First strings lesson of the year for these Lincoln friends!

Day Rotation

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year in the United States. This celebration honors numerous people from Spanish-speaking backgrounds who have come to the United States. We celebrate their cultures and traditions during this month. September 15th was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of ve Latin American countries: Costa Rica, ElSalvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Also, Mexicocelebrates its independence day on September 16th and Chile celebrates its independence day on September 18th.

Check out these websites for more information about Hispanic Heritage Month and how you can celebrate!

• Celebrate Hispanic Heritage
• National Hispanic Heritage Month
• September: Civics: Hispanic Heritage Month
• Hispanic Heritage Month - Teaching Tolerance
• Hispanic Heritage Month - NEA
• A Comprehensive List of the Essential Latin Music Genres
• 23 Books By Latinos That Might Just Change Your Life

Lincoln Evacuation Drill Information

On Wednesday, September 25th, our students and staff will be participating in an evacuation drill as part of our school safety and security plan. The purpose of the drill will be to practice moving students from Lincoln to St. Michael the Archangel Parish (formerly St. Bernard’s), 311 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. The drill will begin at 9:00 AM and all students will return to the school when the drill has been completed.

The purpose of the drill will be to practice moving as a school from Lincoln to the alternate site in a safe and efficient way. We are working with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department to assist us in this safe and efficient transport. In the event of a true emergency and evacuation, students would be released only to a parent/guardian, or individuals that are identified in the emergency contacts page in the Dashboard. We ask that all parents please review your emergency contacts in the Dashboard to ensure they are accurate and up to date. This information is crucial for the school district to have in the event of an emergency where parent/student reunification is required.

This drill will require the coordinated effort with the Mt. Lebanon Police Department. The District’s plan is for each of our schools to conduct an evacuation drill similar to this one. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support. We value the safety and security of our students, and believe that this drill is one more example of how we are preparing for unknown situations that may occur in our schools. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions regarding the information contained within this letter.

Respectfully,

Dr. Ron Kitsko

Principal

T-Shirt Day - Friday, September 27th

Friday, September 27th will be Wear Your Favorite T-Shirt Day.  Dig out your favorite t-shirt to show off to your classmates, friends and school staff members!

Read-A-Thon

The Lincoln Elementary PTA is looking forward to this year’s Read-a-Thon!  The kick-off assembly is Friday, October 4th…so get ready to read.

We appreciate all of your help in making this year’s read-a-thon our best yet!  Our Read-a-Thon helps fund the majority of the events and activities provided to the students and staff at Lincoln Elementary. Additional information will be coming home in the next few weeks.  

Upcoming Field Trips

Please make sure that the students have submitted the appropriate permission forms to the classroom teachers in advance of the trip. Chaperones MUST have all three (3) clearances on file to serve as a program volunteer for all of these field trips Feel free to contact the school office with questions. Thanks to the Lincoln PTA for its financial support for many of the Lincoln Elementary School field trips.

Kindergarten

• Simmons Farm
• Monday, October 4, 2024
• 8:45 - 11:30 am

Grade 4

• Pittsburgh Botanical Gardens
• Tuesday, October 8, 2024
• 8:45 am- 2:00 pm

Awesome Abe School Wide Positive Behavior Program

Click here to learn more about the Awesome Abe program that kicked off on September 2nd!

What is a School Wide Positive Behavioral Program?

PBIS or Positive Behavioral Interventions or Supports is a school-wide positive behavior support system or set of strategies and systems to increase the capacity of schools to reduce school disruption and educate all students including those with problem behaviors.

• Clearly defined outcomes
• Research-validated practices
• Supportive administrative systems
• Use of information for problem-solving

What Are The Features Of PBIS?

• Establish regular, predictable, positive learning & teaching environments.
• Train adults & students to serve as positive models.
• Teach and model behavioral expectations
• Create systems for providing regular positive feedback.
• Acknowledge students when they are “doing the right thing”.
• Improve social competence.
• Develop environments that support academic success.

Important Changes to Attendance Procedures

Lincoln Elementary's attendance system is changing in September. Families will now submit electronic attendance notes for full-day absences, tardies, and early dismissals through Dashboard. The resource documents below will help you access the electronic attendance options via Dashboard and the PowerSchool mobile app.

• Submitting an Elementary Student Attendance Form - via Dashboard
• Submitting an Elementary Student Attendance Form - via PowerSchool app

Families may still write paper notes to provide to homeroom teachers or the office, if they desire. Emails sent to homeroom teachers or the office will receive a message directing families to submit excuses using Dashboard/PowerSchool app or to write a paper note. Emailed excuses will no longer be accepted as of September 30, 2024.

A few other important notes:

• Pre -Approved absences will still need to be submitted using this form.
• The form in Dashboard/PowerSchool app will allow families to upload medical notes with their excuse to verify the absence, early dismissal, or tardy as medical. Directions for how to sign up to enable this feature are HERE.

• If you need your Dashboard password reset, contact the Lincoln office staff at 412-344-2147.
• When a student is absent from school, the family must send a written excuse or an online attendance form within 3 school days to their student's teacher.
• If the excuse is not provided to the teacher by the third day, the absence will be considered unexcused/illegal.
• If a student accumulates more than three days of unlawful absences, an attendance hearing at the school will be held and the matter may be referred to the local magistrate.
• When a student is absent for five or more consecutive days for health reasons, the student must be readmitted to the school through the Health Office.
• The district attendance policy can be viewed by accessing the following link - JED - Students Absences and Excuses.

Musically Speaking with Ms. Showalter

What’s going on in the music room?  This year, Ms. Showalter has linked our Vocal Music newsletters at the top of each student’s Vocal Music Schoology page.  These newsletters will be updated regularly with new photos, videos, and links from class.  See the updates by visiting your child’s Vocal Music Schoology page or by saving the links below.  These same links will be good for the entire year, so you can bookmark them now!

• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3
• Grade 4
• Grade 5

What’s Up in Spanish Class?

Enrollment for Instrumental Music

Enrollment for Instrumental Selection is currently open. Students may begin string lessons in grades 3, 4 or 5, and may begin band lessons in grades 4 or 5. The enrollment deadline for 2024-2025 is October 1st. Instrumental music classes are 30 minute pull-out lessons. Students are pulled out of other classes during the school day on a rotational basis, so they do not miss the same class each week. Students are expected to make up all of the classwork that they miss. Please contact the Mrs. Harris (aharris@mtlsd.net) or Mr. DeLaurentis (ddelaurentis@mtlsd.net) about the orchestra program and Mrs. Wockley (kwockley@mtlsd.net) about our band program.

We are excited to work with you and your children toward continued growth, learning, fun and success this school year!  Easing back into school routines is a process so check out a few helpful tips below to make the transition easier!  Your school counselor is available to support all children in many ways, including teaching classroom guidance lessons to review tips on how to make new friends, stay connected, organized and how to cope and learn successfully.  All students, regardless of background, identity, or ability, are supported to reach their full potential and pursue their unique talents. Keep reading for more information about the role of a school counselor!

Resilience grows from adapting and thriving in new or challenging times.  Creating routines, setting goals, problem solving, engaging in self-care, and encouraging a healthy and hopeful perspective are life skills we can model and reinforce for our children as they start a new school year.  Community resources are always here to provide assistance for all families.  We are here and ready to support our students and families to support another year of learning and growing together!

Link to August/September 2024 Newsletter

Ms. Herb

eherb@mtlsd.net

Schoology (LMS)

Schoology, the Mt. Lebanon School District's official Learning Management System (LMS) provides families with a deeper look into their student's classwork and learning progress. All online assignments will be collected through Schoology. Calendars in Schoology will have school events listed as well as course events and assignments. The Schoology calendar will continue as the primary calendar for classroom activity. Classroom assignments, due dates, reminders and other events will be posted by teachers in the Schoology calendar.

We hope this video is useful as you get started with your account. Additionally, an orientation course for families MTLSD’s Family Guide to Schoology is available within the Schoology platform. Visit our website (www.mtlsd.org/families/technology/schoology) for directions to join this course!

If you have questions or need support with Schoology, please email us at SchoologySupport@mtlsd.net.

MTLSD Equipment Protection Plan (EPP)

We are excited to have your students back in our hallways soon! The purpose of this letter is to inform you about the benefits and specifics of the District’s Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) for District-owned student devices this year.

If your student will be in grades K through 5 this year:

Your student will be issued a District-owned device at their building. Students in grades K and 1 will receive an iPad and students in grades 2-5 will receive a Chromebook. Your building principal will provide specifics about the distribution of this equipment to your student.

If your student will be in Middle School or High School this year:
Your student is expected to bring a non-cell phone device with them to school every day (laptop, Chromebook, iPad). If you would like to borrow a District-owned Chromebook for your student at Middle School or High School, please complete the SECONDARY STUDENT EQUIPMENT REQUEST FORM which can be found on the District’s One-to-One Resources page (www.mtlsd.org/One-to-One).

For ALL District-issued student devices (Grades K through 12):
Students and families are responsible for any and all damage to their district-owned device. The District offers an annual program called the Equipment Protection Plan (EPP). The EPP is optional and is not required. The EPP is a one-time $50 fee and will cover a single 1:1 District-owned device for the 2024-2025 school year - starting on July 1, 2024, and concluding on June 30, 2025.

To enroll in the Equipment Protection Plan (EPP):
Click the ENROLL button on the District’s One-to-One Resources page (www.mtlsd.org/One-to-One).
The deadline to enroll in EPP this year is OCTOBER 1, 2024.

Why should we sign up for this?
The average cost for a damage incident to a District-owned iPad or Chromebook was $129 last year. Damage can happen (and has happened!) from dropping the device, knocking the device off of a table, tripping and falling with the device, tossing a full backpack with the device onto the ground, and more. If the cost for a damage incident exceeds the replacement cost of the device, you could be charged up to $400 per incident if your student is not enrolled in this plan. Enrolling in the EPP ensures that for $50, all accidental breaks and damage will be covered for the year for your student.

I have more questions!
Full details about the EPP including the link/button to ENROLL can be found on the District’s One-to-One Resources page (www.mtlsd.org/One-to-One). Additionally, all questions and feedback are welcomed by our RemoteSupport team when you email RemoteSupport@mtlsd.net

What’s Next?
In early September, we will send families an email for each of your students who has a District-owned device, letting you know the status of your EPP enrollment for this year. We will also remind everyone at that time that the deadline to enroll in EPP for this year is October 1, 2024.

Drop Off Table for Student Items

Students are responsible for ensuring they bring required items to school each day. Some forgotten items, such as instruments and lunches, are clearly needed at specific times. Other items, such as library books or water bottles, may instead be an opportunity for your child to learn to do without the item for the day, and hopefully remember it in the future. If you are bringing a forgotten item, please use our Drop Off Table just inside Door A1. Note your child's name, teacher, and item on the sign-in sheet. The office staff will contact teachers periodically throughout the day, to send students to pick up those items at a time that does not interfere with their teaching schedules.

Security and Safety

The school building will be locked down all day except during the AM arrival and PM dismissal times. All visitors/parents that want to access the school must enter through the main entrance (Door A1) and be buzzed into the school office. Visitors should be prepared to identify themselves when asked by the school office staff. All visitors MUST have a photo ID handy when the office staff asks for identification. While in the school, visitors must wear a visitor’s badge (in a clearly visible manner). Visitors need to check out in the school office before leaving the school. Please remember that these measures are in place to protect the students and staff.

Lincoln PTA Membership

After hearing about ALL of the WONDERFUL THINGS that the Lincoln PTA does, I bet you are wondering how you can be a part of it! We can do such great things each year because of our families who join the PTA and volunteer in many ways! Nothing would make us happier this year than if your family JOINED THE PTA!

Please know that even if your schedule does not allow you to volunteer or participate in the PTA in person, your PTA Membership Dues contribution is an amazing way to support your children throughout the entire school year!

By joining, your membership dues help to support all programs that the PTA sponsors in some way! Programs such as: Read-A-Thon, Frosty Shop, Cultural Arts, New Family Buddies, Garden Club, Grand Finale, Popsicle Playdate, Scholastic Book Fair, Yearbook, Spelling Bee, Family Picnic, Staff Appreciation, Ice Cream Social, Matt’s Maker Space, Science Fair, Winter Lunchtime Clubs, Talent Show, Spring Carnival, Skating Party, Helping Hands, Fifth Grade Farewell, International Families Night and more! These are all made possible by your Membership Dues!

You also get the chance to vote at PTA meetings if you are able to attend them and will receive a copy of the fabulous Lincoln Elementary School Directory!

Please contact Lorraine at LincolnAwesomeAbesPTA@gmail.com or message our Lincoln PTA Facebook page @LincolnAwesomeAbesPTA if you have any questions! Thank you so much for your support!

Lincoln Elementary School PTA Membership Form

PTA FYIs

Calling All Chocolate Lovers!

It has never been easier to support our children in their fundraising efforts! With access to hundreds of Sarris products online during the Fall and Holiday Sarris Candies fundraiser there is something for everyone. Items for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and any given Tuesday are available!

Sarris Candies will provide Lincoln Elementary School with 25% of the profit from all purchases made between 09/16/24 and 12/15/24 when our Group ID number is entered.

Please share our Group ID # 10-0006 with family and friends!

Please click the link below to place your Sarris Candies order

https://www.sarriscandiesfundraising.com/

Lincoln Elementary MTL

Group ID# 10-0006

Please note all items will ship directly to you/the address provided within 72 hours of purchase via UPS.

Taco Tuesday is coming to Lincoln Elementary 10/08/24!

Please support our 5th Graders in their fundraising efforts with a purchase from Moe’s Southwest Grill!

Orders must be placed by Sunday 10/06/24 at 12pm

Please use the link below to order your Taco Kit(s) today!

Moe's Order Form 

Taco Kits will be distributed after school from the cafeteria door, door C-15, on Tuesday 10/08/24 at 3:30pm. If you have any questions or are unable to collect your Taco Kit after dismissal on 10/08/24 please contact Joanna Whitlock Streets at jwhitlockstreets@gmail.com.

*Please note all unclaimed Taco Kits will be donated at 4pm 10/08/24.  

About Lincoln Elementary School

Lincoln Elementary School, named after President Abraham Lincoln, opened in 1925 and is the second oldest school in the Mt. Lebanon School District. Lincoln was awarded three United States Department of Education National Blue Ribbons (2001, 2003, and 2013) for its overall academic excellence and outstanding student achievement. Lincoln Elementary School presently serves students in Kindergarten-5th Grade. The dedicated faculty members take great pride in working with the students and collaborating with their families to "provide the best education possible for each and every student" that attends Lincoln.