February 27th Monthly Update
Translations: Arabic | Karen | Russian | Spanish | Vietnamese
LPS families,
We 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:
In This Message...
Information for All Families
Community News - March 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 March edition of Community News online.
Are you a non-profit organization that wants to share your upcoming opportunities with LPS families?
Check out these advertising opportunities in our Community News! Your organization can reach 15,000 elementary-aged households in print through take home folders, and 25,000 Prek-12 households digitally district wide. Learn more on our website.
It’s time to register your kindergarten student for 2026–2027!
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 2026-2027 school year.
Parents of children turning five years of age on or before July 31, 2026 can go to lps.org and click on the red “Enroll Your Student” button. There 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.
For more information about kindergarten registration and assessment testing for incoming students, please go to: https://home.lps.org/
Preschool Applications for 2026-27
We are now accepting preschool applications for 2026-27. Children who will be three years old as of July 31, 2026 and not yet five years old, and reside within the Lincoln Public Schools boundaries are eligible to be considered for preschool. Information about the preschool application process is available on our website at https://home.lps.org/
Updates from Health Services
Below are school and community resources available to provide food assistance for those who need it.
Flu
Flu Reminders
The Lincoln community and our schools are currently seeing an increased number of flu cases. Out of an abundance of caution, we are sharing some important information with you to help you and your family guard against illness during the flu season.
Flu symptoms
- sore throat
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches
- soreness
- congestion
- cough
Most flu symptoms gradually improve over three to five days, but it’s not uncommon to feel run down for a week or more. It is strongly recommended that staff and students with a fever over 100 degrees stay home until they are fever-free for at least a minimum of 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. Staying home is the best way to prevent the spread of the flu. We recommend that students and staff seek the advice of their medical provider in regards to use of antiviral medication and when to safely return to school.
It is not too late to get a flu shot, please contact your healthcare provider.
We are monitoring flu cases and request families work with their medical providers to guide school attendance. At a minimum, we request that students remain out of school for 24 hours once fever-free without the aid of fever reducing medication.
The school nurse has posted information around the school building reminding students to cover their cough and wash hands to prevent the spread of infection. This would be a great opportunity to reinforce these important healthy habits at home. Thank you for partnering with us in keeping our students healthy and ready to learn.
Information for Middle and High School Families
Sign up for FREE internet access through student Chromebooks
LPS is partnering with ALLO to provide LPS middle and high school students FREE internet access through their student Chromebooks. To participate in the Smart Town program, students will need to sign up through the student portal.
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.
Apply now for LPS Focus Programs!
Choose your journey with LPS Focus Programs!
Please join us for our spring info night on Tuesday, March 17, 6-8 p.m. at The Career Academy. This event is open to students and their families in grades 7-11. The program will begin promptly at 6 p.m.
Below are additional opportunities to learn more about individual programs in March.
Arts and Humanities (two opportunities)
Tuesday, March 24: In-person Info Night
- Open to LPS students and families in seventh grade
- 6–7 p.m.
- Arts and Humanities Campus, 643 S. 25th St., #15
Thursday, March 26: Virtual Info Night
- Open to LPS students and families in seventh grade
- 5–6 p.m.
- Contact Arts and Humanities Focus Program Administrator Darla Berks at dberks@lps.org for the Zoom link.
Science Focus
Monday, March 23: In-Person Info Night
- Open to all LPS students and families in grades 7–11
- 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- Science Focus Program Campus at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, 1222 S. 27th St.
The Career Academy (two opportunities)
Tuesday, March 24: In-person Info Night
- Open to all LPS students and families in grades 9–11
- 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- The Career Academy Campus at Southeast Community College, 8800 O St.
Thursday, March 26: Virtual Info Night
- Open to all LPS students and families in grades 9–11
- 5:30–6:30 p.m.
- Contact TCA Director Joshua Jones at jjones7@lps.org for the Zoom link.
Want to learn more?
- Visit our website to discover all our options.
- Complete our interest form to connect with a specific program.
Don’t wait! File your 2026-27 FAFSA today!
If you’ve already completed the FAFSA, there is nothing more you need to do. Please ignore this reminder message.
Graduating seniors still have time to file their 2026-27 Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or opt out if they haven’t already.
Don’t Delay! Complete the 2026-27 FAFSA or opt out now.
Want to opt out for now?
You can complete the opt-out form in your language and keep progressing toward graduation.
Need help?
Encourage your student to stop by their school’s counseling office or visit our website at bit.ly/LPSFAFSA for more resources.
