From the Principal's Desk
Happy New Year!
The new year has arrived and with it, a renewed sense of optimism for the opportunities that lie ahead in 2021! While 2020 included many challenges and sacrifices, the end of our first semester wrapped up on a positive note. Students worked to make the most of our modified schedule so that many of them were able to take their final assessments and deliver any final presentations in person, over the course of our four-day schedule. The last full week of classes included several welcome opportunities for our winter activities, as winter sports resumed competitions and many of our music groups finally had a chance to perform together, in the same place, as full ensembles. If you haven’t had a chance to see the performances from the instrumental and vocal music groups that I would encourage you to do so. They are magnificent! The links are available on the front page of our school website. They are a great representation of the hard work that our students and staff have put in, despite all the changes and challenges of the past semester, to maintain the standard of excellence we take such great pride in here at LSW.
Speaking of excellence, it was announced last month that LSW Athletic Director Mark Armstrong is the 2020 recipient of the Award of Merit by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) when they announced their three major award winners. While many of you know about Mark’s work to help lead our LSW athletic and activities programming, you may not know that Mark has also been a key leader on the national level for several years, having previously earned the NIAAA State Award of Merit in 2002, and in 2005 he was an NIAAA Distinguished Service Award Recipient. The NSIAAA honored him in 2019 with the Award of High Distinction and in 2014 he was awarded the NSIAAA Athletic Director of the Year. We appreciate Mark’s commitment and dedication to the profession and to helping support the students, coaches and sponsors who make up our athletic and activity programming here at LSW.
As mentioned in the district family updates, term three will begin with a continuation of our 50% capacity rotation. The schedule is posted on our school website at lsw.lps.org. Please check it over so that you know which days students are expected to report to school in person and which days they should plan to attend via Zoom.
This past semester was extremely challenging in a variety of ways for staff, students and families. In the end, I am incredibly proud of how flexible, patient and resilient our students have been through all of it. I feel very fortunate to serve such a supportive school community and I look forward to continuing our focus on making sure we do everything we can to have a great second semester and to end the school year on a positive note.
Thanks for all you do for our Silver Hawks
Have a great start to 2021!
Mike Gillotti – Principal
Upcoming Events
*All dates and events are subject to change due to current health directives
January
- 4: Teacher Work Day
- 5: Classes Resume, Term 3 Begins
- 13: Future Hawk Night (virtual)
- 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
February
- 10: Parent Teacher Conferences, 4-7pm
- 15: Teacher Plan Day, no school
- 16: Honors Convocation, (Virtual Presentation of Honorees)
Parent Information
Pass/Fail Course Grade Requests
A mark of S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory) can be recorded on the transcript when specifically requested by the student with approval from the student’s parent/guardian and LSW school counselor. Students in all grades can opt to receive an S/U mark rather than a standard letter grade for any course. Requests must be made and approved in writing (or electronically) by December 22nd for term two courses classes at Southwest.
You can find the form to submit a request to take a course for an S/U grade here on the counseling center website.
Please reach out to your counselor if you have any questions as there are considerations that should be taken into account prior to deciding to take a course Pass/Fail.
Personal Computing Devices
This time of year often brings questions about whether students are allowed to use personal computing devices instead of the district issued Chromebook. Where completing school work is concerned, the answer to this question is “no.” There are a number of reasons for this, but you should be aware that the LPS Chromebook comes with limits on the web sites that can be visited and the applications that can be accessed. You can support teachers’ efforts in managing a consistent learning environment by encouraging your student to use the district issued Chromebook.
Instructional Technology Tools (ITTs) in LPS
LPS believes that high-quality curriculum and instruction can be enhanced with effective use of Instructional Technology Tools (ITTs). To that end, a district committee continually works to identify ITTs that are safe for student use, support district learning goals, and encourage innovative teaching and learning. The most frequently used, approved ITTs are made available to students and staff in the LPS Portal. Learn more about the LPS Portal here: https://home.lps.org/cs/2016/08/08/the-lps-portal/. Need a conversation starter with your student? Ask them for a tour of their LPS Portal and which ITTs they’re currently using in class.
Support for Students Learning Remotely
Remote Learning Supports: Stop by the LPS website and enter the word “remote” into the Search, Keyword field in the top-right.
The “Student Support” page on the Remote Learning site has links to valuable resources to support your student while learning from home. Make sure your students are familiar with the information about how to successfully connect with their teachers using StudentVue.
The “Parent and Guardian Support” page on the Remote Learning site is filled with valuable information designed to help you help your student. Be sure to look through the “10 Remote Learning Things to Know.”
LPS Help Desk is available: Is your student having trouble connecting to their classes? The LPS Help Desk is available to help! Call 402-436-1735 between 7:00am-4:30pm Mon-Fri.
Student Meals
Free Breakfast and Lunch for all LPS Students: Due to the pandemic, the USDA is federally funding breakfast and lunch for all students while the federal funding lasts. All LPS students in preschool – 12 grade and Independence Academy students will be offered breakfast and lunch at no charge.
To receive the school meal at no charge:
- The student must select a serving of fruit or vegetable plus at least two other components of the meal (meat, grain, milk, fruit, vegetable).
- Failing to take a fruit or vegetable plus two other food components will lead to the student being charged a la carte pricing.
- A student selecting pizza and milk would need to pay for these food items since there is no fruit or vegetable.
- A student may select all five components of the meal.
- A la carte food items including milk and second entrees will still be available to purchase with money in the meal account or cash.
LPS will communicate when the program is coming to an end for families to plan around breakfast and lunch purchases.
Just a reminder, families must continue to fill out applications for free or reduced priced meals for the 2020- 2021 school year. You can access a meal application at https://home.lps.org/ns/free-reduced/.
Food Distribution for 100% Remote Learners: LPS is offering all PreK-12 grade 100% Remote Learners meals for the week to be picked up on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at three locations- Lincoln High, North Star, and Southeast. Find more information about food distribution here.
Senior Information
2021 Graduates
Please check the List of Potential 2021 Graduates posted in the Class of 2021 Google Classroom. Please make sure your full LEGAL name is spelled correctly. Diplomas will be printed as shown. See Mrs. Cornell, Registrar, at scornel@lps.org if there are ANY changes.
Announcements/Caps & Gowns
Lincoln Graduation has a brand new website at signaturegraduation.com. All orders are now being encouraged to be done online. New this year: Your order will ship directly to you, instead of being handed out at the end of the school year.
If your student qualifies for Free and Reduced Meals, please have them visit with Abbey Traynowicz in the main office to submit their cap and gown order. You will also need to submit a Fee Waiver for your student’s graduation cap and gown. Fee Waiver form here. These items will be delivered to the school this spring.
Senior Ads
Senior ads for the yearbook are currently 30% off! The yearbook is running a senior sale through December 1. Information can be found on the senior ad link. Space is limited so reserve yours today to ensure your senior has a message in the yearbook.
Senior Academic Reminders
- It is YOUR responsibility, if you are transferring from outside LPS, to provide documentation regarding Honor Roll from another school in order to be eligible for LSW 7 Semester Honor Roll. Do NOT wait until the last minute to address this issue.
- If you are graduating early as a JUNIOR, please let Brianne Wright (main office) know if you would rather be honored at the LSW Honors Convocation with the junior class, or if you would rather be honored at the Senior Honors Program.
- Any academic achievement awarded at the senior honors convocation and/or at graduation are based on a student’s GPA through their seventh semester. Academic achievements are subject to change after the final semester grades are included in the overall GPA. It is important to remember that taking a lighter course load in your final semester could affect your GPA and academic standing.
Government and Politics
GOPO service-learning hours for all students who will take the course during the 20-21 school year are waived.
Graduation
2021 Graduation will be held Saturday, May 29 at Pinnacle Bank Arena at 4:30 p.m.
SOAR Rewards
Would you like to be a part of promoting a positive culture at LSW? If so, please consider donating to our SOAR Rewards student acknowledgement system. Our goal is to help incentivize and recognize students who are “caught SOAR’ing” by demonstrating that they are being Safe, Open-Minded, Accountable, and Respectful. Students who are recognized by staff for modeling SOAR expectations are eligible to receive prizes such as (Gift cards to restaurants, movie passes, Husker/LSW apparel, etc).
If you would like to be a part of this please contact Laura Runge (lrunge@lps.org) or Brett Schuster (bschust@lps.org) to ask about which items students enjoy the most and how to donate. Donations can be dropped off in the main office here at school. Thanks for helping our Silver Hawks SOAR!
Library News
Did you know that LPS students have a robust collection of reference, magazine and newspaper articles available digitally? Gale is a huge database where you can find the answers to almost any question and explore topics of interests. It’s also a great resource for research. To access Gale, click on the link on the LPS Portal and choose the most relevant Gale Database for your needs.
Yearbooks
2020-2021 Yearbook: Yearbooks for the year 20-21 may be purchased through MySchoolBucks.
Yearbook Prices by Term:
- Term 1: $60
- Term 2: $65
- Term 3: $70
- Term 4: $75
Last Year's Yearbook Sale
If you would still like to purchase LAST YEAR’s yearbook, they are now on sale for $30. This price will last until 19-20 yearbooks are gone and is only available for LAST YEAR’S yearbook. If you ordered a 2019-2020 yearbook last year and have not picked it up yet, please stop by room C110 or the bookkeeper to pick up your book.
Driver's Education Courses
Driver’s Education is NOT offered through Lincoln Public Schools. However, there are several organizations here in Lincoln that do offer courses at various times during the fall. They are:
- Nebraska Safety Center @ Innovation Campus
- Southeast Community College, (402) 437-2710
- Nebraska Safety Council, (402) 483-2511
- Road-Ready, (402) 477-5933
LSW Boosters
Silver Hawk Authentic Booster Store: Now Online!
Please visit lswsilverhawks.com for additional details and to place your order!
Silver Hawk Authentic Booster Store is part of the Lincoln Southwest Booster Club. All store personnel are volunteers and all profits go to the Lincoln Southwest Booster Club for support of LSW school programs, student activities, athletics, and performing arts. New volunteers are always welcome; please inquire at the store! Thank you for supporting your school!
LSW Booster Membership
Please visit our website for more information on joining LSW Booster Club.
Membership forms are also available in the main office. You can either pay online or print and mail the membership form to:
Silver Hawks Booster Club
Attn: Memberships
7001 S 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68512