

Lincoln Bulletin
October 6, 2023
Lincoln School
Lincoln leopards are respectful, responsible, and safe!
District Strategic Commitment-TOGETHER building pathways of Excellence!
Email: michelle.woodring@d303.org
Website: Lincoln.d303.org
Location: 211 South 6th Ave, St. Charles
Phone: 331-228-2501
Facebook: facebook.com/LincolnElementary
Twitter: @LincolnD303
Upcoming Dates
Monday, 10/9-Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Holiday-No School for Students
Thursday, 10/12- Portillo's Fundraiser-5-8PM
Friday, 10/13- Picture Day Make Ups & Friday Fun Day!
Saturday, 10/21-Chicago Steel Lincoln Family Night
Principally speaking
The past two days are such an important segment of the year, conferences and more specofocally student cenetered conferences are a vehicle for our students to take ownership of their learning. Our conversations are centered around strngths and building awareness of what all of us can do as a team to achieve success and more imprtnatly growth. This home school partnership, is a critical piece highlighting our startgic commitment TOGETHER building pathways of excellence. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to meet with our teachers to hear the wonderful things your child is learning at Lincoln. I hope everyone has an enjoyable long weekend, we will back at it on Tusesday. As some of you learned at conferences we will begin a reading incentive this October, below is information shared from our reading specialist, Ms. Kappele.
Reading Is Important
Dear Parents and Families:
Did you know? Reading just 20
minutes a day exposes your child to about 1.8 million words per year. Reading helps students develop a stronger vocabulary, and in addition, students who read for pleasure average higher grades in English, mathematics, science, and history!
Encourage your child to read books for fun by participating in our Lincoln Fall Reading Challenge! The challenge will begin on Monday, October 9th and run through November 3rd. Students who complete the challenge will be invited to a short movie lunch with popcorn the week of November 6-10th.
Each student will receive a Lincoln Fall Reading Challenge recording form. Each activity must be completed and signed by an adult. Our K-2 students are challenged to do each reading activity for 20 minutes and our 3-5 are challenged to do 30 minutes.
Happy Reading and have fun with the fall reading challenge!
CogAT Grades 3 & 5
Erin's Law Letter
Halloween Happenings
Halloween will be celebrated at Lincoln on Tuesday October 31, room parents have been notified, please read over the email carefuylly, you should reach out to the classroom teacher with a plan by October 20.
In a few weeks, we will celebrate Halloween, on Tuesday October 31. We will have our parade which will be outdoors around the blacktop for all students K-5 beginning at 1:40. We will exit the south doors (by bus drop off) walk to the blacktop track proceeding around the track, then walk along the north side of the building and then re-enter through the front doors. Our morning kindergarten class will have their parade at 8:15-those students will parade around the south patio and grass area and then enter the front doors, parents wanting to see them can line up along the sidewalk south of the building.
Students will be able to dress up but they will need to follow guidelines and as always wear specified face masks along with their costumes. Students will need to bring costumes to school as they will dress during an afternoon designated time, please make sure that they need as little support dressing as possible as there are many students and only one teacher per classroom to help with this.
For those parents who wish to have their children participate, please follow the guidelines below:
- Students must be able to put their own costumes/make-up on without assistance.
- No masks, aside from usual face masks for COVID-19 may be worn.
- No costumes and/or make-up may be worn that depict blood and violence.
- Students are not to bring anything that resembles a weapon of any fashion, even if it part of a costume.
- No political costumes, please.
- No bare midriffs or scant clothing.
- Costumes must be appropriate for school and not distract students from the learning environment.
Students will be asked to remove any parts of the costume that are not within the guidelines, or cover up with a jacket if you have a question regarding a costume please reach out to me or your classroom teacher.
After the parade, we will have classroom parties starting at 2:00. Each classroom will have a party. If you do not wish for your child to participate in the Halloween activities please let your child's teacher know. Lincoln will offer an alternative activity to those students which may include watching a movie or playing games. All activities during the party will be organized by the room parent, and no food is permitted during the party. Thank you for understanding.
Room parents will reach out to parents listed on our volunteer list regarding the classroom party and planning in the next day or so if they haven't done so already. Classroom plans should be submitted to the homeroom teacher by Friday, October 20.
VETERAN'S DAY
In an effort to honor our veteran's we are beginning to plan our Veteran's day celebration. Above is an attached flyer for you to print and complete and return to school so we can place these up in our hallways and students can see photos and information regarding Lincoln community veterans. We also would like to do a celebration honoring those that are able to join us in person on Nov. 11 in the morning at about 8:30, this will be done in the gym. If you know of a veteran that you would like to be invited please complete this google form, including their address or email so we can mail invitations to honor them.
Lincoln Reminders
Pick up and drop off procedures
The car line on the north side of the building is for drop off, please do not park your car and get out. If you feel like your child needs assistance getting out of their car seat or you need to get out during the process please park your car in the library lot and you can walk them over to the door.
When picking up for an appointment early
If your son or daughter needs to leave school mid-day for an appointment, please understand that we will not call your child down to the office until you are here. Time in school is very limited and every moment counts, once you are here we will call them and promptly have them come down to leave with you, but we do not want to call ahead because often they are missing valuable instruction waiting for the pick up due to unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for understanding.
A Message from Ms. Semenek
Dear Lincoln families,
Please note the following in order for your child to safely and actively participate in PE this year:
Tennis Shoes must be worn. No sandals, slick-soled shoes, rubber spikes, clogs, boots, heels, or croc-type shoes. These shoes are not safe for activity!
Shorts or Pants are appropriate for the gym. Shorts and leggings are recommended underneath skirts/dresses).
Illnesses or Injuries that would prevent your child from participating in PE should be explained in a note from you. A doctor’s excuse is necessary for any child missing more than three days of gym.
Weather is changing, so please send your child to school in layers (sweaters/jackets) recommended as we will be going outside even throughout the winter months.
Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation.
Ms. Semenek
Staff Spotlight
Name: Jessica Fong
Occupation: Teacher assistant
Place of birth: Winfield, Illinois
Family: Andrey (husband), Emma 11 years old (daughter), Kenna 6 years old (daughter)
Pets: Gracie 9 month old Golden Retriever
Favorite sport: Soccer
Favorite thing to do over the weekend: I love reading and hanging out with my family.
Best places to visit: Costa Rica, Ireland, and Pueto Rico
Favorite book: Charlotte’s Web
What superhero would you be? Myself
One wish: My one wish is for people to be kind to one another.
Favorite food: Mexican Enchiladas
Dairy Queen or Oberweis? Dairy Queen
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite College: UCSD University Of California San Diego
Favorite Team: Dodgers
Airplane or Road trip: Airplane
Fun Facts:
I went cattle driving for 16 hours when I was 11 years old.
I ride horses
I’m good at surfing
Parent Education Sessions
District 303 is pleased to present its lineup of Parent Education sessions for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Parent Education series (formerly Parent University) includes informational meetings and workshops intended to empower parents and guardians to support their children’s academic, social and emotional needs. Become informed on specialized topics, engage in two-way dialogue with speakers and fellow parents, and become a support resource for others.
Register now for the October 11 session on how to address cyberbullying. This session will be followed by a three-part discussion series from mid-October through early November.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023
Make Kindness Go Viral: Addressing Cyberbullying at Home
English / Virtual
7:00pm
Presenter: Sameer Hinduja, PhD. | Cyberbullying Research Center
This presentation has been changed to virtual only. It will share evolving best practices that can be proactively implemented in homes and families to curb technology misuse. Participants will receive information related to how kids use the Internet and their devices, as well as examine cyberbullying, sexting, and unwise social media use. Practical strategies for identification, prevention, and response are then discussed extensively to allow for input and Q&A.
Explore the full lineup of sessions here. Signup forms for each session will be made available closer to the session dates. New this year, you can also register for Parent Education notifications and receive alerts as new information and session recaps become available.
A Nursing Note from Miss Christy:
Attention parents/guardians of kindergarten, 2nd grade and new students to Lincoln:
Evidence of your students immunizations and a current physical performed by a licensed medical provider must be turned in by October 15th, 2023 per Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1). Failure to turn in these forms will result in your child being excluded from school starting October 16th until these requirements are met.
Students entering an Illinois school for the first time, including kindergarten students, require proof of a current vision examination performed by a licensed provider by October 15th, 2023 per Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1).
Students who are new to District 303 and Illinois schools must submit health records (physical examination with immunization record, dental examination and vision examination) within 30 days of entering school. These will be reviewed by the nurse for compliance.
Students in kindergarten and 2nd grade must submit evidence of a dental examination by May 15th of this school year. Dental exams must be completed within 18 months of May15th or November 15th of 2022.
Resources are available. If you require additional assistance please contact the Lincoln School Health Office Nurse at 331-228-2504 or through email at christy.mathern@d303.org.
Grade Level Requirements Date Due Kindergarten 10/15/2023 or exclusion 10/15/2023 or exclusion 10/15/2023 5/15/2023 exam 11/15/22 -5/15/2023 New Student to Illinois Vision Examination 10/15/2023 Health Records Within 30 days 10/15/2023 or exclusion New Student to District 303 Health Records Within 30 days 10/15/2023 or exclusion 2nd Grade Dental Examination 5/15/2023 exam 11/15/22 -5/15/2023
Thank you,
Michelle Woodring, Principal
Christy Mathern, Lincoln School Health Office Nurse
Wendy Landers, Lincoln School Certified School Nurse
Lincoln PTO
Upcoming Events!
- Portillo’s Fundraiser Thursday October 12, 2023 5-8 pm
- Friday Fun Day, 10/13
- Lincoln Family Hockey Night-Chicago Steel Game 10/21 6pm
Family Contact Info - Please verify for your family!
District 303 would like to remind families to make sure the contact information you’ve provided is up-to-date. We want to ensure you’re getting timely alerts on important notifications.
Prior to the start of class, District 303 will send test messages through its mass communication system to the contact information you have on file (email, text and phone). This is the way the District and your child’s school(s) contact you when sending mass messages simultaneously.
Visit the Home Access Center website for information on how to view and edit your contact settings.
View Notification Preferences/Enable Text Messages
District 303 will send notifications to families through the ParentLink system by text message, phone call and email based on your settings. Parents/guardians can view and edit their contact settings through the Home Access Center.
To receive timely emergency communications, we strongly encourage families to enable text notifications. For most people, this is the fastest way to receive and view important messages. Here’s how:
- From the HAC main menu, select the “registration” tab to view your contact settings
- Select the “edit” button to change your contact settings
- To enable text message notifications, enter your cell phone number in the Cell/Text field
- Select the “save” button
Please call the Attendance Line to Report an Absence
If your student is going to be late or absent, please call 331-228-2500 and press 1 to report the absence and the reason. Leave a message on the attendance line as soon as possible that morning or the night before. Thank you for your help in verifying absences from school.