The Lion's Roar
News & Events for Lincoln Families | September 6th, 2019
IMPORTANT DATES/THINGS TO REMEMBER
September
CORRECTION: Picture Day - September 10th
Curriculum Night -- September 11th -- (Details below)
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 (General program), October 17 (Special Education), & October 23 (Spanish Immersion) from 6:00-8:00pm
Parent/Teacher Conferences - Thursday and Friday, October 24th and 25th, beginning at 11am. School will dismiss at 11:00am on both days.
Halloween Parade - October 31st (Details to follow)
November
- Institute Day - No School for Lions - Friday, November 1st
A Message From Principal Zaniolo...
Hello Lincoln Families,
What a way to launch the year! We are off to the races and our Lions are starting strong!
With the emphasis on building community and "what it means to be a Lion," there is a tremendously positive feeling throughout the school. We will continue to foster our community. We will continue teaching that Lincoln Lions THINK critically, FEEL compassionately, COMMUNICATE authentically, and ACT courageously. We will begin to dive into deeper learning, but we will not underestimate the importance of reinforcing and maintaining a high level of expectations for all of our Lions. I want all Lincoln Lions to grow into their best selves...as learners, as individuals, and as members of our larger community.
On Wednesday, when you come to our curriculum night, I look forward to spending some time with each you. I will share the common themes I heard from you, the families, staff, and students of Lincoln, as I have listened and spoken with you over these last several months. I will also share how this community input has shaped our school-wide priorities and our plan for how we will build on our strengths and improve in the areas where we need to grow. It will be a journey, but it's one we will walk together, and it's one we have all ready begun.
Have a wonderful weekend, and see you next week!
Laura Zaniolo
(she / her / hers)
Lincoln Lion & Principal
Abraham Lincoln Elementary
The Lion's Roar, my Principal's newsletter will now be sent out to the Lincoln community on a biweekly basis. On "off" weeks, you can expect to receive a classroom communication / newsletter from your Lion's teacher(s) called, From the Lion's Den.
Time-sensitive news or clarifications will still be sent out as needed.
Curriculum Night!!!
Teachers, Tours, and Principal Talks, OH MY!!
1. Community Meeting with Principal Zaniolo
2. Classroom/Grade Level Curriculum Presentations
3. Self-Guided Tour of Our New Facilities
Wednesday Night Schedule:
5:00-5:25 K-1 & Big MAC (Cooper & Wilson) Community Meeting with Principal Zaniolo - (auditorium)
5:30-6:10 K-1 & Big MAC (Cooper & Wilson) Class/Grade Level Presentations
5:50-6:15 2nd-3rd Community Meeting with Principal Zaniolo - (auditorium)
6:20-7:00 2nd-3rd Class/Grade Level Presentations
6:40-7:05 4th-5th Community Meeting with Princpal Zaniolo - (auditorium)
7:10-7:50 4th-5th Class/Grade Level Presentations - (classrooms / team in cafeteria; Muren/Smith in Tinkering Lab in media center)
Self-Guided Walking Tours:
Self-guided walking tours will start in the main lobby. They will start down the 1st grade hallway. There will be points of interest along the way. At each point of interest, we will have 5th grade service team members ready to present a little information about the new space.
Points of Interest:
1. Courtyard (with what some Lions' are now calling the "hot tub," see picture above)
2. New "B" wing (no entry of classrooms in this wing)
3. Model Classroom (off of Media Center)
4. Media Center (Library, STEAM room, Tinkering Lab)
5. Pond (because who doesn't love taking a look at the pond)
6. Cafeteria
The route will be well-marked. I ask that all families taking the tour stay on the route and do not enter any classrooms that are not designated stopping points. Please do not wander the rest of the building. We appreciate your cooperation.
Upcoming Assessments
Next week we will begin the Fall testing window for the NWEA MAP Assessment. Testing will take place in grades 2-5 over the next two weeks. Lions will take one assessment in reading and one assessment in math. These assessments generally take about 60-90 minutes each to complete, however they are not timed, and students are provided additional time if needed.
BAS reading assessments
This school year, District 97 teachers in grades K-5 will administer the Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) as a one-to-one assessment and instructional tool to help identify students’ specific reading strengths and appropriate reading levels for small-group instruction. The BAS will be administered to students Monday, September 9 through Friday, October 4.
This assessment helps teachers to:
- Learn about their students’ reading behaviors, including their reading fluency, comprehension, and word-solving skills.
- Select “just right” books for every student at their independent reading level (without teacher support) and instructional reading level (with teacher support).
- Meet students where they are to help them make progress as readers.
Reading levels serve as a helpful tool to guide learning and provide differentiated reading instruction for your child. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about the Benchmark Assessment System or your child’s progress in reading.
IMPORTANT - Morning Drop Off
GTD Programming
Attendance & Absences
If you prefer, you can call the attendance line at 708-665-3067
Home Avenue Pedestrian Bridge - Revised Walking Route
Information From Our PTO
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
PTO needs volunteers to work a 30-minute shift selling pizza and hot dogs. Just 30 minutes! Four volunteers per shift so grab a friend and friend and help make the picnic a success. We cannot do it without you! Sign up HERE.
PING - PING! is a volunteer organization that provides equal access to music by loaning instruments and providing music opportunities, mentoring, and scholarships to families
Previously Communicated Information...
Lincoln Is Hiring for Lunch & Recess Supervisors
"From The Lion's Den | Your Child's Teacher Edition"
You should have received at least one communication from your Lion(s)' teacher(s). In these communications, you will be given updates from the teacher regarding classroom news, rules, important routines, units of study, celebrations, upcoming assessments/tests, events/announcements, and information on how to contact/communicate with your Lion's teacher. Your partnership is a critical piece of your Lion's learning.
Say CHEESE! - Picture Day Is Around The Corner (September 10th)
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.
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
Twitter: @MsZaniolo
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 Parents' Facebook Group Page - Hosted by PTO
- 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!