April 25th 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.
In February, the Lincoln Board of Education approved changes to the 2025-2026 student calendar. PLEASE NOTE: The first day of school for students in grades kindergarten, sixth, and ninth will be Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Students in grades 1-5, 7-8, and 10-12 will join them on Wednesday, Aug. 13 for their first day of school. Early Childhood students will start classes on Friday, Aug. 15. Fall Break will now be Oct. 13 and 14.
In This Message...
April 26, 2025 Events
Extra Mile Walk at 9:30 a.m.
NEW LOCATION: UBT Stadium at Northwest High School (1111 NW 48th Street)
This year you and your family can join us for family friendly music, games, LPS mascots and food trucks!
For more information, visit the Food Bank of Lincoln’s website.
LPS Music Festival
After the walk, head on over to East High School for the annual LPS Music Festival on Saturday from 4-8 p.m. This district-wide musical showcase is sponsored by the LPS Tri-M chapters and features performances from LPS high school students along with special guests Los Mariachis de la Ciudad Estrella and 52nd Street Jazz. Tickets are $5, and can be purchased online or at the door. All proceeds will benefit student music programs.
Information for All Families
Severe weather awareness
Springtime can bring severe weather. We want to provide important reminders about LPS protocols during severe weather situations:
- A Tornado Watch means no tornado is present currently, but conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form in and around the area. LPS will work with Lincoln Lancaster County Management to monitor conditions, but teaching and learning will continue as normal.
- In the event the National Weather Service indicates the city of Lincoln is in a Tornado Warning, then all of our schools will use our Standard Response Protocol of Shelter.
- A Tornado Warning means there has been a tornado spotted either in person or on radar.
- The Standard Response Protocol of Shelter means all doors are locked and all staff and students follow the planned route to designated shelter areas within the school building. They will wait until an “all clear” is given. Staff are not available to answer phones or doors as they are providing student supervision in a safe space within the school.
- If the Tornado Warning extends past dismissal time, we will keep all staff and students in the designated area until the “all clear” is given. Once the threatening weather has passed after school, students who normally walk home will be released; students who are picked up by families will be supervised until families can arrive; students who ride the bus will continue on the bus, and students who go to after school care will continue on to after school care.
- As a reminder, the following is outlined in our Important Information Booklet (page 9): “Parents should not attempt to come to school during a tornado warning. School officials prefer to keep students at the school during tornado warnings. Depending on school size and staffing, it may or may not be possible to allow parents into the school during a weather emergency.”
Tornado safety procedures are practiced regularly by staff and students. You can find more information about our Standard Response Protocols on our security website.
REMINDER: School physicals
It is time to schedule your students’ school physical for next school year! All students benefit from an annual wellness exam.
Families of kindergarten and seventh grade students for the 2025-2026 school year need to provide evidence of a physical examination completed by a physician, physician assistant, or an advance practice registered nurse to the school your child attends – or will attend. There are required immunizations needed for school that are given to kindergarteners and seventh grade students during their school physical.
All students must be current with all school required immunizations and provide proof to the school. There are many resources available and the school nurse can assist you if you have questions.
Please note that high school athletic physicals need to be completed after May 1, to be eligible for the 2025-2026 sports season.
Community News — May edition
Each month LPS publishes Community News in an effort to help share family-friendly community events and activities from non-profit organizations. Check out the May edition preview of Community News online.
LPS summer camps and learning opportunities
Teaching and learning doesn’t stop during the summer at Lincoln Public Schools! Check out our website for the latest opportunities offered at our schools. More opportunities will be added soon!
High School Summer School
High school summer school is open to students who were in grades 9-12 during the 2024-2025 school year. The summer school program provides an opportunity for all high school students to continue their learning during the summer and earn additional credits.
Check out our website for more information.
Athletics
Summer Athletic Clinics are offered through all eight 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 2025-2026 school year. Click here for more information.
Music
There are multiple opportunities for students entering grades 4-12 who have an interest and passion for music. Check out our website for information and registration information.
ACT Prep
Lincoln Public Schools offers high-quality, affordable workshops to help students prepare for the ACT college exam in June and July. Registration for Summer workshops is open now. Click here for more information.
Support Staff Interview Days—June 6 and July 13
We’re excited to start adding enthusiastic staff to our team for the 2025-2026 school year! We’ll be hosting two Summer Interview Days June 6 and July 13. Open positions include bus drivers, paraeducators, transportation paras, food service workers, food service manager trainees, head bakers, head cooks and custodians.
Part-time (at least 17.5 hours per week) and full-time employees qualify for competitive health insurance, pension, generous leave and other benefits. Learn more about our benefits.Walk-ins are welcome!
Friday, June 6
Scott Middle School — Gym
2200 Pine Lake Road [map]
12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15
North Star High School — Library & Commons
2500 N 67th St. [map]
12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Salary ranges for open positions:
- Bus Drivers: $26.65 per hour with paid training to obtain a CDL.
- Custodial: $19.53–$28.22 per hour
- Nutrition Services: $16.37–$24.35 per hour
- Paraeducators: $15.96–$19.82 per hour
- Transportation Paras: $17.30 per hour
Information for Elementary School Families
It’s time to register your kindergarten student for 2025-26!
Do you have a child – or do you know of a child – that will start kindergarten next year? Lincoln Public Schools is now accepting kindergarten registrations for the 2025-2026 school year.
Parents of children turning five years of age on or before July 31, 2025 can go to the LPS website 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.
For children who turn five between August 1 and October 15, parents may request an assessment for their child to receive a waiver to attend school early. That information is also located on the kindergarten registration page.
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.
Learn more about kindergarten registration and assessment testing for incoming students.
LPS preschool applications for 2025-26
We will be accepting preschool applications for the 2025-26 school year starting January 3!
Application materials are available on our website 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.
LPS preschool is for children who reside in the Lincoln Public School boundaries and are at least 3 years of age on or before July 31, and are not yet kindergarten age eligible (are age 5 on or before July 31, 2025).
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
High school juniors and seniors: 2025 Summer crew maintenance workers
We have an opportunity for high school juniors and seniors on the lookout for a summer job. They can join our Summer Crew and assist full-time staff in various areas such as paint, grounds, electrical, drafting, HVAC, distribution center and sustainability!
Gain valuable life skills while contributing to our team. The position runs from May to late August 2025. Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the start date and possess a valid Nebraska driver’s license with a driving record consistent with district policy.
No prior experience is necessary. Please do not use your lps.org email when applying.
Interested applicants can apply here. Applications close May 31.
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 activities, 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
Check it out! College scholarship opportunities posted on our eBulletin board
We have a one-stop-shop for high school students to find scholarship opportunities. 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 jumpcode RCGL. (Students must be logged in to their LPS Student Portal to view the board.)
Remember, you can find free college planning services, need-based scholarship programs, college access grants for high schools, and college access resources for middle schools on the EducationQuest Foundation website.
Are you an organization wanting to share your scholarship with LPS students?
If so, please email Lori Hemmett at lhemmett@lps.org.
