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Lincoln Public Schools Families,
Here is your monthly update from Lincoln Public Schools with important information and updates.
The federal program that allowed Lincoln Public Schools to serve school meals at no charge to all students ended. Because the program ended, we are encouraging all* families to fill out the Free and Reduced meal application online as soon as possible.
*Please note: If your family has been recently notified of Direct Certification Approval for the 2022-2023 school year, a Free and Reduced Meal application is not needed.
This application must be completed each year in order for families to qualify for free or reduced school meals. Families who do not complete the application will be charged normal meal prices for any school meals their child eats.
You can go to our website to fill out this quick and easy online application. If you do not have access to the online application, you can go to your child’s school office and pick up a paper application.
Additional information about Free and Reduced meals is on our website: https://home.lps.org/ns/free-reduced. If you have any questions, please call (402)436-1747 or email us at freeandreduced@lps.org.
Safety in school is one of our top priorities, and that includes after school at LPS athletic events. Safety takes a community.
We are reminding families of the following safety guidelines for elementary and middle school students who attend high school athletic events:
We encourage LPS elementary and middle school students and families to attend LPS high school events. LPS elementary and middle school students often want to express their loyalty to their future high schools. Make sure to contact your future high schools if you would like to purchase team gear.
Thank you for partnering with us to keep everyone safe and secure at all of LPS athletic/activity venues.
We want to make you aware of a social media challenge that we are starting to see in schools. The Paqui One Chip Challenge is sold in grocery stores and is a food product made with Carolina Reaper pepper and a Scorpion pepper. This chip is known nationally for causing health issues when consumed by some individuals who may have a sensitivity to spicy foods. In some cases across the United States, it has resulted in hospitalization for children. The warning on the food product states: “This product should not be ingested by individuals who are sensitive to spicy foods, allergic to peppers, nightshades, or capsaicin, or who are minors, pregnant or have medical conditions.”
For safety reasons, we want to remind students that they should not take food given to them at school by peers. The Paqui One Chip Challenge should not be brought to school, and for safety reasons we will confiscate any that are found. Please have a conversation with your child about what is and is not appropriate to bring to school and to share with friends.
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep kids safe at school.
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 September edition preview of Community News online.
Lincoln Public Schools continues to hire staff in multiple areas to work in schools during the 2022-23 school year. LPS has openings for bus drivers, food services employees in schools, custodians, both bus and classroom paras, as well as various office staff.
No matter what area, you’ll be joining a thriving school district that offers excellent benefits and salaries, job security and an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families.
You can learn more about all of the available positions and apply here.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people age 10-24. Awareness is important so we can all work towards prevention. This can be a hard topic but these uncomfortable conversations are valuable. Talking about suicide does not increase the chances it will occur, in fact putting light on it helps a struggling individual feel supported.
It is important to know that there are steps you can take to help reduce the risk of suicide. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center provides the following recommendations for families.
Many suicide attempts take place during a short-term crisis, so it is important to consider a person’s access to lethal means during these periods of increased risk. Reducing access to lethal means – in particular, medications or weapons – saves lives.
Families can take many actions to reduce access to lethal means of self-harm. Some of these are general household health and safety precautions that should be used regardless of suicide risk. Examples include limiting access to medications (prescription and over the counter) and storing weapons safely when not in use (American Academy of Pediatrics – healthychildren.org).
Other actions may be more appropriate when a person is at risk for suicide. If someone in the home is feeling suicidal, has recently attempted suicide, or is experiencing a crisis, it is safest to remove lethal means from the household entirely until the situation improves.
For example:
If you are concerned about yourself or a family member, these resources are available to help anytime of the day or night, any day of the year.
Your Life Your Voice (Boys Town) 1-800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121 (text charges from your phone carrier may apply)
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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