Dear fellow Lincolnites,

We are writing to endorse Kim Rajdev for Lincoln School Committee.

Since moving to Lincoln five years ago with her husband and two young girls (entering third grade and kindergarten), Kim has taken an active role in supporting the schools. She has volunteered as a room parent in the Lincoln schools, and as a legal advisor to Lincoln Nursery School as part of the parent co-operative. Kim has gained experience working through many administrative policies of the school, and with her professional background as an engineer and attorney, she has had many opportunities to analyze challenging issues, reach consensus across a broad group of interests, and communicate the outcome.

We as parents fully support Kim’s commitment to inclusivity and productive dialogue and her dedication to advancing the strategic priorities of the Lincoln Public School. Please join us in voting for Kim on Monday, March 28.

With gratitude,

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Dear Lincoln friends, 

I am happy to announce that I am running for a second term on the Lincoln Sudbury Regional School Committee. If re-elected, I will continue to serve our school with the energy and enthusiasm needed to ensure Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School remains a place of optimal learning, growth, and development. 

My experiences over the past three years have given me valuable insights into the roles and responsibilities of the governing body and how best to support our school. For example, in my first year as a committee member, I chaired the L-S Covid-19 Testing subcommittee. Through our hard work and advocacy, L-S was one of the first schools in Massachusetts to offer Covid-19 testing to all its students and staff.

As the current L-S School Committee chair, I have led the committee to develop clear goals to ensure our actions align with L-S’s values, principles, and purpose. During this past year, the L-S School Committee has met several core duties of the governing body, such as renewed teacher contracts and updated governing policies. We have also supported in-person learning during the evolving Covid-19 pandemic with actions such as adding the Covid-19 vaccine as a requirement of employment at L-S. We have made progress toward achieving our goals, but there is more work to do. 

If re-elected, I have three priorities that I believe are essential for the L-S School Committee to work on: 

• Enhance student services. The utmost priority of the L-S School Committee is to ensure L-S meets the academic and social-emotional needs of our students, particularly during the evolving Covid-19 pandemic. This entails continuous monitoring and supporting flexible and responsive programming to serve our students, particularly social-emotional services.

• Improve our data-driven program monitoring, budgeting, and allocating of resources. Over the next three years, I would like to work with the L-S School Committee and our administration to improve the data monitoring of our school. The L-S School Committee needs clear metrics to ensure our programs respond to the needs of our diverse student body. These metrics will help us determine where we are doing well and where we should be allocating resources. 

• Maintain openness and flexibility. The past two years have taught us to expect the unexpected. Our faculty, staff, and students have shown a tremendous amount of resilience. I will support the L-S School Committee to ensure we are continuously monitoring and updating our policies and protocols to the evolving needs of our students. 

If re-elected, I will build on my experience and bring commitment and positive energy to the L-S School Committee. I will strive to ensure we provide access to an environment where our children and students learn and grow.

Check out my Facebook page (facebook.com/caraforLSSC) or contact me via email at caraforLSSC@gmail.com for more information about my campaign. 

Please vote for Cara Endyke-Doran for Lincoln Sudbury Regional School Committee on March 28, 2022. 

Thank you, 

Cara Endyke-Doran
28 Beechwood Ave., Sudbury

Dear Lincolnites,

I am asking for your vote for my re-election as a Trustee for the Bemis Free Lecture Series.

The Bemis Free Lecture Series began in 1892. It was held in Bemis Hall, which was built by Lincoln entrepreneur George Bemis. It was common for wealthy men of his era to leave a legacy of buildings, and George Bemis was no exception. Not only did he build the hall to be a town office and meeting place, but he also built the second floor to be a lecture and performance space, and he endowed a lecture series.

The lecture series was modeled after the Chautauqua movement of his time, which aimed to bring entertainment and culture to the masses. The Bemis Trust charge for the lectures states that the series was “to bring education and edification to the citizens of Lincoln.” The ordinary folk of Lincoln were to enjoy what previously had been reserved only for a wealthy and elite society. The endowment for the lecture series was doubled in 1982 by the bequest of native son John Todd, and the charge was expanded to include “entertainment and recreation.”

The series has hosted Robert Frost, Archibald Cox, John Kenneth Galbraith, Julie Taymor, Imago Theatre, Grace Paley, Dr. Benjamin Spock, the Steel Band of Blue Hill, Maine, a basketball clinic run by Dave Cowens, Mission: Wolf, Margaret Mead, Julia Glass, Michael Fitzgerald, and many others of great note.

These past two years have proved a serious challenge for an organization that has been known for live events. So, like many others, we pivoted to a webinar format.  In celebration of Juneeteenth, the Bemis Lecture Series and the Lincoln Historical Society hosted a virtual event with Professor Elise Lemire, who grew up in Lincoln and is author of Black Walden: Slavery and Its Aftermath in Concord, Massachusetts. Dr. Lemire’s presentation was titled: “Slavery in Lincoln: Reckoning with Our Past, Planning for a More Honest and Inclusive Future.” The live discussion was recorded and made available through Lincoln’s online video archive as well as YouTube. The YouTube video has already been viewed by over 670 people. Clearly, the Bemis Free Lecture Series has a wide reach!

We hope to return to live events as early as this summer and look forward to seeing you there!

If you have any questions, comments, and/or suggestions, please contact me at 781-259-04231 or samattes@gmail.com. Again, I ask for you vote on Monday, March. 28.

Sincerely,

Sara Mattes
71 Conant Rd.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

L-S Pops Concert on Thursday

The L-S Music Department presents their annual Pops Concert on Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m. The String Orchestra’s program will include “Simple Gifts” arranged by Carrie L. Gruselle and a John Williams trilogy arranged by Calvin Custer. Symphonic Band will perform music from the motion picture “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Chicago: Pop and Rock Legends.” Concert Band will perform highlights from the Disney movie “Moana” as well as selections from “The Best of Journey.” The Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Combined L-S Choirs, and Singing Valentines quartets will perform songs by the Backstreet Boys, Queen, and Disney’s “Tangled.” 

Lincoln-Sudbury Friends of Music (LSFOM) will offer a pops concert-themed goodie bag for sale at the concert, which will air in both Sudbury and Lincoln on Comcast channel 9 / Verizon channel 32 and live-stream here.

Workshop on fostering antiracism in kids

Deep racial disparities persist in our society, and research tells us that children begin to notice and assign meaning to skin color by age 2. This makes racial literacy a critical part of preparing our children to lead lives as engaged, equity-minded problem-solvers in the world.

Geared for White or multiracial parents and caregivers, “ABCs of Racism: Fostering Antiracist Conversation and Action with Kids” on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. will be led by Wee the People, a Boston-based social justice group, and explores fundamental concepts of systemic racism, the barriers that block us from engaging with kids around race and racism, the social science of race awareness in children, and strategies to start and sustain antiracist and action in school and at home. Sponsored by the Lincoln Public Library. Email dleopold@minlib.net for the Zoom link. 

FELS talk on educational innovation and technology

FELS, the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, will present its annual Faye Goldberg-Scheff Memorial Lecture on Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. in the lecture hall at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School.

This year’s talk will focus on the impact of educational innovation and technology on teaching and learning in today’s diverse classroom. The evening will feature panelists who will approach the topics from a wide range of professional perspectives. They will share their thoughts about the challenges and opportunities in education via innovation, interventions, neuroscience, technology, and equity and inclusion that have arisen in the first two decades of this new century and their impacts on teaching and learning. Click here for details on the panelists.

Admission is $10. All proceeds will benefit FELS, a nonprofit organization that awards enrichment grants to L-S faculty and staff to pursue their professional and personal interests and passions.

WWP hosts events on Thoreau video game and Cape Cod walks

The Walden Woods Project will host two upcoming events: “Walden, a Game: A Virtual Experience” on Tuesday, March 29 from 7–8 p.m., and “Six Walks: A Conversation with Ben Shattuck” on Thursday, April 28 from 7–8 p.m.

Developer Tracy Fullerton, director emeritus of the USC Games program, will discuss the evolution and intention of the classroom computer game and provide a brief demonstration of the newest module, “Civil Disobedience.” Educators will speak to their experience using the game in the classroom, followed an audience Q&A. Click here to learn more and register.

With little more than a loaf of bread, brick of cheese, and a notebook, Shattuck set out to retrace Thoreau’s six walks through the Cape’s outer beaches from the elbow to Provincetown’s fingertip. Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau is a resounding tribute to the ways walking in nature can inspire us all. Join us for a reading and conversation about the book with Ben Shattuck, moderated by National Book Award Winner Nathaniel Philbrick. Click here to learn more and register.

Fellow Lincolnites: I urge you to cast your vote for Jim Hutchinson for Select Board in the upcoming town election on March 28.

I have served on both the Green Energy Committee and the Water Commission with Jim Hutchinson. When Jim volunteered to join the Water Commission, the Water Department was in dire straits. His expertise in the intricacies of municipal finance was critical as we dealt with the need for substantial capital investment, but equally important was his ability to quickly understand the issues and suggest the best way to tackle each one. After a year of his leadership, the department was back on track.

What really stood out to me, however, was that Jim treats every person with respect. Whether it is a new Water Department superintendent, a disgruntled water customer, a member of the department staff, or one of his fellow committee members, he listens deeply to their concerns and strives to reach consensus on all decisions. Moreover, Jim has no agenda but to do what is best for the town.

I believe that Jim offers just the right expertise and temperament to make an excellent member of the Select Board, and I urge you to vote for him on March 28.

Ruth Ann Hendrickson
Water Commissioner
253 Concord Rd., Lincoln

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

The March 13 article headlined “Town Meeting procedures and precautions outlined” incorrectly stated that this will be the first time Annual Town Meeting “in person.” It should have said “indoors.” The article has been corrected.

For the first time in three years, Lincoln’s Annual Town Meeting will take place indoors. It will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 26 in the newly renovated Brooks Auditorium. Here are some details about what to expect.

Parking — Parking will be available in the Brooks and Hartwell lots, the modular classroom temporary parking lot, and various roadside spots along Ballfield Road. Spaces closest to the entrance will be reserved for handicap and mobility impaired parking. Public safety staff will be on hand to assist.

Masks — The mask mandate has been lifted, community members are encouraged to wear masks and leave two seats between parties from different households. Officials also encourage residents to test themselves before and after the meeting; the town has free kits available to anyone who would like one.

Seating — Residents are welcome to sit in the gym as well as the auditorium. Those in the gym will be able to view, listen and vote from the gym, but they will not be able to make comments. To comment, they will need to come to a microphone location in the auditorium. 

Making comments and asking questions — There will be standing microphones for people to queue up in the auditorium, as well as handheld microphones that can be passed to those unable to get to a standing microphone. If people would prefer to write their comment down, officials will accommodate that.

Watching remotely — Officials are hoping to have a live feed of the meeting through cable TV and the town website (www.lincolntown.org). They are awaiting new hardware, so if it doesn’t arrive in time, they will stream the meeting on Zoom. In either case, the necessary information will be posted on the Annual Town Meeting webpage.

Those watching from home may not vote or speak. They’re encouraged to submit any questions to the relevant board in advance of the meeting, either at a public meeting or over email.

Food and beverages — The Girl Scouts will provide coffee and breakfast treats that can be consumed in the hallways, gym, or new movement room. Given the new carpeting and fabric seating, only water will be allowed in the auditorium. Lunch will not be provided.

“We want the meeting to run as efficiently as possible in the interest of public health and the time residents are being asked to commit,” said Assistant Town Manager Dan Pereira. “The pandemic forced us to rethink our practices and we’ve developed some strategies (presentations in advance, greater use of the consent calendar, remote viewing) that have led to a better meeting overall. Our goal is to be done by midday, but that will be at the discretion of the moderator.”

Several presentations can be viewed ahead of time on the Annual Town Meeting webpage.