Week of September 14th

                                                     

PBiS Focus of the Week: Circle of Courage/Entire Matrix

We will be focusing on merging PBiS and Trauma-Informed Practices, as they go hand-in-hand. Here is a resource from STARR, giving a more in-depth look at The Circle of Courage:STARR Circle of Courage

PBiS Kickoff:

Kickoff Event: Kahoot

High School: Thursday 9/18- Cafeteria during group time

Middle School: Thursday 9/18- Cafeteria during 6th hour

Elementary: 

Reminders: 

• Paraprofessionals, please do not forger to review and sign off on the Paraprofessional Orientation Packet by September 15th. You should have received an email from Nicole Chubb regarding this. If you did not, please let me know. 
• Paraprofessionals will have time to complete Para Bootcamp Training modules during the early release times on 9/23, 10/7 and 10/21. We will also have medication training on 9/23, so para's can complete some of modules after that. Time before the students arrive and after the students leave, can also be used to complete some of these modules. 
• LPEA, please remember to sign off on the Special Education Handbook (we reviewed this on opening day) by September 15th. You should have received an email from Nicole Chubb regarding this. If you did not, please let me know.
• Please remember to check out the Shared Drive for information regarding anything Beacon: All Things Beacon
• Behavior staff should not be assigned to particular students, but can be considered a preferred person for calls. 
• Teachers, please be sure you are using Planbook and entering grades in a timely fashion.

• Remember, Beacon Hoodie orders are due September 19th. Please use this link to purchase a hoodie: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dodUMgSYNIrS0ZNw0QUwnNbmAfhFMM5J_IG2TpB1MF0/edit?gid=0#gid=0

• Tip of the week:Social Skills and Peer Interactions Scripts

Monday, September 15th

• Behavior Team Huddle @ 8:30
• PIRM for Angel (Wusthoff) @ 9:15
• Fire Drill in AM

Tuesday, September 16th

• Staff Meeting Cancelled

Wednesday, September 17th

• Ethan 3-Year (Lucidi) @ 8:15
• Intake Meeting @ 11:00 

Thursday, September 18th

• Behavior Team Huddle @ 8:30
• Castle to Coordinating Council @ RESA in AM - will join 10:00 REED virtually
• PBiS Coaches Meeting @ 9:15
• REED for Husky-Moran (Hiser) @ 10:00
• PBiS kickoff Day

Friday, September 19th

• Nothing scheduled at this time

Week of September 7th

 

PBiS Focus of the Week: Circle of Courage

We will be focusing on merging PBiS and Trauma-Informed Practices, as they go hand-in-hand. Here is a resource from STARR, giving a more in-depth look at The Circle of Courage:STARR Circle of Courage

Reminders: 

• Paraprofessionals, please do not forger to review and sign off on the Paraprofessional Orientation Packet by September 15th. You should have received an email from Nicole Chubb regarding this. If you did not, please let me know. 
• LPEA, please remember to sign off on the Special Education Handbook (we reviewed this on opening day) by September 15th. You should have received an email from Nicole Chubb regarding this. If you did not, please let me know.
• Please remember to check out the Shared Drive for information regarding anything Beacon: All Things Beacon

Monday, September 8th: 

• Behavior Team Huddle @ 8:30

Tuesday, September 9th: 

• Staff Meeting at 3:10 in Cafeteria - STARR Coaching Partners will meet for the first 15 minutes

Wednesday, September 10th:

• Intake Review Meeting @ 11:00 (Rea, Park, Castle)
• C. Young REED Meeting @ 12:10 (Rea. Chmara, Castle, Tepman, Zakerski)

Thursday, September 11th:

• Behavior Team Huddle @ 8:30
• C. Tran REED Meeting @ 8:45 (Rea, Chmara, Boardman, Astfalk, Petersen, Castle)
• Castle to Project SEARCH @ 11:00

Friday, September 12th: 

• It's Fri-Yay, Do something fun!!!

Welcome Back

 

Welcome back! We are excited for the 2025-26 school year, and all of the adventures that await! I hope each of you had a joyful, restful summer filled with moments that recharged your energy and inspired your spirit. As we begin the 25-26 school year, I ant to express my gratitude for the dedication, passion, and commitment you bring to the students each day. 

This year we will focus on the elements of the Circle of Courage, and merging this with PBiS, as they are the same philosophy.  We will focus on creating an environment where all of our students have a sense of community in our school, and creating an environment where every student feels valued, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. Our collective effort makes a lasting impact, and I am confident that this year will be filled with meaningful learning, personal growth, and countless successes. 

A few important reminders as we start the year: 

• Professional Development/First Day
• All LP Staff Welcome Back Meeting: Lincoln Park High School, at 8:00, in Auditorium
• 8:45-11:00: Professional Development in Beacon Cafeteria. Topics include The new Beacon PBiS and Trauma-Informed Framework, LP Document Central, New Schedule, and Shared Drive, Later Gator, Pancakes with the Principal, and Bus Bucks ( 9/2/25 Beacon PD Agenda)
• 11:00-12:00: LUNCH
• 12:00-3:00: Collaboration Time/Classroom Work
• First Day for Students: Wednesday, September 3rd - 1/2 Day
• Please see the Bussing and Breakfast Schedule
• Student Schedule: New Schedule for 25-26
• Half Day Schedule: Same as last year
• First Full Day for Students: Friday, September 5th
• Lunch Schedule for Para's - Para's will need to be present for Activity, therefore, they will be assigned lunch times as follows: Para and Behavior Staff Lunch Schedule 25/26
• Please note on student schedule, there are 5 special for MS, and all teachers have prep at the same time. Students in MS will check out, and dismiss from their 6th period special class. In addition to the 3 typical specials, Vanessa will be teaching MS Spanish, and Beth will be teaching STEM. Wusthoff's students will go to Ziesmer's for checkout, and Hamilton's will go to Morris'. 
• Spirit Week Districtwide: September 29-October 3
  

Other Important Information: 

• 2025/26 Building Meeting Schedule - topics are tentative and may change
• Safety Protocols At-A-Glance
• All Things Beacon Shared Drive - Will officially be shared on 1st day, after PD in the morning
• PBiS Teaching Matrix
• Paraprofessional Packet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tkByY2yzmKfME5fHhROFw9lJAnbuKmdf/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117113236382832000289&rtpof=true&sd=true
• We will be implementing triennial evaluations for tenured teachers that have been rated Highly effective or effective for the 3 previous years.   We will spread the teachers out over a 3 year period to even out the administrator work load from year to year.   Eligible teachers will be broken into 3 groups based on the first letter of their email address.   The evaluation schedule will be as follows:

A-G evaluated in 2025/26 school year

H-M evaluated in 2026/27 school year

N-z evaluated in 2027/28 school year

Week of June 8th

  

Letter from the (Acting) Principal

Dear Beacon Staff,

As we close out another school year, I want to take a moment to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and resilience.

Working in a school that supports students with emotional impairments is both a profound responsibility and a tremendous privilege. Every day, you bring patience, empathy, and creativity to your classrooms and spaces. You don’t just teach—you nurture, support, and advocate. And in doing so, you help our students discover their strengths, find their voices, and believe in their potential.

This year has brought its share of challenges, but you met each one with grace and determination. Whether celebrating a student’s breakthrough moment, managing tough days with calm and care, or collaborating as a team to find new solutions, your efforts have made a lasting difference.

As we head into summer, I hope each of you takes time to rest, recharge, and reflect on the impact you've had—not just in academic progress, but in the lives and hearts of our students.

Thank you for everything you do. I am incredibly proud to lead this remarkable team, and I look forward to continuing our important work together in the new school year.

With appreciation and admiration,

Robyn Castle

Head's Up

Starting in the fall, we should all be fully transitioned to LP curriculum. The curriculum is all on the Teacher Links of the webpage, and there are pacing guides with each grade level/content area that should be followed...there will obviously be some differentiating going on, but it should generally be the same content. Additionally, teachers will be expected to use PlanBook, as it is required for all teachers in Lincoln Park. 

End of Year Checklist

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bpNDF5W4nIHuEyKuI9gBIiyqCrdYc38ENEIemTYGkb8/edit?usp=sharing

June 9th:

• 1/2 Day

June 10th:

• 1/2 Day

June 11th:

• 1/2 Day
• Staff outing in PM at Pete's Place - if para's choose to go, I will clock you out. If you do not go, you will need to stay at the building and work until 3:30. I will stop in to see who decided to go, so I know to clock you out. 

Week of June 1st

 

LPEA: Please be sure to upload your student data summary into the student growth section of Standards for Success. I understand some Middle School and High School teachers will use NWEA, while others will use pre/post assessments, so some won't be able to be uploaded until closer to the last day of school. Once this is uploaded, please send an email to your evaluator stating it's been completed. 

Head's Up

Starting in the fall, we should all be fully transitioned to LP curriculum. The curriculum is all on the Teacher Links of the webpage, and there are pacing guides with each grade level/content area that should be followed...there will obviously be some differentiating going on, but it should generally be the same content. Additionally, teachers will be expected to use PlanBook, as it is required for all teachers in Lincoln Park. 

End of Year Checklist

On Tuesday, we will share the end of year checklist at the staff meeting.

June 2nd:

• Robinson: Exit IEP @ 9:00
• BurksL Wraparound @ 9:00
• Courtney: Eval at Board Office 1:00-4:00

June 3rd:

• Courtney: IEP @ 8:15
• Stacey, Robyn, Derek and Amy at Board Office, 8:45-12:00
• Robinson: IEP @ 12:00
• Staff Meeting @ 3:00

June 4th:

• Beacon Zoo Trip
• Casrle: Project SEARCH Graduation, 9:30-1:30

June 5th:

• Zakerski: Wraparound Meeting @ 8:45-10:15
• Social Work Meeting @ 9:00
• Hiser: ELA Meeting @ 12:30
• Ziesmer: IEP @ 1:00

June 6th:

• No Meetings scheduled

Week of May 25th

 

LPEA: Please be sure to upload your student data summary into the student growth section of Standards for Success. I understand some Middle School and High School teachers will use NWEA, while others will use pre/post assessments, so some won't be able to be uploaded until closer to the last day of school. 

Head's Up

Starting in the fall, we should all be fully transitioned to LP curriculum. The curriculum is all on the Teacher Links of the webpage, and there are pacing guides with each grade level/content area that should be followed...there will obviously be some differentiating going on, but it should generally be the same content. Additionally, teachers will be expected to use PlanBook, as it is required for all teachers in Lincoln Park. 

May 26th:

No School! Happy Memorial Day!

May 27th: 

• STARR Coaching all day - Please see schedule

May 28th:

• Alderman - IEP/Tour: AM
• Courtney: IEP @ 10:00
• Ziesmer: IEP @ 1:00

May 29th:

• Robyn out 8:00-10:00
• Burks: Wraparound  @ 11:15, Intake IEP @ 12:30
• Hamilton: IEP @ 12:00-1:30
• Beacon Graduation @ 4:00

May 30th:

• Deeter: IEP @ 10:00
• Hiser: Transition Meeting @ 1:30

Week of May 18th

 

LPEA: Please be sure to upload your student data summary into the student growth section of Standards for Success. I understand some Middle School and High School teachers will use NWEA, while others will use pre/post assessments, so some won't be able to be uploaded until closer to the last day of school. 

Head's Up

Starting in the fall, we should all be fully transitioned to LP curriculum. The curriculum is all on the Teacher Links of the webpage, and there are pacing guides with each grade level/content area that should be followed...there will obviously be some differentiating going on, but it should generally be the same content. Additionally, teachers will be expected to use PlanBook, as it is required for all teachers in Lincoln Park. 

Gleaner's Cereal Drive

Ms. Doctor will continue to collect Cereal next week. We are half way to our goal!! 

May 19th: 

• Alderman - EIP @ 10:30
• MRS Presentation for staff already invited @ 11:20
• Cosgrove - IEP @ 1:30
• CPR Check-off for those who received an invite 8:30-1:00 (20 minutes each session)

May 20th: 

• Social Worker Meeting @ 9:00
• Bruckner - Wraparound @ 12:30, IEP at 1:30
• Alderman - IEP @ 1:00-2:30

May 21st: 

• Trip to The Big House
• Deeter - IEP @ 10:30
• Castle at Project SEARCH @ 12:30
• Math Training for elementary and Burks for AM

May 22nd: 

• Concussion Session to those sent calendar invite @ 7:30
• Wusthoff IEP @ 9:30
• Bruckner IEP @ 10:30
• Castle at BOE in PM

May 23rd

• Fire Drill in AM - if you know a student will have an issue with this (major issue) please come see me. 
• Hill - IEP @ 1:00
• Masserant - IEP @ 1:00