WHAT'S UP AT LINCOLN
Weekly Newsletter and Announcements
A Message from Principal Gordon
Dear Lincoln Families,
I hope you all had a fabulous start to your week! It feels like time is moving so fast. I looked up and we are already well into December. This week you should expect your child's report card. These will come via email on Friday, December 11th. Please contact your child's teacher with any questions or concerns you may have.
I will host a "Hot Chocolate Talk" for our Lincoln community. Please check under the important dates for the date and expect a Zoom link the day before.
On another note, I have to say that I hope you are still extending yourselves grace. Just know that we are all in this together and we will continue to support you should you request it. Also, when you believe that you are behind the bar, just know that I currently still have pumpkins and a haystack on my porch!
Take care,
Ms. Gordon
Dates to Remember:
Dec 11 - Report Cards Distribution (via email)
Dec 18 - Ms. Gordon's Hot Chocolate Talk (9:00 a.m.)
Dec 23 - Half Day of School (school dismissed at 11:00 a.m.)
Dec 24 - Jan 8 - Winter Break
Lincoln School Spirit Wear
Staff Shout Outs
Both of my kids are having the best possible remote learning experience because of the care and compassion of their teachers (Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Coughlin)! Both teachers are student-centered and encouraging of the passions and interests of my kids. Awesome job!
- Debbie Cohen
I would like to shout out Ms. Goulding for her wonderful patience with her 4th grade class. She has been a major support for my son and we are very grateful to have her as his teacher. She is such a great teacher. Thank you for all that you do!!
- Sade Mcelroy
Shout out to Mr. Barnard! Holden is LOVING percussion. This is NOT an easy thing to translate over zoom, but his energy and enthusiasm make this a highlight of the week. It's incredible to see the progress they're making so quickly and how Holden's love of music is growing!
- Lisa & Ryan Magnuson
Talk about above and beyond! Mr. C continues to reach out, encourage, engage and check in on our kiddos - making sure they are feeling good and staying motivated in this crazy time. We are beyond grateful for the ways he is inspiring Holden and connecting with him to help him stay on track. Thank you for all you do!
- Lisa & Ryan Magnuson
Senora Rosales continues to amaze us with lessons and kindness toward the Kindergarten class. We are amazed at the Spanish our daughter is learning and the support she gets in and out of class. Senora Braun is so patient and positive with all the students. Both work together to provide a nurturing environment for kids and families. Thank you!
- Albert Family
We are so lucky to have Mr. Roh as our son’s teacher. He keeps the kids engaged, allows them to feel comfortable, builds their confidence and goes the extra mile to prove additional assistance on Saturday mornings and after school. We appreciate his continued communication to help our son stay on task and succeed. THANK YOU for your hardworking and dedication!
- Mariana and Jon Silva
Thank you to Ms. Meisinger, Ms. Burries and every teacher helping with Book Club. What a phenomenal connection to reading and to each other -- both are so important, especially right now. Thank you for being creative and continuing this Lincoln hallmark!
- The Flynn-Lynch Family
Ms. Rudin goes above and beyond for her students. She is always readily available and always full of light. She gives her class memories they will never forget. Thank you Ms. Rudin!
- Randle Family
We cannot say enough thanks to Mr. McKinney, Mr. Wiza, Sra Jacoby, Ms. Naples, Ms. Frame, Mr. Barnard, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Anderson... and we know this applies to all of our Special-Area teachers. You are stretching our kid's mind, body, and heart with your teaching. Your work is so important to keeping our kids whole through this time. Thank you!
- The Flynn-Lynch Family
Ms. Rosales works tirelessly to create a safe learning environment & engaging resources to support the Spanish Immersion students. I am continually impressed with her patience and resilience in the face of teaching Spanish remotely to kindergartners! She and Mrs. Braun are a wonderful team; seamlessly working together to support the students in their various levels of skill and engagement. They both do their best to make the learning fun, encouraging and applicable.
- Amy Davis
Sra. Rosales is kind and engaging and brings it EVERY DAY! My son is struggling with remote learning and she has met with us a couple times to help him make the best of a difficult situation. She and Sra. Braun are wonderful. And I want to say how thankful I am to all the teachers and staff at Lincoln. Thank you for the bottom of this families heart. We see your hard work and appreciate all that you do! MUCHAS GRACIAS!!!!!
- Michelle Zavislak
Staff Shout Out
Please click here to let us know and we will feature them in the next newsletter.
District 97 Information
Erin's Law Information Session for Families
District 97 will host a virtual information session on Erin's Law (Illinois Public Act 097-1147), which requires all public schools to implement a prevention-oriented child sexual abuse program. The session, "Keeping My Family Safe," will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Zoom. Families are invited to attend to learn more about Erin’s Law and tips for protecting their children. Erin’s Law Parent Night Details >
Next Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, Dec. 8
Meals will be provided free of cost this fall to any District 97 student in need. Each bag of food will contain five breakfasts and five lunches.
Meal distributions will be held every Tuesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 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.
D97 Breakfast/Lunch Menus - December 2020
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Program
The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, and DePaul University’s Community Counseling Center have partnered to deliver a vast array of educational and therapeutic services to staff, families, and youth through the “Mindful Middle-Schoolers Program.” Below is a list of upcoming VIRTUAL talks, which will be held via Zoom. Registration via the Eventbrite links below is requested. Once you register, a link will be emailed to you four hours prior to the start of each event.
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Community Talk Flyer
- Wednesday, December 9: Understanding Anxiety in Youth and Strategies for Treatment and Support https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-anxiety-in-youth-and-strategies-for-treatment-and-support-tickets-124168632723
Parent Information Session - Early Admission to Kindergarten/First Grade
For families who are seeking early admission to kindergarten or first grade, the district will be hosting a Virtual Parent Information Session on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2020, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The session will include a presentation that outlines the process and requirements. Click here to view the event flyer >
For more information about the process for early admissions, please visit https://www.op97.org/teach-learn/acceleration/early-entrance.
Parent Leadership Training
The Collaboration for Early is offering Parent Leadership Training. This is a great opportunity for local parents and caregivers to build their own leadership skills and work together in the community.
Training helps parents and families:
- Set goals for themselves, their family and the community
- Breakdown the goal setting process into actionable steps while getting the support of their peers and the training facilitators (all the facilitators are parents from Oak Park!)
Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 7:30 PM (Zoom)
D97 Return to School Update
During the Dec. 1 board of education meeting, Superintendent Carol Kelley and the administrative team shared a special report on the district's return-to-school planning. This update includes information about:
- Our adjusted timeline for implementing a hybrid plan
- Solutions we are exploring based on stakeholder feedback, including live streaming and various schedule options
Adjusted Timeline - Targeting Feb. 1 for Hybrid Implementation
As we shared Monday, we have adjusted our timeline to allow for the development of a more thorough hybrid plan that provides time for us to communicate updates and solicit feedback from our stakeholders. Based on feedback from the District 97 Board of Education on Tuesday, we will be working toward a hybrid learning start date of Feb. 1, if it is safe to do so.
We believe this timeline will accommodate:
- Additional input from staff, community medical professionals and our school nurses regarding safety.
- Feedback and engagement around revisions to the draft hybrid plan.
- Our current adaptive pause. (Special programs will not return on site earlier than Jan. 12 due to the current rate of COVID-19 transmission in our region.)
- Finalizing agreements with staff to return on site.
Safety, Live Streaming and Schedule Options
On Tuesday, we shared a recap of our community engagement from November and the top concerns that emerged: safety, maintaining class/teacher assignments, and modifications to the hybrid schedule. We presented some of the solutions we have been exploring to address these issues, including different schedule options and live streaming, which would enable us to keep students with their teachers.
Clips from the presentation are linked below. Click here to access the slide deck.
- Rationale for our adjusted timeline
- Safety
- Live streaming
- Hybrid schedule options
- Full meeting recording (presentation starts at 46:23)
Next Steps
- During the Dec. 15 board meeting, we plan to share the feedback we have gathered from community medical professionals and nurses, as well as an update on our engagement activities with staff.
- The district will continue to provide weekly updates on its progress. Our communication archive can be found at https://www.op97.org/updatecenter/2020-21-planning.
How Do I Access Technology Support During Remote Learning?
Technical support will be available from school and district technology staff by accessing the Help Desk through email, helpdesk@op97.org. When an email is submitted, a Help Desk ticket is created and assigned to technology staff, who will be working throughout the day to address technology concerns. Our technology team can support District 97 devices and student online programs.
About Us
Email: lincolnoffice@op97.org
Website: op97.org/lincoln
Location: 1111 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: 708-524-3110
Twitter: @UpAtLincolnOP