Looking Ahead at Lincoln
Week of September 5-9, 2022
News and Notes
Day Rotation
Week of 9/5 - 9/9/2022
- Monday – No School - Labor Day
Tuesday – Day 1
Wednesday – Day 2
Thursday – Day 3
Friday – Day 4
Week of 9/12- 9/16/2022
- Monday – Day 5
Tuesday – Day 1
Wednesday – Day 2
Thursday – Day 3
Friday – Day 4
Upcoming Events
Labor Day Holiday - No School
School will not be in session on Monday, September 5, 2022, in recognition of Labor Day. School resumes on Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Please make note of this day off for the students.
Fall Benchmark Assessments
This week, we will begin to administer the fall benchmark assessments to students in using AimsWeb Plus and Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). The MAP assessments (Measures of Academic Progress) are given in reading and mathematics for all students in Grades 1–5. The MAP assessments are administered on-line using Chromebooks and/or iPads. Additionally, students in Kindergarten – Grade 3 will take the AIMSWeb Plus literacy and mathematics assessments. These tests target literacy and math development skills and are proctored individually to each student in Kindergarten - Grade 1, while students in Grades 2 - 3 will take these assessments within their homeroom classes.
All of this data is used by our teachers to monitor the students’ growth and progress. Staff members also use this data to inform instructional planning within the regular classroom setting, as well as for instructional support services in reading and math. Year end reports will be sent home with all students in June 2023. If you have questions about these assessments or about how they impact when support services are offered, please speak with your child’s classroom teacher or Dr. Kitsko.
Black and Gold Day - Friday, 9/9
PTA Meeting
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, our PTA will have its monthly general session meeting at 6:30 pm in the Lincoln cafeteria. We encourage you to stop by and be an active member in all that happens within the Lincoln PTA.
ABCs of the Lincoln PTA
Each year, the Lincoln PTA hosts its ABCs of the PTA program as a way to inform and educate parents about the many ways they can be involved within our PTA. This year’s version of the ABCs of the PTA will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, from 6:00-6:30 pm in the Lincoln cafeteria. We encourage you to stop by, learn more about the Lincoln PTA and consider becoming an active member.
PTA Homeroom Coordinator Training
The Lincoln PTA will host the Homeroom Coordinator Training meeting on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, from 6:00-6:30 pm in the Lincoln library. Details about how to volunteer to serve as a homeroom coordinator are posted later in this newsletter.
Lincoln School Picture Day
Our annual school pictures will be taken on Wednesday, September 21st. This will allow us to include all of our students at the school. Order forms will be sent home with the students in the coming days. Some reminders so the students are ready for picture day:
Complete the order form and have your child bring it to school
Make checks payable to Wayne’s World of Photography or complete the credit card information on the order form
Students should come to school “ready” for their school pictures
School staff will be present to help the students look their best before stepping in front of the camera
Weather permitting, ALL photos will be taken outside
Homeroom classes will take a group picture outside in front of the school
For additional information about our photographer, please access his website at http://waynesworldofphotography.com/
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.
You should have receive dan email from the Schoology platform on Friday, August 26 with directions to create your family account. We hope this video is useful as you get started with your account!
Additionally, an orientation course for families, MTLSD’s Family Guide to Schoology, is available within the Schoology platform. Visit our website (www.mtlsd.org/families/technology/schoology) for directions to join this course!
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.
Important Information
School Day Time Schedule
Grades 1-5
8:30 am to 12:00 Noon
1:00 to 3:30 pm
Late bells ring at 8:35 AM and 1:00 PM
Kindergarten (AM)
- 8:30 to 11:20 am
- Late bell rings at 8:35 AM
Kindergarten (PM)
- 12:40 to 3:30 pm
- late bell rings at 12:45 PM
Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival and Dismissal Times
- AM Arrival - 8:25 to 8:35 AM
- Late bell rings at 8:35 AM
- K(AM) dismissal - 11:20 AM
- K(PM) arrival - 12:40 to 12:45 PM
- Late bell for K(PM) rings at 12:45 PM
- PM Dismissal - 3:30 PM
We are asking students to use the following doors for arrival and dismissal:
- Kindergarten - Door C13 - K(AM) arrival and K(PM) dismissal
- Grade 1 - Door D16
- Grade 2 - Door C15
- Grade 3 - Door C14
- Grade 4- Door C10
- Grade 5 - Door A2
- GO ZONE - Door A1 - also used for K(AM) dismissal and K(PM) arrival
Entering and exiting through these doors will allow the students to enter and leave the building in a less congested manner. You can view a map here of the arrival and dismissal locations. We will have adults at each door to welcome and guide the students to their homerooms.
Lincoln Dismissal and GO ZONE Form
Please complete this form indicating your dismissal plans for the student listed below. Unless we are informed of different plans, students will be released at dismissal to walk home. GO ZONE car riders may only be be picked up by the adult(s) listed on the form. Please be prompt when picking up students at dismissal and follow established GO ZONE procedures. If you have multiple students at Lincoln, please complete this form for each student.
GO ZONE Reminders
All families are asked to review and follow these procedures/requests when using the GO ZONE for drop-off and pick up.
- Open from 8:25 - 8:35 am (AM session) and 12:40-12:50 pm (PM session)
- Students should be picked up (regardless of location) by 11:25 am (K AM) or 3:40 pm (PM)
- Pull forward as far as possible in the GO ZONE
- No parking in GO ZONE
- Parents are to remain in cars
- Wait to drop off student(s) in the designated drop off area within the GO ZONE
- Students are to exit Door A1 for GO ZONE pick up
- No parking in the school parking lots
- No dogs/pets on campus at arrival
GO ZONE NUMBERS FOR PM DISMISSAL
To help our school staff get students dismissed to our GO ZONE more efficiently each afternoon, we will continue to implement our numbered car sign system. Based on each family's responses to the Lincoln Dismissal and GO ZONE Preference Form submitted for this school year, we have identified families whom have chosen to use the GO ZONE for PM dismissal pick up one of more days each week. This week, a form letter and two (2) yellow GO ZONE Number signs will be sent home with the students.
Please note of the following as we continue with our PM Dismissal GO ZONE Number system:
- Please encourage your child(ren) to memorize your family's number as this will help us get them out to the GO ZONE more quickly.
- GO ZONE number signs must be clearly displayed when entering the GO ZONE at Lincoln.
- If you do not have your assigned car number sign, you will be expected to park in one of the community parking areas and present identification to the office staff in order to pick up the requested student(s). At that time, we will confirm that you have permission to pick up the student(s) before allowing them to leave with you.
- If anyone else is picking up your student(s), you must give them your tag to display upon arrival. They will not need to provide any additional identification.
- Additional signs can only be requested via email to a Lincoln office staff member (Dr. Kitsko, Mrs. Sharp or Mrs. Smith) by the parent or legal guardian of the student(s).
- If your family is not going to be a regularly using the GO ZONE you can request to receive number signs in case you need them but this is not required.
- Families that do not normally use the GO ZONE can have their student(s) use the GO ZONE when needed by contacting the school office to make the proper arrangements.
- We are asking all families to begin displaying their GO ZONE car number signs no later than Monday, September 12, 2022.
Lunch and Recess Information
Lunch and Recess Times
Lunch
- Grade 3 (Ms. Roehrig), Grade 4 & Grade 5
Recess
- Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (Mrs. Crouthamel and Mrs. Flinter)
12:30 - 1:00 pm
Lunch
- Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (Mrs. Crouthamel and Mrs. Flinter)
Recess
- Grade 3 (Ms. Roehrig), Grade 4 & Grade 5
12:55 pm
- Line up bell
12:58 pm
- Return to class bell
Lincoln Lunch Preference Form
Students will have the option to return home during their scheduled lunch & recess hour. Students in Grades 4-5 also have the option to go to Shops as well. If you plan on having your student come home (or go to Shops in Grades 4-5) for their lunch & recess hour, please complete the form below so we can make the proper arrangements each day. Contact your student's homeroom teacher any day that there is a change to your student's lunch/recess plan so that we can be prepared for their lunch & recess hour.
If you have multiple students at Lincoln, please complete this form for each student who will be traveling home. You only need to complete this form if your student will be leaving for lunch & recess.
Elementary Lunch Information
Please read these important FYIs about the elementary lunch program:
- Elementary Lunch costs $2.65 per daily meal (milk is included with the meal).
- Additional milk and milk purchased without a meal is $.50 a carton.
- There are four (4) daily menu choices for the students.
- We offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and encourage students to eat servings of all the vegetables and fruit offered.
- A la carte - All side items are $.90 each.
- A la carte items are available daily.
- Any student, even those who bring lunches from home, will be able to purchase side items such as fresh fruit, vegetables, side salads, and juice.
- Healthy snack bags will be sold on Tuesdays and are $0.75 each.
- Varieties of low fat ice cream will be sold every Thursday and are $1.25 each.
- 8 oz. bottled water is available daily and will be $0.75.
- Students must have money on their lunch account to purchase ala carte items or snacks.
- Ala carte items include second milk or single milk, bottled water, snacks, ice cream or any side items..
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
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.
Important Reminders
Attendance
- Attendance will be taken in every class and will be recorded into our student accounting system around 8:35 am and 1:00 pm daily.
When Can Parents Meet or Speak with the Teacher
- Teachers typically schedule parent meetings from 8:00-8:30 am or 3:30-4:00 pm. If you would like to schedule a meeting, please email the teacher directly.
Grade Level School Supplies
Please click here to view the suggested school supplies list. If we can assist you with purchasing these supplies, please contact your child’s teacher, Ms. Herb or Dr. Kitsko. Please know these requests remain confidential as we want to ensure that your child has what is needed to have a successful school year.
Safety and Security
The school building will be locked down all day except during the AM arrival and PM dismissal times. All visitors/parents that want to access the school must enter through the main entrance (Door A1) and be buzzed into the school office. Visitors should be prepared to identify themselves when asked by the school office staff. All visitors MUST have a photo ID handy when the office staff asks for identification. While in the school, visitors must wear a visitor’s pass (in a clearly visible manner). Visitors need to check out in the school office before leaving the school. Please remember that these measures are in place to protect the students and staff.
Safe 2 Say Something
Safe 2 Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies.
Here’s how it works:
- Submit a report through the Safe2SaySomething system
- Crisis center reviews, assesses and processes all submissions
- Crisis center sends all submissions to school administration and/or law enforcement for intervention
- If needed, crisis center may contact tipster anonymously through the app
Lincoln Crossing Guard Locations
The following are the 2022 – 2023 crossing guard locations for Lincoln Elementary. The times that crossing guards are at these posts are listed as well. Resource documents about the Lincoln School Crossing Map and general Child Safety reminders are available for download below as well.
Safe Routes to School Information
Staying Connected
In an effort to stay connected with all of our families, I will post a weekly e-newsletter, Looking Ahead at Lincoln, with important school information on Twitter at @LinkedAtLincoln. I will try to post things regularly and consistently to keep you in the know. Please make sure to check your e-mail frequently for updates and other information about Lincoln. Any feedback about my communication with families is greatly appreciated.
Connecting to District Google Calendars
Staying connected to everything going on in the district is no small feat these days. Since we made the switch to using Google apps a few years ago, some families indicated that they are not able to easily connect to the district’s calendars. Steps about doing this can be found at http://blog.mtlsd.org/ViewPost.asp?I=31672. Hope this helps!
Office Hours and Parking
During the school year, the posted school office hours at Lincoln are as follows:
Monday – Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
If there any changes to this schedule, signs at the main entrance will be posted in advance. Please be advised that parking in the school lots from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm is for school staff only.
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
Lincoln Elementary School PTA Membership
Our PTA Membership Drive will continue for the next few weeks and we can't wait for you to join us! Students should have brought home a yellow PTA Membership Form with them last week. If you have not signed up for the PTA yet, please make sure to do so soon! To join the Lincoln PTA, you can fill out and return the yellow Membership Form to school or fill out the Google Form below.
https://lincolnelempta.membershiptoolkit.com/
We hope to encourage more families to join the PTA through our Membership Incentives which will take place during the week of September 13th. Each day of that week the PTA will have a daily drawing of ‘Scoops Free Ice Cream’ gift certificates!!! Students, whose families have turned in their membership form, will be entered in the drawing and will have a chance to win each day! The drawing winners will be announced by Dr. Kitsko each day and we will pick 6 winners each day (one from each grade).
In addition, the class in each grade with the highest number of PTA Memberships as of September 20th will win a class reward! The reward will be decided on by the teacher and the class but could be things such as extra recess or a movie!
Please contact Lorraine @LincolnAwesomeAbesPTA@gmail.com or message our Lincoln PTA Facebook page @LincolnAwesomeAbesPTA if you have any questions! Thank you so much for your support!
2022-2023 Lincoln PTA Homeroom Coordinator Interest Form
The process of recruiting Homeroom Coordinators (HRCs) for the 2022-2023 school year is now underway! This role is an enjoyable, behind the scenes type of task that enables an interested parent to work with both their child's teacher & classroom parents in organizing various events throughout the year. Tasks such as coordinating volunteers for classroom parties/fieldtrips and collecting funds/assembling class gifts for staff members are some of the things that you will do!
The two most important credentials needed for the job are strong organizational skills and email access. The role of HRC is a very important one, so please make sure that you are able to fulfill this role if chosen. If this sounds like a job for you, please fill out the form below by Friday, September 9th!
Those chosen to be HRCs for this school year can expect to hear back confirming the position by Sunday, September 11th.
The training for HRC will take place before the first PTA meeting on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 6:00 PM. Please make sure that you can attend the HRC training on this date before filling out the google interest form.
If more than one parent expresses interest in being a homeroom coordinator, names will be put into a virtual hat and selected at random. Our goal is to also have a different coordinator for each teacher.
Please feel free to reach out to lincolnawesomeabespta@gmail.com with any questions you may have regarding this role! Thank you so much for your support!
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