WHAT'S UP AT LINCOLN
Weekly Newsletter and Announcements
A Message from Principal Gordon
Dear Lincoln Families,
I hope you had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving Break with your children. Although this holiday season will be a bit different for some of us, I am hopeful that we will get through it in a healthy and safe manner.
On another note, kudos to you for getting through trimeter 1! Today marks the first day of trimester 2 and I am so proud of my students, staff and the Lincoln community. We are still continuing to find ways to engage students, families and remain optimistic! Please let us know if we can assist you in any way.
Take care,
Ms. Gordon
Dates to Remember:
Dec 1 - District 97 Board of Education Meeting 7:30 p.m.
Dec 2 - Lincoln PTO Meeting
Dec 11 - Report Cards Distribution (via email)
Dec 23 - Half Day of School (school dismissed at 11:00 a.m.)
Dec 24 - Jan 8 - Winter Break
Staff Shout Outs
"While reflecting on the people our family is thankful for this year, Ms. Logan is on our list! We are so grateful to have such a wonderful class teacher for our daughter. Her patience, attention and encouragement towards my daughter (and all children in her class) makes the remote learning experience a lot more enjoyable and manageable. Also, her communication with families is exceptional. Thank you for everything that you do Ms. Logan, it is truly appreciated!
- Sara & Ted Gerringer
Mr. Tangorra has been a favorite of both of my kids. Seeing him lead our son’s class through music on Zoom helps me understand why. I love how he engages all the children in learning music and provides opportunities for them to show their hard work and talent!
- Gudelia Lopez
Ms. Cooper and Mrs. Wilson are doing a fantastic job keeping the kids learning and engaged! It is really something to watch and Ms. Cooper even sends out weekly emails on Friday’s to the students telling them what a great job they are doing! Thank you for all you both do!!!
- Jackie Castaneda
Ms. Knox has such patience. She listens to all the children and her style of teaching is excellent. I am so glad my grandson is in her class even if it’s on zoom. I’m retired so I am learning to how to be patience and let my grandson know that he can do it if he continues to try daily. Thank you Ms. Knox for all you do for the children.
- Dorise Monroe
"I love how you greet each of us every morning, how you explain over and over to make sure we understand, that you choose the coolest things to learn about, and that you make jokes while teaching, and you are very kind."
- A student in Ms. Logan’s class
Staff Shout Out
Please click here to let us know and we will feature them in the next newsletter.
District 97 Information
Next Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, Dec. 1
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 - November 2020
Board of Education Meeting - Tuesday, Dec. 1 at **7:30 p.m.
The District 97 Board of Education will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Click here for Zoom details. >
Superintendent Advisory Panel Update
During the meeting, Dr. Kelley will provide an update on the Superintendent Advisory Panel and the district’s hybrid learning plan. Recaps and recordings of the panel’s meetings can be found at https://www.op97.org/updatecenter/2020-21-planning.Discussion of Policies 7:50 (Student Admissions) and 6:280 (Grading and Promotion)
The District 97 Board will hear the first reading of proposed revisions to Policy 7:50 (School Admissions and Student Transfers To and From Non-District Schools) and Policy 6:280 (Grading and Promotion). There will be no action, but the board is expected to review and discuss both policies at the Dec. 1 meeting.
Background: The district announced in August that the board would be reviewing Policy 7:50 and considering whether it ought to be revised to provide clear parameters around the age at which children will be admitted to kindergarten and first grade (as currently written, the policy speaks to a minimum age for each grade, but does not speak to an upper age limit). Any changes affecting student admissions will not be effective until the 2022-23 school year.
Stamped' Family and Community Discussions
District 97 students, families and community members are invited to participate in a three-session discussion on the book Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Attendees will join together for a presentation followed by discussions in separate breakout rooms.
In conjunction with Brooks and Julian middle schools' fall curriculum read, the sessions will follow along with the chapters being read by students and staff. Breakout sessions will be led by students from Dominican University, who will follow a peace circle format and draw on the Stamped Educator's Guide.
The last event will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1 - 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (click here to register)
These sessions are made possible with the support of: District 97 staff; Oak Park and River Forest School District 200; the Oak Park Public Library; the E-Team of Oak Park; and Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group.
"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
- Tuesday, December 1: LGBTQ Youth: Understanding and Supporting Mental Health and Well-Being https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lgbtq-youth-understanding-and-supporting-mental-health-and-well-being-tickets-124167752089
- 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
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 >
District 97 Nurses Share COVID-19 Safety Reminders for Students, Families
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