As we enter the final week of our 19-20 school year we should take the time to celebrate all of the work and learning that has been accomplished in both our traditional setting and most recently in our remote learning. Classes have posted over 4,000 posts on Seesaw demonstrating their learning. Classes in our intermediate grades have continued to meet virtually-students and teachers have logged countless virtual hours in-class meetings, read alouds, office hours and virtual recesses. Although over the past 8 weeks school has looked very different than anyone would have expected, everyone problem solved, pivoted and continued to learn and grow. This is a sign of resilience and perseverance two learner characteristics we value at Lincoln. We also have seen many acts of kindness over these weeks, from community donations, chalk the walk, creating inspirational window art, to our recent acts of painting rocks which are shown above. This gives us all hope! Thank you!

Next week students will begin picking up their materials and returning anything they may have at home (LRC books). I am linking the information on pick up below if you missed that email earlier this week, please let me know if you have any questions.

Next week will look differently for most students, we plan to have a virtual field day, Lincoln's virtual art show, classroom gatherings, and celebrations. We also are interested in creating a virtual clap out for our 5th graders, if you are interested in contributing to this the information is below.

Traditionally, we like to send off our Lincoln fifth graders with a "clap out." Students and staff line the halls and clap and cheer as the 5th graders leave the building for the last time. Since we can't do this in person, we are creating a virtual "clap out" video to share with the 5th graders to honor them and say goodbye as they move on to middle school. If your child would like to participate in this clap out video, simply click on the link below. Follow the prompts on the screen to record. Please help your child add a very short video (5 seconds is a good target) of themselves clapping and waving. This is a surprise for the 5th graders, so please don't tell them about it! You can submit your video using the link below any time until the end of the day on Monday, May 18. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Cranmer at karin.cranmer@d303.org.

VidHug - 5th Grade Clap Out Surprise: https://app.vidhug.com/lincoln-5th-grade-clap-out-2020/ryze7XQcL/record

SEL Lessons:

Thank you for engaging in the weekly Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons. Across the past five weeks, parents and students have engaged in learning around each of the CASEL core competencies connected to SEL which are:

• Self-awareness: The ability to accurately recognize one’s emotions and thoughts and their influence on behavior. This includes accurately assessing one’s strengths and limitations and possessing a well-grounded sense of confidence and optimism.

• Self-management: The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. This includes managing stress, controlling impulses, motivating oneself, and setting and working toward achieving personal and academic goals.

• Social awareness: The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms for behavior, and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

• Relationship skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.

• Responsible decision-making: The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others.

This has been a very different school year. The collaborative relationship between home and school, established and made stronger by this health crisis, has supported students' ability to continue to come together to learn and grow. Remote learning has taken a toll on students and adults. As you enter the summer months, know D303 staff continue to be accessible to you. Do not hesitate to reach out via Let’s Talk or by connecting with your building administration. All previous SEL lessons are available through the D303 Remote Learning for Students. We are hopeful the resources shared will be a continued support to parents/guardians and children across the summer months. If you have any questions on the information provided or are seeking additional support for yourself or child, please contact Patti Palagi, Director Instructional Interventions (patti.palagi@d303.org or (331-228-6457). Additional resources to support you over the summer months are included here:

Coping with Quarantine

Coping During Times of Uncertainty

Self Care is defined as the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress (Additional resources: Self Care: CDC, 40 Things You Should Do for Yourself During Self-Quarantine, 25 Simple Self-Care Tools for Parents and Parents Self-Care: Prioritizing Your Own Well-Being Benefits your Whole Family

DEADLINE for online Returning Student Registration is Friday, June 5, 2020, so please register your student(s) before this date. If a family is moving and knows they will not be returning to District 303 schools, please call the office to inform them of this change.

FROM THE SECRETARY

For families who will have a new kindergartener next year, you can save 10% off your All-Day Kindergarten fees if you make payment by July 31, 2020. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors as well.

CURRENT ORCHESTRA STUDENTS INFORMATION

To re-enroll your child in orchestra for next school year:

1. Fill out the online enrollment form: 2020-2021 Orchestra Online Enrollment Form

2. Pay the $40 school year D303 instrument music fee for orchestra through PushCoin

3. Continue renting your musician's instrument over the summer! By doing so you will not lose any credit you have built with your rental company, and students will not lose valuable skills they gained during the school year.

IMPORTANT INSTRUMENT INFORMATION! PLEASE READ!

If your child will not be continuing orchestra next year, please contact your rental company to set up an appointment to turn in their instrument. Please note that NO instruments can be dropped off at school this year, due to the current pandemic.You will continue to be charged the monthly rental fee until the rental company receives your instrument.

NEXT SCHOOL YEAR:

Lincoln orchestra students will be combining with Munhall orchestra students for rehearsals. This will be much closer than traveling to WildRose School.

Rehearsals will be from 7:15 - 8:00 am. The day of the week has not yet been finalized. Please know that we will send home information as soon as that is known. Advanced groups will consist of:

• There will be a 4th grade advanced orchestra
• All 5th graders will be in the 5th grade orchestra.

Group lessons will be 40 minutes starting in the fall and will continue to rotate times as was done this year.

Please reach out to me with questions, or if you need assistance with tuning, even over the summer. I would be happy to help! I am looking forward to meeting everyone!

FUTURE ORCHESTRA STUDENTS:

All students entering 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade next fall are welcome to participate in our elementary string program! Our goal is to provide a meaningful learning experience in music and develop individual student achievement and appreciation of music.

There are four string instruments for students to choose from. Click on these links to learn more about each one: violin, viola, cello, and the string bass.

As we are not currently in school, the introduction to the Orchestra Program will be different this year (all online and not face to face)!

To find out more about the Orchestra program at Lincoln and to enroll your student in orchestra, click on the links below:

New Orchestra Information /Enrollment Presentation Munhall - Lincoln

Below is the screencastify version of the above presentation. It goes into more specific details about the program and will be helpful for families that are new to orchestra for the first time.

Screencastify of Orchestra Information Presentation

If you have any questions about the Orchestra Program, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am looking forward to meeting all the Lincoln orchestra students, both new and current!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rita Borkowski

Rita.Borkowski@d303.org

Be a Part of the Band!

Fourth Graders and Families!

Check out this short band presentation and fun videos for you and your child. Band Registration is coming soon!

Ms. Rice

Marianne.rice@d303.org

Presentation in English Presentation in Spanish

4th Graders and Families-

Take a look at this band video. High School students from East and North share their music and thoughts about being in the D303 Band Program!

Band Launch Party

District 303 is providing meals for any student who needs it. The district is expanding the distribution, please see the attached information for the various locations and times for food distribution.

We have also heard from the USDA that there are SNAP scams happening. We are attaching a press release from them with a warning.