October 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.

Just a reminder that there will not be classes for ALL students on Tuesday, November 5. You can find the student calendar on our website here.

Information for All Families

Is your child missing school due to anxiety?

If your child is suffering from anxiety, you are not alone. The good news is that in most situations, anxiety is normal and temporary. Anxiety becomes a concern if it persists — it can affect relationships with family, peers and teachers, contribute to academic challenges, and lead to school avoidance/refusal. Addressing anxiety is important for a child’s overall well-being, not just attendance.

In addition, if your child starts to complain of symptoms like a headache or stomachache, it is important to quickly determine whether this is related to anxiety or a physical illness that might require missing school. If the challenge is anxiety, staying home may worsen the situation.

What can families do?

Here are some tips that you can use to help your child tackle potential challenges and return to school quickly:

Do not punish your child for refusing to go to school. This can make things worse.
If possible, avoid letting your child stay home. Staying home may provide short-term relief for your child, but can cause your child to feel disconnected from teachers and classmates and fall further behind, creating more stress and anxiety.
Speak with your child to learn what is bothering them and why they are avoiding school.
Make it clear you are there to support your child and that together you can tackle whatever issues are keeping them from school.
Take advantage of school resources. Talk with the school nurse, counselor, social worker, psychologist or teacher to discuss challenges and identify what will help your child return to school.

If symptoms persist or are very severe, your child’s anxiety may be due to an underlying behavioral health disorder (i.e., anxiety disorder, panic disorder), an undiagnosed learning disability or the result of a physical or chronic health condition and should be evaluated by your child’s medical provider.

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

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

Check out this brochure for more information about how to address anxiety in children.

Community News - November 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 November 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/.

Student Vote

Student Vote started in 1992 as a partnership between LPS and radio stations KFOR/KFRX. It is held every two years during the week prior to the general election. The event aims to empower students to be engaged, active, and informed members of their school, community, state, and nation.

This year’s Student Vote Election is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct 30. Students in grades 4-12 will learn about the importance of voting, the role of youth in elections, voting rights and how to vote. A sample ballot for Student Vote outlining the candidates and issues that our students will have the opportunity to vote on can be found here.

Watch for the results on our website after 4:00 p.m. on Oct. 30!

Information for Middle and High School Families

Choose your journey- explore 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.

In November, middle school students and families are invited to explore the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program at Lincoln High School.

IB is an embedded focus program that prepares students to obtain their IB diploma. The program also allows students to customize their high school experience by academically challenging themselves in a unique way — paving the pathway to future college success.

IB Academy Day

Saturday, November 16, 8am-noon at Lincoln High School

Check out these other upcoming events to learn more about our focus programs:

Early College and Career STEM at Northeast High School (2635 N 63rd St)
- Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 – 7 p.m. (in-person)
Air Force Junior Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) at Northeast High School (2635 N 63rd St)
- Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 – 7 p.m. (in-person)
Arts and Humanities Focus Program (Steve Joel District Leadership Center at 5905 O Street)
- Thursday, Nov. 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (in-person)
Early College and Career STEM at UNL East Campus (114 Food Industry Complex)
- Tuesday, Nov. 19, 5:30 – 7 p.m. (in-person)
Bay High Focus Program (The Bay, 2005 Y Street)
- Tuesday, Nov. 21, 5 – 6 p.m. (in-person)

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.

FAFSA Prep Tip – create your Federal Student Aid ID now

Did you know thousands of federal dollars for college are left behind by high seniors each year? The reason? Several high school seniors are not filing the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

A new Nebraska law sets a graduation requirement that high school seniors must complete the FAFSA. State lawmakers hope that more scholars will be able to access higher education by making it more affordable through financial aid.

While the 2025-26 FAFSA form doesn’t open until Dec. 1, 2024, prepare early by creating your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID! This ID will be important for the application.

Create your FAFSA account now to get your FSA ID by visiting this website: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.

Students and their caregivers both will need FSA IDs.

Remember, LPS seniors must complete their FAFSA for graduation by April 18, 2025.

Fund Your Future – File Your FAFSA.

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