The LMS Parent Post

Dear Lincoln Families,

We are officially underway with the 2026–2027 school year! Our first week has been busy as we work through the usual beginning-of-the-year schedule kinks and help students settle into their routines, learn their locker combinations, and get comfortable navigating the building.

Construction came right down to the last minute this summer. For those of you who joined us for Open House, thank you for your patience as we were still getting everything put back together and ready for students. We are looking forward to welcoming families back for Curriculum Night on September 9, when you’ll have a chance to meet teachers, visit classrooms, and see Lincoln now that we are fully up and running!

September is already shaping up to be a busy month. Fall sports and clubs are getting started, and there are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved. This edition of the LMS Parent Post includes upcoming dates, activities, reminders, and other information to help families stay connected to what is happening at Lincoln.

Thank you for your patience and support as we get the year started. As always, please reach out if you have questions, concerns, or if there is something we can do to support your student. We’re looking forward to a great year!

Go Abes! ❤️🖤

Gabrielle Avila
Principal, Lincoln Middle School

September

• Thursday, Sept. 3 — Holiday Recess begins at the end of the day
• Tuesday, Sept. 8 — Students return
• Wednesday, Sept. 9 — Curriculum Night
• Wednesday, Sept. 16 — PLC Day
• Wednesday, Sept. 30 — Professional Development Day — No School for Students

October

• Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Count Day
• Wednesday, Oct. 21 — PLC Day
• Friday, Oct. 23 — 6–8 Records Day — No School in the Afternoon
• Thursday, Oct. 29 — 6–12 Parent-Teacher Conferences

Join us for LMS Curriculum Night on Wednesday, September 9 from 5:00–7:00 PM!

This is a great opportunity for families to meet our teachers, tour the school, and learn more about our classes and programs for the 2026–2027 school year.

We hope to see you there!

Please note: Curriculum Night is designed primarily for parents and guardians to meet teachers and learn about their student’s classes and programs. If students do attend, they must remain with a parent/guardian for the entire evening. Students may not attend on their own.

School Day: 7:25 AM – 2:27 PM

• Entry Bell: 7:15 AM
• Classes Begin: 7:25 AM
• Dismissal: 2:27 PM
• Half-Day Dismissal: 10:51 AM
• PLC Day Dismissal: 1:12 PM

Students should arrive with enough time to enter the building and be ready for class by 7:25 AM. Students arriving after the school day begins should report to the security desk before going to class.

Please note: No early pick-ups after 2:00 PM. The office becomes congested near dismissal, and students are only minutes from release.

As we begin the new school year, please remember that all Lincoln Middle School students are required to use a clear backpack during the school day.

Clear backpacks are one part of our continued efforts to maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff.

A few reminders for families:

• Backpacks should be clear and easy for staff to see through.
• Students should bring only the items they need for school each day.
• Large or bulky bags and items that could conceal prohibited items should be left at home.
• Small personal items may be kept in an appropriate pouch or pencil case inside the clear backpack.
• Students participating in athletics or activities that require additional bags should follow the directions provided by their coach or sponsor.

We appreciate our families' continued support and cooperation as we work together to keep Lincoln safe.

Need a clear backpack? If you're having trouble finding one, [click here for an affordable option that meets our clear backpack requirement].

At Lincoln Middle School, cell phones, headphones, AirPods, Meta Glasses, and other personal electronic devices should be put away and out of sight during the school day, including during passing time and lunch.

If you need to reach your student during the school day, please contact the main office and we will make sure they receive your message.

Cell Phone Consequences

• 1st violation: Teacher holds the phone until the end of the class period.
• 2nd violation: Phone is turned in to the main office and returned at the end of the day.
• 3rd violation: Phone is turned in to the main office and a parent/guardian must pick up the phone
• 4th violation: One day of in-school suspension (ISS) and/or the student loses the privilege of bringing a phone to school for the remainder of the semester.

We appreciate families reviewing these expectations with students at home. Consistency between home and school helps us spend less time managing devices and more time focused on learning.

Keeping students safe during arrival and dismissal takes everyone's cooperation. Please review the procedures below and refer to the map for our designated drop-off, pick-up, and bus areas.

Morning Drop-Off

• Students should wait outside the main entrance until 7:15 AM, when they will be allowed into the building.
• Please use the drop-off loop near the main office for student drop-off. Pull as far forward as possible to help keep traffic moving.
• Adults should remain in their vehicles, and students should exit quickly and safely from the right side of the vehicle only.
• Please keep the bus loop clear for buses only.
• Classes begin promptly at 7:25 AM.

Afternoon Dismissal

• Students are dismissed at 2:27 PM.
• Please use the designated pick-up loop near the main office and follow the traffic flow shown on the map.
• If you need to pick up your student early, please arrive before 2:00 PM and sign them out in the main office.

Bus routes and transportation updates are available through the Van Dyke Public Schools website. Families may also contact the district transportation office with questions regarding routes, stops, or transportation.

Breakfast and lunch are available at no cost to all students each school day.

Breakfast

Breakfast is available upon entry until 7:30 AM.

Lunch

Students will have a scheduled lunch period during the school day. Students may eat a school-provided lunch or bring a lunch from home.

A few reminders:

• Students may not leave campus for lunch.
• Students are expected to clean up after themselves and help keep our cafeteria clean.
• Students bringing a lunch from home should bring it with them at the start of the school day.

Food Deliveries

The main office is a busy place, particularly during lunch periods, and our staff is not able to receive and coordinate individual food deliveries for students. For this reason, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, restaurant deliveries, and other food deliveries are not permitted during the school day.

We also ask families to limit dropping off forgotten lunches whenever possible. School lunch is available to students who do not have a lunch with them.

If your student has a medical need or another special circumstance related to food, please contact the main office so we can assist.

Thank you for helping us keep our office running smoothly and students where they need to be during the school day!

Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in student success. Please help us start the year by building strong attendance habits!

Reporting an Absence or Late Arrival

If your student will be absent or late, please call the LMS Attendance Line at (586) 758-8320 by 8:30 AM and leave a message.

Please report absences as soon as possible so your student's attendance record can be accurately updated. If your student is experiencing an extended absence or ongoing attendance concern, please contact the school so we can work together to support your student.

Why Attendance Matters

• Daily attendance helps build stronger teacher-student connections.
• Students who attend regularly have greater opportunities for academic success.
• Missing class means missing discussions, collaboration, labs, group work, and instruction that cannot always be recreated.
• Arriving on time helps students begin class prepared and prevents missed instructional time.
• Chronic and extended absences can have a significant impact on student learning and academic progress.

As we settle into the school year, please take a few minutes to review our expectations for school-appropriate dress.

Students should come to school dressed in a way that allows them to participate safely and comfortably in the school day without creating a disruption to the learning environment.

A few important reminders:

• Hoods and ski masks may not be worn inside the building.
• Clothing or accessories displaying weapons, drugs, alcohol, vaping, profanity, hate speech, or inappropriate images or language are not permitted.
• Clothing and accessories should not create a safety concern or interfere with the learning environment.
• Students may be asked to change, remove, or cover an item that does not meet school expectations.

We appreciate families helping students make appropriate choices before arriving at school each day.

Getting involved is a great way for students to build friendships, develop new skills, and feel connected to the Lincoln community. Throughout the school year, students will have opportunities to participate in athletics, clubs, after-school activities, and other special programs.

Lincoln offers a variety of athletic opportunities throughout the school year. Information about upcoming seasons, tryouts, practices, eligibility requirements, and schedules will be shared with families as each season approaches.

Athletic Director: Bradley Austin austin.bradley@vdps.net

• Fall sports will include Football and Volleyball.

• Winter sports will include Basketball, Wrestling, and Cheer.

• Spring sports will include Track, Baseball, and Softball.

All students in grades 7–8 who plan to participate in a Lincoln Middle School sport must have a sports physical on file for the 2026–2027 school year before participating.

Please take the linked physical form with you to your student’s physical exam.

Once the physical is completed and signed by a medical provider, you may:

• Email the completed form to Sarah Perrone at perrone.sarah@vdps.net, or
• Turn in a hard copy to your student’s coach or the Lincoln Middle School office.

Football tryouts begin 9/8/26 for 7th and 8th grade students. Students should meet in the cafeteria immediately after school. Tryouts will run until 4:30 PM.

Bring shorts, a water bottle, and cleats if you have them.

Questions? Contact Coach Ryiann Bennett at Bennett.Ryiann@vdps.net or Coach Michael Hart at hart.michael@vdps.net.

Tryouts for our 7th and 8th grade teams will be held 9/8/26 and 9/9/26 after school until 4:00 PM in the LMS gym.

Students MUST have a current physical on file to be on the team. Once teams are selected, practices will be Monday–Thursday until 4:30 PM.

Questions? Contact Coach Bienkowski at bienkowski.dan@vdps.net or Coach Cloughessy at cloughessy.lori@vdps.net.

Drama Club will meet Mondays from 2:30–4:30 PM, beginning Monday, September 14.

Students must have a completed permission form before attending. Forms are available from any Social Studies teacher or in the Main Office.

Play performance dates are still being finalized and will be shared with families once available.

Questions? Contact Haven Marchionna at marchionna.haven@vdps.net.

LMS will have a Robotics Club again this year! More information about meeting dates, times, and how to join will be shared soon.

Questions? Contact John Lonsway at lonsway.john@vdps.net.

We have lots to look forward to during your student’s final year at Lincoln! 🎓 We also know that 8th grade activities can add up quickly, so we’re giving families an early heads-up. Please plan for approximately $100 total if your student chooses to participate in all activities and purchase Class of 2027 keepsakes.

Families can purchase each item separately throughout the year — there is no need to pay for everything at once!

🎢 C.J. Barrymore’s Field Trip — $42
Includes ride/activity wristband, hot dog lunch, and bus transportation.
Purchase C.J. Barrymore’s Field Trip

👕 Class of 2027 Gear — $24.99+
Choose from Class of 2027 apparel through our Lincoln Middle School BSN Sports Store. Prices vary depending on the item selected.
Shop Class of 2027 Gear

📖 2026–2027 LMS Yearbook — $20
Yearbook ordering information will be shared separately.

🎧 8th Grade Dance — $15
Purchase 8th Grade Dance Ticket

🥞 8th Grade Breakfast — FREE
A special breakfast for our 8th graders before promotion.

🎓 8th Grade Promotion & Awards Ceremony — FREE
There is no admission charge for students or families.

We’re sharing everything early so families have plenty of time to plan and save. Students do not have to participate in every activity or purchase every item, and nothing needs to be purchased all at once. Families can choose what works best for them throughout the year. ❤️🖤

Lincoln Middle School uses GoFan as our cashless payment option for school events and activities. Families can use GoFan to purchase athletic event tickets, field trips, dances, and other school activities and events.

Visit Lincoln Middle School’s GoFan Page

No cash needed — purchase online anytime!

We are excited to welcome students and families back to Lincoln! Our team is here to support students academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the school year.

Gabrielle Avila — Principal
Mrs. Avila oversees instruction, school operations, and the overall student and family experience at Lincoln.

Adam Laur — Assistant Principal
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Laur to Lincoln! Mr. Laur primarily supports student behavior and discipline and works with students and families to address concerns and help students make successful choices at school.

Tameka Gaddis — School Counselor
Ms. Gaddis supports students with academics, scheduling, social-emotional needs, and planning for success.

Martha Hoffman — School Counselor
Mrs. Hoffman is shared between Lincoln Middle School and Lincoln High School and works alongside our counseling team to support students and families.

Callie Rome — School Social Worker
Ms. Rome provides social-emotional support and works primarily with students receiving special education services.

Bridgette Ludeman — Behavior Interventionist
Ms. Ludeman works directly with students on behavior, problem-solving, attendance, and making successful choices at school.

Wydell Henry — Climate & Culture
Coach Wydell supports mentoring, restorative practices, student relationships, and a positive school culture.

Main Office & Counseling Office

Sarah Perrone — Principal's Secretary
Lori Cloughessy — Assistant Principal's Secretary
Tammy Piersol — Counseling Secretary

Our secretaries are often the first point of contact for Lincoln families and can help answer questions or connect you with the right person. If you're ever unsure who to contact, start with them—they're happy to help!

• School website: Lincoln Middle School

• PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://ps.van.misd.net/public/home.html

District Code: THKW

• Phone: (586) 758-8320

• Address: 22500 Federal Ave, Warren, MI 48089