Looking Ahead at Lincoln
Week of April 25–29, 2022
Day Rotation
Week of 4.25 – 4.29.2022
- Monday – Day 3
Tuesday – Day 4
Wednesday – Day 5
Thursday – Day 1
Friday – Day 2
Week of 5.2 – 5.6.2022
- Monday – Day 3
Tuesday – Day 4
Wednesday – Day 5
Thursday – Day 1
Friday – Day 2
Recent Events
PMEA Elementary String Fest Participants
Congratulations to the following 5th Grade students who participated in the 2022 PMEA District 1 Elementary String Fest on April 22, 2022, at East Allegheny High School.
- Ellie Blanton, Violin
- Elena Gissin, Violin
- Cormac Potter, Violin
- Theo Knowles, Cello
5th and 6th grade students from throughout Western Pennsylvania were selected to participate in this day-long musical experience which culminated in an evening performance. Alexandra Dee from Indiana University of Pennsylvania was the guest conductor. We are very proud of these students' accomplishments as they were wonderful representatives from Lincoln Elementary! Thanks to Mrs. Harris for nominating these students and spending the day with them at Strings Fest!
PMEA Sing Fest Participants
Congratulations to the following 5th Grade students for participating in the 2022 PMEA District 1 Elementary Sing Fest which was held on April 22, 2022, at Penn Trafford High School.
- Jackson Donahue, part 1
- Claire Czamara, part 2
- Farida Elnokaly, part 2
5th and 6th grade students from throughout Western Pennsylvania were selected to participate in this day-long musical experience that included instrument workshops, movement classes, and lots and lots of singing! Dr. Thomas Octave from St. Vincent College was the guest conductor and worked all day to rehearse with students to prepare for a concert that took place at 7pm that evening. We are so proud of these three students! They represented Lincoln Elementary extremely well and did a terrific job in their final performance. Way to go Jackson, Claire, and Farida!
Upcoming Events
PSSA Testing Information
The District will be administering the PSSAs this year in compliance with the PA Department of Education's direction. The results we achieve on these exams provide us with valuable information that can be used to assess our students' knowledge of grade level standards, our teaching, and our educational programming. Our students have been working hard throughout the year and are prepared for these exams. The testing schedule is as follows:
- Students in Grades 3-5 will take the PSSA ELA tests on April 25–27, 2022
- Students in Grades 3-5 will take the PSSA MATH tests on May 2–3, 2022
- Students in Grade 4 will take the PSSA SCIENCE tests on May 4–5, 2022.
Please read the information below regarding the District's administration of the assessments:
Information for ALL Students
The PSSAs must be administered in person.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education does not provide a remote option to take the PSSA.
All students will need to report to the building to participate in the assessment.
Information for Waterfront Learning Students
Waterfront Learning students will attend in person for all testing days.
Students will test with their math class and/or other classmates, unless PDE approved accommodations are required.
Pre-approved absences are not able to be approved for any PSSA testing dates.
Additional Information for Students and Families
- Electronic Devices During PSSA Testing
- PSSA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Code of Conduct for Test Takers
More information about the upcoming PSSA testing schedule at Lincoln and other related resource documents, please check out my Google site at Lincoln Elementary School Assessment Information. If you have any questions or are in need of more information, please contact at the school office
Respectfully,
Dr. Ron Kitsko
Principal
Reading and Math Support Schedule Update
On Monday, April 25th, we will begin to administer the PSSA assessments to students at Lincoln in grades 3 through 5. Reading and Math support classes with Mrs. Zajac, Mrs. Criswell, and Mrs. Mellett will not be in session beginning Monday, April 25th. This is due to the fact that the support teachers will be administering PSSA assessments in grades 3-5. Once all PSSA assessments are complete, the support teachers will then begin our Aimsweb Spring benchmark assessments with students in grades K-5 for reading and math. Support classes will not be in session until further notice.
Madsen Donut Sale
***Order your Madsen Donuts here!***
Support our Lincoln Students as well as a new local business franchise, owned by a Mt. Lebanon family, with a purchase from Madsen Donuts! Donut orders can be customized, pre-ordered, and picked up at PICKUP at 3:30 on Friday April 29th outside the cafeteria door (door C-15).
Donuts will be sold by the dozen ($20.00) and the half-dozen ($10.00) with 40% of sales being returned to the PTA! Orders can be paid for by VENMO @lebolincolnpta, CHECKS made payable to Lincoln PTA, or CASH submitted to your child’s homeroom teacher by Monday 04/25/22.
Please click on the link below to order!
Take Your Child to Work Day - April 28, 2022
If you are having your child participate in Take Your Child to Work day on Thursday, April 28th, please download, complete and submit the form below to your child's homeroom teacher.
Lincoln Celebrates Poem in Your Pocket Day - Friday, April 29th
Join in the fun and celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day on Friday, April 29! You can either print a copy of a published poem to share or write your own!
Autism Awareness Month
The month of April is Autism Awareness Month and includes observances to highlight the increasing number of individuals identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the impacts on families and support services. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes ASD as a “developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavior challenges.” The Autism experience is different for everyone. It is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is often referred to as a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees. Below, you will find some resources that could be used to help families talk about autism with their children at home.
Videos
Print Resources
Elementary District Band Concert
Under the direction of Mrs. Wockley, our Lincoln Band students have been diligently preparing for their upcoming spring concert. Their district-wide orchestra show is set for Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 pm. This concert will be held in the Mellon Middle School auditorium. We can't wait to see our students on stage in May!
Grade 5 Transition to JMS Trip
Our current Grade 5 students will spend time visiting Jefferson MS the afternoon of Thursday, May 12, 2022. Buses will leave Lincoln around 12:45 pm with the students and teachers for this informative and exciting trip. After touring the middle school and learning about a all things middle school, the students will return to Lincoln before 3:00 pm.
Kindergarten Orientation - May 13th
Dear 2022-2023 Kindergarten Families,
We look forward to getting to know you and your child as we embark on this educational journey together. Know that we are excited to welcome you to Lincoln Elementary School. To that end, we want to remind you that we will be holding our annual Kindergarten Orientation on Friday, May 13, 2022. You and your child can choose to attend one (1) of the following in person sessions on May 13th:
9:30 – 10:30 AM
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Please enter Lincoln at the main entrance (Door A1) and follow the sign to the orientation check-in table. New kindergarten students will meet with one of our kindergarten teachers (Mrs. Vrotsos and Mrs. Tecza), while parents will meet with myself and other school staff to learn all about Lincoln and the wonderful experience that is kindergarten. Please remember to return your child’s registration paperwork if you have not already done so.
If you have not already scheduled your child’s kindergarten screening appointment on May 19th or May 20th, please connect with Ms. Wendy Blough at wblough@mtlsd.net or 412-344-2147 to schedule one.
Here are some important details about kindergarten orientation:
- Who: Parents/Guardians of incoming Kindergarten Students
- What: In person session that will provide an overview of the Kindergarten program and Lincoln Elementary School
- When: Friday, May 13th at 9:30 AM or 1:30 PM (choose one)
- Other: Kindergarten Orientation website has been set up for you to review with materials that will be discussed during kindergarten orientation
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact me at rkitsko@mtlsd.net. I look forward to working with you to make your child’s first year at Lincoln a positive and rewarding experience.
Respectfully,
Dr. Ron Kitsko
Principal
Lincoln Spring Carnival - May 14th
Spring Sing Concerts on May 20th
The Lincoln Elementary students would like to invite you to attend their vocal music Spring Sing Concert during the school day on Friday, May 20th!
- If you have students in 1st or 3rd grade, the concert will be held in the gymnasium from 9:15-10:00 am.
- If you have students in 2nd or 4th grade, the concert will be held in the gymnasium from 1:30-2:15 pm.
- If you have students in 5th grade, the concert will be in the gymnasium from 2:50-3:30 pm.
The students have worked extremely hard on this music and we would love to see you there!
PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Lab is Coming!
During the week of May 23–27, 2022, the PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Lab will make its return to Lincoln Elementary School. Thanks to the generous financial support of the Lincoln PTA, we are able to provide this wonderful experience for all of the students at Lincoln. The PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Lab is a “is a 40-foot mobile classroom that travels across the state of Pennsylvania bringing an interactive field trip style experience directly to schools and students in grades K-8. The Mobile Ag Lab is equipped with over 30 STEM-based science experiments and lessons, a certified teacher, and all the supplies needed for a hands-on learning experience. Each science experiment is designed to emphasize a different aspect of agriculture, including Pennsylvania’s commodities, the environment, biotechnology, food and fiber. While on our lab, students work cooperatively to solve a problem as they form a hypothesis, collect data and draw conclusions while focusing on the scientific method. Each lesson on the Mobile Ag Lab focuses on increasing student knowledge on the importance of agriculture and its impact on their daily lives.” (Excerpt taken from https://pfbfriends.com/ag-lab/)
We are so excited to offer this different learning experience for the students at Lincoln. Thanks again to the Lincoln PTA for sponsoring the PA Farm Bureau Mobile Ag Lab!
AG LAB Volunteers Needed!
During the week of May 23–27, 2022, we will be hosting the PA Farm Bureau Mobile AG LAB at Lincoln Elementary School. This wonderful learning experience is being sponsored by the Lincoln PTA. You can check out more about the Mobile Ag Lab at https://pfbfriends.com/ag-lab/. Every K-5 classroom will be spending time in the Mobile AG LAB at some point during the week. Our goal is that all students who visit the AG LAB will have a successful and enjoyable experience while in the lab and leave with new knowledge and interest of agriculture’s importance to our society.
To help make things run smoothly throughout the week, we are in need of some adult volunteers. Your assistance is a vital part of accomplishing this goal. Your role in the lab will be to assist the lab teacher in any area where assistance is needed. Areas of need will vary by experiment, but may include: material preparation, student assistance, lab clean up between classes, and distribution of materials. The schedule is listed below as to when we need volunteers. Please note that you MUST have all 3 clearances to serve as a volunteer for the Mobile AG LAB. If you are interested in helping out, please contact me directly at rkitsko@mtlsd.net.
Thanks in advance...
Dr. Ron Kitsko
Principal
Mobile Ag Lab Volunteer Schedule Time Slots
Monday – 5.23.2022
AM Volunteer (8:30 am - Noon)
PM Volunteer (12:45 - 3:30 pm)
Tuesday – 5.24.2022
AM Volunteer (8:30 am - Noon)
PM Volunteer (12:45 - 3:30 pm)
Wednesday – 5.25.2022
AM Volunteer (8:30 am - Noon)
PM Volunteer (12:45 - 3:30 pm)
Thursday – 5.26.2022
AM Volunteer (8:30 am - Noon)
PM Volunteer (12:45 - 3:30 pm)
Friday – 5.27.2022
AM Volunteer (8:30 am – Noon)
PM Volunteer (12:45 - 3:30 pm)
Important information
Mt. Lebanon School District Kindergarten Registration - 2022-2023 School Year
Kindergarten registration is open for the 2022-2023 school year. To register a child for kindergarten, please complete the 2022-2023 Kindergarten Registration Sign-Up form. Upon completion, kindergarten parents will be directed to the online enrollment center where kindergarten parents can download and complete all necessary registration documents; if preferred, kindergarten parents may also request a registration packet to be mailed home. Kindergarten parents may submit completed packets digitally to Lincoln Secretary, Ms. Wendy Blough (wblough@mtlsd.net), or call the Lincoln Office, at 412-344-2147 to make an appointment to drop off registration materials.
Lincoln School Office staff will be in communication with kindergarten parents regarding kindergarten orientation and screening dates & times as spring approaches.
We look forward to your child joining us!
Lincoln Tribute to Mrs. Lazarchik
The Lincoln Mural Committee, along with the support of our Lincoln PTA, has commissioned an artist to paint a mural in the school to honor Mrs. Lazarchik who retired last year after 34 years as a Speech and Language Pathologist in our District. The mural will be located in the top floor hallway, and will feature one of Mrs. Lazarchik’s favorite children’s books, The Quiltmaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau.
If you would like to contribute, you may give cash or write a check payable to Lincoln Mural Fund and write “Mrs. Lazarchik’s MURAL” on the envelope, which your child can give to their teacher, or drop off in the office. You may also pay via PayPal to bethannrivera120@gmail.com. Thank you for your contributions.This will be a lasting tribute for all to enjoy for many years to come. Feel free to share this information with anyone who you believe would want to contribute. Please email Bethann Rivera with any questions at brivera@mtlsd.net .
Please note, contributions in excess of what is needed for Mrs. Lazarchik’s mural will be used for future murals honoring Lincoln’s retirees.
Recess Temperature Reminder
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. We check AccuWeather and The Weather Channel apps for the current local temperature and “feels like” temperature at several times each day.
A Note From The Elementary School Counselors…
Spring has arrived and so has the last marking period of the school year! During the month of April we recognize National Autism Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Towards the end of this month and into May, our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students will be taking the PSSAs. Below are some test taking tips, along with a Scholastic article about how to help your child prepare for standardized testing. Please know that we are here to support you and your child.
Community resources, linked here, continue to be available to help families with a variety of needs. Please know that we are all here to support you on this journey, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything that we can do to help your child and/or family!
The Elementary School Counseling Team
Volunteering at Lincoln
Can you believe that it is the 4th Nine Weeks already?
The Lincoln Staff and PTA have fantastic activities planned for the end of the school year and need your help in making sure that they happen! Please take a minute to fill out the questions below to let us know what you are interested in helping with. We greatly appreciate it!
Check Your 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 Ms. Blough at wblough@mtlsd.net.
MTLSD COVID Symptoms/Exposure Notification Form - Students
As we continue to adapt our processes and procedures due to the ever-changing COVID-19 landscape, we have developed a universal COVID Symptoms/Exposure Notification Form for our families to use instead of emailing the school nurse, teacher, or using a building-specific form. This form will assist our nursing staff in responding more efficiently to COVID notifications.
Families who have a student with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19, experiencing symptoms, or exposed as a close contact to a confirmed or suspected case, should use this LINK in order to notify your school. The form will also be located on the District website and each school’s homepage. The COVID-19 environment is rapidly changing, and we continue to monitor developments and make modifications to our plans as necessary. If you have specific questions, please contact your student’s school nurse.
Sincerely,
Deanna Hess, MSEd, BSN, CSN, RN
Chair, Health Services Department
PTA Information
Mt. Lebanon PTA Council Information
Did you know that PTA Council maintains a fundraising webpage for all school related fundraisers throughout the district? Visit our page at https://www.mtlsd.org/family/pta/fundraisers to see how you can support our students at all grade levels AND to see how your school club/team/activity can share news about your upcoming fundraisers!
Visit and bookmark https://www.mtlsd.org/family/pta/community-flyers to learn more about what programs are offered throughout the Mt. Lebanon community for our kids! From the Public Library to the Rec Center to Mt. Lebanon Sports and Scouts - we want to help you find opportunities in Lebo for your kids.
Links to 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.
Dr. Ron Kitsko
Principal
Lincoln Elementary School
2 Ralston Place
Pittsburgh, PA 15216
412-344-2147
Twitter - @LinkedAtLincoln
We are RESPONSIBLE. We are RESPECTFUL. We are SAFE.
Email: rkitsko@mtlsd.net
Website: www.mtlsd.org/Lincoln
Location: 2 Ralston Place, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-344-2147
Twitter: @LinkedAtLincoln