May 28, 2021 Monthly Update

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LPS Families,

During the summer we will be sending you a monthly update on the last Friday of the month. Below are important updates for you and a preview of the family monthly update.

This weekend we celebrate approximately 2,790 graduating seniors in six ceremonies as they walk across the stage at Pinnacle Bank Arena to receive their hard-earned diplomas. Be sure to catch our livestream on the LPS website (lps.org)! For those attending the ceremonies at Pinnacle Bank Arena, face coverings will be OPTIONAL for anyone fully vaccinated. Face coverings will be REQUIRED for anyone NOT fully vaccinated. There will be a face coverings-only seating area (section 112) for high risk individuals and those who only want to be around individuals wearing face coverings.

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

Here is an index to assist you:

  • LPS Summer Learning Website
  • 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
  • MyLNK
  • Special Education Parents Information Network meeting
  • Upcoming LLCHD COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

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.

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/

Preschool Family Survey

We would like your feedback regarding your child’s preschool experience this school year. The information you provide will help us to plan for next year. Your responses will be combined with the responses of others, and no identifying information will be shared.  We appreciate you taking the time to complete this brief survey. Please complete by May 28, 2021. Click here to take the survey. 

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
  • 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.

Special Education Parents Information Network Meeting

You are invited to the virtual summer Special Education Parents Information Network meeting on June 7, 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 

Upcoming LLCHD COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

COVID-19 vaccine helps protect you and the ones you love and is a critical tool that will help end this pandemic.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is hosting several area vaccination clinics (Everyone 12 years old and up is eligible to get vaccinated):

  • May 27: Lancaster Event Center – 9:00 am to noon
  • June 2: Havelock Social Hall – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
  • June 2: City Impact – 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm
  • June 4: Center For People in Need – 1:30 – 6:30 pm
  • June 6: Cristo Rey Church – 1:30 – 4:30 pm
  • June 8 : F Street Rec Center – 4- 6:30 pm
  • And, the Health Department has clinics from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Mondays and Fridays

Sign up and schedule an appointment online at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Walk-ins are also welcome. For registration and scheduling assistance call 402-441-8006.

For more information about safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and answers to common questions, please see the helpful resources below:

Updated June 25, 2021