December 11, 2020 LPS Weekly Family Update

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LPS Families,

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

  • Student calendar December 14 – 23
  • Clarification on LLCHD changes to quarantine directions
  • High school winter sports protocols
  • High school Course deadline for withdrawals and S/U changing
  • Remote Learning survey
  • Remote Learning Request Form
  • REMINDER: Meals Distribution for 100% Remote Learners
  • Mental health resource for parents

Student calendar December 14 – 23

Here is the student calendar for the remainder of the semester:

Monday, Dec. 14

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Finals Week, check with your school for a specific schedule.

Tuesday, Dec. 15

  • K–8 early dismissal, No PreK classes
  • High School: Finals Week, check with your school for a specific schedule.

Wednesday, Dec. 16

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Finals Week, check with your school for a specific schedule.

Thursday, Dec. 17

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Finals Week, check with your school for a specific schedule.

Friday, Dec. 18

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Finals Week, check with your school for a specific schedule.

Monday, Dec. 21

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Finals Week, check with your school for a specific schedule.

Tuesday, Dec. 22

  • Classes in session for all students.
  • High School: Finals Week, check with your school for a specific schedule.

Dec. 23 – Jan. 4

  • Winter break, no classes for all students.

Clarification on LLCHD changes to quarantine directions

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department provided clarification on information released last week on their directions for quarantine after being identified as a close contact with a positive COVID-19 case.

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

  • 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) 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).

High school winter sports protocols

Lincoln Public Schools has worked collaboratively with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to update their winter sports protocols. LPS will implement the protocols outlined below for all student-athletes and spectators during competitions in our buildings. Following health department recommendations allows us to reduce the risk of spread and continue with our season.

Spectators
The number of fans for each competition is limited to a maximum of only two individuals per student-athlete, who must all be part of the same household, but in some cases, it could be less.

To follow the household only requirement for spectators, LPS will provide the gate at both home and away competitions a list of all individuals named on the student’s census form “as living in the home with the student”. This is the information provided by families to schools at the beginning of each school year.

To meet the guidelines on spectator limits, LPS is implementing the following: (Subject to change based on venue capacity and other variables. Changes will be communicated by schools.)

  • Spectators = any person of any age, including infants, toddlers and children
  • Number of household spectators per competition if venue capacity allows:
    • Basketball = 2
    • Wrestling duals = 2
    • Wrestling tournaments four or more teams = 0
    • Swimming (each school participating individually in virtual meets) = 1
    • Swimming meets with multiple schools = 0
    • Diving only competitions = 2
  • Only the designated home team Cheer and Dance teams will perform at home competitions. In most cases, two household spectators per participant will be allowed to attend.
  • Spectators may sit in their household group of two, but individuals and household pairs must maintain at least six feet of physical distance between other individuals and household pairs.
  • There will NOT be a student section for students to congregate and sit together.
  • Multi-layer face coverings must be worn fully covering the mouth and nose by any spectator over the age of two-years-old at all times. Anyone not following the face covering requirement while inside LPS buildings will be asked to leave.
  • Concessions will not be sold, and no outside food or drink will be allowed in LPS buildings.

Livestreaming
LPS is working to provide livestreaming of most competitions for spectators. Each school has a YouTube Channel to provide free livestreaming. Some varsity basketball competitions will be streamed on KLKN-TV’s sports page: klkntv.com/LPSSports.

Schools YouTube Channels for Sports:

High school Course deadline for withdrawals and S/U changing

The deadline for accepting “S/U” (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grade requests and “W” (Withdrawing from high school courses) is extended to the end of the semester, Dec. 22, 2020. Please contact your school’s counseling office for more information.

Remote Learning survey

Families of K-12 students currently participating in remote learning will receive an email inviting them to provide feedback about their student’s experience in the first semester. This survey is a follow-up to the one done in September and applies to your student’s experiences this fall. If your student is currently participating as a remote learner, either full-time or part-time as a high school student in the 3/2 schedule, please watch your inbox on December 14 for this invitation.

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.  Parents must provide permission to the school for a student to use remote learning for situations where the student will not be in school for an extended period of
time (10+ school days).

To access the request form:

REMINDER: Meals Distribution for 100% Remote Learners

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

Here are the next three meal distributions for 100% remote learners:

  • Monday, Dec. 14
  • Monday, Dec. 21
  • Tuesday, Jan. 5

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 22, 2020