March 5, 2021 LPS Weekly Family Update

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LPS Families,

Just a reminder there are no classes next week for the quarter break. There will also not be a Remote Learner Meal Distribution next week.

This week’s update will be brief, and we will send you another update next Friday with information you will need for fourth quarter.

Here is an index to assist you:

  • Returning from international travel
  • Preschool schedule for March 16 and April 13
  • End of High School A/B schedule
  • Senior Convocations
  • NSCAS and NSCAS Alternate Testing of Remote Learners
  • Support for families

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.

Preschool schedule for March 16 and April 13

On Tuesday, March 16, and Tuesday, April 13, there will be no morning preschool sessions.  Afternoon classes will be in session, but will follow the morning preschool schedule. Your preschool child’s schedule for those days will be sent to you directly next week.

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.

Senior Convocations

We are currently working with the health department to determine how we can safely conduct senior convocations this spring. More information will be shared by high schools soon.

NSCAS and NSCAS Alternate Testing of Remote Learners

We are preparing for the NSCAS tests (state achievement tests) in grades 3-8 and the ACT in grade 11. We want to provide all students the opportunity to participate in these assessments as required by state and federal law. Test results provide potentially useful information for schools, districts, state, and national policy makers. The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) does not allow the NSCAS and ACT tests to be administered remotely, so if you want your student to participate, you will need to make arrangements for in-school testing. For the 2020-21 school year only, districts and schools will not be penalized if parents of remote students choose not to have their students participate because of concern for exposure to COVID-19. You will receive communication from your child’s school with information about the schedule for testing and who to contact if you wish to bring your student to school to participate in NSCAS testing.

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 8, 2021