May 21 Weekly Family Update

LPS Families,

Thank you for an amazing school year! Please note, during the summer months we will be transitioning to monthly updates on the last Friday of the month. Of course we will continue to send timely emails with any important information. Our first monthly update will be Friday, May 28, 2021.

Here is an index to assist you:

Graduation Update

We have met with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department following the new Directed Health Measure announcement and have made the following adjustments to the 2021 Graduation Ceremony:

  • There is no limit to the number of guests attending per graduate and no tickets are required. The venue is available at 100% capacity. Guests will be encouraged to physically distance when and where possible.
  • Face coverings will be OPTIONAL for any one fully vaccinated. Face coverings will be REQUIRED for any one NOT fully vaccinated. According to the CDC, in general people are considered fully vaccinated:
    • Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
    • Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends you keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

Other reminders about graduation:

  • Before leaving home, everyone must complete the symptom self-screening. If you answer yes to any of the self-screen questions, please stay home.
  • Doors will open to the public one hour before the ceremony. Students will report to the main floor 30 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
  • In addition to the north doors, you can enter the main doors on the south side of Pinnacle Bank Arena (off R Street) and follow directions to the seating area.
  • Paid parking is available in the parking garages near Pinnacle Bank Arena to the south.
  • Free parking is available to the North in the Festival Space Parking or the Saltdogs Stadium Parking. You will have access to enter on the north side when walking across the Lincoln Pedestrian Bridge.
  • In order to maintain a safe and secure environment, Pinnacle Bank Arena will enforce its Clear Bag Policy during Lincoln Public Schools graduation ceremonies.
  • When students arrive, they will find their name card on their assigned chair (alphabetical order) and have a seat. Staff will be available to assist students.
  • Students, when directed, will take the card on their chair with them to the stage and hand it to the pronouncer as they enter the stage. Students will be able to briefly remove their mask as they cross the stage to receive their diplomas.
  • All graduation ceremonies will be livestreamed on the Lincoln Public Schools website and the LNK TV Education Channel.

Graduation Schedule:

Friday, May 28, 2021
6:00 PM – Lincoln High

Saturday, May 29, 2021
8:30 AM – Lincoln Southeast
12:30 PM – Lincoln Northeast
4:30 PM – Lincoln Southwest

Sunday, May 30, 2021
12:00 PM – Lincoln North Star
4:00 PM – Lincoln East

LPS Summer Learning Website

LPS encourages families to keep kids learning all summer long! Visit the LPS Summer Learning website (lps.org/summerlearning) for activities to help students practice skills and continue reading and learning throughout the summer. Check your elementary students backpack for the special Summer Edition Community News for detailed information about our LPS digital libraries and free summer learning options available to all students.

Digital Citizenship Tips for Families

  • At Lincoln Public Schools, we regularly have lessons on digital citizenship for our students. Families, we are asking for your help in reinforcing these lessons at home.
  • Encourage and model kindness online.
  • Choose quality. Look for sites, shows, apps, and games that are age-appropriate and engage kids in problem-solving, creating, and learning.
  • Watch, listen and play together so you can talk about what they see and hear.
  • Be their role model and use media the way you want your kids to use it. Put your device away while driving and at meal times.
  • Balance tech time with other activities.
  • Set up time limits and tech-free spaces in your home.
  • For more information, go to commonsensemedia.org.

Please note: Many social sites (like Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat, Twitter and TikTok) have an age minimum of 13 for both legal and safety/privacy reasons. Encourage kids to stick with age-appropriate sites. Learn more at commonsensemedia.org/social-media.

Jobs and Extended Learning Opportunities (JELO)

Is your child looking for a job or other extended learning opportunity? Students can use their Chromebook or LPS Student Portal account 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. We update the board every Wednesday afternoon.

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. Please note: anyone outside of the LPS network or without LPS Portal access will not be able to access the eBulletin board.

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/

Early Childhood Home Visits

Families, please watch your email for a message next week regarding new procedures for staff conducting visits in your home.

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.

MyLink – Need Resources? Find it here!

Find information about rent assistance, utility assistance, food, employment, family programs, and much more! MyLink is a website (https://mylnk.app) and a mobile app (for Apple and Android – search MyLink) with 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.

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.

LPS athletic camps will adhere to the new face coverings protocols while they are at LPS facilities (see the reminder below.) For participants that are required to wear face coverings, they will be able to remove their face coverings while participating in vigorous activities during training sessions.

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 

Watch the Ada Robinson Elementary Groundbreaking Livestream

On Sunday, May 23, at 2:00 p.m. we will hold a special groundbreaking ceremony for the new Ada Robinson Elementary School. You can watch the full ceremony LIVE on lps.org, the LPS Facebook Page, or on the LPS YouTube Channel.

Lincoln Board of Education Regular Meeting – May 25, 2021

The Lincoln Board of Education will meet for its regular board meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, at Lincoln Public Schools District Office, 5905 O St. The meeting will take place in the boardroom. Members of the public and media may access the meetings via live video streaming or by physically attending the meetings, which are subject to all national, state and local limitations on public gatherings associated with COVID-19. The agenda can be found here: lps.org/board.

You can watch the board meeting via livestream in several ways:

Reminder: Pandemic Protocol Changes

With the new Directed Health Measures from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department announced on May 18, Lincoln Public Schools has made the following adjustments to our building protocols beginning Friday, May 21. We will continue to monitor community conditions and work with the health department to make adjustments as needed. You can learn more about our Pandemic Protocols on our website: lps.org/coronavirus.

Face coverings

Face Covering Expectations : May 21 through August 13, 2021*
The Lincoln Public Schools plan for face coverings is based on recommendations from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, the current local Directed Health Measure, and follows the current CDC guidance for schools.

Vaccination status is based on a self-identified system.  Staff and students will make the determination to wear a face covering based on their vaccination status.**

According to the CDC, in general people are considered fully vaccinated:

  • Two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. The CDC recommends you keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.

Grade

Students

Staff**
PreK-5 Face Covering Required Fully Vaccinated =
Face Covering OptionalUnvaccinated = Face Covering Required
6-8 Face Covering Required Fully Vaccinated =
Face Covering OptionalUnvaccinated = Face Covering Required
9-12 Fully Vaccinated =
Face Covering OptionalUnvaccinated = Face Covering Required		 Fully Vaccinated =
Face Covering OptionalUnvaccinated = Face Covering Required
LPSDO/Other Locations Fully Vaccinated =
Face Covering OptionalUnvaccinated = Face Covering Required
 

OTHER
Volunteers Permitted.
Full Vaccinated = Face Covering Optional**Unvaccinated = Face Covering Required
Visitors Permitted.
Full Vaccinated = Face Covering Optional**Unvaccinated = Face Covering Required
Professional Learning Sessions or Meetings Full Vaccinated = Face Covering Optional

Unvaccinated = Face Covering Required

*Subject to change based on review and current conditions.
**Proof of vaccination may be required in individual circumstances.

Volunteers and Visitors

Volunteers and visitors are welcome in our school buildings*. All guests must adhere to the face covering protocols:

  • Fully Vaccinated** = Face Covering Optional
  • Unvaccinated = Face Covering Required

*Subject to change based on review and current conditions.
**Proof of vaccination may be required.

Communications about positive COVID-19 cases

With the conclusion of the school year, you will no longer be receiving emails about positive cases within the school building. You can still track LPS positivity rates on our website: lps.org/coronavirus or via the LLCHD website at covid19.lincoln.ne.gov. LLCHD and LPS health office staff will continue to notify families and staff who are identified as close contacts with a positive COVID-19 case.

Updated June 25, 2021