April 28th Monthly Update

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Lincoln Public Schools families,

While 1 in 5 people will experience mental illness over the course of their lifetimes, everyone will face challenges that can and will affect their mental health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Lincoln Public Schools is taking this moment to remind you: You are enough, and you are not alone.

We can help connect you to resources to support you and your child. Reach out to a trusted staff member, or use any of these resources available day or night:

  • CenterPointe Helpline (Lincoln): 402-475-6695
  • Nebraska Family Helpline: 1-888-866-8660
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 9-8-8 or 1-800-273-8255
  • Your Life Your Voice (Boys Town) 1-800-448-3000 or text VOICE to 20121 (text charges from your phone carrier may apply)
  • Safe2HelpNe.org or call 833-980-SAFE(7233)

In This Message...

Update your contact information

Do we have the most current contact information for you? It’s important your child’s school has a working phone number, email address and mailing address so we can contact you in the event of an emergency and share important back to school information over the summer. If any of your contact information has changed, please contact your child’s school office to update it as soon as possible.

Additionally, LPS will begin collecting student phone numbers for 9-12 grade students in May. Student phone numbers may be used by LPS staff to text message students with school information and updates (including classroom, activities, and athletics) using district-approved communication platforms.

Graduation information

High school graduation celebrations are right around the corner. Check out our website for information and how to watch the livestream of each ceremony.

Kindergarten Registration - Register now!

Do you have a child that will start kindergarten next year? Lincoln Public Schools is now accepting kindergarten registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. Parents of children turning five years of age on or before July 31, 2023 can register their child online now.

Go to lps.org and click on the red “Enroll Your Student” button. Here you will also find all the information necessary for registering, the required documents needed and answers to frequently asked questions.

When registering, you must provide:

  • Certified birth certificate
  • Current immunization record

Families who wish to have their child enroll at an LPS school outside of their attendance area should fill out a Special Attendance Permit which is available at any school or on our website. Questions about kindergarten registration should be directed to the school your child will attend.

PLEASE NOTE: Students who are currently enrolled in an LPS Early Childhood Program should already be signed up for kindergarten and need not register online. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.

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.

Early entrance assessment

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. More information about the early entrance assessment process can be found here.

2023–2024 preschool registration is now open

Lincoln Public Schools provides a high-quality, half-day early childhood preschool program for children who reside within the Lincoln Public Schools attendance area. Our preschool program is located in many of the schools across the school district. Children who are at least 3 years of age on or before July 31, 2023 and who have not yet turned five as of July 31, 2023, are eligible to apply.

Visit our website for more information, or contact earlychildhood@lps.org.

Social Emotional Learning at LPS

Building Blocks: family activities to try at home

At Lincoln Public Schools, we know students with strong social and emotional skills thrive. They succeed academically, personally and relationally. We use the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum Second Step to teach these life skills to students in grades Pre-K through seventh.  

Our SEL lessons are a collaboration between students, their families and educators. You can help us reinforce and build upon the lessons we teach at school by participating in these activities at home with your child.

This semester, your student is learning about empathy, kindness and problem-solving. 

Partner with us to help your child excel by trying these activities with your family: 

  • When accidents occur at home, take time to apologize and encourage your child to do the same, using the new phrases they learned at school.
  • Let your child see you taking a moment to feel calm at home when things are busy or stressful. For example, say, “Today was a really busy day. I’m going to take a few slow breaths to help me feel calm.” Invite your child to join you.
  • Ask your child what member of their school community they had empathy for and what kind act they chose to do for that person.
  • Ask your child what questions they can ask to find out how someone feels and what they may want or need. Discuss how checking in on someone’s feelings is a great way to show you care about them.

Visit our SEL website at https://home.lps.org/sel/ and discover more family activities and grade-specific lessons.

Social media reminders

Families, we are seeing an increase of school disruptions that begin with inappropriate conversations on social media outside of school. Digital Citizenship is something we teach at Lincoln Public Schools. We encourage you to also have a conversation with your child about responsible digital citizenship to help reinforce these lessons. 

We would also like to remind you that most social media user agreements (Like Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok) do not allow full use of their apps for anyone under the age of 13. This means elementary and most middle school students should NOT have access or be using social media according to these apps and their terms of service.

For more and tips about social media use, you can visit these resources:

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.

High School Summer School

High school summer school is open to students who were in grades 9-12 during the 2022-2023 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 website for more information.

ACT Prep

Lincoln Public Schools offers high-quality, affordable workshops to help students prepare for the ACT college exam in June and July. Registration for Summer workshops will open on May 1. Click here for more information.

Athletics

Summer Athletic Clinics are offered through all 7 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 2022-2023 school year. Click here for more information.

Summer Technology Program

The Lincoln Public Schools Summer Technology Program is provided for students entering grades 4 through 9 in the fall of 2022. The goal of the program is to provide upper elementary and middle level students a fun, exciting, and challenging opportunity to explore their interest in computers and technology. Click here for more information.

Music

There are multiple opportunities for students entering grades 4-12 who have an interest and passion for music. Check out our website for information and registration information.

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.

Educator Interview Fair - May 10

Are you or someone you know interested in a career as an educator at Lincoln Public schools? Certificated candidates interested in becoming a teacher (general, special education, early childhood), counselor, school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, social worker or school nurse within Lincoln Public Schools are eligible to participate in our Educator Interview Fair.

Educator Interview Fair
Wednesday, May 10
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
In-person or over Zoom at the Steve Joel District Leadership Center (the district office at 5905 O Street).

All interested candidates must reserve their spot by filling out the form: bit.ly/LPSEducatorFair.

If you are not available on May 10, or have questions, please contact Erik Witt, Director of Recruitment, at ewitt@lps.org.

Community News - May 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 May edition preview of Community News online.

Do you have information to share with our families?

Are you part of a community non-profit organization that wants to share your information with LPS families? Reserve your ad space in our Community News! Learn more on our webpage: lps.org/communitynews.

Updated guidelines for schools on memorials or tributes

Lincoln Public Schools recognizes the need for students and staff to find appropriate ways to honor students or staff who may die unexpectedly during the school year. Using best practices and professional guidelines, the following updates have been made to our procedures:

  • While an LPS crisis team is responding to a death, a memorial will be created in the designated crisis team location.
  • For two days following a crisis response, the memorial will be moved to another private room (possibly in the counseling center) designated by school administration.
  • Students will be notified of the memorial location.
    The memorial will include materials for students and staff to sign a banner, create a card or letter that will be given to the family.
  • Students and staff will be able to leave small items at the memorial to be given to the family.
  • The best times to visit the memorial will be before or after school but a student may also ask their teacher to visit at an appropriate time during the day.
  • Other than during a crisis response, no more than 5 students will visit at a time.
  • Cell phones/pictures of the memorial are not allowed as sharing pictures on social media does not allow for privacy.
  • The memorial will be supervised by an LPS staff member.
  • The memorial will be taken down and delivered to the family by administration after 3 school days.