The Lion's Roar
News & Events for Lincoln Families | August 16th, 2019
IMPORTANT DATES/THINGS TO REMEMBER
August
Emails to be sent notifying you of your Lion’s classroom teacher -- August 16th -- evening
Kindergarten Family Meet-n-Greet in the Park sponsored by our PTO -- August 24th -- 3:00-5:00pm -- Maple Park
Supply Drop-off and Meet Your Teacher (Kindergarten only) -- August 27th, 5:00-5:45pm
Supply Drop-off only (grades 1-5) See details below-- August 27th -- 5:30-7:00pm
First Day of School -- August 28th -- 8:00-2:30pm
First Day of School Coffee, Donuts & Photos for Kindergarten families (hosted by our DIVCO) -- 7:30-8:00am
September
Labor Day -- No School -- September 2nd
(PTO Sponsored) Lincoln Parents Happy Hour 5:00-7:00pm Murphy's 7414 West Madison, Forest Park -- September 6th
Picture Day - September 9th (Details to follow)
Curriculum Night -- September 11th -- (Details to follow)
PTO Back to School Picnic – September 13th – 5:00-7:30pm – Maple Park
Discussion of Liaison Group for Developing Our Spanish Immersion Program - September 25th from 6:00-8:00pm
October
Coffee & Conversation with Principal Zaniolo (Roundtable discussion format) -- 3 Sessions: October 15, 17, & 23 from 6:00-8:00pm
A Message From Principal Zaniolo...
Hello Lincoln Families,
We are getting close to the first day of school, and we are EXCITED to see our Lions return! Everyone on the Lincoln team is hard at work preparing for a fun and exciting school year! Personally, I am thrilled to be able to welcome EVERYONE into our Lincoln community and family...our Lions' Pride.
My hope is that the information in this edition of The Lion's Roar helps to paint a picture for what you can expect starting on day one. Please read it carefully and reach out with any questions. Next week, I will also include additional directions and visuals so that you know exactly where to bring your Lion on Wednesday, August 28th. Remember, that first day is a shortened day and we will dismiss at 2:30pm.
On that first day, and in weeks that follow, we will set the stage and the routines that will strengthen our community and create the environment that will empower our Lions' learning. Throughout this year we will reinvigorate what it means to be a Lincoln Lion. It is much more than just being a student. Lincoln Lions THINK critically, FEEL compassionately, COMMUNICATE authentically, and ACT courageously. These are traits that I truly believe every child can and should learn. As a community, we are all educating our Lions...and remember...we are teaching our Lions to ROAR!
Warmly,
Laura Zaniolo
(she / her / hers)
Lincoln Lion & Principal
Abraham Lincoln Elementary
Welcome New Lincoln Lion Teachers!
Ms. Anna Carr - Art
Ms. Salome Yigzaw - Kindergarten
Mrs. Catherine Meredith - Kindergarten
Ms. Lisa Rudin - 1st Grade
Mrs. Rachel Kiferbaum - K-2 Special Education
Ms. Yolanda Manns - 2nd Grade
Mrs. Xelina Cortez - 2nd Grade
Mrs. Corynne Romine - 3-5 Special Education
Ms. Michelle Gearhart-Yala - 3-5 Special Education
Mrs. Rachel Muren - 4th/5th ELA & SS in Spanish Immersion
Mrs. Amy Anderson - GTD
Lincoln Teachers Who Have Switched Roles this Year
Sra. Kimberly Rosales - Kindergarten in Spanish Immersion
Mrs. Erica Childress - 3rd Grade
Ms. Claire Bartell - 3rd Grade
Sra. Julie Jacobo - 3rd Grade in Spanish Immersion
We also wish the following Lincoln team members well as they have moved on this summer...
Mrs. Emilie Dolan - Special Education
Mrs. Anna Biggins - Special Education
Mrs. Mina Caputo - Special Education
Mrs. Kathryn Jenkins - Kindergarten
Mrs. Carolyn Koegler - 1st Grade
Mrs. Katharine Klette - 2nd Grade
Mr. Salvadore Delorea - Custodian
Lincoln Is Hiring for Lunch & Recess Supervisors
Urgent Call for Volunteers!
Construction - We are still on pace, however, it looks like we won't be able to set up classrooms until Sunday, August 25th. That means we're going to need some extra hands. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves to help our teachers?
Call for Volunteers! Please consider volunteering to help our teachers finish setting up their classrooms and our media center on any or all of the following dates -- August 25th (Sunday), August 26th (Monday), and the 27th (Tuesday). Teachers will need help unpacking, creating bulletin boards, setting up classroom libraries, room arrangements and much more. I would love to have at least one volunteer available for every teacher...that's 50+ volunteers needed!
Thank you to our PTO for helping to coordinate this volunteer sign up. Please use this link to sign up and help our teachers get the learning spaces ready for our Lions.
Classroom Assignments
Supply Drop Off Day & School Supply Lists (update)
We will be hosting a supply drop off this year...and we’re looking for volunteers! Please use this link to sign up and help.
This school-wide supply drop off will NOT be a formal meet-and-greet with teachers. Due to the construction, we will only have a short time to prepare the school, so most teachers will be finishing the set up of their classrooms. While some teachers may be ready for a meet and greet, most will not. If individual teachers anticipate being able to host a meet-and-greet for their specific homerooms, they will reach out directly to their families with that information. Those events will also take place on Tuesday, August 27th. Times will vary based on the teacher’s availability.
The school-wide supply drop off event will be for grades 1-5 on Tuesday, August 27th from 5:30-7:00pm. You will be able to bring your Lion’s supplies, bagged and clearly-labeled with their NAME and HOMEROOM TEACHER’S NAME, to Lincoln’s main lobby. We will have volunteers ready to receive those supplies and deliver them to the homeroom teachers’ classrooms.
Because not all families are able to purchase supplies for school, we will also have boxes located outside the office to collect any school supplies you would like to donate to support another Lincoln Lion.
If you need a copy of the supply list, I have included a direct link to the supply lists here for easy access.
First Day Details & What to Know
You can access the Lincoln Family Tip Guide HERE.
First Day Kickoff, hosted by our Diversity Committee (DIVCO)
Emergency Practice Drills - 2019-20 School Year
We take safety seriously at Lincoln. We have several safety drills we practice each year to ensure that students and staff know what to do if we are ever faced with these types of emergencies.
Our teachers are extremely caring and want to ensure that our students aren't scared during these drills. Teachers have age-appropriate conversations with students to prepare them for the drill and reassure them that they are safe.
Fire Drills
The school will conduct several fire drills during the 2019-2020 school year. This is a Fire Code requirement as well as a requirement by the Oak Park D97 Elementary School District.
Severe Weather Drill
The school will conduct one severe weather drill. Students will be escorted by staff members into our severe weather locations. Students are instructed as to what they would do in case of an actual weather-related emergency.
Lockdown Drill
The school will conduct one lockdown drill over the course of the school year. This type of drill will secure the school building and safely shelter all students, staff, and visitors inside the building. The purpose of this drill is to keep students safe from any danger outside or inside the building. In the event of an actual lockdown, no one will be allowed to enter or leave the building until the authorities authorize such a release.
Snack Procedures at Lincoln
When your Lions come to Lincoln School, our first priority is to keep them safe. Due to the number of students with food allergies in our school, we have put the following snack guidelines in place for all classrooms. Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a safe learning environment for ALL of our Lions!
Students will keep their zippered lunch boxes in our lunch bin outside of the classroom.
Students may eat a healthy snack, such as fresh fruits or fresh vegetables, in the classroom mid-morning.
Students will wash hands at the beginning of the day, after snack, and after lunch to help minimize traces of allergens in our classrooms.
Students should not share food at any time.
We are grateful to you and your students for understanding the need for these precautions. Our teachers and entire Lincoln staff appreciate your help in keeping our children safe! There will be additional communication from Mrs. Donovan, our school nurse.
Previously Communicated Information...
Spanish Immersion Liaison Group to Support Programmatic Planning
If you are interested in attending this discussion session and have not signed up, please use the link below to do so.
Beginning this fall, I would like to form a liaison committee for our Spanish Immersion Program. I would like for this group to be connected to our broader Spanish Immersion community and represent diverse perspectives. My hope is for this group to be a regular sounding board as we work together to develop our Spanish Immersion program in a way that is research-based, data-informed, accessible to more of our Lions, and with clear programmatic goals, scope and sequence, and communication for families. I will host a community discussion on this topic on Wednesday, September 25th from 6:00-8:00pm in our Media Center. If you are interested in this work, please RSVP using the link below.
Discussion: Creating a Liaison Group for Developing Our Spanish Immersion Program
Wednesday, Sep 25, 2019, 06:00 PM
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Special Board Meetings: Community Feedback Sessions about Equity
Special Board Meeting #2: Community Feedback Sessions about Equity
Monday, Aug 19, 2019, 06:30 PM
Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, South Kenilworth Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
2019-2020 Student Fees
Student fees may be paid beginning July 1 and are due by September 30, 2019
· Elementary Grades K – 2 $160
· Elementary Grades 3 – 5 $180
Student fee payments can be paid online at http://www.op97.org by selecting WebStore under Payments tab. You can also pay directly via https://oakpark.revtrak.net/. The preferred method of payment is online but you may also pay by check or cash attached to the appropriate fee form. Fee forms are available at op97.org, at the schools, and at the District Office. For more information regarding student fees, please contact the Business Office at (708) 524-7625.
Please note that students qualifying for free or reduced lunch may be considered for a school fee reduction or waiver based on economic hardship. If you are applying for free or reduced-price meals, then it is important to complete the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Application and submit to your student’s school or to the Business Office as soon as possible to ensure timely processing. These applications must be filled out on an annual basis and are available online at http://www.op97.org/business-office/food-service, at the individual schools, and at District 97 Administrative Office located at 260 Madison. For additional information regarding the foodservice program or the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Application, please call (708) 524-7629.
If you have applied for a fee waiver, please wait for approval before paying fees.
Be Ready for Lunch on the First Day of School
Mealtime Online is available to monitor student balances and make lunch deposits You can pay by clicking the following Mealtime link. https://www.mymealtime.com/
Celebrating the Lincoln Team
Families, have you noticed a Lincoln teacher or staff member who deserves a compliment or a thank you? Has this person made a difference for your Lion? Please share the reason in a brief message to me using this link, WeAreAllLions!, so that we may recognize and thank them!
Contact Principal Zaniolo
Email: lzaniolo@op97.org
Website: https://www.op97.org/lincoln
Location: Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL, USA
Phone: (708) 524-3110
Contact Our Lincoln PTO
- Send Us An Email: We'd love to hear from you!
- What's Up at Lincoln (WUAL): Lincoln PTO's e-newsletter to stay up to date with all the offerings, activities, and opportunities provided by your PTO. Make sure to subscribe using the link above.
- Lincoln PTO Facebook Page
- Lincoln PTO Website
- Kindergarten - Oak Park Lincoln Class of 2025 Facebook Page: Led by Lincoln kindergarten parents and assisted by PTO, this is a new resource page for 2019-20 Kindergarten parents to connect, meet some other new families, and ask questions!