WHAT'S UP AT LINCOLN
Weekly Newsletter and Announcements
A Message from Principal Gordon
Dear Lincoln Families,
Thank you for another amazing week! We are certainly getting used to this hybrid and remote learning but thanks to Lincoln's amazing staff for taking this on.
Please be on the look out for the Trimester 3 Learning Selection Survey from District 97 asking whether your student(s) will participate in on-site classes or full-time remote learning. This email will be sent to you by the end of this week. Your response will be due one week from the date you receive the survey. Your selection will apply to Trimester 3 which begins Monday, March 15, and goes through the last day of school, June 10. Please fill out this form even if you are already enrolled in the hybrid option for Trimester 2.
Take care,
Ms. Gordon
Pictures of the Week
Dates to Remember:
Feb 9 - Board of Education Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Feb 18 - Trimester 3 Learning Form Due
Feb 12 - Institute Day (no school for students)
Feb 15 - Presidents Day (no school for students)
Feb 25 and 26 - Parent Teacher Conferences (school dismissed at 11:00 a.m.)
Reminders for Hybrid Families:
We need your help in a few areas to help each day be as successful as possible:
- All students need to be certified by 7:15 a.m. Please complete the certification everyday even if they are not attending their learning at school, or will be absent. (All absences need to be called into the attendance line at 708-665-3067 or lincolnattendance@op97.org)
- Arrive at school no earlier than 7:50 a.m. and direct your child to their line up location.
- Review the car pool details below.
- Please be sure that your child has all their items for the day, especially their iPad.
Spotlight On!!
Excerpts from Marvin's nomination:
"Marvin has been masterful in establishing and maintaining positive, productive relationships. He is beloved by everyone he comes in contact with, and has created a close, tight-knit network of support that consists of students, staff members and parents/guardians who work together to help the children he teaches achieve their goals and realize their dreams. Marvin is an exemplary ambassador for District 97 and the Oak Park community. He is a role model and community builder. He represents the very best of who we are as a district, and what we aspire to be."
Excerpts from Elizabeth's nomination:
"Ms. Smith is an expert in her subjects and finds ways to bring that knowledge to all students ... She is able to meet the needs of all students by providing small group instruction for those who need it and also encouraging students to accelerate their learning when she sees that they are ready for more. She pushes her students to do and learn more, often teaching three grade levels of material. This has helped many students build confidence in their math abilities to the point where they love math for the first time in their education."
Fact Checker
Oak Park District 97 is committed to providing accurate and timely information. Our new Fact Checker will be updated consistently based upon common questions and concerns to ensure you have access to the key facts that interest you most.
Staff Shout Outs!
Shout out to Ms. Goulding for preparing our hybrid learners so well and making the first day back in person such a huge success. There were plenty of nerves but when our little guy came bouncing in the door at lunchtime saying "Honey, I'm home!!!" with a huge smile on his face, the relief washed over us all. You are a saint and you make learning so much fun, which has never been more important!
- Lisa Magnuson
Ms. King is a lovely teacher. Dedicated. Shows love for what she does.
- Natalia Rodríguez Bazzi
Ms. Romine is very committed to her work. She’s very kind to the kids.
- Natalia Rodríguez Bazzi
- Eileen Saam
Thank you, Ms. Rudin, for going above and beyond to help make the transition to hybrid school as smooth as possible. I so appreciate your thoughtful approach, problem solving issues as they come along. I'm so grateful that you've got your eye on what's best for the kids. Thank you!
- Lisa Peloquin
Thank you, Ms. Gordon, for being such a thoughtful and responsive leader as we all figure out this Hybrid model of school. This has never been done before. Thank you for your leadership and a huge thanks as well to all the staff at Lincoln who went the extra mile last week for our kids!
- Lisa Peloquin
Ms. Tyler, thank you for being so responsive to my questions. I know you have a million different plates in the air, and I'm grateful for your support.
- Lisa Peloquin
Staff Shout Out
Please click here to let us know and we will feature them in the next newsletter.
Responding to a Positive COVID-19 Case
When to Stay Home from School/Work
We ask that our entire District 97 community help keep our schools safe by adhering to our COVID-19 guidelines. This includes students/staff staying home if they:
- Are feeling sick
- Have tested positive for COVID-19
- Are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
- Are a close contact of a positive/probable COVID-19 case
- Have traveled for more than 24 hours out of state.
INFORMATION FROM DISTRICT 97
Next Meal D97 Meal Distribution: Tuesday, Feb. 9
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 - February 2021
Winter Weather - Emergency Closing Information
Winter is here and that means there may be times when District 97 schools close due to weather-related conditions or other emergency situations. We make every effort to keep our schools open, but circumstances beyond our control sometimes make it unsafe for our students or staff to get to school safely.
New this year: Rather than closing school on days when it would be unsafe for students and staff to get to school, we will notify our employees and students’ families that the district will have a Remote Learning Day. Because all of our students are already equipped with iPads or Chromebooks, making the temporary shift to remote learning should be fairly seamless. This also means that there will be no need to extend the school year further into summer to make up for lost days.
Whenever possible, District 97 will seek to make and communicate decisions regarding weather-related closings by approximately 8 p.m. the day before. This will include notifying stakeholders if the forecast or conditions warrant additional monitoring prior to making a final decision. If the forecast changes or conditions deteriorate after 8 p.m., we will let people know about the status of classes and/or afterschool activities no later than 5:30 a.m. the next day. Visit our Emergency School Closing Information webpage for more information.
Cold Weather Reminders
With frigid temperatures expected in the Chicago area over the next week, we also wanted to share a couple of reminders for families:
- In order to preserve our classroom pods and COVID-19 safety protocols, we will not be able to allow students to enter their buildings early in cold weather. Please arrive at the designated time and ensure that students are dressed in warm layers.
- In the event of single-digit temperatures or wind chill, students will remain indoors during the school day. Elementary students will still be provided a snack break of no more than 15 minutes, following the school safety protocols for COVID-19.
Keep D97 Safe: Please Avoid Non-Essential Travel
Travel increases the risk of exposure to the coronavirus for our students, staff and community. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. The Cook County Department of Public Health recommends that residents avoid all non-essential activities, including school and work, for 14 days upon their return to suburban Cook County. If staff, students or families travel out of state for more than 24 hours, they should not report to school. The district's quarantine requirements are outlined in our Framework for Reopening Schools.
FLYER: COVID-19 and Travel Guidance for District 97 Students and Staff >
D97 to Host Virtual Parent-to-Parent Circle Series
District 97 families are invited to join our upcoming Virtual Parent-to-Parent Series, which will be facilitated in partnership with the E-Team of Oak Park. Events will be held:
- Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 18, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 29, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The sessions are designed to build community among District 97 parents and guardians and provide support as we navigate hybrid learning. The intention is for parents/guardians to attend all three sessions to help build a consistent community, but if you cannot make the first session you may still attend the others. Please let us know your availability in the registration form so that we can plan accordingly.
The deadline to register is Tuesday, Feb. 16. To sign up, please visit https://bit.ly/D97ParentCircles.
Morning Drop Off/Pick Up and Car Pool
If you are driving your child to school and NOT using the carpool option please DO NOT park on Grove Avenue and Harvard Street (east of Kenilworth Avenue). The cul-de-sac is for drop off and pick up only. Please do not park there during drop off and pick up. You are still welcome to park and walk up on the other surrounding streets.
CAR POOL INFORMATION
DROP-OFF ROUTINE:
- Enter the carpool line heading eastbound from Fillmore Street.
- Turn left onto Kenilworth Avenue into the cul-de-sac behind Lincoln School.
- Please do not block the staff parking lot so that teachers and staff can enter and be on time for the start of school.
- Have your student ready to exit the car, with backpacks and materials before you arrive to the student drop off location in the cul-de-sac.
- Students must exit the car on the curb side only.
- Continue moving once you have dropped your child(ren) off
- Enter the carpool line heading eastbound from Fillmore Street.
- Turn left onto Kenilworth Avenue into the cul-de-sac behind Lincoln school.
- Please do not block the staff parking lot so that teachers and staff can leave and be on time for remote learning.
- Make sure your student sign** is displayed in the passenger side window of the dashboard
- Continue moving once you have picked your child(ren) up
Lincoln School Spirit Wear
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