May 14 Weekly Family Update

Arabic | Karen | Russian | Spanish | Vietnamese

LPS Families,

Just a reminder that next week is the last week of school! Please read this week’s update for important information and updates.

Do we have your most updated contact information? Please make sure to contact your child’s school with any updates to email addresses and phone numbers to ensure you continue to receive important updates throughout the summer.

Here is an index to assist you:

  • Student calendar May 17 – 21
  • Jobs and Extended Learning Opportunities (JELO)
  • 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
  • Special Education Parents Information Network meeting
  • COVID-19 vaccine now available for children ages 12-15

Student calendar May 17 – 21

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:

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Monday, May 17

Tuesday, May 18

  • Classes in session for all students

Wednesday, May 19 

  • Classes in session for all students

Thursday, May 20

  • Classes in session for all students – LAST DAY

Friday, May 21

  • NO SCHOOL

Jobs and Extended Learning Opportunities (JELO)

Is your child looking for a job or other extended learning opportunity? Students can use their Chromebook to check out our electronic bulletin board by going to lps.org and typing in the keyword “JELO”. (Students must be logged in to their LPS Student Portal to view the board.)

Students in grades 6-12 will find information about a wide variety of opportunities available. This includes camps, jobs and internships.

Are you a business or organization wanting to share your opportunities with LPS students?

If so, please enter the information about your program/opportunity here:  www.bit.ly/stujobslps

Once you submit the information on the form, we will review it to ensure that it fits with our Board policies and regulations before we post it to the electronic bulletin board. Once an opportunity is posted, students in all middle and high schools are easily able to access the information through their Chromebooks.

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/

Families of Preschoolers

Next week, you will receive an email survey.  The survey is an opportunity to gather feedback from you on the experiences of you and your family during the pandemic.

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 was held on May 11. If you were unable to attend the event you can watch the presentation here.

Special Education Parents Information Network Meeting

You are invited to the virtual summer Special Education Parents Information Network meeting on June 7th, 2021 from 5:00-5:45. All families of K-12 students who receive special education services are invited to this opportunity. Please RSVP by June 4th if you plan to attend.

The agenda for this meeting includes:

  • Learn more about Special Education summer services from Dr. Jenny Fundus and Dr. Mindy Roberts
  • Presentation by Dr. Jenny Fundus and Dr. Linda Hix on the LPS Learning Acceleration Plan for summer and the 2021-2022 school year
  • An opportunity to provide feedback and comments to LPS staff on the LPS Learning Acceleration Plan presented
  • Please share your ideas about other student needs related to the pandemic that LPS should consider

Please contact Payton Eickhoff by email peickhof@lps.org or by calling 402-436-1905 if you wish to attend this virtual meeting. We will send you a link to the Zoom meeting after you have RSVP for the meeting.

We would also like your feedback on the format and content of our meetings that will be held during the 2021-2022 school year.  Please complete the following survey: Parent Information Networking Input Form 2021-2022 

COVID-19 vaccine now available for children ages 12-15

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) announced it will now offer COVID-19 vaccinations to children ages 12 through 15.

COVID-19 vaccine benefits people in every age group, including those ages 12 through 15, by providing protection against the virus, preventing illness, and saving lives. It helps slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in our community.  LLCHD has opened appointments at upcoming clinics to the 12- through 15-year-old age group. Parents and guardians can schedule online at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Those who are already in the registration system will be contacted to schedule an appointment. People who don’t have online access or need assistance can call 402-441-8006.

Upcoming clinics include:

  • Friday, May 14, Pinnacle Bank Arena
  • Saturday, May 15, Pinnacle Bank Arena
  • Monday May 17, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department
  • Tuesday, May 18, “F” Street Community Center
  • Thursday, May 20, Pinnacle Bank Arena
  • Friday, May 21, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department

Check COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov for availability and additional vaccination opportunities.

Please note: All minor children 18 years old and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when receiving the vaccine. Other vaccines should not be given two weeks before or two weeks after receiving COVID-19 vaccine.

Updated May 21, 2021