October Newsletter
“One Team, One Goal: Every Student Thrives!”
10/6 Instructional Coaches Day
10/7 Pre-School Apple Orchid Field Trip & Lincoln @ McKinley GBB
10/8 Lincoln @ Wolcott GBB
10/9 ECE Parent Meeting 8:30 - 0:30 am & Lincoln @ Patton GBB
10/10 Institute Day - No School
10/13 Indigenous Peoples’ Day- No School
10/14 Schrum @ Lincoln GBB
10/15 Lincoln @ Wentworth GBB
10/16 Pre-School Screening & Lincoln @ Wolcott GBB
10/17 School-Wide Hispanic Heritage Attire and Assembly
10/20 School Board Meeting @ Distinct Office 6:00pm
10/20-24 Fall Book Fair
10/23 Lincoln @ Heritage GBB and Eighth Grade Connection at TFN
10/24 United Nations Day & Eighth Grade Fundraiser Dance Grade 6-8
10/24 PBIS Movie Incentive Day Grades K-4th
10/27 Occupational Therapy Day
10/28 McKinley @ Lincoln GBB
10/29 Quarter 1 Assembly and Early Dismissal Day
10/29 Lincoln’s Pink Out Day in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
10/30 Patton @ Lincoln GBB & PBIS Movie Day Middle Grades 5th- 8th
10/31 Parent Teacher Conference Day 8:30 – 11:00 a.m.; 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.
10/31 No School for Students
Happy Halloween
Goal 1: By June 2026, we will decrease the number of chronically absent students by at least 5%, as indicated by a December and May attendance report (35.1% to 30%, which is still above the state average).
Goal 2: By the spring of 2026, the percentage of students scoring at or above grade level proficiency on the math curriculum will increase by 15%.
Goal 3: By June 2026, 50% of students will meet or exceed local assessment expectations in ELA and be able to write extended responses for various purposes and audiences using available resources.
These goals drive teaching and learning at Lincoln. Your involvement is crucial in helping us achieve them. Please ensure that your students arrive on time and are ready to learn to meet these goals. Stay tuned to see if we met our School Improvement Goals!
Honoring the Wisdom, Love, and Legacy of Our Grandparents
On September 10, 2025, our school community came together to celebrate one of the most cherished events of the year — Grandparents’ Day. The theme, “Honoring the Wisdom, Love, and Legacy of Our Grandparents,” set the perfect tone for a heartfelt morning filled with joy, music, and appreciation.
The celebration began with a warm welcome from our Building Administration, who expressed deep gratitude for the invaluable love and support grandparents provide. Their presence reminded us all of the strong foundation and lasting influence they bring to our students’ lives.
The program continued with an energetic musical performance of “Chicago” by Michael Jackson, performed by Stephanie Castro, Elijah Shields, and Adam Johnson. Their enthusiasm and talent brought smiles and applause from everyone in attendance, under the musical direction of Mx. Puildo.
Following the performance, Labria Baker shared a touching poem that beautifully captured the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren — one built on love, patience, and shared memories.
Our 6th–8th Grade Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Pimental, then delivered an uplifting performance of “Lovely Day.” Their beautiful voices, guided by Mrs. Pimental’s expert direction, filled the room with harmony and heart. The performance perfectly reflected the gratitude and joy that surrounded the day.
To close the celebration, Mrs. Donald, Building Principal, shared inspirational words about the powerful role grandparents play in shaping future generations. Her message encouraged everyone to treasure the lessons, stories, and traditions that grandparents pass down with love and affection.
The morning concluded with closing remarks and expressions of appreciation, as students and staff joined together to thank our grandparents for their lasting wisdom, unwavering love, and inspiring legacy.
Our Grandparents’ Day was truly a beautiful reminder that family roots run deep — and that the love of a grandparent continues to nurture and guide us all.
On September 17, 2025, our preschool families came together for a heartwarming Parent and Child Craft Day centered around the theme of trees—a perfect extension of the classroom unit our students have been exploring.
Our wonderful teachers thoughtfully prepared every detail, from materials to decorations, creating a cozy and welcoming space where families could learn, laugh, and create together. The morning began with a shared breakfast, followed by hands-on craft activities that encouraged creativity and fine motor skill development through cutting, gluing, and designing colorful tree-inspired art.
Beyond the crafts themselves, the event blossomed into something even more special—it was a time for families to connect, for parents to see the joy of learning in action, and for our preschool community to grow even stronger.
We are so grateful to our families and teachers for making this day such a meaningful and memorable celebration of creativity, connection, and growth!
New Faces, New Energy at Lincoln!
We are beyond excited to welcome our new teaching staff, who are ready to inspire, lead, and empower our students this year:
Ms. Stephanie Apedo – Grade 3
Ms. Mary Boateng – Grade 6, Science
We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Casto will be joining our Multilingual Team to support our English Learner (EL) students. Her experience and dedication will be a wonderful addition as we continue to provide high-quality instruction and language development opportunities for all our learners.
Please join us in giving them a warm Lincoln welcome as they become part of our amazing school community!
Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
The Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter (JASSAC) was chartered on January 12, 1974, by seventeen trailblazing Delta women—many of whom served in south suburban school districts across Cook and Will Counties, Illinois. United by a shared vision of creating meaningful and lasting change, JASSAC has continued to advance Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.’s Five-Point Programmatic Thrust:
Economic Development
Educational Development
International Awareness and Involvement
Physical and Mental Health
Political Awareness and Involvement
Rooted in these pillars, the chapter has developed impactful initiatives that uplift underserved communities and expand access to opportunity.
Educational Development Focus: Blessings in a Backpack
One of JASSAC’s signature initiatives addresses food insecurity—a major barrier to learning. Partnering with the nonprofit Blessings in a Backpack, members purchase, pack, and distribute food-filled backpacks each month to ensure students have nutritious meals over the weekend.
This effort supports children who rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the week, helping them return to school each Monday ready to learn.
Through this program, JASSAC not only combats hunger but also strengthens academic success, confidence, and well-being for students across the South Suburbs—continuing its legacy of service and empowerment. We are delighted that JASSAC is partnering with Lincoln Elementary Families.
Let’s Reach 500 Parents for Parent-Teacher Conference Day!
We’re setting a big goal — we want 500 parents to participate in our Parent-Teacher Conference Day!
To make it even more exciting, we’re adding a little friendly competition — the primary, intermediate, and upper-grade classes with the highest parent participation will each earn a Pizza Party!
So parents, let’s show up, get involved, and make sure your child’s class takes the win! Let’s see that participation grow!
No School for Students — this day is all about connecting families and teachers to support student success. Check Class Connection for details from your child’s teacher.
Important Date: Thursday, October 31st
Time 8:30 – 11:00 a.m. & 12:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Teacher Lunch Break: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Attendance Matters!
Building strong attendance habits starts early — even in preschool and the primary grades. When children attend school every day, they develop essential routines that lay the foundation for lifelong learning.
Consistent attendance helps young learners build friendships, feel connected to their teachers, and gain confidence within their classroom community. Each school day provides new opportunities to learn and grow, and even missing just a few days can make it harder for children to keep up with key skills in reading, math, and writing.
Families play a vital role in helping children arrive at school on time each day. You can support your child by establishing calm morning routines, setting consistent bedtimes, and reinforcing the importance of school as a family priority.
If your child seems worried about school, please reach out to their homeroom teacher so we can work together to provide the support they need.
By working as a team, we can help every student build strong attendance habits that will benefit them — not just this year, but for years to come.
Lincoln Staff Are Awesome!
Our Lincoln Staff are leading the way with outstanding attendance — and they’re setting the perfect example for our students!
When our staff shows up, our students grow up strong, smart, and successful!
Congratulations to all our staff members who achieved perfect attendance in September! We appreciate your dedication, energy, and commitment to our school community!
This Month’s Character Trait: Responsibility!
This month, we’re celebrating our outstanding students who shine with responsibility — doing the right thing, taking care of their work, and helping others!
We’re incredibly proud of how they consistently demonstrate leadership, kindness, and care every single day. Keep up the fantastic work, responsible learners!
Immunization Requirements
This is a friendly reminder that October 15, 2025, is the deadline for all student immunizations. Please review the link below for the list of required immunizations.
Students who do not have up-to-date immunization records will not be permitted to attend school until the necessary documentation is received.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact our school nurse for support.
Lincoln's Fall Book Fair!!
Get ready! Our school-wide Book Fair will take place from October 20th to 24th. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore and purchase fun and engaging books that inspire a love for reading.
Please make sure your child is prepared to shop and enjoy this exciting literacy event. We can’t wait to see our students discover new stories and adventures!
Happy Reading!!!!!
Book Character Dress-Up Day!
We are thrilled to announce that our students will have the opportunity to participate in Book Character Dress-Up Day on Thursday, October 30! This special day is all about celebrating imagination, creativity, and a love of reading.
Students are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite book characters, bringing beloved stories to life in fun and inspiring ways. Costumes should reflect positive, school-appropriate characters from books that spark joy and curiosity.
To keep our day safe and welcoming for everyone, please remember that outfits or accessories connected to death, gore, weapons (such as swords, daggers, wands, staffs, cuffs, chains, or military gear), or negativity will not be permitted.
We can’t wait to see our hallways filled with storybook heroes, adventurers, and dreamers! Let’s make this a day that celebrates the magic of reading and the power of imagination.
The Museum of Tolerance
This year, our 7th and 8th-graders had the privilege of participating in an on-site field study at the Museum of Tolerance. The focus of this year’s experience was “The Power of Ordinary People”—a study of the courageous efforts of resistance during the Holocaust. Students engaged in critical conversations and deep reflection, thinking about the causes of genocide and the importance of standing up for justice.
8th Grade Corner
Thank you to all the parents who attended 8th Grade Night! We reviewed key dates and expectations for this important year. Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:
February 13 – 8th Grade Fees Due ($200)
February 27 – 8th Grade Pictures
If you were unable to attend, please refer to the attached PDF for all the information shared. Also, if you have not already done so, don’t forget to return your signed behavior contract.
Lincoln Lady Tigers Basketball Team Update!
The Lincoln Girls Basketball Team is rebuilding and off to a good start this season! Our student-athletes demonstrate teamwork, dedication, and school pride both on and off the court. We invite all families, friends, and community members to come out and support our Lady Tigers as they continue to grow and compete!
7th Grade Team
Ashley Cruz – Forward #20
Arianna Calderon – Guard #2
Cora Jones – Guard #0
Vasiyah Davis – Guard #23
Jaie Cook – Forward #45
Deborah Odunayo – Forward #31
Charlie Smith – Forward #3
Shaniyah Dortch – Center #35
8th Grade Team
Demariyah Thomas – Guard #24
Christine McClinton – Guard #21
Janae King – Forward #12
London Robinson – Forward #20
Kiah Morgan – Center #41
Brooklyn Love – Forward #32
Alana Batte – Guard #15
Let’s cheer on our Lady Tigers as they play with heart, hustle, and pride! Go Lincoln! 🐾