Lincoln Intermediate Back-to-School Newsletter
Mason City Community Schools
Sept. 8, 2015
Volume 6, Issue 1
What Does it Mean to be a PBIS School?
Inside this issue:
PBIS School
1
Attendance and
Absences
1
5th Grade Pick-Up
and Drop-Off
2
Bus Expectations
2
Student Birthdays
and Holidays
2
Homework
Expectations
3
Social, Emotional
and Health Needs
3
Early Pick-Ups
4
Virtual Backpack
4
PBIS stands for Positive Behavior
Interventions and Supports. PBIS is
a proactive, rather than a reactive,
approach to discipline. By defining
expectations, providing rationale, as
well as teaching, practicing and
reinforcing appropriate behaviors, we
try to prevent inappropriate
behaviors.
During the first days of school,
students learned about appropriate
behavior before school, at lunch, in
the hallway, on the stairs, in the
restroom, in the classroom, in the
computer lab and on the bus.
At Lincoln Intermediate, we have
three expectations of our students:
Respect — treating people with
kindness, consideration, and
understanding.
Responsibility — the act of being
dependable and reliable in all
situations
Relationships — working together to
create teamwork, trust, and
friendships.
Every faculty and staff member
at Lincoln Intermediate
acknowledges appropriate
behavior. This may be done through
certificates, incentives and fun
activities. We also hold celebration
events as another way to reward
students for their positive behavior.
The fist PBIS Celebration event of the
2015-16 school year is scheduled for
Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Attendance and Absences
The Lincoln Intermediate school
day starts at 8:05 a.m. If your
student is going to be absent
from school, or late for any
reason, please call the
attendance line at 641-4230186.
If your child is leaving during the
school day for an appointment, or
any other reason, please direct
your call to the Lincoln
Intermediate office at
641-421-4423. Tardies count
against the first trimester PBIS
Celebration.
Page 2
Lincoln Intermediate
5th Grade Drop-Off and Pick-Up
Fifth-grade students are dropped off and picked up on the south side of the
building (the side by Overhead Door Company). If students need to leave
during the school day, please plan to pick them up at the front doors.
Bus Expectations
All students riding a bus are expected
to follow proper bus procedures.
When walking to the bus, students
should take their turn getting on the
bus.
We can
complain
because
rose bushes
have thorns,
or rejoice
because the
thorn
bushes
have roses.
-Abraham Lincoln
If a student is riding a bus other than
their assigned bus, they must have a
note written by a parent/guardian
and signed by a principal. If they are
going home with another student,
each child must have a note from a
parent/guardian and have it signed
by Mr. Novotney or Mrs. Schlichting.
While on the bus, students are
expected to:
 Follow bus driver instructions.
 Remain seated at all times.
 Keep their hands and feet to
themselves and inside of the bus.
 Use appropriate language.
 Keep appropriate voice levels.
 Help keep the bus clean.
Bus drivers have the ability to
discipline a student and may notify
the principal of a student's
inappropriate bus conduct.
Student Birthdays and Holidays
Student birthdays and
holidays may be
celebrated at school,
however, students are
not allowed to bring
food or beverages to
share with
classmates.
Instead, birthdays and
holidays are celebrated
with non-food options
including and not limited
to: name recognition over
the PA, sit with a friend at
lunch, and/or being
designated as the teacher
helper for a day.
Treats, balloons or
bouquets delivered to
school will be held in the
office until the end of the
day. Balloons are not
permitted to ride home
with students on the bus.
Page 3
Volume 6, Issue 1
Homework Expectations at Lincoln Intermediate
All Lincoln Intermediate students should have a
school-issued planner, which will help them to be
responsible in completing their home work.
Students also use the planner to communicate
with their parents about their school work and
school events.
Parents should expect their student to work on the
following each night: 20 minutes of reading,
review of basic math facts, and work on the
Pearson math website.
Parents wanting more work for their student
should contact the student’s teachers.
Parents who would like extra help for their child
should contact the Administration Building for a
list of tutors.
Encourage Good Study Habits
It’s never too early for kids to start learning good
study habits. Parents can help their child develop
these habits by:
 Designating a place at home for them to study.
 Helping them organize their work area and
assignments.
 Talking about setting goals and managing their
time.
 Creating a study routine they can follow every
day.
 Being available to provide assistance if the
student needs it.
 Setting a positive example of effective work
habits.
Addressing the Social, Emotional and Health Needs of Kids
Kids learn best when their
social, emotional and physical
needs are being met. That’s
why Lincoln Intermediate is
working to address the needs
of its students through a
variety of classes and
offerings.
Chris Seger, Licensed Mental
Health Counselor with
WellSource of North Iowa,
comes to Lincoln every
Thursday. During his visits, he
is available to talk with
students in a confidential, one
-on-one setting. For more
information about setting up
an appointment for your student,
please contact Seger at
WellSource at 424-2075.
District Social Worker Jamie
Heard provides additional
support for students and their
families. As part of her role, she
helps create connections to
outside community organizations
that can provide any necessary
assistance.
Guidance classes offer students
a chance to learn about social
skills, bullying, sportsmanship,
anger management and coping
skills.
Lincoln’s wellness classes are
designed to help kids develop
healthy habits. Lessons about
fruits and veggies, sugars, and
exercise lay a foundation for a
lifetime of making healthy
decisions.
Mason City Community Schools
1625 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401
Phone: 641-421-4423
Fax: 641-423-3387
Reminders
September 8 — PTO Meeting
September 11 — Lincoln Fundraiser Kick-Off
September 15 —- Fundraiser Turn-In Date
September 17 — Fundraiser Turn-In Date
September 17 — Picture Day
Mason City Schools
Providing quality education for all in a
caring and responsive environment.
September 23 — Final Fundraiser Turn-In Date
October 8 — Back to School Night
Early Pick-Up
If you are picking up your student after 8:15 a.m. or
before 2:30 p.m., please plan to pick them
up at the front doors.
The Mason City Community School District is offering “The Virtual Backpack” on their
website. The school district is a part of the larger community in which it carries out its
education mission. The school district has been a conduit for providing information by
permitting distribution of non-school materials to inform students and their families of youthrelated programs or activities, and of events that intend to improve the health, education or
welfare of students according to Board policy.
Mason City Community School District has implemented a “green” approach for distributing information
from school sponsored activities and flyers from non-school community organizations to which approval
is granted.
To learn more about this feature, click on the backpack icon in the upper right hand section of the
website or on the Vitrual BackPack link in the menu on the left of the district’s web page. You will find
on the Virtual BackPack web page information about “What is the Virtual BackPack,” how to submit
materials for the BackPack, and a folder that you can access all of the current flyers.
Please click on the Red BackPack and check out this new feature of the Mason City Community School
District.