From the Superintendent: Resources and information for families

January 24, 2025

Families,

At Lincoln Public Schools, we celebrate the fact we live and work in a diverse community and in our school district we value every member of this community. We promise to honor and educate each and every child, and to fulfill our mission in preparing ALL students for successful careers, lifelong learning, and civic engagement. We are all neighbors in Lincoln, Nebraska, and at Lincoln Public Schools ALL means ALL.

As part of our recently adopted strategic plan, we prioritized student wellbeing and outcomes. We understand there are many factors that can impact your student’s social and emotional wellbeing. Some of those influencers can happen at school, but many times there are situations occurring outside of school or reported in the media that can create stress and/or anxiety for your child - thus impacting their school day. We want to remind you of just some of the resources that will aid you in supporting your student.

At School

If your child needs extra support, please know we are here to help. Contact your child’s school so we can connect them with a caring staff member. This includes our counselors, social workers, psychologists, bilingual liaisons, and student advocates (Youth Development Team). You can call your school’s office during the business day, or use the blue Contact Us button on the school’s website anytime to connect with these professionals.

From our Community

You can also utilize any of these community resources:

We acknowledge that recent headlines may have an impact on our staff, students and families, and we need to be sensitive to the stress, uncertainty and anxiety some are experiencing. Every single day – but most especially in times of change and uncertainty – our children need reassurance and stability, and school is and must be a stable environment for them. We are proud of our staff and the work they do in collaboration with our families and community to provide this. In order to continue this collaboration, we want to provide answers to some of the frequently asked questions we have received of late.

Frequently Asked Questions

Immigration status of students and families

Lincoln Public Schools does not collect or maintain information about citizenship or immigration status. Therefore, LPS cannot share this information because we do not collect it. It is important to note that students’ educational records are also protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

All children in the United States have an equal right to enroll and participate in public elementary and secondary schools without regard to their or their parents’ or guardians’ immigration status.

Law enforcement coming to schools

It is important to remember that many of the processes and protocols that we would employ in the event of an immigration enforcement action are not new and haven’t changed, even with the recent announcement removing schools from the sensitive zone designation. 

In the event that immigration officers were to arrive at a school site, Lincoln Public Schools will adhere to our current policy with regard to law enforcement at school. Current policy  indicates that, while we will fully comply with anything specifically required by law, we will also endeavor to prevent undue interference with District operations or educational programs, which includes maintaining a safe and uninterrupted learning environment for all students. 

Any contacts or questions by law enforcement will be handled by an administrator. Any immigration officer who arrives at a school would be asked to provide written documentation verifying authority for their visit along with the specific purpose for their arrival at school.

Supporting LPS students and families in the event of raids in a community

LPS already has processes for responding in the event that a community crisis were to occur that would result in parents being separated from their children. As in all cases, there are likely to be situational factors which vary widely. Processes include LPS working with community groups and agencies to identify families who are impacted. We would work hand in hand at schools to ensure every child has a safe place to go home to and support for their physical and emotional well-being following such an event. 

I close with this, I am proud to be a part of a school district and a community where each of us values one another. Thank you for coming together, embracing our students and our staff, and helping us build a stronger community. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know how we can support you. 

Dr. John Skretta, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
Lincoln Public Schools

Published: January 24, 2025, Updated: January 24, 2025