The Lion's Roar
News & Events for Lincoln Families | December 13th, 2019
IMPORTANT DATES/THINGS TO REMEMBER
December
- Holiday Spirit Week - School-wide! Monday, December 16 - Friday, December 20
- Lincoln's Holiday Sing (Kindergarten & 1st grade) - December 19th in AM. Click HERE for info.
- Lincoln's Holiday Sing (2nd & 3rd in AM and 4th & 5th in PM) - December 20. Click HERE for info.
- Winter Break - December 23 - January 3rd (Lions return on Monday, January 6th)
January
Clark/Decancq/Meredith/Yigzaw fieldtrip to the Chicago Children’s Museum - January 7, 9:30-2:30
Knox/Rosales fieldtrip to the Chicago Children’s Museum - January 9, 9:30-2:30
Fieldtrip for 1st grade & Big MAC to the Museum of Science and Industry - January 21, 9:00-2:00
Principal's Community Meeting - Lincoln Improvement Plan Update - January 16th, 6:00-7:00pm
Vision Screening in the Auditorium - January 17, 8:00-3:00
Parent Teacher Conferences-Half Day of School - January 30 & January 31, 8:00am-11:00am
A Message From Principal Zaniolo...
Happy Holidays Lincoln Families!
We are so looking forward to seeing you next week for our Holiday Sing event. Our music teachers have put so much time, effort, and Lincoln love into their work with our Lions, and you are in for a treat! There is so much musical talent here, you will truly enjoy seeing your child(ren) and all of their friends perform for you.
On an entirely different note (haha), I want to thank all of our families who completed the 5 Essentials survey and gave us feedback. We went from 6% completion to 17% completion.
But guess what...
I need MORE of our community to take this survey. Our school-wide goal is 40% of our community, and we still have a long way to go. Every one of your voices is important, and I really need to hear from you. Please, right now, while you're on your phone or computer, take a few minutes and use this link to share your voice and opinion. I truly appreciate your participation.
Please complete the survey today! It can be accessed by visiting http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/.
I wish the very best for every member of our Lincoln community in this holiday season.
With gratitude,
Laura Zaniolo
(she / her / hers)
Lincoln Lion & Principal
Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Holiday Spirit Week - School-wide! Monday, December 16 - Friday, December 20
Monday - Flannel Day
Tuesday - Pajama Day
Wednesday - Holiday Ugly Sweater Day
Thursday & Friday - Dress Festive Days
Our Very Own..."Mr. Charlie." Congratulations!!!
Two Weeks of Life "Up At Lincoln"
5th Grade Video Capture With Green Screen Technology!
4th Grade Holiday Book Projects
Guest Author Visit!
Tom Watson Teaching Our Lions to Draw Stick Dogs!
Dress for the Outdoors
D97 Parent University at Lincoln - SATURDAY!
And two of our very own teachers are facilitating--Mrs. Chase-Vivas and Ms. Nagano! Check out their session on at-home resources for learning and reinforcing Spanish & English!
Multilingual Language Learners In this session, parents will learn about different strategies and resources that are available to support their child in learning a new language. We will present examples and show parents how to use them to promote language learning. We especially encourage parents of English Learners, Spanish Immersion students and other families who have language learners at home, to join us!
The D97 Parent University that will be held on Saturday, December 14 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at Lincoln Elementary School. The theme of Parent University is Cozy up to Curriculum. Our focus is to help families understand more about our curriculum and how to assist their child at home. Families will receive the opportunity to attend three 40-minute sessions of their choice.
Sign up using this link! Parent University Registration Form
Please Complete! - 5 Essentials Parent Survey
Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey
The parent survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. You may skip questions you do not wish to answer, but the survey must be completed in one sitting and cannot be retrieved once it is submitted. If you have more than one child enrolled in a building (i.e., two students who attend the same school), you have the option of completing multiple surveys for that building. In addition, if you have children enrolled in multiple schools (i.e., a District 97 elementary school and middle school), you may participate in the survey for each school. However, only one parent/guardian per household may fill out the survey.
Please complete the survey today! It can be accessed until Friday, February 14, 2020 by visiting http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/.
You can access general information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey by visiting https://illinois.5-essentials.org/.
Information From Our PTO
Girls on the Run
Coaches needed for a 10-week empowerment program for girls in grades 3rd-5th culminating in a 5k in Grant Park. This program meets after school twice a week, mid-March through the end of the school year. Please contact Gwen at gwalski@sbcglobal.net for more info.
Kuumba Kids Coordinator
We are looking for one or two volunteers to explore bringing Longfellow's very successful Kuumba Kids African and Caribbean dance program to Lincoln. The volunteers' roles would be to plan, publicize and act as liaison between Kuumba Kids, the school and the PTO. These volunteers would report to, and receive training and support from, the PTO Student Enrichment Committee VPs. Please contact hamerautumn@gmail.comfor more info.
Volunteers for After-School Enrichment Classes
We are looking for volunteers to serve on a committee to re-vamp Lincoln's after-school enrichment classes. The initial tasks would be divided up and would include researching successful programs at other area schools and proposing structural and programming changes to our program to make it more sustainable. Interested volunteers would also be asked to continue on in a support role next year. Please contact hamerautumn@gmail.comfor more info.
Carnival Committee Volunteers Needed
Games Chair - The Games chair works with the prizes chair to oversee the carnival games. About a month before the carnival, the chair reviews what games are still in good shape from the previous year, thinks of new games that would be appropriate, oversees the volunteers the night before to set up the games and then oversees the games on the day of carnival.
Fundraising Chairs - The fundraising chairs organize the silent auction, ticket of choice and sponsorship opportunities. They oversee a group of volunteers who reach out to local businesses (from a list of businesses we already have) and secure donations. The chairs also think of new businesses to solicit.
Fundraising Committee Members - These volunteers reach out to local businesses, solicit donations and retrieve the prizes from the businesses. This is a great opportunity for people who are looking for a low time commitment and want to work on their own schedule.
Bingo Chair - The bingo chair oversees the bingo game. The chair solicits prizes through emails to the school, puts out a collection bin in the school office the week before carnival, and then sets up the bingo room the night before the carnival. This is a great opportunity for people who are looking for a low time commitment.
Cake Walk Chair - The cake walk chair solicits food donations through emails to the school as well as to local businesses (whose contact information we already have). This is a great opportunity for people who are looking for a low time commitment and want to work on their own schedule.
Please contact rachel.waterston@gmail.comfor more info.
Little Lions Read
The Lincoln PTO Diversity Committee is generously supporting Little Lions Read, a free reading enrichment program for K-2nd graders. Students are invited by their teachers to participate in this weekly reading group where they listen to and read books in a safe environment. The goal of the program is to increase the enjoyment of reading, enhance vocabulary, improve fluency, develop reading comprehension skills and foster an ability to work with others. One bonus is that the students get to take home books to add to their home library! We rely on donations of gently used or new books (story books up to chapter books - fiction and non-fiction) or Scholastic Book Club points to purchase inexpensive books. Please contact stovall.ms1@gmail.com for more info.
Academia Fundraising
All 2020 Academia Institute of Language & Culture enrollments qualify for a 3 percent cash back to the PTO when the Lincoln school code (LINCOLNPTO2020) is used. 2020 program enrollment is now open. http://chicagoacademia.com/
Support Our Teachers
Do you want to be a super star this holiday season? Consider purchasing an item (or two) from your teacher’s classroom Amazon wishlist. Our teachers work so hard to create amazing classroom experiences and they would love your support. Please be a Friend of Lincoln and give today.
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EBYUSQLRP7BW?ref_=wl_share
With warmth and thanks,
Pem Hessing & Andrea Kovach
Your PTO Co-Presidents
D97 News & Information
Social Media Ambassadors
District 97 is seeking social media ambassadors who are willing to share news and information about our efforts to support all students. Whether you are sharing posts from our Facebook or Twitter pages or shouting out a teacher or student, being a social media ambassador is great way to be part of the "MyD97" campaign and support District 97 schools! If you are interested in being an ambassador for the 2019-20 school year, please complete our online form. If you have any questions, please email the district's director of communications, Amanda Siegfried, at asiegfried@op97.org.
Communication and Community and Engagement Plan for FY20
In District 97, we aim to provide a learning environment that is equitable and inclusive of ALL children. To do so, we need your continued partnership by supporting schools and students, monitoring your own child’s progress and giving us feedback along the way.
Before you and your child(ren) begin the season of rest, rejuvenation and precious time with friends and family, please take a moment to complete THIS SURVEY. Your responses will assist us in further improvements as we prepare for the remainder of the school year.
The survey will close on Dec. 27, 2019, at 5 p.m. Thank you in advance for your response, and for your continued support of our schools and the students we serve.
Previously Communicated Information...
Lincoln Is Hiring for Lunch & Recess Supervisors
Attendance & Absences
If you prefer, you can call the attendance line at 708-665-3067
Celebrating the Lincoln Team
Families, have you noticed a Lincoln teacher or staff member who deserves a compliment or a thank you? Has this person made a difference for your Lion? Please share the reason in a brief message to me using this link, WeAreAllLions!, so that we may recognize and thank them!
Contact Principal Zaniolo
Email: lzaniolo@op97.org
Website: https://www.op97.org/lincoln
Location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: (708) 524-3110
Twitter: @MsZaniolo
Contact Our Lincoln PTO
- Send Us An Email: We'd love to hear from you!
- What's Up at Lincoln (WUAL): Lincoln PTO's e-newsletter to stay up to date with all the offerings, activities, and opportunities provided by your PTO. Make sure to subscribe using the link above.
- Lincoln PTO Facebook Page
- Lincoln Parents' Facebook Group Page - Hosted by PTO
- Lincoln PTO Website
- Kindergarten - Oak Park Lincoln Class of 2025 Facebook Page: Led by Lincoln kindergarten parents and assisted by PTO, this is a new resource page for 2019-20 Kindergarten parents to connect, meet some other new families, and ask questions!