Lincoln Log

Dear Abraham Lincoln Families,

Today marks the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the second half of our school year. It’s hard to believe how quickly the year is moving!

As we head into the coming weeks, students will be celebrating some fun and meaningful milestones, including the 100th Day of School, Groundhog Day, and Valentine’s Day. These special days often include classroom activities and celebrations, so please be sure to stay up to date with information from your child’s teacher.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we move into the second half of the year!

~ Mrs. Ireland

At Abraham Lincoln, we take attendance seriously because consistent school attendance is directly linked to student success. We track attendance weekly and will begin sharing our monthly progress with students and staff through a visual display in the school. I will also include these updates in each newsletter so families can stay informed.

Here is our Average Daily Attendance (ADA) so far this year:

• September: 95%

• October: 92%

• November: 95%

• December: 95%

Our goal is to maintain 95% or higher each month, and we are excited to work together to reach it!

You can help support strong attendance by scheduling appointments outside the school day whenever possible and planning family vacations during scheduled school vacation weeks. Every day of learning matters, and we appreciate your partnership in helping our students be present, engaged, and ready to learn.

We are looking for a volunteer to come in once a week for about an hour to help shelve books in our Book Room. If you are interested, please contact Meghan Schall at mschall@bangorschools.net.

The Abraham Lincoln PTO is looking ahead to a fun and engaging spring filled with family-centered events that celebrate our students, staff, and school community. While this time of year can feel busy with weather and seasonal illnesses, spring is when family involvement truly brings these events to life, and even small contributions make a big difference. Upcoming opportunities include Cabin Fever Family Night, the Spring Book Fair, Staff Appreciation Week, the Spring Fair, Garden Clean-Up Day, field trips and enrichment activities, and a spring fundraiser. Volunteers are needed to help with planning, event support, donations, and creative ideas across all events. Families interested in getting involved are encouraged to sign up for a committee using the provided link, and the PTO will follow up with next steps. Questions are always welcome, and families can also stay connected through the PTO Facebook group and email listserv.

*January 23 - End of Quarter 2

*January 28 - School Committee Meeting at 7:00

*January 29 - Report Cards Home

To celebrate, we invite families to try some fun brain teasers at home. These activities help build problem-solving skills, language development, and critical thinking—all while having fun together!

For PreK

• What’s Missing? Place 3 small objects on a table. Have your child close their eyes while you remove one. Can they guess what’s missing?

• Same or Different? Look around the house and name two things that are the same and one thing that is different.

• Riddle Time:
  What has two eyes but cannot see?
  (Answer: a button)

For Kindergarten–Grade 1

• Pattern Play: Create a pattern using socks, blocks, or utensils (red–blue–red–blue). Can your child continue the pattern?

• I Spy with Shapes: “I spy something that is a circle…”

• Riddle:
  What has hands but can’t clap?
  (Answer: a clock)

For Grades 2–3

• Logic Challenge: If you have 3 apples and give one away, how many do you have left?

• Word Play: How many smaller words can you make from the word SCHOOL?

• Riddle:
  I’m full of holes but still hold water. What am I?
  (Answer: a sponge)

We encourage families to talk through their thinking, ask questions, and most of all—have fun learning together!

The Bangor School Department is partnering with Smart Social, an excellent resource that helps families navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Smart Social offers free tools, videos, and tips to help parents guide children in making positive choices online and using social media responsibly.

We encourage all families to explore these resources and start conversations at home about digital safety and balance. Check it out here: Smart Social

We’re excited to share Beyond the Bell, a new podcast that takes listeners inside the heart of our schools! Each episode dives into the inspiring stories, innovative practices, and everyday moments that make our school community so special. You’ll hear from teachers, staff, community members, and experts who bring unique perspectives on education today — from school psychologists and coaches to educational leaders.

Tune in and explore what’s happening beyond the bell!
🎧 Listen here: Beyond the Bell Podcast

Each year, the UMA Bangor Dental Hygiene Clinic hosts a special event just for kids called Give Kids a Smile Day. This year, the event will take place on February 20, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Students in the Dental Hygiene Program provide care to patients of all ages as part of their curriculum, under the supervision of faculty who are registered and certified dental hygienists. On Give Kids a Smile Day, volunteer dentists also join the clinic to support students and faculty in providing care.

This is a free dental care day for children and teens ages 5–19 and is a wonderful opportunity for families, especially those who do not currently have a dental home.

Please see the attached flyer for additional information. If you have questions, you may contact the clinic at 207-262-7872 or by email at umadental@maine.edu.

Thank you for helping us share this valuable resource with families in our school community.

This week, Abe reminds us that learning is all about curiosity, perseverance, and having fun while we think! When students try new challenges—like brain teasers or tricky problems—they may not always get the answer right away, and that’s okay. What matters most is trying, thinking, and not giving up.

We encourage families to celebrate effort at home by talking through problems together, asking questions, and praising persistence. Every time students stretch their thinking, their brains grow stronger!

Early Release dismissal is at 12:00 PM.