Lincoln Bulletin
September 15, 2023
Lincoln School
Lincoln leopards are respectful, responsible, and safe!
District Strategic Commitment-TOGETHER building pathways of Excellence!
Email: michelle.woodring@d303.org
Website: Lincoln.d303.org
Location: 211 South 6th Ave, St. Charles
Phone: 331-228-2501
Facebook: facebook.com/LincolnElementary
Twitter: @LincolnD303
Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, 9/26- Run-A-Thon
Wednesday, 9/27- Elementary Early Release
Monday, 10/2-All School Assembly--Steel Hockey assembly
Wednesday, 10/4-Walk to School Day
Thursday, 10/5-Conferences-No School for Students
Friday, 10/6-Conferences-No School for Students
Monday, 10/9-Indigenous Peoples Day/Columbus Holiday-No School for Students
Friday, 10/13- Picture Day Make Ups
Principally speaking
Today was our monthly PTO meeting, and I want to say thank you to our parents who have stepped up to work to support our school community. So far our PTO has funded our welcome back pizza party, our first day coffee, our family ice cream social and organizing and supporting our fund raising through our Run-A-Thon which is Tuesday September 26. Our PTO has also sponsored all of our students and staff to receive a Lincoln t-shirt which will be distributed next week in hopes that ALL students and staff wear these for our run-a-thon.
As many of you know this is the final year that Lincoln will serve as an elementary school it is also our 95th year, so we will celebrate this historical year in many ways. If you have interest or questions about the process the district is going through, please check out our updated web page, https://district.d303.org/facility-plan.
This week our school participated in our first town hall on Wednesday, our focus was task initiation. Below is information shared from our committee. Ask your son or daughter what they learned Wednesday and how this can help them.
What is task initiation? Task initiation is the ability to start a task. It includes overcoming procrastination and getting started on tasks even if you don’t want to do them. Obviously, this is a critical life skill, since there are many chores and tasks we must complete even when we don’t feel like doing them at the moment.
• Examples of Task Initiation •
Skills for task initiation can be difficult to spot, because it just appears like someone doing what they are “supposed” to do! Just a few examples of what task initiation looks like includes:
Starting an assignment in class right away after directions are given.
Cleaning your room when it needs to be done, without reminders or prompts.
Beginning a tough test or quiz, even if you aren’t 100% confident on the assignment.
• Possible Signs of Challenges with Task Initiation •
Learners who struggle with task initiation are frequently getting in trouble for not doing their work. While at first glance this can appear as intentional avoidance behavior, kids and young adults who struggle with task initiation really lack the skills to get themselves going. Again, this can be extremely frustrating for learners, since they often want to do their work but just don’t know how to start or get themselves in action. Being able to notice possible signs can be helpful to target these students early on.
Possible signs of challenges with task initiation include:
A student putting their head down when it is time to begin work independently.
Someone who finds other things to do when it’s time to work, such as sharpening pencil multiple times or getting a drink.
A student who says, “I don’t know what to do,” even if directions were just given.
A learner who just doodles on their paper instead of completing the task.
A child or young adult who is frustrated when trying to start their work.
• Interventions, Supports, and Strategies for Task Initiation •
Task initiation skills can certainly be improved with practice. Here are some activities, tasks, and ideas to help with task initiation needs in the classroom:
Teach task initiation and other EF skills explicitly
Practice brain breaks between tasks
Give choice for how to complete the task or demonstrate knowledge
Be explicit with directions and provide them orally and in writing
Incorporate areas of interest into the content and curriculum (i.e. the price of skateboards in math)
Train a peer mentor to help the student in need get started on tasks
Practice the rocket ship countdown (Say: 5-4-3-2-1 blast off… on “blast off”, get up and get going!)
Allow the student to work with a partner
Use a timer to countdown time to get to work
Have the student answer the questions before starting: What am I doing? What do I need? How can I start?
Make getting started like a race with a countdown
Pretend a set of assignments is like an escape room
Show a model of expected work prior to starting
Keep a reminder card on the student’s desk – “What should I be doing right now?”
Provide visuals with step-by-step directions for getting started
Identify which content areas are most challenging and reduce the difficulty to give momentum
Develop a work contract that highlights what the student should do during work time
Incorporate incentives and rewards for completing difficult tasks (use this free reward list to get some ideas)
Practice
problem-solving skills (i.e. “What could you do if you don’t know the answer to a problem?”)
Take turns writing out sentences or problems to get started together
Set up a clean and organized workspace without clutter
Reduce or eliminate distractions
Allow the student to complete every other problem or choose a certain number of problems
Lincoln Reminders
Pick up and drop off procedures
The car line on the north side of the building is for drop off, please do not park your car and get out. If you feel like your child needs assistance getting out of their car seat or you need to get out during the process please park your car in the library lot and you can walk them over to the door.
When picking up for an appointment early
If your son or daughter needs to leave school mid-day for an appointment, please understand that we will not call your child down to the office until you are here. Time in school is very limited and every moment counts, once you are here we will call them and promptly have them come down to leave with you, but we do not want to call ahead because often they are missing valuable instruction waiting for the pick up due to unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for understanding.
We would love to hear from you
During our Open House we had a survey from Ms. Wollak, please give us your feedback if you were unable to Monday.
https://forms.gle/VQxMBKbLeEbPUp5H7
Thank you,
A Message from Ms. Semenek
Dear Lincoln families,
Please note the following in order for your child to safely and actively participate in PE this year:
Tennis Shoes must be worn. No sandals, slick-soled shoes, rubber spikes, clogs, boots, heels, or croc-type shoes. These shoes are not safe for activity!
Shorts or Pants are appropriate for the gym. Shorts and leggings are recommended underneath skirts/dresses).
Illnesses or Injuries that would prevent your child from participating in PE should be explained in a note from you. A doctor’s excuse is necessary for any child missing more than three days of gym.
Weather is changing, so please send your child to school in layers (sweaters/jackets) recommended as we will be going outside even throughout the winter months.
Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Thank you for your cooperation.
Ms. Semenek
Staff Spotlight
Name: Ashley Barczak
Occupation: First Grade Teacher
Years in Education: Year 8
Family: Husband (Joe), Daughter (Blaire), Son (Coming at the end of January)
Pets: French Bulldog named Doug
Favorite sport: I love to run and play soccer. I l enjoy watching football and wrestling
Favorite thing to do over the weekend: Relax and spend time outside with my family
Best places to visit: Anywhere with a clear beach
Favorite children’s book: What Do You Do With An Idea?
One wish: That time would slow down!
Favorite food: Seafood but I love all food!
Dairy Queen or Oberweis? Oberweis
Favorite Season: Fall
Favorite College: University of Illinois
Favorite Team: Chicago Bears
Airplane or Road trip: Road Trip
Fun Facts: I am a triplet. I wrote a children's book freshman year of college. I love my job and working with 1st graders!
Parent Education Sessions
District 303 is pleased to present its lineup of Parent Education sessions for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Parent Education series (formerly Parent University) includes informational meetings and workshops intended to empower parents and guardians to support their children’s academic, social and emotional needs. Become informed on specialized topics, engage in two-way dialogue with speakers and fellow parents, and become a support resource for others.
Sessions for this school year will focus on bullying prevention, addressing anxiety, and include film screenings and discussions about the impact of screen time and cultural awareness. The schedule also includes college preparation workshops hosted by our high schools. Sessions were selected based in part on feedback from District 303 parents.
Explore the full lineup of sessions here. Signup forms for each session will be made available closer to the session dates. New this year, you can also register for Parent Education notifications and receive alerts as new information and session recaps become available.
A Nursing Note from Miss Christy:
Attention parents/guardians of kindergarten, 2nd grade and new students to Lincoln:
Evidence of your students immunizations and a current physical performed by a licensed medical provider must be turned in by October 15th, 2023 per Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1). Failure to turn in these forms will result in your child being excluded from school starting October 16th until these requirements are met.
Students entering an Illinois school for the first time, including kindergarten students, require proof of a current vision examination performed by a licensed provider by October 15th, 2023 per Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/27-8.1).
Students who are new to District 303 and Illinois schools must submit health records (physical examination with immunization record, dental examination and vision examination) within 30 days of entering school. These will be reviewed by the nurse for compliance.
Students in kindergarten and 2nd grade must submit evidence of a dental examination by May 15th of this school year. Dental exams must be completed within 18 months of May15th or November 15th of 2022.
Resources are available. If you require additional assistance please contact the Lincoln School Health Office Nurse at 331-228-2504 or through email at christy.mathern@d303.org.
Grade Level Requirements Date Due Kindergarten 10/15/2023 or exclusion 10/15/2023 or exclusion 10/15/2023 5/15/2023 exam 11/15/22 -5/15/2023 New Student to Illinois Vision Examination 10/15/2023 Health Records Within 30 days 10/15/2023 or exclusion New Student to District 303 Health Records Within 30 days 10/15/2023 or exclusion 2nd Grade Dental Examination 5/15/2023 exam 11/15/22 -5/15/2023
Thank you,
Michelle Woodring, Principal
Christy Mathern, Lincoln School Health Office Nurse
Wendy Landers, Lincoln School Certified School Nurse
RUN-A-THON
11th Annual Lincoln Run-A-Thon
The Run-a-Thon kicked off this week! This is an annual fundraiser for the Lincoln PTO. Students will participate in the Run-a-Thon during P.E. class on Tuesday, September 26. Parents are welcome to participate with their students that day! Funds raised go right back to supporting Lincoln School, Students and Staff. Please make sure to look for the packet of information that came home with your student. Thanks for your support!
RUN-A-THON CLASS SCHEDULE
8:20a - 3rd Grade
9:20a - 2nd Grade & AM Kindergarten
10:20a - 4th Grade
11:20a - 1st Grade
12:50p - 5th Grade
1:50p - All Day & PM Kindergarten
Family Contact Info - Please verify for your family!
District 303 would like to remind families to make sure the contact information you’ve provided is up-to-date. We want to ensure you’re getting timely alerts on important notifications.
Prior to the start of class, District 303 will send test messages through its mass communication system to the contact information you have on file (email, text and phone). This is the way the District and your child’s school(s) contact you when sending mass messages simultaneously.
Visit the Home Access Center website for information on how to view and edit your contact settings.
View Notification Preferences/Enable Text Messages
District 303 will send notifications to families through the ParentLink system by text message, phone call and email based on your settings. Parents/guardians can view and edit their contact settings through the Home Access Center.
To receive timely emergency communications, we strongly encourage families to enable text notifications. For most people, this is the fastest way to receive and view important messages. Here’s how:
- From the HAC main menu, select the “registration” tab to view your contact settings
- Select the “edit” button to change your contact settings
- To enable text message notifications, enter your cell phone number in the Cell/Text field
- Select the “save” button
Please call the Attendance Line to Report an Absence
If your student is going to be late or absent, please call 331-228-2500 and press 1 to report the absence and the reason. Leave a message on the attendance line as soon as possible that morning or the night before. Thank you for your help in verifying absences from school.
Staff Recognition and Acknowledgement
Big Hearts of Fox Valley
For the 10th year in a row, D303 is again partnering with Big Hearts of Fox Valley, which supports families in need during the holiday season. Big Hearts of Fox Valley Holiday Giving Program's purpose is to provide holiday gifts for D303 students and their younger siblings whose families face significant financial hardship. Through Big Hearts, members of the D303 community anonymously shop for wish list items. D303 social workers will review applicants. If you are struggling and facing significant financial hardship and would like assistance providing holiday gifts to your children, click here. If you would like to help Big Hearts by "adopting" a child this Holiday season, click here. You can visit the Big Hearts of Fox Valley website for more information.
St. Charles East Girls Volleyball Team would like to invite your elementary & middle school students to our volleyball clinic. Students in Grades 2nd-8th are invited to join St. Charles East Girls Volleyball for a clinic on Saturday, September 16th from 1:00-3:00PM @ St. Charles High School Main Gym. D303 students can register via PushCoin and out of district students can fill out the registration form below. Cost is $40 and includes a t-shirt.