13726 N.

State Road 245

Lamar, IN 47550
www.nspencer.org/ltes
twitter: @Lincoln_Trail

Principal:Mr.BenLawalin
Secretary:Mrs.MaryRoos

Phone:(812)9372400ext.5
Fax:(812)5442930

January 8th, 2014

School Happenings
Welcomeback!Ihopeallofyouhadagreatbreak.Thesecondsemesterpromisestobeabusy
one!SomeofthethingsyoucanlookforwardtoincludetheMathBowl,theVarietyShow,Starlab,
ISTEP+Testing,FineArtsNight&SpringMusicProgram,andmuch,muchmore!

ProgressReportsarebeingsenthometodayinThursdayfolders.Besuretotakeaverycloselook
atthese,astheseprovidethemostdetailfromteachersregardinghowwellyourchildisperforming
ongradelevelcurriculum.Pleasedonthesitatetocontactyourchildsteacherormyselfifyouhave
questions.Whilestandardsbasedprogressreportsareverydifferentthanthetraditionalgradeswe
grewupwith,theydopinpointastudentsskillsinrelationtothestandardstheyarebeingtaught.

TheAmericanRedCrosswillbeconductingablooddriveagainthisyearatLTonThursday,
January15thbetweenthehoursof16.Ifyouareinterestedingivingblood,pleasefilloutthe
paperworkinyourchildsThursdayfolderandreturntoschooltomorrowsothatyoucangetaddedto
theschedule.

PolarPlungeAsyouknow,LTwillonceagainbeparticipatinginthePolarPlungetobenefitSpecial
Olympics.Ifyouoryourchildwouldliketotaketheplungewithusthisyear,wearealwayslooking
formoreteammembers!Wealwayshaveafuntimeandyouneednotdiveallthewayin.Ifyou
haveaspecialplaceinyourheartforthisorganization,considerjoiningourteam.Itsfree!Callor
emailmeifyouareinterested.DateisSaturday,February14that12:00(noon).

AnotefromMr.Robison,HHHSWrestlingcoachThemiddleschoolwrestlingseasonisright
aroundthecornerandIwantedtomakesurethatthisannouncementmadeittoall6thgradeboys
interestedinwrestlingthisseason.Startingnextweek,January13th,practicewillbeginforall6th
gradeboysinterestedinwrestlingthisseason.PracticeswillbeTuesdaysandThursdaysforabouta
monthbeforeitswitchestoeverydayoftheweek.Practiceswillrunfrom3:055:00pmonTuesdays
andThursdaysuntilthescheduleischanged.Anyoneinterestedinwrestlingwillneedtohaveacode
ofconductfilledout,physicalandconcussionformunlesstheyalreadyplayedafallsport.Lastly,no
experienceisneeded,wewillteachthemwhattheyneedtoknow.

Lifeskill Nominees for Curiosity

Thesestudentswerenominatedbytheirclassroomteachersfordemonstratingthelifeskillof
curiosity:
KDG:DawsonWaninger&RaeganHauer
1stGrade:NathanMcDowell&AddisonHancock
2ndGrade:JacksonHunter&LoganGuthrie
3rdGrade:TrentZimmerman&EmmittGogel
4thGrade:XiaPeters&ChloePate
5thGrade:KyanBell&ButchPowers
6thGrade:ShaneHart&AidanAyer

Community News
Fulda4HClubmeetingThursday,January8th,6:007:00pmCentralTime,attheSt.Boniface
ParishCenter,Fulda.Newmemberswelcome!4Hisopentoyouthingrades312.Mini4Hisopen
toyouthingradesK2.Theenrollmentdeadline(January15th)isquicklyapproaching.ContactVickie
Snyderat3575073or6862822formoreinformationabouttheFuldaclub.

Reminders & Upcoming Events

Thursday,January8th=ProgressReportssenthome,YearbookPictures
Thursday,January15th=RedCrossBloodDrive@LT(1:006:00),PTOMeeting@4:30
Wednesday,January14th&15th=MidYearDibelsTesting
January20th23rd=StarlabcomestoLT
January26th30th=PenniesforPatientsBenefit(StudentCouncil)

____________________________________________________________
Inspire
Challenge
Achieve
Nurture

Every child deserves a voice...

will you be that voice?
You can make a difference to children in Spencer County!
Spencer County CASA needs your help!
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate,
and the program is designed to recruit, train, and support volunteers
who advocate for abused and neglected children right here in Spencer County.
Our mission is to help children find their way to a safe, permanent home as quickly
as possible. CASA volunteers help determine the needs of these children
and speak for them in court.
There are currently 20 CASA volunteers working with children throughout the
county, but those 20 volunteers are only serving 30 of the 59 children in need.
If you are interested in learning more about the program
and finding out how you can become a volunteer,
please email spencercountycasa@gmail.com or call one of the Co-Directors:
Tina Gehlhausen (812-630-5358)
Cindy Parsley (812-660-0409)
Please contact us by January 30th to be included in the next round of training.

Lincoln Trail
Elementary
Janu ary 2014

SPECIAL AREA NEWSLETTER

P.E

Art
When discussing art with
students, they tend to ask one
reoccurring question, When
are we going to make something
out of clay? Students
become so excited when they
have the opportunity to work in
ceramics. The process of
forming, firing, painting or
glazing something, whether its
a bell, a pinch pot, or a
sculpture is intriguing to
them! Creating threedimensional art is definitely a
favorite art assignment.

Welcome back, I hope you and your family had a

wonderful winter vacation and happy holidays. As
we embark into the second semester, students
will also be diving into a new subject too. When
upper level comes back from break, they will get
the opportunity to study the sport archery while
lower level will be working on gymnastics.
During the archery unit, students will learn the 11
steps to a successful shot, how to set-up a target
range, proper shooting instructions, scoring on a
target and the names of the parts of the arrow
and bow. It is my goal by the end of the unit to
give my students the tools they will need to
continue this skill for a lifetime activity.
While upper level is working on archery, the lower
level will be experimenting with gymnastics.
During this unit of study, students will get a
chance to practice forward and backwards rolls,
straddle rolls, log rolls, shoulder rolls, and many
more skills that go along with gymnastics. I hope
that throughout this unit, students improve their
body posture and form as they roll, their
coordination and lastly their ability to try new
skills. I have noticed that some students become
very timid when trying new skills, but once they
try it once magically they are no longer scared of
the movement, skill or activity.
In the next few weeks, ask your students some
questions and see what they are learning as we
travel through these new units of study. I hope
they will be able to share some information they
took from my class and perform or explain to you
what they did while participating in the activity.

Special Area Newsletter Page 2

Technology 3-6

Library
Have you heard your child say, Books
are boring! I dont like to read. There
are no good books in the library!? If
you answered,Yes to any of these, here
are some ideas to help you motivate your
child:
1. Get silly. Most kids are silly. Get
books that will crack your kids up no
matter what age, gender, or interest.
2. Get social. Start a parent-child book
club of your own. Gender and grade
specific book clubs usually work best
because of reading level and interest.
3. Get geeky. Kids love technology. Use
that love to develop a love for reading,
too. Read on a Kindle, Nook, iPad, or the
computer.
4. Get graphic novels. Graphic novels
(full-length comic-style stories) dont
deserve the lack of reading status theyve
been given. They very much count as
reading. Why not encourage your kids to
try one?
5. Get book bucks. Give your child
money to spend on books either at the
bookstore or at a yard sale. With young
children, instead of money, give them a
book buck worth one book of any price..
6. Get movies. Want to see the movie?
Read the book first. Or vice-versa. But
usually the book beats the movie handsdown.
7. Get cozy. Make an enticing place for
your child to curl up with a good book.
Use your spaces and imagination. With
your childs help, designate a tent, corner,
or closet for his reading nook. Your goal
is to get your child to LOVE stories. Keep
trying. Find out what motivates your child
to move beyond books are boring.

What up?
6th Grade- concentrated on digital
citizenship the past few classes. They are
becoming more aware that the persona they
create online can be harmful. Digital
footprints were discussed and basic Internet
safety has been stressed.
5th Grade- began creating their own
coordinates activity using Google
spreadsheets. Their creativity has been
evident, and they are eager to share their
projects with the their peers.
4th Grade- started an online safety
unit. The are learning what it takes to be a
good digital citizen. They have been
inquisitive and seem genuinely interested in
knowing how to be safe online.
3rd Grade- discussed rhyme scheme in
poetry, and used their knowledge while
keyboarding a poem. They have recently
delved into tables and spreadsheets. Skill
builders will continue in future lessons.
Tips:
Get informed: Parents can overcome their
own digital insecurities by talking to other
parents and engaging with their child's
teachers. Most teachers maintain class
websites or blog about what the students
learned in school that day. Computers,
tablets, and smartphones can bring students
out of their shells. Ask how technology is
used in their classroomsyou might be
surprised what you hear back.

Show and tell: If your child is using a

device, program, or website you aren't
familiar with, have them show you how it
works.

Practice makes perfect: Encourage your

student to spend some time at home on a
typing website. The more they practice, the
better their speed and accuracy will become.
Engaging sites includehttp://www.learninggamesforkids.com/
http://www.primarygames.com/arcade/music/upbeat/
http://www.funtotype.com/
http://www.freetypinggame.net/play.asp

Special Area Newsletter Page 3

Music and Tech K-3

Music 4-6
Welcome back!

I am really looking forward to working

with the music and technology classes
as we begin the new semester. The
technology classes will continue to work
on their typing skills. I encourage you
to let your student practice
using www.typingclub.com. It is very
helpful to using correct typing
technique. We are also using Google
Classroom, Documents, Spreadsheets,
and Presentations. These are not
exactly like Microsoft products, but
are very similar. We will be spending
time, especially with the third grade,
discussing and learning about online
citizenship.
Lower level music students will continue
to dig into the elements of reading,
playing, and listening to music.

4th grade is starting to work on how to write

songs. In the next couple weeks, we will be
talking about syllables and how to put their
own poems to songs!
5th grade will continue to work on guitars
through the next 9 weeks. We will begin our
first song shortly and continue to review
notes we have learned. They are doing a great
job!
6th grade is learning about conducting. We
have lots of exciting things planned in class,
such as playing Wii Music, Meter Basketball
and much more!
Make sure to have May 5th on your calendar
for FINE ARTS NIGHT!

Band and Choir

Band and choir are starting to work on
material for the Spring Program! We are
really excited about the ideas we have
planned. Make sure you ask your child
about whats coming up with these
groups!

Music 4-6, Band and Choir: Mrs. Adrienne Collignon

Art: Mrs. Gina Kost
Library and 3-6 Technology: Ms. Becky Gasaway
Physical Education: Mr. Clay Robison
Music K-3 and K-2 Technology: Mr. Ryan Akers