December 4, 2020 LPS Weekly Family Update

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LPS Families,

Our students and staff have done an amazing job this school year in following the protocols we have developed in conjunction with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. We appreciate the collaboration with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and its continued commitment to keeping our community safe.

Dr. Joel was a guest at the Mayor’s press conference this afternoon, where the topics focused on the return of youth sports and activities starting Monday, and changes to the directions for individuals in quarantine. Those changes will impact our LPS protocols moving forward and are outlined below.

High school and middle school sports will be starting again on Monday, Dec. 7. We will work with our staff, our students, and our families to make sure we are following the health department’s recommendations so we can continue to offer these activities to students. We will continue to monitor conditions with the health department and make adjustments as necessary. Parents and student-athletes will be receiving new information soon from their coaches about upcoming practices and competitions.

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 follows these protocols while in our community so we can flatten the curve and continue to serve students in our schools.

If your child 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 keep your child home and contact your child’s school.

Below is our weekly family update with important information and reminders. Here is an index by topic to assist you:

Student calendar December 7 – 11
CDC, Nebraska DHHS and LLCHD changes to quarantine directions
Students in quarantine moving to remote learning
Remote Learning Request Form
REMINDER: Meals Distribution for 100% Remote Learners
Mental health resource for parents

Student calendar December 7 – 11

Here is the student calendar for next week:

Monday, Dec. 7

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

Tuesday, Dec. 8

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

Wednesday, Dec. 9

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

Thursday, Dec. 10

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

Friday, Dec. 11

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

CDC, Nebraska DHHS and LLCHD changes to quarantine directions

At Friday’s press conference, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department updated their directions for individuals identified as close contacts with a positive COVID-19 case to match the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Nebraska Health and Human Services. After today, Lincoln Public Schools will be implementing the protocols found below when it comes to staff and student exclusions.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 are still required to stay in isolation until:

At least ten (10) calendar days have passed since their positive test was taken; AND
Have not had a fever for at least 24 hours (that is one full day of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers); AND
Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved).

Individuals WITHOUT symptoms identified as a high-risk close contact with a person positive for COVID-19 can return to work or school:

After day ten (10) day of quarantine without testing if they do not have symptoms.
After day seven (7) after receiving a negative test result with the test taken 48 hours prior to day seven (7) of quarantine, AND do not have any symptoms.
Individuals must continue to monitor for symptoms and wear face coverings around others through the full 14 days since last close contact.
Families can choose for students to remain in quarantine the full 14 days.

Individuals WITH symptoms in quarantine still need to remain out of school for the full 14 days, even with a negative test result.

Individuals who are household members with a positive COVID-19 case need to do the following:

If the individual can completely isolate from the positive COVID-19 household member, then individuals follow the directions outlined above.
If the individual CANNOT completely isolate from the positive COVID-19 household member, then the individual will begin their quarantine count on the last date of exposure from the positive case inside the home. The last day of exposure is considered day zero (0).

Students in quarantine moving to remote learning

We have updated our procedures for moving students who have been directed to quarantine to remote learning so we are aligned with the recent changes by the health department:

There is still a two day turnaround for staff to prepare print materials for remote students.
However, parents and students are now allowed to begin remote learning as soon as possible if the student will be excluded for four or more school days. Choosing this option may require families to make two pickups: the first to get the Chromebook, and the second to get other materials after the two day window.

While students may not have access to all of the materials, this new process allows students more immediate access to learning with little disruption.

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, please 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: Meals Distribution for 100% Remote Learners

LPS is offering all PreK-12 grade 100% remote learners meals for the week to be picked up on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at three locations.

Next week’s meal distribution for 100% remote learners will be on Monday, December 7.

Go to our website for more information.

Mental health resource for parents

Blue Valley Behavioral Health has recorded a short, four-part series on mental health designed for parents/guardians. Each part is 10-15 minutes long and is accessible by clicking this link.

Thank you to the Foundation for LPS, which sponsored this series with funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, CFDA Number 21.019.

Updated December 8, 2020