Principal Lavallee's Edu Blog Learning in and Through the Arts

In an effort to reduce the number of distractions in the classroom due to students arriving to school late, and to align our school procedures with other schools in the district, the following “tardy procedure” will be implemented beginning October 12th. 

Students arriving tardy (after 8:00am) with a parent note/phone call will be given a pass to class and will be given an “excused” tardy. 

Students arriving tardy without a parent note/phone call will be given an “unexcused” tardy and will:

• report to the cafe for period one
• have an “unexcused” absence from first period class
• be responsible for contacting the teacher regarding all missed work
• be required to turn in the assignment on-time (as if they were present in class that day – no extension given)
• be expected to hand in previously assigned homework due that day in the missed class

 Students arriving after 8:30:

•  Must have a parent sign them in
• If no parent is present to sign them in, they get a warning the first time, disciplinary consequences will be enforced for each subsequent time

Thank you for helping ensure your Lincoln student arrives to school on time and is ready to learn each day.  Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this tardy new procedure.

New Schedule –  This year students will be following a new schedule that will rotate over a seven day cycle.  Students will continue to have five core-academic classes and two classes of unified arts each day of the rotation.  The changes to the schedule were made to allow students who need additional time and support or enrichment to receive it and to allow all students to be at their best for each of their subjects.  

 Unified Arts Schedule - As in past years, the core unified arts program at Lincoln includes study in Music, Visual Arts, Technology Education, Library Media, Physical Education and Spanish.   This year students, who need additional time and support in reading or mathematics, will be assigned a strategies class in addition to their full course load of unified arts.  Students who do not need this additional time and support are provided unified arts plus classes.  Unified arts plus classes are designed to further enrich the student’s experience in one of the arts areas.

 Advisory Period – Lincoln has adopted a new Advisory Program beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.  We are the last of the four secondary schools to adopt this type of program.  The purpose of an advisory is (1) to give each student an adult advisor that stays with him or her for the entire three years while at Lincoln; and (2) to have students explore social and behavioral issues in a safe school setting with a small group of peers (10-12) and a caring adult.  The advisory meets for 40 minutes on C day.

Health and Wellness – This year in Meriden there is a new Health curriculum being taught at the middle level.  At Lincoln all students will be receiving health classes for one quarter each year.  The course will be taught by Lincoln’s two PE/Health teachers, Mr. DeMatteo and Mrs. Carabetta.

Happy Summer Everyone!  The school year has ended, Lincoln families are adjusting to the new summer schedules, and back here at school we are working on getting ready for the upcoming school year. 

Overall, this year was an overwhelming success for our students and our school community.  First, more students are achieving at higher rates in math, reading and writing while fewer students are getting into trouble.  In addition, our arts and sports programs are growing in size and developing in quality.  Finally, there are more afterschool activities and events for students and families to participate in together.   These positive steps are a result of the entire school community, students, staff and parents, working together with a focus on helping each child become successful.  Thank you to parents for your many individual contributions to the school this past year.

As we all know, learning does not stop just because students are not in their classrooms.  There is still work to do.  Students were given two assignments for the summer; one in math and one in reading.  These assignments are available in the main office or on the school’s website.  All students are expected to complete these assignments prior to returning to school in August.  In addition, each student should meet the Governor’s reading challenge during the summer. 

If you need assistance during the summer, the main office and guidance office will be open every Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 2:30. 

Enjoy your time during July and August with your families and remember to keep the learning alive!

Congratulations to the cast and crew on a fantastic run of Grease-school version this past weekend.  You worked very hard for almost five months but the result was truly wonderful.

Thank you also, to the many parents and Lincoln faculty who volunteered and helped to make the student’s experience very special.

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Grease-School Version on a fantastic opening night!  Over 60 students as well as parent volunteers and faculty have worked hard together to bring about a spectacular night for all in attendance.

If you missed last night you can still catch the sounds of the 50′s tonight.  Curtain is at 7:00pm but come early and visit Times Square where you can learn the do the “Hand Jive”, have a snack at the Lincoln Cafe or purchase some Grease memorabilia from one of our concession stands.

Tickets are $5.00 for students, $10.00 General Admission and $15.00 for Reserved Seating.

Beginning in March Lincoln students, along with students from across Connecticut, will be taking their annual state assessments (CMT’s).  Our students, faculty and staff have been working consistently all year to give each Lincoln student the opportunity to perform at their maximum on these important benchmarks. 

As a parent, you can help prepare your child for each ”CMT day” the by taking any or all of the following simple measures:

1. Insist that your child get at least (8) eight hours or sleep every night

2. Provide a healthy nutritious breakfast for your child every morning

3. Help your child arrive at school no later than 7:50am every day.  Students who arrive late to school or are absent on testing days generally perform at a lower level than students who arrive to school on time.

I have teenage children so I can appreciate how difficult it can be at times to get your child to do what we may think of as common sense… i.e. get enough rest, wake up on time and eat sensible meals…

Your assistance with providing these important areas of care can make a world of difference in your child’s ability to perform at his or her maximum at school.

I’d like to thank you for all that you do to help us prepare your child for the future that awaits them.

Congratulations to the following students for being nominated as a Lincoln Student Star for the 1st Quarter of the 2009-2010 School Year. Students include: Alejandro Ortiz, Alafia Cherena, Tessa Pedevillano, Sebastian Krzos, Taylor Tiezzi, Kristen Dawkins, Tori Lillard, Ami Macdowell, Michael Barnett, Nicholas Carpenter, Katihuska Aliaga, Karissa Massicott, Hillary Medina.

The Lincoln Student Star Award is based on a student’s academic performance, willingness to accept responsibility, school citizenship, and participation in extra-curricular activities.

We recognize that much of a student’s success is the result of parental involvement in the educational process.  Please accept our congratulations for you and your child’s efforts and our appreciation of your support.  May this honor be one of many that your child will receive.

LMS Team 7-1 adds a new ILA Homework Site.  Beginning today students and parents can access homework assignments on the Lincoln website.  Here is the Link.   http://blogs.meriden.k12.ct.us/timwall/