Looking Ahead at Lincoln

Week of 11/20 - 11/24/2023

• Monday –Day 3

• Tuesday – Day 4

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

• Thursday – No School - Thanksgiving Break

• Friday – No School - Thanksgiving Break

Week of 11/27- 12/1/2023

• Monday – Day 1
• Tuesday – Day 2
• Wednesday – Day 3
• Thursday – Day 4
• Friday – Day 5

Thank you so much to all of the volunteers who helped to make our Scholastic Book Fair a great success! Thank you to all of the Lincoln families and staff members who patronized our fair! If you didn't get the book you wanted, don't worry! The online book fair continues through November 23 - all purchases will ship directly to your home, and purchases still benefit our school!

Lincoln Book Fair Homepage -- scroll down to "Shop Now" for the Online Fair, running through November 23!

Congratulations to Fiona Black, Caroline Donahue, and Junia Nusser (third grade)! These three students submitted artwork which was displayed at the “Hope in the South Hills” event on November 13th at 7pm at Upper St. Clair High School. This inspirational evening of music and remembrance, showcased the remarkable talents of local students who presented readings and performed music that captured the enduring lessons learned from the Holocaust. These three students along with fellow K-12 students from the surrounding area had their artwork on display digitally during the event. Thank you Fiona, Caroline, and Junia for sharing your talents to showcase the importance of art, diversity, and inclusion!

• Students in Grades 1 – 5 will have an early dismissal at Noon on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. Students will not eat lunch in the school this date.
• BOTH sessions of kindergarten are cancelled this date.

School is closed for the Thanksgiving Break from November 23-26, 2023. School resumes for all students on Monday, November 27th. Be safe in your travels and we hope that everyone has a bountiful, restful, enjoyable and safe Thanksgiving Break.

On Friday, December 1, 2023, the PTA sponsored, Frosty Shop makes its annual return to Lincoln! Many parent volunteers have worked in preparation for this wonderful event. Homeroom classes will be able to shop at the Frosty Shop during the schedule listed below. Students and families may return after school for additional shopping time. Frosty Shop will close at 4:30 pm. Shoppers will need to enter the school via doors C-7 or C-8 starting at 3:30 pm.

The Grade 5 Chorus, Lincoln Elementary Orchestra and Lincoln Elementary Band students would like to invite you to attend their winter concert on Friday, December 15, 2023, starting at 2:30 pm. Families and guests of the student performers will need to access the school using Door A1. The students have worked extremely hard on this music and we would love to see you there!

Please direct all questions about this performance to Mrs. Showalter (chorus), Mrs. Harris & Mr. DeLaurentis (orchestra) or Mrs. Wockley (band).

On Wednesday, December 20th, 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.

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 21st
• Party from 10:30 – 11:15 AM

Students in afternoon kindergarten

• Thursday, December 21st
• Party from 2:45 –3:30 PM
  

Students in Grades 1 – 5

• Friday, December 22nd
• 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 22, 2023. 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 23-January 1st
• School resumes for all students on Tuesday, January 2, 2024
• Be safe in your travels and we hope that everyone has a wonderful Winter Break!

It’s almost time for the 2023–2024 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 8-12, 2024, 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 8th 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 2023-2024 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

Grades 1-5

• 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon

• 1:00 to 3:30 PM

• Late bells ring at 8:35 AM and 1:00 PM
  

Kindergarten (AM)

• 8:30 to 11:20 am
• Late bell rings at 8:35 AM
  

Kindergarten (PM)

• 12:40 to 3:30 PM
• late bell rings at 12:45 PM

As we have entered the fall weather season, 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. When the thermometer dips even lower, students should be prepared to wear hats and gloves during outside recess. We typically check AccuWeather and The Weather Channel apps for the current local temperature at approximately 11:55 am daily.

When a student is absent from school, the family must send a written excuse or an email within 3 school days to their student's teacher. If the excuse is not provided to the teacher by the third day, the absence will be considered illegal. If a student accumulates more than three days of unlawful absences, an attendance hearing at the school will be held and the matter may be referred to the local magistrate.

When a student is absent for five or more consecutive days for health reasons, the student must be readmitted to the school through the Health Office.

Students will not be granted more than five (5) days of pre-approved absences (form linked here) during the school year. The district attendance policy can be viewed by accessing the following link - JED - Students Absences and Excuses.

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.

Dear Families,

This month, we recognize National Stress Awareness Day and World Kindness Day. In this issue, we’ve included some resources for teaching gratitude and kindness, as well as positive coping skills for managing and coping with stress. Practicing gratitude can improve your physical and mental health, which can also improve relationships and self-confidence. By shifting your thoughts and attitude toward gratitude, you can decrease stress and worry and increase positive thinking and reflection. Practicing kindness can have a similar impact on your social and emotional well being. Countries from around the world will be encouraging and promoting kindness on World Kindness Day. Consider encouraging your family to do the same. Let’s continue to help make gratitude and kindness the norm, and tell someone that you appreciate them.

- The Elementary School Counseling Team

In the coming weeks, classrooms will be covering Unit 2 of our Second Step Program. More information about Unit 2, including an overview of what your child is learning and how to practice new skills at home, is linked by grade level below.

• National Family Caregivers Month - Proclaimed in 2012 by Former President Barack Obama, it honors the more than 40 million caregivers across the country who support aging parents, ill spouses, or other loved ones with disabilities who remain at home.
  

• National Native American Heritage Month - This celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors the contributions of Native Americans.

• November 7: US Election Day is the annual day set by law for the general elections of federal public officials.
• November 10: Veterans Day, a U.S. federal holiday honoring military veterans. The date is also celebrated as Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, in other parts of the world and commemorates the ending of World War I in 1918.
• November 16: International Day for Tolerance pays tribute to the values of peace, non-violence and equality on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi..
• November 19: International Men’s Day emphasizes the important issues affecting males, including health issues that affect males, improving the relations between genders, highlighting the importance of male role models, and promoting gender equality. This holiday is celebrated in over 70 countries.
• November 20: World Children’s Day, first established in 1954, it promotes international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children's welfare.
• November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia and draws attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people.
• November 23: Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
• November 25: Native American Heritage Day, designated by President George W. Bush in 2008, to pay tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States. Since then more than half of the states continue to celebrate this day.

• November 1: All Saints Day (Christian)
• November 4: Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru (Sikh, Hindu)
• November 12: Diwali (Hindu)
• November 12: Bandi-Chhor Divas (Sikh)
• November 24: Guru Tegh Bahadur's Martyrdom Day (Sikh)
• November 27: Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurpurab (Sikh)

Lunch

• Grade 3 (1 class), Grade 4 & Grade 5

Recess

• Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (2 classes)

12:25- 12:55pm

Lunch

• Grade 1, Grade 2 & Grade 3 (2 classes)

Recess

• Grade 3 (1 class), Grade 4 & Grade 5

12:55 pm

• Line up bell

12:58 pm

• Return to class bell

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. Calendars in Schoology will have school events listed as well as course events and assignments. Classroom assignments, due dates, reminders and other events will be posted by teachers in the Schoology calendar. We hope this video is useful as you get started with your account if you are new to Schoology.

Additionally, an orientation course for families, MTLSD’s Family Guide to Schoology, is available within the Schoology platform. Visit our website (www.mtlsd.org/families/technology/schoology) for directions to join this course. 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.

Click the image above to access a PDF were you can select the grade level you want to see

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. Majestic, who retired last year after 34 years as our art teacher. The mural will be located in the ground floor hallway, and will feature one of Mrs. Majestic’s favorite children’s books, Camille and the Sunflowers~ A story about Vincent van Gogh

by Laurence Anholt.

If you would like to contribute, you may give cash or write a check payable to Lincoln Mural Fund and write “Mrs. Majestic’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.

Email Bethann Rivera with any questions at brivera@mtlsd.net.

Please note, contributions in excess of what is needed for Mrs. Majestic’s mural will be used for future murals honoring Lincoln’s retirees.

We are working hard to get everything ready for Frosty Shop. We could use your help with assembling, tagging, packaging & crafting - no skill required! We have added days & times to the schedule, so please look HERE and sign up to help us in the Fan Room at Lincoln. (Seating is limited so please sign up for the time you plan on attending.)

If you don't have time but still want to help, please consider purchasing an item from our Amazon Wish List. We will be sharing a sign-up sheet soon asking for help with the setup and day-of activities. Frosty Shop is a really fun experience for the kids and we can't wait for it again this year!

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. Sektnan at dsektnan@mtlsd.net.

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.

Email: rkitsko@mtlsd.net
Website: www.mtlsd.org/Lincoln
Location: 2 Ralston Place, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-344-2147
X (formerly Twitter): @LinkedAtLincoln