Lincoln News

Welcome to a new school year! One of the most important factors in student success is simply being in school each day. Students who attend regularly build stronger academic skills, develop positive relationships, and feel more connected to their school community. Let’s work together to make attendance a priority from day one!

Just a reminder that all seven elementary schools teach and reinforce the same behavior expectations: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible. At Lincoln these help us... Be a Lincoln Leader! The goal is for all in our community to be able to name these tenets and grow into being able to describe what they look and sound like in different settings at school. The matrix of these expectations can be found in our family handbook.

We appreciate your reinforcement of these expectations as well. Together we can make Lincoln a place where all feel safe, respected and thrive!

We are so excited to engage our community in the House System again this year! Our Culture and Climate Team meets on Friday to plan out our House events for the year, including when our kindergarteners will learn which House has chosen them!

New to Lincoln? Watch the video below to see what is in store!

All student personal cell phones/electronic devices/smartwatches shall be turned off and put away in his/her backpack while on school property. In the occasional instance in which a caregiver needs to contact a child, or vice versa, the school office phone must be used. Student email, cell phones, electronic devices, and smartwatches should not be used to communicate with families during the school day.

Contents of cell phones or electronic devices may be searched if there is suspicion that it may have been used in an activity prohibited by the Code of Conduct. If illegal activity is suspected, the device will be turned over to the Lakewood Schools Security Office and/or the Lakewood Police Department. The district, the school and its staff are not responsible for devices that are damaged, lost, or stolen when brought to school or after being confiscated for violation of this policy.

This month's social emotional learning theme is Awareness of Self & Others. Students will learn and practice recognizing their own emotions, thoughts, and values - and others', too. They will understand how these influence both their behavior and decision-making. This self-knowledge will help them identify their strengths and areas for growth.

• Link for K-2 Parent Resources
• Link for 3-5 Parent Resources

We invite you to join because we can do more together than apart!

The Lincoln Elementary PTA is excited to kick off our 11th annual Fun Run, taking place Sat. Oct. 3, 2026 at 1 pm at Kauffman Park! Lincoln PTA relies on the Fun Run for all of its expenses during the school year, so if it’s our last year at Lincoln, we’re counting on a successful Fun Run to ensure we can make our students’ last year at Lincoln one to remember, full of educational experiences, field trips, assemblies and special memories. Please support Lincoln students and help us make what may be our last lap at Lincoln the best one yet!

• Use this link to register your child. To receive a Fun Run t-shirt, students must be registered by Sept. 11. We also ask that they raise at least $25 by Sept. 11 in order to receive a t-shirt. Additional t-shirts can also be purchased on the fundraising website, by Sept. 11.
  
• Use this fundraising link to raise money for the Fun Run! At checkout, donors can select the student that should receive credit for the donation.
• Looking to buy an extra Fun Run shirt? Click "Donate" at the fundraising link, then select "Extras" and choose the shirt.
• Know a local business who'd like to sponsor the Fun Run? Please ask them to use this link to sign up as a sponsor.
• We are looking for raffle basket donations and help! Can you and your family put together a raffle basket to help us raise money at the Fun Run? Email Amanda Keiber (amanda.zechiel@gmail.com) to sign up today.
• Check your child's backpack for a flier with more information about incentives and prizes.

Walking and biking help students start the day alert and ready to learn and fosters independence. Please help us ensure everyone's safety by watching for students walking and biking, keeping sidewalks and crosswalks clear, and if driving, following the school traffic procedures. A few things to remember:

• Use extra caution when turning at intersections and driveways near schools. Students walking and biking may be less visible than vehicles.
• Students biking on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing
• Help keep students safe by slowing down

Mark your calendars for Hike and Bike week, September 21-25th! Be on the look out for directions on how to get a sign for your yard to help promote active transportation in Lakewood! The map below designates spots and times where you can meet others and travel to school together.

• Breakfast and lunch will continue to be available to all students.
• The state of Ohio will be covering the full cost of meals for any students who have been approved to receive school meals at a reduced rate for the 2026-2027 school year
• Families must complete a free and reduced-price meal application in order to qualify for free meals.
• Families are able to submit their free and reduced-price meal application, and/or add money to student accounts through Infinite Campus.

• The district has switched from PaySchools Central to Infinite Campus for management of meal applications and point of sale. You can load funds onto your student(s) account and apply for Free and Reduced Price meals through Infinite Campus. You can access these tools through the District Nutrition Services Page linked here or directly through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

• Due to rising costs associated with producing school meals, the price of student breakfasts will increase $0.25 for all age groups. Additionally, the price of student lunches will rise $0.50 for all age groups. See the updated pricing on theDistrict Nutrition Services Page linked here .

Lakewood elementary schools do not provide supervision of students prior to 8:45 a.m. and after 3:15 p.m., aside from breakfast and clubs. Please remind your student that they are expected to go directly home after school. Students are not permitted on the playground before or after school without adult supervision. The playground is closed when it is being used by before and after school child care programming.

As part of the Board of Education’s legal settlement regarding the District’s previously approved plan to repurpose Lincoln Elementary School as an early learning center and redraw elementary school attendance boundaries, the Board spent its two August meetings hearing about updated enrollment and building utilization data as well as details on benefits of an early learning center. Superintendent Niedzwiecki and other District leaders shared the latest information and updates with the Board, which also heard public comment on the topic.

The Board's decision to settle this matter reflects its commitment to acting in the best interests of the District and being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources. Resolving this litigation allows the District to avoid the significant costs, uncertainty, and time associated with continued legal proceedings. As part of the settlement, the Board of Education does not admit to any wrongdoing.

Upcoming Special Board Meeting & Next Steps

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m.

• Where: Garfield Middle School

• What: Superintendent Niedzwiecki will present final recommendations, followed by Board discussion and a vote.

Pending the vote's outcome, the District will share an updated timeline and next steps with families, staff, and the community.

8/31: G1-5 Benchmarking begins

9/3: PTA meeting and Swag Swap, 6:00-7:00 PM, room 116

9/7: Labor Day. No school

9/8: K Benchmarking begins

9/8: G5 Band/Orchestra begin this week

9/11: Fun Run Registration/Shirt Order Due

9/21: PTA Meeting 6:00pm (Fun Run Planning)

9/21-9/25: Hike and Bike Week

9/23: Lakewood Homecoming Parade, 5:30pm

10/1: Picture Day

10/2: Fun Run Shirt Delivery

10/3: FUN RUN! Kauffman Park, 1pm

Every Monday is House Spirit day at Lincoln. Wear your house colors! Every Friday is Ranger Spirit day at Lincoln! Wear Lakewood gear, Lincoln gear, or purple and gold!

Location: 15615 Clifton Boulevard, Lakewood, OH, USA

Phone: 216.529.4232

Email: brenda.budzar@lakewoodcityschools.org

Website: lakewoodcityschools.org