March 12, 2021 LPS Weekly Update

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LPS Families,

We hope you had a relaxing quarter break. Please read this week’s update for important information and updates.

Here is an index to assist you:

  • Returning from international travel
  • Student calendar March 15-26
  • Preschool schedule for March 16 and April 13
  • End of high school 3/2 schedule for fourth quarter
  • Senior Convocations
  • High School COVID-19 Testing
  • High School Spring Athletics Spectator Protocols
  • 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.

Student calendar March 15 – 26

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 15

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.

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.

Monday, March 22

Tuesday, March 23

  • Classes in session for all students

Wednesday, March 24 

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

Thursday, March 25

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, March 26

  • Classes in session for all students.

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.

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.

High School COVID-19 Testing

Lincoln Public Schools has agreed once again to participate in a volunteer pilot high school COVID-19 testing project with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Department of Education and the operations team with Test Nebraska. This pilot testing project during the week of March 22 will help local health officials determine the prevalence of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases, and what safety protocols need to be adjusted to further reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. More information will be sent next week from your child’s high school.

LPS High School Spring Athletics Spectator Protocols

LPS has worked with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to develop the following high school spring athletics spectator protocols (subject to change based on current health conditions):

  • All spectators must self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to attending any event. If you answer yes to any of the screening questions, please stay home.
  • Spectators must wear multi-layered face coverings over the mouth and nose the entire time they are at the event.
  • Bleacher seating will be limited for some outdoor venues. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs and should spread out at least 6 feet apart and must be at least 10 feet away from team benches and the playing field.
  • Based on the number of participants competing and the venue capacity based on keeping groups physically distanced, the following number of spectators will be allowed per participant:
    • Baseball – Den Hartog (4), Sherman Field (4), Densmore (4), School Sites (4)
    • Soccer – Seacrest (6), Beechner (6), Speedway (4)
    • Tennis (4)
    • Golf (4)
    • Track (1)
  • Limited concessions may be sold. Individuals may lower their mask to take a bite or drink, but must promptly return the face covering over the mouth and nose in between bites and drinks. No outside food or drink by spectators will be allowed.

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 15, 2021