PANTHER PROGRESS
January 2024 Issue 6
Message from our administrators
Happy New Year Lincoln Family!
With the beginning of 2024, it naturally brings an opportUNITY to pause and reflect on our lives to reevaluate what is going well and what can improve. Lincoln Elementary School constantly looks for ways to celebrate the “small wins” and also ways to improve. Whether you believe in resolutions/goals or not, Henry Moore said that “I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the years’.” Though we strive to ensure that our 624 students end the school year with meeting grade level expectations, our partnership with our families to support these efforts for DAILY improvement is imperative. What is your child’s academic goals for today to get them to grade level at the end of the school year? How will you support this goal? Together. Challenge accepted.
In your service,
Eric Rhodes - Principal
Mary Beth Smith - Assistant Principal
Important January Dates
January 4: Judy Center family fun night with dinner 5:30pm
January 9: 4H club resumes
January 12: Term 2 ends
January 15: School closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 16: School closed for teacher work day
January 17: School closed for professional learning day
January 22: Tutoring resumes (by invitation only)
January 24: Chorus club resumes
January 25: Literacy night 5 - 7pm
January 30: Report cards distributed; Parental Advisory Council meeting 5 - 6pm
January 31: Unity club resumes
January Learning
Select the link below to check out what your child/children will be learning this month! Grading polices for grades PK-1, grades 2-5, and Encore classes have also been added for your review. If you have any questions regarding your child/children’s learning and grading policy, please reach out to the classroom teacher.
Events in the commUNITY
Family Partnership Calendar: January calendar
Wellness Series Program from UNESCO starts on January 7
Love for Lochlin Resource Clinic on January 9 at Brunswick High School from 4 - 6pm
Girl Scout Recruitment Event: January 13th from 9 - 11am at Trinity United Methodist Church Register here
Flying Cows 3 day basketball camp from January 15 - 17
Maryland School Report Card
FCPS recently received the 2022-2023 Maryland School Report Cards for each of its school. Using a five star rating, the report card evaluates academic performance in reading, math and science, academic growth, English language proficiency, chronic absenteeism, school climate, and well-rounded curriculum. Check this link for Lincoln's report card!
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award winner
Congratulations to our 5th grader, Bianca Munoz Lopez, for winning the Dr. King award! The theme of the 34th Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration is "Let's stay together and maintain unity." During the event, a student from each FCPS school will be recognized as their school's King Award recipient. Students were selected through teacher and student nominations based on their demonstration of positive leadership qualities, such as: responsibility, caring, fairness, trustworthiness, citizenship and respect. The ceremony will be held on Thursday, Jan. 4th at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School at 7pm.
"Pawsitive" Referrals begin
Disciplinary referrals are used anytime a student has violated any of the "Lincoln Family Codes of Safety." However, to recognize consistent good behavior, students may now be nominated for a "Pawsitive" referral! Students that are nominated receive a certificate and an extra recess at the end of the month. Keep making us Panther Proud!
Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP)
Did you know that we get regular visits from representatives with SHIP? SHIP provides critical resources and urgent services to hundreds of Frederick County youths experiencing homelessness. If you have lived in more than two places over the last few months, SHIP can provide a wide variety of resources to you including hygiene items, transportation and food. Representatives are here on the first Wednesday of each month from 3 - 4pm. Check out their website for more information.
Attendance
- Making sure your child is coming to school regularly unless they are sick
- Providing written documentation from a guardian or medical provider anytime your child is absent
- Written documentation can be in the form of an email, Talking Points message or handwritten note
Current attendance rates
Whole school: 93.5%
PreK: 91.8%
Kindergarten: 93.1%
1st: 93.6%
2nd: 94.3%
3rd: 94.8%
4th: 93.7%
5th: 93.1%
Lincoln Learner Report
Counseling Corner
January
The support Squad would like to thank our families for their efforts to reinforce the concepts we are teaching about social and emotional learning. You can go to our website for videos we have created for you and your children to teach them about the importance of brain and body regulation.
As we begin a new year, we encourage families to try one new thing that will benefit their children emotionally and academically....read out loud to them. Pick a favorite book from your own childhood, a chapter book, and each night take time to sit together and read the book out loud to your child.
Even better if it's before bedtime. All devices off. Just the sound of your voice. Your child will sleep better, you will find a connection to your memories from childhood, and when you read out loud to your child, their brain makes connections to their own ability to read.
So for 2024....go find your favorite book, your mom's favorite book, something special. Then take 10 minutes before bed each night to read to your child(ren). We would LOVE to hear from those who try it.
You and your children are a gift to us. We are grateful for you every day.
The school counseling team: The “Super Support Squad”
Ms. Ellis (grades 3-5) Madison.Ellis@fcps.org
Mrs. Quill (grades PreK-2) Heather.Quill@fcps.org
Ms. Dodson (Behavior Support Specialist) Heather.Dodson@fcps.org
Mrs. Nelson (Social Worker) Amy.Nelson@fcps.org
The team works closely with students, staff, and families, to grow a learning community where all members are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged to be their best self. The three major areas of focus at Lincoln are:
Teaching and practicing emotional awareness and emotional regulation
Developing and maintaining healthy relationships, which includes the use of restorative practices to help all members learn to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts in a positive and productive manner.
Instructing students, staff, and families about the role of the brain in learning in order to increase student independence and academic stamina
This website has multiple resources for students and families. It also has videotaped lessons we use with students and parent videos that explain our emotional regulation program.
Health Room Corner
Reminders from the Health Room
Student health cards need to be completed every year. If you have not completed your child’s health card this year please complete and return to the health room as soon as possible. Call the health room at 240-236-2749 if you have any questions.
If you are in need of health insurance Caseworkers at Frederick County Health Department can assist you. Staff are onsite to help complete the application, educate about Medicaid benefits and help find a provider.
Frederick County Health Department
Health Care Connection Division
350 Montevue Lane Frederick, MD 21702
1st Floor Entrance A (look for the blue flag)
Walk-in hours available (subject to change) Monday-Thursday 8am-3pm Friday 8am-12pm
What to Bring
- Birth dates, Social Security or Tax ID numbers of all household members
- Income information for all household members (you may be asked to provide your most recent paystubs and/or Tax Return)
- Citizenship or Immigration status for all applicants (If you have a Permanent Resident or Employment Authorization card be sure to bring it)
- Health care coverage information for any members covered by current Health Insurance
- Verification of Birth if applying for a newborn
Judy Center Corner
What does Judy Center do to support young children?
We serve pregnant families & families with children ages birth through 5 years by providing the following at no cost:
- Engaging learning activities, strategies, and tools that target social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.
- Caregiver workshops and support, learning parties, and family events to create a collaborative and nurturing educational home environment.
- Local service provider referrals, including healthcare, childcare, career and adult education, housing, food, and other areas of need.
- Play and have fun with your children and other families!
UPCOMING FUN PLAYGROUP PARTNER ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Thursday, JAN 4 – Frederick County Public Libraries 2:00
Thursday, JAN 4 – Family Fun Night with Tony M. Music 5:30 – 7:00
Friday, JAN 5 – Enhance Arts Project (music, dance, book fun) 9:15
Tuesday, JAN 9 – Melody Music with Ian 9:15
Thursday, JAN 11 – Pediatric Movement Center (gross motor) 2:00
Monday – Wednesday, JAN 15, 16, + 17, 2024 – NO SCHOOL/ NO PLAYGROUP
Friday, JAN 19 – Loaves of Fun (bread baking) 9:15
Friday, JAN 26 – Therapy Pig, Eddie joins us (if the weather cooperates) 9:15
Wednesday, JAN 31 – playgroup + Book mobile 9:15
Join our Judy Center Facebook page:
Please check out our Facebook page for more information and upcoming events:
Judy Center-LNES Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judycenterLNES/
Parent Interest Survey
Families, please open this link and complete this survey if you are interested in Judy Center. We are interested in learning if you have children in your family between the ages of birth to 4 and if you are pregnant. If you do have young children, we would enjoy having you join our Judy Center events. We can also support you in many ways! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTC82Uv71o29m53_0Ud58kuvCTOUOQMm8nRZ8gRWHJ4jkw3A/viewform
Want to know about our upcoming events? Join Talking Points!
Please sign up for Talking Points to better communicate with Judy Center and receive notifications for upcoming events: Talking Points JC Class Code: SDY1ZH
Instructions to sign up: https://intercom.help/talkingpoints/en/articles/5082947-joining-a-class
Want to help teach your child at home? Sign up for ReadyRosie
Families, YOU play an essential role in the education and well-being of your child. ReadyRosie exists to support you in that role! https://www.readyrosie.com/for-families/
How to reach the Judy Center:
Program Administrator: Holly Sontz Holly.Sontz@fcps.org, 240.236.2744
Outreach coordinator: Erika Rape Erika.Rape@fcps.org, 240.236.2436
Judy Center winter schedule (English)
Judy Center winter schedule (Spanish)
Remaining Family engagement events for the 23-24 school year
January 25: Literacy Night, 5 - 7pm
February 29: Lincoln Learner Series #3, 9 - 10:30 am
March 21: Multicultural and Encore Night, 5 - 7pm
April 25: Lincoln Learner Series #4, 9 - 10:30am
May 30: Panther Party, 5 - 7pm
Honor history, Make history
Much Lincoln Love!
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Email: Eric.Rhodes@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/lnes/home
Location: 200 Madison Street, Frederick, MD
Phone: 240-236-2650