February 26, 2021 Weekly Family Update

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LPS Families,

Today’s email contains important information for families. Here is an index to assist you:

  • Student calendar March 5 – 19
  • End of High School A/B schedule
  • FREE meals distribution for 100% remote learners
  • Special Education and the Remote Learning Program
  • 2021-22 Kindergarten Registration now open
  • 2021-22 Preschool Application now open
  • Returning from international travel
  • Support for families

Student calendar Feb. 22 – March 5

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, March 1

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

Tuesday, March 2

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

Wednesday, March 3 

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

Thursday, March 4

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

Friday, March 5

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

March 6 – 14
Quarter Break – No School

Monday, March 15

  • Classes in session for all students
  • Remote Learner Meal Distribution

Tuesday, March 16

  • Classes in session for all students
  • K-8: early dismissal
  • No morning prekindergarten classes. Full day Prekindergarten classes on a shortened schedule.  Afternoon prekindergarten classes attend on a morning schedule (please watch for a separate message with more information about the March 16 schedule for PreKindergarten.)

Wednesday, March 17 

  • Classes in session for all students
  • High School: early dismissal

Thursday, March 18

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, March 19

  • Classes in session for all students.

End of high school 3/2 schedule for fourth quarter

Beginning March 15, all high school students will either be full time in-person or 100% remote. High school early release days will remain on Wednesdays for the rest of the school year.

If you want to move your student to 100% remote learning

High school families who wish to switch to 100% Remote Learning for fourth quarter will need to fill out the Remote Learning Request Form by Friday, March 5. The request form can be found here: http://lps.org/remoteform.

If your student is already 100% remote and wants to stay remote

There is nothing you need to do. Just continue attending classes remotely.

If your student is already 100% remote and wants to switch to in-person

Call your school’s registrar to indicate your student will return to classes in-person fourth quarter.

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, March 1, 2021. 

Go to our website for more information.

Special Education and the Remote Learning Program

If your child with a disability is registered for the 2021-22 Remote Learning Program and you have been informed that an IEP needs to be scheduled, a Special Education administrator will be contacting you soon. An IEP will be scheduled between now and the beginning of April.  If you have questions, please contact Dr. Jenny Fundus at 402-436-1919.

2021-22 Kindergarten Registration now open

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.

2021-22 Preschool Application now open

Our preschool program is located in many of the elementary schools across the district.  Children who are at least 3 years of age on or before July 31, 2021 and who have not yet turned five as of July 31, 2021, are eligible to apply.

At this time we are accepting 2021-2022 preschool applications and necessary documentation online, by email, fax or mail. You may also complete and submit an application and required documents by visiting our office, located at 300 S. 48th Street (enter door #2). Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We offer extended hours on:

  • Thursday, March 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

For more information and to download the application, please visit our website: https://home.lps.org/earlychildhood/preschool-application/

Returning from International Travel

Lincoln Public Schools is following the current requirements, recommendations and guidelines from the CDC, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) regarding international travel.  The full listing of the requirements, recommendations and guidelines can be found at the links listed below:

CDC, DHHS, LLCHD and LPS Requirements

Individuals who travel outside of the United States (by car, plane, boat, or train) are required to stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after international travel.

  •  Returning international travelers will need to be tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home and self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. (Even if you test negative, stay home and self-quarantine for the full 7 days.)
  • If the test is positive, individuals need to isolate themselves to protect others from getting infected.
  • ​If an individual is not tested after returning from international travel, they need to stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel into the US.

Support for families

We know this year has been unlike any other. It is important to know that there are people who can help if you or a family member is struggling. Here are some resources you can contact any time of the day or night, any day of the year:

  • CenterPointe Helpline (Lincoln): 402-475-6695; Youth and Family Services 402-475-5161 ext. 547; email: youthandfamily@centerpointe.org; walk-in services at 1000 S. 13th Street.
  • Bryan Health: bryanhealth.com – search Counseling
  • Nebraska Family Helpline: 1-888-866-8660
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
  • Your Life Your Voice (Boys Town)  1-800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121 (text charges from your phone carrier may apply)
  • Lincoln Police Department: Emergency: 911; Non-Emergency: 402-441-6000
  • MyLink is a website (https://mylnk.app) and a mobile app (for Apple and Android – search MyLink) that has information about community resources. It can be downloaded in a wi-fi environment and then used when wi-fi is not available. Translations are provided in Arabic, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
  • Mental Health 101 recordings from Blue Valley Behavioral Health – accessible by clicking this link.

There is a great deal of information online. As you search for topics of interest, remember to consider the source and make sure you are getting information that is accurate and reliable.

Updated March 4, 2021