GET SMART – RAISING A READER
The “Get Smart” Mindset Efficacy team is offering a FREE one (1) hour meeting on Friday, October 1, 2010, from 12 noon – 1 pm OR 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm. The topic of discussion will focus on “Raising a Reader.” There are many simple things you can do to help raise a reader. In this session, special guest Heather Willman will help us explore a variety of ways you can help your students excel in reading. Please join us on Friday, October 1, 2010 from 12 noon – 1 pm OR 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm at the Northrop Community Education Center, located at 201 8th St NW, Room 201.
Heather Willman is the secondary reading coordinator for the Rochester Public Schools. She has a passion for helping all students become readers. She also teaches for Augsburg College and has worked with dozens of schools in Minnesota to help their teachers become teachers of reading.
To register, please email Juan Vasquez at juvasquez@rochester.k12.mn.us or call 328-4316.
www.SmartKidsRochester.org
WANTED: PARENTS AND GUARDIANS WHO WANT TO COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS AND WITH DISTRICT STAFF TO IMPROVE PARENT INVOLVEMENT.
The District-wide Parent and Family Involvement committee meets monthly to find ways to educate parents, staff, and community about the value of parent and family involvement and to provide communication and strategies that support it throughout the district. If you'd like to learn more, contact Angie Ellsworth at 328-3300 or anellsworth@rochester.k12.mn.us or Amy Kunkel at 287-1844 or dajjbears@charter.net
SKI CLUB SIGN UP - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Registration night: Willow Creek Cafeteria
Tuesday, November 9, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
More information will be coming closer to sign up.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Lincoln Students to Perform
Clara's Nutcracker Dream (put on by the Allegro School of Dance).
The tickets are $18 until October 15 and after that the tickets are $21 through the Mayo Civic ticket office. The performances are Friday, November 26 at 4:00 and 7:00 and Saturday, November 27 at 1:00 and 4:00. Please contact Kim Bridgeman at 271-8146 or Denise Gravenhof at 285-2538 by October 15.
The tickets are $18 until October 15 and after that the tickets are $21 through the Mayo Civic ticket office. The performances are Friday, November 26 at 4:00 and 7:00 and Saturday, November 27 at 1:00 and 4:00. Please contact Kim Bridgeman at 271-8146 or Denise Gravenhof at 285-2538 by October 15.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Principal’s Letter
Greetings Lincoln Families!
Here we go! I couldn't be more excited to start another school year for a multitude of reasons. I will share just a few of the reasons we should all be proud to be in the Lincoln Family.
Our MCAII results are in for last year and they look great! We are very excited about the continued growth and progress at Lincoln which is a tribute to our students, parents and staff! These impressive results are thanks to the incredible efforts of everyone! Check out this amazing growth over the past three years with Lincoln MCAII proficiency scores:
Our teachers have been writing exciting new science modules this summer which should be highly engaging for students this year.
We have our brand new SMART Table which was made possible by families purchasing SCRIP. We have only scratched the surface of what SCRIP can provide our students and we look forward to doing everything possible to make it easier for families to participate in this easy program to support Lincoln. We will be fully loaded with cards at Meet the Teacher to get things rolling this year!
We invite all families to attend two events on September 1st to reconnect with teachers, families and classmates.
Jim Sonju
Here we go! I couldn't be more excited to start another school year for a multitude of reasons. I will share just a few of the reasons we should all be proud to be in the Lincoln Family.
Our MCAII results are in for last year and they look great! We are very excited about the continued growth and progress at Lincoln which is a tribute to our students, parents and staff! These impressive results are thanks to the incredible efforts of everyone! Check out this amazing growth over the past three years with Lincoln MCAII proficiency scores:
| Subject | 06-07 | 07-08 | 08-09 | 09-10 |
| Math | 71% | 80% | 81% | 88.65% !!! |
| Reading | 79% | 80% | 85% | 86.52% !!! |
| Science – Grade 5 | ---- | ---- | 68.3% | 82.1% (+13.8%) |
| Science – Grade 8 | ---- | ---- | 51.7% | 85.2% (+33.5%) |
We have our brand new SMART Table which was made possible by families purchasing SCRIP. We have only scratched the surface of what SCRIP can provide our students and we look forward to doing everything possible to make it easier for families to participate in this easy program to support Lincoln. We will be fully loaded with cards at Meet the Teacher to get things rolling this year!
We invite all families to attend two events on September 1st to reconnect with teachers, families and classmates.
- Meet the Teacher (3:00-5:00) is a perfect time to visit classrooms and connect/reconnect with staff, families, and classmates. The Information Fair will be held in the gymnasium where you can get your folders, important information for the year, and sign up for opportunities at Lincoln.
- The Lincoln Back to School Picnic will take place from 5:00-6:30 and is sponsored by the Lincoln PPT (Program Planning Team). This is always a great event organized by the PPT Social Committee.
Jim Sonju
FROM THE PROGRAM PLANNING TEAM (PPT)
The Lincoln Program Planning Team (PPT) welcomes you to the Lincoln K-8 Choice School family if this is your first year at Lincoln, and welcomes you back if we've seen you before.
We're going to try some new things with our PPT meetings this year, so if you haven't been to one before, or have and didn't feel a connection, please come to our first PPT meeting on September 27th - - we want your feedback!! The PPT meets on a monthly basis during the school year, starting in September, usually on the last Monday of each month at 7:00 PM in the school's Media Center.
The PPT is made up of Lincoln parents and guardians, staff representatives, and the principal. All parents and guardians are members of the PPT simply because your child attends Lincoln, giving ALL parents and guardians, staff representatives, and the principal voting rights in the business of the PPT and the expenditures of money raised by the PPT.
The PPT organizes a variety of school activities and works to support academic and social enrichment opportunities for our students that are typically not available at other schools, helping to make Lincoln K-8 Choice School a very special place we like to call "The Greatest School in the Universe".
PPT meetings allow you to stay plugged in to what's going on at Lincoln, to learn about the many opportunities for you to help out with PPT activities and other educational efforts at Lincoln, and to positively influence the experience you and your student have at Lincoln. For the Lincoln PPT to succeed, we encourage all parents/guardians to become participating members of the Lincoln Community by volunteering and enjoying the social events offered by the PPT.
As many of you know, the Lincoln Auction is the PPT's primary fundraiser. Its success is essential to continuing the wide range of programs and activities that benefit Lincoln students and the entire Lincoln community. So, please take time to read more about the Auction and, if you are new to Lincoln this year, check out the many volunteer opportunities available.
Where to look for more information about upcoming PPT meetings and other activities?
- This and future editions of the LINCS
- The LincolnLincs blog 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.
Jodie Meurer and Chris Harmon, PPT Co-Presidents
ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN PARENTS! “PARENT OF K INFO DAY” SESSIONS SEPTEMBER 7 AND 8
This year, kindergarten parents will have the opportunity to attend a special Lincoln orientation session during your child's Kindergarten Mini Day session. Experienced Lincoln parents and Lincoln leaders will be present to pass on important information about how you and your family can make the most out of your Lincoln experience. Information will include how to make kindergarten a great year; tips for student success; orientation to Lincoln organizations, events, traditions and lingo; and a look ahead to what your child's future at Lincoln will look like.
Look for the Sign up for your "PARENT OF K INFO DAY" session in your child's kindergarten classroom during Meet the Teacher Day.
News from the Lunchroom and School Nurse
NEWS FROM THE LUNCHROOM:
- All meals must be prepaid. A payment into your student's lunch account is necessary prior to the first day of school.
- You will have an opportunity to put funds in your child's lunch account at Meet the Teacher Day.
- The balance from your child's lunch account last year will be carried over into this school year – whether it was a positive or negative balance.
- Incoming Kindergarten families – your student will have one opportunity this year to eat lunch at Lincoln. You may pay for that lunch during Meet the Teacher Day.
- You can sign up online any time (even before Meet the Teacher Day!) at www.paypams.com to electronically deposit money into your child's lunch account throughout the year. You will need your child's student I.D. number or lunch account number. Please contact Student Nutrition Services at 328-4218 if you don't know this information.
- If you feel you might be eligible for the free and reduced lunch program, please make sure you complete an application. Contact the Student Nutrition Services office at 328-4218 if you need an application.
- Emergency Health Plan: If you received an Emergency Care Plan (ECP) in the mail; you are asked to see the nurse during the orientation/meet the teacher event. The ECP needs to be turned in, updated if needed and signed for the coming school year. Please allow time to accomplish this important task before the start of school so we can meet your child's needs during the school day.
- Medication: Should your child need any scheduled or as needed medication(s) during the school day, orientation/meet the teacher is an excellent time to bring them into the health office. Prescription medications need to have a medication authorization form signed by a medical care provider. These can be found in the health office, on the Rochester public schools web site or provided by your medical care provider.
- Immunizations - Important Notice: No one will be allowed to start school until all immunizations are current. Registration materials for students who need shots will be taken to the Edison Building in August, and parents will need to go there with proof of immunizations before your child can be admitted to school.
ViE – Volunteers in Education News
Dear Fellow Lincoln Families-
Welcome back to another great year at Lincoln from the ViE Coordinators! If you are new to Lincoln, we welcome you as one of the many members of our great Lincoln community. Just one of many things that make Lincoln stand out are the amazing family volunteers we have. Volunteers in Education, or ViE, links parents to the volunteer opportunities we have available at Lincoln, and within the district, to support our children's learning. A small sample of the volunteer opportunities at Lincoln include helping a teacher in the classroom, leading after school activities, media helper, reading with a student at the end of the day or before school and lunchtime math help. These are just a few of the many ways we make Lincoln the greatest school in the universe!The VIE Coordinators will be at Meet the Teacher day in the gym to talk further with you about the opportunities available for volunteering at Lincoln. We have an interest inventory that will be coming to your inbox via email to print and bring with you to meet the teacher day. If you did not get this copy one will be available for you to complete that day. We ask that every parent fill this out if you think at any time during the year you will be volunteering at the school in any way.
We look forward to seeing each of you at Meet the Teacher day!
ViE Coordinators,
April Ekblad
Kara Short
Melissa Engelken
Special Projects – Application Deadline Extended!
Do you have a great idea for something that would benefit the Lincoln students, but just need some money to make it happen? If so, Special Projects could be the way to make it happen.
What are Special Projects?
- Special Projects can be any project or item that will benefit the school
- Special Projects can be submitted by parents, teachers or students of Lincoln.
- Special Projects are paid for by money that is raised from the annual Lincoln Auction after the PPT budget has been funded.
- Special projects funded in the past include: the Smart Boards in the classrooms, the "big toy" playground equipment, the Lincoln information sign, the popcorn popper, baseball bats and gloves – and many more.
Applications are available:
- Through the Lincoln PPT web site (http://www.rochester.k12.mn.us/school97ppt then click on the Special Projects section)
- Attached to the Lincoln Parent E-Files emails
- At the Lincoln Lincs blog www.lincolnlincs.blogspot.com
- Or directly from Mary Hansen at rmhansen2002@yahoo.com or Julie Wingert at djwingert@aol.com
Stop by the Special Projects table during the Meet the Teacher Information Fair to find out more about Special Projects.
The Special Projects timeline:
September 24th, 2010: Final day for application submissions for funds from the 2010 auction (*Note extended date*)
October 30th, 2010: Attend the auction and bid – Special Projects are funded from auction proceeds!
November 2010: A consensus meeting will be held to determine how to spend the Special Project funds
Announcing! Lincoln FIRST LEGO League (FLL)
FIRST LEGO League Informational Meetings at Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC):
Monday, August 23rd 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. RCTC Room EA121. The meeting is in East Hall on the main RCTC campus.
Wednesday, September 15th 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. RCTC Room EA121. The meeting is in East Hall on the main RCTC campus.
FIRST LEGO League is an exciting robotics competition that ignites an enthusiasm for discovery, science, and technology in Lincoln 4th -8th graders. Through their involvement in FIRST programs, children learn important life skills such as planning, research, collaboration, and mentorship. Teams meet September through the regional tournament on December 18th at RCTC.Monday, August 23rd 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. RCTC Room EA121. The meeting is in East Hall on the main RCTC campus.
Wednesday, September 15th 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. RCTC Room EA121. The meeting is in East Hall on the main RCTC campus.
The 2010 Challenge: Body Forward - Can FIRST LEGO League Teams improve our quality of life? Through the 2010 Body Forward Challenge, 9 to 14 year olds will explore the cutting-edge world of Biomedical Engineering to discover innovative ways to repair injuries, overcome genetic predispositions, and maximize the body's potential, with the intended purpose of leading happier and healthier lives.
To learn more about FIRST Lego Leagues visit the following website: www.hightechkids.org
Video about FIRST Lego League: FIRST: Where Gracious Professionals Get In The Game!
http://www.youtube.com/user/FIRSTWorldTube#p/c/8261FACBEDF7362F/0/oHIsL4A4LRw
Coaches Needed! - We need FIRST LEGO League (FLL) coaches! No experience needed.
The skills we need in our coaching teams are:
· the desire to explore side-by-side with children
· good communication skills
· prioritizing skills
· multi-tasking skills
· it helps for one coach to have engineering and/or programming skills
The coaches facilitate instruction and optimize the learning experience of the team members. They teach robotic skills then allow independent thought. Direct adult involvement or intervention during the problem solving process is strongly discouraged. · good communication skills
· prioritizing skills
· multi-tasking skills
· it helps for one coach to have engineering and/or programming skills
If you are interested please attend one of the two following informational sessions and look for more information at Meet the Teacher Day. Call or e-mail Cheryl Kliewer about coaching or for more details. cheryl@wiseraccoon.net 261-3699.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Principal’s Letter - May
Main Entry: world–class
Function: adjective
Date: 1950
: being of the highest caliber in the world <a world–class athlete>
As the principal at Lincoln, one of my goals is to provide a world class education for each and every student at Lincoln. That is a daunting task in our current situation in which our district's funding lags far behind other districts. There is a task force working on preparing for a referendum next year that could hopefully prevent us from falling further behind. Please let me know if you would be willing to be part of the referendum committee work.
I always believe that we need to do whatever possible to control the destiny for a successful result for our children as much as we can. The technology initiative is an example of that as there are so many tools we need to provide our students to better succeed. I would really like to get a SMART table for our younger students and I am working on a grant to get one for about half price.
We also want to continue the amazing success with the laptop program as it is making a tremendous impact even though we are only a third of the way to full implementation.
We truly need world class efforts from all to provide that world class education for our students. Thank you for your support through efforts such as buying SCRIP, attending events like Evening of Improv, Auction, Carnival, Garage Sale, volunteering in the classroom, sharing your expertise, etc..
Together, and I mean all together, we can make the education for our students that they need and deserve. Jim Sonju
Night at the Improv – Get Your Tickets Today!
Night at the Improv is right around the corner! At 7:00 this Saturday, May 15th, Jerry Casper, Nick Mezacapa, and Greg Miller will put on a performance that is sure to leave you in stitches. The show will be held at Hill Theater at Rochester Community and Technical College. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in the office. There will also be a cash bar. Please keep in mind this performance is most appropriate for an audience 13+.
PPT Presidents’ Letter - May
Spring has sprung and we are in end of the year wrap up! Yet, PPT is still in full swing. In fact this month at our meeting on May 17th, we'll be voting in next year's officers, so they can get started in their new roles!
The open PPT officer positions are Treasurer, Secretary and President Elect. Allison Robelia is serving as the current Treasurer. Her term has come to an end this year, but she is happy to stay on for another term. Cherie Falk-Philpott serves as the Secretary, she too is happy to stay for another term. Joscelyn Komer-Martin has stepped forward to serve as President Elect. We will be voting to fill these positions, so if you too are interested in one of these positions, or would like to exercise your right to vote, please come to the Media Center at 7pm on the 17th!
We will also show a video at the PPT meeting. Stories of the Five-Year Plan is a video on Rochester Public School's Five-Year Strategic Plan to close the opportunity gap and bring all students to proficiency. The video combines success stories of students and staff, data, and powerful information to explain and give updates on the District's Five-Year Plan.
A big thank you to the Social Committee for another successful dance. We'd also like to thank the Social Committee and Brenda for a fantastic All School Meal. It is a wonderful Lincoln tradition that the kids love, so thank you for all your efforts!
We'd like to remind you that Special Project Applications are available right now. We will be taking applications through the summer so that we can disperse the funds earlier in the school year. If you have any questions about the Special Projects process, or need more information about what Special Projects means, please contact Mary Hansen at rmhansen2002@yahoo.com. Also see page 2 of the LINCS.
We appreciate our Lincoln community! As always if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Jodie Meurer at odie79@hotmail.com or Chris DeMattos at annabean01@charter.net
Special Projects = Summer Homework?
Do you have a great idea for something that would benefit the Lincoln students, but just need some money to make it happen? If so, Special Projects could be the way to make it happen. Special Projects can be any project or item that will benefit the school and can be submitted by parents, teachers or students of Lincoln. Some past examples are: the Smart boards in the classrooms, the big toy, the Lincoln information sign, the popcorn popper, baseball bats and gloves – and many more. The money used to pay for the projects is money that is raised from the annual Lincoln auction over the PPT budget.
Applications are available on the LincolnLincs blog (see "Lincs" section on the left) or directly from Mary Hansen at rmhansen2002@yahoo.com or Julie Wingert at djnwingert@aol.com.
Use the school summer break to write up your project - applications are due August 20 and should be sent to either Mary or Julie. All received applications will be available for review at Meet the Teacher Day and through Auction time. The proposed projects will be voted on in November 2010 and the money will be available by December 2010.
Important Health Office Information
The Health Office at Lincoln will be closing for the summer on Monday, June 14. All medications need to be picked up by 12 noon on this day. Medication left after this time will be properly disposed of. We do not keep medication over the summer for the next school year.
All prescription medication for students will need to be renewed by a physician after July 1 for the new 2010/2011 school year. It is the parent/guardian (s) responsibility to bring the signed physicians order to school with the medication at the beginning of the year. This includes self –administration prescription medications that require a physician's signature that the student will self-carry. For example, this would include an asthma inhaler that a student keeps with them. Many health care providers are not accepting faxed med forms from the school any longer.
Over the counter medications will also need a new form signed at the beginning of the school year by the parent with medication in the original bottle. Due to limited storage space, please keep the size of the bottle appropriate for school. Please note the expiration date of the medication on the bottle before you bring it to school to be left for the year. Medication cannot be given at school after the expiration date noted on the bottle.
All medication forms are available off the school web site under Resources and then Student Health Services and then Forms.
Have a safe summer!
The Butterfly Garden is Back!
Thank you Families and Friends of Lincoln for donations of perennials and cash to help replace the butterfly-attracting plants for the garden. Ellen Hunt's Jenny Giraffe is back in her "home" again! The planting days were fun and many hands made the hard work go by quickly. Over 150 plants were added to the new and existing gardens. Please come and enjoy a stroll through the garden and greet the new plants :)
Book Swap is a Success
Thank you very much to those families who graciously donated Ziploc bags and books to the Lincoln Book Swap- or as one child called it "The Book Swamp." Indeed, several tables were "swamped" with fun books for children to choose from. One or two books from the book swap will be coming home in a Ziploc bag toward the end of the school year. The bags will also contain a bingo game and other new books received from grant money. In future years, we hope to continue sending home books for summer reading. Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if you would send all the books back in the same Ziploc bag at the end of the summer. However, if you are in need of books or your child falls in love with them, you may keep them. Thanks again for your generous donations! The students were excited about their books.
Spring + Cleaning = Garage Sale
2nd ANNUAL LINCOLN GO GREEN GARAGE SALE
Saturday, May 22; 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This is your chance to recycle your gently used items and help support our Technology Initiative!
Donations accepted starting Monday, 5/10.
We are looking for children's' and adult clothing and books, games, sports equipment, furniture, and household items.
We will have APEX members available to help you unload your vehicle on Monday, 5/17, and Friday, 5/21, starting at 3:00.
We could use help sorting and setting up for the Sale on Friday, 5/21, from 3:00 to ???
We also need cashiers and other helpers on the day of the Garage Sale.
If you can help, please sign up in the Lincoln Office
or email Ginger Kerr at gikerr@rochester.k12.mn.us
Lincoln Auction – Friends and Family Donations Needed
The Lincoln Auction is a success because of you! Again this year, we highlight services and items donated by our Lincoln Family 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 hotel
- Unique Opportunities: Fishing excursion; cooking classes, wine tasting
- Party Planning: Birthday or other theme party, complete with party planning and party supplies and of course clean up!
- Baked Goods: Decorated cakes or cupcakes; pie of the month
- Professional Services: Tax preparation, will preparation, carpentry, tutoring, haircuts, daycare, kitchen design, architectural consulting
- Special Services: Gift wrapping, garden tilling, floral arranging
- Tickets and Gift Certificates: Vikings and TimberWolves tickets; Beer of the Month Membership
- Business Donations: Donations of goods and services from Lincoln Family-owned businesses
STEM Summer Camps at RCTC for Students in Grades 3, 4, 5
STEM Summer Camps will inspire students by showing them real-world, problem-solving applications as well as exposing them to fascinating technologies they may not have yet encountered. STEM Summer Camps provides a week of intense investigation, creation and skill building in a fun-filled environment on the fabulous UCR Campus.
Two Camps will be offered August 2-6, 8 AM – 4 PM on the University Center Campus. Camps are limited to 60 students. $300 fee.
STEM CAMP #1 - Just like The Apprentice, you will design your own video game; work with a team to develop marketing tools including your own logo, using computer aided drafting; utilize information technology for advertising and build your own financial empire with your increased math skills. Instructors: Kari Stellpflug, Lisa Moreno, Margie Jensen, Greg Laughland
STEM CAMP #2 - Learn and apply the fascinating tools of a Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) as you become a Junior Forensic Investigator. Students will conduct experiments, map out a crime scene, gather evidence and solve the crime using your critical thinking skills. Fingerprinting, DNA analysis, re-creation of the crime scene, and the use of technology will give you the tools to solve the mystery. Instructors: Chuck Handlon, Jennifer Hennes, Lonne Senska
For registration form: www.rctc.edu/community/youth Scholarships available. Questions or scholarship application: contact Colleen Landherr Maddox, RCTC Community & Youth Program Director at 280-3113 or colleen.landherr@roch.edu
Lincoln....the greatest school in the Universe – Memorial Donations Requested
Last year we lost Joe Stanich, one of our school founders. It was Joe who crafted the now famous line, "welcome to Lincoln, the greatest school in the universe." Joe was great at knowing what each student needed. His presence is still felt here.
We are currently raising funds to purchase a special bench which would be placed near the small playground and the butterfly garden. It would be a great to have Joe's quote either on or near the bench.
Donations will be accepted in the office. Checks can be made out to Lincoln K-8 Choice School. Can you please help us by spreading the word? Joe influenced many lives during his time at Lincoln and we would like to offer the bench as a memorial to his incredible contribution. Thank you.
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