Looking Ahead at Lincoln
Week of March 27-31, 2023
Day Rotation
Week of 3/27-3/31/2023
- Monday – Day 2
- Tuesday – Day 3
Wednesday – Day 4
Thursday – Day 5
- Friday – Day 1
Week of 4/3-4/7/2023
- Monday – Day 2
- Tuesday – Day 3
Wednesday – Day 4 - Early Dismissal at Noon - No School for Kindergarten
Thursday – No School - Spring Break
- Friday – No School - Spring Break
Important Information
Kindergarten Registration for the 2023 – 2024 School Year
Kindergarten registration packets for the 2023 – 2024 school year are available at all elementary school offices. Students MUST be 5 years of age BEFORE September 8th to be eligible for enrollment in kindergarten this fall. To register a child for kindergarten, please complete the 2023-2024 Kindergarten Registration Sign-Up form (It will open for submission on 2.1.23). 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, Mrs. Loree Sharp (lsharp@mtlsd.net), or call the Lincoln Office, at 412-344-2147 to make an appointment to drop off registration materials.
Click on the Links below for helpful information to begin this process:
Lincoln School Office 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!
Upcoming Events
The Blooming Dahlia 5th Grade Farewell Fundraiser
End of Quarter and Report Cards for Quarter 3
The 3rd Nine Weeks ended on Friday, March 24, 2023. Grades and report cards for Quarter 3 will go live in Dashboard and be emailed to families on Monday, April 3, 2023. Questions about the grades and comments posted for individual students should be directed to the appropriate classroom teacher.
Elementary District Orchestra Concerts
Under the direction of Mrs. Harris and Mr. DeLaurentis, our Lincoln Orchestra students have been diligently preparing for their upcoming spring concert. Their district-wide orchestra shows are set for Monday, March 27th or Tuesday, March 28th following the schedule below.
Monday, March 27 at 7:00 pm
- 3rd Grade students from Howe, Jefferson and Markham
- 4th Grade students from all 7 schools
Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00 pm
- 3rd Grade students from Foster, Hoover, Lincoln and Washington
- 5th Grade students from all 7 schools
Both concerts will be held in the Mt. Lebanon High School auditorium. We can't wait to see our students on stage next week!
Attack Theatre Program - Sponsored by the Lincoln PTA
On Friday, March 31st, we will host the Science Moves! program from Attack Theatre.
“Simple machines come to life in this interactive dance performance by Attack Theatre. This engaging assembly program combines artistic, athletic, and expressive movement to embody STEAM concepts through the power of creative play. With bold physicality and cheerful camaraderie the dancers embark on a “live action book report,” bringing the fun-filled world of dance into a science classroom. Science Moves blends story-telling with the principles of science to enhance classroom learning through the spirit of invention. This program includes a robust curriculum guide that teachers can use in the classroom before and after the performance.”
More information about Attack Theatre can be found at their website linked here - https://www.attacktheatre.com/. We want to thank the Lincoln PTA for sponsoring this worthwhile program for our students!
PMEA Elementary Band Fest West Selections
Congratulations to the following 5th Grade students for being accepted to participate in the 2023 PMEA District 1 Elementary Band Fest West to be held on March 31-April 1, 2023 at Shaler Area Elementary School.
- Frankie Carney, Clarinet
- Oliver Davies, Trumpet
- Elisa Patrick, Alto Saxophone
5th and 6th grade students from throughout Western Pennsylvania were selected to participate in a two-day musical experience which will culminate in a performance on Saturday afternoon. We are very proud of these students' accomplishments and know that they will be wonderful representatives from Lincoln Elementary!
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
Early Dismissal on April 5
- Students in Grades 1 – 5 will have an early dismissal at Noon on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Students will not eat lunch in the school this date.
- Both Morning and Afternoon kindergarten sessions are canceled this date.
Paraprofessional Appreciation Day - April 6th
"Paraprofessional Appreciation Day honors paraprofessional educators, who may also be known as paras, instructional assistants, or teacher's aides. It is unknown how the day began, but some sources claim it was first designated by a Missouri governor, although it is not known when this occurred. Paraprofessionals perform a variety of teacher-related jobs and often assist teachers in classrooms. They may work with students on supplemental enrichment activities, either in small groups or one-on-one. They may also help students complete assignments or practice reading. Paraprofessionals often work with students with special education needs and a variety of disabilities. They may also supervise students outside of classrooms and help teachers with clerical work."
(quotation from https://www.checkiday.com/01ce443cf2895e95dfc8798ae610ce8a/paraprofessional-appreciation-day)
Here at Lincoln we say "THANK YOU!" to the following paraprofessional staff members:
- Ms. Heidi Fimognari
- Mrs. Lori Green
- Mrs. Helen Kurek
- Mrs. Cindy Nichols
- Ms. Amy Peeler
- Mrs. Amy Work
Spring Break - April 6-10, 2023
Students will be on spring break from Thursday, April 6 – Monday, April 10. School resumes for students and staff on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. We hope that everyone has a restful and safe spring break!
Lincoln Science Fair 2023
2023 Science Fair
Calling All 2nd - 5th Grade Students
Reschedule to Thursday, April 13, 2023
6:00 - 8:00 PM
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Work by yourself or with a friend and discover something new! Projects can cover just about any topic. Your experiment can be done in an afternoon or over a few weeks—you get to choose!
All participating student scientists are asked to create a display board and speak knowledgeably about their projects. The Judges will visit each project and speak with the student(s). Further details and requirements will be emailed once we receive your online registration. You should expect an email with those additional details the coming weeks.
During the Science Fair, we will have snacks and science-based fun for the entire family. Every scientist will receive a participation ribbon and the top three projects at each grade level will receive trophies.
Science is Fun!
Bring out your inner wacky scientist and participate in the 2023 Lincoln Science Fair!
Register online by clicking this link.
If you are a parent willing to volunteer to help assist with the event, please click HERE to complete the volunteer survey.
PSSA Testing Information
The 2023 PSSA testing window is scheduled for April-May 2023. Our students we will take these assessments as follows:
- April 24- April 26: Grades 3 - 5 (PSSA ELA Test)
- May 1 and May 2: Grades 3 - 5 (PSSA Math Test)
- May 4 and May 5: Grade 4 only (PSSA Science Test)
Please note that NO pre-approved absences will be approved (for the aforementioned grades) during the dates listed above.
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 24–26, 2023
- Students in Grades 3-5 will take the PSSA MATH tests on May 1–2, 2023
- Students in Grade 4 will take the PSSA SCIENCE tests on May 4–5, 2023.
Please read the information below regarding the District's administration of the assessments:
Information for ALL Students
ALL students in Grades 3-5 will take the ONLINE VERSION of the PSSAs this year.
Students have begun practicing using the online testing program so they are familiar and comfortable taking the PSSAs online.
Students in Grades 3-5 will be asked and expected to leave their Chromebooks and chargers at school starting on Monday, April 17th - this will allow us to make sure all devices are ready to go for testing the following weeks.
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
PMEA Elementary District 1 Sing Fest Selections
Congratulations to the following 5th Grade students for being accepted to participate in the 2023 PMEA District 1 Elementary Sing Fest to be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at West Allegheny High School.
- Esme Fracul-Conti
- Izabella Strother
- Thomas Wagner
150 fifth and sixth grade students from throughout Western Pennsylvania were selected to participate in this special musical event, which will serve to enrich their vocal abilities and overall musicianship. Students will work to prepare a number of challenging musical selections in the months leading up to the festival. On the day of this special event, they will rehearse with students from across the region, learn from a guest conductor, and present a concert for families. We are so proud of these students and know that they will represent Lincoln well!
Lincoln Gardening Volunteers
Technology Information
Investigations Math Resources
How many times have you said, "I don't understand this new math?" We have a solution! Investigations has a resource you can access online to help. Click on the button below, choose your child's grade level, and then the concept. Videos will be provided for every math concept that is taught.
Tech Tip of the Week
Schoology (LMS)
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. As of the Fall of 2022, all online assignments will be collected through Schoology.
Calendars in Schoology will have school events listed as well as course events and assignments. Beginning in 2022-2023, the Schoology calendar will replace Dashboard/PowerSchool as the primary calendar for classroom activity. Classroom assignments, due dates, reminders and other events will be posted by teachers in the Schoology calendar.
If you have questions or need support with Schoology, please email us at SchoologySupport@mtlsd.net
Schoology Information for Families
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.
For Students
- Students sign into Schoology using Clever, or at mtlsd.schoology.com with their Google account.
Schoology Family Experience
If you are interested in getting to know the family experience in Schoology, please consider checking out the following resources. The webinar series covered four major topics:
Each video is organized into "chapters," which you can use to find specific content within each video. You can do so either by scrolling across the video timeline, by clicking a chapter title, or by clicking a timestamp in the video description.
Awesome Abe School Wide Positive Behavioral Program
What is a School Wide Positive Behavioral Program?
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.
Inclusivity Calendar Events for March
Month Long Recognitions and Specific Dates in March
Month Long Recognitions
Irish American Heritage Month - This celebrates the heritage and culture, as well as honors contributions, of Irish Americans.
National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month - It was established to raise public awareness of the autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord and assist those with multiple sclerosis in making informed decisions about their health care.
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - This was established to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Women’s History Month - Started in 1987, Women’s History Month recognizes all women for their valuable contributions to history and society.
Specific Dates
March 8: International Women’s Day, first observed in 1911 in Germany, it has become a major global celebration honoring women’s economic, political and social achievements.
March 21: World Down’s Syndrome Day is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. The date was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.
March 21: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually in the wake of the 1960 killing of 69 people at a demonstration against apartheid pass laws in Sloth Africa. The United Nations proclaimed the day in 1966 and called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a United Nations international observation that offers the opportunity to honor and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. First observed in 2008, the international day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility, celebrated to bring awareness to transgender people and their identities and recognize those who helped fight for rights for transgender people.
March Holidays
- March 1: Ayyám-i-Há (Bahá'í)
March 1-20: Nineteen Day Fast (Bahá'í)
March 6: Magha Puja (Buddhist)
March 6 - 7: Purim (Jewish)
March 8: Holi (Hindu)
March 8-10: Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
March 22 - April 21: Ramadan (Islamic)
March 25: Feast of Annunciation (Orthodox Christian)
March 30: Rama Navami (Hindu)
Other Information
RECESS TEMPERATURE REMINDER
As we are still in the season of unpredictable weather, 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.
- 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.
- When the thermometer dips even lower, students must be prepared to wear jackets, hats and gloves during outside recess.
- We will go outside if the “feels like” temperature is at or above 15 ºF.
- Students may be permitted on the field even if snow is present. However, snow-style boots are a must for this.
- We check AccuWeather and The Weather Channel apps for the current local temperature and “feels like” temperature at several times each day.
Reporting a Positive COVID-19 Case
If your child is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your child's school nurse immediately. The direct contact for any illness/COVID-19 or injury related questions or reporting of symptoms should be your child's school nurse.
If your student is COVID positive, please complete the COVID Student Notification Form in addition to notifying the school nurse.
Check Your Clearances
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. Sharp at lsharp@mtlsd.net.
Links to Other 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.
Email: rkitsko@mtlsd.net
Website: www.mtlsd.org/Lincoln
Location: 2 Ralston Place, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-344-2147
Twitter: @LinkedAtLincoln