April 30, 2021 Weekly Update

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LPS Families,

It’s hard to believe we only have four weeks of school left. Please read this week’s update for important information and updates.

Here is an index to assist you:

  • Student calendar May 3 – 14
  • Summer School
  • Deadline to switch between remote learning and in-person
  • 2021-22 Remote Learning Program: Enrollment Period Open
  • Graduation Ceremony Update
  • Middle School Virtual Tours for 5th grade students
  • 2021-22 Kindergarten Registration now open
  • 2021-22 Preschool Application now open
  • City of Lincoln rent and utility assistance
  • Support for families
  • Summer Camps and Learning Opportunities
  • Independence Academy

Student calendar May 3 – 7

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, May 3

Tuesday, May 4

  • Classes in session for all students

Wednesday, May 5 

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

Thursday, May 6

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, May 7

  • Classes in session for all students.

Monday, May 10

Tuesday, May 11

  • Classes in session for all students

Wednesday, May 12 

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

Thursday, May 13

  • Classes in session for all students

Friday, May 14

  • Classes in session for all students.

Summer School for High School Students

High school summer school classes in the Lincoln Public Schools have been planned to cover a wide range of course offerings for students grades 9-12. The summer school program provides an opportunity for all high school students to continue their learning during the summer and earn additional credit.

High school summer school is open to students who were in grades 9-12 during the 2020-2021 school year. Students who have received a high school diploma or General Equivalency Certificate are NOT eligible to participate in summer school. Students who are expelled from school are not eligible to register for summer school. All students are encouraged to talk with their school counselor regarding appropriate course selections.

For more information about summer school, go to: https://summerschool.lps.org/

Deadline to switch between remote learning and in-person for this school year

May 7 will be the last day students can 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.

Each year, our schools plan many different activities to celebrate the year that requires extensive planning.  To remain consistent with our current COVID-19 safety protocols, students who are 100% remote learning will not be permitted to come to school during the school day just for these activities and end of the year celebrations. Every effort will be made by our schools to provide end of the year experiences for remote learners.

If you wish your remote learner to return to in-person learning for the remainder of the school year, please contact your school office to make the request. Again, the deadline for the switch is May 7.

Enrollment Period Open: 2021-22 Remote Learning Program

On May 3, we will open enrollment again for the 2021-22 Remote Learning Program to allow families to select the remote learning option for the next fall. The deadline to enroll will be Friday, May 7. Please check your inbox on Monday, May 3.

Graduation Ceremony Update

Lincoln Public Schools has worked with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and Pinnacle Bank Arena to update graduation attendance in light of the recent changes to the Directed Health Measure. Tickets will no longer be needed to attend graduation and admission will be general seating. It will be first come, first serve up to 75% capacity. Spectators will still be required to wear face masks while inside PBA attending the graduation ceremony, and groups are encouraged to practice physical distancing as much as possible. The ceremony will also be livestreamed. More information with updates from your high school will be sent soon.

Middle School Virtual Tours for 5th grade students

Each middle school has created transition information videos welcoming fifth grade students to their new building. This will give students the best introduction possible to their new surroundings for the next three years. You can access these videos by going to the website of your new school. We encourage you to sit down with your student to watch and review it together.

The first day of school for students next fall is Monday, August 16, 2021. This will be just for sixth grade students at the middle school so they can get acclimated to the new building without the 7th and 8th graders in attendance.

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.

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.

Independence Academy

Graduation for students who are graduating from Independence Academy will be held on Wednesday, May 19, at The Career Academy at 6:30 p.m. Each student will receive 2 tickets for guests. The program will also be live streamed on the LPS website (lps.org) and on YouTube at bit.ly/LPSLive.

For incoming Independence Academy students a family orientation night will be held on May 11, at 5 p.m. via zoom. RSVP to Caitlin Marrow at cmarrow@lps.org to receive the link.  All previous orientation dates have been changed to this one orientation night.  If you cannot attend, the meeting will be recorded and put in the parent weekly message on May 13.

 

Updated May 4, 2021