Dear K-4 Families,

What a busy and productive week it has been at Lincoln School!

We extend our sincere gratitude to the PTO for organizing the Literacy Curriculum Update meeting with Dr. Karyn Saxon, LASH Coordinator, and Mr. Torrance Lewis, Assistant Superintendent. We deeply appreciate the opportunity this provided for caregivers to learn about our new curriculum.

On Wednesday, we welcomed two important visitors. First, I spent an hour with Laurel Wironen, School Liaison for Massachusetts Military Students and Hanscom Liaison to the School Committee. This pairing allows Committee members to observe our classrooms firsthand and get a true sense of the school's atmosphere. Later that day, a consultant from Higher Ground Educational Consulting conducted a similar walkthrough, followed by professional development for our faculty.

I was immensely proud for both visitors to witness the diverse ways our students are engaging with their learning—from using manipulatives and apps to collaborating in small groups on the rug, at their desks, or in the hub. We are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated and skillful staff, and the very best students!

Yesterday, our fourth graders took the first-ever Lincoln School K-4 field trip to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution! This exciting trip ties into their current ELA module on deep sea exploration, where they learned about the submersible Alvin (which, fascinatingly, located the Titanic). A huge thank you to the parent chaperones and the entire fourth-grade team—Ms. Julien, Ms. O’Sullivan, Mr. Reed, Mrs. Torchia, Mr. Ben, Mr. Haggerty—and Mrs. Goldmacher, our school nurse, for organizing and supporting this memorable experience.

This morning, we held another terrific Community Meeting! Our voices rang out strong as we sang the school song and enjoyed delightful winter songs performed by each grade, led by Mrs. Hoffman.

We also learned about the new Buddy Benches, generously donated by families. Classes will be watching a read-aloud and a video—featuring our own kindergarteners!—explaining how to use the benches during recess.

Finally, for the Principal’s Corner, I shared an update on the K-4 Student Council Coin Drive. Congratulations to 1L for having the closest estimate to our current fundraising total! They get to host the crocheted fox. We have currently raised $237.41. Our goal is to double this to $474.82 by the end of January, when the drive concludes and we make our donation to the World Wildlife Fund.

It was wonderful to have so many family members and friends in the audience today, and I encourage you to try to join us for at least one meeting this year!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Sarah

Showing our CARES values to animals around the world. Donations will go to the World Wildlife Fund.

Make a fuzzy felted patch with wool. Pick from four rainbow designs. Use the finished piece as a patch on a jacket, or frame it for a unique piece of art. Pop up Art School will show you how to use a barbed needle and wool roving to make this cool accessory. Needle felting is fun and easier than it looks! For ages 11+. Register here:  https://lincolnpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/pop-up-art-school-for-ages-11-19-felted-rainbow-patches/

Practice reading in a supportive environment with a certified therapy dog! Join Abigail, a six-year-old “Pets and People” certified therapy dog for a one-on-one 15 minute reading session. Abigail is friendly, calm, and non-judgmental, helping young readers build confidence and strengthen literacy skills. This program is intended for emerging or independent readers, ages 5 and up. Please register for only one 15-minute session. Any questions, email dleopold@minlib.net Register here: https://lincolnpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/read-to-a-retriever-25/

This two-session workshop (Saturdays 1/24 and 1/31) for young authors will dive into the creative process and help your child find their own unique voice. Through journaling, writing prompts, mindfulness, movement, and visual art - children will explore their own natural creativity and use it to write an original story. Intended for children in grades 4-6. Participants are highly encouraged to attend both sessions. Workshops are taught by published author Erin Petti. Register here: https://lincolnpl.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/young-writers-workshop-7/

Sponsored by Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth, Inc.

2025-2026 POSTER & PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (PSA) PROJECT THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S PROJECT IS:

KIND PEOPLE ARE THE BEST KIND OF PEOPLE

We invite you to express the power of kindness through art! Submit your creative poster and PSA projects that showcase the importance of showing compassion, care and understanding to everyone, including yourself. Together, through small, thoughtful gestures, we can build a more caring, connected world.

Choose kindness because kind people are the best kind of people!

We are reaching out from the HEARTplay grief support program to make sure you are aware of the services available to students and families in your school communities. Our mission is to support children, teens, and young adults of all abilities and their families who are coping with the serious illness and/or death of an important person. All services are offered at no cost and take place at our office in Newton, MA, online, or at other designated locations for specific programs. More information below and on the attached flyers. Please share this information with colleagues and families and/or feel free to be in touch any time about families in your school community who could benefit from grief support.

 

Individual/Family Support: sessions offered in person or online on a limited basis (typically 4-6 sessions) with one of our experienced team members of Licensed Mental Health Counselors and Expressive Arts Therapists.

 

HEARTplay Groups: offered in person in Newton, MA beginning October 4 and online. More details about available groups on the attached flyer.

 

Camp HEARTplay at the Museum of Science: Sunday, November 9 9am-5pm. 3rd annual family day camp program at the Museum of Science Boston. Participants have opportunities to honor and remember their person who has died, connect with peers who have experienced similar losses, explore the museum, participate in a luminary ceremony on the Boston Duck Boats, and have fun! Offered at no cost. Museum admission, parking, and lunch are all included for participating families.

Registration for all HEARTplay programs: https://www.heartplayprogram.org/register-heartplay-groups