October 24th Monthly Update

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We want to remind families that Tuesday, Nov. 28, is an early release day for ALL Lincoln Public Schools students in grades kindergarten through 12. Please check with your school on exact dismissal times. There is no school for prekindergarten students on Tuesday, Nov. 28.

On the last Friday of every month, Lincoln Public Schools will be sharing important district information and reminders via email throughout the school year.

Information for All Families

LPS Human Resources wants to connect with future educators

LPS Human Resources is looking to connect with former LPS students who are pursuing a career in education. Whether a first-year college student or nearing graduation, we want to keep future educators updated on hiring and college fairs, employment opportunities and career tips! Students can enter their information in this form to be the first to know about these opportunities. We love welcoming former students back to LPS!

Deadline approaching! You are invited — Provide feedback on preliminary proposed strategic plan draft

The Lincoln Board of Education wants to hear from staff, students, parents and community members on the roadmap that will guide Lincoln Public Schools’ priorities and next steps.

You can learn more about the Preliminary Proposed Strategic Plan draft on our website and fill out the survey: https://home.lps.org/strategicplan.

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

LPS Preschool Applications for 2024–25

We will begin accepting applications for LPS Preschool for the 2024-25 school year on Jan. 3, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Application materials will be available on our website at https://home.lps.org/earlychildhood/preschool-application/ and also available in our Early Childhood Department Office, located at 300 S. 48th Street (enter door #2) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Families of children who will be at least three years old (born on or after July 31, 2021) and who are not yet kindergarten age eligible (born on or before July 31, 2019) are welcome to apply.

Our inclusive preschool classrooms are located at 31 LPS buildings across the district and serve three-to-five year olds.

Applications along with the required materials may be submitted by:

Email: earlychildhood@lps.org
In person: Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 300 South 48th Street
By mail: Department of Early Childhood, 300 South 48th Street, Lincoln, NE 68510

Athletic event attendance expectations for all students

We continue to encourage all students and families to support our high school student-participants during competitions. As we work to keep our student-participants, coaches and spectators safe at our contests, the following rules are in place for all students attending extra-curricular events at our high schools.

Elementary and middle school expectations

LPS elementary and middle school students are required to attend LPS high school athletic/activity events with adult family members and/or a paying responsible adult and must remain under their supervision during the event.
LPS elementary and middle school students are expected to follow the directions of event staff and the public address announcer. Any students unable to follow directions will be asked to leave.
Students will not be allowed to re-enter the event without pay. Passes only allow one entry per event.
School rules apply at all LPS athletic/activity events. Violations to the Rights and Responsibilities of Students may result in disciplinary action for students.
LPS elementary and middle school students must remain seated in designated areas during events.
LPS elementary and middle school students are not allowed to loiter or run around in concourses, concessions and/or restroom areas.
No outside food is allowed to be brought into LPS high school athletic/activity venues; however, a wide range of delicious concessions are available at most events. Food and drink must be consumed in the seating area of the venues.
LPS elementary and middle school students are expected to leave with family members and/or a paying responsible adult immediately following the conclusion of an event, or if students are asked to leave early.

High School Students

Students are expected to identify themselves when asked to do so by any school official. At any time outside the school day, students shall be required to show Lincoln Public Schools student identification upon request of a staff member or as required by building rules while on school grounds or at school activities.
Students may sit in their school’s assigned student section. If students are attending an event hosted at or by another school, students need to sit in general seating and will not be allowed to sit in the assigned student section.
LPS high school students are expected to leave on their own or with family members and/or a paying responsible adult immediately following the conclusion of an event, or if students are asked to leave early. At the conclusion of the event, students may wait for their ride outside the contest venue.
Students will not be allowed to re-enter the event without pay. Passes only allow one entry per event.

Know the signs — suicide prevention

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.

Common Warning Signs

Talking about:

Feeling unbearable pain
Death or a recent fascination with death
Feeling hopeless, worthless, or trapped
Feeling guilt, shame, or anger
Feeling like they are a burden to others

Changes in behavior or mood:

Recent suicide attempt
Increased alcohol or drug use
Losing interest in personal appearance or hygiene
Withdrawing from family, friends, or community
Saying goodbye to friends and family
Giving away prized possessions
A recent episode of depression, emotional distress, and/or anxiety
Changes in eating and/or sleeping patterns
Becoming violent or being a victim of violence
Expressing rage
Recklessness

When to Seek Professional Help Immediately

Some behaviors may indicate an emergency is happening or that a person is in crisis. If you observe the following behaviors, you should immediately connect the person with professional help, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, emergency medical services, or a mental health professional.

Talking about immediate harm to oneself or others
Planning to attempt suicide (for example, searching online for information about how to attempt suicide)
Acting in such an erratic manner that you are concerned about their safety

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:

Ask a family member to store medications safely and dispense safe quantities as necessary.
Lock up weapons and put the key in a safe deposit box or give the key to a friend until the crisis has passed, or store weapons in another secure location outside of the home. Always store ammunition locked in a different location than the weapon.

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.

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)
Help for Parents: Dealing with Suicide Concerns by UNL and NDE

Information for Middle and High School Families

Chromebook use during winter break

LPS Chromebooks may be used for any type of learning activity during Winter Break. Keep in mind that Chromebook use is governed by a responsible use agreement (lps.org/go/rua) and that all websites are filtered by LPS. Be sure your student follows these best practices:

Charge the Chromebook every night to ensure enough life in the battery to support learning during the day and upon their return to school in January.
Restart the Chromebook occasionally to keep the Chromebook software up-to-date and avoid some of the most common problems experienced by students.
If leaving the house, carry the Chromebook in the LPS-provided protective bag.

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.

Choose your journey - explore LPS Focus Programs

LPS Focus Programs are a customized high school experience rooted in connection and opportunities. With close to a dozen different choices, your student can choose their own high school journey.

We invite families and students in grades 8-11 to explore LPS Focus Programs during our November events:

Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program Information Night

Virtual: Monday, Dec. 11, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

For a Zoom link, contact Amanda Woodward, Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program Instructor, at awoodwar@lps.org.

Bay High Information Night

Virtual: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

For a Zoom link, contact James Blake, LPS Strategic Initiatives and Focus Programs Director, at jblake@lps.org.

Bryan College of Health Sciences Focus Program Information Night

(two opportunities)

Virtual: Nov. 27, 5 – 6 p.m.
For a Zoom link, contact Jason States, Medical Sciences Focus Program Director, at jason.states@bryanhealth.org

In-person: Friday, Dec. 8, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
at Northwest High School, 4901 W. Holdrege St.

For more information, contact Jason States, Medical Sciences Focus Program Director, at jason.states@bryanhealth.org.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Information Night

Virtual: Monday, Dec. 4, 7 – 8 p.m.

For a Zoom link, contact J.P. Caruso, IB Program Coordinator, at jpcaruso@lps.org.

Early College and Career STEM Program Information Night

(three opportunities)

Virtual: Nov. 28, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
For a Zoom link, contact Bailey Feit, Early College and Career STEM Program Coordinator, at bailey.feit@unl.edu

In-person: Nov. 30, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
in the FEWSS Hub Space by the Dairy Store on UNL’s East Campus, 114 Food Industry Complex

For more information, Bailey Feit, Early College and Career STEM Program Coordinator, at bailey.feit@unl.edu

In-person: Thursday, Dec. 7, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
at Northeast High School, 2635 N 63rd St.

For more information, contact Bailey Feit, Early College and Career STEM Program Coordinator, at bailey.feit@unl.edu.

The Career Academy (TCA) Information Nights