December 27th Monthly Update

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LPS families,

We continue to share important district information and reminders via email with all of our families on the last Friday of each month throughout the school year.

Here is an index to help you navigate this month’s reminders:

A high school student and four middle school students stand around a table working on an activity.
Students from Northeast High School and North Star High School traveled to Omaha for the SkillsUSA Nebraska Middle School Skills Championships. These students oversaw several career exploration breakout sessions to students from across eastern Nebraska.

In This Message...

Information for All Families

Every Day Counts: A new semester, a new goal

Now is the time for you and your child to set a New Year’s goal for regular school attendance with the start of a new semester!

We value your partnership and know you also want your child to succeed. Let’s work together to ensure your student regularly attends school! Here are ways you can help:

  • Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep. Set regular bedtime routines and stick to them. 
  • Breakfast fuels your child’s brain and jumpstarts their day of learning. Check out your school’s breakfast program as one option.
  • Assist your child in preparing their outfit and school items the night before so they can get to school on time and do not feel rushed or frustrated.
  • Take steps to keep your child healthy and make sure they have the required immunizations.
  • Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Identify a family member, a neighbor, or another parent you can call for help in getting your child to school.
  • Try to schedule non-urgent related medical appointments and extended trips when school isn’t in session. You can find the 2024-2025 LPS Student Calendar here.
  • If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors and other parents for advice on how to make your child feel comfortable and excited about learning.
  • Work with the school to find opportunities for your child to get involved in a school activity or club to help build excitement in attending school. 
  • Reach out to school staff if you need help eliminating barriers for your child to attend school regularly.

Every Day Counts when it comes to your child being successful in school!

Warning about Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

We want to make you aware that pertussis (whooping cough) is currently circulating in the community. This contagious respiratory illness can cause severe coughing fits, making it hard to breathe and is treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy.  Common signs and symptoms include:

  • Severe coughing, often followed by a “whooping” sound
  • Runny nose
  • Mild fever

Should your child develop or currently have symptoms of a cold, which includes a cough that gradually worsens, keep your child at home and contact your health-care provider. 

Vaccination is the best way to protect against pertussis. Pertussis vaccine is given with diphtheria and tetanus vaccines in the same shot. The shot that is currently used for children less than 7 years old is called DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis). Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) is a vaccine for adolescents and adults used mostly as a booster shot. Currently only 1 dose of Tdap is recommended.  Pregnant women should get the vaccine during each pregnancy, preferably during their third trimester (at 27 through 36 weeks gestation).

If you have any questions, please call the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department at 441-8053 or your healthcare provider.

Stay safe and healthy!

Community Awareness Event: Youth Substance Use Prevention

Schools, families and communities all play a role in providing supportive pathways for our youth as they navigate childhood and adolescence. Lincoln Public Schools is partnering with School Community Intervention and Prevention (SCIP) and Region V Systems to put on valuable community presentations about supporting the health and well-being of our community’s youth.

Please join us for this event:

Keeping Current: Youth Substance Use Prevention

Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Lincoln Medical Education Partnership Vrbka Classrooms
4600 Valley Road, Lincoln, Neb. (Entrance 1, first floor)

Substance use trends among youth are continually evolving, shaped by factors such as the availability of substances, social media influences and societal norms. While there are declines in some areas like cigarette smoking, other substances like vaping, THC and synthetic drugs present emerging challenges.

Whitney Chrisman, a licensed independent mental health practitioner and alcohol and drug counselor with Jenda Family Services, will discuss the following topics on youth substance use prevention and intervention: 

  • Substance use trends in teens 
  • Risk and protective factors that influence substance use 
  • The role of social media and its impact on substance use
  • Substance use disorder warning signs 
  • Substance use prevention and intervention strategies 

Please contact Abbe Edgecombe, SCIP coordinator for Lincoln-Lancaster County, for questions or additional information: (402) 327-6841 or aedgecombe@lmep.com.

Paraeducator Interview Day - January 16

LPS will be hosting a Paraeducator Interview Day on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center (5905 O St, Lincoln, NE 68510).

Open positions include general paras, special education paras and English Language intervention paras.

Complete the Para Interview Day Application Here

Responsibilities: Assisting teachers in carrying out the district’s educational program; classroom and lunchroom supervision; aiding a student with special needs – learning and behavioral needs, as well as mental and physical challenges; early childhood programs; and school entrance monitoring and general supervision.

Position hours range from 2 to 8 hours/day. Training and educational requirements will be indicated on each specific posting.

Salary Range for Open Positions: $15.96–$18.65 per hour.

Full-time and part-time (at least 17.5 hours per week) employees qualify for competitive health insurance, pension, generous leave and other benefits. Learn more about our benefits. 

Learn more about paraeducator careers at LPS.

How to Attend

  1. Walk-ins are welcome. 

  2. We highly recommend that you complete the pre-event application prior to the Interview Day. If you need assistance filling out the application, please feel free to contact us at HR@lps.org.

  3. Filling out the application prior to the event will help you move through the process more quickly and smoothly. 

  4. Attend the Para Interview Day on Jan. 16.

LPS preschool applications for 2025-26

We will be accepting preschool applications for the 2025-26 school year starting January 3! 

Application materials will be available on our website beginning Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, and also available in our Early Childhood Department Office, located at 300 S. 48th Street (enter door #2) between the hours of 8:00  a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Evening hours are available on March 6 and April 2 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Families of children who will be at least three years old and who are not yet kindergarten age eligible (born between 8/1/2020 and 7/31/2022) are welcome to apply. 

Our inclusive preschool classrooms are located at 31 LPS buildings across the district and serve three-to-five year olds.  

Applications along with the required materials may be submitted by:

  • Emailing earlychildhood@lps.org
  • In person Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 300 South 48th Street
  • By mail:
    Department of Early Childhood
    300 South 48th Street
    Lincoln, NE 68510

Information for Middle and High School Families

Choose your journey—Spring Information Night

Customize your high school experience – root it in connection and opportunities with LPS Focus Programs.One of the great things about LPS is that our high school students are able to customize their learning experience. Our LPS Focus Programs value exploration, education, engagement and empowerment. 

Families with students in grades 7-11 are invited to a one-stop-shop event where you and your student can learn more about all of our Focus Programs: 

  • Tuesday, January 21, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Career Academy (8800 O Street)

File your 2025-26 FAFSA Now

Looking for something to do over winter break? 

Completing your 2025-26 Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) would be a great option! 

Did you know? 

  • High school seniors leave thousands of federal dollars for college behind each year by not filling out the FAFSA. 
  • The new FAFSA form has expanded eligibility allowing up to 610,000 more students to qualify for federal student aid.
  • The new FAFSA now gives students access to an additional $1.8 billion in federal student aid. 

Remember, LPS seniors and their caregivers must complete their FAFSA by April 18, 2025, to meet graduation requirements per the new Nebraska law.

Apply now at https://bit.ly/DoTheFAFSA.

Fund Your Future – File Your FAFSA. 

Don’t miss this opportunity for free college cash! 

Need help?
Encourage your student to stop by their school’s counseling office or visit our website at bit.ly/LPSFAFSA for more resources.