April 2, 2021 Weekly Update

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LPS Families,

Please read this week’s update for important information and updates.

Here is an index to assist you:

  • Student calendar April 5 – 16
  • Elementary school end-of-year events
  • High school reading courses
  • Special Education Parent Networking Meeting
  • Project Extra Mile Walk – VIRTUAL
  • 2021-22 Kindergarten Registration now open
  • 2021-22 Preschool Application now open
  • Community Multicultural Advisory Taskforce
  • City of Lincoln rent and utility assistance
  • Support for families

Student calendar April 5 – 16

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, April 5

  • PreK-5 (elementary school): No classes, teacher plan day
  • 6-12 (middle and high school): Classes in session
  • Remote Learner Meal Distribution (Click here for more information)

Tuesday, April 6

  • PreK-8 (elementary and middle school): Classes in session for students
  • High School: 11th grade only for ACT, no school for grades 9, 10, 12

Wednesday, April 7 

  • Classes in session for all students
  • High school: Early dismissal

Thursday, April 8

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, April 9

  • Classes in session for all students.

Monday, April 12

Tuesday, April 13

  • Classes in session for all students
  • K-8 (elementary and middle school): early dismissal
  • No morning prekindergarten classes. Full day Prekindergarten classes on a shortened schedule.  Afternoon prekindergarten classes attend on a morning schedule.

Wednesday, April 14 

  • Classes in session for all students
  • High school: Early dismissal

Thursday, April 15

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, April 16

  • Classes in session for all students.

Elementary school end-of-year events

Traditional end-of-year school events, particularly for fifth graders, remain an important part of the educational experience. Elementary schools are currently planning traditional end-of-year activities within the framework of the Lincoln Public Schools pandemic plan and in collaboration with Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department guidelines.  Due to capacity limitations, elementary schools cannot host events with outside visitors.  Individual schools will be communicating plans to parents throughout the remainder of the semester. As always, the primary goal is to provide safe, fun, memorable experiences for students as they end the school year.


High school reading courses

High school reading courses for the 21-22 school year are changing. If this impacts your child, you will receive a letter from Lincoln Public Schools.


Special Education Parent Networking Meeting

Special Education Parent Networking Meeting will be held next Thursday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. Please contact Payton Eickhoff at 402-436-1905 or peickhof@lps.org to RSVP and receive the Zoom link.  We will be discussing summer opportunities for students.


Project Extra Mile Walk – VIRTUAL

The Extra Mile Walk is a collaboration between LPS and the Food Bank of Lincoln to raise money for LPS’s BackPack program and Food Markets. This year, the walk will be completely virtual during April 26-30.

You can donate online and learn more about the virtual event on the Extra Mile Walk website. 


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.

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


Community Multicultural Advisory Taskforce

Lincoln Public Schools continues to embrace equity, inclusion, and the value of diversity. We acknowledge that in schools across the country, including at LPS, the outcomes for all of our students are not equitable. At LPS, we will continue to identify and address practices that are contributing to these inequitable outcomes.

You are invited to join a virtual meeting of the Community Multicultural Advisory Taskforce on Friday, April 9, from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. This month’s topic includes “Community Partnerships with Cultural Centers”. Click this Zoom link on Friday, April 9, at 3:30 p.m. to join the meeting. You can find the full meeting agenda here.


City of Lincoln rent and utility assistance

If the pandemic has prevented you from paying for housing and utilities, financial assistance from the City of Lincoln may be available to you. Money to pay for gas, electricity and water bills, and rent payments is available now to those who qualify. These funds do not have to be repaid. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines, and need must be a result of COVID-19.

For more information, go to lincoln.ne.gov/rent.


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.