wild Symphony Field Trip to Edison Intermediate School

11: Pre-K and Kindergarten Report Cards Issued

13: Valentine's Day Class Parties | 100th Day of School

14: School Closed

17: School Closed

20: PTO General Membership Meeting @ 7 PM

21: PTO Pizza Friday

27: Dental Hygiene Assemblies

28: Pre-K Training Day | PTO Pizza Friday | Ramadan (begins sundown)

March

1: Athletic Training Month

2: School Social Worker Week

3: Read Across America Week

8: Parents' Night Out

20: Winter Family Social @ 3:30 PM

24: Community Service Week

28: Kindergarten Sing-A-Long | Training Day