Lincoln Updates 2020-03-24

Lincoln Families - We hope this post finds you safe and healthy! Below you will find an update with a variety of information related to the COVID-19 closure as well as a fun activity we hope our healthy students and families enjoy. 

Building Access - As a reminder we will be open today, Tuesday, March 24, from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM for parents to pick up medications. Please only parents come to the building and observe social distancing guidelines, children will not be allowed to pick up medication. DO NOT come to any buildings if you have a fever greater than 100.4, cough or shortness of breath. If you do have these symptoms, and cannot send another person in your place, please call us.

Learning Opportunities – Academic Needs - The district shared the following website that contains various links to a number of learning sites.  These sites can be used by students or families for general student learning opportunities. All learning activities are suggestions to help students stay engaged during the school closure.  Based on guidelines from the Iowa Department of Education no activities will be assessed or used as a measure of student learning at this time. The goal is to keep students intellectually and physically active during the closure.  

Social Emotional Learning – Mental Health Needs - We are sure that your students are going through many different emotions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.  It can be hard to know what to say to them and how to explain what is happening in a way that is informative but not too overwhelming. As we know, kids take their cues on how to react to a situation from their caregiver.  If you remain calm and regulated, you child will, too. Please remember as a caregiver to reach out to other adults for support and take care of yourself during this time. This article is one resource that might help you as you have conversations at home.  It is brief but gives some good tips and advice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also gives general principles for talking to children here.  This next resource from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides a guide to helping families cope, ways to reduce risk, and action steps in helping children by specific age groups. In addition, Black Hawk-Grundy Mental Health Center school-based mental health therapists remain available for appointments during this time. The school-based mental health therapists are reaching out to students and families who are currently engaged in school-based therapy to share this information and ensure continued connection to services.

Food Programs – Basic Needs - Here is a link where you will find information related to various food programs that are provided by the school district as well as other community organizations to assist with basic needs.

We Are Going Bananas Without You!The Lincoln staff is planning a car parade on Thursday, March 26th at 10 AM! What is a car parade? Staff are planning to meet at Lincoln and drive through our neighborhood to see our students and families! We will follow the route below and ask that families park along the route and wave to us from inside their cars or on the sidewalk at a safe social distance. If you need to stay home because you are not feeling well, we have you covered! We will film the parade and share this via our social media. Our planned route will be:

 - Franklin to 18th Street 

 - Turn left on 18th Street

 - Follow 18th to Clay Street 

 - Turn left on Clay Street

 - Follow Clay to 6th Street

 - Turn left on 6th Street

 - Follow 6th Street to Tremont Street

 - Turn left and follow Tremont to 18th Street

 - Follow 18th Street to Franklin Street

 - Turn left on Franklin Street and head back towards Lincoln

Please continue to monitor your email, visit the District and our school website and social media channels for regular updates and connections to learning activities. Our classroom teachers will be in touch with our parents and students this week to check in and see if there are any critical needs that you may have right now which we can be of assistance with. The health and safety of our students, employees, and community is always our top priority.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. We will continue to move through this together, support each other, and do all we can to support you and your families.