WHAT'S UP AT LINCOLN
Weekly Newsletter and Announcements
A Message from Ms. Gordon
Dear Lincoln Families,
I can't believe tomorrow is our big day! A big welcome to our students and families for this school year is in order. Whether you are a first time kindergarten family or a Lincoln generational family, we wish you the best as we start this virtual learning year together. I was fortunate enough to have met many students and families Thursday and each had something special to say about our staff, our students or just a warm welcome to me. While this may be challenging, I am sure that our Lincoln community has what it takes to make this happen in a meaningful and positive way!
With that being said, I have to say that our Device and Item Distribution was a success. Our teachers worked behind the scenes to create those supply kits for each of our students and many individualized them to make your child feel like they are the special type of kid we know. Thank you for all of your support in making this a success!
Please expect, if you have not already gotten, an email communication from your child's teacher regarding Zoom links and access to instruction for our first day/week. We look forward to seeing your child in class tomorrow at 8am.
Take a moment to read our latest communication and as always, feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns.
Take care,
Ms. Gordon
Update on Lincoln After Action Plan
Earlier this year, District 97 embarked on an after action review process in order to improve our recruitment, onboarding and system of support for the leadership of Lincoln School, as well as other administrators and staff throughout the district. Using your feedback, the administration developed a number of recommendations to support Lincoln this school year and beyond. This plan was approved by the District 97 Board of Education in April.
An update on the district’s progress and next steps is attached here.
Everyone at Lincoln has been working hard this summer to prepare for the new school year, and we are so excited to welcome our students and families back to our virtual classrooms next week! If you have any questions about this upcoming year, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Lincoln School, and we hope you enjoy these last few days of summer break!
Sincerely,
Ms. Gordon and Mrs. Carter
Co-Interim Principals
Important Dates:
August 31 - If you did not pick up a device (K-3rd grade) and instructional supplies, the Lincoln Office is open from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
September 1 - 8:00 a.m. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!
September 4 - Lincoln's Virtual Dance Party (K-2 at 6-6:30pm, 3-5 at 6:30-7pm)
***Tentative September 17 - Virtual Curriculum Night***
TBD - Virtual New Family Welcome
Back to School Fact Sheet
Share Your Back-to-School Photos!
District 97 families—we want to see your back-to-school photos! You can share your photos by tweeting us (@OakPark97, use the hashtags #MyD97 and #OakPark97 and #UpAtLincoln) or emailing them to d97feedback@op97.org.
If you email us photos or videos, we will make sure they comply with the board policies and laws that govern issues such as privacy, appropriate use, etc. before they get posted.
A Message from Lincoln's Enrichment Specialists
This year, Mrs. Thompson joins the team as a new, part-time Enrichment Specialist! A former 5th grade teacher, sh will be a valuable asset to students and teachers.
We look forward to the learning ahead.
All the best,
Ms. Anderson
Mrs. Thompson
Little Lions Read!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jSdlYVOHb4xTuRCpea-aeqSfQWQkkSvbo4eg5kHSUZI/edit?usp=sharing
District 97 Information
Next D97 Meal Distribution: Monday, Aug. 31
Meals will be available to all District 97 students during Trimester 1. Families who pick up meals will be charged based on their lunch status, just as they would if students were onsite.
Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches. Click here for the September 2020 menus.
In order to help the D97 Food Service Department determine daily meal counts and reduce waste from excess ordering, we are asking families to complete this short survey by Sept. 1 to indicate whether they plan to pick up meals during the month of September.
- Next D97 Meal Distribution: Monday, Aug. 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Locations: Longfellow Elementary School (for Julian and feeder schools), 715 S. Highland Ave., and Brooks Middle School (for Brooks and feeder schools), 325 S. Kenilworth Ave.
Pandemic EBT Benefit Deadline Extended to August 31
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched the Pandemic EBT to provide nutritional resources to families who have lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures. Families will receive money on a new or existing EBT card to help fill the school meals gap. If your child receives free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or your child attends a school that offers free school meals to all students, then you are eligible to receive P-EBT benefits. Families who have lost their job or wages may now be eligible.
The deadline to apply for this benefit has been extended to Aug. 31, 2020. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/2DJDEAd.
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
We know that a common experience for many families during this health crisis is the loss of jobs and income. This change in income may qualify your children for free or reduced-price meals. We encourage all families who currently qualify to take a few minutes to complete the National School Lunch application as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please email the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at cellis@op97.org.
Previously Shared Information
School Physicals and Immunizations
Although District 97 is starting the 2020-2021 school year with remote learning, the State of Illinois is still requiring all students entering kindergarten, 6th grade, and any students new to District 97 to turn in a current school physical (Certificate of Child Health Examination and Immunization record) with up-to-date immunizations (requirements for the State of Illinois can be found here). If you have not already provided this information when you registered your child, please email your child's' records directly to your school nurse.
About Us
Email: lincolnoffice@op97.org
Website: op97.org/lincoln
Location: 1111 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-524-3110