The Lion's Roar
News & Events for Lincoln Families | November 2nd, 2019
IMPORTANT DATES/THINGS TO REMEMBER
November
Institute Day - No School for Lions - Friday, November 1st
PTO Meeting at Lincoln Media Center - Wednesday, November 6th
"Puppets on the Block" In-school Assembly for 2nd Grade - Monday, November 11th
Fieldtrip - Spanish Immersion to the Fine Arts Museum in Pilsen - Tuesday, November 12th
First Trimester ends on November 15
No School November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December
- Report Card Distribution for Trimester 1 - December 6
- Lincoln's Holiday Sing (Details to come) - December 20
- Winter Break - December 23 - January 3rd (Lions return on Monday, January 6th)
A Message From Principal Zaniolo...
Hello Lincoln Families!
I hope everyone enjoyed our annual Halloween parade. It was an exciting event! I truly appreciate everyone's understanding and flexibility as we made last minute adjustments based on the weather and safety concerns. Our Lions got to show off their costumes and enjoy the fun of the day. In this edition of The LIon's Roar, I'd like to share some of the images captured from this wonderful event. If you were not able to join us, I hope you enjoy this window into the fun of Halloween at Lincoln.
Also in this edition, you'll find information about our IL School Report Card Designation. Lincoln has been given the designation of "Commendable" according to the State of Illinois. You will also find another link to the parent survey from the 5 Essentials Survey that measures how well schools are organized for improvement. This is a very important feedback for us as a school and as a district. I hope you take a few moments to complete the parent survey. Your experience and voice is a vital part of our school and in our work to always improve the learning and experience for ALL of our Lions.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Laura Zaniolo
(she / her / hers)
Lincoln Lion & Principal
Abraham Lincoln Elementary
The next edition of The Lion's Roar, my Principal's newsletter, will come out in 2 weeks. See you then! Time-sensitive news or clarifications will still be sent out as needed.
Halloween Celebrations "Up At Lincoln"
Halloween Storytelling with Principal "Scarecrow" Zaniolo
2nd Grade Fun!
Halloween Treats!
Lincoln Staff Had Fun Too!
Parade Through the Cafeteria
Can You Spot The Teacher?
Parade Through the Auditorium
Spaghetti Anyone?
Ran Into These Mario Brothers!
And Classroom Parties Enjoyed Across the School!!!
Illinois School Report Card
On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released our annual School Report Card, which shows how well our district and schools are progressing on a wide range of educational goals. The report cards are available at http://www.illinoisreportcard.com/.
Each School Report Card includes a summative designation—a descriptor for how the school is meeting the needs of all students. These designations fall into four categories (Exemplary, Commendable, Underperforming and Lowest-Performing), and are based on eight indicators of academic success and school quality.
Lincoln's 2019 designation is COMMENDABLE. This is the same designation we received last year.
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.
As with the student and teacher surveys, your identity will be kept completely confidential and your responses will not be linked to you. In addition, school-level reports will only be generated if at least 20 percent of our parents/guardians complete the survey, which can be accessed until Friday, February 14, 2020 by visiting http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/. This percentage will be based on the total number of students enrolled at each school.
If we successfully meet this requirement, we will receive our reports in Spring 2020. The results will also be made available to the public via the Illinois School Report Cards, which will be released in the fall.
You can access general information about the Illinois 5Essentials Survey by visiting https://illinois.5-essentials.org/.
Thank you for participating in this important endeavor, and for your continued support of our schools and the children we serve.
Lock Down Drill
Next week we will be practicing a lock down drill. Officer Rumoro (our school resource officer), will be here to assist and guide. This drill is required by the state, along with fire drills and severe weather drills, to help ensure that everyone knows what to do in an emergency. Teachers will have grade-level appropriate conversations with their classes in preparation for the drill. The drill will take 5-7 minutes. If I can answer any questions for you or your child, please do not hesitate to be in touch with me or your classroom teacher.
FLU SEASON IS HERE!!!
Flu is a serious illness. The BEST way to prevent flu for you and your child is to do the following:
- Encourage hand washing
- Keeping your child home if they have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Get a flu shot.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/family/flu-guide-for-parents-2018.pdf
Community Learning Opportunities...
"Mindful Middle-Schoolers" Program (5th graders are welcome to attend)
Super STEAM Saturday!
Information From Our PTO
Introducing the new FRIENDS OF LINCOLN program!
This program is designed as additional way for families to partner directly with Lincoln staff to help our children be successful in school. D97 and PTO budgets currently only fulfill some of the needs of our teachers and staff and they have requested various tools to add to their classrooms. You can help by individually purchasing any of the listed items or by partnering with friends to purchase a larger item! Our goal is to collect and grant staff wishes at 3 intervals throughout the year. If you have any questions, please contact friendsoflincolnop@gmail.com. On behalf of all the Lincoln staff, THANK YOU!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2EBYUSQLRP7BW?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR1OsK1jE0KlAvtgE6cFoshuIdji6bYDSZRViueiKUqW7Q5NhEze-SgbMSUTRIAL CLASS - BY DISCOVERY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Lincoln’s By Discovery after-school art program is offering trial classes throughout November. Sign your child up to come experience a typical day in By Discovery! A trial class costs $27. Trial class enrollment is first-come, first served, up to 3 participants. For all the important details, including dates the trial is offered, and to register for a trial class go to:
https://forms.gle/tJZgvgGtQq6a6Etw6
The Green Team would like to let everyone know about the Food Wast Awareness Week events. Our Green Team will be at a table for D97 on Nov. 7th.
https://www.greencommunityconnections.org/recent/2019/9/28/get-woke-to-food-waste
Get excited for our first Read-A-Thon!
Flyers are coming home in your child's folder with instructions on how to get your kids registered online - when they register they will automatically be entered into a raffle for prizes at school!
The top classrooms will win weekly prizes as well the chance to win a SILLY STRING PARTY!!
Readers will participate in reading sessions at school and at home while raising money to support PTO programs and activities.
Online PTO Volunteer Form
Check out our new online volunteer form. Looking for a quick and easy way to get involved at Lincoln? Or looking for a leadership role with the opportunity to shape our kids' experiences? We have lots of opportunities! This form is similar to the paper form that went home at the beginning of the year so if you already filled one out, you only need to resubmit the form if you are interested in one of the new opportunities below.
New Opportunities
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 twice a week after-school mid-March through the end of the school year. Please contact Gwen at gwalski@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Kuumba Kids Coordinator
We are looking for one or two volunteers to explore bringing Longfellow's very successful Kuumba Kids African and Carribean 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 VP's.
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.
Join Us!
The next meeting is scheduled for 11/6 at our very own Lincoln Media center. Details to come.
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!