July 30 Monthly Update

LPS families,

Below are important reminders and information for you as we prepare for the 2021-22 school year. Starting next week, we will be sending weekly updates to you on Friday evenings to help keep you up-to-date with the latest information. We will also continue to send updates about the Safe Return to School Plan as we update our website.

Here is an index to assist you:

  • REMINDER: 2021-22 LPS Safe Return to School Plan in effect August 2
  • Face Coverings Exemption Process
  • REMINDER: Complete Student Online Registration Verification
  • Student Calendar: August 16 – 27
  • Student Meals – FREE
  • Update on Visitors in Schools
  • 2021-22 LPS Athletic Passes and Tickets
  • Elementary School Supplies
  • Review Proposed Attendance Area Changes and Provide Feedback
  • LPS is Hiring!
  • LLCHD Information About COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

REMINDER: 2021-22 LPS Safe Return to School Plan in effect August 2

Just a reminder that starting Monday, August 2, LPS will utilize the 2021-22 LPS Safe Return to School Plan found on our website: lps.org/safereturn. LPS will continuously review and update the 2021-22 LPS Safe Return to School Plan throughout the school year as the risk of COVID-19 spread in our community changes. This work will be ongoing as new research emerges and more guidance is provided to the school district from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and the U.S. Department of Education. Any changes to our plan and protocols will be communicated ahead of time through the website, email and social media.

Face Coverings Exemption Process

For K-12 Students

CDC federal public transportation requirements state that drivers, paraprofessionals and passengers (students and staff) MUST wear face coverings on all school buses. This includes all school activity and athletic buses. Students who were granted a face covering exemption last school year will be exempt from this requirement for the 21-22 school year. The criteria for face covering exemptions are below.

Medical issues that are documented in the student’s emergency health plan, OR Individual Health Plan (IHP):

  1. Students who require oral suctioning
  2. Students on a ventilator
  3. Students who have a trach
  4. Students who frequently secrete bodily fluids from the eyes, nose, and/or mouth.

Significant behavioral needs that are documented in the student’s Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) or 504:

  1. Students for whom face coverings may cause on-going significant distress that cannot not be remedied through teaching, problem solving, or other accommodations.
  2. Students for whom significant distress may disrupt education, or whose distress may disrupt the education of others.
  3. Students with a history of issues concerning restrictive clothing, close spaces, or high anxiety, or with other data supporting significant student distress.

If your child does not have an exemption and you believe they meet the criteria outlined above, please fill out this form.

For Preschool Students

Due to the CDC federal public transportation requirements, all school bus passengers are required to wear a face covering, including preschoolers. We recognize that some preschoolers may be exempt from the face covering requirement.  The criteria for face covering exemptions are below.

  • Children with documented (in the child’s school records or from information obtained from the family from the child’s physician or medical provider) medical conditions, which may include: Asthma, lung disease, tracheostomy, ventilator or children for who are oxygen dependent or require oxygen levels to be checked throughout the school day.
  • Children with other conditions, which may include:
    • Sensory impairments and issues for which the face covering may cause on-going significant distress that cannot be remedied through teaching, practice and support and may disrupt.  This distress may disrupt the child’s participation in preschool or the participation of others;
    • Children who secrete bodily fluids from their eyes, nose, and/or mouth;
    • Autism; or
    • Children who are unable to physically remove the face covering or are not able to communicate a need to remove the face covering because the face covering presents a choking or strangulation hazard.

Preschoolers who were determined to be exempt from the face covering requirement in the 2020-21 school year, remain exempt and no further action is needed.  Their exemption status will be communicated to the LPS Transportation Department.

If you would like to request consideration for a face covering exemption for your preschooler or have questions, please contact the Early Childhood Office at 402-436-1995.

Update on Visitors in Schools

During regular school hours, volunteers, visitors and families are welcome in our school buildings as long as they either wear a face covering at all times or provide proof that they are fully vaccinated.

Update: All visitors (vaccinated or unvaccinated) will not be able to sit in the cafeteria or eat lunch with students as face coverings will be removed while eating.

REMINDER: Complete Student Online Registration Verification

Please complete the Online Registration Verification through ParentVue if you have not already done so. It is important we have the most up-to-date contact information for you in the event of an emergency.

Please visit https://synergyvue.lps.org/ to access and log in to your ParentVUE account. Once you have logged in, select the Online Registration button in the upper right corner, and follow the prompts to update and verify your information. It is important that you complete this task as soon as possible.

If you have previously used your ParentVUE account, but can’t remember your password, you can reset it online at https://synergyvue.lps.org/. If you have not yet activated your LPS ParentVUE account, please contact the main office of your child’s school for instructions and an activation key.

If you have questions or need help with completing these steps, please contact your child’s school.

Student Calendar: August 16 – 27

Monday, August 16

  • First day of school for students in grades K-5, 6, and 9
  • PLC schedule for all schools (early release)

Tuesday, August 17

  • Classes in session for all students grades K-12
  • PLC schedule for all schools (early release)

Wednesday, August 18

  • Classes in session for all students grades K-12
  • PLC schedule for all schools (early release)

Thursday, August 19

  • First day of school for PreK students
  • Classes in session for all students grades K-12

Friday, August 20

  • Classes in session for all students grades PreK-12

Monday, August 23

  • Classes in session for all students grades PreK-12

Tuesday, August 24

  • Classes in session for all students grades PreK-12
  • PLC schedule for high school students (early release)

Wednesday, August 25

  • Classes in session for all students grades PreK-12

Thursday, August 26

  • Classes in session for all students grades PreK-12

Friday, August 27

  • Classes in session for all students grades PreK-12

Student Meals – FREE

Effective for the 2021-22 school year, Lincoln Public Schools will serve meals at no charge to enrolled students. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved use of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO), which allows local school districts to provide no-cost meals to all enrolled students for the duration of the 2021-22 school year.

To receive the school meal at no charge:

  • The student must select a serving of fruit or vegetable plus at least two other components of the meal (meat, grain, milk, fruit, vegetable).
  • Failing to take a fruit or vegetable plus two other food components will lead to the student being charged a la carte pricing.
  • A student selecting pizza and milk would need to pay for these food items since there is no fruit or vegetable.
  • A student may select all five components of the meal.
  • A la carte food items including milk and second entrees will still be available to purchase with money in the meal account or cash.

Families are still encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application to qualify for P-EBT payments, scholarships, and fee waivers for school activities and classes like drivers education and ACT prep courses. 

2021-2022 USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines

In order to qualify for benefits, your household income must be within the limits defined by the 2021-2022 School Year USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines:

Total Family Size

Annually

Monthly

Weekly

1

$23,828

$1,986

$459

2

$32,227

$2686

$620

3

$40,626

$3,386

$782

4

$49,025

$4,086

$943

5

$57,424

$4,786

$1,105

6

$65,823

$5,486

$1,266

7

$74,222

$6,186

$1,589

Each additional person

$8,399

$700

$162

Access the Free and Reduced Lunch Application on our website: https://home.lps.org/ns/free-reduced/.

2021-22 LPS Athletic Passes and Tickets

Lincoln Public Schools is moving to a paperless athletic event ticketing system for the 2021-22 school year. Individuals can still purchase passes or ticket books at their school or the LPS District Office. Tickets and admission will no longer be sold at the gate.

Passes and ticket books may be purchased online, or in-person at any of the six high schools or the District Office. Passes and ticket books purchased online must be picked up at the school during business hours with a copy of the receipt. Individual event tickets must be purchased at GoFan and presented on a mobile device at the gate.

For more information, go to home.lps.org/athletics/prices.

Elementary School Supplies

Traditionally, one of the rituals families participate in as they prepare for the new school year is to purchase school supplies. In accordance with the Nebraska Constitution and state and federal law, Lincoln Public Schools provides a free, public education to all students. This generally means the district provides the supplies needed for instruction at no cost to students. This includes textbooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, glue, scissors, paper, notebooks, tissues, etc. For this reason, please do not send school supplies for your child’s individual use at school.

You are NOT required to purchase any of these items, but you may wish to purchase and donate some items to your child’s classroom. We ask that you do not put your child’s name on any items. All items purchased will be graciously accepted as a donation to the school and will be shared by all students within the classroom. Please refer to our school website for suggestions.

Review Proposed Attendance Area Changes and Provide Feedback

The opening of three new schools gives the Lincoln Board of Education the unique opportunity to review projected city growth and adjust current school attendance boundaries to fully and efficiently utilize existing and future building space.

You are invited to visit our special webpage to review the proposed changes and provide feedback throughout the summer. Then join us for one of four public forums in August:

  • August 3, 5:00 p.m. – Scott Middle School
  • August 4, 5:00 p.m. – Meadow Lane Elementary School
  • August 5, 5:00 p.m. – Arnold Elementary School
  • August 9, 12 p.m. (noon) – Virtually by clicking on this link

LPS is Hiring!

Lincoln Public Schools is now hiring staff in multiple areas to work in schools during the 2021-22 school year. LPS has openings for food services employees in schools, custodians, both bus and classroom paras, as well as various office staff.

No matter what area, you’ll be joining a thriving school district that offers excellent benefits and salaries, job security and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

You can learn more about all of the available positions and apply here.

LLCHD Information About COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department provides the following information below about the COVID-19 vaccine.

Everyone 12 years old and up is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Sign up and schedule an appointment online at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. For registration and scheduling assistance call 402-441-8006.

Upcoming LLCHD Clinics:

  • August 10, The Salvation Army from 4 – 6 p.m.
  • August 12, First United Methodist Church from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
  • August 13, the Gathering Place from 4-6 p.m.
  • August 15, Malone Center at St. Paul United Methodist Church (12th & M) from 1 – 3 p.m.
  • August 19, Calvert Rec Center from 4 – 6 p.m.
  • August 25, Wesleyan University from 3 – 5 p.m.
  • August 31, The Salvation Army from 4 – 6 p.m.

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

Learn more on the LLCHD website.

Updated July 30, 2021