TWISTer Touchpoints
December Newsletter 2023
A Message from Ms. Hartung and Mrs. Mecca...
Dear Lincoln-Titus Community,
I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving break! December has arrived bringing with it a flurry of exciting updates from our vibrant community! Our theme for December is kindness, and L-T is focusing on kindness in various ways. For example, our PBIS committee will kick-off a Secret Kindness Mission project, and students will be encouraged to make new friends during Mix it Up Lunches for Inclusive Schools Week.
December also brings an end to the first trimester on Friday, December 1st. Parents/Guardians will be able to view report cards via the Home Access Center on Tuesday, December 12th. In addition, STAR testing will occur between December 4th-December 15th. The assessment data will be used to determine eligibility for Cycle 2 AIS Reading and Math. The new cycle for AIS services will begin on January 2nd.
Below are a few additional reminders for December:
- As we know, the winter months often bring colder weather, which can increase the likelihood of colds and illnesses. If your child is absent, please send in a written absent note. The note should state the reason for the absence and must be sent with your child upon returning to school.
- During the upcoming winter months, we may experience inclement weather. The school handbook outlines the procedures for school closings and delays. When there is a school delay, closure, or early dismissal, the District’s Automated Phone System will call the phone number(s) you have provided to the main office. If not answered, a message will be left. Please inform the main office of any changes to your contact information (i.e. phone numbers). Updates and announcements will also be made on the District website, lakelandschools.org, on the District’s Facebook (@lakelandschooldistrict), and Instagram (@lakelandcsd) pages, as well as via local news outlets. The school will also have a message on the main number if you were to call the school. The office must be advised immediately of any changes in phone numbers, email addresses, or physical addresses for parents, guardians, or emergency contacts.
Lastly, Mrs. Mecca and I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and a rejuvenating upcoming winter break! We look forward to embracing the new year with enthusiasm and a commitment to continued excellence.
Sincerely,
Deana Hartung
Principal
Tracy Mecca
Assistant Principal
Health Office Update
By Mrs. Russo
Hello from the Health Office,
As we move into December, the winter solstice, in the Northern Hemisphere, is the day with the fewest daylight hours. It also brings us into the cold and flu season. The best way to stop the spread of germs is to:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not handy, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, not your hands. Put the used tissues in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. That's how germs spread.
- Limit interactions with others who are sick, if possible.
Wishing you all a Peaceful and Healthy Holiday Season!!
Second Step
By Ms. DiBartolo
As we are continuing our Second Step unit on Emotion Management, I would like to share a few research-based strategies that we are discussing in order to help explain the importance of teaching our students how to manage their emotions.
We are teaching our students proactive strategies, such as deep centered breathing and positive self-talk, to prevent strong feelings from escalating into negative behavior. When students use self-talk to focus and stay calm, they may be more likely to think about a situation before responding, rather than acting on their first impulse. It is important that children learn to take positive action early in their conflicts so that they can calm down before they are overwhelmed by emotion. Having the skills to manage strong emotions such as anger, embarrassment, anxiety, fear, and jealousy can improve students’ ability to get along with their peers and make good choices. Finally, Second Step lessons encourage students to use and increase their feelings vocabulary. Research has shown that children’s verbal fluency in labeling and discussing emotions can be increased, and that such gains are linked to improved self-control and interpersonal problem solving.
TWIST Highlight of the Month
By Mrs. Cooper and Ms. DiBartolo
In December, our focus will shift to Kindness and recognizing how our kind acts can impact others! Each class will have a Secret Kindness Mission to complete before we leave for winter break. We are looking forward to seeing all the amazing ways our students will demonstrate Kindness in the coming weeks.