February 2008


FEBRUARY IS "I LOVE TO READ MONTH" - Reading is the cornerstone of education. Studies have shown that children who are read aloud to have improved language skills and are more successful in school. Take time during February to read with your children, to your children, or listen to them read to you; they love to show you how well they can read! You will, of course, want to continue beyond the month of February, and so will your children. A number of activities celebrating reading will take place in February. Please read the attached calendar for special "I Love to Read" events.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION - Although it does not seem possible, it is once again time for us to begin preparing for our enrollment next fall. Part of this preparation is to secure necessary information on our enrolling Kindergarten class. With this in mind, we are scheduling our Kindergarten registration for March 5th, 6th & 7th (Wednesday, Thursday & Friday). Registration opportunity will be available between 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. on any of these days. You do NOT need to bring your child to registration. In addition to providing a birth certificate and a record of current immunization, you will be asked to identify whether you intend your child to be enrolled in a half-day or full-day Kindergarten class. We would ask that you consider this option carefully since our classes must be developed with these two choice in mind. Your determination will be considered as your final preference. Even though school placement is based upon several factors, please register at the school you believe your child will attend based upon current residency. Here at Lincoln registration sheets will be available at the office and tables and chairs will be set up in the central hallway for your convenience.

While this notice will reach those of you who currently have students enrolled in school, we realize that this newsletter will not reach those with first time students in the district. We would appreciate your passing this information on to those you know that have first time children enrolling in school. The above dates and times will also be forthcoming in the local news media. The Kindergarten  Screening will take place later in April.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES - In regard to Parent-Teacher conferences, we would ask you to take a special note of the dates. Conferences this year will be held midway between the 2nd and the 3rd quarters. The dates will be February 18 and February 19 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

BUG STUDENTS - .Congratulations to fourth grade students Tommy Ask, Sadie Carbajal, Kacen French, Ashton Jones, and Lexi Pettersen. They are the second quarter "BUG" students of Lincoln School. A "BUG" (Bringing Up Grades) student must bring up one or more grades without going down in any subjects or maintain an A average from the previous quarter. The Glendive Kiwanis Organization honored these students at an assembly and treated them to pizza on January 23. A special thanks to Mr. Bob Anderson, Mr. Ed Turnquist, Mr. Chuck Rushing, Mr. pat Mischel, and Mr. jim Germann for presenting these awards.

SPEED STACKING - A special thank you goes to Mrs. Cunningham for planning and presenting our "Speed Stacking" evening held on Thursday, January 24. Several 3rd and 4th grade students demonstrated their skill and along with their parents, participated in several "stacking" activities. Stay tuned for future announcements concerning more "stacking" events.

READING ACHIEVEMENT - At an assembly on Friday, January 25, 114 Lincoln students received recognition for reaching their individual reading goals for the second quarter. Stockman Bank president, Mr. Keith Robinson, and operation's manager, Mrs. Teresa Rankin, distributed a James Madison Presidential dollar to these students for their achievement. Presidential coin collector kits, also provided by Stockman Bank, were presented to the top three individual reading achievers, and seven other collector kits were presented through a drawing of all other eligible students. Reading goals for the third quarter have been established and another recognition assembly will be held near the end of March. The james Monroe dollar, the fifth coin issued, will be presented to students reaching their goal.

VOLUNTEERS/GUESTS - Please be reminded that all volunteers and guest must sign in at the office. Volunteers must complete a volunteer information sheet before reporting to a classroom. As a courtesy, please inform the classroom teacher if you are unable to fulfill your obligation or if there are any changes in your initial commitment. Since we place a high priority upon an uninterrupted learning experience, we ask that you would respect the teacher's time while they are involved in instruction. School personnel should handle most communication to students and teachers during instructional time. If it is absolutely necessary for you to speak with a teacher or your child, office personnel can direct you as to the best way to handle your situation. In most cases, the teacher or child will be summoned to the office.

DROP OFF & PICKUP POINTS - As the weather has become colder, we are having an increasing breakdown of drop off and pickup locations. Yellow bus zones on Valentine Street should not be used and drop off at the front doors on Nowlan Street should not be used unless your child is late for school! We would ask that you might consider planning your morning more effectively if this is a persistent problem. We are very concerned about the safety of your child and other students as they attempt to cross streets in and out of traffic. Drop off and pickup points have been designated for Taylor and Power Streets. We would ask that your would honor these designations. School personnel are on duty and will make sure that your child gains immediate access to the school on cold weather days. Duty monitors will even be on duty beyond the 8:10 bell so that students can gain entrance to the building using playground entrances. Only after 8:15 should the front door be used.

Counselor’s Corner

I was reading to a class the other day and the book was about a boy whose parents were divorced.  Many of the students in that class could relate to the boy in the book. The book was Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary.  Over half the students in that class had parents who were divorced or never married.

The current perception by noted counselors and psychologists in this country is that divorce has a greater as well as a longer impact on children than once believed.

It should be the goal of all parents who are going through a divorce to do everything they can to minimize the negative effects on their children.   Most parents are aware of the ways to do this, yet many times their own anger prevails over their judgment.

Here are some general guidelines:

DON'T:

  1. Don’t make any negative comments to your child about his mom or dad even if the statement is true.  Absolutely no name calling in front of the children.
  2. Don’t use your child as a go-between or a messenger to your ex.
  3. Don’t make any promises to your child that you may not be able to keep regarding phone calls, trips, parties, or gifts.
  4. Don’t share your financial problems with your child.  Spare them the worry.
  5. Don’t complain to the child about support payments.  (For Goodness Sakes!)
  6. Don’t do something special for one of your children if you can’t do it for all of them.  It will just cause more dissension.
  7. Don’t try to outdo your ex when it comes to gifts or trips with the child just because you are more affluent.
  8. Do not isolate children from their grandparents.
  9. During the school year students do better if they are with mom a week and then with dad a week rather than dividing the week.  Transitioning from mom to dad or visa versa during the school week makes the transition more difficult for the child and sometimes has a negative impact on their schoolwork.
DO:

  1. Do make positive comments about your child’s mom or dad in front of your child.
  2. Do work with your ex and establish rules for your child regarding meals, TV time, homework, and bedtime.  Then stick to them.  Don’t try to “score points” with your child by making special allowances.
  3. Both parents should go to meet the teacher night and take an active role in helping with schoolwork and school activities.
  4. Work together to pay for educational expenses even though it may not be covered in the divorce settlement.
  5. Give your child time to warm to any of your new friends.
  6. Consider the impact your lifestyle may have on your child.  Kids left with your boyfriend or girlfriend are at a higher risk than when they are with a natural parent.
  7. Make arrangements with the school counselor to visit with your son/daughter. 


CHARACTER COUNTS - Respect is the pillar of character for February and March. Children can offer a "hand of friendship" to other people by remembering these five points (one for each finger) about respect. The word "PALMS" will help us remember these key ideas:
  • "P" is for property - We should respect and not damage or take property of others.
  • "A" is for autonomy - We should respect a person's right to be themselves within the limits of our laws, to have their own likes and dislikes. They have a right to be different. We are not all the same.
  • "A" is also for authority. It is important to understand the need for authority and the importance of respecting it. Respecting authority will keep our community safe.
  • "L" is for liberty - We would respect the rights and freedoms of others. My freedom is not any more or less important than someone else's. What I do should not deprive someone else of his or her freedoms.
  • "M" is for mind - We should be open minded enough to respect the ideas and opinions of others. It doesn't mean we agree, but we can still respect others and allow differences of opinions.
  • "S" is for selfless - Respect means that sometimes we put the wants and needs of other people or "the greater good" ahead of ourselves.

MANNERS OF THE WEEK:
January 28 - February 1: Do not interrupt.
February 4 - 8: Remove hats or caps when entering a building.
February 11 - 15: Use "please", "thank you", and "excuse me" frequently.
February 18 - 21: Use a polite tone of voice.
February 25 - February 29: Respect other people's property, belongings and projects.

DATES TO REMEMBER:
February 7 - Character Counts Assembly - 2:15 p.m. - Gym (RESPECT)
February 18 & 19 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (5 p.m. - 8 p.m.)
February 21 - Early Out - Students dismissed at 1:05 p.m.
February 22 - NO SCHOOL
February 26 - Dental Screening for grades Kindergarten, 1st and 3rd grades
March 5, 6 &7 - Kindergarten Registration for 2008-2009 School Year