January 8, 2021 LPS Weekly Family Update

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LPS Families,

Here are some important reminders and information as we continue second semester:

Student calendar Jan. 11 – 22

In October, the Board of Education adopted changes to the school calendar. You can find the full revised student calendar here. Below is the student calendar for the next two weeks:

Monday, Jan. 11

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

Tuesday, Jan. 12

  • K–8: Early dismissal
  • AM Prekindergarten classes only, no PM Prekindergarten classes. Full day Prekindergarten classes on shortened schedule.
  • High School: Group A is in person, Group B is remote.

Wednesday, Jan. 13

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

Thursday, Jan. 14

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

Friday, Jan. 15

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

Monday, Jan. 18

  • No school, offices closed.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

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

Wednesday, Jan. 20

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

Thursday, Jan. 21

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

Friday, Jan. 22

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

Report cards and K-21 Special Education progress reports

Just a reminder your child’s school will post report cards and K-21 Special Education progress reports in ParentVue after Jan. 12. Schools will email families when it is available to view in ParentVue.

If you do not have a ParentVUE account and wish to have one, please contact your school office for assistance. If you want to obtain a paper copy of either the report card or the progress report, please contact your child’s school office and they will provide one for you.

Early Childhood IEP progress reports

IEP progress reports will be available in ParentVue after January 12. If you do not have a ParentVue account and wish to have one, please contact the Early Childhood Department at 402-436-1995. If you want to obtain a paper copy of the IEP progress report, please contact us and we will provide one for you.

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:

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 (except on holidays) from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at three locations.

The next remote learner free meal distribution is Monday, Jan 11, 2021.

Go to our website for more information.

2021-22 Kindergarten Registration now open

Do you have a child that will start kindergarten next year? Lincoln Public Schools is now accepting kindergarten registrations for the 2021-2022 school year. The first deadline for families to register their child to guarantee they receive important school information is March 31, 2021.

Parents of children turning five years of age before July 31, 2021 can go to lps.org and click on the red “Enroll Your Student” button. Here you will also find all the information necessary for registering, the required documents needed and answers to frequently asked questions.

Parents who do not have access to the online registration, or wish to register their child in person, should contact their attendance area elementary school as soon as possible. Questions about kindergarten registration should also be directed to the child’s attendance area school.

Elementary: Valentine Cards/Parties during COVID

We have received several questions about elementary activities surrounding Valentine’s Day. We will continue to follow our pandemic protocols and implement COVID-19 safety practices for elementary activities. This year, paper cards, food, trinkets, or gifts will not be exchanged between students at school. Please do not send these items to school with your child. Volunteers are not able to assist with classroom parties or activities. Schools are working to find alternative ways to participate in their annual activities and more information will be provided soon by your principal.

LPS labeling food on menus

Lincoln Public Schools and our Nutrition Services Department recognize and value the diversity of our students and their nutritional needs. We understand there are some that cannot consume certain menu items offered in our cafeterias, and we offer information about our food products so parents can make decisions and guide their child on meal selections.

We apologize that past labeling about our cheese products may have caused some confusion with families. The cheese (American, cheddar and mozzarella) we use may be made with either microbial and/or animal-derived sources, and these are the same enzymes found in standard cheese sold in grocery stores. Our labeling of the product may have led families to believe this was a different product.

Our menu does include two meatless entrees every day – one of them plant-based and the other a meatless option that includes cheese. If a family prefers non-standard cheese, or perhaps vegetarian cheese as a substitute, we recommend the student choose the plant-based entree option.

We will continue to label any entrees that contain pork, such as pork sandwiches, pepperoni pizza and sausage links.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact LPS Nutrition Services at 402-436-1747. Bilingual Liaisons are also available to assist with communication on preferences.

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.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

We know that this year has been unlike any other. It is important to know and realize that however you are feeling is okay. There are help and resources which are available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 if you are struggling with tough thoughts.

Updated January 12, 2021