From the Principal's Desk

Welcome to The Principal’s Pulse, Team Lincoln Middle School, and welcome to a new school year! I am excited about the year ahead and grateful for the opportunity to serve as your principal. As we begin this journey together, my hope is that we build a school community where we feel connected, supported, informed, and proud of the work we do each day for our students.

The Principal’s Pulse will be our weekly connection point for important updates, reminders, upcoming events, celebrations, and information from around our building. My goal is to keep everyone informed while also highlighting the people, moments, and work that make Lincoln Middle School such a special place.

Below is information about: upcoming trainings, meeting date, district SEL and Restorative Practices information, forms you need to complete ASAP, reminders, celebrations, and staff shout outs etc.

Our motto, Together Forward, is a commitment to move with shared purpose, honor the pride and tradition of Lincoln, and continue building the future our students deserve. Each of you plays an important role in bringing that commitment to life.

Thank you for the energy, care, expertise, and heart you bring to our students and to one another. I am looking forward to a wonderful year together as we learn, grow, celebrate, and continue moving Together Forward.

Let’s make it a great year, Team Lincoln!

Dr. Cureton

curetonm@lincolnk12.org

Cell #734-273-1654

I am a human, mother, wife, teacher, educator, administrator, doctor, friend, family member, joy, and love. Wife of Rod Sr. Mother of Rod Jr., Riana, and Ryleigh. Lover of: Hamilton, drinking coke, learning, books, quotes, biblical scriptures, shopping, watching movies, my family, school, music, and all things beautiful.

Beth Jayne is retiring after 30 years at Lincoln Consolidated Schools. She was a special education teacher in the High Needs classroom for many years before being an Inclusion teacher in the 7th grade for over a dozen years. Beth has touched the lives of many students and staff with her calm, compassionate, and knowledgeable presence. She will be missed.

Please come celebrate Beth's retirement with cake in the Media Center after school today, August 31st.

“Though this chapter ends, your impact will echo through every hall, every notebook, and every success story that follows.”

Jennifer Pocock will be training new staff members on Minga after school, if you are new or need a refresher, please attend. The date will be Wednesday, September 2nd 3:30-4:00 in the Media Center. All new teachers and teachers who need a refresher should attend. I will be attending.

I have asked Amy Baxter to join us at our first staff meeting on Wednesday, September 9, to provide training on SWIS, our new digital platform for recording referrals and supporting our behavior management system.

In the meantime, please watch the video about SWIS. At the conclusion of the training, you will be provided with a QR code to scan as verification of completion.

https://canva.link/4ctuqotbrgfyx6a

Please make sure you complete the training prior to our staff meeting on September 9. Amy will be available during our meeting to answer questions, provide additional guidance, and help ensure everyone feels comfortable using the new system. Thank you for taking the time to complete this important training and for your continued commitment to supporting a consistent and positive approach to student behavior. In the meantime, there are paper referrals in the main office. We should be implementing SWIS by October.

27h New Teacher & Administrator Mentoring & Induction

• WHO: New teachers and administrators in their first three years in Washtenaw County.

• WHAT: Flexible support designed to meet you where you are—including mentoring, Cross-District Learning Communities, professional learning, and book studies focused on topics such as lesson planning, instruction, and leadership.

• WHERE: Connect with educators within your district and across Washtenaw County to learn, collaborate, and build your professional network.

• WHEN: Throughout your first three years. Participate as much—or as little—as is helpful to you.

• WHY: You don't have to navigate your first years alone. Build connections, strengthen your practice, learn from experienced educators, and access support tailored to your needs.

Interested in participating? Express your interest!

New Teachers: Complete the New Teacher Interest Form

Administrators: Complete the Administrator Interest Form

Learn more about Michigan's Section 27h Mentoring & Induction Grant: Michigan Department of Education — Section 27h

Input dates for events that the school staff need to know, Kyra is going to input them into our Middle School Google Calendar. She will check this regularly if needed.

Just a friendly reminder that teacher report time is 8:05 AM, and teacher end time (can leave) is 3:27 PM. Thank you for being mindful of these times each day! If you anticipate running late, need to leave early, or have a standing appointment or other scheduling concerns, please let me know beforehand.

My school cell number and the number is: 734-273-1654, you can call or text me here or through the school. Please save my number.

Good morning, please see the Drop Off and Dismissal Supervision List, it will be adjusted as needed. Please be sure to be at your designated spot as soon as possible each day, thank you and I appreciate everyone.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yQp1qP9twczFxndKOV8ermGXKLs84-XW0qtKbbYPssU/edit

I want to take a moment to recognize three amazing women I have the privilege of working alongside each day in our main office: Monieka, Kyra, and Angela. From the moment I stepped into Lincoln, each of you has made me feel welcomed, supported, and part of the team. I am incredibly grateful for the warmth, patience, professionalism, and care you bring to our school every single day.

Our main office is often the first place our students, families, staff, and visitors experience when they enter Lincoln. You are the voices they hear, the faces they see, the questions they bring their concerns to, and so often, the people who quietly make sure everything keeps moving. You are the heartbeat of our front office, and the work you do matters tremendously.

Thank you for the countless things you do that often happen behind the scenes. Thank you for answering the phones, greeting families, helping students, supporting staff, solving problems, answering questions, keeping us organized, and somehow managing all of the unexpected moments that come with a school day. Most importantly, thank you for the care and humanity you bring to your work.

I know that being a school secretary requires far more than administrative skills. It requires patience, flexibility, compassion, a great sense of humor, and the ability to juggle a hundred things at once while still making people feel valued. You each bring those qualities in your own unique way, and Lincoln is better because you are here.

I am truly thankful that I get to work alongside you and look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year. Thank you for being an incredible part of Team Lincoln and for helping create the welcoming, caring, and supportive school community we want for our students and families.

Monieka, Kyra, and Angela, thank you for all that you do, all that you give, and all that you bring to Lincoln. You are appreciated more than you know! 💙💛

Together Forward!