Looking Ahead at Lincoln
Week of January 22-26, 2024
Day Rotation
Week of 1/22 - 1/26/2024
- Monday – No School for Students - Staff Classroom Management Day
- Tuesday – Day 3
- Wednesday – Day 4
- Thursday – Day 5
- Friday – Day 1
Week of 1/29 - 2/2/2024
- Monday – Day 2
- Tuesday – Day 3
- Wednesday – Day 4
- Thursday – Day 5
- Friday – Day 1
Upcoming Events
In-Service and Classroom Management Days
Due to the scheduled district wide classroom management day for teachers, there is no school for students on Monday, January 22nd. Please make note of this on your calendar.
The Great Kindness Challenge: January 22 - 26
Transition to 6th Grade Information
Dear Elementary Families,
Greetings From Jefferson Middle School!
It's only January, but it is already time to start planning for the 2024-2025 school year and that means a move to 6th grade at Jefferson Middle School. We are looking forward to meeting you and welcoming you and your family into our school community.
In the next few weeks, our Jefferson Middle School counselors will be meeting with the 5th graders to share information about 6th grade course selections for the upcoming year. During these meetings, students will obtain scheduling information and an electronic copy of the course description booklet, learn how to register for classes on Dashboard, and have all their questions answered. Students will, in turn, be asked to share this information with you and ask for your help in completing the course selection process.
Course selection is an online process that will be completed through Dashboard between January 30th and February 6th. We look forward to meeting with you to discuss the wonderful middle school experience your child is about to embark upon!
Please let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help!
Sincerely,
Dr. Sarah Shaw, Principal
Mrs. Amanda Jackson, Assistant Principal
Grade 5 Students Meet With JMS Counselors
On Thursday, January 25th at 1:30 pm, our Grade 5 students will meet with the Jefferson Middle School counselors at Lincoln to learn about course scheduling for 6th grade. The district has moved to a fully online process for course selection which includes the middle school course catalog. As such, we would ask that our 5th graders come prepared with a charged device for this meeting. Please connect with Dr. Kitsko if you have any questions.
Winter Benchmark Assessments
In January, we will administer the winter benchmark assessments to students in using AimsWeb Plus and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). The MAP assessments (Measures of Academic Progress) are given in reading and mathematics for all students in Grades K–5. The MAP assessments are administered on-line using Chromebooks and/or iPads. Additionally, students in Kindergarten – Grade 3 will take the AIMSWeb Plus literacy and mathematics assessments. These tests target literacy and math development skills and are proctored individually to each student in Kindergarten - Grade 1, while students in Grades 2 - 3 will take these assessments within their homeroom classes.
All of this data is used by our teachers to monitor the students’ growth and progress. Staff members also use this data to inform instructional planning within the regular classroom setting, as well as for instructional support services in reading and math. Year end reports will be sent home with all students in June 2024. If you have questions about these assessments or about how they impact when support services are offered, please speak with your child’s classroom teacher or Dr. Kitsko
Grade 3 and Beginner Orchestra "Informance"
The 3rd Grade and Beginner Orchestra students will be hosting an "Informance" on Thursday, January 25th at 3:00 pm in the Lincoln Gym. This is a short, informal program that will provide insight into what the students have been learning in strings class. More importantly, it is intended to be a learning experience for our students to learn to play in an orchestra.
All 3rd grade strings students should bring their instrument to school, regardless of their regular lesson day. Participating students may invite family members to attend this special event where they will share what they have been learning in strings class this year. All guests must enter the school using entrance A1 and can do so starting at 2:45 pm.
The Informance will be livestreamed at:https://lincoln.mtlsd.org/about/live-stream.
Report Cards for Quarter 2
2nd Nine Weeks grades and report cards will go live in Dashboard and will be emailed to families on Monday, January 29, 2024. Questions about the grades and comments posted for individual students should be directed to the appropriate classroom teacher.
Kindergarten Registration for 2024 – 2025 School Year
Starting Thursday, February 1, 2024, Kindergarten registration will open for the 2024 – 2025 school year. To register a child for kindergarten, please complete the 2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration Sign-Up form (It will open for submission on 2/1/24). Upon completion, kindergarten families will be directed to the online enrollment center where they can download and complete all necessary registration documents. If preferred, kindergarten families may also request a registration packet to be mailed home. Kindergarten families may submit completed packets digitally to the Lincoln Secretary, Mrs. Diana Sektnan (dsektnan@mtlsd.net), or call the Lincoln Office, at 412-344-2147 to make an appointment to drop off registration materials.
Click on the links below for helpful information to begin this process:
The Lincoln School staff will be in communication with kindergarten parents regarding kindergarten orientation and screening dates/times as spring approaches. We look forward to your child joining us!
Spelling Bee Finalists
It is time for the finals of the 2024 Lincoln Elementary School Fourth and Fifth Grade Spelling Bee! The Lincoln Elementary PTA is excited to bring back the Scripps Spelling Bee to our school. The qualifying rounds are complete. The 21 finalists set to compete the evening of February 8, 2024, at 6:00 pm in the Lincoln gymnasium have been determined. Congratulations to all who competed in the classroom Spelling Bees. Good luck to the finalists (listed below) as they prepare for the next round!
Early Dismissal on February 9th
- Students in Grades 1 – 5 will have an early dismissal at Noon on Friday, February 9, 2024.
- Students will not eat lunch in the school this date.
- Both Morning and Afternoon kindergarten sessions are running as normal this date.
Valentine’s Day Parties
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, we will have our annual Lincoln Valentine’s Day Parties. To make this day a little more colorful and festive at Lincoln, we are asking everyone to wear something RED or PINK this day. Some important reminders about the events for this day are listed below
Students in AM Kindergarten
- Party from 10:30 – 11:20 AM
- Volunteers will be released to the classrooms at approximately 10:20 AM
Students in PM Kindergarten and Grades 1 – 5
Party from 2:45 –3:30 PM
- Volunteers will be released to the classrooms at approximately 2:35 PM
Some other reminders about these events:
- Remember, we are not serving food during the classroom parties.
- Only family members designated as homeroom adults and class photographers for this event will be permitted to go to the classrooms. This is for the safety of the students as well as to keep the parties organized and on time.
- A maximum of three (3) adult volunteers and one (1) classroom photographer can be present for each classroom party.
- Party volunteers MUST have the Casual Volunteer Affirmation form or all three (3) clearances on file to serve as a volunteer for this function.
- As the school will be especially crowded on this day, please pay close attention to all of the standard parking and traffic rules and exercise caution while in your vehicle. Also, remember that parking in front of the school is not permitted.
2024 Lincoln Science Fair - Sponsored by the Lincoln PTA
Calling All 2nd - 5th Grade Students
Tuesday, March 7, 2024
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Work by yourself or with a friend and discover something new! Projects can cover just about any topic. Your experiment can be done in an afternoon or over a few weeks—you get to choose! All participating student scientists are asked to create a display board and speak knowledgeably about their projects. The Judges will visit each project and speak with the student(s). Further details and requirements will be emailed once we receive your online registration. You should expect an email with those additional details during the first few weeks in February. During the Science Fair, we will have snacks and science-based fun for the entire family. Every scientist will receive a participation ribbon and the top three projects at each grade level will receive trophies.
Science is Fun!
Bring out your inner wacky scientist and participate in the 2024 Lincoln Science Fair! The deadline
to register is February 8, 2024.
Register online by clicking this link.
If you are a parent willing to volunteer to help assist with the event, please fill out the survey linked here.
5th Grade Farewell Sarris Candies Sale
PMEA Elementary Strings Fest Selections
Congratulations to the following 5th Grade students for being accepted to participate in the 2024 PMEA District 1 Elementary Strings Fest to be held on February 16, 2024 at Moon Area Middle School.
- Saskia Vilardaga, violin
- Alice Brambilla, viola
- Silas Minczeski, cello
5th and 6th grade students from throughout Western Pennsylvania were selected to participate in a day-long musical experience which will culminate in an evening performance.
Elementary District Chorus
One of the many music opportunities provided for elementary students in the Mt. Lebanon School District is the chance to participate in the 5th District Chorus. Approximately 120 students from the seven elementary schools who have exhibited interest in and enthusiasm for singing will be a part of this special group. Lincoln Elementary students practice independently on their own and as a group weekly. In February, they will combine with students from the other elementary schools to prepare for the special District Chorus Tiered Concert which will take place on Wednesday, February 28.
This special celebration of choral music in the Mt. Lebanon School District will also feature performances by the 8th Grade Choirs and the High School Concert Choir. All singers will join together for the final musical piece of the concert, “Blessing.” The concert is free and open to the public. It begins at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 28 and will be held in the Mt. Lebanon High School Auditorium.
Participating Lincoln Elementary Students include:
Princess Asbury, Hannah Baily, Amna Bajgoric, Alice Brambilla, Cedric Buell, Ezrah Dervisevic, Olivia Erjavac, Avery Hannan, Quinn Kupchella, Evelyn Loughney, Millie Marron, Nora Middlebrooks, Hazel Miller, Sadie Morrow, Larken Pearl Muenster, Emmitt Pastorius, Henry Perkins, Donovan Porter, Owen Romano, Aleksander Romano, Melina Rovcanin, Allie Schoen, Blake Smith, Alexandra Strasbaugh, Madison Sweeney, Luke Synowiec, Saskia Vilardaga, Henry Workman, Cameron Zapko, and Sofia Zutter
PMEA Elementary Band Fest West Selections
Congratulations to the following 5th Grade students for being accepted to participate in the 2024 PMEA District 1 Elementary Band Fest West to be held on April 12-13, 2024 at Thomas Jefferson High School.
- Alice Brambilla, Clarinet
- Cameron Zapko, Percussion
5th and 6th grade students from throughout Western Pennsylvania were selected to participate in a two-day musical experience that will culminate in a performance on Saturday afternoon. We are very proud of these students' accomplishments and know that they will be wonderful representatives from Lincoln Elementary!
Important Information
School Day Time Schedule
Grades 1-5
8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon
1:00 to 3:30 PM
Late bells ring at 8:35 AM and 1:00 PM
Kindergarten (AM)
- 8:30 to 11:20 am
- Late bell rings at 8:35 AM
Kindergarten (PM)
- 12:40 to 3:30 PM
- late bell rings at 12:45 PM
Recess Temperature Reminder
As we have entered the season unpredictable and colder weather, I want to remind our students about what they should to wear during outdoor recess.
- Anytime the temperature dips below 50ºF, students should wear a jacket (of some type) outside.
- While it is a family decision as to what each student wears to school each day, I would suggest that students not wear shorts on days when temperatures are forecasted to be below 50ºF.
- Having an extra pair of pants available (left in a student’s locker) is a great way to avoid emotional situations if students wear shorts to school on cold weather days.
- When the thermometer dips even lower, students must be prepared to wear jackets, hats and gloves during outside recess.
- We will go outside if the “feels like” temperature is at or above 15 ºF.
- Students may be permitted on the field even if snow is present. However, snow-style boots are a must for this.
We typically check AccuWeather and The Weather Channel apps for the current local temperature at approximately 11:55 am daily.
School Delays and Cancellations
2 HOUR DELAY start
Adult supervision at Lincoln begins at 10:20 am and the doors will be open for students to enter the school at that time.
Students should be in their classrooms by 10:35 am.
Students are considered tardy after 10:35 am.
The lunch schedule will run like normal.
Afternoon dismissal for students is still set for 3:30 pm.
2 HOUR DELAY start - Morning Kindergarten Session Modified Schedule
- Morning kindergarten will start at 10:35 am.
- Students will be permitted to enter the school starting at 10:20 am.
- Students are considered tardy after 10:35 am.
- Morning kindergarten dismisses at 12:30 pm.
2 HOUR DELAY start - Afternoon Kindergarten Session Modified Schedule
- Afternoon kindergarten will start at 1:30 pm.
- Students will be permitted to enter the school starting at 1:25 pm.
- Students are considered tardy after 1:30 pm.
- Dismissal for afternoon kindergarten students is still set for 3:30 pm.
Cancellation
- All students will switch to a Remote Day Schedule unless otherwise instructed.
Phone Alert System
- In the event of a school delay or closing, you will receive an automated phone call from the District's Phone Alert System to the primary phone number you have listed with the school.
- Only one call per family is made.
- Calls are typically made no later than 10:00 p.m. and no earlier than 6:00 a.m.
- On rare occasions, school may be delayed or cancelled after 6:00 a.m. or a delay may be changed to a cancellation when there is a question about road conditions or extreme cold.
- Your caller ID will display “Mt. Lebanon School District” and the District’s main number of 412-344-2000.
- To opt into text alerts and update your preferences, please refer to this Mt. Lebanon SMS Alert Guide.
- The success of this system depends on accurate contact information obtained from school records.
- If your information has changed, please update your contact information in the Dashboard or ask the building secretary to update your files.
Information Sources for a Delay or Closing:
MTLSD website: www.mtlsd.org
School District Cable Channels 19 (Comcast) and 33 (Verizon)
Mt. Lebanon Public Access Channels 17(Comcast) and 34 (Verizon)
KDKA TV and www.kdka.com; WPXI TV and www.wpxi.com; WTAE TV and
KDKA Radio 1020 AM
X: @MTLSD
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MTLSD
Push notifications through the MTL APP
Absences and Excuses
When a student is absent from school, the family must send a written excuse or an email within 3 school days to their student's teacher. If the excuse is not provided to the teacher by the third day, the absence will be considered illegal. If a student accumulates more than three days of unlawful absences, an attendance hearing at the school will be held and the matter may be referred to the local magistrate.
When a student is absent for five or more consecutive days for health reasons, the student must be readmitted to the school through the Health Office.
Students will not be granted more than five (5) days of pre-approved absences (form linked here) during the school year. The district attendance policy can be viewed by accessing the following link - JED - Students Absences and Excuses.
Awesome Abe School Wide Positive Behavioral Program
What is a School Wide Positive Behavioral Program?
PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions or Supports is a school-wide positive behavior support system or set of strategies and systems to increase the capacity of schools to (a) reduce school disruption, and (b) educate all students including those with problem behaviors
- Clearly defined outcomes
- Research-validated practices
- Supportive administrative systems
- Use of information for problem-solving
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF PBIS?
- Establish regular, predictable, positive learning & teaching environments.
- Train adults & students to serve as positive models.
- Teach and model behavioral expectations
- Create systems for providing regular positive feedback.
- Acknowledge students when they are “doing the right thing”.
- Improve social competence.
- Develop environments that support academic success.
Counselor's Corner by Ms. Herb
A Note From The Elementary School Counselors…
Dear Families,
We hope you had a safe, restful, and relaxing Winter Break. We are excited to see what great things our students will do in the new year! As we step into January, our focus is on mindfulness. Mindfulness exercises can help guide students through activities that encourage presence, self-awareness, and emotional well-being. In this newsletter, you will find some resources for teaching and practicing various mindfulness strategies. Mindfulness can be practiced as a whole family and can help develop our students’ coping skills, decrease stress, and improve sleep. We wish you a mindful January and thank you for all you continue to do for our home-school partnership.
- The Elementary School Counseling Team
Second Step - Unit 3 Information
In the coming weeks, classrooms will be covering Unit 3 of our Second Step Program. More information about Unit 3, including an overview of what your child is learning and how to practice new skills at home, is linked by grade level below.
Vocally Speaking - Updates from Mrs. Showalter
Click the image above to access a PDF were you can select the grade level you want to see
Inclusivity Calendar Events for January
Specific Dates in January
Month Long Recognitions
- Poverty In America Awareness Month - This month of observation draws attention to the poverty epidemic and to warn of its long-lasting effects on individuals, local communities, and our larger society.
Specific Dates
January 1: New Year’s Day, the first day of the year according to the modern Gregorian calendar, is celebrated within most Western countries.
January 4: World Braille Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people. Celebrated on Louis Braille’s birthday, the inventor of braille.
January 16: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., observed on the third Monday of January.
January 27: UN Holocaust Memorial Day is held on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides.
January Holidays
- January 6: Epiphany (Christian)
- January 6: Theophany (Feast of the Baptism of Christ) (Orthodox Christian)
- January 7: Christmas (Orthodox Christian)
- January 7 : Mahayana New Year (Buddist)
- January 13: Lohri - Maghi (Sikh)
- January 15: Makar Sankranti (Hindu)
- January 15: World Religion Day (Bahá'í)
- January 20: Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Birthday (Sikh)
- January 22: Lunar New Year (Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist)
Lunch and Recess Information
Lunch and Recess Times
Lunch
- Grade 3 (1 class), Grade 4 & Grade 5
Recess
- Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (2 classes)
12:25- 12:55pm
Lunch
- Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (2 classes)
Recess
- Grade 3 (1 class), Grade 4 & Grade 5
12:55 pm
- Line up bell
12:58 pm
- Return to class bell
Technology Information
Schoology (LMS)
Schoology, the Mt. Lebanon School District's official Learning Management System (LMS) provides families with a deeper look into their student's classwork and learning progress. Calendars in Schoology will have school events listed as well as course events and assignments. Classroom assignments, due dates, reminders and other events will be posted by teachers in the Schoology calendar. We hope this video is useful as you get started with your account if you are new to Schoology.
Additionally, an orientation course for families, MTLSD’s Family Guide to Schoology, is available within the Schoology platform. Visit our website (www.mtlsd.org/families/technology/schoology) for directions to join this course. If you have questions or need support with Schoology, please email us at SchoologySupport@mtlsd.net.
Schoology Information for Families
For Families
- Families can sign into Schoology by going to app.schoology.com and signing in using the email address registered through PowerSchool.
- Once signed in, parents can follow these directions to join a course.
- The access code for Lincoln families to join MTLSD's Family Guide to Schoology is NTSQ-D33Z-MCD3R. Families with more than one student only need to join one course, though it is suggested to join a secondary course if the oldest student in that family is enrolled in one of our secondary schools.
- If you have not received initial communication from Schoology about your account, email us at schoologysupport@mtlsd.net.
For Students
- Students sign into Schoology using Clever, or at mtlsd.schoology.com with their Google account.
Other Information
MTLSD Bullying Policy and Reporting Form
The Mt. Lebanon School District’s goal is to establish a secure school climate, conducive to teaching and student learning that is free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behavior for any reason including membership in any protected class including, but not limited to, race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, familial status, language, genetic information, pregnancy, or handicap or disability. One of the District's core values calls for each member of our learning community to demonstrate respect toward others.
Objective
The objective of this policy is to:
- Provide a safe, positive environment for learning through prompt resolution of bullying incidents;
- Educate students, employees and parents about bullying, its adverse impact on students and the District generally, and how to prevent and resolve bullying incidents, so as to minimize the potential for bullying;
- Communicate to District students, employees and parents the District's commitment to countering and preventing bullying and to inform the District community of the specific measures the District will undertake to resolve problems in this area;
- Delineate disciplinary consequences for bullying and authorize the development of prevention, intervention and education programs; and
- Identify the appropriate school staff person to receive reports of incidents of alleged bullying.
Please note that an electronic Anti-Bullying Report Form is on the school's website (and linked below) for your ease of use in reporting bullying concerns.
Mt. Lebanon School District Elementary Handbook
The Elementary Handbook contains useful and important information regarding school policies, procedures, and programs. The Elementary Handbook information is arranged by topics. Please browse the topic list by clicking on the button below to find the information you need.
Check Your Clearances
Please be aware that we are coming up on the 5-year mark from when many past volunteers have submitted their clearances. Clearances for volunteering within the district will expire after 5 years and will need to be renewed. If you have any questions or need to know the date(s) your clearance(s) expires please email Mrs. Sektnan at dsektnan@mtlsd.net.
Lincoln Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School, named after President Abraham Lincoln, opened in 1925 and is the second oldest school in the Mt. Lebanon School District. Lincoln was awarded three United States Department of Education National Blue Ribbons (2001, 2003 and 2013) for its overall academic excellence and outstanding student achievement. Lincoln Elementary School presently serves students in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. The dedicated faculty members take great pride in working with the students and collaborating with their families to "provide the best education possible for each and every student" that attends Lincoln.
Email: rkitsko@mtlsd.net
Website: www.mtlsd.org/Lincoln
Location: 2 Ralston Place, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-344-2147
X (formerly Twitter): @LinkedAtLincoln