On May 11, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention marked the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration. Lincoln Public Schools will follow the direction of the CDC and Lancaster County Health Department in folding COVID-19 protocols and responses into existing structures and programs for communicable diseases.
Coming soon…
We will continue to review and update our LPS Safe Return to School Plan to align with community conditions and the latest information.
Staff, students and visitors entering any LPS facility are expected to conduct a self-screening for COVID-19 or illness symptoms every day prior to arriving.
Every day ask yourself or your student the following screening questions PRIOR to entering an LPS building:
Students who test positive for COVID-19 should notify the school health office as soon as possible and follow directions provided.
Follow LPS illness procedures as outlined in the handbook and agreements.
Face coverings are optional for everyone inside all LPS buildings and on all LPS buses. Individuals may wear a face covering based on their personal preference and informed by their vaccination status and personal level of risk.
Please note: Lincoln Public Schools may adjust face covering protocols as necessary to address changing conditions. Requirements may be implemented for a specific school building, program, classroom or setting based on number of positive cases, community test positivity rate, outbreaks, community conditions and risk of spread.
If face coverings become required at any time for a classroom, program, or school, the following will be used for the face covering exemption process. Students who were granted a face covering exemption last school year will be exempt from any requirement for the 22–23 school year. For new students, a form to apply for the exemption will be provided to families with communication about any requirements.
K-12 Students
The criteria for face covering exemptions are below.
Medical issues that are documented in the student’s emergency health plan, OR Individual Health Plan (IHP):
Significant behavioral needs that are documented in the student’s Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) or 504:
Preschool Students
The criteria for face covering exemptions are below.
Students, staff and visitors will be encouraged to frequently wash their hands for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer will be available in classrooms and multiple locations throughout the building when hand washing isn’t easily accessible.
Custodial staff will clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in common areas and classrooms as needed and at the end of the day.
Our Operations Department will continue with fresh air practices in alignment with recommendations from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and the CDC (Center for Disease Control).
All guests must perform the self-screening for symptoms prior to entering a building and adhere to any face covering requirements. (Please see the Face Coverings protocols above.)
LPS facilities are available for outside use through the online Archibus reservation system. All facility terms and conditions apply, including the applicant’s responsibility to comply with any COVID-19 protocols from governing organizations, orders and/or Directed Health Measures.
The COVID-19 vaccine is not required, but strongly recommended.
Under Title 173 of the Nebraska Administrative Code, each school or school district in Nebraska is required to keep the immunization history of the students enrolled on file. If your child has received the COVID-19 vaccine, we ask that you please provide us a copy of the information by emailing a copy of the vaccination card to your school nurse. If your child has not received the COVID-19 vaccine, there is nothing you need to do.
The Nebraska Department of Education and Children’s Hospital and Medical Center have launched a new website to help answer any questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Check out maxthevaxne.org for more information.
A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine plays a critical role in providing protection against the virus, preventing illness and saving lives. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) is following CDC and State of Nebraska guidelines to distribute the vaccine. They are committed to ensuring that everyone who lives, works or learns in Lincoln and Lancaster County can receive a vaccine. Sign up now to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine through the LLCHD website.
Resources
For more information about safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines and answers to common questions, please see the helpful resources below:
Learn more on the LLCHD website.
School buildings will be considered for vaccination clinics based on recommendations from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. Information about vaccination clinics held at school will be shared with families ahead of time via email.
Please follow the directions from your healthcare provider and/or the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
If a student has a medical need that prevents them from attending school in person, the parent should contact the special education administrator at their child’s school to request more information about Homebound Services.
If a parent wants special COVID-19 accommodations to be implemented, the parent should contact the school’s special education administrator to set up a meeting to discuss options.
Lincoln Public Schools staff continues to work collaboratively with the City of Lincoln and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) to develop plans for school operations. You can learn more about the City of Lincoln’s response to COVID-19 by visiting: https://app.lincoln.ne.gov/city/covid19/
Lincoln Public Schools is the second largest public school district in Nebraska, located in the heart of the plains, renowned for its long-standing legacy of educational excellence and tradition of rigorous academic achievement. The school district is growing and thriving, serving over 42,000 students in more than 60 schools and programs.
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