• Lincoln School Survival Guide

    Whether you've been through it all or are just starting out here at Lincoln School, you may be interested in some behind-the-scenes scoop on the various events, both PTA and not, coming up this and most every year.  The general time frame for each activity or event is provided. If the specific date is not listed, please see the Lincoln School PTA calendar.

    Activity Description When
    Baking Volunteers are needed to provide baked goods for various school activities and events throughout the year.  If you are interested, please fill out the PTA Volunteer Sign-up form. On Going
    Band Band runs through the entire school year and is available to students in 5th and 6th grade.  At the end of 4th grade, students get to see an instrument demonstration and have the opportunity to try several instruments to help them decide what they want to play.  There are 2 groups: Beginning Band which is mostly 5th grade and some 6th grade players who are in their 1st year of playing. Intermediate Band is mostly 6th graders and occasionally 5th graders who started an instrument earlier in another district or privately who are in their 2nd year of playing. All Year
    Band Concert Beginning and Intermediate Band each have 2 evening concerts a year where they play a variety of music from different genres.  See PTA Calendar for dates of Band Concerts.  
    Birthday Celebrations According to District 15 School Policy, children should NOT bring in candy or food treats for their birthday.  While it is not necessary for students to bring in anything to share with the class for their birthday, if they wish to bring in something, small trinkets such as stickers or pencils are allowed.  Students may also donate a book or game to their classroom. On Going
    Book Fair The annual Scholastic Book Fair helps promote literacy and a love of reading.  This weeklong event will bring the books kids love to our school for purchase. November
    Books for Gifts You can encourage your child to read while you help support the Lincoln Resource Center when you purchase a book in honor of a teacher, student or family member.  To request more information or to obtain a book list and order form, please go to the Lincoln PTA website. On Going
    Box Tops Boxtops for Education is a "clip and save" program we use to earn cash and equipment for our school.  Clip the appropriate label and send them into the school in an envelope marked "Box Tops". Visit www.boxtops4education.com for qualifying products, contests, newsletters, coupons and complete program details. All Year

    Chorus    		 Chorus is an opportunity for 5th and 6th graders to get involved musically at Lincoln. Chorus is open to all boys and girls in 5th and 6th grade. Chorus meets two times a week during the recess hour to prepare for the winter and spring concert.  Chorus not only provides students with an extended musical opportunity, it also allows them the opportunity to go on field trips to perform for the community at retirement homes and/or preschools. It is our way of thanking others and educating others with music.  See the PTA Calendar for Chorus Concert dates. All Year
    Community Closet Please consider donating your "gently used" clothing to the district PTA Community Closet.  Currently there is a need for size 6X through 10 (Kindergarten through 4th Grade). The closet can accept all clothing items in child through adult sizes.  The closet is located at Sanborn School, 101 N. Oak, corner of Wood and Oak. Lincoln has a donation box with receipts in the lobby. If you or someone you know is in need, please contact any school staff member. On Going
    Dads & Donuts Dads can take their kids to school early to have donuts, juice and coffee in the Gym with other dads, students and teachers. November
    Directory The Lincoln Directory is a composite of school faculty and students and family contact information.  It provides a resource to families so they are better able to connect with one another. To be listed in the Directory, you must join the PTA and submit your PTA/Directory form prior to the deadline, which is usually late September.  The Directory is usually distributed late October or early November. September-November
    Environmental Awareness On Earth Day, there is a clean up for the front of the school building where participants pull weeds, plant flowers and pick up trash.  All students are welcome to join during their recess time.

    There is an Earth Club for 5th graders.  The club meets during lunch/recess once a month.  Kids learn about living "green" and promote recycling among the students.  Throughout the year, the club will work on projects, go on the morning announcements, submit articles to the newsletter and have a speaker come in to educate the kids.

    There are various items that are collected for recycling such as gym shoes, printer cartridges and glue sticks and bottles.  Please check the boxes by the office for the current items being recycled.    		 All Year
    Family Kickoff Dinner Enjoy a fun evening with other Lincoln families.  Food will be available for purchase at very reasonable prices. Early September
    Field Day Field Day is a half day outdoor event at the end of the year where the students go around with their class and participate in a variety of fun activities.  Parent volunteers help organize and run the stations. May
    Fine Arts Night Artwork created by first through sixth grade students at Lincoln is on display along with performances by the chorus, intermediate band and orchestra. Mid November
    Fun Fair The Fun Fair is an event that hosts games, activities, prizes and snacks.  It is a great outing for the entire family. Fun Fairs are not necessarily scheduled every year at Lincoln.  
    Halloween Parties Your child is encouraged to bring his/her Halloween costume to school.  During approximately the last 2 hours of school, the kids will put on their costumes and then enjoy a Halloween parade with the entire school and party with their class.  If weather permits, the Halloween parade is typically an outside walk around the school, otherwise, it is conducted in the gym. No weapons or inappropriate costumes will be permitted. October 31
    Hoops for Heart Hoops for Heart is a basketball shooting contest in which students shoot with a partner from their grade or with Mom or Dad. We raise money for the American Heart Association. This usually takes place at the end of February.  TBD
    Ice Cream Social Enjoy a fun evening with other Lincoln families.  Ice Cream will be available for purchase at very reasonable prices. May
    Intramurals Intramurals is a 6th grade program that takes place during recess time 2 times a week during the school year.  All 6th graders are encouraged to participate. In intramurals, students play team sports using strategies and plays, with a sprinkling of some just for fun games.  Under the umbrella of intramurals, there are 3 events in which the 6th graders compete against other schools in the district. Cross Country is a mile run contest, which happens at the end of September or beginning of October, the 2-Ball contest is a basketball shooting contest which happens during the first week of February, and the Track and Field meet is at the end of May. All Year
    Junior Great Books 2nd - 6th Grade Junior Great Books is a really fun extracurricular activity for students who love to read!  It is a lunchtime book club that provides eager readers an opportunity to read an interesting story, think about what it means, and then discuss it with other students their own age.  The Junior Great Books weekly discussion meetings run for approximately 6 weeks from January to March. Discussion groups meet during the LUNCH/RECESS period. All children bring sack lunches to the meeting. January - March
    Kindergarten Round-up Kindergarten Round-up occurs in May for Kindergarten students for the following school year.  New Kindergarteners and their parents are invited to come to Lincoln during the school day. Parents attend an orientation to Lincoln, while Kindergarteners visit the classroom. May
    Lincoln Lions Spirit Wear Show off your Lincoln School Spirit every Friday by wearing your spirit wear, No Excuses wear, and college wear.  Spirit wear may be purchased in the Fall. Fall
    Lincoln Log Newsletter The Lincoln Log newsletter is published by the PTA and contains information about upcoming events and other information relevant to life at Lincoln School.  You may receive the newsletter either in paper format or electronically. On going
    Lost and found Lost and Found is located in the hallway outside the Multi-purpose room.  Items are cleared out of this bin at the end of the month. Please remember to label your child's outerwear items. All year
    LRC (Learning Resource Center) The LRC or school library is available to every student in the school.  Each class usually has a weekly scheduled time to find and check out books.   The LRC looks for volunteers year-round. Parent volunteers work closely with students and teachers.  Sometimes there are small projects to work on but mostly volunteers check-out and shelve literature. It is a great way to meet all the Lincoln teachers and get to know the Lincoln students. All year
    Meet the Teacher
    Day    		 Meet the teacher is typically held the day before the first day of the fall school year.  Parents and students have a chance to meet their teachers, take a look around their classroom and drop off school supplies. August
    Moms and Munchies Moms take their kids to school early to have snacks, juice and coffee in the gym with other moms, students and teachers.  It usually starts at 7:45am and ends at 8:45am. October
    Movie Night A fundraising evening for the PTA in which parents can drop off their Lincoln students at the school to be supervised while watching a movie! TBD
    Multi-Cultural Fair Multi-Cultural Fair provides an opportunity for Lincoln families to enjoy the diversity that exists in our school.  Lincoln families may sponsor a booth, if they wish, filled with games, crafts, food, music and more from the many cultures represented in our school.  Families spend an evening sharing information and having fun with other Lincoln families. TBD
    Musicals
    2nd and 4th Grade    		 "The Fourth Grade Musical" is performed each year in the fall and "The Second Grade Musical" is performed each year in the spring.  Each musical features the entire grade level. Students display a variety of talents through solos, speaking parts, movements, instruments, and vocals.  Students perform during the school day for peers and put on an evening performance for family and friends. November
    March
    Open House Open house gives the parents a chance to visit their child's classroom with their child.  Students are very eager and proud to show their parents their work. First Wednesday in May
    Parent Orientation Parents of students in District 15 schools are invited to the schools for a general orientation and an opportunity to visit their children’s classrooms and meet the teachers. Parent Orientation takes place in the beginning of each school year.  Times for classroom visits are generally structured by grade level. August
    Parent Teacher Conferences Parent Teacher Conferences are a time for information sharing between parents, teachers and possibly students, goal setting for the future and progress evaluation.  Conference times are usually set up during Parent Orientation at the beginning of the school year. November
    PBIS PBIS, (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) is a systems change method that promotes positive behaviors in students. Strategies are developed that manage student behavior in classroom settings and outside of classroom settings. It is an all-encompassing system of behavior management where all parties involved are on board, so that behavior management is not produced in a piecemeal way. Instead, all students in a school are accountable with support to behave in ways that positively affect them personally, academically, socially, and from a health perspective. On Going
    Picture Day Individual portraits will be taken.  Those wishing to purchase pictures must submit their order form and payment at the time photos are taken. August
    PTA Fundraising PTA fundraising takes place in many different ways; general membership fees, dine and share nights at local restaurants, cookie dough sales, and direct donations.  The money raised by the PTA is used to fund numerous programs and family activities. All year
    PTA Monthly Meetings PTA meetings are held monthly on the third Thursday of each month at Lincoln School starting at 7:00pm.  Most meetings are general membership meetings and may be attended by any PTA member with the exception of December and May meetings. Monthly,
    year round
    PTA
    Membership    		 Membership to the Lincoln PTA cost $7 for an individual and $14 for a family membership.  Membership in the PTA gets you a copy of the school directory, free admittance to the Orbit Roller Skating Party, school assemblies for both students and parents, family recreation nights and the ice cream social.  The form can be found on the PTA Website. All year
    PTA Website This website contains board and committee information, budget information, a detailed calendar of upcoming events, forms, flyers, and so much more. On going
    Pumpkin Run The Pumpkin Run is a team race that the students compete in during PE time in the fall.  If their team wins, each member receives a pumpkin. October
    Reading Programs The Great America Reading Program begins in early January.  All students who read a total of 6 hours by mid-February will receive one free admission ticket to Six Flags Great America. December - March
    Rec Nights Rec nights are an evening of games, relays and fun in the school gym.  All rec nights are from 7-8pm in the school gym. No need to sign-up, just come and join in the fun.  Wear gym shoes and bring a water bottle. Please consult the PTA Calendar for dates of upcoming Rec nights. Various dates throughout the year
    Reflections Reflections is the National PTA program that encourages students to be creative and have fun with the arts.  Projects can be submitted from categories such as poetry/literature, photography, visual arts, videography and dance/choreography. Fall
    Room Parent/
    Room Parent Tea    		 Those wishing to become room parents for their child's class must submit their request during the first weeks of school.  Room parents are chosen by a lottery system.
    If you are chosen, the Room Parent tea is a great way to meet other room parents and get basic information about your duties for the year.    		 September
    School Dance You and your children can come and enjoy a fun evening with their classmates and their families and dance to the latest tunes. February
    School Supplies Schoolkidz is an online service offered to Lincoln families so that they may purchase the appropriate school supplies for their child's school and grade and avoid crowds and hassles at the store.  The school supplies are pre-packaged and are delivered to school. This service is offered at the end of the school year, to be prepared for the fall. May
    6th Grade Party This is an annual celebration for the 6th graders.  The PTA organizes a picnic and DJ after school on the second to last day of school and provides the students breakfast on the last day of school.  Parents volunteer to help make a commemorative photo CD for each student. May
    SPARK Special Education Parents Accessing Resources and Knowledge was formed in response to the growing needs of families whose children learn differently or have special needs.  SPARK programs are monthly on Monday evenings at Walter R. Sundling Junior High in Palatine. All programs are free. See the PTA Calendar for dates. Monthly, year round
    Teacher Appreciation This is the time where we honor our teachers and show them that we appreciate all that they do for us.  Various fun activity sheets are sent home with the students and they are encouraged to complete and return these so they can be presented to their teacher.  Some of the activities include Question & Answer about your teacher, creating an acrostic poem using the letters from the teacher's last name and creating cards, pictures, etc. First full week of May
    Valentine's Party Each class enjoys a Valentine's Day themed party.  Information about handing out Valentines to the class will be given to you by your child's teacher. February 14
    Vision and Hearing Hearing and vision screenings are district sponsored programs supported by PTA.  It ensures that students receive adequate intervention for hearing and sight issues.  Vision and Hearing Screening are done based on grade levels that are mandated by the state.
    Vision screening is done on all students in the following grades:  Kindergarten, 2nd, 5th.
    Hearing screening is done on all students in the following grades:  Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
    Vision and hearing screening is also done for all students in special education, students new to Lincoln School and for a student who has a request submitted by either a teacher or parent on their behalf.    		 Fall
    Waste Free Lunch Waste free lunch is the third Wednesday of every month and encourages each student to bring their lunch to school in reusable containers where nothing is thrown away.  It is a great way to have students see how their actions can impact the earth every day. Monthly,
    year round
    Yearbook The Yearbook contains class pictures, individual student portraits and also pictures taken throughout the year of all the events and activities that take place at Lincoln School.  Yearbook sales will take place online and by order form beginning in January. Paper sales end March 1, and on-line sales ends March 31. If you wish to receive a Yearbook, you must submit your order and payment during this time frame, there will not be extra Yearbooks to purchase at year end.  Yearbooks are distributed during the last week of school in May. May
Last Modified on June 13, 2019