Newest Lincoln Lions mingle with classmates at new student social

Rebecca Jones, principal of Lincoln School, asked students during the new student social Friday afternoon: “How many of you like Lincoln so far?” Cheers erupted in the auditorium as students shouted and raised their hands enthusiastically to show they are proud to become a Lincoln Lion.

This year, the school received several new students as a result of the district’s reconfiguration plan, also known as “Polishing the Jewel.” About 100 new students participated in Friday's event, with a mix of new students from within and outside the district. 

“We're so excited to have you here today,” Ms. Jones said. “There's something that all of you have in common, and that is that you are all new to Lincoln School… Although you're new to Lincoln School, we want you to know we have been waiting for you; we are here with open arms; we are grateful to have you here; we are a family here at Lincoln School.”

The event began with students enjoying light refreshments and coloring amongst one another, learning more about their peers before participating in engaging ice breaker activities. 

One activity, ‘This or That,’ is a game where students must choose between the two options – voting on the one they prefer. This allows students to see what similar interests they have with their classmates and get to know them more.

“This school year has been very good for me,” said Melissa Nunez De La Cruz, a seventh grader new to Lincoln School. “ I met many new people, and the school is good.”

After taking part in several activities, younger students made their way to the center of the auditorium for a dance party, where the older students clapped along and cheered on the little lions. 

Lincoln School has done several initiatives to help new students feel acclimated to the school. Before the end of the last school year, Lincoln hosted an orientation to make families feel more at ease when arriving at their new school in the fall. On the first day of school, teachers held signs with their names on it to help new students identify their teacher.

“The orientation helped me a lot around the school and to get to know the school better,” said Amirah Thomas, a seventh grader at Lincoln who previously attended Mount Vernon Honor Academy. “They've (students and teachers) been helping me out with whatever I need, showing me around the school, being really kind and helping me with my work.” 

Additionally, school counselors have been meeting with students one-on-one, to see how they are doing during the start of the new school year.

“I have done minute meetings to make sure that I've met with every student in the school,” said Erica Glushakov, school counselor. “Just to check in, see what school they're coming from, if anything is bothering them and how they're feeling. I've gotten great feedback in the sense that everyone seems that they're doing well. Those that did feel like they wanted to talk about something, they wanted to schedule a session. So, my next follow up is to grab those kids and meet with them more on a personal level.”

Ms. Jones also sends out robo calls on a regular basis, as well as sending home notices and calendars in a timely fashion to keep parents informed about what is going on at the school. “I just think having open lines of communication has been very important,” Ms. Jones said.

At Lincoln School, students have been adjusting to the new year with ease, eager for what’s in store for them.