November 20, 2020 LPS Weekly Family Update

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LPS Families,

We want to remind you there will be no classes next week (Nov. 23-27) for all LPS students. We only have three and a half weeks of school remaining this semester after Thanksgiving break. Middle and high school students will return to classes on Monday, Nov. 30. Elementary students will return on Tuesday, Dec. 1 since Monday is an elementary plan day.  Early childhood services will resume on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Some Community Learning Centers are offering programming at some of their locations next week.

In addition, all LPS buildings will be closed to the public Nov. 23-27, with the exception of the LPS District Office for the Lincoln Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24 starting at 5:30 p.m. until the end of the meeting. School offices will still be available via phone and email during regular business hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Nov. 23-25).

With the high risk of spread in Lincoln, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department recommends everyone should be wearing face coverings, practicing hand hygiene, maintaining physical distancing and self-screening and monitoring for symptoms while in the community or at school. It is important that everyone follow these protocols while in our community so we can flatten the curve and continue to serve students in our schools.

If you or any member of your household has symptoms, had close contact with someone positive for COVID-19, has been directed to self-isolate due to a positive COVID-19 result, or directed to quarantine for having contact with someone with COVID-19, please stay home and contact your child’s school.

We want to make you aware that health department contact tracers and school health offices will continue working next week to contact any individuals who are identified as possible high-risk close contacts with positive COVID-19 cases in our school buildings. It is important that you answer when they call so they can effectively perform the contact tracing.

Families, we appreciate your support through all of this. We know the constant changes can create issues for our families. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we learn new information and continue to make adjustments in collaboration with the health department.

Below is our weekly family update with important information and reminders.

Student calendar November 23-December 4

Here is the student calendar for the next two weeks:

Monday, Nov. 23 – Friday, Nov. 27
***NO CLASSES FOR ALL STUDENTS***

Monday, Nov. 30

  • No school for elementary students (PreK–5, and Early Childhood)
  • Classes in session for all middle and high school students
  • High School: Group A is in person, Group B is remote

Tuesday, Dec. 1

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Group A is in person, Group B is remote.

Wednesday, Dec. 2

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Group A is in person, Group B is remote. (Early dismissal)

Thursday, Dec. 3

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Group B is in person, Group A is remote.

Friday, Dec. 4

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Group B is in person, Group A is remote.

Remote Learning Request Form

The Remote Learning Request Form is on our website while we are in Red. Families can choose – now or any time – to move to 100% Remote Learning for their child. After filling out the form, the school will call to confirm your request. Please allow two school days for staff to prepare and get your child the materials they will need to begin remote learning. The school will communicate with you when remote learning will begin for your child. Families, weigh this option carefully as continuously moving back and forth between in-person and remote learning creates a major disruption in your child’s learning experience.

To access the request form:

REMINDER: Survey about next school year

Please return the survey about the 2021-22 school year by 11:59 p.m. on November 25. Whether you currently have students who are participating in remote learning or in-person, we are interested in gathering feedback from family about potential school options for the 2021-22 school year. If you have not received the survey, please contact us through our website here.

PLEASE NOTE: this survey is not about the current school year, but rather it looks ahead to next year if COVID-19 spread is still a concern in our community. No decisions have been made concerning next year, and final decisions concerning instructional delivery formats will be made based on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, safety, instruction, financial and human resource concerns.

Remote Learners: No meal distribution next week

Because there are no classes next week, there will be no meal distribution for remote learners on Monday, November 23. The next distribution will be Monday, November 30. Go to our website for more information.

Special Education

Special Education Parent Advisory will be held on December 3, at 6:45 p.m.  If you want to attend, please email Payton Eickhoff atpeickhof@lps.org to receive the zoom link, or call 402-436-1905. Special Education administrators will be sharing IEP meeting best practices.

Lifetouch School Pictures

LPS and Lifetouch have teamed up to offer a district-wide picture retake day, Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8:00-11:00 a.m. and 12:00-3:00 p.m. in the gym at Riley Elementary School. This event will only be for the students who missed their school picture opportunities.

Students with last names starting with A-L come from 8:00-11:00, while students with last names M-Z come from 12:00-3:00.

In order to sign your student up for this event, please fill out this registration form HERE. If you aren’t able to access the form or are having any troubles, please contact Tanisha Gray at 402-436-1668 or tgray2@lps.org. Those who register will receive a reminder email from Tanisha Gray as we get closer to the event.

Students who attend this event will have their photos included in their school’s yearbook.

Here are directions for online ordering from Lifetouch. If you need a physical picture packet, they will be available, at Riley, on Dec. 5. Picture packet orders should arrive no later than January.

Updated December 7, 2020