The Communicator - Lincoln Consolidated Schools

www.lincolnK12.org
Lincoln Consolidated Schools
TRAGEDY FALLS ON A “MODEL” FAMILY…. EVERYONE LENDS A HELPING HAND!
“Devastation” would be the only word one could use when pulling up to your house and seeing only the frame
that used to hold your home and all your personal belongings, and the fire trucks spraying down what USED to
be your kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. The home burned to the ground within thirty minutes. Luckily, there
were no family members in the house.
The affected family was one of our own. The child came to school the next day and told everyone in her
class about what happened. Staff members checked in on the family immediately and then began looking for
community resources to help them out. The family was grateful for any help the school could find for them.
“My classroom phone began ringing by 4:15 with parents calling to ask what they could do.” Mrs. Hicks stated. “I
couldn’t believe how many of the kids went home and told their families about the situation and how fast these
parents/families acted. These little ones were little missionaries!” Mrs. Hicks reports that within an hour she had
nine families with bags of clothes for the kindergarten child. “Next,” says Hicks, “Came the phone calls about
what kind of toys did she need; what did the grandmother need; families offering complete sets of dishes, pots/
pans, and appliances. It was unbelievable to see everyone just push everything aside to help out a family in
need.”
Finally, when it seemed the dust had settled, the final call came in for the night. Mrs. Hicks says that her mouth
literally fell to the floor when one of the parents in their classroom called to let her know that her sister wanted
to GIFT a trailer home to this family. “Mind blowing is all I can say...random acts of kindness that will never be
forgotten by any of us.” said a proud Mrs. Hicks.
We work on being “Bucket Fillers” every day, which is part of a book about imaginary buckets that we all carry
around, good deeds and words fill your bucket up, and mean things empty your bucket. One little girl said to her
mom, “Mommy, I want to fill her bucket by giving her my dollhouse so she has something fun to play with!”
“I am just so proud of my kids for going home and telling their parents that someone needed help and all the
selfless acts I saw happen in just a few hours is something I will never forget.” The family is in good spirits and
is obviously ready to move into their new home. It’s always a blessing when a tragedy can bring about so much
good. It proves to you that we do live in a world full of GOOD people.
STAFF RECOGNIZED BY
HOMELAND SECURITY
Several Lincoln staff members
were recognized by the
Department of Homeland Security
for their service to Lincoln
Consolidated Schools and the
children who live here.
BUDDY READING AT BRICK
Eight special adults from the Community Support and
Treatment Services of Washtenaw County come to Brick
Elementary for part of the day each Wednesday. These
individuals eat lunch with their helpers before going to an
empty classroom where groups of children from four different
classrooms come and read to them. Eight children at a time
from Mrs.. Brown’s, Mrs. Lehto’s, Mrs. Engelbert’s, and Mrs.
McKelvey’s classes take turns reading with these buddies
while they are here. It is a great experience for everyone
involved. The children get to practice their reading skills, and
the adults enjoy hearing the children read. Pictured reading
together here are first grader Ava and her buddy Denise.
Spring 2013