What’s HOT at Lincoln... Volume 3, Issue 6

HOT News HOT News HOT News HOT News

March/April 15, 2010

Lincoln Middle School

Foreign Language

News

2

Social Studies News 2

MLK Essay Win-

ners

2

Teacher Spotlights 2

Physical Education

News

3

Math & Technology

Academy

3

Toy Theater 3

Hot Schools Info 4

Inside this issue:

Please Mark Your

Calendar

• April 12-16 NO

SCHOOL Spring

Break

• April 19-23 DRP

testing

• May 11-20 MDA

testing

• May 31 NO

SCHOOL Memorial

Day

• June 17 LAST DAY

OF SCHOOL

Higher Ord

er Thinkin

g

Higher Ord

er Thinkin

g

Higher Ord

er Thinkin

g

Spring into LMS

As the spring season begins and the days get warmer, we need to remember that

attendance matters here at LMS. Students earn points towards their PBS reward for

being in school every day with no tardiness. Students receive 3 points for the term

for perfect attendance, 2 points for zero unexcused, 1 point for one unexcused ab-

sence (see page 17 of the planner for the reward program and how points are dis-

tributed).

Welcome Spring!!!

GREASE

On May 14th and 15th Lincoln Middle School students are performing the school version of the musical GREASE. Tickets cost $5 for stu-dents, $10 general admission and $15 for reserved seating. In addi-tion to attending the performances there are other ways for busi-

nesses, community organizations and families to support our students. One way is by purchas-ing an advertisement to be placed in our Play Bill. There are program call outs, electronic call outs and various size advertisements to choose from. Another way is by joining one of our donor clubs. There are several levels to choose from ranging from larger donations from cor-porations to individual contributions. If you are interested in purchasing any of the advertise-

ments, please contact Dr. Torres.

VOTE during May!

The Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN) is seeking a competitive Pepsi Refresh Project grant to expand its media education program by creating a pilot program of satellite Media Labs for grades 6-8 which will be established within three of Connecticut’s middle schools. We are hoping to be one of those schools! We are asking that you go online to re-fresheverything.com and vote for this proposal during the month of May. This is a national online voting competition so we need your help! It would be a great benefit to our school and

students if CPBN will grant and select Lincoln Middle School as a satellite Media Lab!

HOT News Page 2

At a recent staff meeting we recog-nized Mrs. Lynn Siebert as the LMS Teacher of the Month for March. She is one of the out-standing teachers who make up the faculty. Mrs. Siebert is a 6th grade ILA teacher on Team 6-1 here at

LMS .

Teacher Spotlight—March At a recent staff meeting we rec-ognized Mrs. Debbie Guyette as the LMS Teacher of the Month for April. She is one of the out-standing teachers who make up the faculty. Mrs. Guyette is an 8th grade Science teacher on team

8-2 here at LMS .

Teacher Spotlight—April

Foreign Language at LMS Spanish is the second most frequently spoken language in the United States. Learning Spanish can open up a whole new world of information, entertainment, and adventure. All students at Lincoln take Spanish classes in grades 6, 7 and 8 for one term. These classes meet twice per week and give students the opportunity to explore a second language as they are introduced to basic Spanish skills. Students learn basic vocabulary and engage in conversational Spanish with a focus on pronunciation and application of new vocabulary. A variety of classroom activities and projects are devel-oped to ensure that students are provided the practice needed to master these skills. Students gain confidence in their ability to learn a second language in preparation

for high school. Congratulations to our Martin Lu-

ther King Essay winners Emily Moore and Abigail Schmidt! These stu-

dents were honored at the annual Martin Luther King Breakfast which

was held on January 18th, 2010 at Maloney High School.

Martin Luther King

Essay Winners

8th grade Social Studies

News... The students in Mrs. Guidone’s American History classes celebrated Black History month in February. They worked in collaborative groups to research fa-mous black Americans and later made presentations to the class on their research. The students followed the John Collins Writing method with five Focus Correc-tion Areas. The reports included Michael Jordan, Jessie Owens, The Harlem Globetrotters, George Washington Carver, Muhammad Ali, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Bessie Coleman and a number of other famous Black Americans. Each group contained a

Facilitator, Time Keeper and a Record Keeper.

7th grade Social

Studies News...

West Meets East

The seventh graders have been touring Eastern Asia in their world geogra-phy classes. Making maps, charting the major dynasties which ruled China from ancient times to A.D. 1911, and constructing a timeline of the major events in Japanese history have given the students a better understanding of

the world around them.

Students have discovered that the West has been greatly influenced by East Asia. In ancient Rome, wealthy people prized clothing made from Chinese silk. Silk production came to Europe from China. Eastern art influenced the design of Western architecture and furniture. Traders imported porcelain, pottery made from a fine white clay, from East Asia. Europeans and Ameri-cans called it “china.” All these example show cultural diffusion, or the

spreading of ideas and practices from one culture to another.

Michael Wlodyka and Frank Rosa

exhibiting their new Spanish skills

Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 3

Saturday Youth Mathematics

and Technology Academy

2009-2010

Congratulations to the 9 sixth graders who graduated from the 2009-2010 Youth Mathematics and Technology Academy on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Middlesex Community College in Middletown, CT. These students attended 14 Saturday morning classes from October to March at Middlesex Community College to improve their math and technology skills. They were also able to get a “taste of college” by working with Middlesex Commu-nity College professors on several days. The following Lincoln

students completed the program:

Miykhal Brown, Megan Daniel, Brichel Lugo, Nicole Onofrio, Andy Perez, Sierra Pettway, Fernando Rivera, Delaney Ruiz,

Sydney Stott

Megan Daniel, Brichel Lugo, Fernando Rivera and Delaney Ruiz received a special recognition award and a TI 30 calculator for

Perfect Attendance.

Lincoln Middle School is very proud of these students for their

outstanding achievement in Mathematics and Technology.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION UPDATE

The Third Generation Connecticut Physical Education Fitness Assessment (CPFA) has been administered to students not sched-uled for Physical Education term 1. All students in grade 6 and 8, meeting all four fitness standards will receive a Certificate of

Achievement.

Physical Education student stars are Tori Lilliard and Zack Dib-ble. Tori and Zack have demonstrated outstanding sportsman-ship, cooperation, effort and all the qualities of the Lincoln PBS

program.

The spring athletic season has begun. Softball and baseball have posted their rosters and have begun practicing. Track and Field will be announcing try-outs soon. Check the Lincoln web page

for game and meet schedules.

The following activities have been completed during the winter terms; basketball, volleyball, fitness post testing, and circus skills. Students are encouraged to practice curl-ups, push-ups, sit and reach at home at least three times a week. Weather permit-ting walking, jogging, cycling and other endurance activities

should be part of a weekly fitness program.

Students need a change of clothes and sneakers for every class. All clothing must meet the criteria listed in the Meriden Board of Education dress code. At least one shirt must be tucked in at all times to avoid display of undergarments. Students must have a note from a parent and/or guardian to excuse them for class. Ex-tended excuses need to come from a medical professional. Please contact the nurse for further information regarding extended

Physical Education excuses.

The 3rd Annual Dodgeball tournament was held recently raising over $100 for the Athletic fund. The softball team held a bake sale and a great time was had by all. Spectator and participant

sportsmanship was excellent.

On May 5, Lincoln Middle School will participate in Project A.C.E.S. (All Children Exercising Simultaneously). Listen to

announcements and check the LMS web page for information.

Toy Theater Lincoln Middle School students have been invited to participate in an inter-district grant entitled “CAPT-ivating Kids II”. This program will bring 7th and 8th grade students together from Bristol, Cheshire, Southington, Meriden, Terryville, and Waterbury. The program is designed to help students build teamwork and communication skills while building self-esteem and mutual respect. The lessons and ac-tivities will be run in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, giving stu-dents ample opportunity to meet and make new friends. The sessions will consist of both formal and informal educational experiences as inter-district teams of students meet, share information about them-selves and their communities while becoming cooperative learning partners. Throughout the course of the year, students will engage in the exploration and investigation of “real world” topics that will help them become problem solvers as they acquire content knowledge and learn to integrate higher order process skills, use and practice reading/writing competencies as they investigate and explore “real world” topics and issues in the physical and life sciences, all based on the

Connecticut Science Curriculum Frameworks. Our next ses-

sions are Monday and Tuesday, April 12th and 13th.

Toy Theater has come to Lincoln Middle School. A Toy Thea-ter is a theater in miniature. It is based on the toy theaters of Great Britain which began in the Regency and Victorian eras. They were miniature reproductions of actual plays per-formed during those times. Lincoln's Toy Theater, named by the students the Golden Dragon Theater, produces its own spe-cial series of plays in miniature. These plays are not only de-signed to entertain but also to educate the students in scientific concepts. Eighth grade students on Team 8-2 produced, wrote, designed and presented plays for the 6th grade on energy con-

cepts.

Physical Education

Stars Tori Lilliard

& Zack Dibble

H.O.T. Schools Philosophy

The Lincoln Middle School Mission

Lincoln Middle School supports the mission of the Meriden

Public Schools: success for all students. The LMS community

places a special focus and emphasis upon the arts and media

curriculum. We believe each child should have a well-rounded

educational experience that will allow learning through the

exploration of arts and media. The arts and media curriculum

offers special opportunities to fulfill the human need for self-

expression.

Students are motivated and challenged through an academic

program that engages their imaginations in dance, dramatic

arts, musical arts, visual arts, broadcasting and video, and

creative writing. Incorporating the arts in education promotes

the learning of life skills and develops critical thinking. The

arts generate the excitement that motivates student involvement

in the school community. Participation in the arts, with its

multicultural foundation, offers a wide range of human experi-

ences fostering respect for others, building self-confidence,

nurturing self-esteem, and developing self-discipline.

interdisciplinary curricula that promote

deep learning of subject matter, higher-

order thinking, creativity, adaptability, and

teamwork.

The HOT Approach to teaching and learn-

ing is comprehensive. It considers the

whole child, teacher, artist, administrator,

and school community. Professional devel-

opment supports teacher growth and paren-

tal involvement, and leads to personal re-

newal. The strong presence of teaching

artists and parents is a distinctive feature of

the HOT Approach.

HOT Schools has developed its whole-

school change approach by weaving best

practices in arts in education with the needs

and experiences of urban, suburban, and

rural school communities. Through careful

planning, application, reflection, and redi-

rection, the HOT Approach to teaching and

Strong Arts—In HOT Schools, the arts are

rigorous academic subjects, each with its

own sequential curriculum conveying

knowledge not learned through other aca-

demic disciplines.

Arts integration—HOT Schools integrate

the arts across disciplines, creating arts-rich

environments that motivate students to

make connections between and among sub-

ject areas and ideas.

Democratic Practice—HOT Schools culti-

vate a democratic school culture that em-

phasizes individual leadership and encour-

ages all members of the school community

to contribute.

HOT Schools strategically link learning in

the arts to learning across the curriculum.

HOT school arts teachers and classroom

teachers work collaboratively to structure

learning has emerged to enhance the

growth and development of each participat-

ing school.

Lincoln Middle School

Learning in and through the arts!

Phone:203-238-2381

Fax: 203-238-7258

Info_lms@meriden.k12.ct.us

164 Centennial Avenue

Meriden, CT 06451

We’re on the webWe’re on the webWe’re on the webWe’re on the web

http://www.meriden.k12.ct.us/http://www.meriden.k12.ct.us/http://www.meriden.k12.ct.us/http://www.meriden.k12.ct.us/

lincoln/lincoln/lincoln/lincoln/

FLASH!!! Spring is here! Students

must continue to adhere to the Board of

Education’s dress code policy. Please

see page 58 in the Meriden Public

Schools Code of Conduct book.