Abraham Lincoln Middle School
Abraham Lincoln Middle School has as its core belief that all students are capable of achieving when given the appropriate resources and instruction to address their individual needs. Lincoln began its transformation into a full-service community school in the 2002-2003 school year.
At Lincoln Middle School, after-school activities are varied. Homework completion and tutoring, dance and drill team, and an innovative program to recycle old computers are among the activities offered. During the school day an anger management group teaches coping skills to students who have been referred by their teachers. Individual counseling is offered by a licensed social worker to students referred by staff. The full-service community school has implemented the Character Counts curriculum throughout the school. Through service learning, students connect with senior citizens and other community members in need. A local TV network aired a segment on Lincoln students’ response to Katrina.
Community Action Program of Lancaster County (CAP) is the lead agency partnering with Lincoln to develop a full-service community school. CAP is a private non-profit human services and community development corporation dedicated to assisting low income families to become self sufficient and less dependent upon public assistance. The Lincoln/CAP partnership is addressing needs identified by the community; top among them is mental health.
Collaborations. The full-service community school has brought valuable resources to the school such as a community services group (MAPS Behavioral Health Services), anger management facilitation, after-school programs and family engagement activities.
After-school activities. After-school programs are offered under the full-service community school umbrella. The school is the recipient of a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, which funds after-school activities. The activities include homework club and enrichment (cooking, drill team, Latino club, and DJ club). In addition, the school district provides after-school tutoring to students not meeting standards.
Summer School. In the summer students participate in the Summer Academy, where they are provided breakfast and lunch (Monday–Thursday). Students receive academic support and on Fridays, those with good attendance and behavior go on field trips.
Mental Health. Groups for students who have difficulty with impulse and management control are offered during the school day. Mental health counseling is offered to students identified by school staff.
Family Involvement. This full-service community school facilitates Parent Cafes four times during the school year. The principal provides information on topics such as school policies and curriculum and testing that allows parents to guide their children’s academic progress. A Family Resource Room is used to host family activities.
Youth Development and Character Education. Lincoln offers Girl Power in collaboration with the YWCA and is implementing the Character Counts program to enable students to have a good understanding of positive character traits, to increase self-esteem, to build positive character traits and to improve school climate.
The role of Eisenhower Foundation. The Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation provides funding, technical assistance and process and outcomes evaluations of the full-service school to the Lincoln partnership.
Positive outcomes at Lincoln Middle School. The full-service community school at Lincoln has had a positive impact on student behavior, academic achievement and positive relationships with adults in the school.
Site Director
Ivy Hawthorne
Principal
Josiah Keene
Contact person
Ivy Hawthorne
hawthorne@lancaster.k12.pa.us
(717) 333.6721