Lancaster Elementary School 
275 E. Jackson Street
Bluffton, Indiana 46714

P: 260.565.3135
F: 260.565.3945
les-transportation@nwcs.k12.in.us

LANCASTER CAFE

student:     $2.75
adult:         $4.25
breakfast:  $1.85
milk:           $.50
www.myschoolbucks.com

LUNCH TIMES

Preschool
11:05-11:25

Kindergarten
11:25-11:45

First Grade
11:35-11:55

Second Grade
11:55-12:15

Third Grade
12:30-12:50

Fourth Grade
12:20-12:40

Fifth Grade
12:05-12:25

Dear Lancaster Parents,

Each spring, there is considerable discussion about placing children in classes for the next school year.  I understand that this is important to both you and your child. It is our goal to match student and teacher personalities and styles as best we can. If you feel your input could help in this process, you are welcome to submit your written/emailed contribution by Spring Break. Please only provide information about your child and his/her needs and leave out any names of preferred teachers or other preferred classmates. You may also want to include:

-the environment that your child might function best
-a teaching style that best supports your child’s learning

When forming classrooms, student data is used to create heterogeneous classrooms.  Much time and consideration is given to student needs both academically and emotionally during this process.   Teachers will be working together with me to create class lists.  I want to assure you that each child’s needs will be taken into consideration and much effort will be given to class placement.  We understand how important this is to teachers, parents, and students, so the staff and I will spend countless hours forming well-balanced classes in which all children will have an opportunity to learn and to grow in their academic and social skills. Quite understandably, these decisions will also be based upon observations made by the teachers during the course of the year. 

While we welcome your input about your child’s individual learning needs, we trust you understand that your comments constitute just one of the many factors we consider in forming classes. I ask for your trust, understanding, and cooperation as we create new classes for the 2026-2027 school year.  Tentative class lists will be created this spring and finalized following Student Information Day next fall.

Sincerely,

Ginger Butcher, Principal

NWCS Counseling Opportunity

Thank you to those students and families who celebrated me during National School Counseling Week by bringing in a treat, dropping of a note, or just a simple "thank you." I have felt so welcomed by the LES community this year and I could not be happier to be your students' school counselor. You might be curious what the school counseling program entails, and I am glad to give you a peek into what we learn about together! This month I am spending time in the library or technology with each class - in kindergarten and first grade we are focused on choices and consequences, in second and third grade we are reading My Fantabulous Brain by Julia Cook and focused on different activities to "workout" our brains, and in fourth and fifth grade we are focused on time management.

BOWEN HEALTH STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAP)
Contact an SAP coordinator: 1-800-342-5653      
Online: www.bowenhealth.org, click “Schedule an Appointment”

Bowen Health provides:
2 FREE counseling sessions for any student in Norwell Community Schools
Onsight and Virtual Options

Third grade has been busy learning and growing!

Students have been working through engaging ELA units that thoughtfully integrate science and social studies content, keeping learning both meaningful and exciting. To celebrate the completion of each unit, students put their knowledge and teamwork skills to the test with fun and interactive escape rooms. In math, third graders have been developing their understanding of area and fractions through hands on practice and problem solving. As the year continues, third grade is chugging along and preparing for upcoming standardized testing in the next couple of months, showing perseverance and positive attitudes toward learning!

The 2025-26 LES Bobcat Robotics season is in COMPETITION MODE! Our 15 students made 4 robots to take to competitions in neighboring counties, in hopes to score a bid to the State Championships March 14. This year's VEX IQ game has brought a lot of growth this season; in engineering, mechanics, perseverance, strategy, and teamwork.  Be sure to cheer on our 4th and 5th grade team members: Madalynn Cook, Colten Freed, Gregory Lucas, Zane Payton, Drew Smith, Claire Stuckey, Mason Terhune, Logan Adam, Abby Duell, Austin Cullar, Barrett Oakleaf, Caymen Stanley, Landon Turnbough, Clint Whitaker, Sawyer Yeoman

pictures from Sharp Creek Elementary School, Wabash, IN January 31, 2026

PTO

March Popcorn Day
Please note that there will be only ONE Popcorn Day in March due to Spring Break. It moved to Thursday, March 19th. Student Council asked us to collaborate and provide popcorn for a fun event they have planned. This will be an all-school pop and FREE! 

After a popcorn cancellation in late January due to weather, that missed date is now being generously sponsored by Yeoman's and Welch’s All Vehicle Repair. We are incredibly thankful for their support of our students and school!

Popcorn Sponsors Needed
We are still looking to fill out two remaining popcorn dates at the end of the school year.  April 15th and April 29th. If you know a family or a local business who may be interested in sponsoring a popcorn day, we’d love to hear from them!

Please have interested sponsors reach out to us at
LES.PTO@nwcs.k12.in.us

Upcoming PTO Dates:
Next PTO Meeting: April 14th at 3:45 PM

Book Fair: April 24 – May 1
This will be our BOGO (Buy One, Get One) fair!

Save the Date — 2nd Annual Spring Fling: Friday, May 1st  5:30-7:30
Teachers, staff, and PTO are already planning and have exciting things in the works!

SPRING PROGRAM

The Spring Music Program – Jungle Beat – will be presented by Kindergarten and 1st grade students and the LES Choir on April 9th, at 2:15pm and 6:30pm.

If you have a Kindergarten or 1st grade student, I hope that you might practice with your student at home. The students are SUPER excited, and a little nervous. This will help build their confidence for the upcoming program. Lyric sheets have already been sent home in Bee Books and in an instant connect. Please scan the QR code to access the audio files.

More information will go home after spring break concerning call times and concert attire. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Hobson, hannah.hobson@nwcs.k12.in.us

Reminders..

Our lost and found table continues to grow. If you have been looking for something, it very well could be found here!

Please make sure you are ringing the bell in the foyer if you are dropping something off for your child. Sometimes items are left without a name and we do not know where to deliver it or we are unaware that something even needs brought in. 

Sickness—please keep your child home if they are not fever free (with no medication) for more than 24 hours. Remember to call the attendance line, or send an email to les-transportation@nwcs.k12.in.us if your child will not be in attendance.

Ready for what's next.