The Lincoln Lowdown- 9/5/23
Short Week!
Labor Day Holiday
Lincoln Families,
I want to thank all of you for the continued spirit and energy you continue to show. It's been a great start to the school year and I hope the momentum continues. As a reminder, this upcoming week will be a short week, due to the Labor Day holiday. Our schedule for this upcoming week will be slightly altered to accommodate the block schedule. Friday's Late Start schedule will be the only day that will be altered. Instead of periods 1-6, the schedule will change to a 2. 4. 6 block schedule.
Thank you for the continued support and I hope all of you enjoy the three-day weekend!
Rules Assembly
This week, we held rules assemblies with all our 6-8 students to review our expected behaviors and also inform them about our incentives for positive behaviors. Attached is the presentation that was reviewed with our students and our Student Handbook.
Middle School Athletics
Tryouts for Middle School Athletics are complete and established teams will be announced this week. The anticipated date for this announcement is Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 3:30pm. I want to thank all of our Lions who showed up and showed out! We are all very proud of you!
Staff Spotlight! Get to know your LMS Staff!
Ashley Lucas-Takahashi, Counselor
Place of Birth: East Los babyyyy!!
Years at Lincoln: 9
Favorite Educator: Richard Lucas, my Dad. He was a teacher, coach, counselor, and eventually a Middle School Principal for many years. He was all about the kids and his love for their well-being was crystal clear. He was fair, lovable, smart, funny as they come and the list goes on. His students always felt loved, heard, and safe with him. He always wanted what was best for his students (and his own children at home). I was lucky to be his daughter. RIP to the GOAT. His students reach out to me until this day and I leave you with my favorite quote: "Who else can say they got in trouble and sent to the Principals office only to trade baseball cards while strategically teaching me vital life lessons, and sent back to class. I would be dead or in prison without his guidance."
Fun Fact: I was in a coma. Oh, and I'm an excellent cook!
Aimee Stauffer, Counselor
Years at Lincoln:20 years :)
Favorite Educator: My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Stirnus, was one of my favorite teachers! She loved chocolate, and we baked in her class all the time. I think that is when I truly fell in love with cooking and baking. She was the perfect mix of fun and would push us to think and try our hardest all the time. Even if we weren't sure of something, she would tell us: "If we don't find out, we will never know!" We had many class fieldtrips to her lake house too!
Fun Fact: I love football and basketball, but I especially love the snow as much as I love the water! I know how to drive a boat, jet ski, snow ski, and snowboard. I guess I am a true Californian!
Jennifer Preuss, Counselor
Place of Birth: I was born in Irvine, CA. My great grandparents were farmers in Orange County before there any Real Housewives or Disneyland.
Years at Lincoln: This year marks my 16th year at Lincoln.
Favorite Educator: My favorite educator is definitely my father, Bill Matthews. My dad was a Biology teacher who taught at Mater Dei High School for 45 years. I have fond memories of going to school with him as a kid and helping him set up labs. My dad was my favorite Geometry and Chemistry tutor. He loved being a teacher and a coach. Ultimately, my dad inspired me to choose a career path in education where I can make a positive impact on kids' lives
Fun Fact: I love photography and consider myself an expert iPhone photographer. Just ask my two kids who I torture with photo sessions on a regular basis. Another fun fact, my son is a 6th grader at Lincoln this year.
Camp Lincoln Coming Soon!
ELAC- English Language Advisory Committee
The ELAC shall be responsible for the following tasks:
- Advising the principal and staff in the development of a site plan for English learners and submitting the plan to the School Site Council for consideration of inclusion in the School Plan for Student Achievement.
- Assisting in the development of the schoolwide needs assessment.
- Ways to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.
- Each ELAC shall have the opportunity to elect at least one member to the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC). Districts with 31 or more ELACs may use a system of proportional or regional representation.
If interested in being a part of this great committee, please contact our Community Liaison, Mrs. Gutierrez at n.gutierrez@smmusd.org
Nurse's Office
Important!
Parents, if your child is sick during the school day, students are to report to the Nurse's Office. Please encourage your child to contact you through the nurse's office and not through their personal devices, when arranging for pick-up. Thank you.
Parent Eyes
Supervision Needed
Parents, we are always looking for additional support with the supervision of our students. For those interested in supporting us during lunch and supervising, there will be a mandatory training to complete. Our next training scheduled will be held on Friday, September 8 at 9:30am, via zoom. Below is the zoom link to access our training. Thank you and we appreciate your support.
Learning Difference Parent Group
Please Review the Attendance Guidelines
Learning Difference Parent Group
What:
A time to connect with other parents who have children with disabilities and work with the school to support all of our learners.
Why:
Find parents who understand your fears, dreams and sense of humor
Tips from other parents on essential coping skills
Guidance from the LMS staff on your child’s IEP or 504 and the resources so that are available for your child
Where:
Our meetings are the first Wednesdays of the month at 9:15.
First meeting is September 6, 2023 at 9:15 am in Room #105 (translation will be available)
If you have questions, please email our parent liaison Connie Gregory at
We are here for you; please join us!
Back To School Picnic
Friday September 8, 2023
LCAP PAC
Participation Needed
We are looking for two parent representatives to be a part of the Parent Advisory Committee of our Local Control Accountability Plan. Our representatives will provide input on our Local Control Accountability Plan and help determine our district's/school's needs. If interested, please reach out to me at jcuevas@smmusd.org.
Stop, Drop, and Go
Be part of the Lincoln Safety Task Force, and please volunteer during 20 minutes one day a week from 8:40 to 9:00 AM (Friday from 9:10-9:30AM).
It’s a short period of time but the BIGGEST contribution you can make towards the safety of our students.
If interested in volunteering, please go to https://lmsptsa.org/ for more info.
For the Safety of the children and volunteers and to keep traffic moving, please follow these reminders:
1. Pull all the way forward when you drop your child off. Do not block the staff parking entrance near the gymnasium.
2. Make sure students have their backpacks & belongings ready to exit when you stop. Drivers must remain in their vehicle at all times. Do not leave your car to open the trunk or help your children with their backpacks.
3. Do not sit and wait: Please help us maintain the flow of traffic and do not sit and wait in your vehicle.
4. Do not double park along the drop-off lane, and make illegal U-turn before/after the drop-off lane.
5. Drop your kids off earlier. There is more congestion ten minutes before school starts.
Please, remember that drop-off in the circular driveway is only for our neurodiverse students who are meeting para educators, students with mobility issues, and the school bus.
Matilda the Musical! Meeting on September 6th at 3:30pm in the Auditorium
Mock Trial!
Great Turnout!
This year's informational meeting for our Mock Trial team brought approximately 50 students who were interested in joining the team. It was one of the best turnouts Lincoln Middle School has ever had! I want to thank all of those who were interested and we hope to see you in court!