Mayo High School Boys Basketball Game - Lincoln K-8 Night - January 7th

Students!Come and have some fun at Lincoln K-8 Night at the Mayo High School Boys Basketball Game on Saturday, January 7th
(JV begins at 6:00, Varsity at 7:30)
Admission is free for Lincoln students.
Wear your Lincoln t-shirt!
All students must be accompanied by a paying adult chaperone. Adult chaperone can bring more than one or several students.
CLICK HERE FOR EVENT FLYER

CORRECTION TO BARNES AND NOBLE FUNDRAISER INFORMATION!

PLEASE NOTE: THE BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKFAIR SUPPORTING LINCOLN IS ONLY AT THE ROCHESTER DOWNTOWN STORE (15 FIRST STREET SW) - NOT APACHE MALL...

Barnes & Noble Bookfair - In-Store:
December 9 -13 - Barnes and Noble Chateau - Downtown at 15 1st St SW
Lincoln will receive 10% of sales.
Must present attached voucher or mention Lincoln at check-out.

FREE Polar Express Party - December 9 7:00pm:
Location: Barnes and Noble Chateau (Downtown Location) in the Children's Department
Recommended Age Group: 2-11
Description: Please join us to ring in the season at a cozy holiday party where kids can participate in lots of fun activities, including a reading of the classic children's Christmas story: The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg!

Barnes & Noble Bookfair - Online:
December 9-18 - Visit bn.com/bookfairs
At the payment page, scroll to the bottom and choose “Check this box if it is a bookfair order.”
Enter bookfair ID as indicated. Lincoln’s bookfair ID is 10616480

E-mail this to friends and family who may be shopping at Barnes & Noble Dec. 9-18!

The money will be used to purchase books for our guided reading library. Last year it was used to purchase books for summer reading. Thanks in advance for supporting Lincoln!

zpizza Fundraiser - December 9

Lincoln will receive 20% of ALL sales from 2:00-8:30 p.m. at the ever so

tasty zpizza! No voucher needed. Tell your friends!

2^nd Floor at the Shops at University Square- 111 South Broadway, Rochester

Phone: (507) 424-0440 Order online: http://rochester.zpizza.com

Commissioner Cassellius Announces Visit to Lincoln - Thursday, December 8

The Minnesota Commissioner of Education, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, will visit Lincoln K-8 Choice School from 12:00 – 12:45 p.m. on Thursday, December 8. Dr. Cassellius will tour Lincoln, including the Zebrafish STEM Lab and the microscope suite. Students will share their extension projects in the areas of tissue regeneration, genetics and behavior, bone density, and sleep deprivation; and students will share an exciting school-wide chemistry and animal husbandry pilot project in preparation for partnership with new schools. Staff will share the partnership paradigm that allows Lincoln and InSciEd Out to build STEM partnerships locally, regionally, and nationally.

Later in the day, Dr. Cassellius will attend a town hall event in Rochester to talk about the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) waiver application to the federal government. Dr. Cassellius will give an overview of the waiver process and then speak directly with audience members who have questions or comments about the waiver. The town hall gathering will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. at the International Event Center in Rochester (7333 Airport View Drive Southwest).

This visit to Rochester is part of a series of statewide public meetings to provide information about Minnesota’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) waiver request. Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and MDE staff will embark on a statewide tour to present information about Minnesota’s waiver request and plans for a new accountability system that will more accurately and fairly measure progress. Cassellius says, “these meetings will provide the public an opportunity to hear about Minnesota's waiver request, ask questions and offer feedback.”

Uppers Informational Meeting - December 8 - 5:30pm

ATTENTION 5TH GRADE (and other interested) PARENTS:
UPPERS INFORMATIONAL MEETING
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011 - 5:30 TO 6:30 pm
SCIENCE LAB

During this meeting, information will be presented to help parents make an informed decision about finding the best fit for their middle school-aged children. Information will include:
• The main beliefs behind Lincoln’s Uppers program
• The structure, schedule and features of the Lincoln Uppers program
Uppers teachers will be there to answer your questions. Hope to see you there!

Student Count Forms Due - Grades 1-8 and Kindergarten

The 2012-2013 School Year Grade 1-8 Student Count Form will be sent home in backpacks this week. You can also download a copy of the form here - Grade 1-8 Student Count Form You can also find it in the Links to Documents section on the LincolnLincs. This form must be completed by every Lincoln family so that we can obtain an accurate student count for the next school year. Please fill out one form per family. Remember to provide information for each of your current Lincoln students and any other children who are not current Lincoln students but may be attending Lincoln next year (subject to space available). These forms are due by Friday, December 16.

If you have a student beginning Kindergarten at Lincoln next year, don't forget to complete the Kindergarten Sibling Count form and Application. You can download a copy of the form here - Kindergarten Sibling Count/Application or in the Links to Documents section of the LincolnLincs. These forms are due by Friday, December 2.

PPT President's Letter

Greetings!
Since it's still November and Thanksgiving season, I believe I can get away with presenting a list of things that made me thankful yesterday at our PPT meeting:

• I am thankful that superintendent, Mr. Mike Munoz, joined us at our PPT meeting, and that he understands how lucky we are to have our kids in such a learning-rich environment at Lincoln.
• I am thankful for Cathy Nathan who organized Mr. Munoz's visit to Lincoln. She is remarkable!
• I am thankful that our kids have Mr. S. encouraging and challenging them every day. How fortunate we are!
• I am thankful for the many parents who attended last night's meeting. I felt proud of the welcome we were able to give our new superintendent.
• I am thankful to our PPT secretary, Karen MacLaughlin, who made a welcome banner and had students sign it. It looked fabulous!
• I am thankful for the entire staff at Lincoln. They are the heart and soul -- and arms, legs, brains, etc. of the school.
• I am thankful for the many parents who volunteer to make Lincoln an extraordinary place, and I am thankful that I found a way to volunteer through PPT.
• I am thankful if you are still reading this, and if you haven't done so already, please consider attending our PPT meetings. The next one is scheduled for January 23rd in Lincoln's media center. If you come to the meeting, I'll be so thankful!

Chris Harmon, PPT Co-President

PPT Meeting - Meet Superintendent Munoz - Monday, November 28

Please join us to meet and greet Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Michael Munoz on Monday, November 28 at 7:00 in the Lincoln Gym. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers. Let's have a huge turnout and show our support for Lincoln!

InSciEd Out Parent Volunteers Needed

We are looking for two to three parents who could volunteer on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 to 12:30 for four weeks, starting the week of November 28 through the week of December 19. You would be working with intermediate (4/5) students to help them count zebrafish embryos, and doing setup and cleanup. Training will be provided! Email James Kulzer at jakulzer@rochester.k12.mn.us if you are willing to volunteer!

Online Safety to Digital Citizenship: Understanding Youth in an Online World - November 18

YIPA (Youth Intervention Programs Association) is hosting a conference called: From Online Safety to Digital Citizenship: Understanding Youth in an Online World. The presenters are Dr. David Walsh and his daughter Erin Walsh. CLICK HERE FOR THE CONFERENCE BROCHURE THAT GIVES MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE TRAINING AND HOW TO REGISTER.

AFTER ATTENDING YOU’LL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THESE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
• Are young people really good multi-taskers?
• Is Internet addiction real?
• What are healthy parameters around media use?
• Is technology connecting us or disconnecting us?
• What can young people do to become good, caring
digital citizens?

Skyward Parent Training - November 18

The SmartKids Parent Efficacy program is inviting you to atthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifend this free session to learn how to access and navigate through the Rochester Public Schools’ online Skyward program. Cheryl Burt will demonstrate how to best utilize several features offered on Skyward. Learn how to access your child’s school calendar, grades, assignments, report cards, disciplines, etc., in this half an hour presentation.

Please join us on Friday, November 18, 2011 from 12 noon – 12:30 pm OR 12:45 – 1:15 pm at the Northrop Community Education Center, located at 201 8th St NW. Room is limited to the first 14 parents per session. A computer will also be provided for each participant.

To register, please e-mail Juan Vasquez at juvasquez@rochester.k12.mn.us or call (507)328-5639.

2011 AUCTION = HUGE SUCCESS

Wow! The 2011 Lincoln Auction and Bake Sale was an enormous success and it could not have happened without all of you. Thanks to our amazing team of volunteers, bakers, donors and bidders, the Auction grossed over $28,000. With that money, the Lincoln PPT will be able to provide exceptional opportunities for our children. We truly have a rare and wonderful community at Lincoln that gives freely of their time and money to better the educations of all our children.

It’s not too early to start thinking about next year’s Auction. Next year’s co-chairs, Melissa Murphy and Nicci Watson, would love to have you as part of the volunteer team. As the year progresses more information regarding volunteering will be circulated. Please consider giving your time to this very worthy project. Also, if you have Auction baskets left over from your winning bids, we’d love to recycle them for next year. You may simply drop baskets off at the office.

Finally, a huge thanks to Betsy Schroeder who is stepping down from her co-chair role. Betsy has been an integral part of the Lincoln Auction for many years (and hopefully many years to come!) Thank you Betsy for always going above and beyond for Lincoln!

AUCTION YARD SIGNS

The Lincoln Auction was again a huge success. We would like to thank you for helping us advertise the auction and get the word out there. Now it is that time again. Please anyone who advertised the auction with a yard sign, it is now time to return those signs to be used another day. And again, thank you.

Lincoln "PICK YOUR FAVORITE DECADE DANCE" - Friday, November 18th

It's a dance for the decades!
K-5: 5:30-7:30pm. A parent needs to be on site with child.
6-8: 8:00 - 10:00 pm. We will need a signed parent permission form from every upper who plans on attending the dance.
Please bring a canned good to donate to Channel One.
Permission slips will be sent home this week.
Children can dress up in school appropriate clothes from their favorite decade. FREE!!!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! Parent Volunteers Needed For the Uppers Dance...Please indicate if you can volunteer on the permission form......

Lincoln InSciEd Out Video

CLICK HERE to view a video that highlights some of the successes at Lincoln and in Rochester Public Schools with InSciEd Out.

This video was created by Rochester Public Schools as part of the "Discover" section of the district website.  Visit Discover at www.rochester.k12.mn.us for the most recent videos, articles and news about what is great at Rochester Public Schools.

Junior First Lego League Registration is Open - Deadline November 23

Are you ready to have fun mastering the science of safely preparing food and building simple machines with LEGO elements including motorized moving parts? Check out this year's Junior First Lego League - "Snack Attack"!

CLICK HERE FOR THE REGISTRATION FORM or pick one up in the office

CLICK HERE FOR THIS YEAR'S JUNIOR FLL CHALLENGE!

Registration: deadline is November 23rd
Season: January to the week of March 5th.
Payment $15 per person
You can turn in the payment and registration form to Amy Krahn in the office.

Team Structure
• Lincoln Children in K - 3rd grade and between the ages of 5 and 9 years old.
• Teams will have 4-6 children
• Most teams meet over a 6-8 week period, once or twice a week.
• The coaches can structure team meetings (meeting times and overall program length) in a way that works for their team.

Involvement: This is our first year participating in Jr FLL at Lincoln. We need coaches. Jr FLL is easy to coach. No experience necessary. Lincoln will lend teams the Lego kits and building manuals. Plus I will give a coaches training. Let me know if you are interested in coaching a team!

A few great ways to find out more about Jr FLL:

Visit the FLL Competition and Jr FLL event at RCTC on December 17th, or better yet volunteer at the event by contacting Mark Schleusner at schleus@yahoo.com

Visit the Jr FLL Web Page http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/jr.fll

Ask Cheryl Kliewer questions at Cheryl@wiseraccoon.net or 261-3699.

Free Workshops for the GATEway Science Fair in December!!

Students, parents, and teachers are invited to attend free Science Fair Workshops at the RCTC Heintz Center which will be held December 5th, 6th, and 10th.

The GATEway Science Fair will be held Saturday, February 25, 2012, from 12:30 to 4:45 p.m. at the Gonda Building of the Mayo Clinic. Registration forms will be sent out in early January, but it’s never too soon to start thinking about project ideas!

For more information, see www.rochestergateway.com, or contact Diane Hanson at 281-1498 or gatewaysciencefair@gmail.com. Make reservations early to be sure volunteers are available.

PPT Minutes - September 26, 2011

The September PPT Minutes can be accessed here: PPT Minutes - September 26, 2011

Classroom Volunteers Needed Tuesday (Today!)

A few classroom volunteers are needed today to help with zebrafish modules in the 4/5 classes - 11:00 to 12:00 in Beth and Mickey's class, 2:50 to 3:30 in Megan's class.  Let the teacher know if you can help out!

Community Education Ski/Snowboard Club - Registration November 8

Get set to hit the slopes this winter with Community Education's Ski and Snowboard Club for students in grades 4-12! Ride to local resorts on coach buses. Bring your own equipment or rent when you get there. Register at our mass registration on November 8, 2011. Information will be distributed at participating schools in October. All Lincoln students will ski at Welch Village.

A mass registration will be held Tuesday, November 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Willow Creek Middle School cafeteria for all ski/snowboard clubs. All participants must register at this time. One parent must attend with the student to assist in the completion of rental forms and make payment. Signatures from the student will be required, so we are asking both parent and student to attend. Helmets will be required this year. Late registrations are are possible by contacting the Community Education office at 328-4000 no later than December 16.

The Gr. 4-5 Ski/Snowboard Club fees include season pass, transportation, and rental equipment(by request). The Middle School, High School, and Private/Parochial Ski/Snowboard Club fees include transportation, rental equipment, and season pass (by request).

Additional club information will be sent home later to all club members. We invite parents to be chaperones and ask you to indicate your interest below. It is an enjoyable experience that enables you to learn more about the ski club and your child. Whether a skier or not, you will find it fun to go along.

Ski dates are as follows: January 6, 13, 20, 27, and February 3, and 10. February 17 will be the only night reserved as a makeup date for weather cancellations. The student will be a season pass holder and can ski any day of the week after 4:00 pm.
Refunds/Vouchers will NOT be available for missed sessions.

Junior First Lego League Informational Meeting - November 9

Are you ready to have fun mastering the science of safely preparing food and building simple machines with LEGO elements including motorized moving parts? Check out this year's Junior First Lego League - "Snack Attack"! CLICK HERE FOR THIS YEAR'S JUNIOR FLL CHALLENGE!

Informational Meeting:Wednesday November 9th from 7-8pm in the Media Center
Registration:November 9th - November 23rd
Season:January to the week of March 5th.
Team Structure
• Lincoln Children in K - 3rd grade and between the ages of 5 and 9 years old.
• Teams will have 4-6 children
• Most teams meet over a 6-8 week period, once or twice a week.
• The coaches can structure team meetings (meeting times and overall program length) in a way that makes works for their team.
• We will create the teams by the first week in December to give coaches a month to decide on a schedule.
Payment $10-15 per person.
Involvement:This is our first year participating in Jr FLL at Lincoln. We need coaches. Jr FLL is easy to coach. No experience necessary. Lincoln will lend teams the Lego kits and building manuals. Plus I will give a coaches training. Let me know if you are interested in coaching a team!

A few great ways to find out more about Jr FLL:
Visit the FLL Competition and Jr FLL event at RCTC on December 17th, or better yet volunteer at the event by contacting Mark Schleusner at schleus@yahoo.com
Visit the Jr FLL Web Page http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/jr.fll
Ask Cheryl Kliewer questions at Cheryl@wiseraccoon.net or 261-3699.

Lincoln's New Science Lab Celebrated!

Lots of excitement at Lincoln today as Superintendent Michael Munoz cut the ribbon on Lincoln's new zebrafish lab, created with a $65,000 grant from Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.
Click here for the front page Post Bulletin Story - November 2, 2011
Read the whole story and check out the video of Lincoln in action here - from ABC-TV 6.
Read the article in the Post Bulletin Education Notebook here.
Congratulations to all who made this happen at the Greatest School in the Universe!

Chat With the Principal - Wednesday, November 2

Join Lincoln Principal Jim Sonju at this year’s first “Chat With the Principal” on Wednesday, November 2 at 8:00 AM in the Media Center. All Lincoln parents/guardians are invited to attend. Mr. Sonju will share the latest Lincoln news and take feedback and questions from parents. Children are welcome!

Family Night at Lincoln - November 3

The Diversity Council and Lincoln K-8 Choice school are hosting a Family Night at Lincoln on Thursday, November 3 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Don’t worry about dinner: Free Food Provided!

For Kids - Games, Prizes, Excitement, Fun!!!

• Magic Show with Bob Miller
• Rhythm Nation Dancers
• Story Players
• Face Painting

For Adults - “Get Smart” Mindset Training for Parents-- Learning to empower you and your kids by developing the mindset for success in anything you do!Note: We would like both parents to attend, but at least one parent or guardian must attend the training in order for the child to attend the magic show.
Space is Limited. Return the completed form to school by November 2.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FLYER AND REGISTRATION FORM

LINCOLN AUCTION - OCT. 29TH

WHY THE AUCTION MATTERS

On October 29th, Lincoln will hold its 2011-12 Auction. The Auction is the primary fundraiser for Lincoln and has paid for much of the equipment and opportunities that make our school great. Our Auction has helped pay for SmartBoards, computers, the End of Year Picnic and Back to School Picnic, school dances and other social events, Science Fair, Destination Imagination, Uppers Electives, Snacks for MCA testing, and much, much more. The Auction enriches your child's school experience and eliminates the need for any of our children to have to sell gift wrap, pizza, . . . you name it!

What can you do to ensure the Auction is a success? Attend!! And bring your friends and family! The more people attending, the more Lincoln raises in funds and the more opportunities your child will enjoy at school. The doors open at 11:30 for the Silent Auction and the Live Auction begins at 2:00. We also have face painting, balloon art and tattoos for the kids. Child care for smaller children will be available during the Live Auction.

Please join us for this fun-filled event for adults and children alike. Have a good time and do something great for your school!

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2011 AUCTION CATALOG!

Auction 2011 Bake Sale

FIRE UP THE OVEN…..IT’S BAKE SALE TIME!!

When: Auction Day, October 29th

Where: Staff lounge

Why: To support OUR Lincoln kids!!

This is a great way to make a last minute donation to the Auction. Donations accepted on Friday (Oct 28th) in the office or Saturday in the staff lounge. Please package items in dozen or half dozen amounts. Please note: decorative packaging makes for a sure sell out!!

Questions can be directed to Jodi Kruse- jmkruse22@gmail.com or Melissa Engelken- melissae.724@gmail.com

The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education - October 27 at Century High School

Come and hear the latest research on the controversial “No Child Left Behind” federal initiatives in public education. Expert Susan Heegaard, Vice President for Educational Achievement for the Bush Foundation, will appear at the Century High School Forum on Thursday, October 27 at 7 p.m. Previously she has served as the Director of the MN Office of Higher Education and on the Washington D.C. staff of MN Senator Dave Durenberger.
Heegaard will look at the issues of increased accountability, rising expectations and changing demographics of our public schools. She will explore the opportunities and challenges of funding sources at the local, state and federal levels for Rochester schools.
This program is cosponsored by the League of Women Voters Rochester and the Rochester Area Council of the PTSA. For more information about how to join the League of Women Voters or about their upcoming events, please visit our website: http://www.lwvmn.org.

CLICK HERE FOR THE EVENT FLYER

Get The Word Out About Lincoln - Community Relations

We would like all Lincoln parents to play a role in getting the word out about Lincoln. There are many educational choices available for families in Rochester, and we want to let as many families as possible know about the many exceptional offerings here at Lincoln. As a Lincoln parent, you are uniquely qualified to spread the word about Lincoln and our approach to educating our children. Your assistance would be deeply appreciated as we together promote Lincoln K-8 Choice School.

All the information for families interested in applying to Lincoln - tour dates, application forms and information on the application process - are on the Lincoln website, the LincolnLincs online newsletter, or at the Lincoln office. Interested parents can call the office to register for a tour.

If word of mouth just isn’t enough for you, then we have a place for you on the Community Relations committee! Community Relations is a PPT committee made up of parents and staff who are responsible for getting the word out to prospective families interested in attending Lincoln. If you love Lincoln and want others to know about it, this is the committee for you! Community Relations activities include:
• Coordinating Lincoln publicity, including posting flyers advertising Lincoln at preschools around town
• Assisting with the application and admission process for new students each year.
• Giving the tour presentation to prospective families
• Collecting information and submitting it to the Academic Scoreboard in the Post-Bulletin
• Welcoming families back to Lincoln by organizing the Meet the Teacher Day Information Fair in August.

Contact Cathy Nathan at natecate13@charter.net if you are interested in Community Relations.
Our next meeting is this Wednesday, November 2 at Noon in the Conference Room.
Thank you for choosing to send your child(ren) to Lincoln and for helping us to share our great educational experience with others.

PPT Meeting Agenda - October 24

PPT Meeting Agenda now available.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17q83732gN2dhMenE07e9MlZEpRDPaXOuxVLOl2El1s0/edit?hl=en_US

PPT Meeting - Monday, October 24

There will be a Program Planning Team meeting next Monday, October 24, at 7:00 pm in the Lincoln Media Center. Mr. Sonju will be there to speak about his trip to Ghana. These meetings are open to all parents and we welcome your participation in planning events and activities for the staff and students at Lincoln. Become involved!

Community Curriculum and Instruction Advisory Committee (CCIAC) - Members Sought

The Community Curriculum and Instruction Advisory Committee (CCIAC) is broadening its focus for 2011-2012. Instead of an in-depth focus of a single curricular area, the CCIAC will provide input to several current curriculum issues including the new English / Language Arts (Common Core) standards, the new Social Studies standards, and policy and procedure updates. This change will allow the committee to provide feedback and suggestions in multiple areas and directly to the curriculum committees and groups working on the changes. This change will also provide more sources of input and perspectives to the staff working on these curriculum projects.

The Committee is a state-mandated group that is ideally intended to be comprised of 2/3rd community members and 1/3rd staff members. The Committee is will be meeting on Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Mar. 8, Apr. 12, and May 10 from 4:00-5:30. We are currently looking for additional community members willing to serve on this Committee. If you know of any community members that might be interested, please have them contact Dr. Jean Lubke (507-328-4301) jelubke@rochester.k12.mn.us

Are You Receiving the Weekly Parent E-Files?

If you are not getting the weekly Parent E-Files on Thursdays, send an email to Jakulzer@rochester.k12.mn.us and we will put you on our distribution list. We are getting a lot of bounce backs each week indicating wrong email address or mail box full.

Accepting Nominations for Teacher of the Year!

Everyone remembers a favorite teacher, someone who motivates and inspires students for a lifetime. Minnesotans have the opportunity again this fall to nominate that unique educator for 2012 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. Nominations open Oct. 3 and remain open through Nov. 15. Nominations can be submitted online. Anyone may nominate a teacher. Self-nominations are also accepted.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ONLINE NOMINATION FORM

Eligible nominees must:
• Teach in a public or nonpublic Pre-K through 12th-grade school.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree and a Minnesota teaching license.
• Have completed three years of teaching by the nomination deadline, and
• Intend to teach during the 2012-2013 school year.
The 2012 Teacher of the Year will be named at a ceremony May 5, 2012. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year also becomes Minnesota's candidate for National Teacher of the Year.

Lincoln Auction - Oct. 29th

You Don’t Want to Miss It!

The 2011 Auction is filled with amazing items, trips and one of a kind goods and services. Here’s just a small sample of what you will be able to bid on:

· Hot Air Balloon Ride

· 1 week stay at Wisconsin cabin

· 2 and 4 hour sailboat rides on Lake Pepin

· Private yoga lessons

And much, much more! You really don’t want to miss it! Doors open at 11:30. Stay tuned to hear more about what will be available at the Auction.

Destination ImagiNation - Registration Due October 19

Are you up for the challenge . . . Join DI!

Destination ImagiNation is an international non-profit organization for kindergarten through college students that teaches life skills and expands imagination through team-based creative problem solving.

Teams are being organized now. Make sure to get your sign up sheet in to the office no later than October 19th. Sign up sheets are available in the Links to Documents.

For more information about DI go to www.destinationimagination.org or contact Elizabeth Glowac, Lincoln K-8 Choice School Destination Imagination Coordinator at calisabel@me.com or 280-6618

CLICK HERE FOR THE DI REGISTRATION FORM

“Meet and Greet” Open House With the Superintendent - October 5, 2011 6:30 - 8 pm

Meet and greet Rochester’s new Superintendent! Parents and community members are invited to join Rochester Public Schools Superintendent, Michael Muñoz, for an Open House on Wednesday, October 5, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Century High School Main Cafeteria. Coffee, lemonade, and cookies will be served. Sponsored by the Rochester Area Council of Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (RAC - PTSA).

NOTE to Lincoln parents: Mr. Munoz will also be Lincoln's special guest at the Lincoln PPT meeting on November 28 at 7:00pm.

Lincoln PPT Meeting - Monday, September 26 7:00pm

Please join us for the first PPT meeting of the year this Monday, September 26 at 7:00pm in the Media Center. PPT meetings are a great opportunity to hear what PPT is planning, a great way to meet fellow parents, and a place to share your opinions or issues related to making Lincoln a great place for students and families.

The PPT is made up of parents/guardians, staff representatives, and the principal. You will be glad to know that all parents/guardians are members of the PPT simply because your child attends Lincoln. This means that all parents/guardians, staff representatives, and the principal have voting rights in regard to PPT business. In order for our PPT to be successful, we need you! Hope to see you Monday at 7:00pm.

Parent/Guardian Orientation - Thursday, September 22 - TONIGHT 6:00pm!

On Thursday, Sept 22, we will be hosting Parent/Guardian Orientation at Lincoln. It will begin at 6:00 in the gym with a presentation done by Mr. Sonju. Following the presentation, there will be two sessions to attend your child’s classroom(s). Each teacher or team will have important information regarding the school year.

2011 Lincoln Auction

Mark Your Calendar!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Excitement is building for this year’s Lincoln Auction on

Saturday, October 29, 2011!

This year’s AUCTION will include the famous LIVE AUCTION, the always amazing SILENT AUCTION, and the much beloved BAKE SALE.

The Live Auction will feature a hot air balloon ride, weekend getaways, birthday parties, wine tastings, tickets to pro ball games and more! The Silent Auction rooms will host a wide variety of baskets, along with gift certificates and magazines.

AUCTION HOURS: Doors will open at 11:30am; Silent Auction rooms will close from 12:30-1:30pm; and the Live Auction will begin at 2:00pm. We hope all Lincoln families and friends will attend this fun event!

FUN FOR THE FAMILY! We haven’t forgotten the kids! The game Heads or Tails will be back by popular demand on Auction Day and all ages are welcome to play! Other activities include face painting, hair braiding and coloring, temporary tattoos and balloon animals. Child care for younger children and BINGO for the big kids will also be provided!

Help Make This Our Best Auction Ever!

Auction 2011 – Lincoln Family and Friends Donations Needed

The Lincoln Auction is a success because of you! Every year we highlight services and items donated by our Lincoln Families and Friends. What can you donate? Some previous donations are listed to help spark your own creative ideas:

• Vacation Experiences: Use of time shares, cabins, vacation properties or trips to water parks with hotels
• Unique Opportunities: Fishing excursions, cooking classes, wine tasting, dinner parties
• Party Planning: Birthday or other theme party, complete with party planning, supplies and clean up
• Baked Goods: Decorated cakes or cupcakes, pie of the month
• Professional Services: Tax preparation, will preparation, carpentry, tutoring, haircuts, day care, kitchen design, architectural consulting
• Special Services: Gift wrapping, garden tilling, floral arranging
• Tickets and Gift Certificates: Vikings, Wild and Timberwolves tickets; Beer of the Month membership
• Business Donations: Donations of goods and services from Lincoln Family and Friends owned businesses

If you are interested in making a donation:
Contact Melissa Murphy at mfmurphy1@charter.net; phone 358-5107 or Betsy Schroeder at betsyms@charter.net; phone 250-6137.137.

Rochester Alpine Ski Team - Info Meeting October 13

The Rochester High School Alpine Ski Team is holding a Parent/Skier Informational Meeting on October 13th at 7 p.m. in the Mayo High School Cafeteria. The Alpine Ski team is open to Rochester students, grades 7 - 12. The Rochester High School Alpine Ski Team's sign-up is October 18, 2011. Information and forms are available in the high school activities’ offices. For more information visit: www.RHSSST.com or e-mail RHSSST@hotmail.com

Gifted Services Informational Meetings - September 27 and 28

Gifted Services Informational Meetings will be held at Gibbs Elementary on September 27, 2011 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. and at Riverside Elementary on September 29, 2011 from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. The same information will be shared at both sessions. These meetings are open to any interested parents. Information will be shared about Gifted Services in Rochester Public Schools for students in grades 3-5.

VIE - Volunteers in Education - September News

We are looking forward to another great year! Over the next few weeks the Volunteers in Education (VIE) committee will be organizing and matching volunteers with areas where they are needed. Thank you to all of you who have turned in your VIE form! If you have not turned in your VIE form yet, please do.
We are still in need of volunteers in many areas! One current need is during the students' lunch time (12-1pm). This opportunity is great for anyone who has a free lunch hour! We need volunteers to help out in the cafeteria who will:

• Assist with supervising students in the lunch room
• Assist students with opening items in their lunches
• Assist/monitor the use of the microwaves

If you are able to help out with this volunteer opportunity, please contact Cinnamon Marxen at cinnamonmarxen@yahoo.com. This is just one of the many great opportunities in VIE. Let us help match your interests and schedule so you can help the students at Lincoln by volunteering your time.
Thanks! Jodi Kruse ~ Kara Short ~ Cinnamon Marxen ~ Dani Nikolai

Temporary Transportation Requests

Transportation Services would like to clarify the use of Temporary Transportation Requests. These forms are to be used in the event of an emergency, i.e. out of town, family emergency etc. We do need a 24 hour notice for the request and keep in mind that not all requests will be honored as there has to be a bus stop in the area. We are getting many requests that don’t meet the criteria and will be denied.

Thanks,

Transportation Services

Parent of K Info Day Presentation

Kindergarten Parents:

CLICK HERE FOR THE PARENT OF K INFO DAY POWER POINT

Parents - Review Drop-Off, Pick-up and Parking Procedures

CLICK HERE FOR THE Drop-Off, Pick-up and Parking Procedures at Lincoln. 
Please review these documents so we can keep our Lincoln students safe!

Breakfast and Lunch Menus!!!

If you did not pick up a breakfast/lunch menu at Meet the Teacher yesterday, they are available here.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SEPTEMBER ELEMENTARY BREAKFAST/LUNCH MENU

CLICK HERE FOR THE SEPTEMBER UPPERS BREAKFAST/LUNCH MENU

AUGUST 31 - MEET THE TEACHER AND BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC

MEET THE TEACHER - 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Start with the Information Fair in the gymnasium to get important information for families. Then visit the classrooms and connect/reconnect with staff members and classmates.

LINCOLN BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC - NOTE THE CHANGE IN TIME!
We will be serving food from 4:30 – 6:OO pm.
Bring your own beverages, lawn chairs and picnic blankets!

SEE YOU TOMORROW!

Spirit Wear Order Form Available Online!

Lincoln Spirit Wear orders are being taken online now!
Lincoln t-shirts are available for $12.00, adult and child sizes, in multiple colors and three designs:

• Original Lincoln logo
• Lynx Classic logo
• Wild Lynx logo

Click on the link below and look in the column on the left - click on "Lincoln Spirit Order Form".
LINCOLN SPIRIT WEAR

Volunteers in Education - ViE - Complete the Volunteer Form!

The attached volunteer form must be filled out each year prior to volunteering in the school. One form per volunteer. Please turn in form to the VIE table at Meet the Teacher day or to the school office. Whether you can help once a week or once a year, we welcome you! Lincoln’s success comes from parental involvement and support!

CLICK HERE FOR THE ViE 2011 VOLUNTEER FORM

Lincoln Directory Form - Available to Complete Online!

Each year we have parents complete a directory form on Meet the Teacher day. This directory is published and sent to all parents. This year we will NOT being filling out the form but instead we are asking that you go to the Lincoln Website and complete the form ONLINE. This will insure that all the information is accurate and correct.

Click on the link below and look in the column on the left - click on "Parent Directory Form".

http://www.rochester.k12.mn.us/se3bin/clientschool.cgi?schoolname=school97

Notice to Parents - Student Accident Insurance and CHIP 2011

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON: Student Accident Insurance and CHIP - Free or Low-Cost Health Coverage to Children and Families

Don't miss Meet the Teacher

Wednesday, August 31
3:00p.m to 5:00p.m.

What is it? All of Lincoln, all at one time. Don’t miss this great day to meet and greet friends, teachers and staff. Fill out important forms and get familiar with your classroom. Visit the tables at the Information Fair to pick up important information about organizations and activities at Lincoln. Find out how you can participate in making this a successful year!

Where do we begin? Meet the Teacher Day starts in the gymnasium with the Information Fair. When you arrive at school and before you visit your child’s classroom, please go to the gym. Once you’ve visited the Information Fair tables and picked up your Family Folder, drop off your Fair Agenda to enter the prize raffle, grab your meal ticket for the Back to School Picnic, and visit your child’s classroom.

What’s there to do at the Fair?

• Complete the School Directory form.
• Stop at the Auction table to sign up for your volunteer slot on Auction Day, October 29.
• Find out how you can contribute to the Auction through a Family and Friends Donation.
• Our Volunteers in Education (VIE) Coordinators will be there to tell you about the many great ways you can volunteer at Lincoln. Drop off your completed ViE form!
• Visit the Program Planning Team (PPT) table to find out how parents continue to play an important role in school-decision making and organizing school activities.
• Calculators and Student Agendas will be available for purchase during Meet the Teacher Day in the Office.

There will be other tables available to provide you with information from Food Service, the School Nurse, Lincoln’s Art, Music and Physical Education teachers. Information about Lincoln enrichment activities such as Destination Imagination, First Lego League, Chess Club, Math Masters, and Junior Great Books will also be there. SCRIP cards will also be on sale, so stock up!

Important Lincoln Dates - Mark Your Calendars:
• August 31 – Meet the Teacher, Information Fair & Back to School Picnic
• September 6 – Grades 1-8 First Day of School
• September 8 – Kindergarten First Day of School
• September 26, 7:00 PPT meeting

After Meet the Teacher....

...PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE FREE…

LINCOLN BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC!

Wednesday, August 31 5:00 – 6:30 pm

AT LINCOLN SCHOOL

The picnic will immediately follow Meet the Teacher time. The picnic is a great opportunity to meet new families and connect with old friends.
The Lincoln Program Planning Team (PPT) will be providing the meal. We will be serving hamburgers/cheeseburgers on a Kaiser bun, fresh fruit, & potato chips.
Bring your own beverages (water or soda). Bring your own lawn chairs and picnic blankets.

We are looking for volunteers for the following timeframes:
• 4:30 – 5:00 pm Set Up - 3 people needed
• 5:00 – 5:45 pm Food Servers – 4 people needed
• 5:45 – 6:30 pm Food Servers – 4 people needed
• 6:30 – 7:00 pm Clean Up – 3 people needed
If you can volunteer for any of the above shifts, please contact
Robin Stearns at RStearns@olmmed.org 285-5649.
Your help is greatly appreciated!

Prinicpal's Letter

Dear Lincoln Families,

I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer and is as excited as I am to come back to school!

Family involvement and staff commitment that occurs for Lincoln’s benefit, even during the summer months, continues to amaze me! It is easy to see why Lincoln is such a special place with so many incredibly dedicated people. I am really looking forward to the school being filled with our energetic students, the talented staff, and involved families. It is going to be a fantastic year!

Of course, there is a whole lot of anticipation for the first day of school (September 6 for Grades 1-8 and September 8 for Kindergarten students), but there is a lot of preparation taking place in August including:

• Preparation for the Meet the Teacher event is well underway. We would like to extend an invitation to all families to attend two special events on
August 31. Meet the Teacher will take place from 3:00- 5:00pm. This time will allow students and their families to visit the classrooms and connect/ reconnect with staff members and classmates. The Information Fair in the gymnasium will provide important information for families. Please make plans to join us for this important event.

• The Lincoln Back to School Picnic will follow Meet the Teacher Day on August 31 from 5:00-6:30 pm at Lincoln. All Lincoln families are encouraged to attend this special event. The picnic is sponsored by Lincoln’s Programming Planning Team (PPT) and organized by the PPT Social Committee. Their hard work will be evident at the Back to School Picnic and other exciting events throughout the year.

More information about both of these events and other back to school news can be found in this August Lincs newsletter.

I would like to personally welcome and congratulate all incoming Kindergarten students, new students and new families that will be joining Lincoln K-8 this fall. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help make you feel at home.

Please feel free to contact me at 328-3550 if you have any questions, concerns, or comments or would just like to converse about the “Greatest School in the Universe” - Lincoln K-8 Choice School!

You can reach me by e-mail at jasonju@rochester.k12.mn.us.

Sincerely,
Jim Sonju
Principal

NEWS FROM THE PPT (PROGRAM PLANNING TEAM)

Welcome to the 2011-12 school year! For those new to Lincoln, PPT stands for Program Planning Team. The PPT is made up of parents/guardians, staff representatives, and the principal. You will be glad to know that all parents/guardians are members of the PPT simply because your child attends Lincoln.

The PPT is responsible for organizing a variety of social events, for raising funds to support academic enrichment opportunities, and for encouraging active parent/guardian involvement. We want you to feel welcomed and informed about the happenings at Lincoln. For example, one of the first big PPT events of the fall is Lincoln’s annual Auction. This is Lincoln’s primary fundraiser, and its success directly benefits Lincoln’s students. PPT meetings also provide opportunities for parents to learn more about some of Lincoln’s programs like InSciEd Out and Study Island.

However, in order for our PPT to be successful, we need you. We invite you to be a participating member of the Lincoln community by attending PPT meetings when you can. All are welcome! The meetings are held the fourth Monday of the month in Lincoln’s Media Center. The meetings begin promptly at 7:00 pm and last about an hour.

You can find more information about the PPT and other Lincoln happenings in the following places:
• The LincolnLincs online newsletter at www.lincolnlincs.blogspot.com
• The Lincoln Parent E-files electronic newsletter
• The Family Folder you will receive at the Meet the Teacher Information Fair
• The PPT website at http://www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school97/ppt

If the PPT can answer any questions or concerns about Lincoln, please let us know. We are here to help. We look forward to seeing you at the Meet the Teacher Information Fair and Back to School Picnic on August 31st.

Sincerely,
Chris Harmon PPT Co-President 282-7366 chharmon@rochester.k12.mn.us
Joscelyn Martin PPT Co-President 261-2716 jrkm911@gmail.com

LEGO LEAGUE

Lincoln FIRST LEGO League (FLL)

FIRST LEGO League and Jr FIRST LEGO League (Jr FLL) will be on display at the Meet the Teacher Day Information Fair.  For more information contact Cheryl Kliewer at 261-3699 or Cheryl@wiseraccoon.net

Jr FIRST LEGO (Jr FLL) For K – 3^rd Graders

Lincoln 2012 Snack Attack Season - This Spring - Keeping Food Safe

 Can Junior FIRST LEGO League teams master the science of safely preparing food?  In the 2011/2012 Snack Attack Challenge, K-3^rd grade Lincoln students will take a “hands on” approach to the topic of food safety by exploring how proper preparation and storage can help keep us healthy.   

The Challenge has two defined parts: Show-Me Poster and Model.  The Show-Me Poster requires kids to illustrate their research and team journey.   The Model portion of the Challenge gets kids’ hands busy. They build a representation of their research utilizing a motor to power movement in their model or moving an element of it by hand. 

Look for registration information in Dec/Jan.  This is Lincoln’s first year participating in Jr FLL.  It is a fun activity to coach and we need volunteer coaches!  Teams consist of 6 or less members. Teams will meet 6-8 times for 1½ hours.  Coaches can decide to meet once or twice a week.           

Lincoln FIRST LEGO League for 4^th -8^th graders

This year’s theme:   Food Factor Challenge “Keeping Food Safe”

2011 teams are formed and begin meeting in September.  Watch for next year’s registration this spring.  FIRST LEGO League is an exciting robotics competition that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in Lincoln 4^th -8^th graders. Through their involvement in FIRST programs, children learn important life skills such as planning, research, collaboration, and mentorship. Registration for Fall 2012 teams will be this spring.