Lincoln Log

Dear Abraham Lincoln Families,

May is here! As we head into the final stretch of the school year, you’ll notice many exciting events and activities on the calendar. Please be sure to stay connected with your child’s teacher and check this newsletter regularly for important dates and updates so you don’t miss anything.

End-of-year assessments will begin next week. If your child will be absent at any point during this time, please be sure to notify their teacher so we can plan accordingly.

~ Mrs. Ireland

Saturday, May 2nd, 10am to noon.

All students, families, and community members are invited to help prepare the Abe Lincoln School gardens for spring planting. We invite folks to bring rakes, work gloves, and 5-gallon buckets. We also hope to install a green house irrigation system for greenhouse growing. Contact the school garden coordinator, Hailey James (843) 412-2015, with any questions.

At Abraham Lincoln, we take attendance seriously because consistent school attendance is directly linked to student success. We track attendance weekly and will begin sharing our monthly progress with students and staff through a visual display in the school. I will also include these updates in each newsletter so families can stay informed.

Here is our Average Daily Attendance (ADA) so far this year:

• September: 95%

• October: 92%

• November: 95%

• December: 95%

• January: 94%

• February: 91%

• March: 94%

• April: 94%

Our goal is to maintain 95% or higher each month, and we are excited to work together to reach it!

You can help support strong attendance by scheduling appointments outside the school day whenever possible and planning family vacations during scheduled school vacation weeks. Every day of learning matters, and we appreciate your partnership in helping our students be present, engaged, and ready to learn.

*May 1 - Book Fair

*May 2 - Garden Clean Up 10:00-12:00

*May 11 - Grade 3 Bangor Symphony Field Trip

*May 11 - ABC Countdown begins

*May 13 and 14 - Grade 3 NWEA Testing

*May 13 - Early Release - Noon Dismissal; PTO Meeting at 5:15; Committee Meeting at 7:00

*May 15 - Grade 2 Rogers Farm Field Trip

*May 18 - Reorganization Listening Sessions

*May 20 - Special Olympics Track and Field

*May 21 - PEAK Night at 5:00

*May 25 - No School - Memorial Day

*May 26 - Grade 1 Bangor Public Library Field Trip

*May 27 - School Committee Meeting at 7:00

*May 28 - Grade 3 All City Concert at 5:30

Here are a few simple ways families can support learning at home for PreK–3 students:

• Read together daily: Spend 10–15 minutes reading with your child. Talk about the story, ask questions, and let them retell parts in their own words.
• Practice counting and math in real life: Count objects around the house, practice simple addition/subtraction, or talk about numbers while cooking or shopping.
• Encourage writing and drawing: Have your child draw pictures and label them, write simple sentences, or keep a small journal.
• Build routines and independence: Encourage your child to follow daily routines, clean up after activities, and take responsibility for small tasks.

The Bangor School Department is partnering with Smart Social, an excellent resource that helps families navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Smart Social offers free tools, videos, and tips to help parents guide children in making positive choices online and using social media responsibly.

We encourage all families to explore these resources and start conversations at home about digital safety and balance. Check it out here: Smart Social

We’re excited to share Beyond the Bell, a new podcast that takes listeners inside the heart of our schools! Each episode dives into the inspiring stories, innovative practices, and everyday moments that make our school community so special. You’ll hear from teachers, staff, community members, and experts who bring unique perspectives on education today — from school psychologists and coaches to educational leaders.

Tune in and explore what’s happening beyond the bell!
🎧 Listen here: Beyond the Bell Podcast

At the Heart of Abe, we are committed to creating a caring and engaging environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to learn. As we move through these final months of the school year, we continue to focus on strong relationships, meaningful learning experiences, and helping each student grow both academically and socially.

Early Release dismissal is at 12:00 PM.