Chromebook, food distribution and resources for families

Lincoln Public Schools families,

There will be a number of updates we will be sharing with you as we navigate the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Please continue to check your email or our website (lps.org) for this important information. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this.

Elementary Families

You will be receiving instructions Monday morning from your school principal providing links to instructional materials for all students and about student Chromebook pick up for students grades 2-5 on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. We strongly encourage picking up the Chromebook at the times outlined by your school as it will be used for learning if the school closure continues.  

Middle and High School Families

You will be receiving instructions next week from your school on how your students can access classroom instructional materials. Please have your child check their Google Classrooms and student email. Your school will inform you how to pick up your child’s Chromebook if your child has left it at school over spring break.

 

Food Distribution

From Lincoln Public Schools

Our Nutrition Services will provide a sack lunch and breakfast for any LPS student at any of the eight locations beginning Monday, March 16.

Lincoln Public Schools has expanded its previously announced plan for distributing food to children.

There is an additional school site where children (ages 1-18) can pick up meals. Also, the child does NOT need to be an LPS student. LPS Nutrition Services will provide a sack lunch and breakfast for the next day to any child at any of the EIGHT locations listed below:

  • Belmont Elementary School (3425 North 14th St.)
  • Arnold Elementary School (5000 Mike Scholl Street)
  • Hartley Elementary School (730 North 33rd St.)
  • Calvert Elementary School (3709 S. 46th St.)
  • (New) Clinton Elementary (1520 N. 29th St.)
  • Park Middle School (855 South 8th St.)
  • Northeast High School (2635 North 63rd St.)
  • Lincoln High School (2229 J Street)

Following the federal feeding program guidelines, the child needs to be present to pick up the meal. One meal per child will be available 11 a.m. -12:30 p.m. while supplies last.

Food Bank of Lincoln (Food BackPacks and Food Pantries) 

Schools with LPS BackPack Program:
For those families currently receiving BackPacks from the Food Bank of Lincoln, they intend to continue distribution of BackPacks on the regularly scheduled Friday afternoons. They will begin BackPack distributions according to each school’s regularly scheduled dismissal time and continue for 30 minutes.  

School Food Markets:
At this time, Food Markets will temporarily take place outside the school building during the school’s regularly scheduled day and time. To simplify the distribution and increase health and safety, most of the food will come pre-bagged, except produce, bread and meat, which will be bagged onsite. Look for us to be set up in areas close to the front door of your school.

LPS Emergency Pantry:
Following our standard LPS closure policy, the LPS Emergency Pantry will NOT be open while LPS is closed. For more information about accessing the Lincoln Food Bank distribution locations visit their website: https://www.lincolnfoodbank.org/get-food/food-finder/

 

Helping Children Handle the Stress

Watching news reports, spending time on social media, and listening to people discuss their fears about COVID-19 can cause people to feel anxious. This is a particular concern for young people, who may not fully understand or have context for the information they are receiving. 

It is important to remember that children look to trusted adults for how to respond in stressful situations. Adults who remain calm, share factual information, and provide answers that are developmentally appropriate can help young people remain calm also. 

Some key talking points:

  • Pay attention to updates from local health officials but limit the time spent watching, reading, or listening to reports. More than once or twice a day may be excessive.
  • Watch out for conversations that blame the outbreak and spread of the virus on a specific ethnic group. Viruses know no boundaries and COVID-19 affects people of all ethnicities who live in all parts of the world. Challenge misinformation and stereotyping that you see or hear.
  • Social support is important. Be sure that if someone you know is ill, they receive support and reassurance.
  • Do your part to limit the spread of the virus. If you have symptoms, follow the recommendations of health officials and avoid exposing others to the virus.
  • Maintain routines as much as possible. Remember that children need time to relax and play.

Below are links to several articles available that provide suggestions about how to talk with children and youth about this issue. 

 

Updates

We will be updating families through email and on our website (lps.org) all week. On Friday, March 20 we will make another announcement about school for the following week.

Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Updated March 17, 2020