Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Lincoln School District:
Giving students the confidence to succeed
“The Lincoln Consolidated School District is special in so many ways that it truly is challenging to narrow down the scope,” said Lincoln Superintendent Mary Ann Spears. “The staff, the students, and the community all contribute to making our district something special. In a time where so many are left with unsure conditions, anxiety, and added stress from around the world, we find a certain calmness by leaning in on each other. In these times it is rare to find humans slowing down and redirecting the focus on what we can control, and that is how we treat each other. We have an added human element that we all recognized needed to be brought back to the forefront.”
Spears has been in education for 28 years, 15 years in the Lincoln School District as an administrator including eight years as superintendent. “This year we will spend the first two days back together as a staff going through a program called Capturing Kids’ Hearts,” she said. “We know the program will only help build on what we have already established over the last year. Going through obstacles in life, like we all went through in the previous year, only brings you together stronger and united.”
This year the school district will address the COVID-19 protocols and concerns in the same, diligent manner as they did in the previous year. “Putting student’s needs ahead of many of our own,” Spears explained. “We will work together to make sure all of their needs are met, not just educationally. This year, for instance, we are pleased to offer after school care for our students. This will be an avenue to extend the school day, providing students with a safe, educational, and entertaining program.”
At the high school, they have fully implemented “Mentor Fridays” where students and staff members spend the day developing relationships that build the bonds needed to find success for all.
“Our ultimate goal is to have every student build the confidence within themselves to know they will find success,” Spears said.
Lincoln Elementary is excited to welcome a full-time interventionist who will work with teachers, paraprofessionals, and students to desegregate student data. The interventionist will oversee all interventions as well as work with students to ensure their individual needs are met. Lincoln Elementary is also partnering with the Department of Education in the PLC Regional Network project in order to build the staff ’s capacity to work collaboratively and make the best decisions for students.
Lincoln Schools District is thrilled to kick off the 21-22 school year. “We are proud to showcase new playground equipment at both our elementary and middle schools. High school has a new outdoor classroom,” Spears noted. “The elementary kitchen has new wolf print flooring to highlight school pride. Our elementary school also updated student bathrooms in Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade.”
“The message we would like to send to all of our parents is how much we appreciate the continued support we have from them and that we will not take the responsibility that we have with their children lightly,” Spears continued. “We are honored that your child attends our school and students are our top priority.”
For the latest information, visit the website: https://www.lincolncsd.com/
“Our ultimate goal is to have every student build the confidence within themselves to know they will find success. ” ~ Mary Ann Spears