Lincoln at a Glance

• M 5/12: Musical Theater Workshop Performance at EM

• T 5/13: Musical Theater Workshop Performance at EM; LI Chorus Feeder Tour; Shedd Aquarium Field Trip (Marine Bio): BVB vs Emerson 3:30 PM (home)

• W 5/14: Early Release 2:10; PTO Meeting In Person at LI 7PM

• H 5/15: BVB vs Grove 3:30 PM (home: LI Chicago Dogs Game; Board of Education Meeting 7PM

• F 5/16: 8th Grade Dance

Please be aware that there is a potentially hazardous TikTok trend where students are inserting objects– paperclips or even just pencil tips— into the charging ports of their chromebooks and causing them to smoke, and even start on fire. Please support our efforts to be responsible, respectful, and safe by talking to your students about this alarming trend. Any chromebooks with this type of damage will result in disciplinary action and may require parents to pay a full replacement cost of the chromebook at $300.

May 27th will be the LAST DAY OF ATTENDANCE for our 8th grade students. 8th Grade students will attend a mandatory promotion practice at 9am at Lincoln, will eat lunch, and WILL THEN BE RELEASED AT 12:15PM.

Please fill out THIS FORM to indicate if your student will need to ride a bus home at 12:15.

We will be running limited bus routes for any students who need bus transportation home. We need your reply so that we can assure that we have enough buses to accommodate those who need transportation. Thank you for your help!

Yearbooks for the 24-25 school year are now available for purchase. Deadline to purchase is Friday, May 9th.

Placing orders for a 2024-25 Lincoln Yearbook

Parents should log into My School Bucks: Link to My School Bucks

1. Select "Student Fees"

2. Select 2024-25 Yearbook Purchase

3. Select Student(s)

4. Submit payment and place the order

WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is an 8th grade mentoring program to support incoming 6th graders at their orientation and throughout the school year. This is a great leadership opportunity and we're looking for soon-to-be 8th grade students to represent Lincoln! Current 7th graders can apply to be WEB leaders for the 2025-26 by completing the application sent to all 7th graders on Wednesday and they are due no later than May 16th at 3pm. No late applications will be accepted. Mandatory dates to be a WEB Leader are Thursday, August 14 (8am-12:30pm) and Friday, August 15th (7:15am-11am). An applicant who cannot attend BOTH of these training and orientation days will not be considered to be a WEB Leader.

The after-school activity bus will not run for the remainder of the school year after Thursday, May 22nd. Please be sure to make the necessary arrangements.

All Lincoln LRC/Library books, materials, and resources need to be returned by Friday, May 16th.

6th Grade Dental forms are due by May 15th. Any exam dated on or after November 15th, 2023 is acceptable. Please upload the fully completed forms to PowerSchool. If your dentist requests to fax it directly the number is 847-318-4210. Contact Mrs. Ossmo with any questions at rossmo@d64.org.

We are looking forward to celebrating the accomplishments of our eighth-grade students at our upcoming promotion ceremony. Below please find important information about this important milestone and some other year-end events for our students.

We sincerely want the last few weeks of school to be filled with special memories and events for your child. This should be an exciting time for you and for your family. The Lincoln staff is excited to share this experience with you. We appreciate your continued support as we conclude this school year.

Your child’s eighth-grade promotion represents many years of hard work and support from you as parents/guardians. We want this evening to hold many fond memories for everyone who attends. Please contact us at any time if you have any questions.

LINCOLN 8TH GRADE END-OF-YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Great America
All 8th-grade students have the opportunity to visit Six Flags Great America for a day of roller coasters and theme park amusement.

• Date — Tuesday, May 20

• Time — 9:30 departure from Lincoln, departure from the park 6:00 PM.

• Place — Six Flags Great America, Gurnee

• Transportation - All students must ride the bus to and from the park. Once they have returned to school, all students should have arranged for rides ahead of time.

Promotion Dance
Celebrate the end of the school year and your promotion to high school with Glimmer and Glow.

The evening — exclusively for Lincoln 8th graders — includes dancing and a DJ, games, giveaways, and a fantastic evening with middle school friends!

• Date — Friday, May 16

• Time — Dance will take place from 7 to 9 pm — check-in begins at 6:45 and closes at 7:30 pm. All Students will be released through Door #4 when the dance ends at 9 pm.

• Place — Lincoln Middle School Gym: Drop off and pick up through Gym Door #4 (faces south on Crescent).

• Attire — Dress attire encouraged: Dresses, skirts, dress pants, dress shirts, ties, and/or suits.

• Registration — The cost to attend is $25 and registration is available on the PTO website. There will be no physical tickets distributed. DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS Friday, May 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Please register now— there will be NO TICKET SALES at the door.

• Photos Needed - During the dance, there will be a slideshow playing “then and now” photos of the 8th grade class. Please note that once your photos are submitted, they cannot be changed. Please check with your student prior to submitting photos. Photo submissions are due by May 9th. When you are ready, you can submit your photos by clicking here.

Volunteers — Sign-up here.

• 7th Grade Parents —Traditionally, we ask 7th-grade parents to help chaperone and assist behind the scenes so that the 8th graders can enjoy their special night without their own parents watching from the sidelines. We need volunteers to help with check-in, chaperoning during the dance, and check-out.

Your support will ensure that this event runs smoothly while also giving you a sneak peek at what’s in store for next year! Thank you in advance for making this a memorable night for our soon-to-be graduates!

• 8th Grade Parents — We need your help to make it a special night for our students! We’re looking for volunteers to assist with decorating and setting up before the dance as well as cleaning up afterward. This is a great way to contribute without having to be at the dance itself—so your kids can enjoy their big night without parental supervision! Thank you for helping us create a wonderful send-off for the Class of 2025!

Keep in Mind —

• Cell phones are not allowed into the event — please leave them at home or turn in phones at check-in for secure storage.

• The D64 code of conduct must be adhered to by all attendees. Please speak to your child about conduct at this semi-formal event. We want to have a fun night celebrating and to avoid calling parents to pick up early during the dance.

Chromebook Collection
Chromebooks will be collected from our th grade students on Friday May 23rd. Information on saving files and information from the students’ account will be shared with them and can be found here.

Yearbook Signing

After a morning promotion practice/dry-run, all Lincoln students will have the opportunity to spend time with their classmates as they sign yearbooks and enjoy the final day of school. Eighth grade students will be dismissed from school at 12:15 after the lunches.

• Date — Tuesday, May 27

• Time — TBD

• Place — Lincoln

Note: Yearbooks will be distributed to 8th-grade students via homeroom on this day.

8th Grade Behavior

Please remind your student of appropriate behavior at school as we finish out the end of the year. Although our 8th-grade students are doing a nice job of being respectful and responsible, we do want to make sure they continue this behavior through the final; days. Next week, homeroom teachers will discuss the behavioral expectations for the rest of the school year with the 8th-grade students. It is possible that students exhibiting repeated negative or disruptive behavior will not be able to attend end-of-year events, including the social and/or promotion itself.

PROMOTION CEREMONY INFORMATION

Date and Time

Tuesday, May 27

7:30 p.m.

Location

The promotion ceremony will be held in the Maine East High School auditorium (2601 Dempster). Please reference the attached aerial map for more information:

Maine East Aerial and Parking - A map and directions will be provided in the coming weeks. We need to contend with the other middle school’s promotion ceremony that occurs right before ours. More info to come.

Gowns and Ribbons

Gowns and ribbons will be distributed on Wednesday, May 21st. They should be worn to the promotion ceremony. The gowns are typically wrinkled when they come out of the packaging. Please take them out of the packaging and place them on a hanger for a day before the ceremony. Ribbons are to be worn on the left side of the gown at chest level.

Number of Tickets/Wristbands

We have determined, as a result of venue capacity, that each family will receive FOUR tickets/wristbands to the promotion ceremony (the 8th-grade students do not need a ticket). Please keep this in mind as you plan ahead for this event. We encourage families to return any unused tickets/wristbands to school so that we can accommodate families who request more. Wristbands will be distributed with gowns and ribbons (5/21) and are required for admission to the promotion ceremony. If you are requesting additional wristbands, please contact the school office or email Shannon Wicks (swicks@d64.org). Please know that there is no guarantee that additional tickets will be available.

Promotion Ceremony Live Stream
To ensure that all family and friends are able to watch the promotion ceremony, there will be a live stream of the event this year. More information will be provided in regard to this new promotion opportunity.

Seating and Accessibility

Graduates will be seated on the stage. Family seating will be in the auditorium seating. Please ask your child what side they will be seated on so that you can choose your seats accordingly. If you have a guest who requires accessible seating, please contact the school office or email Shannon Wicks (swicks@d64.org).

Student Meeting Place Before the Ceremony

Students will meet in the cafeteria no later than 30 minutes prior on the date of the ceremony. Students should be dropped off at Door #2 on the frontage road closest to Dempster. Students should report to their homeroom teacher and line up for the procession into the auditorium. Students should wear their gowns and ribbons.

Phones

Students should not have their phones with them during the promotion ceremony.

Practice

Practice will be held at LIncoln Middle School the morning of May 27th in place of core classes. After promotion practice, students will have the opportunity to sign yearbooks. As a reminder, students will be dismissed at 12:15.

During the Ceremony
We want to be able to provide all parents and guests the opportunity to hear their child’s name called during the presentation of promotion certificates. As a courtesy to all, we are requesting that all applause be held until after all graduates have been called. Additionally, we ask that there is no cheering, shouting, or use of air horns/noisemakers during the ceremony. Also, when taking pictures, please do not stand in an area that blocks the view of others or interferes with students entering or leaving the ceremony. These guidelines will ensure that the evening will hold many fond memories for everyone who attends. Balloons should not be brought into the ceremony.

NOTE: Students not in attendance at the promotion ceremony will not have their names called during the presentation of diplomas.

After the Ceremony

To avoid congregating, please exit the grounds as soon as possible following the ceremony. Students can meet parents on the grassy area north of the school just outside the auditorium doors.

8th Grade Promotion Seating Raffle
VIP SEATS TO THE LINCOLN 8TH GRADE PROMOTION CEREMONY COULD BE YOURS!

The PTO is raffling off VIP seats to this year's 8th-grade promotion ceremony. Each winner will get four seats in the VIP front row.

Raffle Tickets are $20/each or 6 for $100

Guidelines:

• The raffle is open only to families of current Lincoln 8th graders.

• Winners must exchange their 4 general admission ceremony tickets for the 4 VIP seats.

• Raffle tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100.

• Each family can only win once — if a name is drawn twice, the second entry will not count and a new winner will be drawn.

• Winners do not need to be present at the drawing. The PTO will contact winners at the email provided in the raffle entry.

• Raffle tickets are only available online only, but payments can also be made by dropping a check (payable to the Lincoln Middle School PTO) in an envelope addressed to the PTO at the Lincoln office.

• Deadline for online entries and payments: 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

• Deadline for check payments: 3:00 pm on Thursday, May 22, 2025 (must be delivered to the Lincoln office).

• VIP seating details will be provided to winners upon confirmation.

• Purchase your raffle tickets here!

Dine to Donate at Panera in Uptown Park Ridge! 25% of sales go to support the Lincoln Musical and Chorus Parent Association.

Wednesday, 5/28

Panera Uptown

39 S. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge

Use code FUND4U when ordering online or in person.

See this flyer for more information.

The third trimester ends on Thursday, May 29th. The student and parent portals will close on Friday May 23rd to allow for final grades to be entered and reported. Grades are due by noon on May 30th and report card will be available for viewing via the portals on JUne 4th.

If you were unable to join us last month for the incoming 6th grade parent night, information (inclduing the presentation) can be found here on the Lincoln web page.

3-on-3 Basketball Tournament supporting the Jim Kilburg Foundation.

July 21-23

12:30

4th-8th Grade

Tournament Flyer (including registration link)

Join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Jim Kilburg by providing scholarships that support young athletes' academic and athletic pursuits. Your contribution helps foster a future where every student has the opportunity to excel.

We currently only have 30% of our families signed up to be a part of this awesome organization.

We are very fortunate to have a supportive and collaborative partnership with our Lincoln PTO. Throughout the year, we will be working together to provide opportunities for our families and students. If you are not a member already, please consider joining this awesome organization. You can find information on starting or renewing your membership by visiting the Lincoln PTO website.

All Lincoln students and parents are provided access to schedules via the PowerSchool parent and student portals. The PowerSchool Parent Portal allows you access to your student’s academic information, including student schedules and grades. To gain access to the Parent Portal, please go to ps.d64.org. If you have any questions on how to login, please contact the Lincoln Main Office for assistance (847) 318-4215.

Schoology will be utilized by students to help navigate their remote learning day and will include links to students’ virtual class meetings. Parents can also access students’ classes and monitor student assignments. To assist, we have created THIS VIDEO to assist in navigating this new learning platform.

Not connected to Schoology yet? Follow the directions here!

Updated D64 Calendars for ‘25-26 & ‘26-27

Now that the referendum has passed, the plan is to finish construction within two years. To help with this, we have adjusted the school calendars for 2025/26 and 2026/27 to allow crews more time to work in the buildings.

D64 Yearly Calendars

District 64 continues to utilize many different platforms to ensure you have important information delivered to you in the most convenient way. One of those ways is through our SMS Text Messaging Service.

Getting messages delivered to your mobile device is a helpful tool, and District 64 is reenergizing our efforts to bring this to you. Starting on Monday, October 31st, you might periodically receive text messages from either the District or your child’s school.

These alerts will be info about events, school closings, safety, and more. That said, our SMS Text Messaging Service will be used supplementally in our communication efforts and does not replace any school emails or calls you are receiving.

How to receive text messages:

• You must opt-in to receive text messages. To do so, you will need to text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.

• If you’d like to no longer receive District 64 text messages, you have to send “Stop” to 67587.
  
  

If you have any questions regarding the use of text messages to communicate District/School messages, please email me at clilly@d64.org.

School hours for student classes are from 8:05 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Please note that each Wednesday, students are dismissed at 2:10 p.m. for staff professional development activities.

Doors to the school open for students each morning at 7:58 a.m. Homeroom begins at 8:05 a.m.

School office hours are from 7:20 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Remember that our student absence line (847) 318-4215 is available 24 hours a day. Please let the Lincoln Office know as soon as possible if your child will not be in attendance. Please do not rely on e-mail notification for reporting absences as it may not be seen until later in the day.

Lincoln Middle School, along with all District 64 schools, operates in accordance to policies and practices that have been reviewed and implemented by the District 64 Board of Education. Please review the D64 Student-Parent Handbook prior to the start of the school year to familiarize yourself with the information contained in it. We want to work in partnership with you to ensure a positive school year, and having an understanding of this information will help to promote a successful school year. This handbook is intended as a convenience for District 64 families and staff by summarizing selected information about procedures, services and programs. It also provides a quick reference for contact information and District timelines.