November is National Native American History Month.  We will pay homage to our nation’s first inhabitants by looking at ways their art and culture reflect their connection to nature, which they respect  above all else. The bulletin board across from the main office will include a map of the United States that will identify original Native American Nations by region. Just like last month student art will be added to the bulletin board as it becomes available.

In addition, we will recognize Native American history and connect it to modern day Native American artists and change makers. It is important that as we bring awareness to groups that have historically been marginalized that we do so in ways that honor(s) their history, culture, and traditions. Here are some resources from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

To Lincoln Eliot Families:

Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 2nd and it is tradition for the voting school to hold a bake sale to support the PTO. This is typically a huge fundraiser for L-E and we are hopeful for a large turnout with BIG sales profits! We are asking for your assistance in two ways:

1. Offer to BAKE (or BUY & BRING)

Please sign-up for one (or more!) of the following bake sale items. We are requesting that each treat be individually wrapped and then put in a disposable container (such as a cardboard box).  Please bring the treats to the main office on the day before the sale (Monday, Nov. 1st) or deliver them directly the day of the sale to the table that will be located in front of the Jackson Street entrance.

2. Offer to WORK a shift during the sale (which will run from early morning until the afternoon)

Please sign-up for before school hours, during school hours, or after school hours. The first and last slots will involve set-up or clean-up.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F49AFAC22A7FB6-election1

Don’t miss out! Lincoln-Eliot spirit wear will be available for sale for 2 weeks only in 2021! From 11/1-11/14, you can shop for cool L-E branded T’s, sweatshirts, pants, PJ’s, vests, headbands and more for kids and adults! Not only will you show your support for L-E, but 20% of the purchase price of each item goes back to our school!  The online store will not reopen again until 2022. The spirit wear website will launch on 11/1, so please keep an eye out for emails to direct you to the store when it is live! 

Did you know that Lincoln-Eliot is the only school in Newton that doesn’t have a mascot?  This is the year that changes!  A group of 4th graders are organizing an election to give all the students and staff a chance to vote and choose the perfect animal to represent our unique school.

Are we wise and loyal elephants?  Playful and positive lemurs?  Curious, quirky llamas?  Or are we independent leopards, gentle lizards, or fierce lynxes?

More information coming soon, but for now, start thinking about these choices — and kids and teachers, get ready to vote for our first ever Lincoln-Eliot mascot!  (Also, if your kids want to make their own campaign poster for their favorite, please feel free to send them in to school!)

We’re excited to share that there’s a new place for Lincoln-Eliot parents to connect — Instagram! The purpose of this channel is to build community and celebrate the spirit and activities that make LE special. Be sure to follow us @Lincoln_Eliot_Newton.

Direct link: https://www.instagram.com/lincoln_eliot_newton/

Newton Early Childhood Program (NECP) is now accepting applications for students for the 2022-23 school year. NECP will be moving to its new location at 687 Watertown St. midway through next year. The fully renovated building will be completely customized for NPS’ littlest learners! If you have a preschool age child and would like to learn more about enrolling in this fantastic program in an amazing new space, please visit the application process section of the NECP website at: www.newton.k12.ma.us/NECP.

Newton’s One-to-One Program, our very own “big brother/sister program” has been matching wonderful high schoolers with children in grades one through five for over 40 years.  If you think your elementary aged child would benefit from a mentor in their life and you can commit 2 hours each week to have your child meet with a high school mentor from November to May – you should contact us.

Here is a link to the program information and application: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DUJsVEX4rEVbyJZkzSgZ8hH-CUttDSGNuhjBlK0BZWc/edit?usp=sharing

For questions or more information, please contact Rebecca Young, Program Coordinator, at youngr@newton.k12.ma.us or 617-315-8733

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help out to be a room connector this year. We have at least one person per class, but we would really like to have 2 per class to help share the workload and alleviate a few people who are doing more than 1 classroom.

Here are classes who are still in need:

1- Warren
2 – Rooney
2 – McDonald
3 – Penczar
4 – Levin
4 – Monopoli
5 – Foster/Bruns

Please contact Emily at nunezemily77@gmail.com if you are able to help volunteer.

FORJ is a group of diverse Newton families helping our children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.
For more info or to join, contact Lanni Isenberg, L-E FORJ PTO Liaison, lanni_harris@yahoo.com

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY – Monday, October 11th
Monday, October 11^th is the Indigenous Peoples Day observance – recognized by Newton and Newton Public Schools for the first time this year (and just declared by the City of Boston this week)! Join us from 12p-5p (rain or shine!) in Albemarle Field just a few miles from Lincoln-Eliot.

Indigenous Peoples Day Newton 2021 will spotlight and celebrate the music, dance, poetry, and the visual art of diverse Native artists that currently live in the Northeast. It will be an outdoor, daytime, family-oriented cultural and spiritual celebration that is open, accessible, and welcoming to all residents of Newton and neighboring towns.

The goal is to make concrete our city’s recent recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day as an official city holiday. The intention is for this event to become a beloved annual event on our city’s calendar.

Over 40 artists, performers, speakers, vendors, and community organizations will attend. Refreshments can be purchased from onsite food truck(s).  Spend the afternoon in celebration, ceremony, and support of the rich Indigenous traditions that are an enduring and vibrant facet of our community!

https://newtoncommunitypride.org/newton-indigenous-peoples-day/

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, September 15 – October 15, 2021
There are lots of opportunities to celebrate our Hispanic and Latinx families and community now and throughout the year. Check out the National Public Radio performance series, #ElTiny, a special series edition of their Tiny Desk Concerts, featuring fabulous Latin artists: https://www.npr.org/series/761981441/-eltiny-the-best-latinx-tiny-desk-concerts-vol-1

One featured person in Hispanic history is Pedro Albizu Campos (1891-1965), leading figure in the Puerto Rican Independence Movement. He spoke six languages and graduated top of his class at Harvard Law School (though was delayed from graduation due to discrimination against his mixed racial background). He was President and Spokesperson for the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party for 35 years – and was arrested for more than two decades for trying to overthrow the U.S. government. He was hailed as “El Maestro” (The Teacher) for his oratorical skill. For more about Puerto Rico’s history, including Puerto Rico’s native Taíno population, visit: https://www.history.com/topics/us-states/puerto-rico-history