News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.
As they prepare to develop the 2014-15 academic calendar for the Lincoln school district, school officials are seeking ideas and recommendations from the community by various means, including at two public sessions next week.
[Read more…] about School officials seek input on 2014-15 academic calendar
The Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee has extended the contract of interim Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong through the 2014-2015 academic year at the advice of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, which has “encouraged school districts to evaluate internal candidates in order to retain stability in leadership wherever possible” in light of a statewide staff shortage at the senior level, according to a press release from the committee. Wong has agreed not to seek a position with another district during the 2013-2014 school year. [Read more…] about L-S interim superintendent’s contract extended
Things to know about: Lincoln Junior Hikers, track work, a school building charette and more… [Read more…] about News acorns from the Lincoln Squirrel
As Lincoln ushers in a new academic year, school and town panels are scheduling their first meetings after the summer respite, starting with the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) on Tuesday night.
The Lincoln PTO enriches children’s education through visits by storytellers and poets, historical reenactments, Museum of Science workshops and more—and it does so with the support of hundreds of people and organizations including the PTO Community Partners, who each donated at least $1,000 apiece in 2012-13 as part of their commitment to the parents, students and the rest of the Lincoln community. Top contributors this year included Lincoln businesses Barrett and Co., Doherty’s Garage, Donelan’s Supermarket and Fitness Together, as well as AKA Bistro, Cambridge Trust Co., Premier Cleaners and Tailors, and Lexington orthodontist Yuci Ma.
Click on an image below for larger version and caption:
Donelan’s has been in Lincoln since 1976, when Joe Donelan and his brother started working there when the store opened. (The six-store chain was started by their parents in 1948.) They’ve supported the PTO for years, and they were pleased and grateful for the support they got in return from residents, who flocked to the store in drives after it reopened in in May 2012 following 15 months of reconstruction work following a snow-related roof collapse.
“When the chips are down, people band together,” said Joe Donelan, corporate vice president of Donelan’s Supermarkets. “Everyone has been fantastic.” Donelan showed the same kind of loyalty to his Lincoln employees, none of whom were laid off following the collapse (they all worked at one of the other five Donelan’s stores until Lincoln reopened).
Donelan’s also participates in a program whereby the PTO collects register receipts saved by parents and gives them to the school to redeem for educational supplies via the Register Tapes for Education program (see related story).
“A strong community starts with a strong school system, and the quality of the school system goes hand in hand with the quality of the real estate,” said Laurie Cadigan, owner of Barrett and Co. “We’re very happy to be in this community and we’re all about giving back.”
Doherty’s Garage has been operating in Lincoln since 1905, “and our primary focus has always been on supporting the community,” said Cindy Doherty Murphy, granddaughter of the funding Doherty’s who now runs the business with her husband Dennis Murphy. “When the town requires something, we’re happy to give back.”
“At the end of the day, we just want to help and get involved in the community,” said Brian Lowe, owner since 2009 of the town’s Fitness Together franchise. “It’s a way for me to give back while I develop my business.”
Kids and teachers will see some new items in the Lincoln School next year as a result of the PTO redeeming several months’ worth of collected Donelan’s grocery receipts.
[Read more…] about Donelan’s receipts bring in goodies for schools
By Alice Waugh
As Lincoln girds for a second go-round on trying to get a school building project approved by voters, the School Committee is creating a School Building Project Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) and is seeking volunteers for that new group.
[Read more…] about Citizen advisory committee to offer “pathways” for school project
Showing off their display on the science of musical instruments at the Science Share were (left to right), Hannah Bodnar, Josie Sullivan, Allie Schwartz, Meghan Hobbs, team parent Mia Katz, Noa Katz and Alexandre White.
Teams of students and their coaches had a great time showing off their work at the Lincoln School’s seventh annual Science Share for kids in grades K-4. Leading up to the April 8 event, which aims to ignite children’s interest in science, volunteers helped teams of kids learn about a science topic of their choice, doing research and building a display for the Science Share.
By Alice Waugh
Faced with the possibility that the Lincoln Extended-day After-school Program (LEAP) might be replaced, parents and others turned out in force to protest at last week’s meeting of the School Committee, which voted to delay the decision until the fall.
[Read more…] about Emotions run high at meeting on after-school program
Here’s a selection of interesting events coming up in town. Mark your calendars!
Saturday, April 20
1-3 p.m., Codman Community Farms
Kids of all ages will make a fairy gardens to take home. If you have a dinner-plate-size basket or bowl you’d like to use, please bring it with you. We’ll have some on hand if you don’t. Led by Susan Cummings.
Please RSVP to sustev@comcast.net. The cost is $5.
Dr. Michael Rich
Thursday, April 25
7-8:30 p.m., Brooks Auditorium
Ask the “media-trician” about kids and media! Lincoln PTO Parent Education presents Dr. Michael Rich, MD, MPH, of Children’s Hospital Boston (CHB), who will talk about the positive and negative effects of media exposure on our children. Hear the latest research about children’s use of media and implications for their health from Dr. Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at CHB. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. The Lincoln School PTO also provided funding.
Sunday, May 5
5 p.m., 53 South Great Rd., Lincoln
Enjoy a chamber concert at the home of Laura Bossert and Terry King (53 South Great Road) on Sunday, May 5 at 5 p.m. overlooking Farrar Pond and Pincushion Island to benefit Farrar Pond. Wine and hors d’oeuvres followed by a chamber music concert featuring Arensky’s Two Cello Quartet and Dvořák’s Piano Quintet in A Major. See the Lincoln Squirrel calendar listing for details on the musicians.
Seating is limited and tickets are $75. To purchase, send a check payable to “Massachusetts Audubon Society” (the fiscal agent for the pond) with “Farrar Pond Music Benefit” in the memo line. Mail to Ron McAdow, 59 South Great Road, Lincoln MA 01773. We will hold your tickets at the door. Please include an e-mail address for ticket confirmation. The full amount of your tickets/donation is tax deductible. The money held by Mass Audubon is used to fight invasive vegetation and to maintain the dam and the beaver deceivers.
“Farrar Pond is a unique place in Lincoln where creative zoning has resulted in conservation land and trails around a beautiful pond,” said Farrar Pond Associates president Will Winchell. “The Farrar Pond Associates, associated trusts and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust work to maintain it in its natural state. There are a number of invasive plant species that need to be controlled to preserve the pond and we are dependent on donations to accomplish this often costly process. What better way to support Farrar Pond than a glorious evening of music, refreshments, and getting to know each other?”