Lincoln High School
September 11, 2026
Good afternoon, Lincoln families,
As we close our second week, I hope your student has been transitioning well back to school. We have a lot of additional supports available to students and families. To our new families, please reach out to your counselor if there are any specific needs we should be aware of.
The start of the year is always such an exciting time, and I have enjoyed the many connection points with students in the halls, classrooms, and at some of our start-of-the year after-school events. In talking with a student yesterday who had just picked up their laptop, I think they captured it best when they shared “Oh, it really starts now.”
This weekend will be a great time to have a sit down with your student to review how classes are going, establish a daily time where they can complete homework/individual study, and set some goals for the year. Throughout the year I will send reminders on good times to check progress on the Source and ways you can partner with our teachers. One of the first ways to do that will be at our upcoming Curriculum Night on September 22.
For those of you who know me, I like to use my email message both as a way to celebrate some of the great things happening at school and a means to build partnerships and work together in support of our students. As it is early in the year, I want to take this moment to share two areas where I need your help (apologies for the extra-long email message this week).
Attendance
As I often share, regular attendance at school is incredibly important. Over the last 5 years we have seen a steady increase in absenteeism. To put this in context, last year 25% of our students had chronic absenteeism - meaning they missed over 20 days of school. Most of these absences were the result of students skipping class or families excusing students for other reasons. School-related absences like field trips and athletics are not included in these counts. We have also seen a significant increase in students arriving late to school and/or after lunch. Currently we have about 200-400 students arriving late to 1st period every day.
Regular attendance is an area we need to work on together – to emphasize the importance of on-time attendance and limit the times a family excuses their student from school. You will see in our course syllabi that 10-15% of a grade can include growth in 21st century skills such as collaboration, communication, responsibility, accountability, etc. Many of these skills can only be demonstrated and assessed through in-class activities. Given this, students with extended or consistent absences during a term will likely have a final grade that is lower compared to if they had not been absent or regularly showing up late.
Let’s do this work together. As a school, we still provide additional support for students to make up work when they are absent due to illness, cultural/religious observations, etc. with BASH, walk-to-support, office hours and Saturday School, but the 10-15% of a grade based on 21st Century Skills will require students to be in class so we have to limit the number of times students are excused from school. Additionally, please make plans for students to arrive or be dropped off by 8:40AM, so they have adequate time to make it to first period. We will also be having students sign in when they arrive late in the morning or after lunch so we can have better attendance tracking to work individually with students and families on solutions.
Unsafe Behavior with Alcohol
I will make this second issue brief. There continues to be an increase with our students engaging in unsafe behavior with alcohol at evening gatherings and on the weekends. These gatherings are happening outside of school and not sponsored or supported by Lincoln. These parties are gaining the attention of community members who are issuing complaints to the school, district, and now law enforcement due to the reports of damages and inappropriate behavior. These reports have come specifically to the school and district because our students have represented our school by wearing Lincoln gear and leaving behind Lincoln paraphernalia among the damage to public property. I share this with you because I care deeply about the safety and well-being of our students and knowing that the start of year has traditionally been a time for many of these gatherings to be held on an annual basis. I am asking for your help in engaging directly with your student - to ensure any evening or weekend gathering they are attending is safe and drug/alcohol free. This holds true for our students gathering prior to attending a dance or athletic event, where school rules apply because we are noticing an increase in student attendance at our evening events who are under the influence.
Our work together in support of our students is incredibly important and I value the strong partnership we have built over the years. Thank you for your support on these two matters. I am grateful knowing that I am able to call on all of us as a community when support is needed.
As you read through our newsletter, we are now starting to highlight new information. You can still access our start-of-school newsletter in the archives online.
In closing, to our families that celebrate I would like to send you well wishes during Rosh Hashanah. Shanah Tovah! Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year happens this weekend through sundown on September 13.
Best,
Corey
Principal
#GoLynx
September 19: Fun Run – Lynx on the Loose - Catch Corey, 9 a.m.
September 22: Curriculum Night
October 6: Financial Aid Night (Senior Focused, Juniors invited)
October 8: SAT (12th) & PSAT (11th) Testing Day (Regular Day for 9th & 10th)
October 9: Staff In-Service Day, No School
October 12: Picture Re-take/Make-up (afternoon)
October 14: Walk to College Day (info soon)
October 17: Saturday School
October 19-23: Homecoming
October 23: Homecoming Football Game
October 24: Homecoming Dance
October 28: Choir Concert
October 29: Trunk or Treat
October 29: Winter Sports Parent/Guardian Meeting
November 5: Orchestra Concert
November 11: Veteran’s Day – No School
November 23-25: Regular School Schedule, no waiver day
November 26 & 27: Thanksgiving Break – No School
Show your school spirit and visit the Student Store to purchase your Lincoln spirit gear! The Store will be open at our New Student Orientation. Purchases can also be made online on our website at for students to pick up during lunch starting September 8.
Join the 2026–27 Lincoln High School PTSA
Make your voice count and strengthen the Lincoln community by becoming a PTSA member. Your membership directly supports programs, events and advocacy efforts that benefit every student and staff member at Lincoln.
Membership is open to all — parents, guardians, teachers, students, and community supporters. No meeting or volunteer requirements — just an easy way to show your support and stay connected!
Reminder! Membership is on an annual basis. You need to renew every school year.
Read more about membership and the Lincoln PTSA
- PTSA on the Lincoln website
- PTSA on Instagram: @lincolnhighlynxptsa
- Become a PTSA Member
- Subscribe to our newsletter here.
- Have PTSA questions? Email the PTSA at lincolnptsapresident@gmail.com
As you saw above, PTSA is sponsoring our first-annual 5K fun run/walk/jog on September 19. Join Us! Help launch a new Lincoln tradition while supporting our students, families, and school community. Register now to participate, volunteer or send a donation
PTSA Class of 2027
Welcome back as we kick off our students' senior year!! In order to host the events for this year, we need $85K; we have $20K. Thank you so much to the 20% of families that have already donated.
We're a quarter of the way there, and we have ONE month to collect the remaining $65K. If you give this week, you double your money! We have a very generous donor who will match up to $5K THIS WEEK! Please donate today to secure these celebrations for our children.
Our estimates of $190 per student were based on 100% participation.
Checks made out to: LHS Class of 2027 (If the check is missing this info, the PTSA receives the money, not the Class of 2027)
Email lincolnlynx2027@gmail.com with questions