PANTHER PROGRESS

The African Americans of Excellence Ceremony was held recently at the Weinberg Theater in downtown Frederick. This event, now in its third year, "celebrates diversity and inclusivity, showcasing the achievements and contributions of remarkable African Americans in Frederick." This year's honorees were a distinguish group and included three Lincoln alumni: William Bowie, Rose Chaney and John Onley, all who graduated from Lincoln while it was a high school in the 1950's. As I sat and watched the ceremony, I was filled with pride knowing the humble roots of our school and the evolution it's had over its 103-year-history. Up until FCPS desegregated in the early 1960's, Lincoln was the only school for students of color in all of Frederick County. As we recognize Black African American History Month, February seems an apt time to remind our commUNITY of the legacy that Lincoln has had and continues to have. We have been a pillar in this neighborhood for over a century. We have current students whose parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents attended this school. If you look at the picture below, you can see how the building itself has continued to grow and expand. We must always remember that history. We must always have pride in ourselves and in our continued commitment to each other. We must always remember that Lincoln Love can elevate, inspire and educate. We must always remember that it is through selflessness that we can turn small wins into big victories.

Lincoln's original school motto, created by one of the first graduating classes and proudly displayed in the front vestibule - "Enter to learn, go forth to serve."

Yours in service,

Crosby Blair

CommUNITY School Coordinator

P.S. If you'd like to read more about Lincoln's history and our centennial celebration in 2023, check out this Frederick News Post article.

• February 9 - 13: Lincoln Love Spirit Week (flier below)
• February 11: Spelling Bee 4pm
• February 12: AttenDANCE 5-7pm (flier below)
• February 13: Two hour early dismissal (Mid term, students dismiss at 1:30pm)
• February 16: No School (Presidents' Day)
• February 20: Wizard of Oz showing 7pm
• February 21: Wizard of Oz showing 2pm

Each grade level has created their own newsletters! Instead of linking the monthly standards, we will now include a link to each newsletter. These newsletters are also sent every two weeks directly from teachers via Talking Points. If you need a paper copy of the newsletter, please contact your child's teacher.

Use the link below to see each grade level's academic standards and assessments schedule:

Academic Standards and Assessments

Our students are offered breakfast and lunch every day. Click the links below for this month's menu. For more information about FCPS food and nutrition, visit the FCPS nutrition website.

• Breakfast (English)
• Breakfast (Spanish)
• Lunch (English)
• Lunch (Spanish)

We are currently taking orders for our school yearbook. Use the link below and order yours today! The cost with tax is $21.73. If you want to add your child's name, it is $25.44; and with your child's name and photo, it is $28.09. Don't delay! Orders will be taken until March 11th.

TraditionsSchoolPhotography.inter-state.com

Use Code: 0329XP

Out-of-district enrollment applications for the 2026-2027 school year will be accepted by the Office of Student Services from February 1 to March 1, 2026.

Students may be considered for enrollment outside their designated attendance area. Parents or guardians who wish to request an out-of-district enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year must apply by completing the application. Applications must be submitted by parents or legal guardians. All students who are currently enrolled outside of their designated attendance area MUST reapply because approval is granted on a year-to-year basis.

Out-of-district enrollment requests are reviewed by the pupil personnel worker in consultation with the school principal. Requests from parents or legal guardians may be granted if the school has adequate space and facilities to accommodate the student and/or if an approvable circumstance is deemed to exist. Please review all factors considered for approval prior to submitting your application. Details are included in FCPS Regulation 400-15. If the out-of- district request is approved, transportation to and from the assigned school will be the responsibility of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s). The FCPS list of closed schools for the 2026-2027 school year can be found here.

If you have questions about the Out-of-district process, please contact our CommUNITY School Coordinator at Crosby.Blair@fcps.org

Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris will be visiting students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade to talk about their new book The Future Book. If you would like to purchase a copy of the book, please use the link below. If you have any questions, please email our Media Specialist at Jennifer.Amsley@fcps.org or send her a TalkingPoints message.

Families with a child in any grade may order a book: https://curiousiguana.com/product/lincoln/

Join the Board of Education for a Community Listening Session: The Board of Education will host an informal Community Listening Session at Tuscarora on February 18th from 6 – 7:30pm. This session features a collaborative format, beginning with a brief town-hall-style forum followed by small-group table discussions for more personalized conversation. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your successes, ask questions, or discuss areas of advocacy directly with Board members. Your perspective as a member of the Lincoln Elementary School community is highly valued, and we hope to see you there!

• C. Burr Artz Library monthly program: February
• February 10 & 12: "Secrets of the Sea" at the ESSL
• February 14: Community Pasta Dinner @ Asbury Church 2-5pm
• February 15: 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration @ Frederick High 12-4pm

Occasionally, inclement weather requires FCPS to close, delay opening or dismiss early. Closing and delay decisions involve careful evaluation of a variety of factors in a short time period. Whenever possible, decisions are made by 5am for morning closures/delays and by 10am for early closings. Check the FCPS Closings and Delays webpage for more information.

*Please note - individual schools do not make closing or delay decisions. Those are made by the FCPS Central Office team. Also, while we send a Talking Points notification as a courtesy, we highly recommend signing up for notifications directly from FCPS.

We're excited to announce that we've partnered with an organization called "All For Lunch" to help keep our school lunch debt free. 100% of tax-deductible donations will go directly towards eliminating debt and donors receive an automated receipt through email. Please help us spread the word!

https://allforlunch.org/LincolnESmd/

Update - We've raised over $1400 so far!

Did you know that our students can be nominated for a positive referral each month? Students that demonstrate consistent good behavior and exhibit any of our habits of learning (self-advocating, practicing social responsibility, demonstrating perseverance and having a learning mindset) celebrate with an extra recess at the end of each month. We had 88 students nominated in January. Each student that is nominated also receives a certificate to take home. Great job!

Current Attendance Rates

• Whole School: 94.2% (The FCPS goal is 96%)
• PreK: 92.6%
• Kindergarten: 92.7%
• First: 94.1%
• Second: 95.3%
• Third: 94.6%
• Fourth: 94.9%
• Fifth: 94.5%

Current Chronic Absence Rate: 18.4% (Our school goal is to be lower than 15%)

Regular school attendance is important for a student's academic and behavioral success. We need your help! Please make sure your child is coming to school regularly unless they are sick. Per FCPS policy, anytime a student is absent, the school must receive written documentation from the guardian and/or medical provider. Written communication can be in the form of an email, a Talking Points message, or a hand written note. Our ratings on the Maryland School Report Card are heavily impacted by our attendance rates. Reach out to our Community School Coordinator at Crosby.Blair@fcps.org with any attendance questions or needs.

Family and community members interested in volunteering should begin the volunteer process by visiting the FCPS Volunteer Webpage linked below. Applicants will be directed to:

1. Complete a registration form.
2. Complete a training module on Unified Talent.
3. Await school approval on application.
4. Sign-up for volunteer opportunities facilitated by individual schools.

*Complete ONE registration form only per person. Additional school selections may be added after original approval. Please note: To avoid delays, you must complete the registration form and training using the exact same full name and email address each time. Do not use nicknames, abbreviations, hyphen variations, or alternate spellings or email addresses.

The volunteer registration and training process is completed annually for each school year. Volunteers must complete the process before being signed up for volunteer opportunities, including chaperoning a field trip. FCPS encourages family and community members interested in volunteering to complete the process early as processing times can vary.

Be a part of our PAC to help us improve our school environment and our learning community! Our next meeting is Thursday, March 5th from 5-6:30pm.

ALL PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!

Please email Crosby.Blair@fcps.org to RSVP.

*All events are from 5 - 7pm unless otherwise noted*

• February 12: AttenDANCE
• March 17: Encore Night
• April 2: Lincoln Night (at Frederick High School, 5:30 - 7:30pm)
• May 29: Panther Party

Meet the school counseling team: The “Super Support Squad”

• Mrs. Groveman (Counselor) grades 3-5 Tiffany.Groveman@fcps.org

• Mrs. Quill (Counselor) grades PreK-2 Heather.Quill@fcps.org

• Ms. Dodson (Behavior Support Specialist) Heather.Dodson@fcps.org

• Ms. Cody (Behavior Support Specialist) Amanda.Cody@fcps.org

During the month of February Frederick County Public schools recognizes Black African American History month (BAAHM). We are especially excited to celebrate at Lincoln as our school was the first school for African American students in Frederick County in 1923. This month we will be focusing on the ways that we can live the Lincoln legacy of love and education for all. We will be talking to our students about how they represent the dreams of their families and community. Students will be making “I am the Dream” signs to hang around the school. We encourage families to talk to your children about their dreams for the future, and your dreams for them. You can even write your hopes and dreams for your child(ren) on their sign so we can all celebrate their special space in the world and our school family.

If your child experiences any of the following symptoms listed below please keep them home from school

• Fever over 100 within the last 24 hours (must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school)
• Vomiting/diarrhea within the last 24 hours
• Rash
• Red, itchy, crusty eyes or any drainage from eyes

February is Children’s Dental Health Month. Follow these four steps for a healthy smile.

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste after breakfast and before bedtime
• Once teeth are touching, floss your child’s teeth daily
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks
• Visit a dental office regularly

Contact Lincoln's health room with any questions 227-203-1580

Kindness is more than just being polite — it plays an important role in children’s social and emotional development. When children practice kind behaviors, they build empathy, strengthen friendships, and develop a greater sense of connection to others. Research shows that acts of kindness can also boost mood, reduce stress, and help children feel more confident and valued. February is a perfect time to intentionally focus on kindness as a family and help children see that even small actions can make a big difference.

Tip of the Month: Family Kindness Challenge

• Daily Kind Acts – Encourage your child to do one small kind thing each day, like helping at home, inviting someone to play, or giving a compliment. Share kind moments at dinner or bedtime.
• Kind Notes – Leave a short happy note in your child’s lunchbox or on their pillow. Help them write one for a family member, teacher, or friend.
• Catch Kindness – Notice kind behavior and name it: “That was thoughtful of you to share,” or “I saw you help your brother — that was kind.”
• Community Service – Try one simple family activity like donating a few canned goods, making a thank-you card for a neighbor, or picking up trash at a park.

Contact Info: Jamie Udaka, PhD; School Psychologist (Itsuko.udaka@fcps.org)

Click the button below for this month's Judy Center newsletter!

Information about bus status and delays can be found using the button below. The page refreshes every 60 seconds.

Also, please be reminded of the Maryland laws surrounding school bus safety: English; Spanish

Please reach out if you have any questions/concerns/needs... whatever it takes - we're here to help!

Lots of Lincoln Love!

Email: Crosby.Blair@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/lnes/home
Location: 200 Madison Street, Frederick, MD
Phone: 227.203.1580