Looking Ahead at Lincoln
Week of October 3-7, 2022
Day Rotation
Week of 10/3-10/7/2022
- Monday – Day 5
Tuesday – Day 1
Wednesday – NO SCHOOL
Thursday – Day 2
Friday – Day 3
Week of 10/10-10/14/2022
- Monday – NO SCHOOL
Tuesday – Day 4
Wednesday – Day 5
Thursday – Day 1
Friday – Day 2
Upcoming Events
Penny Wars Fundraiser for Hurricane Fiona Relief in Puerto Rico
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we have selected the book The Coquíes Still Sing: A Story of Home, Hope, and Rebuilding written by Karina Nicole González as a book of the month. The book is a beautiful tribute to Puerto Rico and the way the community rebuilt after the devastation the country faced following Hurricane Maria in 2017. Dr. Kitsko is sharing this story with every homeroom classroom in the coming days.
As you may be aware, Puerto Rico was recently hit by Hurricane Fiona and is facing similar challenges now five years later. In a joint effort with the other Mt. Lebanon elementary schools, we will be running a Penny Wars fundraiser for World Central Kitchen, an organization that has been providing relief and supporting communities in Puerto Rico prior to and through the hurricane by providing fresh meals.
This fundraiser will run beginning on Tuesday, 10/11 and end on Friday, 10/14. Students can drop off their donations in the grade level jars located outside of the main office. We appreciate any change you can spare to support this cause!
No School - October 5th
The is no school for students on Wednesday, October 5, 2022. School will resume on Thursday, October 6th. Please make note of this day off for the students.
Early Dismissal on Friday, October 7th
- Students in Grades 1 – 5 will have an early dismissal at Noon on Friday, October 7, 2022. Students will not eat lunch in the school this date.
- Both sessions of kindergarten will attend school on this date.
No School - Monday, October 10th - Teacher In-Service Day
School will not be in session for students on Monday, October 10, 2022. School resumes on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Please make note of this day off for the students.
The Annual Read-A-Thon Is Just Around the Corner!
October 14–24, 2022, will be our annual Lincoln Read-a-Thon. This is the ninth year for the Read-a-Thon! We want to encourage the love of reading for our students, while at the same time, help raise money in support of the Lincoln PTA and the many wonderful programs, activities and field trips it sponsors. This is the Lincoln PTA’s main fundraiser each year. Please support the Read-a-Thon (and the Lincoln PTA) by sponsoring our students during this exciting event. More details will be shared in the coming weeks!
KONA Ice Sale - 5th Grade Fundraiser - October 14th
Upcoming Field Trips
Please make sure that the students have submitted the appropriate permission forms to the classroom teachers in advance of the trip. Chaperones MUST have all three (3) clearances on file to serve as a program volunteer for all of these field trips. Feel free to contact the school office with questions. Thanks to the Lincoln PTA for its financial support for many of the Lincoln Elementary School field trips.
Kindergarten
- Simmons Farm
- Monday, October 17, 2022
- 8:45 - 11:30 am
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year in the United States. This celebration honors numerous people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds who have come to the United States. We celebrate their cultures and traditions during this month. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico celebrates its independence day on September 16th and Chile celebrates its independence day on September 18th.
Check out these websites for more information about Hispanic Heritage Month and how you can celebrate!
School Picture Make Up and Retake Date
Wayne’s World will be at Lincoln on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, for our school picture make up/retake day. Make up and retake pictures will be taken from 10:30-11:00 am and 1:00-1:30 pm this day. Order forms are available in the school office for those students that were absent on the original school picture date. Checks should be made payable to Wayne’s World.
Special note for retakes – The original photo packet MUST be returned to the Wayne’s World representatives the day of the retakes.
For additional information about our photographer, please access his website at http://waynesworldofphotography.com/
Halloween Parade and Parties
On Monday, October 31st, we will host the annual Halloween parade and parties at Lincoln.
- K(AM) students will have their party at 10:30 AM
- K(PM) and Grade 1-5 students will parade and party from 2:30-3:30 PM.
PTA homeroom coordinators will organize the party events with the teachers. A maximum of three (3) party volunteers and one (1) volunteer photographer can be present for each classroom party. Please remember that we do not serve food during our classroom parties. More details will be sent out in a separate notice about our upcoming Halloween festivities.
Elementary Gifted Night 101
Technology Information
Schoology (LMS)
Schoology, the Mt. Lebanon School District's official Learning Management System (LMS) provides families with a deeper look into their student's classwork and learning progress. As of the Fall of 2022, all online assignments will be collected through Schoology.
Calendars in Schoology will have school events listed as well as course events and assignments. Beginning in 2022-2023, the Schoology calendar will replace Dashboard/PowerSchool as the primary calendar for classroom activity. Classroom assignments, due dates, reminders and other events will be posted by teachers in the Schoology calendar.
If you have questions or need support with Schoology, please email us at SchoologySupport@mtlsd.net
Schoology Information for Families
For Families
- Families can sign into Schoology by going to app.schoology.com and signing in using the email address registered through PowerSchool.
- Once signed in, parents can follow these directions to join a course.
- The access code for Lincoln families to join MTLSD's Family Guide to Schoology is NTSQ-D33Z-MCD3R.Families with more than one student only need to join one course, though it is suggested to join a secondary course if the oldest student in that family is enrolled in one of our secondary schools.
- If you have not received initial communication from Schoology about your account, email us at schoologysupport@mtlsd.net.
For Students
- Students sign into Schoology using Clever, or at mtlsd.schoology.com with their Google account.
Mobile Phones and Smart Watches
Some reminders about the use of smart watches and mobile phones by students during the school day:
- Students are expected to keep mobile phones stored in their lockers
- Mobile phones should be in silent or airplane mode when stored away
- Students may take their mobile phones with them if heading home or to shops (Grades 4-5 only) for lunch
- Video and audio recording of other students and staff members with personal mobile phones/devices and smart watches is prohibited
- Students should keep smart watches in silent or airplane mode once inside the school
- Students are not permitted to call home (or to others) using personal mobile phones or smart watches
- If students need to speak with a parent or family member, they need to seek staff approval to use one of the many phones we have located throughout the school
- Students that are ill or not feeling must be seen in health office and are not to call home using a mobile phone or smart watch - the health office staff will make ALL phone calls home when students are ill
- Family members should not call or text students during the school day - if a student's smart watch alerts the student of an incoming notification during class time, it distracts everyone that hears the device
Awesome Abe School Wide Positive Behavioral Program
What is a School Wide Positive Behavioral Program?
PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions or Supports is a school-wide positive behavior support system or set of strategies and systems to increase the capacity of schools to (a) reduce school disruption, and (b) educate all students including those with problem behaviors
- Clearly defined outcomes
- Research-validated practices
- Supportive administrative systems
- Use of information for problem-solving
WHAT ARE THE FEATURES OF PBIS?
- Establish regular, predictable, positive learning & teaching environments.
- Train adults & students to serve as positive models.
- Teach and model behavioral expectations
- Create systems for providing regular positive feedback.
- Acknowledge students when they are “doing the right thing”.
- Improve social competence.
- Develop environments that support academic success.
Important Information
Universal Free Breakfast Program in Mt. Lebanon
Dear Elementary Families,
You may have recently seen an announcement regarding the Universal Free Breakfast Program in Pennsylvania. The District is excited to offer this program to all students in grades Kindergarten through 12. Since the secondary schools have been offering breakfast for a number of years, they plan to begin the free program on October 3. Because this will be a new opportunity for elementary students, we will start a week later.
In order to help us plan, we are asking you to respond to this SURVEY if you believe that your family will regularly participate in this program. Please know that there is no obligation, and all children are welcome to participate at any time. This survey will help us choose a space and create a process that meets the needs of each school building. Please respond by Monday, October 3 at noon.
Your school principal will communicate the specific details and logistics for participation in Universal Free Breakfast on October 6, with a planned start on October 10, 2022.
We are excited to take advantage of this opportunity to support all students and their families.
Best Regards,
MTLSD Elementary Administration
Drop Off Table for Student Items
Students are responsible for ensuring they bring required items to school each day. Some forgotten items, such as instruments and lunches, are clearly needed at specific times. Other items, such as library books or water bottles, may instead be an opportunity for your child to learn to do without the item for the day, and hopefully remember it in the future.
If you are bringing a forgotten item, please use our Drop Off Table just inside Door A1. Note your child's name, teacher, and item on the sign-in sheet. The office will contact teachers periodically throughout the day, to send students to pick up those items at a time that does not interfere with their teaching schedules.
Inclusivity Calendar Events for October
Month Long Recognitions
- Filipino American Heritage Month - This celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors the contributions of Filipino Americans.
- German American Heritage Month - This celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors the contributions of German Americans.
- Global Diversity Awareness Month - A month to celebrate and increase awareness about the diversity of cultures and ethnicities and the positive impact diversity can have on society.
- Hispanic Heritage Month - Observed from September 15 to October 15. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16 and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended the Spanish dictatorship.
- Italian American Heritage Month - This celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors the contributions of Italian Americans.
- LGBTQIA+ History Month - It is dedicated to recognizing important moments and individuals in the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month - This observance was launched in 1945 when Congress declared the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1998, the week was extended to a month and renamed. The annual event draws attention to employment barriers that still need to be addressed.
- Polish American Heritage Month - This celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors the contributions of Polish Americans.
Specific Dates in October
October 10: World Mental Health Day, first celebrated in 1993, is meant to increase public awareness about the importance of mental health, mental health services, and mental health workers worldwide.
October 10: National Indigenous Peoples Day, recognizes that Native people are the first inhabitants of the Americas, including the lands that later became the United States of America. And it urges Americans to rethink history.
October 10: Columbus Day, is a holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492.
October 24: United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.
October Holidays
October 4-5: Yom Kippur (Jewish)
October 5: Daussehra (Hindu)
October 7-8: Mawlid Al-Nabi/Milad Al-Nabi (Islamic)
October 9-16: Sukkot (Jewish)
October 16-18: Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
October 17-18: Simchat Torah (Jewish)
October 24: Diwali (Hindu/Sikh)
October 24: Bandi-Chhor Divas (Sikh)
October 25-26: Birth of the Báb (Bahá'í)
October 26-27: Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (Bahá'í)
October 31: Reformation Day (Christian)
Lunch and Recess Information
Free and Reduced Lunch Program Application
Children need healthy meals to learn, so the Mt. Lebanon School District is committed to offer healthy meals every school day for our students. Your children may qualify for free meals or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $.40 for lunch. Click the link below for free or reduced price meal benefits, and a set of detailed instructions to help you apply.
You can also apply for free and reduced meals online via the state's COMPASS portal. Please follow the link below to begin the online application.
PaySchools Central Information
Payschoolscentral.com is an online lunch money accounting system where you easily monitor and deposit money into student lunch accounts.
By logging onto www.payschoolscentral.com, you can easily:
Set up an account
Deposit money at your convenience using a credit card
Set e-mail reminders to notify you when your child's account has a low balance
Set up recurring payments
Check your child's account balance (no fee charged)
Request an activity report to check account activity for the previous 30 days (no fee charged)
To set up an account, all you will need is:
- A valid email address
- A credit card
- Your child's student identification number, school and grade
There will be a 3.9% per transaction fee. Each child in your family can be set up on the same account therefore you can add money to each child's account during the same transaction. Transactions processed by pay are safe and secure using Secure Socket Link. With this technology, schools can be assured that all student information, credit card and all other student data will be highly encrypted and secure. Once the money is put on the account, it typically appears on the account in about 30 minutes.
Please follow the link below to a video that will walk you through how to add funds to your student's account.
If you choose not to use pay for credit card transactions, the District will continue to accept cash and checks. Click here for more information.
Other Information
Lincoln Yearbook Volunteers
Interested in helping with the Lincoln yearbook? If so, please email erindawndavies@gmail.com. We will be assigning volunteers in the next few weeks.
Job descriptions are below...
Yearbook PHOTOGRAPHER:
- Photographers will be contacted throughout the school year by their yearbook coordinator or the yearbook chair people to see if they are available to take pictures at a class party &/or other events/activities at the school.
- Smartphone cameras take great pictures for the yearbook, no fancy cameras are needed.
- Photographers submit their pictures to their assigned yearbook coordinators. When sending, please select "actual size" if given a choice. If sent smaller, they are too blurry to use.
- It is preferable to have several photographers per class to make sure there is proper coverage of all parties. There will only be one photographer assigned to each party. If you are already volunteering to help lead a class party, it is preferable that you do not volunteer to be a photographer for the same party. Also, there is not a separate photographer assigned to field trips.
- You can be a photographer for more than one class or grade. Photographers do go to the school, therefore, clearances or a signed casual volunteer form is needed.
Yearbook COORDINATOR:
We need at least one coordinator per grade. If more than one person volunteers to coordinate a grade, we can split the job up by classes. A coordinator is in charge of:
- reaching out to their assigned grade(s)/class(es)'s photographers to see who is available to take pictures
- calling the front office to let the school know who will be photographing which class(es)
- collecting all photos from their assigned class(es)/grade(s)
- making sure there are at least TWO candids of each child in their assigned grade(s)/class(es)
- sifting through pictures - eliminating anything too blurry and, for example, if someone sends 5 photos of the same three kids on the same day, selecting the best one to be used (PHOTOGRAPHERS, please avoid doing this)
- uploading and TAGGING all your pictures to the yearbook website (further instructions &/or training sessions will be given on how to upload & tag photos)
- if interested, coordinators can also put pictures on their grade/class pages of the yearbook - training sessions will be available for those interested!
Coordinators can also be photographers, in which case they would also need the clearances or a casual volunteer form.
Also, if you have not been asked to take pictures, but you think the yearbook should include a picture of a school event we may not know about, take the pictures and send them to us as FULL SIZE images (at our new yearbook gmail account - LeboLincolnYearbook@gmail.com) noting the event & class/grade if applicable.
Please share this info with anyone you think might be interested in helping out with the yearbook. Thank you!
Erin Davies & Maggie Shiels
412-657-5152
MTLSD Health and Safety Plan Update
The MTLSD Board of School Directors has approved the 2022-23 Health & Safety Plan. Key highlights include the following:
Continue optional masking in accordance with CDC guidance
Permit full utilization of instructional and cafeteria spaces.
Continue established cleaning and ventilation protocols
Continue symptomatic testing program as testing supplies remain available to schools from the Commonwealth
Discontinue optional pool testing program
Reporting a Positive COVD-19 Case
If your child is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your child's school nurse immediately. The direct contact for any illness/COVID-19 or injury related questions or reporting of symptoms should be your child's school nurse.
If your student is COVID positive, please complete the COVID Student Notification Form in addition to notifying the school nurse.
Check Your Clearances
Please be aware that we are coming up on the 5-year mark from when many past volunteers have submitted their clearances. Clearances for volunteering within the district will expire after 5 years and will need to be renewed. If you have any questions or need to know the date(s) your clearance(s) expires please email Mrs. Sharp at lsharp@mtlsd.net.
PTA Information
5th Grade Spirit Wear Fundraiser
Show your Mt. Lebanon and Lincoln school spirit by shopping at the spirit wear website. Any items purchased through the online store will raise funds for the Lincoln 5th Grade Farewell! A $4.49 flat rate shipping is applied for all orders. Items should be delivered to your home within two weeks of ordering. Please visit the store by clicking on the link below:
Request for Participation in Box Tops for Education and AmazonSmile
Amazon Smile and Box Top App Instructions Sheet for Families
Links to Other Technology Resources
Lincoln Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School, named after President Abraham Lincoln, opened in 1925 and is the second oldest school in the Mt. Lebanon School District. Lincoln was awarded three United States Department of Education National Blue Ribbons (2001, 2003 and 2013) for its overall academic excellence and outstanding student achievement. Lincoln Elementary School presently serves students in Kindergarten - 5th Grade. The dedicated faculty members take great pride in working with the students and collaborating with their families to "provide the best education possible for each and every student" that attends Lincoln.
Email: rkitsko@mtlsd.net
Website: www.mtlsd.org/Lincoln
Location: 2 Ralston Place, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-344-2147
Twitter: @LinkedAtLincoln