March 27th Monthly Update

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. 

Two students standing in front of their presentation board, explain their experiment and findings to two judges
Students at the 2026 LPS Science and Engineering Fair speak to a judge about their project

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

In This Message...

Information for All Families

REMINDER: Please complete the perception survey by April 10

On March 16, you should have received an email from lps-esu18@qualtrics-survey.com with a personalized link to the annual perception survey. If you haven’t already completed the survey, please do so by April 10.

Results of these surveys will provide feedback to school administrators and staff that will be used to improve teaching, learning, and the school environment. In addition, portions of the results are used in the evaluation of many of the federal grants the district has been awarded.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Assessment Specialist, Dawn Mazzie (dmazzie@lps.org) or Director of Continuous Improvement and Professional Learning, Amy Clark (aclark@lps.org).

Extra Mile Walk – Saturday, April 25, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.

Go the extra mile – help combat food insecurity by supporting the Food Bank of Lincoln’s BackPack program. Lincoln Public Schools and the Food Bank of Lincoln invite you to help raise money for the program during the 19th annual Extra Mile Walk.

Donate now:

Click here to donate online

Join us for the Extra Mile Walk

Saturday, April 26, 2025, 9:30 a.m. UBT Stadium at Northwest High School (1111 NW 48th Street) Join us for family friendly music, games, LPS mascots and food trucks! Please be sure to wear tennis shoes & leave your furry friends at home!
For more information, visit the Food Bank of Lincoln’s website at https://www.lincolnfoodbank.org/extramile/

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 Emergency 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 12): “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.

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 (grades 9-12)

High school summer school is open to students who were in grades 9-12 during the 2025-2026 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 summer school website for more information.

Summer athletic clinics (grades 3-12)

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 2026-2027 school year. Click here for more information about summer athletic clinics.

Summer music camps (grades 5-8)

There are multiple opportunities for students entering grades 5-8 who have an interest and passion for music. Check out our website for music camp information and registration information.

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/studentservices/kindergarten-registration-assessment/.

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/earlychildhood/preschool-application/

Does your school have your correct contact information?

Don’t miss out on important information! We are already preparing for the 2026-2027 school year and we need to ensure we can reach you over the summer. Please take a moment to log into ParentVue and check the information we have on file by clicking on “My Account”. Please contact your school office if you need to make changes to your phone number, email or mailing address.

Community News – April 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 April 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: https://home.lps.org/communications/community-news/.

Information for 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.

Looking for a summer job?

Lincoln Public Schools is hiring Summer Crew/Maintenance Workers for 2026. This is a great opportunity for any adult, or high school students age 17 and older, to gain hands-on experience and earn competitive pay.

Work with teams in paint, grounds, electrical, plumbing, HVAC and the distribution center.
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. from May through late August
PAY: $15.00–$17.49 per hour
APPLY: Go to the LPS website to apply by May 29

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.

Explore LPS Focus Programs this spring

There is still time to learn how to customize your high school experience with LPS Focus Programs!
Below are some upcoming opportunities to engage with individual programs in April and May.

Arts and Humanities Focus Program (two opportunities)

Friday, April 17
Spring Art Show (no cost) Open to all LPS students and families in grades 7-11
5:30-7 p.m.
Arts and Humanities Campus, 643 S. 25th St., #15

Friday, May 15
Senior Capstone and Art Show (no cost) Open to all LPS students and families in grades 7-11
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Arts and Humanities Campus, 643 S. 25th St., #15

Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) at Northeast High School

Wednesday, April 15
In-person Info Night
Open to Northeast students and families in grades 9-11
3:30-6:30 p.m.
Northeast High School, 2635 N. 63rd St.

Bay High

Friday, April 24
Annual Skate Art Music Fest (no cost) Open to all LPS students and families in grades 7-11
4-10 p.m.
The Bay, 2005 Y St.

Nebraska Business at Standing Bear High School

Thursday, April 23
In-person Info Night
Open to Standing Bear students and families in grades 9-10
Session 1: 5-5:30 p.m.
Session 2: 5:30-6 p.m.
Standing Bear High School, 11100 S. 70th St.

Science Focus Program (two opportunities)

Thursday, April 2
Virtual Info Night
Open to all LPS students and families in grades 7-11 5-6 p.m. Contact Science Focus Program Administrator Lindsey Roy at lroy@lps.org for the Zoom link.

Monday, April 27
Junior and Senior Research Night
Open to all LPS students and families in grades 7-11 5:30-7 p.m. Science Focus Program Campus at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, 1222 S. 27th St.

Want to learn more?

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High School Seniors: Don’t forget to file your 2026-27 FAFSA!

Hey Seniors, there’s still time if you haven’t already filed your 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or opted out yet.

If you’ve already completed the FAFSA, there is nothing more you need to do. Please ignore this reminder message**.**
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.

⠀
Fund Your Future – File Your FAFSA.

Need help?

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