Help us help all our students graduate from high school – be part of the solution

For Lincoln Public Schools families:

The Lincoln Board of Education, in partnership with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Chapter of the United Way and the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, invites the public – and most especially all our LPS students and families – to attend a two-meeting Community Conversation this fall. 

The Conversation will address and identify solutions to the major issues that impact students who do not graduate from high school: issues that often go far beyond our school classrooms and involve family support systems, poverty, mental health issues, and additional community and societal challenges.

“This is a bold vision for our community as we ask the public to come together and join us in this critical discussion,” said Lincoln Superintendent of Schools Susan Gourley.  “We believe in the power of community engagement, as we look for additional ways to improve our graduation rate, one of the most important issues in education today.”

Gourley stressed that students who fail to graduate from high school have a serious and long-lasting impact on the entire community:  “The achievement of a simple high school diploma creates measurable benefits that ripple through the fabric of a city.”

A diploma has enormous benefits in increased wages and accumulated wealth – for the individual and for the community, she explained. It also translates into a more comfortable and secure lifestyle for the graduate, fewer health issues, the decreased likelihood of receiving government assistance or going to jail, and the decreased likelihood of continuing the cycle of poverty in families.

The public is asked to join in the conversation and attend two meetings scheduled at Lincoln High School, 2229 J St.:

• 6-8:30 p.m. on: Thursday, Oct. 15
• 6-8:30 p.m. on: Thursday, Nov. 5

The October conversation will begin with a presentation explaining and exploring major factors identified in the lives of LPS students who drop out of school.  In November, working as a collective, participants will begin to identify community solutions and develop recommendations for how our community might come together to increase the high school graduation rate and lower the dropout rate.

No advanced registration is necessary.  Doors at Lincoln High open at 5:30 p.m.  The two meetings are free and open to the public.  We ask that you consider attending this crucial discussion about our community’s future, and the future of our students.

MAKING YOUR HOME A SAFE HOME
- Tips From the Safe Home Parents Network

1. Always arrange supervision for your children when you expect to be away.
2. Call ahead to confirm your child's social plans BEFORE  you give permission for him/her to participate.
3. Verify that activities are supervised by responsible adults and that all activities are drug free.
4. Provide secure storage for all alcohol in your home away from your children. 
5. Be visible when parties or gatherings are taking place at your home. Observe what is happening in subtle ways by replenishing the refreshments, removing trash, or suggesting an appropriate activity.
6. Be aware that most of youth alcohol and other drug use takes place in homes when parents are absent.
7. Recognize the social pressures on today's young people. 
8. Do not hesitate to contact the school if you have questions or concerns.

• Attention Students and Parents
  
• Students are welcome to join us in the A100 Study Hall Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:10 to 4:00 p.m.
• It is a quiet environment where students can come and complete their homework and get help if needed.
• Also, if a student misses a test their teacher can put their make-up test in Ms. Pester's mailbox, inside a folder with teacher name on it, and Ms. Pester will proctor it.
• Students can stay the entire time or leave when they're done.