Week of 12/19-12/23/2022

• Monday – Day 5
  

• Tuesday – Day 1
  

• Wednesday –Day 2

• Thursday – Day 3

• Friday – Day 4 - Early Dismissal at Noon for Grades 1-5 - No School for K students

Week of 12/25-12/30/2022

• Monday – No School - Winter Break

• Tuesday – No School - Winter Break
  

• Wednesday – No School - Winter Break

• Thursday – No School - Winter Break

• Friday – No School - Winter Break

Week of 1/2-1/6/2023

• Monday – Day 5

• Tuesday – Day 1
  

• Wednesday –Day 2

• Thursday – Day 3

• Friday – Day 4

118 super stuffed stockings for soldiers have been delivered to Beinhauer Funeral Home for a long journey to soldiers abroad this holiday season! A big "thank you" goes out to Mrs. Majestic and all of the staff helped to pack and deliver the stockings. Most importantly, “Thank You!” to any and all that donated so generously!

In honor of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is recognized on December 3rd, I have selected the book All the Way to the Top written by Annette Bat Pimentel as my book of the month. This story will be shared as a read aloud text with each homeroom by the end of December.

The following summary of All the Way to the Top comes from the Sourcebooks website at https://www.sourcebooks.com/all-the-way-to-the-top.html.

"The inspiring true story of Jennifer Keelan, the activist whose participation in the Capitol Crawl at just eight years old encouraged Congress to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is the story of a little girl who just wanted to go, even when others tried to stop her. Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change—even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things. Like going to school, or eating lunch in the cafeteria. Jennifer knew that everyone deserves a voice! Then the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law that would make public spaces much more accessible to people with disabilities, was proposed to Congress. And to make sure it passed, Jennifer went to the steps of the Capitol building in Washington DC to convince them. And, without her wheelchair, she climbed. ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP!."

Let me know if you should have any questions.

Dr. Ron Kitsko

Principal

The Lincoln Grade 4 & 5 Orchestra and Advanced Band students held their winter concert on Friday, December 16, 2022. Families and guests were treated to a wonderful musical set by both groups. In case you missed the concert or wanted to watch it again, you can access the recorded livestream by accessing the link below.

On Monday, December 19th, the Jefferson Middle School Wind Ensemble will perform for the Lincoln students and staff at 1:15 pm. We are happy to welcome back Mrs. Wagner and the JMS Wind Ensemble to Lincoln. We look forward to hearing them perform and seeing some former Lincoln students that are members of the ensemble.

On Tuesday, December 20th we will host the Echoes of the Four Directions program.

“Echoes of the Four Directions serves as a tool for public and private groups to educate and create a greater understanding and awareness of the diversity of Native American Indigenous (Indian) people and cultures through sensual and visual interpretive programs using lectures, displays, demonstrations, as well as visual and performing arts.” (excerpt from https://www.echoes4.com/)

• Presenter Earl Dingus, Cherokee Flute Player and Story teller will share song, story and Cherokee Language with students.
• Lenora "Lee" Dingus, Seneca, will share dozens of cultural items including drums, rattles, games, tools, masks, beaded items, jewelry and more as well as artifacts with explanations of how they were; and still are used today.
• Both presenters will be in traditional dress and their cultures and will explain dress and share some info about their nations. Information shared will be both historical and contemporary.

More information about Echoes of the Four Directions can be found at their website linked here - https://www.echoes4.com/. We want to thank the Lincoln PTA for sponsoring this worthwhile program for our students!

We will host the annual Lincoln Winter Parties later in December. Some important reminders about these events are listed below.

Students in morning kindergarten

• Thursday, December 22nd
• Party from 10:30 – 11:15 AM

Students in afternoon kindergarten

• Thursday, December 22nd
• Party from 2:45 –3:30 PM
  

Students in Grades 1 – 5

• Friday, December 23rd
• Party from 11:15 AM – Noon
  

Some other reminders about these events:

• Remember, we are not serving food during the classroom parties.
• Only family members designated as homeroom adults for this event will be permitted to go to the classrooms. This is for the safety of the students as well as to keep the parties organized and on time.
  
• A maximum of three (3) adult volunteers and one (1) classroom photographer can be present for each classroom party.
• As the school will be especially crowded on this day, please pay close attention to all of the standard parking and traffic rules and exercise caution while in your vehicle. Also, remember that parking in front of the school is not permitted.

• Students in Grades 1 – 5 will have an early dismissal at Noon on Friday, December 23, 2022. Students will not eat lunch in the school this date.
• Both Morning and Afternoon kindergarten sessions are cancelled this date.

• School is closed for the Winter Break from December 24-January 1st
• School resumes for all students on Monday, January 2, 2023
• Be safe in your travels and we hope that everyone has a wonderful Winter Break!

On Wednesday, January 4, 2023, 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.

It’s almost time for the 2022–2023 Lincoln Elementary School Fourth and Fifth Grade Spelling Bee! The Lincoln Elementary PTA is excited to continue the Scripps Spelling Bee at our school this year. The qualifying round will take place in the 4th and 5th grade classrooms. This round will take place in between January 9-13, 2023, in the Grade 4 and 5 homerooms. Individual classroom teachers will be notifying the students of the exact dates and times. The top 3 spellers in each classroom will qualify to participate in the Lincoln Elementary School Bee which will be held on the evening February 9th at 6:00 pm.

Word lists for the classroom Spelling Bee and other information will be sent home with the students the week we return from Thanksgiving Break. These are the 4th – 6th grades study guide word lists for 2022-2023 Scripps Classroom Spelling Bees. These lists, as well as other great information, are available at www.spellingbee.com. While the Spelling Bee is meant to be a fun experience, we understand that some children may be uncomfortable with the format. If you prefer that your child not participate in the Classroom Spelling, you can return the Non-Participation Form from the bottom half of the Spelling Bee flyer to your child's teacher by January 2nd. Please contact Dr. Kitsko at rkitsko@mtlsd.net with questions.

Lincoln Spelling Bee Announcement Letter

Spelling Bee Word List

In January, we will administer the winter 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 K–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.

Due to the scheduled district wide in-service days and classroom management for teachers, there is no school for students on Monday, January 16th and Monday, January 23rd. Please make note of these on your calendars.

2nd Nine Weeks grades and report cards will go live in Dashboard and will be emailed to families on Monday, January 30, 2023. Questions about the grades and comments posted for individual students should be directed to the appropriate classroom teacher.

The district will be providing families with this series of 30-minute informational sessions about Schoology.

• Dec 12th @ 4PM - Using the Calendar
• Dec 19th @ 4PM - Viewing Courses
• Jan 2nd @ 4PM - Communication and Notifications
• Jan 9th @ 4PM - The Schoology Mobile App

Please complete this brief form to register for the webinars you would like to attend. Zoom webinar information will be shared with families who register. Live Q&A will be moderated during the informational presentation. All sessions will be recorded.

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

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.

• Students sign into Schoology using Clever, or at mtlsd.schoology.com with their Google account.

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.

• December 1: World AIDS Day - commemorates those who have died of AIDS and acknowledges the need for a continued commitment to all those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

• December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities - designed to raise awareness in regards to persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity.

• December 10: International Human Rights Day - established by the United Nations in 1948 to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

• December 15: Bill of Rights Day - celebrates America's Constitution and the framework of society that ascribes rights and freedoms to society.

• December 26 - January 1: Kwanzaa - an African-American cultural celebration started by Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate universal African-American culture and connect to their African roots and heritage.

• December 8 - Bodhi Day (Buddist)

• December 18 - December 26: Hanukkah/Chanukah (Jewish)

• December 24 - Christmas Eve (Christian)

• December 25 - Christmas Day (Christian)

10:00 am start

• Adult supervision at Lincoln begins at 9:50 am and the doors will be open for students to enter the school at that time.

• Students should be in their classrooms by 10:00 am.

• Students are considered tardy after 10:00 am.

• The lunch schedule will run like normal.

• Afternoon dismissal for students is still set for 3:30 pm.

10:00 am start - Morning Kindergarten Session Modified Schedule

• Morning kindergarten will start at 10:00 am.
• Students will be permitted to enter the school starting at 9:50 am.
• Students are considered tardy after 10:00 am.
• Morning kindergarten dismisses at 12:00 Noon.

10:00 am start - Afternoon Kindergarten Session Modified Schedule

• Afternoon kindergarten will start at 1:00 pm.
• Students will be permitted to enter the school starting at 12:55 pm.
• Students are considered tardy after 1:00 pm.
• Dismissal for afternoon kindergarten students is still set for 3:30 pm.

Cancellation

• All students will switch to a Remote Schedule unless otherwise instructed.

Phone Alert System

• In the event of a school delay or closing, you will receive an automated phone call from the District's Phone Alert System to the primary phone number you have listed with the school.
• Only one call per family is made.
• Calls are typically made no later than 10:00 p.m. and no earlier than 6:00 a.m.
• On rare occasions, school may be delayed or cancelled after 6:00 a.m. or a delay may be changed to a cancellation when there is a question about road conditions or extreme cold.
• Your caller ID will display “Mt. Lebanon School District” and the District’s main number of 412-344-2000.
• To opt into text alerts and update your preferences, please refer to this Mt. Lebanon SMS Alert Guide.
• The success of this system depends on accurate contact information obtained from school records.
• If your information has changed, please update your contact information in the Dashboard or ask the building secretary to update your files.

Information Sources for a Delay or Closing:

• MTLSD website: www.mtlsd.org

• School District Cable Channels 19 (Comcast) and 33 (Verizon)

• Mt. Lebanon Public Access Channels 17(Comcast) and 34 (Verizon)

• KDKA TV and www.kdka.com; WPXI TV and www.wpxi.com; WTAE TV and

• www.thepittsburghchannel.com

• KDKA Radio 1020 AM

• Twitter: @MTLSD; @MTLSDSUPER

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MTLSD

• Push notifications through the MTL APP

Mt. Lebanon High School’s “Little Lebo” preschool program is accepting applications for our Spring session which will run March 13th through May 25th, Monday through Thursday from 9:15 am to 10:40 am. This is a great first school experience for children who may not be ready for full-time preschool. Our program offers unique learning experiences through in-house field trips to places such as the wildlife biology room, dance studio, percussion room, choir room, and the commercial kitchen in the cafeteria.

Children who have turned three years old by January 1st and no older than four years six months on March 1st may apply. All children must be fully potty trained. Enrollment is limited to ten children and acceptances are on a first come first serve basis. The total cost is $75.

As we have entered the season unpredictable and colder weather, I want to remind our students about what they should to wear during outdoor recess.

• Anytime the temperature dips below 50ºF, students should wear a jacket (of some type) outside.
• While it is a family decision as to what each student wears to school each day, I would suggest that students not wear shorts on days when temperatures are forecasted to be below 50ºF.
• Having an extra pair of pants available (left in a student’s locker) is a great way to avoid emotional situations if students wear shorts to school on cold weather days.
• When the thermometer dips even lower, students must be prepared to wear jackets, hats and gloves during outside recess.
• We will go outside if the “feels like” temperature is at or above 15 ºF.
• Students may be permitted on the field even if snow is present. However, snow-style boots are a must for this.
• We check AccuWeather and The Weather Channel apps for the current local temperature and “feels like” temperature at several times each day.

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.

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.