PANTHER PROGRESS

Dear Families,

As our school year winds down, LNES staff remain committed to leading with courage and commitment. We will continue to emphasize our Habits of Learning, Self-Advocacy, Perseverance, Learning Mindset & Social Responsibility, which will help us promote a positive, and safe, school environment.

The bus is one area where our Habits of Learning have become increasingly important, as we have seen a rise in disrespectful and unsafe behaviors on the bus. All students have been reminded that riding the bus is a privilege, and it is expected that they will contribute to a safe and respectful ride to/from school. Students are expected to remain seated at all times, keep hands/feet to themselves, and use a quiet talking voice with those next to them.

The student friendly Habits of Learning specific to the bus from our LNES Student Expectations are included below for your reference. We appreciate you reinforcing these expectations with your child(ren).

May will offer us many exciting times for celebration and appreciation. We hope your family takes time to participate with us.

Much Lincoln Love,

Michele Baisey

• May 12: 5th grade panoramic photo
• May 13: Interims issued
• May 18: Band recital 5 - 8pm
• May 23: Chorus singing the National Anthem at the Keys Baseball Game 6pm
• May 25: No School (Memorial Day)
• May 27: No School (Eid al-Adha)
• May 29: Panther Party 5 - 7pm
• June 5: Field Day
• June 11: 5th grade promotion ceremony 9:30 - 11
• June 12: Quarter 4 Award Ceremony (Kindergarten - 4th, by invitation only)

Lincoln Families,

I wish I could deliver this message in person - as many of you know, I have lived just up the street in the Carrollton neighborhood for the last 11 years. Over Spring Break, my family and I moved to a new house in Ijamsville. It's always been important to me to work in the community in which I live and I have accepted a teaching role at a school closer to my new home. So, after nine years at Lincoln (five as a classroom teacher, four as the Community School Coordinator), I have made the difficult decision to not return next school year. We will not know who will replace me until later this month, but the school will make an announcement once it's approved. While it's bittersweet to leave my Lincoln family, I am grateful for the opportunity to have served this commUNITY and will remember fondly many of the relationships I've built.

My very first year here (2017), I had a student that made an acronym using my name. It's something I've kept and used in various capacities since:

• Believe
• Learn
• Achieve
• Inspire
• Respect

I hope to impart that wisdom on a new batch of students and hopefully, it's something you can remember me by. Once a Panther, always a Panther!

Mr. Blair

Each grade level has created their own newsletters! Instead of linking the monthly standards, we will now include a link to each newsletter. These newsletters are also sent every two weeks directly from teachers via Talking Points. If you need a paper copy of the newsletter, please contact your child's teacher.

Use the link below to see each grade level's academic standards and assessments schedule:

Academic Standards and Assessments

Our students are offered breakfast and lunch every day. Click the links below for this month's menu. For more information about FCPS food and nutrition, visit the FCPS nutrition website.

• Breakfast (English)
• Breakfast (Spanish)
• Lunch (English)
• Lunch (Spanish)

The 5th grade Promotion Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th, starting at 9:30am (doors open at 9am). All 5th grade family members are invited. Tickets are not required. Come join us as we celebrate our soon-to-be 6th graders!

City Youth Matrix (CYM) is now accepting families from Lincoln! We partner with parents to connect youth to enriching programs—including your child’s favorite art, music, athletic, or STEM opportunities beyond the school day—that build confidence, spark curiosity, and support long-term success, while removing barriers like transportation, language, and access. Our offerings include low-cost ongoing enrichment (we cover 95% of costs), monthly workshops, family empowerment dinners, and workforce development clubs

Our impact speaks for itself: 69% of youth show improved social-emotional wellbeing, and 100% of parents report a stronger sense of community and parenting confidence. Families must be ALICE or below to apply.

We’d love for you to join us—learn more and apply at https://www.cityyouthmatrix.com/become-a-member/become-a-member-overview/!

*Note: We only accept ALICE and below households. For more information regarding ALICE in Frederick County, click here.

On March 25, all Title I schools in FCPS held a focus group to gather feedback from families in regards to school improvement, family engagement events and academic standards. If you missed the meeting but would like to provide feedback, please use this survey.

PreK programs are designed to serve students who meet income eligibility requirements and/or qualify for classroom-based special education services as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). All applications will be processed centrally via the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Office. For families meeting eligibility criteria, notification of PreK acceptance will begin in May. Please visit the websites for more information:

PreK:https://www.fcps.org/academics/early_childhood_education/pre-_k_application_process

Kindergarten: https://www.fcps.org/academics/early_childhood_education/kindergarten_enrollment

• C. Burr Artz Library monthly program: May
• May 9 & May 23: Food Pantry @ Asbury Church 10am - 1pm

Did you know that our students can be nominated for a positive referral each month? Students that demonstrate consistent good behavior and exhibit any of our habits of learning celebrate with an extra recess at the end of each month.

Lincoln's Habits of Learning

• self-advocating
• practicing social responsibility
• demonstrating perseverance
• having a learning mindset

We had 96 students nominated in April. Each student that is nominated also receives a certificate to take home. Great job!

*All events are from 5 - 7pm unless otherwise noted*

• May 29: Panther Party

Be a part of our PAC to help us improve our school environment and our learning community! Our last meeting is Thursday, June 4th starting at 5pm. Please email Crosby.Blair@fcps.org to RSVP.

ALL PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND!

Current Attendance Rates

• Whole School: 94.1% (The FCPS goal is 96%)
• PreK: 92.7%
• Kindergarten: 92.7%
• First: 94%
• Second: 95.3%
• Third: 94.7%
• Fourth: 94.7%
• Fifth: 94.3%

Current Chronic Absence Rate: 16.4% (Our school goal is to be lower than 15%)

LET'S FINISH THE SCHOOL YEAR STRONG - PLEASE SEND YOUR CHILD AS REGULARLY AS POSSIBLE!

Regular school attendance is important for a student's academic and behavioral success. We need your help! Please make sure your child is coming to school regularly unless they are sick. Per FCPS policy, anytime a student is absent, the school must receive written documentation from the guardian and/or medical provider. Written communication can be in the form of an email, a Talking Points message, or a hand written note. Our ratings on the Maryland School Report Card are heavily impacted by our attendance rates. Reach out to our Community School Coordinator at Crosby.Blair@fcps.org with any attendance questions or needs.

We're excited to announce that we've partnered with an organization called "All For Lunch" to help keep our school lunch debt free. 100% of tax-deductible donations will go directly towards eliminating debt and donors receive an automated receipt through email. Please help us spread the word!

https://allforlunch.org/LincolnESmd/

Family and community members interested in volunteering should begin the volunteer process by visiting the FCPS Volunteer Webpage linked below. Applicants will be directed to:

1. Complete a registration form.
2. Complete a training module on Unified Talent.
3. Await school approval on application.
4. Sign-up for volunteer opportunities facilitated by individual schools.

*Complete ONE registration form only per person. Additional school selections may be added after original approval. Please note: To avoid delays, you must complete the registration form and training using the exact same full name and email address each time. Do not use nicknames, abbreviations, hyphen variations, or alternate spellings or email addresses.

The volunteer registration and training process is completed annually for each school year. Volunteers must complete the process before being signed up for volunteer opportunities, including chaperoning a field trip. FCPS encourages family and community members interested in volunteering to complete the process early as processing times can vary.

Meet the school counseling team: The “Super Support Squad”

• Mrs. Groveman (Counselor) grades 3-5 Tiffany.Groveman@fcps.org

• Mrs. Quill (Counselor) grades PreK-2 Heather.Quill@fcps.org

• Ms. Dodson (Behavior Support Specialist) Heather.Dodson@fcps.org

• Ms. Cody (Behavior Support Specialist) Amanda.Cody@fcps.org

Join us as we celebrate Children's Mental Health awareness for the month of May. 💙💛💙💛 During the month of May we will focus on ways to improve mental health by SOOTHING and STRENGTHENING our brains. It would be great for families to talk about ways they take care of their mind and body.

We hope you and your family will enjoy the videos and activities below.

What is mental health? Video for grown ups made by our school counselors

Videos for students about mental health

• Primary Introduction to mental health by Mrs. Quill

• Intermediate Introduction to mental health

Mental Health Resources For Families

• Tips for Discussing Concerns with Primary Care Doctor English - Spanish

• Family Self-Care Calendar

• Self-Care Tips

• Affirmation cards to help students/families focus on positive thinking.

• Coping Skills Cards to print out

• The Importance of Creating Consistent Routines English - Spanish

If your child experiences any of the following symptoms listed below please keep them home from school:

• Fever over 100 within the last 24 hours (must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school)
• Vomiting/diarrhea within the last 24 hours
• Rash
• Red, itchy, crusty eyes or any drainage from eyes

All students entering Maryland schools are required to have a physical examination completed by their health care provider within nine months prior to entering the public schools system or within six months of entering the system. If your child is missing this exam you were contacted by the health room and provided a form for the health care provider to complete. Please complete these exams as soon as possible.

ALL medications to be taken at school, whether prescription or nonprescription (over the counter) must have a Medication Authorization form completed by a health care provider and parent. This form is available from the Health Room staff or at www.fcps.org. This form, along with the medication in a properly labeled bottle or unopened package, must be given directly the Health Room staff by the parent/guardian. Parent/Guardians will be notified at the end of the school year regarding pick up of medications in the Health Room.

Contact Lincoln's health room with any questions 227-203-1580; Katherine.Crawford@fcps.org

As the school year comes to a close, many children experience a mix of excitement, pride, and uncertainty. Changes in routine, teachers, and expectations can feel big. Providing support, structure, and opportunities to reflect can help children navigate this transition with confidence.

• Talk About Next Year – Begin conversations about what to expect in the upcoming school year. If possible, visit the new school or classroom, review the school website, or talk about daily routines to help make the unknown feel more familiar.
• Reflect on Growth – Take time to look back at the year. Review old schoolwork, photos, or projects and talk about how much your child has learned and improved. This builds confidence and reinforces a sense of accomplishment.
• Celebrate Achievements – Mark the end of the year with a simple family tradition, such as a special dinner, creating a memory box, or making a photo board. Celebrations don’t need to be big—they just need to feel meaningful.
• Keep Routines Consistent – While schedules may become more flexible, maintaining consistent sleep and daily routines can help children feel grounded during a time of change.
• Normalize Mixed Feelings – It’s common for children to feel both excited and nervous about transitions. Acknowledge these feelings and reassure your child that it’s okay to have more than one feeling at the same time. Resource: PBS Parents – Activities and tips for helping children understand and manage change and transitions.

Contact Info: Jamie Udaka, PhD; School Psychologist (Itsuko.udaka@fcps.org)

Click the button below for this month's Judy Center newsletter!

Information about bus status and delays can be found using the button below. The page refreshes every 60 seconds.

Also, please be reminded of the Maryland laws surrounding school bus safety: English; Spanish

Please reach out if you have any questions/concerns/needs... whatever it takes - we're here to help!

Lots of Lincoln Love!

Email: Crosby.Blair@fcps.org
Website: https://education.fcps.org/lnes/home
Location: 200 Madison Street, Frederick, MD
Phone: 227.203.1580