April 16, 2021 Weekly Family Upate

Arabic | Karen | Russian | Spanish | Vietnamese

LPS Families,

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

Here is an index to assist you:

Student calendar April 19 – 30

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 19

Tuesday, April 20

  • Classes in session for all students

Wednesday, April 21 

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

Thursday, April 22

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, April 23

  • Classes in session for all students.

Monday, April 26

Tuesday, April 27

  • Classes in session for K-12 students
  • Preschool: no classes
  • K-8 (elementary and middle school): early dismissal

Wednesday, April 28 

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

Thursday, April 29

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, April 30

  • Classes in session for all students

Deadline to switch between remote learning and in-person

May 7 will be the last day families can request for students to switch between remote learning or in-person learning for this school year. The only exception will be for students who have been directed to self-quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19.

If you wish for your child to return to in-person learning for the last two weeks of school, you will need to communicate the change with your school’s office by May 7.

Changes to Remote Learner Meal Distribution

Starting Monday, April 19, students who are participating in remote learning full time can pick up meals at North Star (door 10 on the west side of the building) or Lincoln High (door 3 near Capitol Parkway) from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Just a reminder:

  • The meal distribution is only for students who are learning 100% remotely.  Students attending in person for any portion of their learning are not permitted to purchase meals at these sites.
  • Families can choose either site and students are not required to be present. The person picking up the meals must have the student ID number(s).
  • Due to the pandemic, the USDA is federally funding breakfast and lunch for all students while the federal funding lasts. All LPS students in preschool – 12 grade and the Independence Academy will be offered breakfast and lunch at no charge. LPS will communicate when the program is coming to an end for families to plan around breakfast and lunch purchases.
  • Families must park and enter the building as described on the maps.
  • Face coverings are required.
  • Safety protocols will be in place such as physically distancing cones to space out the line.

Visit our website for more information.

Annual perception survey

LPS staff, students and families will have an opportunity to complete the yearly survey about their experience at their school between April 19-30. This survey will include items about curriculum, instruction, assessment, school culture and climate, student and staff relationships, and student engagement. This will provide feedback to school staff to help improve teaching, learning, and the school environment.

Respondents at the secondary level will also be asked a few questions about their perception of the School Resource Officers that serve their school. The results of this section will be used in the evaluation of the School Resource Officer program which is a requirement of the Safe and Successful Kids Interlocal Agreement.

Staff and families will receive an email from lps-esu18@qualtrics-survey.com with a personalized link to respond. Schools will give students the opportunity to respond during the school day. The results of this survey will be compiled and used in the School Improvement Process and many grant evaluations that Lincoln Public Schools implements.

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/

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.

Special Education

If you were unable to attend Special Education Parent Networking last Thursday, you can watch a recording of the full meeting here.

If you have questions about summer school options for your child, contact your child’s school and the administrator in charge of special education will assist you.

High school vaccine clinics for 16+ and their parents/guardians

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) will host vaccination clinics at high schools to provide the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to students ages 16 through 18 and their families and guardians. Clinics are expected to begin later next week. Dates and locations will be announced as soon as possible.

Families, please check your email for your school-specific registration link. Families are asked to register by Tuesday, April 20.

After registering, and once the clinic times have been set, families will receive an email notifying them to make an appointment.  Families that have difficulty registering or making appointments can contact LLCHD at 402-441-4200 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or health@lincoln.ne.gov.

The clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine, which requires two doses. The second dose will be scheduled three weeks after the first.  The Health Department will operate the clinics at schools with the assistance of community health partners.

Families who have previously registered for clinics on the LLCHD website and want to attend the school clinics must call LLCHD at 402-441-4200 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday for assistance.  Families are asked to make a request to “change my group to my school so I can schedule an appointment”.

Families must also complete permission forms that will be sent from schools.

For more information on COVID-19 vaccine, visit  COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov, call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006 or visit CDC.gov/coronavirus.

Summer Camps and Learning Opportunities

Athletics
Summer Athletic Clinics are offered through all 6 LPS High Schools and are conducted by the individual sport coaches at their respective locations. Clinics are offered in various sports and are available for students entering grades 3-12 for the 2021-2022 school year. Click here for more information.

Summer Technology Program
The Lincoln Public Schools Summer Technology Program is provided for students entering grades 4 through 9 in the fall of 2021. The goal of the program is to provide upper elementary and middle level students a fun, exciting, and challenging opportunity to explore their interest in computers and technology. Click here for more information.

Updated April 19, 2021