LINCOLN SCHOOL NEWS JANUARY 2010

Respectful, Responsible, and Ready to Learn

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE – Students in Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Jezewski’s fourth grade classes have completed the preliminary round of the National Geography Bee. Five finalists from each room will compete in the school’s final on Tuesday, January 12 at 2:05 P.M. We would encourage you to attend and support these young students in their endeavor. The overall school winner will receive a special medal and will complete a written test to qualify for the state competition. The bee is intended to create an awareness of geography and current events among students.

SCHOOL MALL FUNDRAISER – Lincoln students will again be participating in the “School Mall” fundraiser. The program will be launched during the week of January 11. Students will take home a booklet with postcards attached. Students should, with parents’ guidance, write the address of a friend or relative on each card in the booklet and return the booklet intact. School Mall will do the follow-up and see that individuals printed on the cards receive their ordering information and materials. In the past, proceeds from this fundraiser have been to bring Missoula Children’s Theatre programs to the community. Plans concerning this are still pending.

READING - Our reading assembly will be held on Thursday, January 21 at 2:15 P.M. to recognize students’ reading achievement. Stockmen’s Bank will be providing a new presidential dollar to each student who reaches his quarterly goal. In addition, each student who reaches his goal will have his name placed in a drawing for one of several presidential coin collector kits. Ten of these kits will be given during this time as well.

Please be looking for your child’s TOPS report on a regular basis. This report will give you information concerning your child’s progress in reaching his goals. January 15 will be the last day for students to reach their second quarter goals. Thank you for your help in promoting reading at home. Your enthusiasm and encouragement are vital to your child’s attitudes and success.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE – Regular school attendance is a vital part of a successful school experience. In order to maximize the educational benefits for each child, students need continuity of instruction, classroom participation, and sequential learning experiences. These can only occur when your child is in school. When an unplanned absence is necessary, please phone the school office before 8:30 A.M. at 377-2308.

WINTER CLOTHING –Since children will be expected to go outside for recess except during sub-zero weather, they need to be dressed to fit the weather conditions. It is a good idea to label your children’s winter clothing and to have them check the lost and found boxes if they do lose anything. Please check the weather forecast and make sure that your children are dressed appropriately before leaving home in the mornings.

SAFE WINTER DRIVING

With winter in full swing, I thought it would be a good time to give folks some safe winter driving tips. These tips can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, www.nhtsa.gov . Please check it out for more driving safety info and interesting facts. Steven Bailey, Buckle Up Montana Coordinator

The Three P's of Safe Winter Driving:

• PREPARE for the trip
• PROTECT yourself, and
• PREVENT crashes on the road

PREPARE

• Maintain Your Car: Check battery and tire tread, keep your windows clear, put no-freeze fluid in the washer reservoir, check your antifreeze.
• Have On Hand: flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets.
• For long trips, add food and water, medication and cell phone.
• Stopped or Stalled? Stay with your car, don't over exert yourself, put bright markers on antenna or windows and shine dome light, and, if you run your car, clear the exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm.
• Plan Your Route: Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps/directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.
• Practice Cold Weather Driving! During daylight, rehearse maneuvers slowly on the ice or snow in an empty lot. Steer into a skid. Know what your brakes will do: stomp on antilock brakes, pump non-antilock brakes.
• Stopping distances are longer on water-covered snow and ice.
• Don't idle for a long time with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

PROTECT YOURSELF

• Drugs and alcohol never mix with driving
• Slow down and increase distances between cars
• Keep your eyes open for pedestrians walking in the road
• Avoid fatigue – Get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours, and rotate drivers if possible

PREVENT CRASHES

• Buckle up and use child safety seats properly
• Never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag
• Children 12 and under are much safer in the back seat
• Sit back 10 inches from an air bag

CHARACTER COUNTS PILLAR OF THE MONTH IS FAIRNESS - Here are some important guidelines to discuss with children when we consider fairness:

Play by the rules, take turns and share, be open-minded and listen to others, don’t take advantage of others, don’t blame others carelessly.

MANNERS OF THE WEEK FOR JANUARY – These are manners that go hand in hand with the pillar of the month:

Jan. 4 – 8 Refrain from gossip and whispers.

Jan. 11– 15 Practice good sportsmanship.

Jan. 18 – 22 Always treat others the way you would like to be treated.

Jan. 25 – 29 Be responsible for your own actions – don’t blame others carelessly.

IMPORTANT DATES

January 7 – Parent Meeting 6:30 (Library)

January 12 – Geography Bee (4^th Grade)

January 15 – End of the 2^nd Quarter of School

January 20 – Report cards go home with students

January 21 – Reading Recognition Assembly

January 27 – Early Out (Professional Development)