Dear Lincoln Families,

This will be another busy week of teaching and learning for us at Lincoln. Although it is a shorter 4-day week, our teachers are working hard and have a full week with your children wrapping up the first semester. Some grades have module and unit assessments this week.

The new semester begins officially on January 26th! Can you believe we are almost halfway through the year? As a reminder, there is no school for students on Friday, January 23rd. It is Records Day for teachers. You can expect a printout of your child's progress on grade-level competencies to come home in the next 2-weeks. If you are connected to the Powerschool Parent Portal, you can check there for real-time updates.

Cultivating a comunitywide culture and love for literacy, books, and reading is a top priority here at Lincoln. Modeling this habit and love for reading can start and definitely extend home. Please read below about the power of building a Home Library.

Warmly,

Mrs. Roberts 🤎

Principal

robertsdn@kalamazoopublicschools.net

When collecting and reading books are a part of family life, you send your child a message that books are important, enjoyable, and full of new things to learn! Please reach out to your child's teacher or me at robertsdn@kalamazoopublicschools.net if you would like books sent home for keeps to help build a library at home!

Here are Some Tips to Build Your Home Library

Finding books

Become a treasure hunter! Browse book store sales, garage sales, flea markets, used book stores, and sales at your local library
Organize a children’s book swap with friends, community groups, or your school
Encourage family and friends to give books as gifts for birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations
Don’t forget quality nonfiction and children’s magazines!

Building your library

A cardboard box or small wooden packing crate that you can decorate together might make a good bookcase. Or you might clear one of the family bookshelves.
Pick a special place for your child’s books so that she knows where to look for them — in a cozy corner of your child’s bedroom or close to where the rest of the family gathers and reads if your child is very social.
Help your child to arrange her books in some order — her favorite books, books about animals, or holiday books. Use whatever method will help her most easily find the book she’s looking for.
“This book belongs to…” Bookplates give your child a sense of ownership and can add “newness” to a used book. You can make your own designs to print on sticky-backed paper.
If you and your child make your own books together, you can add those to your home library.
Borrow books from your local library. Go to the children’s section and spend time with your child reading and selecting books to take home and put in her special spot. You might even have a box or space just for library books, so that they don’t get mixed up with your child’s own books.

Presume Positive Intent — We’re each other’s support system

Be kind and calm: little eyes and ears are always watching during arrival, dismissal, in the front office, and on the playground. It's important that we are positive role models for the behavior we want to see in our young learners.
Presume positive intent: misunderstandings happen, we are all human — approach conflicts assuming everyone cares about students first.
Respect office staff: our secretaries juggle phones, the door buzzer, student needs, budgets, and attendance and so much more—please be patient. Swearing or aggressive verbal/physical behavior in the office, on the phone, or in emails may result in restricted access. It is imperative that we all work together to support students, staff, families, and community members safety- both physical and mental well being.
Safety first: outside visitors must have a background check and prearranged approval before entering main areas of the building. We love having our families work and volunteer at our school!
Advocate respectfully: please speak up for your child when needed. Many Lincoln staff are also parents, we understand and support strong parent involvement because we know that's what research shows is best for our students. We just ask that you do so courteously — together (parents, staff, and volunteers) we create the loving, structured community our children deserve.
These are just friendly reminders as we all sometimes forget during high stress times. We commit to also extending the same respect and support to our families.

It's time to register your girls for Girls On The Run! Registration includes the below items and scholarships are available!!! As in the past, we want to make sure every girl who would like to participate has the opportunity to do so. New tennis shoes will be provided for those girls who request them, but the request must be submitted by Friday, January 23rd, 2026! We are looking for 8 to 12 excited girls from grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th to register for our team!

This season's theme is; "Bold Hearts", focused on speaking boldly and listening intently. GOTR is excited to deliver this refreshed and inspiring curriculum alongside their continued partner, Gazelle Sports. If you have any questions, please reach out to the GOTR office at 269-532-1220 or email program@girlsontherunkazoo.org or contact Mr. Burrel here at Lincoln. We are here to support you and we look forward to a wonderful season ahead! Practices will be held after-school on Tuesday's and Thursday's from 3:15 to 4:50 p.m. we will be planning a snack after school for participants once our team is formed.

Included in Registration:

One program t-shirt (distributed mid-season; also worn for the 5K)
One pair of running shoes, if needed, through our partnership with Gazelle Sports

Shoe requests must be received by January 23

Cinch bag for carrying personal items
Participant journal and end-of-season keepsake
Admission into the Girls on the Run 5K

Important Upcoming Dates to Remember

Jan 23rd-NO SCHOOL for Students Records Day

Feb. 2-NO SCHOOL for Students Teacher Professional Development Day

Feb. 6- 5th Grade Middle School Counselor Visit

Feb. 11-State COUNT DAY--100% Attendance Goal

Feb. 19- 5th Grade Orchestra Concert at Chenery Auditorium

Feb. 24-4th/5th Grade School-Level Spelling Bee Finals

Feb. 25-Elementary Literacy Night-WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Feb 26-5th Grade WMED STEM Fair

Feb. 27-NO SCHOOL - Mid-Winter Break