If anyone has info on this, please contact MLPD

I received an anonymous email today. The parent didn't want to provoke them, in case there was intent to harm, and later contacted the police and the school district. Here is the email:

I am a mt Lebanon parent with a daughter in Kindergarten. Today while 
playing with my daughter on the Lincoln elementary school playground three 
kids in dark clothes, wearing hoodies walked in a slow intentional way 
through the playground. One was wearing a clown mask that looked like it 
was purchased at a Halloween store. The other two were wearing
Gas masks. I approached the individual wearing the clown mask, asked her if 
she was aware of the threat, and asked her to leave the park, and not wear 
the mask near a school or park in the future. She was resistant and 
defensive and may not have left if I did not reference the raised police 
awareness. They appeared to be young teenagers. The clown was a female. The 
other two appeared to be male.


Please contact Mt. Lebanon Police by dialing 911 or emailing the police chief at alauth@mtlebanon.org if anyone has more information concerning this situation.

Under 50º and wearing shorts? Recess denied!

I would not do well as a Lincoln Elementary parent. In their latest newsletter,

Recess Temperature Reminder 

As we have entered the spring weather season, we want to remind our students about what they need to wear during outdoor recess. Anytime the temperature dips below 50ºF, students MUST wear a jacket (of some type) outside. Students that choose to wear shorts will not be permitted outside for recess if the temperature is below 50ºF. It is a family decision, but we would suggest that students not wear shorts on days when temperatures are forecasted to be below 50ºF. If the thermometer dips even lower (let's hope it doesn't), students should be prepared to wear hats and gloves during outside recess. We typically check AccuWeather and The Weather Channel apps for the current local temperature at approximately 11:55 am.

What about girls wearing skirts or dresses? Are they denied recess, as well?

Are girls allowed to wear skirts and dresses throughout the year? Must girls wear long pants during the winter? Is there outside recess in the fall and winter? I'm just trying to understand the rules. I never experienced this when my kids were in school.

I also see why parents are starting to opt out of PSSA testing. Talk about high stakes testing!

PSSA Testing Information The 2015 PSSA testing window continues this week. Our students in Grades 3-5 will take the PSSA MATH tests on April 20-22, 2015. Grade 4 students will complete the PSSA SCIENCE tests on April 28- 29, 2015. Please understand that during the testing window, preapproved absences will not be granted for students in Grades 3-5. 

Though we have been exceedingly diligent with our instruction and interventions since school started, and we are confident in our students' abilities, these tests still bring a heightened level of anxiety to everyone. Teachers are anxious for students to do their best. Students are worried that the tests will be too hard. Administration is anxious that we will not do as well as we have in the past. All of this anxiety is certainly understandable, but more importantly, it can be minimized. Here are some easy ways you can help us to be at our best during the PSSA test window: 

• Be sure your student(s) get a good night's sleep. 

• Insist on a good breakfast before school. 

• Send your student(s) off to school on time. 

• Instill a sense of confidence and a desire for your student(s) to do their best no matter how hard the tests may be. Let them know how proud you are of their abilities and their effort.

What easy ways are recommended for teachers and Administration to minimize anxiety?