Lincoln Elementary

As we step into February, let’s embrace it with energy, focus, and a commitment to excellence. February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on, learn about, and celebrate the incredible contributions of Black leaders, innovators, and trailblazers who have shaped history and continue to inspire us today. This month, we will integrate Black History Month into our curriculum, highlighting the importance of this celebration in our school's educational journey. Your participation in this significant event is key to uplifting one another, pushing forward with our goals, and celebrating diversity, resilience, and progress together.

This year, our school's celebration will center around the powerful theme “The Past Unlocks the Future’s Potential.” This theme underscores the importance of understanding our history to shape a brighter future.

Each grade level will research and develop a museum exhibit based on a designated topic displayed in their respective hallways. Through this project, students will explore the history and beginnings of their topic, examine its relevance today, and connect it to the future of our society.

It's a time for us all to engage in meaningful conversations, explore new perspectives, and honor the history that shapes our future. Your participation in our Black History Month celebration is key to uplifting one another, pushing forward with our goals, and celebrating diversity, resilience, and progress together.

Thank you for your continued support. Your involvement and encouragement are invaluable to us. We eagerly await an exciting and enriching Black History Month filled with learning, celebration, and inspiration, and we're grateful to have you with us on this journey. Your support is what makes our school community strong and vibrant.

Mrs. Donald

Principal

We are thrilled to announce that our Lincoln Elementary staff will present at IDEAcon 2025! This prestigious conference, hosted by the Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA), gathers educators from across the state to explore the latest advancements in educational technology and innovative teaching practices.

IDEAcon, held every February at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, is a platform for learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Our dedicated staff's participation underscores their commitment to improving student learning experiences and remaining at the forefront of educational innovation.

Navigating the Transformative Power of AI in Education

Presenter: Mr. Kevin Schouten

IDEACon is a yearly technology conference for educators held in Schaumburg from February 17 to 19. This year, I will present a session, "Navigating the Transformative Power of AI in Education, " primarily for administrators. In addition to presenting, I will also be a featured guest on the IDEACon Podcast.

Enhancing Digital Lessons with Inquiry-Based Learning

Presenter: Ms. Evangelina Sfura

This session will assist teachers in reframing exciting or new lessons to incorporate inquiry cycles, leading to higher engagement and improved outcomes. Participants will be introduced to a basic Inquiry Cycle and see examples of lessons reframed using this model. Additionally, teachers can compare before-and-after products from lessons taught with and without inquiry methods.

Igniting Innovation: Integrating STEM, Math, and Entrepreneurship in the Classroom

Presenter: Mrs. Sahar Alkhatib

This session will explore how integrating STEM education with math and entrepreneurship fosters innovation and critical thinking among students. Participants will learn how to implement the Illinois Invention Convention curriculum and the Young Entrepreneurs Project to guide students through problem-solving, product design, and marketing strategies. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to create interdisciplinary projects that engage students and meet educational standards, empowering them to develop real-world solutions while honing essential academic and entrepreneurial skills.

At Lincoln Elementary, respect is the foundation of a positive and supportive school community. This month, we are focusing on showing respect—for ourselves, others, and our surroundings.

Respect means:

• Treating others with kindness and consideration

• Listening to different opinions and valuing perspectives

• Using polite words like “please” and “thank you.”

• Taking care of our school and classroom environment

• Being mindful of our actions and how they affect others

We encourage our students to practice respect in their daily interactions at school and at home. As part of our Student of the Month Program, teachers recognize students who consistently demonstrate this vital character trait.

We are thrilled to announce that Grade 4 has won the Battle of the Attendance for Quarter 2! Congratulations to our 4th-grade students for their dedication and commitment to showing up every day ready to learn! This is a fantastic achievement, and we are so proud of your hard work and teamwork.

As a reward for their outstanding attendance, Grade 4 has earned a well-deserved pizza party!

Thank you to all students, parents, and staff for supporting this initiative. Regular attendance is key to academic success, and we appreciate everyones’ efforts to prioritize school. Let’s keep up the momentum and make Quarter 3 even better!

Way to go, 4th Grade!

January’s theme was Respect, and our Tigers indeed showed their commitment—not just in their actions, but in their dedication to being present daily! Congratulations to all students who achieved

Perfect Attendance for January!

Showing up daily is a sign of responsibility, determination, and respect—for learning, teachers, and each other. We are so proud of our students for prioritizing attendance and setting an excellent example for their peers.

Keep up the amazing work, Tigers! Let’s continue this momentum into the next month—every day in school is a day of growth, learning, and success!

Both excused and unexcused absences impact the growth and success of our students. Consistent attendance is crucial for their academic development and helps us maintain our school’s budget.

Let’s make it a priority together!

Important: Tardy Procedures

To help ensure a smooth start to each school day, please remember the following procedures for dealing with tardiness:

• Arrival Time: Students must be in their homeroom by 8:15 a.m. to avoid being marked tardy.

• 8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.: Tardy students will receive a BLUE pass, and teachers should record the tardy in PowerSchool-Attendance.

• After 8:30 a.m.: Tardy students must enter through the main office, where they will receive a YELLOW tardy pass. The attendance clerk will log these tardies in PowerSchool-Attendance.

Attendance Consequences: For Kindergarten through 8th-grade students, five tardies will result in After-School Detention. After the 5th tardy:

• The teacher should complete a Discipline Referral form through SWIS and call the parent to notify them.

• Submit the referral form to the Assistant Principal for follow-up.

At Lincoln Elementary, we believe that strong attendance leads to student success, and we want to recognize and celebrate the parents helping us make a difference!

We have identified 136 students with attendance rates between 90%–95%, and our goal is to support and encourage families to increase attendance above 95% by the end of the school year. To show our appreciation, students and parents who achieve this goal will be honored at a special recognition event! 🎉

Parents, we need your support! Please look out for an important letter with more details, and let’s work together to ensure your child is in school every day, ready to learn and succeed. I’m counting on you! 💪🏽🏫

We are pleased to take this opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable dedication of our Lincoln staff, who achieved exemplary attendance in January. Their consistent presence reflects their passion for education and their commitment to the success of our students.

These dedicated educators and staff members are present daily and contribute to a stable, supportive, and inspiring learning environment. Their commitment promotes academic advancement and exemplifies responsibility, perseverance, and excellence for our entire school community.

Let us commend their exceptional commitment to our students, colleagues, and Lincoln Elementary's Mission. We truly appreciate your efforts and are grateful for the positive impact you make each day!

What an incredible celebration we had on Wednesday, January 29th, and Thursday, January 30th, 2025! Our 2nd Quarter Awards Ceremonies were an electrifying tribute to our students' dedication, perseverance, and impressive accomplishments!

These ceremonies were not just about recognizing academic excellence, attendance, and character development—they were a thrilling reminder of the power of hard work, determination, and a growth mindset! Each student honored embodies our school community's spirit, where effort is celebrated, integrity is cherished, and success is achieved step by step.

To our inspiring students: You light up our days! Your achievements aren’t just milestones but the launching pads for a dazzling future. Keep reaching for the stars, believing in yourselves, and pushing boundaries!

To our extraordinary families, thank you for your unwavering support. Your encouragement, guidance, and belief in your children make all the difference in their journey.

Let’s keep the excitement alive as we dive into the next quarter! We’re just getting started, and the best is yet to come!

As flu season approaches, we want to ensure that all our students and families stay as healthy as possible. The flu can spread quickly, and taking precautions can help reduce the risk of illness.

Here are some key steps to protect your child and others:

Get Vaccinated – The flu vaccine is one of the best ways to prevent serious illness. If you haven’t already, consider getting your child vaccinated.

Practice Good Hygiene – Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and avoiding touching the face.

Monitor for Symptoms – If your child has a fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, or fatigue, please keep them home and consult a healthcare provider.

Stay Home When Sick- Children should stay home until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.

Maintain a Healthy Routine – Proper sleep, a balanced diet, and staying active can help strengthen the immune system.

Your cooperation is essential in keeping our school community healthy. Please contact your pediatrician if you have any questions or need additional information.

As we reach the midpoint of the school year, we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our students' hard work and progress. In January, they completed critical middle-of-the-year assessments in reading and math, including STAR Reading, STAR Math, and i-Ready for both reading and math. These assessments are instrumental in measuring student growth, identifying strengths, and allowing us to tailor instruction to meet their learning needs better.

We encourage your ongoing support in fostering your child's learning at home. Activities such as reading together, practicing math skills, and cultivating a love for learning are essential in contributing to their success.

By working together, we can continue to support and challenge our students to reach their full potential. If you have any questions about your child’s progress or need suggestions on assisting them further, please contact your child’s teacher.

We invite you to join us for Parent-Teacher Conferences on Friday, February 14, 2025. This is a valuable opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher, discuss their progress, and set goals for continued success.

📅 Conference Times
🕗 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
🕛 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Staff lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

To schedule an appointment for grades pre-K through 4, please use the School Status Connect app or email your child’s homeroom teacher directly. For grades 5-8, no appointments are needed; just come!!!

National School Choice Week (NSCW) annually highlights the importance of educational options for students and families across the United States. In the last week of January, this annual event empowers families to choose the learning environment that best meets their child's needs, whether public, charter, private, magnet, homeschooling, or online education.

Our school embraced this year's celebration with dancing, rallies, engaging activities, and even a pie-in-the-face contest! Leading the charge was Ms. Spencer, our dedicated school social worker and an enthusiastic group of junior high students, who helped make the week exciting and meaningful.

National School Choice Week is more than just a celebration—it’s a reminder that every student deserves access to the best educational opportunities possible. Thank you to everyone who participated and made this week a success!

We are delighted to recognize the following students who participated in our school Spelling Bee:

Grade 4 – JaMya Chriss

Grade 5 – Dominic Williams

Grade 6 – Avery Johnson

Grade 7 – Khafayah Olanrewaju

Grade 8 – Rakyah Brown

Congratulations to Khafayah Olanrewaju, the school Spelling Bee winner! She will represent our school in the regional Spelling Bee on March 4.

Way to go, scholars!

We want to gently remind everyone of our preschool start times to ensure a smooth and productive day for all students.

⏰ 8:45 AM – School Begins

⏳ 8:55 AM – Students Are Considered Late

Please make every effort to arrive on time so your child can fully engage in morning activities and learning experiences. Consistent attendance and punctuality help establish a strong foundation for their daily routine and success in school.

Education goes beyond academics, so we are dedicated to nurturing our students' social and emotional development through our Lions Quest curriculum. In January, we focused on essential themes like teamwork, cooperation, and building healthy relationships. These skills are fundamental in helping our students work well with others and foster positive friendships.

We invite families to join us in this journey by reinforcing these valuable lessons at home. We can create a supportive environment that enhances their growth by modeling and discussing the importance of kindness, empathy, and teamwork in everyday interactions. Your involvement makes a significant difference in their lives, and we appreciate your partnership in this critical aspect of their development.

Set aside time to read with your child to make reading a fun part of your day! Ask them about the story, discuss new words they discover, and connect your reading to real-life experiences. This will make reading enjoyable and help strengthen their understanding and thinking skills. Happy reading!

Weave math into your routines to make it a fun part of your daily life! Whether counting change during shopping trips, measuring ingredients while whipping a delicious dish, or chatting about time and schedules, each activity can boost problem-solving skills and enhance numeracy. These simple yet enjoyable practices make learning math feel natural and transform everyday moments into exciting learning experiences! So, let’s turn our daily activities into a math adventure!

We are incredibly fortunate to have our dedicated 2nd-grade teachers go above and beyond by creating an Afterschool Reading Enrichment Program for our students! Their commitment to student success is truly inspiring.

This program provides selected students with an extra hour of reading support after school, helping them strengthen their skills, build confidence, and develop a deeper love for reading. With the guidance of our excellent teachers, these students will have the opportunity to grow and thrive in a supportive and engaging learning environment.

We are so grateful to our second-grade team for their passion and dedication, which made this opportunity possible. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students' success!

Please review the important dates below regarding days when TF North will not be in session. Note that February 13th is a regular school day at Lincoln, and students should arrive by 8:10 a.m. All other dates listed below align with Lincoln’s school calendar.

Key Dates

2/13 No School—Parent-Teacher Conferences for TF North

2/14 No School- Parent-Teacher Conferences for Lincoln

2/17 No School—Presidents’ Day

3/3 No School—Casimir Pulaski Day

3/1 End of Quarter 3

Last semester, our 5th graders participated in Starbase, a Department of Defense-sponsored STEM program. Through hands-on activities and interactive lessons, our students experienced science in action with each visit, sparking curiosity and a love for learning.

Check out the videos from each homeroom visit to see the fantastic STEM adv

Last month, our 7th and 8th graders explored the physics behind roller skating before hitting the rink themselves. They slipped, glided, and rolled into fun and learning, discovering how concepts like balance, friction, and motion come to life on wheels.

Check out the pictures below to see them in action!

Attention 8th-grade families! This is a friendly reminder that 8th-grade activity fees are due by February 7th. These fees cover a variety of events and deliverables planned to celebrate our students' final year at Lincoln.

If you have any questions regarding the fees or activities, please refer to the slideshow shared during the 8th-grade parent meeting or contact the main office for more information.

In January, our STEM students, under the direction of Ms. Alkhatib, became aerospace engineers as they designed and launched Magnus Cup Flyers! Using just two styrofoam cups and rubber bands, they explored the Magnus Effect—the same force that helps curveballs curve and propels some modern ships. By launching their gliders with a backspin, they observed how air movement around the cups created lift, sending them soaring through the air!

Through hands-on experimentation, students tested different launch techniques and discussed how forces like drag, lift, and thrust impact flight. It was an exciting day of STEM in action!

Students in science made Oobleck before leaving for winter break, mixing cornstarch, water, and a little food coloring. To add a peppermint twist for the holidays, they were given a mini candy cane with the option to crush it in the mixture.

Class Chant - We learned our class chant in December and have been practicing since then. Assignment: In Groups of 2 or 3, Draw or Write about how meeting the expectations of a Tiger helps you to be a better friend in our class, school, and community

The Stellar Star Students in Room 202 !