Dear L-E families,

I am happy to let you know that as of Friday the heat was up and running and all classrooms were warm. We are getting a new boiler system; however, the project will not be finalized until the spring. The district maintenance department has been diligent in addressing our heating concerns and will continue to do so if any problems should arise in the future.

As we continue to endure this extreme weather, it may be useful to send in a few extra layers for your child in the event that the heat is not as strong in their classroom or part of the building. Thank you for your patience as we continue the process of identifying a solution to this issue.

We welcome everyone to attend our next PTO meeting on March 12th at 6:30pm, when School Superintendent David Fleishman and members of the school committee will be present to field questions and offer updates.

Also, please note that students’ progress reports will be released on Thursday, January 31st.

Please mark your calendars:

* Monday, January 21st:  No School — Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
* Wednesday, February 6th:  Early Release Day, 12:30pm
* Friday, February 8th:  Lincoln-Eliot Movie Night, 6pm
* February 18th-22nd:  No School — February Vacation Week

Have a safe and warm long weekend, and we’ll see you back in school on Tuesday!

Principal Morrissey

Welcome Back!  Happy New Year!

I hope you enjoyed a restful, happy and healthy winter break.  We are excited to return to school on January 2, 2019.

Please see below for a message from our school nurse:

December School Health Newsletter

The school nurses are seeing the usual uptick in winter illness – colds, stomach bugs and fevers. It remains important for families to keep sick kids at home, in accordance with school policy. Students cannot return to school until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours, without medication like Tylenol, Advil or Motrin. These guidelines are also good common sense for adults in the workplace. The checklist below can help families determine when to stay home and when to return to school or work.

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/07/xb/flu-symptom-check-list.pdf

Along with the symptoms mentioned on the checklist, here are additional symptoms to stay home with:

• Communicable disease diagnosis
• A cold in the active stages – coughing, sneezing, nasal drainage
• A sore throat and/or swollen neck glands
• Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
• Acute pain that requires relief by narcotic medication
• An undiagnosed rash or skin eruption

The Newton school nurses monitor illness in the schools and are available for any questions or concerns. It’s important to notify the school nurse of any diagnosed condition such as influenza or strep throat. It may seem elementary, but in conjunction with a flu vaccine, thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent all kinds of illness including the flu.

How to wash your hands:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them

If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals.

Flu vaccination for all people age 6 months and older continues to be recommended.  It’s not too late get a flu shot!  Call 617-796-1420 to make an appointment for vaccination with the public health nurse at City Hall.

Some information adapted from www.CDC.gov/handwashing and www.mass.gov/dph/flu

See you back at school on Wednesday!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Families,

We hope you all had a wonderful long weekend and a happy Thanksgiving holiday.  We look forward to seeing all our scholars back in school on Monday.

The Book Fair will be in the library starting this Friday, November 30th, through Thursday, December 6th.  Don’t forget about Dress Like a Book Character Day on Monday, December 3rd — come to school in costume as someone from a book, stop by the library for a photo, and you’ll be entered to win a free book of your choice from the fair.  And we hope to see everyone at the Thursday evening pajama party (December 6th from 5-8pm) for free cookies and cocoa and a great celebration of reading.

Please mark your calendar:

* Friday, November 30th – Thursday, December 6th:  Lincoln-Eliot Book Fair
* Monday, December 3rd:  Dress Like a Book Character Day
* Wednesday, December 5th:  Early Release day — 12:30 dismissal
* Thursday, December 6th:  Books and Cookies Pajama Party, 5-8pm
* Monday, December 24th – Tuesday, January 1st:  No School — December Recess

Have a great week!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Families,

Don’t forget: Wednesday, November 21st is an early release day with a 12:00 dismissal time.  Also, there is no school on Thursday, November 22nd, and Friday, November 23rd, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.  Everyone at Lincoln-Eliot wishes you a happy and healthy start to the holiday season.

Check out the Lincoln-Eliot PTO’s new Spirit gear options at: https://lepto-spirit-gear.myshopify.com/, where there are over 90 products for adults, kids, toddlers and pets.  This is a great place to start your holiday shopping while supporting our school.

Also, a reminder that the Book Fair is coming up in two weeks, kicking off with Dress Like a Book Character Day on Monday, December 3rd.  The Book Fair will be in the library from November 30 – December 6, with shopping before and after school and at the Thursday evening pajama party (12/6 from 5-8pm), where we hope everyone will join us for free cookies and cocoa, music, and a celebration of reading.

As you know we had a two-hour delay on Friday due to the weather. Please note when there is a 2-hour delay, the start time is pushed back two hours to 10:20am.  There will be no breakfast or before school program on days we have a delayed start time.  Students should not arrive before 10:20, as staff will not be here to supervise.

If you did not receive a call regarding the delay on Friday, please make sure the office has your most up-to-date working phone number.  Also, if the weather is questionable, keep an eye on the morning news for a delay or cancelation message.

Please mark your calendar:

* Monday, November 19th:  Picture Retake Day
* Wednesday, November 21st:  Early Release Day — 12:00 dismissal
* Thursday, November 22nd & Friday, November 23rd:  Thanksgiving Recess — No School
* Friday, November 30th – Thursday, December 6th:  Lincoln-Eliot Book Fair
* Monday, December 3rd:  Dress Like a Book Character Day
* Thursday, December 6th:  Books and Cookies Pajama Party, 5-8pm

Stay warm this week, and have a safe and happy Thanksgiving break!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Families,

A reminder that there is no school on Monday — hope you are all having a great long weekend!  Please join us at 6:30pm on Tuesday in the library for our PTO meeting to find out more about SEPAC (Newton Special Education Parent Advisory Council), FORJ (Families Organizing for Racial Justice), and upcoming events like the Book Fair.  Thank you to all our families who dropped off baked goods or volunteered for the Election Day Bake Sale last week, which raised $485 for programs and resources for the school.

The first graders had a fun end of the week as they took their field trip to Jackson Homestead, just down the street from us.  If you’re curious, try asking your kids about the artifacts they got to hold and what was different about life 150 years ago!

Picture Retake Day is Monday, November 19th at 9am.  For any family that would like their child to have a new picture, please send your child to school with the original pictures on retake day.  A new picture order will be mailed to the school and sent home with your child a few weeks after retake day.

Please mark your calendar:

* Monday, November 12th:  Veterans Day observed — No School
* Tuesday, November 13th:  PTO meeting from 6:30-7:30pm in the library
* Monday, November 19th:  Picture Retake Day
* Wednesday, November 21st:  Early Release Day — 12:00 dismissal
* Thursday, November 22nd & Friday, November 23rd:  Thanksgiving Recess — No School
* November 30th – December 6th:  Lincoln-Eliot Book Fair

See you on Tuesday!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Families,

What a wonderful turnout for the Fall Festival on Saturday — thank you to all our families who braved the rainstorm to join us and make this such a successful event!  And thank you to the PTO fall festival committee who worked so hard on everything and the volunteers who made it all happen.  The teacher treat raffle winners will be announced at school on Monday — good luck to everyone who participated!

Thank you also to everyone who made Walk and Roll to School Day a success on Thursday, especially our Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator, Wendy Lennon.

Quick reminder that we have an early release day this Thursday, November 1st.  Students will be dismissed at 12:30.

The PTO and the school also wanted to express our thanks to Rebecca Schmidt for organizing our Understanding our Differences program.  Understanding Our Differences is a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the Newton Public Schools to provide a unique and creative disability awareness program for elementary school children in grades 3-5.  This past Wednesday, the third grade students learned about low vision/blindness through a series of small group exercises, including making their own Braille messages.  And coming up on Friday, the fifth graders will be doing a unit on intellectual disabilities.  Thank you to all our parent volunteers who come in to assist with this valuable program.

Please mark your calendar:

* Thursday, November 1st:  Early Release Day — 12:30 dismissal
* Sunday, November 4th:  Daylight Saving Time: Turn your clocks back one hour
* Tuesday, November 6th:  Election Day (volunteers needed for the Election Day bake sale)
* Monday, November 12th:  Veterans Day observed — No School
* Tuesday, November 13th:  PTO meeting from 6:30-7:30pm in the library
* Wednesday, November 21st:  Early Release Day — 12:30 dismissal
* Thursday, November 22nd & Friday, November 23rd:  Thanksgiving Recess — No School

Thanks very much, and have a great week!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Parents,

Congrats to the Red Sox for making it into the World Series!  Please encourage your kids to wear Red Sox gear or red, white, and blue to school this Tuesday (10/23) to celebrate.

Join us on October 25 as Lincoln-Eliot kids Walk & Roll to School:
Getting kids to and from school safely is an important priority for your family, for the school, and for the community.  Lincoln-Eliot, along with every elementary school in Massachusetts, participates in the Safe Routes to School Program to help ensure the safety of our students.  On Oct. 25 we encourage students to arrive to school by foot, bike or scooter.  We’ll have giveaways for the kids and information on pedestrian and bike safety.  Kids can show their support of Safe Routes to School as well as their school spirit by wearing Lincoln Eliot colors (blue and white) and/or Lincoln Eliot spirit wear.  More information on Walk and Roll to School day, and tips for safe walking and riding will be available around the school and in your blue folders in the coming week.

We hope to see you at the Fall Festival on Saturday, October 27th from 3:30-6:00 (rain date 10/28 same time).  There will be games, face painting, a pumpkin patch, dancing and more.  Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 at http://bit.ly/LEFallFestivalTickets or at the door for $8.

Mark your calendar:

* Tuesday, October 23rd and 30th:  Fall Conferences
* Thursday, October 25th:  Walk, Bike or Roll to School Day
* Saturday, October 27th:  Fall Festival, 3:30pm-6:00pm
* Thursday, November 1st:  Early Release day — 12:30 dismissal
* Tuesday, November 6th:  Election Day

Thanks, and have a great week!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Parents,

Wow! We had 121 students and 44 staff members receive a Flu shot on Thursday. What a great turn out. I hope this helps to keep LE healthy this winter. As the weather begins to change there are many seasonal illnesses going around. Please remind students to wash their hands often and dress appropriately for the weather.

Join us on October 25 as Lincoln-Eliot kids Walk & Roll to School: Getting kids to and from school safely is an important priority for your family, for the school and for the community. Lincoln-Eliot, along with every elementary school in Massachusetts, participates in the Safe Routes to School Program to help ensure the safety of our students. On Oct. 25th we encourage students to arrive to school by foot, bike or scooter. We’ll have giveaways for the kids and information on pedestrian and bike safety. Kids can show their support of Safe Routes to School as well as their school spirit by wearing Lincoln Eliot colors (blue and white) and/or Lincoln Eliot spirit wear. More information on Walk and Roll to School day and tips for safe walking and riding will be available around the school and in your blue folders in the coming week.

Mark your calendar:

* Tuesday, October 23trd and 30^th:  Fall Conferences
* Thursday, October 25th:  Walk, Bike or Roll to School Day
* Saturday, October 27^th:  Fall Festival, 3:30pm-6:00pm
* Thursday, November 1st:  Early Release day — 12:30 dismissal
* Tuesday, November 6th:  Election Day

Thanks, and have a great week!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Families,

Thank you to everyone who generously donated gift cards or clothing for our family in need. Below is a note of appreciation from them:

Dear Lincoln-Eliot community,
We are overwhelmed and humbled by your generosity. As you all can imagine, this has been a stressful few weeks in the wake of losing our home. I can only say that I had faith in the power of our community and you proved me right. We are so filled with gratitude for the clothes and other items you provided for our son. One day we hope we can do the same for you.
All our warmest thanks to you and your families.

Please mark the following dates on your calendars:

* Monday, October 8th:  Columbus Day — no school
* Thursday, October 11th:  Flu Clinic at school
* Tuesday, October 23rd and 30^th:  Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
* Thursday, October 25th:  Walk, Bike or Roll to School Day
* Saturday, October 27th:  Lincoln-Eliot Fall Festival, 3:30-6pm

The Flu Clinic at school is happening this Thursday — please see the message below from Nurse Kristen, and please have your flu shot forms in by Tuesday, October 9th!

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Shoo Flu: Get the flu vaccine at school, not the flu!

Seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held during the school day at the Newton Public Schools beginning in late September. Students in Kindergarten through grade 12 may receive the vaccine.

The Lincoln Eliot Elementary clinic will be on October 11, 2018. Each student to be vaccinated must have a parent/guardian complete two forms:

1. Consent/Screening form
2. Vaccine administration record/Insurance form.

Forms are available in the school nurse’s office, or may be downloaded at www.newtonma.gov/flu. You may electronically complete the form, print, sign and return. Forms are due to the School Nurse by October 9, 2018.

Only the flu shot (no nasal spray) will be offered at school this year. The Vaccine Information Statement about the flu shot, and additional information for families including tips on preparing kids for a shot is available at www.newtonma.gov/flu or in the school nurse’s office. There is no cost to receive the vaccine, but insurance information is requested. All students, regardless of insurance status, are invited to receive vaccine with parent permission.

Students are not required to receive flu vaccine; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and up. There are many places to get a flu vaccine, including at school, your primary health care provider, or community clinics. For additional clinic dates for the whole family, visit www.newtonma.gov/flu.

In addition to vaccination, it is important to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette by washing hands often; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the arm; and staying home when sick.

For more flu prevention tips, talk to the school nurse or check out these websites: www.newtonma.gov/flu and www.cdc.gov/flu

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Have a great long weekend, and we’ll see you back in school on Tuesday!

Principal Morrissey

Dear Families,

It was wonderful to see so many of you at Curriculum Night on Thursday! We hope you had a great visit to your child’s classroom and got a chance to meet some of our specialists. Parent-teacher conferences are coming up in October, so you’ll be hearing from your teachers about signing up for those if you haven’t already.

Picture Day on Friday went very well despite the weather keeping us indoors this year. A reminder that it is still possible to order and pay for your photos online at www.haywardphotography.com using the school code LES18, as long as you do it before October 3rd.

Also, don’t forget that flu shot forms are due by October 9th for our flu clinic on October 11th.

This week we welcome our kindergartners to their first full days, with Group A having their first full day on Monday and Group B having theirs on Thursday.

Please mark the following dates on your calendars:

* Monday, October 8th:  Columbus Day — no school
* Thursday, October 11th:  Flu Clinic at school
* Saturday, October 27th:  Lincoln-Eliot Fall Festival — time TBD
* Thursday, November 1st:  Early Release day — 12:30 dismissal
* Tuesday, November 6th:  Election Day

The PTO is looking for parents to join the Fall Festival committee and help shape this new event, which is an evolution of our traditional Halloween Dance. Please email Lauren McMinn at laurenpeppers@gmail.com to sign up.

Have a great week, and happy October!

Principal Morrissey