LPS Families: School safety and resources for families

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LPS families,

We are aware there are reports of an FBI memo that outlines planned protests (potentially with armed participants) at every state capitol in the days leading up to and on Inauguration Day. The LPS Security and Threat Assessment team is working with local, state and federal law enforcement and is in constant communication with them. At this time, law enforcement has assured us there is no indication there is a threat to any of our staff, students or our school buildings. We will continue to work with them to ensure the safety of all staff and students while they are in school. 

The work we have done as a school district - and with community partners- to strengthen our Standard Response Protocols and Threat Assessment have informed us on how to best plan for issues of concern like we face now. We will continue to follow our school safety protocols put into place to fortify our schools from potential threats. At this time, our protocols include:

  • Not allowing unscheduled visitors into the school building during COVID-19.
  • Locking and monitoring all entrances.
  • Heightened awareness of activity in and around our schools and property, immediately reporting anything of concern.
  • Initiating Standard Response Protocols when needed.
  • Continued communication and coordination with LPS Security and local, state and federal law enforcement.

School specific information about any changes will be shared by your principal. Please be watching your email for this additional information. 

At Lincoln Public Schools, we are committed to each student having a safe place to learn, to be themselves, to express their concerns and to be heard. Our staff are available for any LPS student or family member who would like to talk. Students and families can reach out to a trusted teacher, administrator, social worker or counselor at any time. If students and families don’t know who they can talk to, they can reach out to us using the confidential green “Safe to Say” button on our website. By filling out the form we will be able to connect you and your child to a caring LPS staff member who will listen and help you. 

Here are some resources that will aid you in having conversations with your child:

Your child’s safety is one of our top priorities. However, we understand if you feel the best option is to keep your child home over the next several days and that is your right as a parent to make that decision. Please communicate with your child’s school if you do decide they will not attend school for any reason.

We remain committed to supporting students and families. Please contact your child’s school if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Steve Joel
Superintendent
 


Published: January 14, 2021, Updated: January 14, 2021