A Message from the Lincoln School PTA President

 and President Elect

Hello!!! We are Debbi Azpuru, President and Chris Daly, President-Elect and we would like to extend you a warm welcome to our Lincoln School PTA website! Please take some time to browse through this website and use it as a resource throughout the year to stay informed about Lincoln School PTA news, events and activities. There is always something happening at Lincoln School and there are lots of opportunities to be involved. Our motto for this year is “Partnering to Achieve".

We hope to maintain the high standard of excellence that Lincoln School PTA has achieved throughout the years. In 2008-2009, we received the Juvenile Protection/Safety Award, in addition to two Membership Awards – one for 100% Faculty and one for an increase in Community Members by 25, from the Illinois PTA. From the Northwest Suburban Council of PTA/PTSA’s we earned a Gold Star Award, the highest level of recognition. For 2009 - 2010, we received several awards from the Illinois PTA including the Positive Parent Award, two Membership Awards - one for 100% Faculty, and one for an increase in Community Members, the Juvenile Safety and Protection Award, and the Healthy Kidz Award. From District 37, we received the Local Unit Honor Award, and once again, from the NWSC of PTA/PTSA's we received the Gold Star Award. We also received District 37 Local Unit Honor Award 2009-2010, IL PTA Healthy Kidz Award 2010-2011, IL PTA Juvenile Safety and Protection Award 2010-2011, IL PTA Membership Power of 11 Award 2010-2011 (for increasing our membership by at least 11), IL PTA Membership Silver Award 2010-2011 (for increasing membership by a certain percent), and the NWSC Gold Star Award 2010-2011.  That's a lot to be proud of!
We are delighted to be working with such capable and dedicated PTA Board Members who have been a great part of the winning team already, planning a variety of activities and events for you and your children. Take a look at our goals, programs and services below for a better idea of what we have planned this year:

Goals for 2011-2012

1. ENHANCE OUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION.  Lincoln School PTA will provide programs and services that encourage long term academic success and appreciation for the arts.  

Aim	PTA Program/Initiative
Encourage all students to make obtaining a college education a personal goal	Support for the No Excuses University which promotes awareness and understanding of what it takes to go to college
Offer programs that enhance learning through visual and cultural arts	Cultural Arts assemblies are offered 2 times a year at each grade level
Support curriculum enhancing programs sought out by teachers and staff	Computers & Technology aims to maintain state of the art technology within Lincoln
Encourage expression through visual arts, written word or music	National PTA Reflections program offers a forum for students to submit entries related to a common theme
Offer programs that encourage reading and nurture an appreciation for written works	- Great America and Pizza Hut Reading Programs are incentive based programs to encourage reading - Jr. Great Books program provides a forum for students in 2nd through 6th grades to share thoughts and ideas on a written piece
Continue to grow our Resource Center to offer more selections at all reading levels	Book Fair and Books for Gifts both bring additional books to Lincoln’s Resource Center; LRC Coordinator assists Lincoln Librarian with volunteer schedules and training, and maintaining LRC website

2. INVOLVE OUR LINCOLN FAMILIES. Lincoln School PTA will provide programs and services that strengthen our school community and embrace our differences. 

Aim	PTA Program/Initiative
Provide opportunities for interaction and bonding through fun family activities	Family Kickoff Dinner, Fun Around the World Fair, Winter Dance, Bingo Night, and Ice Cream Social bring families together for family entertainment and bonding
Provide an opportunity for Lincoln families to showcase the diversity that exists in our school	Multi-Cultural Fair offers Lincoln families a chance to sponsor booths 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
Provide resources to families so they are better able to connect with one another and obtain information about Lincoln’s current events	Directory, Calendar, Newsletter, Bulletin Board, e-mail blasts and Website provide information to students and families on an ongoing basis
Acknowledge the extended families of Lincoln students	Intergenerational Day brings grandparents and significant elders into our school community as well as Grand Night at the Book Fair
Offer activities for parents to get involved in their child’s school	Rec Nights, Pumpkin Patch, Room Rep coordination and the Roller Skating Party provide opportunities for parents to participate in school activities with their child
Encourage parents to donate time to a school/PTA activity	Three For Me Volunteer program encourages parents to volunteer at a school function for a minimum of 3 hours during a school year
Show parent/family support for Lincoln teachers and staff	- Teacher Appreciation Week, Teacher Breakfast, plus other miscellaneous programs demonstrate our appreciation throughout the year - Sunshine Fund recognizes the efforts of our school office staff on Sec’y and Nurses Day and reaches out to school staff on a case by case basis when circumstances warrant it
Provide resources and support to the bilingual community at Lincoln	Bilingual Liaison maintains a connection and understanding of the needs of the bilingual community; Event flyers are translated to keep the communication channels open
Provide community resources to our PTA parents	Guests from the community educate our PTA parents at monthly meetings on a variety of topics
Foster strong school spirit and unity within and among grades	- School Spirit Wear sales -Yearbook features grade specific activities - 6th grade party is a fun celebration for students leaving Lincoln
Welcome new families entering Lincoln School	Kindergarten Round-Up and New Family Orientation help familiarize new families with our school and our PTA; welcome bags are distributed to new families entering Lincoln

 
 3. RESPECT OURSELVES AND OUR ENVIRONMENT. Lincoln School PTA will provide programs and services that promote good physical and mental health for ourselves and for future generations. 

Aim	PTA Program/Initiative
Promote physical well being, healthy eating habits, juvenile saftey and protection	Field Day, a school sponsored activity supported by PTA, promotes physical activity while having fun; Health & Safety promotes the Lincoln School Wellness policy; Health Fair promotes physical and mental well-being by providing examples of healthy foods, fun exercises and safety topics.
Assist in identifying children with hearing and/or vision problems	Hearing and vision screenings, district sponsored programs supported by PTA, ensures that all students receive adequate intervention for hearing and sight issues
Encourage positive self-image and respect for others	School-wide anti bullying assembly addressing self esteem and respect for others
Promote recycling and caring for our planet	Earth Day and America Recycles Day bring to the forefront how to care for our planet; Recycling programs and Waste-Free Lunch Days promote recycling at home and school;
Take pride in the school grounds	Environmental committee maintains the butterfly garden and works to continually beautify the school grounds
Teaching students lifelong lessons of how to take care of our environment	Earth Club promotes recycling different types of materials, using less waste, helping students to teach others

 
 
4.  COLLABORATE WITH OUR COMMUNITY.   Lincoln School PTA will provide programs and services that strengthen the link between Lincoln and its surrounding community.  

Goal	PTA Program/Initiative
Strengthen the link between Lincoln and its surrounding community to create a deeper understanding of what makes up a community and the roles people play	Host Local Leaders such as the District Superintendent, and Mayor at various events throughout Lincoln to share information about their role in our community.  Collaborate with local businesses and service providers for PTA sponsored events.
Promote Lincoln activities and programs throughout the community	Dist 15 Connections Newsletter, Lincoln Log newsletter inform others about what is going on at Lincoln
Provide community resources to our PTA parents	Guests from the community educate our PTA parents at monthly meetings on a variety of topics

Give us a call or send us an email if you would like further information about PTA or our programs. We look forward to hearing from you!

Kris Ahlgrim kahlgrim@comcast.net

Debbi Azpuru dazjaz@comcast.net

If you have ideas for this website, email Tricia Eckels at tricia_eckels@hotmail.com

If you have questions or want to get involved look us up on the PTA Board Contact List. 

Return To The Home Page