Bear Bulletin

Thank you for helping make Red Ribbon Week such a fun and memorable experience! Our students did an incredible job celebrating healthy choices and showing their school spirit through all the creative outfits and themed days.

One of my favorite new additions this year was our Hat Contest! I was blown away by the creativity our students showed—whether they crafted their hats by hand, worked with family, or found something store-bought and unique. The excitement across the campus was contagious, and our staff had just as much fun as the kids watching them show off their creations. I think this will become a new annual tradition!

With so many fantastic entries, choosing winners was no easy task—but after much deliberation, the results are in! We’ll have certificates for the winners on Monday.

At Lincoln Elementary, we believe every child is a reader in the making. This year, our second campus goal is for at least 80% of our students to perform at or above grade level in reading. Here’s what that means, why it matters, and how we can partner together to make it happen.

Why this goal matters

Strong reading skills open every other academic door. When students read on or above grade level, they:

• Build knowledge across all subjects (math, science, social studies, the arts).

• Develop vocabulary and critical-thinking skills that fuel problem-solving.

• Experience more confidence and engagement in school.
  Research consistently shows that early reading proficiency is one of the strongest predictors of long-term academic success—including graduating on time and being prepared for college, career, and life. Simply put: reading well now sets students up to thrive later.

How Lincoln supports readers every day

• High-quality, TEKS-aligned instruction in every classroom with explicit teaching of phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Small-group reading based on student need: Teachers meet with flexible groups to target exactly what each student needs.

• Daily intervention/extension blocks: Extra time built into the master schedule so students can fill gaps or stretch to the next level—without missing new instruction.

• Regular progress monitoring: Quick checks and screeners guide instruction and help us respond fast.

• Collaborative PLCs (Professional Learning Communities): Teacher teams analyze student work, plan next steps, and share effective strategies.

• Rich reading culture: Our library, book talks, read-alouds, and choice reading help kids want to read.

How families can help at home

Small, consistent habits make a big difference. Try one or two below to get started:

Daily reading routine (15–20 minutes)

• Read aloud to your child (yes—even for older readers!).

• Share the reading: you read a page, they read a page.

• Talk about the book: What surprised you? What changed for the character? What does this word mean in this sentence?

Build word power

• For early readers: practice sounds, letter-sound blends, and high-frequency/sight words in short, fun bursts.

• For growing readers: play word games in the car (rhymes, “What’s a synonym for…?”), notice interesting words in signs and menus.

Boost comprehension

• Before reading: make predictions from the title/pictures.

• During reading: pause to ask “why” and “how.”

• After reading: retell the big events in order; connect the book to real life.

Create a print-rich home

• Keep books/magazines within reach.

• Visit the library often (our librarian is happy to help find “just-right” books that match interests).

• Model reading—let your child see you read.

Protect learning time

• Prioritize attendance and on-time arrival—morning reading blocks are essential.

• Set a calm, device-light bedtime so brains are ready for learning.

Stay connected

• Watch for teacher notes about your child’s reading goals and celebrate progress.

• If something feels hard, let us know early—we’ll team up on a plan.

When home and school pull in the same direction, kids soar. Thank you for partnering with us to help every Lincoln Bear become a confident, joyful reader. If you’d like personalized book suggestions or at-home strategy ideas for your child, reach out to your child’s teacher or our campus team—we’re here to help!

Stay tuned next week as we begin with Goal #3: 80% or more of our students will perform at or above grade level in Math.

Each week, we want to provide you with an overview of our Lincoln statistics and where we are as a campus. We will share information about enrollment, student behaviors, and attendance. Additionally, as we have celebrations to share regarding our students' academic successes, we'll list them here too.

Enrollment

Current enrollment: 489

***Welcome New Student, Keith P.! ***

Attendance

Our goal is to have 95% or better attendance each day. Good school attendance is a key indicator of future school success. Our average daily attendance for this past week was 95.0%, and we had 119 total absences.

Classes with the Highest Attendance Rates Last Week:

• PERFECT ATTENDANCE: Mrs. Bussell's Afternoon Class
• 99% - Mrs. Carley, Ms. Haynie
• 98.8% - Mrs. Knee
• 98.2% - Mrs. Nesmith, Mrs. Shaver
• 98% - Mrs. Schaper
• 97.9% - Mrs. Baker, Mrs. Bush
• 96.9% - Mrs. Robison
• 96.8% - Mrs. Forrer, Mrs. Spanjer
• 96% - Ms. Ingalls, Mrs. Kirk
• 95.8% - Mrs. Moore
• 95.2% - Mrs. Meadors, Mrs. Perry
• 95% - Mrs. Jorgensen

BELL RINGERS: At LES, when a student achieves a goal, they get to ring the bell to celebrate! We had several students meet goals this week. We are so proud of them!

• Abigail G.
• Emme M.
• Raelynn P.

Also, at LES, we recognize students who demonstrate positive behaviors through our Positive Office Referral program. The following students were recognized by a staff member for demonstrating great citizenship and will be recognized on announcements on Monday morning:

• Juliette C.
• Rei S.

Thursday, November 6

• Veterans' Day Program 5:30-6:00 pm

Friday, November 7

• Mrs. Haynie's Birthday
• Wear Your Spirit Wear

November

• 10 - Fundraiser Kick-Off
• 11 - Fall Picture Retakes
• 12 - Mrs. Yoars's Birthday
• 14 - Mrs. Mangum's Birthday
• 21 - Ms. Hayes's Birthday
• 21 - First Ever Lincoln Bear Glow Bash (Fundraiser Finale Event) During Specials

December

• 1 - Mrs. Kloosterman's Birthday
• 2 - Mrs. Barfield's Birthday
• 3 - 3rd Grade Music Program 5:30 pm
• 5 - Mrs. Lawson's Birthday
• 10 - Mrs. Lewis's Birthday
• 11 - STEAM Night 5:30-7:00 pm
• 18 - Class Holiday Parties (PK, 3rd, 4th, & 5th)
• 19 - Class Holiday Parties (K, 1st, & 2nd)
• 19 - Early Release

Our next PTO Meeting will be right before STEAM Night. We hope to see you 5:00-5:30 on December 11.

One of our campus goals is to build more parent involvement on our campus. As parents, you know your child best. We want to partner with you to consistently make our school better. Below are several opportunities where you can be involved or provide feedback.

• Page Turners - Link to Page Turners program interest form; This program matches students with adult reading mentors who meet with the students regularly.
• Campus Advisory Committee - Each year, we ask for parents, community members, and business leaders to participate in our campus advisory committee. This group meets each quarter and collaborates to help us work towards continuous improvement. We usually meet from 4:15-5:00 twice virtually and twice in person. If you are interested in participating or know someone who might be, please reach out to me via email at kerri.ashlock@misd.org .
• Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) - Our PTO is an organization of parents that works to support our students and staff in a variety of ways. They recently purchased some toys and games that students can play with during recess. They also bring in special programs and activities for our students and find ways to show appreciation to our staff. We encourage all families to join. For more information, you can contact our PTO at mylespto@gmail.com. You can also find them on Facebook (@myLESPTO).
  
• Parent Feedback Form - Any time you want to share your thoughts, you can email, call, or make an appointment to visit. Another way you can provide input is to simply complete our parent feedback form at any time. Your responses are anonymous unless you choose to include your name and/or contact information.

School Hours:

• Doors open at 7:50
• Tardy bell rings, and class begins at 8:15. (This is the time students are expected to be in their seats in the classroom.)
• School day ends at 3:40

We are working hard to maximize each and every minute our students are here. School announcements begin at 8:10. Students who arrive after 8:15 are considered tardy and will need to be walked into the front door of the building and signed in by a parent or guardian. If your child needs to leave early, they may be checked out through the front office by a parent or guardian.

Changes in transportation need to be made prior to 2:00 in order to allow time for the messages to be communicated with the appropriate staff member. To request a change of transportation, either

1. Send a note with your child,
2. Email LincolnElementaryTransit@misd.org with the note and a copy of your driver's license, or
3. Come to the school with a copy of your driver's license.

Do you want a staff member recognized in our campus staff weekly newsletter? Just as our students work hard, so do our staff members. If you have a staff member who has gone above and beyond for your or your child, let us know about it! We love sharing your celebrations with our teachers, paraprofessionals, auxiliary and support staff. Your words mean more than you know for our staff. You can always email your feedback to kerri.ashlock@misd.org or complete this form.

Would you rather a special staff member be recognized at the district level? All staff members and parents are encouraged to nominate MISD employees who are "Making An Impact." Submit your nominations here: https://forms.gle/F3eWSxo3GawGw1f98

🦃 Waves of Thanks: Thanksgiving Food Drive 📣 Lincoln Families—We Need You! From November 3–19, our Wave Kindness Club is hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive to support Lincoln Elementary families in need this holiday season.

🛒 Items to donate: Green beans, corn, macaroni & cheese, mashed potatoes, stuffing mix, canned yams, cornbread mix, cake mix, and frosting.

🍗 Want to donate a ham or turkey? Please contact Sara Muschenheim at the front office: 936-276-4700

📍 How to donate: Drop off items at the front office or send them with your child to their teacher.

🎒 Grade-Level Donation Guide:

• Pre-K: Marshmallows

• Kindergarten: Mac & Cheese

• 1st Grade: Instant Mashed Potatoes / Yams

• 2nd Grade: Stuffing / Cranberry Sauce

• 3rd Grade: Cake Mix / Frosting / Cornbread Mix

• 4th Grade: Green Beans

• 5th Grade: Corn

💛If you are a Lincoln family in need of a Thanksgiving meal, please contact Tiffany Martin at 936-276-4708 .

🙏 Every donation helps make a difference. Thank you for spreading kindness and supporting our Lincoln community!

Lunch visitors who are on a child's emergency contact list are welcome to eat with that child at one of our 3 reserved lunch visitor tables during the student's lunch period. Visitors will need to check in at the front office with their ID and get a visitor badge. Please do not invite other students to join you or provide food or snacks for other students. When lunch is over, all students will line up with their class. Visitors will return to the front office to turn in their visitor badge. Students should not bring other students with them to join their guests for lunch. Food should not be provided to other students than the child the guests are visiting.

Lunch Times:

ECSE 3s: 11:45-12:15

Pre-K & ECSE 4s: 11:45-12:15

Kindergarten: 12:30-1:00

1st Grade: 12:15-12:45

2nd Grade: 12:00-12:30

3rd Grade: 11:15-11:45

4th Grade: 11:30-12:00

5th Grade: 11:00-11:30

A friendly reminder, we do not have an open lunch policy so please do not order food for your child from outside vendors to be delivered to the school during the school day (i.e. Uber Eats, Grub Hub, Door Dash, or any kind of delivery service). This becomes a safety concern when staff need to leave the front office to deliver food to students or take their focus off of families who have business in the office. Food deliveries also increase the number of unfamiliar people entering the building. Additionally, our lunch times are very tight and do not allow for late deliveries. We cannot allow for learning to be disrupted by early or late food deliveries. Thank you for understanding our focus on safety and uninterrupted instructional time.

The MISD Resource Center supports families with students currently enrolled in MISD, as well as MISD employees. Those interested in learning more about the Resource Center or scheduling a shopping appointment can use the link below to visit the MISD Resource Center website. If you’d like to help by donating, please visit our website for a list of the most-needed items and information about donation drop-off locations.

https://www.misd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=70144917&pageId=74632162

Are you a Montgomery ISD family or employee experiencing food insecurity? The Montgomery ISD Resource Center is here to support you. Schedule an appointment to see how we can help.

Schedule an Appointment Here

Direct Questions To: Courtney.Dyer@misd.org or Valissa.Jones@misd.org

Montgomery ISD is excited to partner with the Montgomery County Food Bank to host mobile food markets in our community the first Tuesday of each month. The November market is coming up soon. This is a drive-thru event. No ID or appointment needed.

Date: Tuesday, November 4

Time: 5:00 p.m. (while supplies last)
Location: The Den, 1520 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery, TX 77356

No ID or appointment required

Lincoln Elementary is a Pre-K through 5th grade campus in Montgomery ISD that opened in the fall of 2018. We are dedicated to collaboration that focuses on ensuring high levels of learning for every student, every day, in a safe and supportive environment.

Email: kerri.ashlock@misd.org
Website: https://lincolnes.misd.org/
Location: 700 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Montgomery, TX, USA
Phone: (936) 276-4700
Facebook: facebook.com/MISDLincoln
Twitter: @lincoln_MISD